The Courage of Captain Plum Author:James Oliver Curwood James Oliver Curwood was an early 20th century writer who lived in Michigan, where he published several novels a year. Curwood loved the outdoors and is known for his conservation efforts. Curwood's experience of almost being killed by a bear, who decided to let him live, has greatly influenced his writings. Curwood believed that his writings w... more »ould in some part make up for the animals he killed while a hunter. The Courage of Captain Plum was the first novel written by James Curwood. Captain Plum was a man in his late twenties who owned and captained the sloop Typhoon. This is the story of his adventure on the high seas.« less