The True Account: An Epic Alternate History Tall Tale with Boone, Sacagawea, and the Devil

by Howard Frank Mosher

Howard Frank Mosher introduces Private True Teague Kinneson, who sets out with his nephew, Ticonderoga, on an epic race to reach the Pacific before Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Along the way True and Ti encounter Daniel Boone and his six-foot-two spinster daughter, Flame Danielle; fight and trick a renegade army out to stop Lewis’s expedition; invent baseball with the Nez Perce; hold a high-stakes rodeo with Sacagawea’s Shoshone relatives; and outwit True’s lifelong adversary, the Gentleman from Vermont, a.k.a. the devil himself.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor, Historical, Book Club, Novels, Biographical Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Howard Frank Mosher was an American author. Over the course of his career, Mr. Mosher published 12 novels, two memoirs and countless essays and book reviews. In addition, his last work of fiction, points North will be published by St. Martin's press in the winter of 2018.

Mosher was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1979. A Stranger In the Kingdom won the New England Book Award for Fiction in 1991, and was later filmed by director Jay Craven. In 2006, Mosher received the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2011 he was awarded the New England Independent Booksellers Association's President's Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took me a little bit to get into, but once the epic tale really got going I couldn't stop. As always Howard Frank Mosher proves he is a storyteller through and through and has a way of bringing his characters to life, and making their adventures seem so real unlike any other author I've read. I always close his books and smile because they brought me so much joy.

[Ronn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a thoroughly delightful book! If you can muster up the ability to suspend disbelief for the length of the book, this story of a Don Quixote-type adventurer racing the Lewis & Clark expedition to the west coast will keep you laughing and intrigued.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative historical narrative that will crack you up cover to cover.

[Karen Prive · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howard Frank Mosher was one of my favorite writers (especially A Stranger in the Kingdom), but it took me several attempts to read The True Account before I was able to finish. While written in this century, the language is antiquated and until the plot really developed, I didn't appreciate the story of the odd Vermont Don Quixote-like character (Private True Teague Kinneson) and his teenaged grandson Ticonderoga. Private True and Ti finally set out to beat Lewis and Clark in forging a path to the west coast, through the recently purchased Louisiana Territory. Their adventures on the way are somewhat humorous and definitely amusing, with a little true history thrown in for good measure. Maybe a third of the way in I finally settled into the groove, accepted this imaginary telling, and enjoyed the story for all its silliness.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a fun read, whether you're a fan of Undaunted Courage, magical realism or just old fashioned tall tales. Some zany characters, improbable inventions, unflattering portraits of historical figures, and legends of numerous Native American tribes. Lewis and Clark meet America's own Don Quixote.

[Don Kathke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Mr. Mosher

The citizens of the Kingdom venture out from the Kingdom for epic adventures to the west with Lewis and Clark as they race to the Pacific.

[Rick Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. A picaresque novel that answers the tale of Don Quixote with wit and charm.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really fun to read to Jr. Vermonter True Kinneson and his nephew set out to beat Lewis & Clark to the Pacific Ocean and zany antics ensue along the way.

[Mark Carley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes delightful and sometimes horrifying retelling of the Lewis and Clark adventure, in the spirit of Don Quixote. Mosher is one of my favorite writers, and he does not disappoint here. This is a fantasy about an eccentric Revolutionary War veteran (Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys), and his teenage nephew who set out on a cross-country exploration that parallels that of Lewis and Clark.

[Lisa Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a member of the “tall tale” genre, and once you relax into that knowledge it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Though now that I say that, there are flashes of disturbing historical reality in the mix. Buckle up, it is quite a ride!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always a place for the character who flaunts convention and even seems to disregard the expectations of those around him, yet remains loyal and caring. It is, in the end, the lesson of not taking ourselves, and perhaps the world, as seriously as we tend to do. The author, once again, takes his Vermont characters on the road, or this case, to blaze a trail into a new world. The journey is as a exciting as it is meaningful.

[S Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book almost 9 years ago. And for those nine years, I've been loathe to read it. I made the purchase at a time in my life when I was buying books like they were candy. Only I was I was unable to digest them, like I am candy. As a New Years Resolution, I placed my unread novels in a random order (sadly, there are quite a few)and I've decided I would read them in that order. No matter what, even if I've been kicking and screaming not to...

There are a lot of comparisons to Don Quixote. Which is obvious, as I know squat about the book. Though, I've oftern heard of tilting windmills. And according to my good friend Wikipedia, I suppose this might be correct. The advesaries in this novel are often times inaccurately portrayed. Mr. Mosher is also often times compared to Mark Twain. For me, I don't necessarily see the resemblance. Twain had a way of writing that drew you into the time period, especially with his flawless use of the vernacular for the region. What Mosher has created is a breezy, fun novel which is often times hilarious.

I grew up in a time were Lewis and Clark were portrayed as heroes in history. It appears that now history portrays them as jerks - unable to find humanity in the Natives, etc. Mosher locks on this a bit in his novel. The main protagonist, True, is a bit of the Revolutionary War era version of Jeff Spicoli - one part philosopher, 500 parts stoner, and one part genius. It's what makes this such a fun read. He is quick to point out that our ways the Native American ways are really no different that one another. We're similar in the core.

At least, that's what I take from the novel. If I could, it would be 3.5 stars.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I knew more about the real Lewis and Clark expedition. Private True Teague Kinneson is a character and I did laugh out loud, and more often smiled to myself. It was fun. Would have been more fun if I were more informed about the experiences of Lewis and Clark. (I debated between 3 and 4 stars.)

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mischievious romp thru history, stepping on the toes of Lewis and Clark, Thomas Jefferson, and any Indians they come across, Ticonderoga and his crazy uncle put an entirely different slant on the Louisiana Purchase and the inevitable destruction of all they survey. Clever and thought provoking, I know I will read more from this author.

[Marvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A witty, fanciful account in the style of Don Quixote of a brain-damaged Revolutionary War veteran who races Lewis & Clark to the Pacific & his adventures along the way, in most of which he quixotically rescues underdogs from their tormentors. Amusing but lightweight.

[Holly Weiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This crazy romp across the country in a race to beat Lewis and Clark was amusing. A brain-damaged Revolutionary war hero and his nephew, an artist, set out to the Pacific. I found the book quixotic and off-beat, but it did not hold my interest.

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm starting to really like Howard Frank Mosher. I usually hate books with absurdist tendencies, but this had enough grounding in history, and such likeable characters, that I really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more of his oeuvre.

[Tyler Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that the book was interesting and really gave me a view of Luis and Clark's expedition and its told of what its like for the character of the story Ticonderoga to see and feel what its like to explore with him and his uncle

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this Don Quixotesqe story - highly entertaining and touching!

[Mmatiatos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent characters, very humorous. Interesting twist on a great american story.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was unlike other Mosher in many ways, but fun and engaging.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it a 2.75. Amusing. Fun. Very different from what I ordinarily read. A Tall Tale of the classic variety. Just not my cup of tea, I guess, but entertaining.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the quirky characters of Private True Teague Kinneson and his nephew Ticonderoga, but I would have liked more with just those two, a little less action.

[Angelique Sapone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely fantastic book!!! It will make you laugh, cry, get angry, laugh again and then sob. Its wonderful, one of my all time favorites! (Thank you Vincent)

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun--what laugh out loud nutty fun! Just great!

[Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago and I really loved it! It was very funny.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Funny and uplifting.

[Richard Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memorable book of comedy and adventure.

[Deb.mcquillangmail.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Howard Frank Mosher's books and this was no exception.

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny at parts. It would help if you know about the actual journey of the Corps of Discovery before reading this so you'll understand the references