The Oregon Trail

Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life

By: Francis Parkman

Narrated by: Robert Morris

Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the classic account of Francis Parkman’s rugged trip over the eastern part of the Oregon Trail with his cousin Quincy Adams Shaw in the spring and summer of 1846. They left St. Louis by steamboat and traveled on horseback, in company with guides and occasionally other travelers. They encountered storms and buffalo hunts, meeting Indians, soldiers, sportsmen, and emigrants.

The Oregon Trail is an eyewitness account of the Mormons and outlaws, trappers and Indians, pioneers and adventurers who struggled to conquer the frontier.

Public Domain (P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ The Oregon Trail appeared in 1849, and with its publication Parkman was launched upon his career as a storyteller without peer in American letters.… It is the picturesqueness, the racy vigor, the poetic eloquence, the youthful excitement, that give The Oregon Trail its enduring appeal, recreating for us, as perhaps does no other book in our literature, the wonder and beauty of life in a new world that is now old and but a memory.” (Henry Steel Commager, historian)

“This book, in brief, is excellent and has the true wild game flavor.” (Herman Melville)

“This timeless account of Parkman’s travels and travails…remains a colorful classic.” ( Library Journal)

Descriptive

I liked the description of the people, animals and landscape. The author’s prejudices were typical of his privileged upbringing.

Racist author, terrible reader

Parkman was a white man of his time, so openly racist. Story was historically interesting, but the casual disdain of the "lesser races" and the easy attitude towards slaughtering game without any reason but entertainment are odious.
Parkman used a lot of commas in his writing, and the reader emphasized their placements with endless irritating pauses. He also mispronounced a number of common words, a pet peeve of mine.

Extraordinary real life experiences

This is not fiction or a recount of history. I looked at the timeline of when the Oregon Trail was used and Frances Parkman's biography. I think these are his real life experiences on his trip on the Oregon Trail. I've done wilderness packing with horses and can relate to some of their trail difficulties. The writing style is probably as of the mid-1800's, and you have to allow for that. But, it was so cool to hear ideas and phrases still common today. I also loved hearing all their interactions with Native Indians. The narrator is a bit stilted, but you can get used to that, too.

Informative and Insightful.

This first-hand account of one traveling The Oregon Trail in the 1800s with the purpose of learning about the thoughts and habits of Native Americans by gaining their trust and living among them part of the time is informative and insightful

Only halfway along the Oregon Trail

Parkman didn’t go all the way to Oregon, only into Wyoming before turning south along the Rockies and then back to Westport. Still, it’s an interesting picture of those times. Narration was very stilted.

Title does not fit!

Definitely not my cup of tea — and I love history! This book should definitely not have this title as it has VERY little to do with the history of the Oregon Trail! Not sure how much of the Oregon trail was even in the book once he got to Fort Laramie!

Great story, reader keeps swallowing words

In retrospect I would buy the book. the reader is difficult to understand making for a rather unenjoyable experience. he has a tendency to swallow key words, and I found myself repeatedly rewinding to decipher his speach.

Saddle up and head west in the 1840s

This exquisitely written to account of the Western migration shows the hardships and obstacles encountered. It is written with exquisite vocabulary. Go on a buffalo hunt, interface with Indians who really don’t want you there. This is a first person account. You will actually feel like you were headed west along with the author.
This is a book where you can skip a chapter and not miss much. The narration is incredible. Also you will see vestiges of prejudice towards other groups of people headed west. I found this whole trip fascinating and very informative. Great entertainment.

Most real account of frontier travel ever

This was by far the most authentic narrative of travel in the American frontier wilderness read to-date. A wonderful learning tool for those curious about early settlement of the American west and American Indian culture and traditions. Excellent reading for everyone.

SuperbFirst Hand Account

What an experience to hear about. Parkman was fully engaged at the very beginning of the American West ( and yet the beginning of the end). Here it is, beautifully written and narrated. For those interested in this period, this is pure joy.