Douglas A. Gosselin is a storyteller whose passion for history stems from a lifelong dedication to service and a deep respect for those whose quiet actions shape the course of events. He began his military career as an Army airborne infantryman, serving as a scout on a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team, before transitioning to a 20-year career in the United States Air Force, where he worked across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. His experiences in regions marked by conflict, diplomacy, and transformation gave him unique insight into the process of building nations and securing freedom—work that often goes unseen by most but is essential to lasting change.
Gosselin brings this understanding to this historical novel, “Pawn to King’s End”, an epic historical fiction set during the Great Derangement at the start of the French and Indian War, and the American War of Independence. The story follows an Acadian family navigating the upheaval of empire and revolution, exploring themes of loyalty, survival, and the cost of freedom.
At its core, “Pawn to King’s End” recognizes that the construction of a new nation and the promise of liberty are not achieved by signing a single document, but through sacrifice, struggle, and the passage of time. The novel reflects the early founders’ awareness of the irony of declaring universal freedom in a society where many remained unfree, while understanding that the creation of a truly free nation would require generations of effort and the inclusion of many voices.
Through meticulous historical research and compelling characters, Gosselin’s work reminds readers that freedom is not an event, but a process—one that demands sacrifice, perseverance, and an ongoing commitment to justice.