A Majority of Scoundrels: An Informal History of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company

This book chronicles the fur trade era from 1822-1834 through the eyes of William Ashley's men and the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Such giants of the times like Jed Smith, Jim Bridger, the Sublettes, Tom Fitzpatrick and many others are given thorough examination of their roles in attempting to capture the fur trade business, along with their exploration accomplishments of the American west. The cutthroat competition from the Hudson's Bay Company, Astor's American Fur Company and the Missouri Fur Company, not to mention Indian hostilities, hunger, thirst and the always present forces of nature, made the fur trade business a precarious way of life. If one is not familiar with the geography of the west, it would be helpful to have a map handy as there is not one in the book. There were a few typos which can be overlooked, but there is one historical blunder I must point out. This is on page 50. It is mentioned that Vanderburgh and Carson were exempted from Leavenworth's criticism of the Missouri Fur Company's handling of the Aricara battle. This is NOT Kit Carson as the index states it is. This man was Kit's older half brother Moses. Other than these few discrepancies, the book was presented very well and was a pleasure to read.

Having long ago lost my original copy from the '70's, I'm glad to see this classic back in print. Fully rounded with details of Jim Bridger, Hugh Glass and others on the world economic canvas painted by John Astor, Berry gives us the complete picture. It should be on the short list for any course in American history along with the Lewis and Clark journals.

The best book I've ever read for giving the complete picture of the fur trade out West. Not only the unique and colorful individuals, but the international scene that sets the background or framework for the times. Gives info on Hudson's Bay, trappers from Santa Fe, John Jacob Astor, as well as the St. Louis firms. Highly recommended for anyone interested in those exciting times. Shows who REALLY opened the West.

My favorite comment about this book comes from the author himself. When criticised for his lack of credentials by the academic historians, Berry replied, in defense of what is still generally held to be the best book on the subject: "History is the fiction that the historians write."

A very thorough examination of the life and times of the hardy men who blazed the trails