Oregon Books

This is an excellent first hand account of the original discovery of what was to be the Oregon Trail (in reverse). Robert Stuart originally left New York on the ship the Tonquin, funded by John Jacob Astor, and sailed around the tip of South America and then eventually up to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon to establish a trading post. Stuart then proceeded to head back east to report to Astor about the state of affairs of the trading fort. With only a handful of men, they went by canoe, horseback and mostly by foot, from the mouth of the Columbia to St. Louis, then eventually to New York. This historical narrative is beyond words. They faced the hardships of hunger, fatigue, Indians, weather, and about everything else one can think of. It is truly a fascinating portrayal of day to day survival in the 1812 wilderness written from the hand of the man who was there. What I also enjoyed about the book was the Appendix on Wilson Price Hunt who, also working for Astor, took an expedition by land from St. Louis to Oregon at about the same time. His written account is also mind-blowing and puts the whole book into perspective. There is also an excellent forward by Rollins which gives you a background on what you are about to read.

This book represents a major achievement in the annals of western exploration, and deserves a prominent spot on anyone's American history shelf. In 1810, Robert Stuart, a partner with John Jacob Astor, shipped to the mouth of the Columbia River, where he helped establish Astoria. But troubles at the post with the British during the War of 1812 impelled Stuart with six other men to make an overland winter journey over the Rockies to St. Louis. Throughout the journey Stuart kept a journal, in which he recorded everything encountered along the way: the precise route taken, various Indian tribes, flora and fauna, perspective trapping grounds - and their own personal hardships, which included, near starvation, freezing weather, and hostile Indians. He gave the journal to Astor, who sent it to President James Madison. Stuart then wrote a more formal version of the journey, which was published in France. The original journal made its way back to the Stuart family, where it remained forgotten until it was discovered in a cupboard and finally published in 1935.

This book publishes both the original journal and the French rewrite, known as the "Traveling Memoranda." Both are meticulously edited by Philip Ashton Rollins, which is the key that makes this edition not only definitive but a masterwork. With Rollin's notes it's possible to follow Stuart's route precisely. He is especially detailed where the men crossed South Pass, the first known whites to do so, though their "discovery" would go unrecognized (Jedediah Smith is credited with making the first "recorded" crossing of the Pass in 1824.) In addition to these works, there is a 70-page Forward that summarizes events and puts the Narratives into perspective and a detailed Biographical Note on Stuart's family history.

The book indeed is a major accomplishment. Anyone interested in the early exploration of the West must read this book. Highly recommended.

Robert Stuart, a partner of John Jacob Astor, was sent by ship to Oregon on company business, and returned cross country by horseback, canoe and foot. Along the way he kept a journal, written in berry juice, which is reprinted here. Washington Irving also wrote "Astoria" based on this journal.

Our whole country should be grateful to Robert Stuart for his discovery of the Oregon Trail and his courage against unbelievable odds in making such a tortuous journey. This book was first printed in 1935 and the original copies are scarce and valuable. So I was thrilled to discover that Amazon not only sold it but that it was now in paperback! When the word gets around to the rest of his descendants, we will have this book on the best seller list, where it belongs. So take that, Lewis & Clark!

Once in a great while an author tells a story that is both awe inspiring and down to earth at the same time. , Dayton O. Hyde, author of "Don Coyote" has compiled such a work. His tale is the great American novel that not only speaks, but also sings from the heart, Hyde's story is told from his own point of view, and is about his life as a struggling cattle rancher in Oregon and the amazing friends one can meet thru tolerance and understanding. His is a tale of the brilliance one gains when one stops and listens to his environment instead of destroying it. It teaches that one can live in harmony with all of its creatures. In Hyde's life he has experienced the hardship of honest work, the toils and troubles of dreams not working out, and the friendship of one extraordinary creature. When Don Coyote first came into Hyde's life he was but a nuisance, a so called "threat" to his cattle, a threat that by all of the old laws of the west needed to be poisoned and snuffed out of existence imeadetly. Hyde was a good rancher, a good husband to his wife and a good father to his children, an over all a good person. So when it came time to raise his rifle in Don's direction Hyde couldn't kill him, no matter the old myth that coyotes live to only kill sheep, and should be destroyed on sight .Hyde didn't know it then, but that simple decision to not take an "animal's" life would change his own forever. The New York Times Book Review says, "Mr. Hyde is an engaging writer, and he portrays his coyote characters as charming, quirky and almost irresistibly appealing. He also convincingly demonstrates the senselessness of those who kill the wildlife he loves." Experience the extraordinary true story of a man who decided to observe nature with not just his eyes but also his heart, therefore discovering that man is not the controller of his environment but very much controlled by it. Welcome one and all to a tale of true friendship and

camaraderie. "Don Coyote" was published by Ballantine Books and is available wherever Ballatine Books are sold. Also by Dayton O. Hyde: "The Major, The Poacher and The Wonderful One-Trout River," "One Summer In Montana" and "Thunder Down the Track."

Don Coyote is one of my favorite books of all time. I have just finished this book - again - as I have done every year since 1990. This book is such an easy book to read - it is very hard for me to put this book down once started - and every year I am re-aquainted with Don, Coy, and the Hyde family. I have recommended this book (and the author) to my friends and family and cannot wait to share Don Coyote with my grandchildren.

Dayton Hyde has a wonderful command of the English language and paints pictures with words so you can actually see whatever he writes about. The story was engaging, humorous, informative, and well-written. It is a story of his own struggle to be at one with nature and habitat. He taught his children this love. He was a good father and a good husband, and he maintains his sense of wonder throughout the whole book. He draws the reader into his thoughts and world. I loved the book. I have now read two that Dayton Hyde has written, and this was my favorite, but I loved both books. He is a man I truly admire. He is a good teacher. I read the books before giving them to my son for Christmas, and I want to give other people his book. He shares his life with several coyotes on his ranch and learns their ways and their habits. I learned a lot. Thanks, Dayton!!!

Edwina Parkhurst has a guilty secret, one that she has lied, contrived, and connived to keep hidden. Knowing full well that what she does is denounced as a terrible sin, preached against in pulpits, seen as Satan's handiwork by the God-fearing people in her world, and especially by the family she loves and has supported for years, Edwina continues her sinful ways. She has no choice if she is to keep a roof over her family's heads, food on the table, and garments suitable to their station.

I had never read any other works by this author but I bought the book because of the wonderful outline given by another reviewer and because I am a sucker for "spinster" stories.

What a wonderful find this book was for me. The characters are absolutely likeable, loveable and believable. Edwina is willing to run the risk of total shame and ruin if anyone finds out how she is earning the money necessary to keep her family clothed, housed and fed. At the time this story takes place her activity was indeed considered sinful, especially for a woman. The hero, Talmadge Jones, comes into the story in such a way that we can feel sympathy and empathy for him before we condemn him for the way he earns his living. These two must survive situations which are (at least for me) almost too over-the-top. Could she really have come from her sheltered background and endured all the physical hardships associated with their plight? Then I remind myself, this is fiction, anything is possible in fiction. I highly recommend this book. It is absorbing, tender, and sweet. It also shows a heroine who must take drastic action seldom depicted in the usual western historical novel.

Now for the bad news. This book is very poorly edited. It contains a large number of instances where I had to read, then re-read sentences and passages to correct them in my head in order to make the story make sense. I am greatly surprised that it was allowed to go into print like this. And that is too bad, it really did slow me down when I was reading and got very irritating at times.

Please don't reject the book because of the editing flaws. If you know about the problem going in, you can know it won't get better and make whatever mental adjustments you need to in order to enjoy this wonderful story. And it is just that, a wonderful story. I wish I could find more written by this author.

Edwina Parkhurst has a guilty secret, one that she has lied, contrived, and connived to keep hidden. Knowing full well that what she does is denounced as a terrible sin, preached against in pulpits, seen as Satan's handiwork by the God-fearing people in her world, and especially by the family she loves and has supported for years, Edwina continues her sinful ways. She has no choice if she is to keep a roof over her family's heads, food on the table, and garments suitable to their station.

Everything changes when she agrees to accompany her married sister to Oregon to rejoin her abusive husband, a trip that takes them through the wilds of Nevada's High Desert. A trip that has the sister and her daughters stolen by outlaws and strands Edwina in the desert winter. Dressed as a boy, driving a buggy destined for a 'calico queen,' and taking care of a man she thinks is an outlaw, she is hard put to keep on lying to Tal Jones, her captive, a blind gunfighter.

Wanting nothing more than to make enough money to go south where it's warm, Tal agreed to protect the freight wagons of whiskey, but he didn't expect to get shot in the head, lose his eye-sight, and wind up with a boy who was becoming more and more attractive every minute. And, of course, that isn't right.

And, of course, Edwina isn't a boy.

My father was a close freind of the deceased in the book. He never met the author, but he knew the family. He was described in the book as building his own house (which is fictional, because he never built a house). This book is very graphic in how the bodies were found, and how the family was killed. Wharton makes up some of the names and of course some of the events in the book.

William Wharton, author of DAd and Birdy writes a moving account of his daughters death in Oregon and of his attempt to bring attention to the dangeous practice of field burning by large seed companies. An intensely moving experience, especially if you have children. Highly reccommended

A year and a half ago I read the, then latest book, "Ever After," by my favorite author, William Wharton. The author of "Birdy," "Dad," and most recently, "Houseboat on the Seine," depicts the horrendous 23 car pile up on Oregon's Interstate 5 in the summer of '88, that occured due to field burning near Albany, Oregon. Seven deaths resulted out of overt negligence on the part of Oregon laws, businesses, political action committees and the farmer(s) involved. The author dealing with the personal impact of this tragedy, eventually decides to take action and attempts to pursue legal recourse. The book outlines the tremendous forces that come into play within our business/legal/political system(s) when it comes to assuming responsibility/liability for both the personal and ongoing environmental disasters that evolve out of negligence and irresponsibility. This book stirs even the apathetic into action

My book is called facing west I like it because it has a lot of adventure and scary moments in it. They name things different then what we do. Zach and Ben are best friends it's a funny book too. AS you read this book you will find what the real Oregon trail and it feels like really on the Oregon Trail with Zach and Ben. I think you should read this book because I think you'llen joy it.

My book is called facing west I like it because it has a lot of adventure and scary moments in it. They name things different then what we do. Zach and Ben are best friends it's a funny book too. Read this to find out if his family will make it.

Ben is the main person in this story. They went west in 1845. His family went to Oregon. His doctor said it was better for him out there. I like the story very much. I liked how they showed the old pictures of the wagons going down the road. I liked the part where Pete pushed Ben and he hit his head against the tree. I also aliked the part where the oxen starting pulling the wagons and Ben sat on the ground. I didn't like the way Pete walked up and started talking to Ben. I thought it would be a surprise meeting.

I downloaded The Haven from my library and listened to it in one sitting. The story was wonderful, the characters delightful, and spending the day "living" with Laila and Ash proved to be a great way to spend my time.

The reader, Stephanie Brush, does a very good job with the voices--I had no trouble knowing who was speaking whether that person was identified by gender or not.

Irene Bennett Brown has written a series of four books placed in Paragon Springs. I'm now off to listen to them. What fun to discover a new author!

Carol

Irene Bennett Brown's Haven blends impeccable historical research with a romantic plot reflecting the morals and manners of the 19th Century. It's this kind of accuracy that has endeared Brown to her fans. For history buffs, background details on her strong-willed heroine, Laila Mitchell's, crusade against the destructive patent medicine industry lend an unmistakable aura of authenticity. Even a wee glimpse of the well-constructed plot would spoil the intrigue for readers. But the setting is a search for her grandparents that leads to a magical peach-laden canyon, and the handsome entrepreneur, Ash Corbett, who disapproves of her independent bent. There's an adorable wild cat of a little girl, and Ash's father, a cantankerous old man who fights change to the last ditch. Haven is a treat for readers of all ages. Another feather in the cap of this fine historical novelist!

Laila Mitchell was an orphan by the time she was fifteen. A few years later in 1893, Laila decides to join her grandparents living in la Grande, Oregon where she hopes to make a living from her medical skills learned nursing an elderly person for five years. In Boise, Laila meets widow Kate Boston who is crossing the Snake River to work as a housekeeper to a gold mine owner, Austin Corbett. When Kate is injured in an accident, she persuades Laila to cover for her on her new job until she can take over.

Across the river, the two women are shocked to learn that Ruby Gold is not a mine, but a peach farm. Austin welcomes the two women, but his father is nasty and abrupt. Austin warns Laila not to go down river, but she does anyway. There she is the only female besides an abandoned wild child. Austin keeps coming down to ostensibly see that's he is okay, but in fact has fallen in love with Laila. She reciprocates, but her need for independence threatens any future together.

HAVEN provides readers with picturesque view of life in a remote area (decades before Kneval's failed jump) during ironically that is so opposite to what is often seen in novels occurring during the "gay nineties". The cast is fabulous as fans can see their movies especially the heroine's need to prove herself to herself. Fans of historical fiction with romance as a secondary subplot will take immense pleasure in this powerfully vivid description of a bygone era.

The Library of America has done it again - directing me toward this priceless book by Francis Parkman, whom I had heard of but never read. It is perhaps the best accounting I have read thus far about the era and aura surrounding historical depictions of the Oregon Trail. It began in diary form, fleshed out later into a splendid historical novel. He is a marvelous writer, a factual storyteller; equal to if not surpassing Mark Twain's captivating talent, in my own opinion; but more importantly, he was a remarkable man of solid character and it is readily apparent, thus adding credibility to his every word. His wit and prose are truly out of the ordinary and he uses both to great effect to capture the imagination of the reader which he accomplishes virtually from the first sentence. A remarkable work and one that will last through ages more, unchallenged as not only the last of it's kind, but as the best benchmark for any historical endeavor that may yet be written about the Oregon Trail.

He was a young adventurer, who set out on the Oregon Trail mostly because he could. His was a journey destined to explore the Indian Nations if he could - in all their original state of gore and glory. This became an obsession; something he required of himself while he was on the prairie - and he shrugged off life-threatening illness, hardship and peril to write it down as he saw it roll before his eyes. They accepted him into their lives and their village, not without some trepidation, but with hospitality as they knew it nonetheless. As he moves within their culture through this short time, he notices everything down to the slightest detail, providing excellent insight into the daily rituals of plains Indian life. His descriptive passages of the moving of the villages, complete with dogs, children, warriors and old mothers, fathers and, of course, the Chief are remarkable in that it required not only tactful diplomacy, but astonishing bravery as well. He remarked, but did not dwell on it, nonetheless, the reader senses the acute danger present with every step along a path such as this.

There was also much humor through everyday occurrences that he never failed to note. One passage comes to mind from pages 206/207 and it's regarding, of all things, a dog being admonished for bad behavior by one of the native women: "....scolding an old yellow dog, who lay on the ground with his nose resting between his paws, and his eyes turned sleepily upward to her face, as if he were pretending to give full respectful attention, but resolved to fall asleep as soon as it was all over.."

His eyes beheld Fort Laramie in it's hey day, the mountain men of self-exile and boundless energy when in pursuit of the beaver, the lazy and the disagreeable, the "complexions" that had little to do with who you were in such a primitive yet natural scenario. But it is not primarily the culture differences or the human aspect - wild and therefore superstitious vs. civilized and educated - of his accounting but of his open mindedness, his willing to look beyond surfaces of people unlike himself and search for the soul within; the search for fact and truth what ever it was, where ever it was, and whomever it belonged to. He held a genuine interest in his undertaking and his virtual pen was faithful in that regard. His eye for beauty and appreciation of the boundless and magnificent wilderness excursion fills the reader with longing to have experienced such as this themselves, even though most of us know it takes a separate breed of individual to breach the hardship inherent in such a journey. And, as one who has grown up in the West, it is easy to spot a counterfeit.

Truly a masterpiece of Western Americana, taking it's rightful place alongside Mari Sandoz/s "Old Jules".

I highly recommend this two-volume historical book to anyone who is interested in factual narrative adventure, Indian Nations as they were or first-person American History, especially during the Westward movement.

David McCullough and Theodore Roosevelt both say that they consider Francis Parkman to be their favorite historian and the author who had the greatest impact on their own writing. If you read the Oregon Trail you will understand why.

Parkman made his journey in 1846. It was before the Civil War, and 15 or more years before the West portrayed in most westerns. The outposts of the American Fur Company were 700 miles west of the farthest reaches of the U.S. Cavalry, and Parkman was truly on the cutting edge of frontier. This is a very different view of the West than we get from the movies.

What is most interesting here is the portrayal of the American Indian. Traders, merchants, immigrants, trappers, and frontiersmen live side by side with the Sioux Indians. The Sioux are are war with the Crows, and the six nations are gathering to finally wipe the Crows from the face of the earth.

The West resembles a multi-racial society, where the settlers and traders try to get along with everyone, but where the Indians seem to have a little more trouble than the settlers living in peace. The Sioux look upon the trading posts as a source of protection and manufactured goods. They leave the bodies of their dead chiefs on scaffolds nearby Fort Laramie for protection, to keep the Crow from desecrating the bodies of the dead.

There is a great deal of mixture between whites and Indians. Traders and merchants have squaws as mistresses or even wives, and the families, the in-laws, live inside the fort with them. During one pare of the journey, Parkman leaves the Oregon trail to go with a friend and find his dying wife, a Sioux squaw who is with the tribe.

This book is a classic. It is the type that should be read by every educated American. On top of that, it's well written, and as timeless as any modern American history.

This volume is a reader's delight, for it presents not one but two of Francis Parkman's classic works: The Oregon Trail and The Conspiracy of Pontiac. Rightly hailed as America's greatest historian, in The Oregon Trail Francis Parkman relates a journey to the 1840's American West - undertaken for the express purpose of living among "real" American Indian tribes of the Great Plains before their way of life passed forever. By this experience Parkman hoped to better understand and relate what eastern tribes had so tragically fought for and lost in the preceding century's struggle for the continent. The Oregon Trail is a great book in its own right, and has been reviewed by this reader previously (see more in "About Me/Other Reviews"), but the primary focus of this review is Parkman's study of a crucial chapter in the development of North America as we know it today: the disastrous consequences France's defeat in Canada would bring to the remaining eastern tribes. For this event would inexorably lead to the explosion of the English colonies across lands heretofore held by them under French "dominion".

While the Iroquois Nations had long maintained an uneasy alliance with the English as they pushed their way into the western reaches of New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, those further west knew what the defeat of the French would bring: utter destruction. The Ottawa, Ojibwa, Pottawattami, Delaware, Shawnee, Illinois, Sauk and Foxes had long fought the intrusion of the arrogant and land-grabbing English from Quebec to the Mississippi. Pontiac himself had fought beside the Marquis de Montcalm as he tried in vain to save New France from ruin during the French & Indian War. But at last, in the mid-1700s France finally capitulated to her English rivals, her hold on the North American continent broken forever. The only task left to the conquerors was to make their way across the Great Lakes, into the valleys of the Ohio, and down the Mississippi into the Illinois country to make their claim upon the former French forts and trading houses. For a brief time a singular leader and a dozen nations blocked their way: Pontiac and his assembled allies.

Parkman sets the stage by briefly relating the history of France and England in America from the early 1600s-1760s, then meticulously details the source of the tribes' many grievances - grievances which would directly lead to Pontiac's bold attempt to decisively halt the English advance.

Though doomed to ultimate defeat against the onslaught of English guns and armies, traders and pioneers, for a short time Pontiac's initiative was remarkably successful. He brought war to nearly all of western America at the same time - from the siege at Detroit to the forests outside the gates of Niagara, from upper Michigan and Wisconsin to the Ohio valley, into western Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York, down the many rivers and tributaries leading into the Mississipi. A dozen forts fell before him and hundreds of miles of frontier settlements emptied in terror.

Parkman's work is perhaps the best chronicle of many of these tribes' last desperate fight for their lives and land. Those interested in the history of the struggles destined to come shortly to the tribes west of the Mississippi will derive much insight from Parkman's treatment of Pontiac's war. For his "conspiracy" was the original "last great battle" for the "American West" - 100 years before the battle for the further western Plains would come to an ignominious close. To understand Pontiac's war, the motives of both his people and the English and French, as well as the burgeoning force who would soon thereafter cast off their identity as "colonists" is to understand much of what would follow as American history.

Five stars plus for this young mans insight, interpretation, and brilliant display of history. I like many other readers were turned off by the boring history books we read in school. Lambers captures the true spirit of history! Because of the excitement this book ignites; this book has the potential to change the course of how history is viewed and studied. This book is a MUST READ for everyone. This book would make a great gift not only for teachers and history buffs, but also the person who hungers for knowledge. (The study guide is an added bonus to treasure) BRAVO!

I read the book first, and it was interesting to realize that the peaceful relations with Britain that we now take for granted were nonexistent and took hard work to accomplish. And the Study Guide is very good, and is surprisingly loaded with historical facts and fun word searches. I wish I had studied with this kind of material instead of boring history books that made me "hate" history for many years. Now I love it!

This book is early American history in a "capsule," full of important events describing the conflicts between America and Britain, yet imagines the ordinary citizen's feelings about the wars in an interesting blend of fiction and history. Young people especially should read it.

These four volumes do more to explain the depth and extent of the Indian Nations that existed in the Northwest prior to the fur traders. A vast empire headquartered in present day central Oregon, near the major Indian trading centers on the Columbia River with influences extending east into present day Wyoming, south to Santa Fe, NM and Indio, CA. This series of books is perhaps the only written account of the Shoshone Indians. An Indian nation that witnessed and bore the brunt of the indiscretions of fur traders, explorers, gold hunters, religious pioneers, settlers, and others.

I borrowe this book from a friend. She had never read it. It was stuck in a box. This book is Indian & American History as if written By Clancey!!! This book presents the history of Indian and uropean settlement through the 1800's. It presnts cultural clashes from a global perspective starting in the 1600's. For once, I could understanfd the conflicts and their timing between Spain, Russia, England, France and the emerging US. The clear presentation of the Spanish presence as miners and slaveers. The English, French and Russians as fur robber barons represented by greedy men and the lowly US taking up the rear. The Indian population with thier established tribes, hunting areas and culture were spelled out clearly and convincingly. It was understandble now that Europeans really didn't or couldn't have removed the Indian without the use of our deseases such as small pox and meassles. More Indians died of small pox than any US Army battle. Not that we didn't remove, push, cheat them only that their population was overwhelmed by our deseases first. The history is written like a fast moving novel, exciting, detailed , twisting and turning. It has political plots, robber barons, government plots, greedy people and bungling fools. It tells of Indians against Indians, Indians against Spanish, French, English, Russians and the US. The vast majority of the western movement was only to pass through the plains, over the Rockies for most people to Oregon and California. It is remakable that Oregon has remained as rural as it has while California is the state which has really grown. The wealth of California apparently was sverely understated while Oregon was overstated.

.You will love this book.

I was captivated by this writing that covers the history of the Western United States from before European intrusion, up through the peak years of the fur trade. Very interesting view from the Native American perspective and the white man's greed that laid waste to the animals and Indians alike. Very easy book to read. Once I got started, it was hard to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Having lived in Oregon for 20 years, I have always beeninterested in the history of why Oregon is so unique and such awonderful place to live. This Book covers it all! From the Spanish and English ships of the 1500's to the late 1800's this book covers in very readable detail the who, what, where, when, how, and why things happened as they did. If you confine yourself to the adventures of Lewis and Clark for your Oregon history, you'll miss some of the best stories about how this area was developed and people who developed it. I higly recommend this great work to anyone who is serious about wanting to know the complete history of the region. END

Now in its third edition, General History of Oregon by Charles H. Carey is an exhaustive, complete-in-one-volume, 916 page history of the Oregon Territory. An impressive, definitive, meticulously researched history ranging from the days of Spanish explorers in the New World to the opening years of Oregon's statehood, General History Of Oregon is a classic repository of knowledge, informed and informative reading, and highly recommended for academic American History reference shelves and supplemental reading lists.

I found this gem in a non-chain bookstore in Eugene. (The Book Mark) Having lived in Oregon for 20 years, I have always been interested in the history of why Oregon is so unique and such a wonderful place to live. This Book covers it all! From the Spanish and English ships of the 1500's to the late 1800's this book covers in very readable detail the who, what, where, when, how, and why things happened as they did. If you confine yourself to the adventures of Lewis and Clark for your Oregon history, you'll miss some of the best stories about how this area was developed and people who developed it. I higly recommend this great work to anyone who is serious about wanting to know the complete history of the region.