****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Book was in very good condition, above advertised. Fast shipping. Will use again!Another excellent narrative in an excellent series. Focusing in and around the Western banks of Lake Michigan between present day Chicago and Milwaukee this is the story of the conflict between a young and united nation and Indian population. It's a dynamic tale which challenges the popular and incomplete narrative which blandly declares "we took their land". In short it's true, but that's the story in short for human civilization, everywhere throughout recorded history and books like this and the others in this series explain it so richly and even handedly they you realize all parties had heroes and villains amongst them.Let me insure you that anything written by Allan Eckert will be a real treat in terms of narrative history of the early American Northwest territory. The relationships between the many different native American tribes, the settlers, the British and French and finally of the newly formed United States government will stretch your imagination and test your alliances during this early stage of lands east of the Mississippi River. I would recommend all 6 volumes for your personal library and I would recommend that you tell the true story about Native Americans and their plight suffered at the hands of the United States. This is a story that likely will not be repeated in the depth and accuracy that Allan Eckert presented. During his lifetime he was nominated for 6 Pulitzers. And in my opinion they were all well deserved.My only reason for a lower rating is the size of the book, I don't know what I expected, and don't remember if they gave a size, but I thought it would be a larger size book. It is a paper back about 4" x 7". Most of the books I buy are 7" x 9" or larger. Condition was as described, and I am reading it now, came in a timely manner. As I said "just what I wanted".This book is a tale of honor and dishonor; cowardice and heroics; friendship and blind rage; insurmountable beauty and disgusting horror, but the most important part of this book - every event is documented fact. From the shores of Lake Michigan a small trading post was built along the Chicago river. In time it became a frontier outpost. The US Army was ordered to build a strong fort in order to protect the trade routes that followed the rivers and Great Lakes back to civilization in the East. It was named Fort Dearborn in honor of the US Secretary of War. What occurred there on August 15, 1812 will never be forgotten.Gateway to Empire is a super excellent story and at the same time historically accurate. It should be required reading and a subject of student discussion in the public schools.I am sure we would be unpleasantly surprised by our students ignorance of how this country was won. Also it does not take sides between the Whites and the Indians. It just provides the facts and lets one make up ones own mind. As author Eckert says- There were villains and heroes on both sides. Eckert is to be applauded loudly for his hard work and research. He also has a great deal of writing talent. In spite of the authors neutrality,I suspect he, as I, come down on the side of the Indians,although there is no doubt they were brutal savages. Regards,J.W.Robinsonin excellent condition. I have read the first three books in this series and found them to be of exceptional quality--both in research and readability and am looking forward tp the next books in the series.Received the book in just a few days, outstanding service. Exactly as described. This book is a must-read for anyone that wants to know how the Midwestern United States came to be, and how the building of this nation evolved. Truly an excellent book for all to read.
