The Tales of Alvin Maker

The Tales of Alvin Maker is a series of six alternate history fantasy novels written by American novelist Orson Scott Card, published from 1987 to 2003, with one more planned.

They explore the experiences of a young man, Alvin Miller, who realizes he has incredible powers for creating and shaping things around him.

Many Caucasian characters have a limited supernatural ability, or “knack,” to do some task nearly perfectly, Native Americans manifest nature magic, and people of African ancestry can work voodoo.

The series displays much stronger Native American influence in its culture and society between New England and Virginia that extends westwards to Ohio.

Some historical figures are also accorded knacks, such as Benjamin Franklin (appearing only briefly but being repeatedly mentioned), who is said to have been a Maker, and Napoleon, who has the abilities to make others adore and obey him and to see others' great ambitions.

Famous Native American figures include Tecumseh, who is called "Ta Kumsaw" in the books, and his brother Tensquatawa is also featured, as "Tenskwa Tawa."

The famous Battle of Tippecanoe in which both brothers were involved occurs in the second book, Red Prophet, but its outcome is different from the historic one.

Alvin has had premonitions that he may die after building the Crystal City, which suggests Smith's death in Carthage, Illinois.

Race also plays a large part in the stories, particularly in how culture shapes the abilities that people of different groups develop.

"Whites" have knacks or cultivated skills that appear to be derived from the folklore and traditions of Colonial America and Western Europe.