Only halfway along the Oregon Trail

Parkman didn’t go all the way to Oregon, only into Wyoming before turning south along the Rockies and then back to Westport. Still, it’s an interesting picture of those times. Narration was very stilted.

6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Awful narrator.

The narrator ruined it for me. I just couldn't finish it, even though I tried to listen in increments. I just couldn't stand to listen anymore. I got another book with a different author.

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Great story, reader keeps swallowing words

In retrospect I would buy the book. the reader is difficult to understand making for a rather unenjoyable experience. he has a tendency to swallow key words, and I found myself repeatedly rewinding to decipher his speach.

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Boring

I listen to a lot of historical fiction and this book is definitely the bottom of my list. There’s nothing captivating about the storyline and there is zero dialogue. The overuse of some uncommon words like Vermillion is annoying.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Racist author, terrible reader

Parkman was a white man of his time, so openly racist. Story was historically interesting, but the casual disdain of the "lesser races" and the easy attitude towards slaughtering game without any reason but entertainment are odious.
Parkman used a lot of commas in his writing, and the reader emphasized their placements with endless irritating pauses. He also mispronounced a number of common words, a pet peeve of mine.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Most real account of frontier travel ever

This was by far the most authentic narrative of travel in the American frontier wilderness read to-date. A wonderful learning tool for those curious about early settlement of the American west and American Indian culture and traditions. Excellent reading for everyone.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Not about the Oregon Trail.

This book has little information about the Oregon Trail. its more about going sideways when the author gets to modern day Wyoming. He never crosses the rockies, never crosses much of Wyoming. Disappointing story with few details of life at that time.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Racist

What a crock. Read Ned Blackhawk instead. Parkmans racism eliminates educational value for general public

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

If you like early western history, this is interesting

An interesting account of early western experiences. First published in 1849, first hand observations of life on the frontier. Parkman witnessed American army troops moving towards the war with Mexico. Parkman shows the prejudices of early American and both complement and disparages indigenous people. He also displays his prejudices against “Mormons” and Mexicans. Still and interesting window into the past.

Extraordinary real life experiences

This is not fiction or a recount of history. I looked at the timeline of when the Oregon Trail was used and Frances Parkman's biography. I think these are his real life experiences on his trip on the Oregon Trail. I've done wilderness packing with horses and can relate to some of their trail difficulties. The writing style is probably as of the mid-1800's, and you have to allow for that. But, it was so cool to hear ideas and phrases still common today. I also loved hearing all their interactions with Native Indians. The narrator is a bit stilted, but you can get used to that, too.