I had hoped to post this review over vacation, but then my husband's schedule changed. We were supposed to go to the race in Richmond Sunday. We planned to leave Friday, hit Hersheypark midway, and arrive in VA late Saturday night. Alas, Hershey is closed until further notice, and NASCAR has postponed all races til at least mid-May. So Justin changed his days to be home with the boy and I Thursday and Friday, which I won't lie was nice. But now, with MTA on an ultra-reduced schedule, he and his crew will be working 21 straight days of 12 hour shifts. Bleh.
So, on to this review. Meh. That rhymes with bleh. I digress.
I really wanted to write this a glowing review. It is one of the most detailed American history books I've ever read. BUT the glaring problem is the glossing over of the Native American Indian. Again. Like, aren't we passed this phase in textbooks? Why are we suddenly all over the Brown and Black Western Experience but forgot all about the Red? I actually rolled my eyes a few times at the stereotypical, almost Disney-like portrayals. I also recognize this is my own bias as well.
Dates, places, packing lists, survey equipment, horse counts, types of boats...there is a ton of sheer data presented (which might be what took me so long to read this; there is just a LOT of words on the page of STUFF). It certainly makes for an interesting log of how exploration and travel have changed. Politics and grandeur play an important part in the desire to seek the West, and both were emphasized by the author as central to American expansion.
Just OK I guess. #shrugs
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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.
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