First published in 1911, “Rolf in the Woods” is a classic adventure story by Ernest Thompson Seton. It tells the tale of Rolf, a young teenage orphan with nothing to speak of. He works tirelessly on his authoritarian uncle’s farm until one day he meets a Native American called Quonab. They become friends and Rolf learns many great life lessons from him, including outdoors survival and self-defence. However, it’s not all fun and adventure in this moving coming-of-age novel. Considered to be among the 100 greatest stories ever written, “Rolf in the Woods” is not to be missed by any fiction lover or collector of Seton’s seminal work. Ernest Thompson Seton (1860 – 1946) was an English-born Canadian author and wildlife artist who founded the Woodcraft Indians in 1902. He was also among the founding members of the Boy Scouts of America, established in 1910. He wrote profusely on this subject, the most notable of his scouting literature including “The Birch Bark Roll” and the “Boy Scout Handbook”. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

Set at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Rolf in the Woods follows a young boy on his journey to becoming a man, learning how to live in the wilderness, respecting animals and nature, and fighting amongst his brethren in war. When his mother passes away, fifteen-year-old Rolf goes to live with his aunt and uncle on their farm. But his aunt’s constant scolding and his uncle’s drunken violence make living in this new home unbearable for the gentle boy, and he runs away to live in a wigwam with Quonab, a Native American, and his trusty dog Skookum, who teach the boy how to live off the land, hunt, gather, and understand wild creatures. These newfound skills come into play when Rolf must participate in the War of 1812, and he is able to survive by relying on the wisdom the Indian has shared with him. Rolf in the Woods is not only an adventure story but also a guide that teaches young men how to thrive in the outdoors. Ernest Thompson Seton, an avid outdoorsman, provides vivid descriptions of Quonab’s lessons, like making a bed with logs, constructing a tom-tom, distinguishing the calls of animals, and making a bow and arrow, and includes over 200 hand-drawn illustrations to make these lessons come to life.

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'Rolf in the Woods' is a novel penned by Ernest Thompson Seton. The story begins with a scene of an early springtime sunrise, where Quonab, a Native American, steps out of his wigwam and begins singing to the rising sun. He then takes his flint-lock and looks across the water for ducks, but instead sees a muskrat and decides to use his bow and arrows and fish line to catch it. He returns to his wigwam and skins the muskrat and hangs it to dry. A tall, rough-looking man with a red nose and white mustache then appears and makes a contemptuous remark about "rat-eater" before being warned by Quonab to keep away.