Ambushed in the wilderness along with French missionaries, this early pioneer in America survived torture and captivity to become an esteemed advisor to the much-feared Mohawks and other Iroquois nations. Guillaume Coutures remarkable life shows how fate, adaptability and courage can influence the course of history. His life story teaches us some very contemporary lessons about the power of faith, experience and openness to other cultures.

From centuries-old source documents, Michael Fenn has pieced together the remarkable story of a young carpenters rise from obscurity to influence in 17th...