Additional information
by Keith Smith (Author)
An American Patriot is a historically grounded novel inspired by the true life of Thomas Elwell, a Revolutionary War soldier whose story survived only through fragments of family memory-until now.
The narrative unfolds through a deeply personal frame: a son seated at his father's graveside, speaking aloud the story he wishes he could have shared in life. As the author recounts Elwell's journey-from the colonial frontier to the battlefields of the American Revolution-past and present quietly intertwine, reminding the reader that history is not only something we study, but something we inherit.
Drawn from years of genealogical research and grounded in documented events, the novel traces Elwell's evolution from an adventurous young man into a soldier shaped by hardship, loyalty, love, and loss. The story moves through pivotal moments of the Revolutionary era while never losing sight of the human cost borne by ordinary people whose names rarely appear in textbooks.
Blending careful historical detail with imaginative reconstruction, An American Patriot honors the countless men and women who helped secure American independence-and the generations who carry their stories forward. Written for readers who value accuracy, reflection, and narrative depth, this is a novel about legacy, memory, and the enduring bond between past and present.
