In Wilderness Empire, Allen W. Eckert has provided an in-depth and in-depth look into the lives of key decision-makers and the pivotal events leading up to and including the French and Indian War. Through Eckert's informed insight, the reader can enjoy a look into a distant way of life made uplifting by its depiction of historical figures. By following the lives of William Johnson and his friend Tiyanoga, a powerful leader of the Six Nations, the reader can better understand a way of life long since eradicated. Eckert paints portraits of the warrior Pontiac of Ottawa and various French and English political leaders of this period. The reader recognizes and appreciates the appearance of young George Washington and Ben Franklin. Eckert records the early lives of the characters William Johnson and Pontiac. Through this insight into such different and simple beginnings, the reader better understands the magnitude of the changes that took place at this time in history. Johnson, born a poor Irish Catholic, was given the opportunity to come to the colonies where he became a wealthy landowner and successful businessman. Johnson, who was known among Indian tribes as a far-sighted and honest man, developed a deep relationship with Tiyanoga, one of the principal chiefs of the Mohawks. Through this connection to Tiyanoga, Johnson gained knowledge of native culture that gave him strong political influence with the Indian League of Nations, also called the Iroquois League or Six Nations. As Pontiac grew up in a culture foreign to most modern readers, he became a formidable leader among his people as the war chief of Ottawa. Wilderness Empire chronicles the Iroquois League's relations with the French and English. As tensions between the European powers grew, the Indians were courted by emissaries from both countries. The reader is provided with an astute portrait of the corrupt political systems that were used to both influence and harm Native Americans, even going so far as the conversion of Indian tribes by the French to a bastardized version of the Catholic faith. From this perspective, readers are offered an understanding of the strength of the Native American people as a war force in this conflict. Both the English and French knew that they would be defeated if their political opponents could win the support of the tribes..