Questions About The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West

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Did McCullough address the impact that the settlers had on the Native Americans? Or were they ‘the enemy’ who had to be eliminated?

Josh Id argue that these answers are not entirely correct. The book is completely based off the real letters and diaries from 5 people who were actual pion…moreId argue that these answers are not entirely correct. The book is completely based off the real letters and diaries from 5 people who were actual pioneers that settled in Ohio and the midwest.

The book (imo) fails as a purely historical record, as the other 3 state it is. Which is strange for a McCullough book. I think with how short it is, and how it lacks a constant writing style.

The book honestly feels like it was cobbled together from rough drafts or pages of information/letters that haven't been sculpted into a book. Almost like a book that a Publisher completed after the author had passed away.

Back to your question after that context, the book very much DOES have an opinion. A opinion that feels EXTREMELY Revisionist to me. These commenters are very much in denial or didn't read the book.

The only mentions of Natives in this book are how they are merely an obstacle that the pioneers had to "overcome" so they could (and this is an actual quote) "build a community based on ideals that would come to define our country". It doesn't touch on anything from the point of view of the Natives.

The entire book, the characters are living in "fear" from them. I kept reading, expecting the next paragraph, page, or chapter to jump POV's to the Natives to combat the horrible stereotypes the book/main characters were painting. That never came.

That in mind, it's still a good non-fiction book if you want to learn about the perspective of the pioneers and what their lives were like.

It was just disappointing to me, McCullough almost always has included thought-provoking and empathetic information on whatever the subject he authors.

It really does feel like, there is an entire 1/2 missing from this book. Just my two cents.(less)

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Has anyone read this review of David McCollough's new book: https://slate.com/culture/2019/05/pioneers-mccullough-frontier-history-book-review.html The Washington Post also notes the book's shortcomings as history: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/hailing-the-fortitude-of-early-american-settlers--and-ignoring-their-failings/2019/05/10/04e948a0-660a-11e9-82ba-fcfeff232e8f_story.html?utm_term=.9e9365c9

Ron I read both reviews and found them both biased. They both basically accuse McCullough of ignoring the "correct" version of history. The Slate "review"…moreI read both reviews and found them both biased. They both basically accuse McCullough of ignoring the "correct" version of history. The Slate "review" is nothing but a diatribe to set-out Ms. Onion's viewpoint. The WP review is a bit better but focuses too much on the writer's politically correct version of history. The WP piece does point out some of the deficiencies of the book. Ignore the reviews and read the book. Then make-up your own mind.(less)

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Dos it includ th Washington and Oregon territories?

Sue Shipley No, this book is mainly about Ohio and the impact of the Ohio River

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As anybody found the cd version really boring? The Narrator is very dry, and my mind wanders when I listen to it.

Amy Payne Yes. I speeded it up to see if that would help, but I can't finish it.…moreYes. I speeded it up to see if that would help, but I can't finish it.(less)

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What is the price ?

Debbie $17.99 at B&N (SHARE15) for additional 15% off

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