Neespaugot: The Legend of the Indian's Coin

This is an amazing story that spans 400 years. We start with Runinniduk, a Native American PawWaw or sorcerer. He is given on of the first coins minted in America in exchange for translating the Bible. He is the one that decides to help the colonist’s survive. But when an Indian village is destroyed, Runinniduk is blames because of his blond and blue eyed features. He is punished but later goes on to join the Indian counsel. We then see the coin pass from Runinniduk to his granddaughter Melba Blue Jay. We then follow her hard story around the world. We continue to see the coin passed from hand to hand and location to location until it ends in present day where a daughter is trying to get her inheritance from her father. This is a wonderful and rich history of the world and the people in it. It shows how blood lines have been muddied throughout that years and how horrible many people were treated. When you realize that this is based on real life events it humbles you to realize this and worse has happened. This is a great story that might not be your normal read. Don’t let that stop you from reading this book. It is one that should be on everyone’s shelves. I received Neespaugot: Legend of the Indian’s Coin from Teddy at Premier Virtual Author Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

.Not the kind of book I normally read so I wasn't real sure what to expect. However I was intrigued and not disappointed. The plot/story ending up very interesting and will keep the reader involved all the way to the end. It was an interesting book to read. The weaving or races and cultures causes the to think. I recommend anyone to check it out. I received a complimentary copy from Teddy Rose and Virtual Author Book Tours.

The tribes of Massachusetts are outnumbered by white men, and the white Christian leader of dark-skinned men has fallen prey to drink. Covenants are null and void, their “terms died with the Sachem.” And nothing changes in politics or war. So starts John Mugglebee’s tale of Indians and more. A coin minted for trust becomes an emblem of belonging and history. Memories are lost with the land. Love is elusive. And family demands a home. Well-researched details anchor the story in American history. Well-chosen words bring foreign languages to life without ever feeling intrusive. Well-drawn characters are strong, flawed, determined and relatable. And a genuine sense of human sins and frailties fills the pages, from rejected Indian to runaway slave, from Chinaman to French, from Canada to foreign shores and back. Neespaugot views human sins through unfiltered eyes, recognizes our crimes, then builds stories and characters each with just enough good in them to feel real. The coin might be a tie to the land, or to an idea, to family, belonging or hope. Or it might just be a coin. The land might belong to tribe or nation or none. But the lives belong solely to themselves, transcendence lies beyond the labels we apply, and all of us are mongrels in the end. The storyline spreads from past to present, through generations of large and small betrayals, assumptions and denials. It’s beautifully told. It’s characters are hauntingly real. And it’s ending, firmly anchored in the present, is smoothly powerful and achingly real. I really enjoyed it. Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I freely offer my honest review. I loved it.

Neespaugot: The Legend of the Indian's Coin brings to the reader a tale of history that centers around an old coin given to the Indian Runinniduk for his services to the white settlers of an area in Rhode Island. While the story is fictional it is based on true events that present us with history that few may be aware of. We follow the coin as it is passed from hand to hand and generation to generation. The coin seems to embody the strength of the old Indian and that is what carries through when his descendants face trouble and hard times. And in no uncertain terms their lives are anything but easy. I adore books that take a seemingly obscure object and explore the history connected with that object. When I come across a family heirloom I often wonder where that object got its start, whose hands it has passed through, and how it may have influenced the lives of others. Add in true historical facts and I'm hooked. It is my belief that if history was taught through story-telling more of us might have been interested. In Neespaugot: The Legend of the Indian's Coin we are treated to a wonderfully written and researched story that highlights several social problems still alive today. In fact, the Indian Runinniduk is himself of mixed origin with blonde hair and blue eyes - a pariah of sorts within his own tribe. We also follow along as the village of Neespaugot grows over the centuries into a modern town with all the vices and virtues thereof. Some readers may find the early chapters a bit slow but I urge you to stick with the story. Plenty of action, adventure, intrigue, and a bit of Puritan style romance make this a well rounded book. I received a copy of this book from Teddy at Virtual Authors Tour; this in no way influenced my review.