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Post by elisabeth on Aug 5, 2007 9:39:08 GMT -6
Another treasure I was lucky enough to pick up yesterday: Bent's Fort, by David Lavender.
It was published in 1954, which slightly shows, both for good and ill: breezily un-PC, which is refreshing -- but also somewhat less scrupulous about citing a source for every statement than one would expect in a newer book, which can get a bit frustrating sometimes. It is, however, scrupulous in making clear when it's resorting to conjecture and when it has hard facts to go on. And it's very entertainingly written.
For anyone interested in the background to "our" period, the start of western expansion, inter-tribal politics, and the makings of the mid/late-19th-century Indian Wars, I'd recommend this as a very good read indeed ...
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Post by crawdaddo on Sept 22, 2007 23:07:39 GMT -6
I agree with you Elizabeth.I have a very tattered paperback that I picked up in a book swap shop a few years back.As you say it is a very good read, Craw.
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Post by "Hunk" Papa on Sept 23, 2007 15:09:02 GMT -6
Yes Elisabeth, Lavender's 'Bent's Fort' is a worthwhile addition to the library of any lover of American Western history. George Hyde used it as one of his sources in 'The Life of George Bent' and Hyde was VERY fussy about what information he used. Lavender wrote another book 'The Great West' which is also very useful for reference purposes concerning frontier life.
Hunk
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Post by fred on Oct 5, 2007 21:18:08 GMT -6
I don't know about the book, but is this referring to the place called Bent's Old Fort in La Junta, Colorado?
If it is, it is a remarkable site. I was there last year and even managed a picture or two. If anyone is interested, my buddy "keogh" told me how to post pictures.
Best wishes, Fred.
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Post by crawdaddo on Oct 6, 2007 22:47:20 GMT -6
I, for one, am always interested in pics. Go right ahead and post them Fred. craw..
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Post by gary on Aug 25, 2008 15:36:32 GMT -6
Has anyone read "Bent's Fort: Crossroads of Culture on the Santa Fe Trail" by Melvin Bacon and Daniel Blegen? Is it worth getting?
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