Adventures of a Mountain Man: The Narrative of Zenas Leonard - Couverture souple

Leonard, Zenas

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0803279035 ISBN 13 : 9780803279032

Editeur : Bison Books, 1979

Synopsis

"Strong mental faculties and a vigorous constitution" were among the attributes of Zenas Leonard, according to the publisher of the 1839 edition of this book, which the Bison Books edition reproduces. In the spring of 1830, Leonard, a native of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, "ventured to embark in an expedition across the Rocky Mountains, in the capacity of clerk to the company. The last letter received by his parents, left him at the extreme white settlement [Independence, Missouri], where they were busily occupied in making preparations for the expedition to the mountains--from whence he promised to write at short intervals; but one misfortune after another happening to the company, he was deprived of all sources of communication--so that no tidings were received of him until he unexpectedly returned to the scenes of his childhood, to the house of his father, in the fall of 1835--after an absence of 5 years and 6 months!" Written "in response to popular demand," so to speak, Leonard's account of these years, based in large part on "a minute journal of every incident that occurred," is recognized as one of the fundamental sources on the exploration of the American West. A free trapper until the summer of 1833, when he entered the employ of Captain B. L. E. Bonneville, Leonard was part of the group sent under command of Captain Joseph Walker to explore the Great Salt Lake region--an expedition that resulted in Walker's finding the overland route to California. The Narrative ends in August 1835, with Leonard's return to Independence.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Zenas Leonard was a wilderness explorer who journeyed across and charted the perilous Rocky Mountains in the early 19th century, keeping this diary as he went.

Embarking on his spectacular journey with a company of seventy like-minded fellows, Leonard chronicles the many perils and trials the group encountered through their lengthy voyage deep into unknown territory. The band of explorers are beset with difficulties; the harsh, craggy lay of the land, ferocious creatures, and the various Native American tribes put the men through the greatest physical and mental tests.

Many members of the group were fur traders by profession; in scouting the vast landscape of the Rockies, they hoped to discover new and prized game to catch. However their ambitions are sorely tested by hunger and thirst, while dangerous creatures such as the grizzly bear strike terror in their hearts. Hostility and mistrust on the part of some Indian tribes compound difficulties even farther: although furs commanded very high prices at the time, the dangers involved in their collection would test every man to his limits.

In likely reflection of Zenas Leonard's profession, this chronicle is written in a straightforward, frank, readable style. The descriptions and narrative are plainly but intelligently written and are evocative; Leonard rarely strays to overlong descriptions or rhetorical flourishes.

For those seeking a unique, readable, and authentic impression of the North American wilderness as it was long ago, this book is indispensable.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Bison Books
• Date d'édition: 1979
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0803279035
• ISBN 13: 9780803279032
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 274
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Mare Nostrum Group B.V.; gpsr@mare-nostrum.co.uk; ; Doelen 72; Breda; 4831 GR; Pays-Bas