Synopses & Reviews
Early in the nineteenth century, the mountain men emerged as a small but distinctive group whose knowledge and experience of the trans-Mississippi West exted the national consciousness to continental dimensions. Though Lewis and Clark blazed a narrow corridor of geographical reality, the West remained largely terra incognita until trappers and traders--Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Tom Fitzpatrick, Jedediah Smith--opened paths through the snow-choked mountain wilderness. They opened the way west to Fremont and played a major role in the pivotal years of 1845-1848 when Texas was annexed, the Oregon question was decided, and the Mexican War ed with the Southwest and California in American hands, the Pacific Ocean becoming our western boundary.
Former historian to the National Park Service, Robert M. Utley is the author of many distinguished works of history, including The Last Days of the Sioux Nation and the award-winning The Lance and the Shield. He lives in Georgetown, Texas.
Early in the nineteenth century the mountain men emerged as a small but distinctive group whose knowledge and experience of the Trans-Mississippi West extended the national consciousness to continental dimensions. Though Lewis and Clark blazed a narrow corridor of geographical reality in 1803-1805, the West remained largely terra incognita until trappers and traders such as Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Tom Fitzpatrick, and Jedediah Smith opened paths through the snow-choked mountain wilderness of the American West. Collectively, they came to know every stream, mountain, crag, canyon cataract, waterless stretch of plain, refuge of game, and Indian hideout. A groundbreaking work of American history, this is also a dramatic story of innovation and survival.
“Utleys richly documented book is the definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier.”Jay P. Dolan, The New York Times Book Review
“The book, which reads like a well-spun novel, injects a wealth of historical detail and insight into an often misunderstood era of Americas past.”Sierra Adare, Wild West
Review
“Utleys richly documented book is the definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier.”
Jay P. Dolan,
The New York Times Book Review“The book, which reads like a well-spun novel, injects a wealth of historical detail and insight into an often misunderstood era of Americas past.”Sierra Adare, Wild West
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Review
“Utleys richly documented book is the definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier.”—
Jay P. Dolan,
The New York Times Book Review“The book, which reads like a well-spun novel, injects a wealth of historical detail and insight into an often misunderstood era of Americas past.”—Sierra Adare, Wild West
Review
“Utleys richly documented book is the definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier.”
Jay P. Dolan,
The New York Times Book Review“The book, which reads like a well-spun novel, injects a wealth of historical detail and insight into an often misunderstood era of Americas past.”Sierra Adare, Wild West
Synopsis
Early in the nineteenth century, the mountain men emerged as a small but distinctive group whose knowledge and experience of the trans-Mississippi West exted the national consciousness to continental dimensions. Though Lewis and Clark blazed a narrow corridor of geographical reality, the West remained largely terra incognita until trappers and traders--Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Tom Fitzpatrick, Jedediah Smith--opened paths through the snow-choked mountain wilderness. They opened the way west to Fremont and played a major role in the pivotal years of 1845-1848 when Texas was annexed, the Oregon question was decided, and the Mexican War ed with the Southwest and California in American hands, the Pacific Ocean becoming our western boundary.
About the Author
Former historian to the National Park Service, Robert M. Utley is the author of many distinguished works of history, including
The Last Days of the Sioux Nation and the award-winning
The Lance and the Shield. He lives in Georgetown, Texas.