indianajane's review against another edition
I left this book behind after I read nearly a quarter of it. I wasn't enjoying it; I wasn't learning anything from it.
geve_'s review against another edition
Not putting stars on this one.
This is a first hand account of the author's experience traveling the Oregon Trail, or rather, part of it. He was physically unable to complete the journey, which is interesting considering he talked a lot of shit about how weak and frail women are, but tens of thousands of them walked the entire trail. ANYWAYS, he ended up hanging out with some Lakota instead and had a lot to say about them too.
I think this is an interesting read in many ways. It's a snapshot in time, through a very particular lens. He was clearly racist, and his opinions of people were based on whether they were French, German, Scottish or Native. I wouldn't take his thoughts on Lakota society to mean very much since he was racist, and also seeing them at a pretty fucking terrible point in their history. Reading his stupid opinions about shit is still pretty useful, since those were opinions probably held by quite a few whites of the same era, and recognizing that helps us think critically about many stories and "truths" of that time. Assuming what he's describing is an accurate representation of what was really happening is probably not the best idea.
This is a first hand account of the author's experience traveling the Oregon Trail, or rather, part of it. He was physically unable to complete the journey, which is interesting considering he talked a lot of shit about how weak and frail women are, but tens of thousands of them walked the entire trail. ANYWAYS, he ended up hanging out with some Lakota instead and had a lot to say about them too.
I think this is an interesting read in many ways. It's a snapshot in time, through a very particular lens. He was clearly racist, and his opinions of people were based on whether they were French, German, Scottish or Native. I wouldn't take his thoughts on Lakota society to mean very much since he was racist, and also seeing them at a pretty fucking terrible point in their history. Reading his stupid opinions about shit is still pretty useful, since those were opinions probably held by quite a few whites of the same era, and recognizing that helps us think critically about many stories and "truths" of that time. Assuming what he's describing is an accurate representation of what was really happening is probably not the best idea.
emilybc's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. So so racist.
It may be “historical racism” but I don’t feel like spending hours listening to it (audiobook) either.
Gross.
It may be “historical racism” but I don’t feel like spending hours listening to it (audiobook) either.
Gross.
tjmcq's review against another edition
3.0
Amazing because it’s first-hand account of traveling Oregon Trail, a little slow and parts but worth the read. B 3.5
scnole2021's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
puppetqueen's review against another edition
4.0
While this book is a very interesting and detailed look into one man’s life on the prairie, I feel like the title is misleading. I’m not sure I even heard the word Oregon mentioned once and had no idea if that was where he was actually intending to go.
But as a historical record of a traveler and hunter, it was extremely interesting.
But as a historical record of a traveler and hunter, it was extremely interesting.
wemedgeway's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Listened to this on Audible. Frank Muller is awesome, but having just listened to the Border Trilogy (he read 1 & 3)… well it was too soon. Had to keep reminding myself this is nonfiction.
Pretty solid adventure for a 20-something, recent Harvard grad.
Listened to this on Audible. Frank Muller is awesome, but having just listened to the Border Trilogy (he read 1 & 3)… well it was too soon. Had to keep reminding myself this is nonfiction.
Pretty solid adventure for a 20-something, recent Harvard grad.