Fort de Chartres; built in 1719-1720 in the heart of what would become the American Midwest; embodied French colonial power for half a century. Lives of Fort de Chartres; by David MacDonald; details the French colonial experience in Illinois from 1720 to 1770 through vivid depictions of the places; people; and events around the fort and its neighboring villages. In the first section; MacDonald explores the fascinating history of French Illinois and the role of Fort de Chartres in this history; focusing on native peoples; settlers; slaves; soldiers; villages; trade routes; military administration; and the decline of French rule in Illinois. The second section profiles the fort’s twelve distinctive and often colorful commandants; who also served as administrative heads of French Illinois. These men’s strong personalities served them well when dealing simultaneously with troops; civilians; and Indians and their multifaceted cultures. In the third section; MacDonald presents ten thought-provoking biographies of people whose lives intersected with Fort de Chartres in various ways; from a Kaskaskia Indian woman known as “the Mother of French Illinois†to an ill-fated chicken thief and a European aristocrat. Subjects treated in the book include French–Native American relations; the fur trade; early Illinois agriculture; and tensions among different religious orders. Together; the biographies and historical narrative in the volume illuminate the challenges that shaped the French colonies in America. The site of Fort de Chartres; recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1966; still exists today as a testament to the ways in which French; British; Spanish; and American histories have intertwined. Both informative and entertaining; Lives of Fort de Chartres contributes to a more complete understanding of the French colonial experience in the Midwest and portrays a vital and vigorous community well worth our appreciation.
#2290910 in Books Southern Illinois University Press 1994-12-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .70 x 5.50l; .75 #File Name: 0809319411240 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. For some; this is a Must Read . . .By T. LeachIf you: are familiar with the charming but rough little city of Alton; Illinois; live near St. Louis; have heard of Elijah Lovejoy but really don't know anything about him; are interested in the times and issues of Americans in other eras; appreciate the late Senator Paul Simon; or; are interested in the issue of slavery and its abolition in America; then this is a book for you. I acquired it only because I attended one of Senator Simon's book signings; but in reading it I was pleasantly surprised to see how well this short biography is presented and how much I learned. The life and times of Lovejoy are extraordinary pieces of American history that; like so many others; are fading from general public knowledge. Simon started life as a newspaper man; and the writing in this book reflects that. Lovejoy's life is presented with stark objectivity. Editorializing is not necessary with these facts anyway.This is a well-written and short presentation of Lovejoy. There may be more 'scholarly' biographies out there; but if you are interested in the subject; this is a good bet.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Throwing pearls before swine...By WayneI've concluded that the epic of Mr. Lovejoy; a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln; is about a man who didn't know when to quit. Former U.S. Senator from Illinois; Paul Simon; has formulated a fast reading; riveting rendition of the way too brief life of this "glutton for punishment." Simon's account coincides well with the embarrassing story presented in Alton;IL these days. Still; I was left with questions; like "Why didn't Reverend Lovejoy move on?" "Was Lovejoy the catalyst for the American Civil War rather than John Brown?" and "Why was Abraham Lincoln's duel in Alton cancelled?" I found the answers by visiting the city where the final months of this anti-slavery newspaper editor's life transpired. The tale of Elijah P. Lovejoy; although 165 years old; gave me plenty of food for thought. If you want to know more there are other books. If you want the gist; this volume will serve you well.
