Wagons West: The Epic Story of America's Overland Trails
by Frank McLynn
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Description
In all the sagas of human migration, few can top the drama of the journey by midwestern farmers to Oregon and California in the years 1840-49. Seeking the promised land, these travelers trekked two thousand miles by covered wagon from Missouri to their destinations on the Pacific coast. Although they used mountain men as guides, they went almost literally into the unknown, braving dangers from hunger, thirst, disease, drowning, and Native Americans. The early migrants got through only after show more Herculean efforts, but later in the decade complacency set in, and the result was disastrous, especially in the case of the Donner party, marooned in the snow and reduced to cannibalism. Using original diaries and memoirs, Frank McLynn underscores the incredible heroism and dangerous folly on the overland trails. His year-by-year narrative includes many thematic investigations: the events leading up to the opening of the trails, the wagons and animals used by the pioneers, the role of women, relations with Native Americans, and much else. The narrative builds to a climax with the dreadful tale of the Donner party but achieves closure with the triumphant story of Brigham Young and the Mormons. Sandwiched between the era of the fur trappers and the post-1849 gold fever, this account of the pioneering years in the overland trails abounds with high drama, tragedy, and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds. It also chronicles one of the principal chapters in the conquest of the North American continent, and the creation of the United States as we know it today. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Great detailed accounts of the overland pioneers of the West mostly before the Gold Rush. Most information is obtained from journals and is very interesting. Some of the language is a little strange : "scrimshanking" for shirking work, but the author is British. I recommend it highly.
Wagons West by Caryl McAdoo explores one family’s journey along with the other members of the wagon train as they head west. This book is part of the New Beginnings series. Any time I start reading a book by Caryl McAdoo, I know I am going to enjoy it. With rich characters, historical aspects, and more, I found myself unable to put this book down.
Blaire Beechy, a widow with two almost grown daughters, Adeline and Beatrice, and a twelve-year-old son Tucker sells everything and attempts to join a wagon train going west. But Ambrose Lee, the wagon train master, has rules that forbid them from joining unless one of them gets married.
With several different storylines, including one about a young woman, who joins the wagon train to escape show more her abusive father and suffers from a mental illness, two Englishmen who carry their own secrets, and more, this book will keep you reading.
Filled with faith, family, marriage, losses, and more, I loved how the author developed the characters as well as the plot. Furthermore, the author writes in a way that makes the reader feel like you are actually part of the wagon train. You feel every emotion, movement, and experience the members of the wagon train are feeling.
As the first book in this new series, I definitely plan on reading the rest of this series to see where Caryl McAdoo takes us. So check out this book for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. show less
Blaire Beechy, a widow with two almost grown daughters, Adeline and Beatrice, and a twelve-year-old son Tucker sells everything and attempts to join a wagon train going west. But Ambrose Lee, the wagon train master, has rules that forbid them from joining unless one of them gets married.
With several different storylines, including one about a young woman, who joins the wagon train to escape show more her abusive father and suffers from a mental illness, two Englishmen who carry their own secrets, and more, this book will keep you reading.
Filled with faith, family, marriage, losses, and more, I loved how the author developed the characters as well as the plot. Furthermore, the author writes in a way that makes the reader feel like you are actually part of the wagon train. You feel every emotion, movement, and experience the members of the wagon train are feeling.
As the first book in this new series, I definitely plan on reading the rest of this series to see where Caryl McAdoo takes us. So check out this book for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. show less
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36 Works 3,238 Members
Frank McLynn is currently visiting professor in the Department of Literature at Strathclyde University.
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- Reviews
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- Languages
- English
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- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
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