audiobook The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle; Savagery; and Endurance in Early America by Scott Weidensaul in History

Review

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Broad overview of the early "Eastern Fontier"By Gregory HopeMost Americans think of the west when they think of the frontier but the author of "The First Frontier" rightly reminds his readers that there was a much earlier frontier in what is now the eastern part of the United States. As should be expected with any single book on such a vast subject; the author touches only lightly on many important events during the long history of the eastern fontier. This book deals largely with the relationships and warfare between the Indians and the Colonists. Most of the book I found to be well-written in a highly readable style. The section dealing with American pre-history I found to be a bit too lengthy given that it consists largely of speculation since little is actually known with any degree of certainty. The author deals with the early conflicts in the southern colonies and those in what would become the New England states. The focus is almost entirely on the Pennsylvania frontier for the portion of the book dealing with the French and Indian War. Strangely enough; given its relative size and importance during the period; the New York frontier is almost entirely ignored. The book ends with a brief mention of Pontiac's Rebellion and the looming Revolutionary War. Overall a good; though selective; introduction to the Eastern Frontier.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful writerBy P. PARSONHaving read several of Scott Weidensaul's books; both history and natural history; I think his writing just keeps getting better. He takes a complex subject and draws the reader in. Even if history; the early history of our country; isn't your thing you'll find something to like about this book. I heard Mr Weidensaul do a reading from this book at a local bookstore and I was captived. He approaches history and tells it as a story; a story of real people and their lives. You'll find much here that isn't in the history books. Living in Pennslyvania; where many of the incidents in this book occured; I found there was much I didn't know.Don't be tempted to disregard this as fluff. Weidensaul is a Pulitzer Prize nominated author (for "Living on the Wind") and is meticulous about his research whether it be historical or scientific. If you are looking for a solidly researched; well-written book about the first American frontier I doubt that you'd find a better one than Weidensaul's.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. and it is not a pretty story–-although it was probably inevitableBy Don BrophyScott Weidensaul has given us a harrowing account of the way the first British settlements in North America took land from the Native American who lived there. They did it variously by purchase; deceit; and force; and it is not a pretty story–-although it was probably inevitable. It involved a series of little wars that led eventually to a global conflict. When it was over the French were expelled from the continent and the original inhabitants pushed out of the Appalachians into Ohio and Kentucky. Some of this has been told before--in Nathaniel Philbrick's MAYFLOWER and in histories of the French and Indian War. Weidensaul has given us a complete; balanced account. Along the way he has acquainted us with land agents; scouts; and frontiersmen--many of them with wonderful stories--we wouldn't have met before.