This is an ideal book for the first time exposure to the John C. Fremont.
This publication, was written specifically for Young Americans, and was published by the Werner School Book Company. (For more offerings from Werner, see our ebook catalog)
John C. Fremont's accomplishments far out distanced his early explorations and exploits and, in the West, especially California, he was poplularly known as The Pathfinder for most of his life.
John Fremont was a Civil War hero, and explorer, and an all around American Hero, American Explorer. He ranks closely with other American Heroes such as Elisha Kent Kane, and Lewis and Clark, among other's.
Though short, this book is not without many interesting facts, and insights. For example, in describing the habits of the buffalo,
The country was covered with herds of buffaloes, and their manner of living was full of interest.
The men noticed that when it was cold and snowy the herds kept moving. This was because the buffaloes on the edge of the herd were trying to get into the middle, where they would be kept warmer by the heat from one another's bodies. The buffaloes in the middle would fight to stay where they were, and so the whole herd was kept from freezing by the continual struggle.
I, myself, knew that buffalo were very adept at surviving the harsh winters of the plains, however I’d never heard of these kinds of behaviors. By contrast, when herds of cattle were introduced to the harsh winters, they would essentially freeze, or starve to death, without assistance from their caretakers.
Also, though I’d probably read about it, before, I’d forgotten that his expeditions actually had rubber boats that they used to ford the rivers . Rubber boats, in the 1800's ? (1840's)
Fremont was a conqueror, military governor of California, presidential candidate, and a Civil War General; his career was obviously wide, and varied, and deserves much more intense study.
This publication will inspire the reader to pursue a more detail study of the Pathfinder.
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Table of Contents:
I. A START IN LIFE
II. FIRST WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT
III. SECOND EXPEDITION WITH NICOLLET
IV. MARRIAGE
V. FIRST INDEPENDENT WESTERN EXPEDITION
VI. THE PARTY DIVIDED
VII. SECOND INDEPENDENT EXPEDITION
VIII. IN THE FAR NORTHWEST
IX. OVER THE SIERRA NEVADAS
X. THE DESCENT INTO THE VALLEY
XI. HOMEWARD
XII. TROUBLES WITH THE MEXICANS
XIII. A GOVERNMENT MESSAGE
XIV. FREMONT'S WAR
XV. THE FOURTH EXPEDITION
XVI. THE LAST YEARS OF LIFE
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