A History of the Ozarks, Volume 1: The Old Ozarks

A History of the Ozarks #1

by Brooks Blevins

Winner of the Missouri History Book Award, from the State Historical Society of Missouri
Winner of the Arkansiana Award, from the Arkansas Library Association

Geologic forces raised the Ozarks. Myth enshrouds these hills. Human beings shaped them and were shaped by them. The Ozarks reflect the epic tableau of the American people—the native Osage and would-be colonial conquerors, the determined settlers and on-the-make speculators, the endless labors of hardscrabble farmers and capitalism of visionary entrepreneurs. The Old Ozarks is the first volume of a monumental three-part history of the region and its inhabitants. Brooks Blevins begins in deep prehistory, charting how these highlands of granite, dolomite, and limestone came to exist. From there he turns to the political and economic motivations behind the eagerness of many peoples to possess the Ozarks. Blevins places these early proto-Ozarkers within the context of larger American history and the economic, social, and political forces that drove it forward. But he also tells the varied and colorful human stories that fill the region's storied past—and contribute to the powerful myths and misunderstandings that even today distort our views of the Ozarks' places and people. A sweeping history in the grand tradition, A History of the Ozarks, Volume 1: The Old Ozarks is essential reading for anyone who cares about the highland heart of America.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2018

About the author

Brooks Blevins is the Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State University.

Reviews

[Don Gerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I doubt there exists a more extensive history of the Ozarks than this one authored by Professor of Ozark Studies Brooks Blevins. Beginning with the land itself, Professor Blevins moves on to the Native Americans who originally occupied the land before American settlers arrived. The book focuses on the antebellum years, saving the Civil War and afterwards for Volumes 2 and 3.

If you have ever perused the history books written about small towns which detail the accomplishments of early residents, you will have a good idea of the composition of this book. Home construction, businesses, livestock, markets, etc. – the author covers everything, mostly through relating stories of the people who helped tame the original wilderness. Although the countless introduction of names soon blurred, Professor Blevins certainly accomplished his goal, which was to offer a comprehensive history of this region of the United States.

One of my favorite sections was the chapter on American Society in the Old Ozarks, which dealt with everything from the establishment and growth of different religions to the early enforcement of law through regulators (vigilantes).

For those seeking a deep history of the Ozarks, you can’t do better than this offering. Well-written with maps and (mostly hand-drawn) pictures scattered throughout the pages, readers can’t help walking away with a greater knowledge of this land and its stories. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and The University of Illinois Press for an advance complimentary copy of this book.

[Sneaky Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well crafted history book about a place. From its ancient geological history up to the end of the antebellum period/cusp of the civil war.

It’s nice to read about the places I know and love. And find out why the people from there are the way they are. It’s fascinating to see described the Ozarks before colonizers. But most fascinating that the indigenous people for the most part left them uninhabited. Why would you live there. Deep hollers and rocky soils. Good hunting ground but no place to settle when there are big fertile river valleys all around.

Then it got settled very very fast and became a primordial ooze of American civilization. All the stages the eastern states went through in their development happened out here in an isolated pocket for the most part away from rail. A river people hacking away at the rocks scratching corn out of the earth praying to their god and sending all of that downstream to a society they were much more connected to than the backwoods hillbilly stereotype loved to suggest.

I’m excited for volume two about the civil war. As this volume concludes. “The Ozarks were a place on the make, until the war came.”

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a detailed account of Ozark history! This book captured my interest because I had ancestors in the region during the early years of the Arkansas territory. Not to mention the fact that Arkansas is such a beautiful state--why not find out it’s history?

Full of geographic descriptions and sociological details, the author leaves no stone unturned in presenting the early days of the Ozark region. Agriculture is also a big part of the state’s history and through reading, it is easy to understand how the razorback became the mascot of the University of Arkansas.

From Indians to cattle drives, readers will discover the rich history that shaped Arkansas. The book ends right around the time of the Civil War and I’m so interested in reading the second volume that tells how the war changed things in the state.

History lovers and genealogists will most likely enjoy this book the most. There is an abundance of name-dropping of people and places important to Arkansas.

Many thanks to NetGalley and University of Illinois Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

[Kenneth Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong resident of Polk County, Missouri in the Ozarks, this book holds the most complete information of the Ozarks Uplift I have ever seen. Wonderfully researched and written in an easy to read style that makes learning history fun.

[Tonya Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written and well-researched history of the early Ozarks. Brooke Blevins really starts at the beginning, by introducing you to the region’s geography, then talking about the Ozarks first inhabitants, such as the Osage and the Quapaw. He takes the reader from the arrival of European explorers and early French settlement, through territory days and statehood, and then leaves us in the antebellum period. It details the founding and development of cities such as Springfield, but doesn’t neglect the stories of rural areas such as Pulaski and Texas County, where the Gasconade and Big Piney Rivers played an important role in settlement patterns and economic development. After reading this, it’s possible to more accurately picture what life was like for early settlers, who were living on the frontier but still connected to the larger American identity and economy.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read for anyone interested in the Ozarks! It's very well researched by the author who I believe is a professor. I love the Ozarks and thought wanted to learn more about them. Well, It contained more info than I had expected! It explained a lot about the year years of settlement and gave me quite a few unintentional laughs when I discovered some ancestors of family members in it! It explained a lot about my own as well- but not as directly! I can't wait to read Vol. 2! I think the book will appeal chiefly to those from the region or with ties to it, but also those of us who love the region!
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Richard Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lived all my adult life in the area covered by this bool, the Ozark Uplift, I found this book an interesting read. The author does a good job of sticking to the area of the Ozarks defined as the uplift. Any digression is necessary to explaining the history of this unique area. This is a regional history at its best.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best written, most comprehensive and easiest to read book on the development of the early Ozarks region of the USA. Excellent author who knows what he's talking about and can put it on paper in a way it's easy to read, understand and remember. There is a Volume 2 and 3. I have read Vol 2 and ready to read Vol 3. All of my people came from the Ozarks, but not all the same area.

[Jefferson Daubitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent description of what settlement and culture were like in the early Ozarks. Does the unique character of the region a lot of descriptive justice, definitely more for someone that is already interested in Ozark history. Only complaint is how it is only quasi-chronological after the first couple of sections (topics are grouped together as opposed to time periods).

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly comprehensive history of the pre-Civil War Ozarks, without being unwieldy. Histories of Native American peoples, territorial days, and religious traditions and trends were some of the most interesting portions for me. As well as trying to understand early 19th century party politics with whigs and Jacksonian Democrats. This is the kind of history you miss out on in school and I enjoy it.

[Rashel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ran out of time and had to return it to library, but read about 3 chapters, and it was very good. Learned a great deal.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly thorough.

[Elijah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undeniably dry at times but definitely helped look at my home in a new way. I’ll get to part 2 next year!

[Steve Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, has some fascinating details and small stories about interesting businesses, mining, native American encounters and some of their history (for a short time period that this book covers Native Americans were still living in parts of the Ozarks - the book covers some of this period and a portion of the time up to the civil war). Much of this history is centered on the rivers and land in southern Missouri - Arkansas had only small settlements on the Mississippi, the northwestern corner where Fayetteville and Bentonville are and some settlements on the Arkansas and White rivers. Very few settlers made it into and stayed in the deep Arkansas Ozarks - like the Buffalo River area - although there was some activity there.

[Carol Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the Midwest so I was always aware of The Ozarks and visited there numerous times. This history of the region is fascinating and I look forward to the future volumes.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in the Ozarks. We moved here a little over a year ago and I've been looking for local history books, which are surprisingly hard to find. This one fills in allot of the gaps and answers allot of questions. It should be required reading for anyone moving into the area. I am most definitely recommending it at our local newcomers briefings.