The Prairie Traveler [Paperback]

Randolph Marcy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1986

Filled with helpful information that was essential for safe travel west as well as a fascinating view of the strenuous life faced by prairie travelers before the era of the railroad.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Applewood Books; Third printing edition (October 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918222893
• ISBN-13: 978-0918222893
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Prairie Traveler - a Book Review, November 17, 2001

By 

Rolland W. Amos (Severn, MD United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Prairie Traveler (Paperback)

Randolph Marcy, an army cavalry officer, wrote this book (1859) when it became apparent to him that nobody better qualified was going to do the job. He intended for the book to serve as a manual for those who were going to travel westward by wagon train over rugged territory inhabited by hostile indians. A glance at his index reveals the information and actions he deemed vital: choosing a route and a group leader, selecting wagons and draft animals, buying provisions, supplies, equipments, personal clothing and weapons, march procedures, herding and guarding animals, organizing a first-aid kit, treating snakebites, selecting campsites, pitching tents, building fires, fording rivers, etc.
When Marcy explains the value of a qualified leader-guide, and the merits of having people with hunter-woodsman skills, he deviates somewhat and talks at length about indians. Eastern indians differ greatly from western indians, he explains, and all indians have natural skills of tracking and navigating uncharted territory that white men can rarely emulate. He describes indian tracking techniques, their use of smoke signals and sign language, and their battle tactics - simular in certain respects to those used by Arab guerrillas. He describes how they hunt the bigger animals - the buffalo, bears, deer, antelopes and bighorn sheep.
In brief, this little book (230 pages)- written for the 'prairie traveler' by a man who'd 'been there and done that' is entertaining, fascinating, and informative. Read it and you'll view those old western movies through new eyes.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opener to westward emigrant survival, June 9, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: The Prairie Traveler (Paperback)

A fascinating assemblage of facts and information for the overland emigrant of the mid-1800's to successfully complete the long, arduous journey to the west coast. Captain Marcy includes everything one can possibly imagine: from types of wagons, livestock, food, provisions and medicines to fording rivers, selection of campsites, types of saddles, packing, tracking, guides, guards, etc. and habits of Indians. The itineraries at the end of the book detail the mileages, availability of water, grass, wood, road conditions, etc. along several different routes to the Pacific. With our many modern day conveniencies traveling across the country, we tend to dismiss the hardships and sacrifices our pioneers endured while traversing the continent. This little book puts it all into focus.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gain a new understanding, August 6, 2006

By 

Frank E. Terrill "artistswife" (between Arlington and Pratt, Kansas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Prairie Traveler (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and bought some for friends who like history. The reading is easy, though you will find a dictionary helpful with some of the archaic words. I have relatives who crossed the prairie in 1848 to California; I have a much better understanding of what the trip must've been like.
For those who love American history, esp. the old west I highly recommend this book