West Virginia University professor Mary Rodd Furbee will be launching her new book about frontier heroine Mary Ingles Friday, Nov. 7, as part of Mountaineer Week.

Furbee will sell and autograph copies of Shawnee Captive: The Story of Mary Draper Ingles from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on the first floor of the Mountainlair. The book is the true account of Mary Ingles’capture by the Shawnee and her courageous and harrowing escape.

In Shawnee Captive, Furbee has used careful research to compile the most accurate account of Ingles’incredible journey, including letters and writings by Mary’s son, John Ingles.

As tension between the settlers and American Indians increased in the valley, raids and killings by both sides became common. One day Shawnee warriors stormed Draper’s Meadow, attacking settlers and burning the settlement to the ground. A pregnant Ingles was taken captive, as well as her two young sons and sister-in-law. They were marched more than 800 miles to a village on the Ohio River where they were to live in captivity. The story of Ingles’journey home places her at the top of American frontier heroes.

For the past 20 years, Furbee has worked as a writer, editor and television producer. For eight years, she has taught writing at the WVU Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism.