A patriotic American novel, not devoid, however, of a critical analysis of the essence of the United States; an artistic treatment of the memoirs of the hero of the War of American Independence, a native of the mountains in Massachusetts, Israel Potter, who came from a family of pious Puritans (hence the name), forgotten already in the time of G. Melville. The life of Israel Potter was full of adventures and hardships (farmer, hunter, farmer, whaler, soldier, sailor, etc.). During the war between the United States and England, he took part in battles on land and at sea, was captured, fled and hid. In the end, due to the vicissitudes of fate, Potter settled in England and started a family there, living in poverty for about fifty years. At the end of his life, he returned to his native land, where he dictated his memoirs. Israel Potter received neither reward nor pension from his homeland.