The Oregon Trail: Yesterday and Today [Paperback]

William E. Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1987

Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Caxton Press

In these pages the reader will find a description of the history of the Oregon Trail - from past to present.  Inside the reader will find a unique blend of maps, guides, emigrant diaries, journals, and old drawings as well as recent photographs of important locations along the trail.  

Editorial Reviews

Review

"William E. Hill''s book is visually rich, intellectually strong and tightly organized to present such a variety of historical information in a brief format. Most of all, its practical and usable by those who travel in the areas so carefully mapped here and crossed by the Oregon Trail. Clearly the result of years of direct contact and caring experience with an important segment of our history, this volume belongs in the hands of many individuals from all walks of life who can relate to the geography, history and courageous, restless spirit that drove pioneers across the Oregon Trail."—Christine F.V. Shirley, The Californians

(Christine F.V. Shirley The Californians )

About the Author

William Hill is the author of several books on historic, western trails including The Oregon Trail, Yesterday and Today; The Lewis and Clark Trail, Yesterday and Today; and The Santa Fe Trail, Yesterday and Today all published by Caxton Press. He is now retired from teaching and living in New York state.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Caxton Press; Third printing edition (April 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870043196
• ISBN-13: 978-0870043192
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Oregon Trail: A good introductory guide, November 25, 2005

By 

Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oregon Trail: Yesterday and Today (Paperback)

This is an excellent introductory overview of the Oregon Trail, geared mainly for the modern-day traveler. Hill breaks the book down into four sections:

1) Historical overview: summary of trail highlights, listed by years (1803-1859);

2) A copy of the Fremont-Preuss maps of 1846 (a little hard to read); an excerpt from Lansford Hastings's EMMIGRANT GUIDE (1846) and Clayton's GUIDE (1847); and some excerpts from a few trail diaries;

3) The longest section, a pictorial "see it then, see it now" chapter, compiling phtos and pictures of scenes along the trail taken or drawn by early travelers and the same scene as viewed today (photos taken by Hill on his own travels);

4) a listing of museums and displays in cities and towns that the trail went through (there are a lot of them, more than I expected), and an annotated bibliography.

Anyone just getting interested in the Oregon Trail will find this book beneficial. It touches on a number of aspects regarding the trail without getting into too much detail - and pushes the reader in the right direction to find out more. Well done!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting Read, September 2, 2008

By 

Steve Dietrich (Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Monica CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Oregon Trail: Yesterday and Today (Paperback)

This is a very good book for those having an interest in The Oregon Trail and its history. It bridges the gap between the history of the trail and a current travel guide to trace its history.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the trail or the general history of the area.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This should be one of your books if interested in the trail., January 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Oregon Trail: Yesterday and Today (Paperback)

My wife and I are planning to travel some of the trail this coming summer - I think this book will help us feel a part of the past as it not only shows great pictures, but tells the stories about these places as you follow it!