The Columbia

Rivers of America, #51

by Stewart H. Holbrook

THE COLUMBIA commemorates the disciplining and conversion of a wilderness river from a water passageway to a powerhouse and source of irrigation. Here is the story of its explorers who came by boat and by foot: the bickering and battles between Hudson's Bay Company and Astor's fur trappers, the settlers that turned politicians to keep the Oregon Territory in the U.S. and to make two states out of it, the coming of steamboats, the potent force of railways and later the highways. THE COLUMBIA follows the story of the canals, locks, and dams which flooded old landmarks to give new pioneers farm lands and electricity, and the story of the settlement of the Pacific Northwest

393 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Stewart Hall Holbrook (1893 - 1964) was an American lumberjack, writer, and popular historian. His writings focused on what he called the "Far Corner" - Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. A self-proclaimed "low-brow" historian, his topics included Ethan Allen, the railroads, the timber industry, the Wobblies, and eccentrics of the Pacific Northwest.

He wrote for The Oregonian for over thirty years, and authored dozens of books. He also produced a number of paintings under the pseudonym of "Mr. Otis."

Reviews

[Myra Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Rivers of America series. These books were written mostly in the 1950s and 1960s. There were written by authors who were well familiar with the region. Mr Holbrook is a writer of the northwestern area of the US and is well acquainted with that region. The book is a lively, chatty, account of the Columbia River. It is never trite but full of facts and anecdotes of the Columbia. I liken the reading of this book to sitting by a campfire on a starry night and listening to a smart and knowledgeable friend telling the story of the river. It's not a book you can fly through. Take your time and find out all about the beautiful, powerful, and scenic Columbia. Our American rivers are gems and their stories should be told.

[Suzanne Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ignore the errors throughout this text. The information within is extensive.