The Genesis of Missouri: From Wilderness Outpost to Statehood

by William E. Foley

The story of the blending of diverse cultures in a land rich in resources and beauty is an extraordinary one. In this account, the pioneer hunters, trappers, and traders who roamed the Ozark hills and the boatmen who traded on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers take their place beside the small coterie of St. Louisans whose wealth and influence enabled them to dominate the region politically and economically. Especially appealing for many readers will be the attention Foley gives to common Missourians, to the status of women and blacks, and to Indian-white relations.

Genres: History

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a general history of Missouri from the time of French exploration and colonization to statehood. Because it covers both a broad time span and a vast area, some parts of the history are more detailed than others. More focus is given to politics and the St Louis area than other parts of Missouri. There are sections dedicated to culture and lifestyles for the various time periods.

On the downside, the writing is more informative than entertaining and can be tedious at times.

Overall, this is a good book for an overview of the history of Missouri before statehood.

[Andy Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough history of pre-statehood Missouri and basically an expanded version of “The History of Missouri, Volume I” (also written by William E. Foley). The writing is a little uneven, fluctuating between a fairly engaging narrative approach and a dry, overly academic one. However, if you are interested enough in the history of Missouri or US Western expansion, this is a great starting point.

[Roadhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about history books is that you already know the ending.

This book gives a detailed account of the Missouri from the French colonial possession, through the Spanish era, Acquirement by the United States and statehood.