
Release Date: February 17, 2026
INTRODUCTION:
Hello My Friends!
I hope you are having a lovely day. I came across a book today that immediately caught my attention, and I knew I wanted to bring it to you right away. I know how much many of you enjoy diving into a deeply researched, well-written biography. Whether you are a history buff or simply love a story that brings the past to life, this one promises to be truly special.
SYNOPSIS:
One ordinary man. Seven years of war. A forgotten patriot whose story helped shape a nation.
History remembers the Founding Fathers. It nearly forgot the soldiers who made their vision possible.
Thomas Elwell longs for adventure, but when the American Revolution begins, he answers the call to fight for independence and finds himself swept into one of history’s defining conflicts.
Over seven years, he endures the brutal winters at Valley Forge and Morristown, fights in pivotal Revolutionary War battles including Sullivan’s Island, Monmouth, and Charleston, survives imprisonment by the British twice, and discovers that the greatest battles are fought not only for liberty, but for the people he loves.
Inspired by the documented life of the author’s fifth great-grandfather, An American Patriot blends meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling to bring one forgotten Continental Army soldier vividly to life.
Drawing from military records, genealogical research, and historical accounts, Keith Smith reconstructs the remarkable journey of an ordinary man whose courage reflected that of thousands of patriots whose names history nearly erased.
As America marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, An American Patriot turns the spotlight away from the famous names of the Revolution and toward the ordinary soldiers whose courage made independence possible.
Framed by a son’s determination to honor the father whose passion for genealogy uncovered Thomas’s story, this is both an epic Revolutionary War adventure and a moving tribute to family, sacrifice, remembrance, and the enduring legacy of those who helped build a nation.
An American Patriot is a standalone Revolutionary War historical novel inspired by the documented life of Continental Army soldier Thomas Elwell. Featuring themes of liberty, courage, sacrifice, family legacy, resilience, and enduring love, it is ideal for readers of Jeff Shaara, Nathaniel Philbrick, Kenneth Roberts, and richly researched historical fiction grounded in real events.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Keith Smith is an author, genealogical researcher, and lifelong student of American history whose work focuses on uncovering the forgotten stories that shaped America’s past.
Through extensive historical research, military records, battlefield visits, and primary sources, he brings overlooked people and events to life with accuracy, depth, and compelling storytelling.
His debut novel, An American Patriot: A Revolutionary War Soldier’s Fight for Liberty and Love, is inspired by the documented life of his fifth great-grandfather, Continental Army soldier Thomas Elwell. The novel reflects Keith’s belief that history belongs not only to its famous figures, but also to the ordinary people whose courage and sacrifice changed the course of a nation.
Keith continues to research American history and genealogy, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost while encouraging others to discover the remarkable histories within their own families.