
THE SEATS OF THE MIGHTY - BEING THE MEMOIRS OF CAPTAIN ROBERT MORAY, SOMETIME AN OFFICER IN THE VIRGINIA REGIMENT, AND AFTERWARDS OF AMHERST’S REGIMENT
By Gilbert Parker - To the Memory of Madge Henley.
INTRODUCTION TO THE IMPERIAL EDITION
I. AN ESCORT TO THE CITADEL
II. THE MASTER OF THE KING’S MAGAZINE
III. THE WAGER AND THE SWORD
IV. THE RAT IN THE TRAP
V. THE DEVICE OF THE DORMOUSE
VI. MORAY TELLS THE STORY OF HIS LIFE
VII. “QUOTH LITTLE GARAINE”
A former officer of the Virginia and Amherst regiments, Captain Robert Moray offers his own recollections of the turbulent era when European powers vied for control of New France. His memoirs begin with a vivid escort to a citadel, setting the tone for a story steeped in the clash of swords, treaties, and ambition. From the opening pages, listeners hear the clamor of frontier forts and the restless yearning of a soldier caught between duty and desire.
The narrative weaves together daring raids, precarious alliances, and personal wagers that test Moray’s loyalties. Alongside battlefield exploits, the book sketches the cultural tapestry of French‑Canadian settlements, indigenous encounters, and the relentless push for conquest. Its episodes—such as the mysterious “Device of the Dormouse” and the dangerous gamble in “The Rat in the Trap”—immerse the audience in a world where honor and survival hang in delicate balance.
Parker’s prose balances historical detail with the intimacy of a personal diary, making each chapter feel like a whispered secret from the past. The rhythm of Moray’s voice, rich with humor and self‑reflection, invites listeners to travel the rugged roads of early Canada while pondering the timeless cost of power. This is an engaging, character‑driven portrait of an age when the seats of the mighty were still being claimed.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (679K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Andrew Sly, and David Widger
Release date
2004-11-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1932
A bestselling novelist of adventure and historical romance, he brought Canadian settings and imperial politics together in stories that captivated a wide readership. His best-known work, The Seats of the Mighty, helped make him one of the most popular English-language novelists of his day.
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by Gilbert Parker