A scholarly work on children's narratives of life on the overland trails, Children's Voices from the Trail is an invaluable source book for researchers and historians of the overland experience. Although at least one-fifth of the approximately 350,000 persons who followed the Platte River road to South Pass and on to destinations west were young people, their story is just beginning to be told. This book is a must for any overland trails library. Extracts from diaries, journals, letters, and reminiscences are woven into ...
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A scholarly work on children's narratives of life on the overland trails, Children's Voices from the Trail is an invaluable source book for researchers and historians of the overland experience. Although at least one-fifth of the approximately 350,000 persons who followed the Platte River road to South Pass and on to destinations west were young people, their story is just beginning to be told. This book is a must for any overland trails library. Extracts from diaries, journals, letters, and reminiscences are woven into the analytical framework developed by the author to interpret the experience of youngsters moving west, either with their families or on their own. Twenty-three diaries, letters, and journals of young pioneers and 430 reminiscences of adults who made the trek under the age of sixteen are included in the analysis. Three trails which used the Platte River Road are considered: the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails between 1841 and the 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad. Nineteenth-century conventions, gender, home and family, religion, education, and writing are discussed in the introduction as influences on the children's accounts. Relationships with parents and siblings, train members, and others on the trail are considered when the original accounts are analyzed. What was left out of the accounts is often as important as what is included, and the author devotes an entire chapter to this subject. By comparing what other travelers said during the same emigration season, the topics recounted by the children can be better understood. A bibliography of 24 pages reflects the extensive research by the author of both sources and contemporary literature on the subject. Appendixes containing data on places of birth, age at the time of the trek, and the year of crossing are provided. The child's perspective was unique, and varied. Young writers can present the pleasure/play, youthful sensory experiences, or drama of the trail. Reminiscences of pioneer children can fill in what contemporary accounts overlooked. These reminiscences are divided into "I remember" and "we remember" experiences and ages 1-6, 7-12, 13-15 to more accurately extract the child's perspective. All of these pieces fit together to make a more complete picture of the westward trek. Themes important to young pioneers emerge in contemporary and reminiscent accounts. Responsibilities were demanded by adults of the young travelers, and these duties occupy a major place in their accounts. Fears are often mentioned, particularly when death was confronted on the trail. In spite of duties and fears, young people showed great optimism in their writings. The book contains an historical introduction, notes, appendixes, bibliography, and index, in addition to an endpaper map, nineteen illustrations, charts, and tables. The book is printed on acid-free paper and bound in a red linen cloth with foil stamped spine and front cover to match other volumes in the series. The first edition is limited to 1,000 copies. American Trails Series, vol. XX.
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Seller's Description:
Good. No dustjacket as issued. Size: 6x1x9; The binding is clean and tight with minor shelf wear. Light wear and soiling to edges of text block. Light penciled marginalia on several pages.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. No dustjacket as issued. Size: 6x1x9; Features red cloth covered boards with gilt lettering on cover and spine; 1067 copies published. Features illustrations, map on front and back end papers, and portraits. Published at $39.95.; The American Trails Series; 9.50 X 6.20 X 1.20 inches; 340 pages.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 340 p. American Trails, 20. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
