Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River (Northwest Reprints) [Paperback]

John Kirk Townsend (Author), George A. Jobanek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999 | Series: Northwest Reprints

An engaging account of scientific discovery by the first trained naturalist to cross the continent. As a member of Nathaniel Wyeth's 1834 expedition, John Kirk Townsend journeyed west through a "rich and unexplored region" that offered scientists an "almost inexhaustible field for the prosecution of their inquiries." His book, a classic of western exploration, chronicles the first transcontinental trek along the route that would soon become the Oregon Trail. The Wyeth expedition was a remarkable venture that united commerce, religion, and science. Nathaniel Wyeth was a Massachusetts ice merchant, whose first expedition west to establish a fur-trading company failed. A second expedition set out from Independence, Missouri, in April 1834. Among the company's men were Jason and Daniel Lee, the first American missionaries to the Oregon Country, and English Botanist Thomas Nuttall, who invited the twenty-four-year-old Townsend, a skilled ornithologist, to join the expedition.

The narrative documents the expedition's role in the opening of the West and records the author's scientific contributions. "Delight amounting to ecstasy," wrote Townsend, describing the joys of an encounter with a new species of bird. It was access to Townsend's specimens, collected for the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, that allowed John James Audubon to include far-western species in his monumental "Birds of America." This edition restores the original full text, including Townsend's account of his two years at Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River and of his return home by way of the Hawaiian Islands and Chile. Also included is the orginal "scienitific appendix" of bird and mammal life. George Jobanek's introduction provides a new appreciation of Townsend's accomplishments, which helped to scientifically define a new land.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Editor George A. Jobanek is a writer and ornithologist in Eugene, Oregon, and the author of "An Annotated Bibliography of Oregon Bird Literature Published before 1934"(OSU Press).

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oregon State University Press; 1st edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870715259
• ISBN-13: 978-0870715259
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,011,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An honest, open look at wild lands and native people, February 26, 2002

By 

Paper Pen "S. Wilson" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

This is a remarkable look at the untamed American West of 1834-1837 through the eyes of a young naturalist. Despite its age, this account is quite readable. The smaller segments describing Townsend's visits to Hawaii, Tahiti and Chile are also enjoyable.

Since this is a diary, it does have some flat spots (not every day can be an adventure), but mostly Townsend fills his descriptions with details and color that bring his encounters alive. You can sense Townsend maturing as the journey goes on. One suggestion to the editors: If a new edition is produced, it would be nice to include a map of Townsend's travels, because in some places it's hard to tell where he is.

A tip to the reader: Skip the introduction, since it's mostly just a summary of what you'll be reading. It does, however, contain a description of what happened to Townsend after the book, so go back and read that once you finish.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!, February 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

hi everyone, please buy, read and cherish this book! you would not believe how much work went into this - I know because I'm the author's daughter. BUY BUY BUY! :) thanks