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The
Santa Fe Trail, Yesterday and Today |
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Paper,
6x9, 232 pages, 160 ill., 13 maps, bibliography, index,
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This is the book that will introduce readers to the Santa Fe Trail,
encourage their interest, and take them along it. The Santa Fe Trail was developed for commerce. However, where trade
goes so go the people, and that is true of the Santa Fe Trail. The
first section describes the commercial nature of the trail. The
next section describes its historical development. Then, portions
of Joseph C. Brown's original 1825 notebook with survey notes and
maps are included, along with five other early maps. Three guidebooks
and three diaries are used to describe the main section of the trail
from the Great Bend of the Arkansas River west to where the trail
split to Bent's Fort to follow the mountain route or to ford the
river and cross the desert or dreaded Jornada. To get the best view of the trail one must examine the trail as
it was seen by the early travelers, and to see it as it looks today.
That is exactly what the "yesterday and today" section
of the book does. Three artists' works form the basis for the early
view: Josiah Gregg, the 1830s; Lieutenant James Abert, the mid-1840s;
and Ben Wittick, the 1870s. Photos from today are matched with the
early sketches and photos.
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"the
most valuable section is the one entitled, "pictorial journey."
It reproduces 160 Santa Fe Trail photographs, paintings, and drawings.
This gathering can serve as a guide for those seeking illustrations
related to all aspects of the trail….on the whole this book is well
done and reliable. Dedicated trail buffs will want a copy for both
reading and reference. Highly recommended." -Wagon Tracks
"This book conveys the hardship and romance of travel west over the trail when it was a month long journey through unsettled and often dangerous territory. Using the diaries of people who traveled the trail and historic photos, author Hill captures the adventure and the spirit of a trip over the Santa Fe Trail." -S Gaugian …"he gives the reader an overview of the trail story and enough basic information to launch even the greenest novice on his way…. the beginner will profit by exposure to these basic source materials and have a good time in the bargain. The longest and certainly most valuable section of this book is…(the) "Pictorial Journey." -Overland Journal |