Across the Wide Missouri

Bernard DeVoto's Pulitzer Prize-winning book chronicles the Rocky Mountain fur trade of the 1830s, focusing on the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and its competition with other major trading enterprises in the American West. The narrative follows the mountain men, traders, and Native Americans who shaped the Upper Missouri River basin during the fur trade's peak years. Through primary sources including journals, letters, and personal accounts, DeVoto reconstructs the economic and social dynamics of the annual summer rendezvous system. The book traces multiple perspectives in the contested territories of the American frontier, examining the interactions between fur companies, free trappers, and various tribal nations. The complex relationships between these groups played out against the backdrop of international competition for control of the Oregon Territory. This work stands as both a detailed historical record and a broader meditation on the forces that drove westward expansion, illuminating how commerce and cultural exchange shaped the American frontier experience.

Readers emphasize the book's detailed portrayal of the 1830s fur trade era and mountain men culture. Many note DeVoto's thorough research and use of primary sources. Readers appreciate: - Rich descriptions of mountain men's daily lives and challenges - Clear explanations of complex economic/political factors - Maps and illustrations that complement the text - Focus on Native American perspectives and interactions Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Too many details about minor figures and events - Lack of clear narrative flow - Some outdated terminology regarding Native Americans Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (98 ratings) Sample review: "DeVoto packs an incredible amount of information into each page. The writing can be dry but the subject matter is fascinating." - Goodreads reviewer "Sometimes gets bogged down in minutiae, but remains the definitive book on the mountain men." - Amazon reviewer

Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose This chronicle of the Lewis and Clark expedition combines mountain men, Native American encounters, and frontier exploration during the same early 1800s period.

The Pioneers by David McCullough This account follows the settlement of the Northwest Territory through trappers, traders, and settlers who ventured beyond the Appalachians into the frontier.

Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides This narrative traces Kit Carson's life through the American West, documenting the intersection of Native American tribes, mountain men, and territorial expansion.

Astoria by Peter Stark This history follows John Jacob Astor's expedition to establish a fur-trading empire in the Pacific Northwest, featuring many of the same landscapes and challenges faced by the mountain men in DeVoto's work.

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne This account follows the Comanche tribes and their interactions with traders, settlers, and mountain men during the expansion into the American West.

🌟 The book won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for History, marking one of the first times the American West was given such prestigious literary recognition. 🐾 The annual Rocky Mountain Rendezvous described in the book were massive gatherings that lasted from 1825 to 1840, serving as the predecessor to modern trading conventions and festivals. ✍️ Bernard DeVoto wrote this book while serving as editor of the Saturday Review and penning the influential "Easy Chair" column for Harper's Magazine. 🏔️ The title "Across the Wide Missouri" comes from a traditional American folk song that was later recorded by artists like Burl Ives and Bruce Springsteen. 🎬 The book inspired a 1951 film of the same name starring Clark Gable, though the movie took significant creative liberties with DeVoto's historical account.