The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCulloughMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
It seems impossible that the Westernmost boundary of the US was ever the Ohio River--the same one on which Wheeling, W Virginia, Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, among others ,have grown into major cities of our time. Yet, back in the late 18th through mid-19th century, the Northwest Territory grew from the Indian wilderness to something beginning to resemble the New England home of many of its earliest settlers. Here is the story of how Ohio became a State without slavery and with a highly developed educational system from the earliest lessons to collegiate degrees. Most of the characters are male since the women of the time left so little in the way of tangible sources. Still, many of them are included through the commentary of the men with whom they were so intimately involved as wives, mothers, sisters. Also, for some who were married to men who traveled much for their work as legislators or doctors, there is their correspondence to include.
As time passed and civilization grew, tourists from all over the world, including Charles Dickens, came to the area. The commentary of these travelers on the locals and their customs they encountered is enlightening. Not many found these Americans attractive, interesting or very well educated. Still the endurance, ingenuity, community spirit of these pioneers that helped them survive and thrive in this heavily forested land in which the Natives were not friendly nor welcoming is inspiring.
Having driven on Interstates from Vermont to Ohio and then traveled the banks of the Ohio along its curvy roads, the description of the same journey in the 1800s boggles the mind. I cannot imagine topping a summit in a riverboat hauled up one side by five winches stepped at intervals, having dinner at the top and then being lowered down the other side by another five winches. Terrified of height as I am, it made me dizzy to read of it.
Loving bridges, as I do NOT, imagining getting out of a carriage to retrieve the plank from a raging river, reattaching it and anchoring it with stones so that the carriage might cross, also made me happy that I didn't live in Ohio then.
If these types of historical stories are your cup of tea then read McCullough--any of his books, but this one is short and maybe, if new to his work, a good place to start. If, like myself, you've been a fan and read all of his books, this one will not disappoint!
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