The Wilderness Road

by Robert L. Kincaid, Jay Monaghan (Introduction)

The Wilderness Road [Jan 01, 1999] Kincaid, Robert L

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical

420 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Delway Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an iconic book of American history. First published in 1947, it details the settlement of eastern the eastern US in the 18th century. I bought the book at the Cumberland Gap National Monument. After Daniel Boone and 30 ax men widened an ancient Indian trail to open the western land beyond the Appalachians, over the next 25 years, 200,000 to 300,000 people poured into TN & KY. The privation, suffering, determination, and loss suffered by both the Native Americans and the pioneers, mostly Scots-Irish, defies modern sensibilities.

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written about the road. When I was done, I was sad, the bison, abundant wildlife, all gone.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who lives near the route which follows the Wilderness Road, I really enjoyed this book - including some nicely drawn maps. Liked it so much I bought a used copy - saying a lot in these days of de-booking the shelves in retirement. We’ve also begun to visit some of the locations in southwest Virginia to which he refers at various points. We began today with Natural Tunnel near Duffield VA. A lovely Virginia state park with an impressive “natural wonder” with a rich history, and we definitely will return.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the history of the Wilderness Road and Cumberland Gap and of the development of the West. Given that it is the route of a part of my family, I found it interesting. What a rough life they led! Amazing the hardships of those early settlers,

[Valerie King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vignettes of history along the Wilderness Road, the original highway for pioneers moving westward. It is an old-fashioned read - originally published in 1947 - but I really enjoyed it.

[Sue Hallsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent story of a little known/recognized area of Ky/Va/Tn.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about the history of the Wilderness Road which went from Southwest Virginia into Kentucky and passed very close to my home here near Ft. Chiswell, VA. In 1775, Daniel Boone and thirty axmen widened a mere path that became the through-way to the wilderness for the people who surged into the new frontier.