Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813 (Northwest Reprints) [Paperback]

Alexander Ross (Author), William G. Robbins (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oregon State University Press; 1st edition (April 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870715283
• ISBN-13: 978-0870715280
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Six Stars!, November 26, 2001

By 

William J Higgins III (Laramie, Wyoming United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813 (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

An excellent first hand narrative with lively and descriptive writing by one of the first pioneers to help settle the untamed Northwest. Alexander Ross joined Astor's Pacific Fur Company expedition in 1810 and this is his story of the day to day struggles which he and the other men had to overcome. He left New York on the soon to be ill-fated, doomed ship the Tonquin, with a pompous and overbearing Captain Thorn. They sailed around the tip of South America, then to Hawaii and finally to the mouth of the Columbia River, all the while prevailing over many hardships during this voyage. Upon landing and without delay, the men began to construct the trading post Astoria. Ross' detailed descriptions of their adventures amidst the forces of Mother Nature, Indian relations, the Northwest Fur Company, geography, etc. makes this book a real page turner. They all had many obstacles to overcome, and as I said, his writing skills are exemplary. He devotes the last few chapters to the culture and customs of one of the local Indian tribes. The man was a keen and acute observer of all his surroundings and this is an energetic effort on his part to put it in writing.

4.0 out of 5 stars A real good 'un!, September 19, 2011

By 

S. Clark - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813 (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

This drags in a couple spots, so I took one star off the rating. For example, the last chapter about how best way to deploy Christian missionaries was a real chore to get through.

This guy was really there, however, and he tells the story in a real level-headed, down-to-earth way. It does tend to be a little flat-footed and serious, but it's still plenty gripping and inspiring.

This is the third book I've read by one of the Astorians (the other two were by Ross Cox and Gabriel Franchere) and the description of the behavior of Captain Thorn of the Tonquin makes my blood boil every time I read it.

His sequel to this, "Fur Traders of the North-West", is also very worthwhile.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Surprisingly Fun read, July 30, 2010

By 

Tsarevna (OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813 (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

This has got to be one of the best historical books I've ever read. I found it more enjoyable than many works of historical fiction because all of the crazy situations happened in real life. Ross makes apologies in his introduction for not being a "real" author, but his gift for writing really shines. He writes succinctly and beautifully, matter-of-factly, often with grace and humor. This is a refreshing break from the other authors of the time who were so full of themselves they wrote page-long paragraphs.
The story of the doomed voyage of the Tonquin, and the founding of Fort Astoria is unbelievable. Partly explaining the incredible hardships is the fact that Ross describes the captain as what we would call today a Militant Perfectionist, as well as a Paranoid Delusional. The voyage has many inconceivable and tragic events occur simply because the only person who was crazy on that ship was in charge. Not withstanding the "normal" hazards of sailing without the modern luxuries of motors, radio or GPS.
Ross's descriptions of the natives is wonderful. It is refreshing to see natives through the eyes of explorers who didn't want to change the Native Americans or take their land, just do business with them. It is an especially interesting read to people living in the Pacific NW, as Ross describes the local scenery and things you never knew. For example paddles on the Columbia past an Indian burial ground full of mummies, draped on rocks near where Longview is today. If I could give the book 6 stars I would.