Customer Reviews

The Ohio Frontier: Crucible of the Old Northwest, 1720-1830 (History of the Trans-Appalachian Frontier)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

R Douglas Hurt has provided us with a solid survey of Ohio's history from its first settlement to the end of the frontier period. He manages to cover the various Indian tribes and their unique problems in dealing with the white man. He covers the economic developments, the process of urbanization, the religious differences, the cultural differences of the early settlers as well as the conflicts between Britain and the United States and how they affected the people (including the Indians)of the Ohio country. In later years Hurt discusses the political struggles between the Federalists and Republicans which ultimately led to statehood during the Jefferson administration. He ends by detailing the conflicts between the Republicans and the Jacksonian democrats and what the conflicts meant to the people of the Ohio frontier. His discussion of canal building is also informative.

One can find a wealth of detail here about particular regions and towns and how they grew and developed. The book, however, cannot be awarded five stars as Hurt's writing style is very matter-of-fact and (although he points out that the Western Reserve was slow to develop) the northeastern section of the state is given little attention. All in all, however, a book well worth reading for anyone interested in Ohio history or the development of the Northwest Territory.

There's a great deal of information here. That's the good news. The bad news is that the author (or perhaps his publisher) seems undecided about whether the book is a popular or a scholarly history. The plain-vanilla writing style is typical of professors who live in dread of being suspected of writing for a -- shudder! -- general audience. Furthermore, the narrative is not strictly chronological, and no attempt is made to explore the personalities of the (fascinating) individuals mentioned. All signs of scholarly history.

Yet the book is entirely lacking in the ordinary scholarly apparatus. There are no notes. The bibliographic essay, while full of titles, doesn't relate specific titles to specific chapters, much less to specific bits of information. The reader simply has to take it on faith that the quotations, etc., are accurate, making the book useless to future scholars in the field. Furthermore, no attempt is made to suggest different interpretations, or to provide an overview of the historical literature. (Parkman's name doesn't once appear.)

The best way to describe the book is as the raw data for a really good popular history. Or perhaps as a non-scholarly survey of recent scholarship. It's neither fish nor fowl, neither particularly fun to read nor useful to specialists. Which is a shame, because the story it tells would be fascinating in the hands of a more engaging writer.

In seeking background information to use in developing an early 1800s character for first person interpretation for our historical society, I happened upon this book in my sister's library. Although I have lived in Ohio for most of my life and am well-acquainted with its political history, I was lacking in details of home and farm life as well as specific information about the character and trials of the individuals and companies that first settled in the Ohio Country. I found a wealth of satisfying information in this book, all of which I've used to flesh out my character whose family moved into Ohio in 1802. As a member of the First Families of Ohio, I am happy to have found such an informative and readable book to increase my knowledge of my home state. I can now consult my own copy of the book purchased for my personal library through Amazon.com.

This book offers a vital insight into the development of what would eventually become the greatest state in the Union. Ohio was the first portion of the Old Northwest Territories to be settled, and that would have significant consequences for the state's development. First, the state would become more republican than others northern states, and would also be free of agrarian taint associated with such a political philosophy in the founding era. Second, it would also ensure that a great deal of the politics within the state would be focused on localities, rather than the state capital. The state would develop into the land of small business and family farms because of the traditions associated with the decentralized nature of its development. This is a great history book, but not one I would suggest to everyone. More of a scholars work than one for a general audience. Still, very great.

I've read all four books in this series, and find them excellent reading and fascinating history. Being a native of northeast Ohio, I enjoyed finally learning some of the history of my birth state - something not taught very well in my public school.

When do we see "Michigan Frontier?"

The book is divided basically into 2 sections,Ohio before the Treaty of Greenville (1794) and the rapid settlement patterns that occurred after the great Treaty. The Indian population of Ohio during this period according to the author peaked at about 3000,living a horticulturist,hunter-gatherer type economic paradise. The Indians attempt to use the european powers to hold on to as much of the Ohio wilderness as they can. Eventually the native-americans are caught in the middle of the European land claims and are pushed aside,by the French,English,Spanish and newly formed American governments. This section of the book is handled in a very lively,interesting, and readable way.Things rapidly in the Ohio territories change after the Treaty of Greenville.

The second part of the book shows how new developments in technology such as canals and riverboats made the Ohio white population explode.Hurt's population figures in such areas as Cincinnati show that by early 1800 the city was already becoming a major riverboat town if not THE major riverboat and meat packing town. By 1830 the Ohio frontier was settled as a major farm exporting economy droving hogs and cattle thousands of miles to major markets in the east.

The book also makes a breakdown of what European ethnic groups settled in which areas of Ohio and why the groups preferred that particular area.All types were welcome from European Eutopian communities to hardcore hograisers.The brief mention of the War of 1812,a minor or insignificant stumble on the path of European/style settlement which finished off any Indian/British land claims in the old Northwest.Ohio was so successful that by 1830 it began losing population from ambitious people seeking "greener pastures"farther into the west.There is also included in the book ,numerous political glitches when personalities ,representing Ohio territorial sections,collide in attempts to obtain more influence and benefits from the newly formed United States government.From the read of the book the settlers may not have been all pushing in the same direction toward "progress" but they were definitely pushing.

Interesting if you are from Ohio and have knowledge of the State etc... but pretty much is consistent with what I would call more of an loosely written reference book. Some detail seems to have been overlooked whereas other aspects were delved into deeply.

The book is somewhat informative, but beyond that is totally boring. Not very well written and the author seems disengaged. I would not recomend the book to anyone.