Days on the road crossing the plains in 1865
933853
I liked the book,but a bit slow. I  really can't think of what to say,wish she had added a little spice to it.
76999
Richard Serrano writes several stories in this single book. He describes a race across the land. A thousand mile race to the worlds Fair in Chicago where they will be met by Buffalo Bill Cody. He explains how the fair is the beginning of a more modern world. The race itself is a tale of problems, difficulties with authorities and the SPCA and some excitement, but lurking around them is a closing frontier.
Interviews and information from written sources give authenticity to this account. Photographs are included that also help to give interest. This is a book for those who wish to learn more about the west in a changing era.
3714888
This book was both enjoyable and informative. We learn that mules are better than horses for long distance transportation, because they have more stamina and also eat less fodder !  We also saw the very good side of rural America, because in this modern day reenactment of the 1850's covered wagon trips from Missouri to Oregon, the two brothers received warm welcomes and help throughout the journey,  from local farmers and ranchers.
Perhaps the nicest part of the book was that the two brothers who undertook this epic journey, and had previously had a somewhat difficult relationship, by journey's end in Oregon had embraced and showed strong affection for each other !
4115332
Algeo's book takes a fun journey through Harry Truman's 1953 road trip from Independence, MO to the East Coast and back.  It's a nice light read for those interested in President Truman and a little bit about life in America in 1953.  I suppose in this it should be deemed a success in that it does what it set out to do.
3585427
You can tell the author put in a lot of research for this book, not just telling his journey of the trip he took. If there is an aspect of the trip across the plains he is going to give you the history of it, the routes, the people, the wagons and mules. You get a history lesson in almost everyone and everything he mentions. I like this kind of stuff so I found it fascinating. You get the story of his childhood wagon trip mixed in with his current one with his brother. He tells you what there is still to see and what there would have been a hundred years ago. I liked the story about Narcissa Whitman, the first white woman to cross the Rockies, and her ultimate demise. I liked the added photographs and drawing, they completed the book. I travel most of his route every summer and now have quite a few places to add to my stops now. I had trouble enjoying parts of the book when he was hard on the general public, be it the RV driver's or cars crossing bridges, the people who sold him stuff like the wagon, mules and saddle but I let it slide to the back of my mind because sometimes he was also hard on himself, it just might be the way he is. I appreciated his openness on his feeling and thoughts, many mentions of his father and his regrets. I felt he really shared himself through the book. He had he funny moments also, my favorite was the running in the slippers, and the antelope bones on the other side of the sagebrush. Highlight was the crossing of Rocky Ridge, something to be proud of. I hope his book can inspire others to travel the trail or parts of it even if they do it by car, just remember to give any wagons and the mules you might see plenty of space.
I do wish there had been more pictures of the mules, they really are the shining stars.
I also wish there had been more closure with the father part of the story.
4850203
There have been many, many books written about cross-country adventures on Route 66. Mr. Ross and Mr. Cotter's "Barn Find Road Trip" stands out from the pack. It's a delightful journey of discovery from the Introduction to the Index.
4962186
"Lincoln's Greatest Journey" was, for me, new historical evidence of President Lincoln's final days of the war and of his life.  President Lincoln was brought to life, for me.  I had no idea he was so personally involved in those last battles of the Civil War.  How different our country might have been if he had not been assassinated.  The book was historically researched.  I found reading the chapter footnotes very enlightening.  I would recommend this book to anyone who would like further insights into President Lincoln
2463488
Book arrived in the condition advertised.  Although not an all-out mile-by-mile guidebook to Historic Route 66, I found the subject/historical content very interesting.  A nice read for aficionados of the Mother Road.
3531370
A very interesting story about an area which was very divide during the civil war.
4960422
El Camino a Santa Fe / Santa Fe Trail, 1940 film

The film begins in 1854 at the West Point Military Academy. [The names of the cadets will be famous in the War Between the States.] There is political conflict between some cadets. Should the southern plutocrats continue to rule? The Commandant warns them against lying to benefit a friend, a danger even in peacetime. Rader is discharged for his abolitionist propaganda. Upon graduation some will be sent to Fort Leavenworth. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis tells them of the importance of defending the nation. Will Kansas join the nation as a free state? On the train some men try to abduct some passengers! The slavery conflict is the cause of "Bleeding Kansas".

Fort Leavenworth is the beginning of the trail to Santa Fe and its lucrative trade. The Army escorts wagon trains. The happy workers sing as they leave. John Brown organizes his supporters to abolish slavery. Will they attack a wagon train like robbers? Brown collects the boxes of "bibles" for his missionary work. There is a running chase with gunfire. The Army will search for John Brown's gang and attack them. A prisoner tells where the gang is located. A shipload of "salt pork" arrives in Palmyra. Rader provides military training to Brown's men for a price. Will Brown's gang attack another town? Will JEB Stuart scout the town of Palmyra, the terminal of the Underground Railroad? Will his horse tell on him? John Brown explains his strategy to abolish slavery through bloodshed.

Stuart escapes from Brown's gang while the barn catches fire. The Cavalry rides to the rescue. Brown and a few of his men escape. Are they finished? The Army officers are recalled to Washington. An Indian prophet predicts their future: they will become enemies in a war that has already begun. They laugh! John Brown has a new plan for a glorious end. He will attack the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry and use the arms to free the slaves. Will John Brown pay his debts to Rader? Historical figures are used in the story. Will somebody squeal? The last part of the film recreates John Brown's raid. [Did Brown have that many supporters?] Brown's promised support didn't show up, but US armed forces did. Guns neutralized the brick walls. The defenders are overwhelmed. JEB Stuart personally captures John Brown. Brown is tried and condemned for treason. Brown predicts a coming storm and the film ends.

Hollywood produces entertainment, not history. George Armstrong Custer is one of the most famous Americans, in the mid-1850s he was a school teacher in Ohio and didn't graduate from West Point until 1861.
4977412
Brings you face to face with details of army life in the field in late 1800s, and with early days in Arizona and the southwest while those places were just beginning to transition from frontier to settled.
3273271
I love this book.
Bought in the Spring, it is a very popular among the house guests.  I went on line to buy a few for gifts.

The obviously active author took the photos and drove the roads, rather like an old fashioned "route 66" take on travel.  However, the information is approachable and current spiced with a little history.

Enjoy!
46707
I have traveled some of the territory that Mac and Jenny's journey covers in an air conditioned vehicle on a smooth road.  This some of the country's most rugged terrain. But if you read this book, you will live it on the challenging Oregon Trail of 1847 where the going is slow and scary and dusty behind a team of oxen.  With well-researched attention to detail, Theresa takes us on this journey and shows how her characters cope and grow under these difficult circumstances.
4396999
Townsend's journal of traveling across the plains and mountains to the Pacific in 1834 is not only an enjoyable read depicting life as such, but also an important historical narrative on names and events of the day.

An accomplished ornithologist, Townsend accompanied Nathaniel Wyeth and his seventy-man caravan of goods to the 1834 rendezvous and eventually established Ft. Hall in Idaho.  Also in this expedition was the famous botanist Thomas Nuttall.

The author is very descriptive and expressive of everything around him from geography; the natural world; Indian encounters, along with their living conditions and cultures, to the livelihood of being on the trail and surviving day to day.  He is meticulous and energetic in his writing.

An adventurous read and valuable to western history.
2832379
A good addition to my life on the plains history  library, which is growing every day!  I got it for the pictures, which are wonderful, and was not looking for special text, but I was pleased with the format and the story lines, too.  As someone who has practically memorized the Little House books, and as someone who has everything written by or about Laura Ingalls Wilder, I find that I am looking for a more adult view of what life was really like on the Plains.  This book is a fine companion reader, and the pictures by fine artists add something special to  this history.  (While I am at it, may I recommend another book that cleared up many of my own questions?  You might want to try LITTLE HEATHENS, Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression, by Mildred Armstrong Kalish.)
1508640
The book was in good condition and helpful to me in my research. It is about a transcontinental road trip that eventually led to the federal highway system.
3107546
Lincoln had to ride through the woods from the Executive Mansion to the Soldier's home.  This map is a reminder of how much open land we used to have.  The entire area of the map is now developed and it's fun to compare a modern map to this one from 1862,  The land where the Lincoln Memorial now stands is filled in -it would be in the middle of the Potomoc River on this map.