Customer Reviews

A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home

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"A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home" provides an outstanding window into the life and times of the American migration westward. Through the eyes of Phoebe Goodell Judson, one lives the trials of the Oregon trail, the challenges of pioneering, and a powerful perspective on the American mind during the last half of the 19th Century. 20 years old and 7 months pregnant, Phoebe begins the 7 month treck from Ohio to Vancouver, Washington. Through her diaries, she chronicles the life changing experiences of exploration and community building that did so much to shape the American culture. One only wishes that she had kept additional records and thoughts as the reader is left wishing that there was more. First person story-telling at it's best, be prepared to go looking for maps of Washington and the Oregon Trail.

An excerpt from this amazing book:
"While adoring the various brilliant tints of (October foilage)we are reminded "that we all do fade like the leaf." A more perfect simile could hardly be given. For a time "we flourish like the green bay tree," and then comes adversity, trials and griefs that sear and beautify the soul, as the strong blasts and chilly frosts bring out the beautiful tints of the leaves, making "old age" as glorious as the autumn season of the year." p 81

What a fantastic view into what it was like to be a poineer and what it was like during the formation of western Washington State. I'm from the east side of the state and enjoy our state history but to see an overall picture of what it was like by someone living through it was just a fantastic experience. Much more interesting that just learning "facts" about the history of Washington and the early settlers.

Great book - even if you're not interested in the state itself!

scence Phoebe is my Great grandmother it gave me a background on my history alone! this is a great book!

I picked this book off a rack at a Shoreline, WA, library several years ago and since then have purchased and given away several copies! I fell in love with Phoebe and her family's searching for the best place to live in my home state of Washington. I can still describe many of my favorite parts of her story: being unable to grow crops in the Olympia area, going up the coast and then UP THE NOOKSACK RIVER with all their children and stuff in a canoe, carrying it around snags, etc. and going to Portland Oregon (!) to visit friends, going by canoe again, down the river and then down the coast.

Once you've gotten to know Phoebe through this book, plan a trip to the town she and her husband founded - Lynden, Washington- and visit the wonderful museum there. I took my Arizona husband there when we were in the area and I had to haul him out after several hours! What a great place, especially for kids, with all the old buggies and cars downstairs and the military history room, too. The town is just a short drive off from I-5 near Bellingham.