Gathering Storm

This series of books is truly awe-inspiring. I have hunted and hiked these same areas of Oregon that Chief Ochoco and his people so revered and fought to protect. As I read the books. I could recognize places by the descriptions. So much has been written about the tribes of the Great Plains and the Eastern Seaboard. It is nice to finally be able to understand how the Natives of Eastern Oregon lived. Also to get a better idea through the eyes of the Natives of "Manifest Destiny". A definite must read for anyone wanting to know more about Pre-European Western America.

I borrowe this book from a friend. She had never read it. It was stuck in a box. This book is Indian & American History as if written By Clancey!!! This book presents the history of Indian and uropean settlement through the 1800's. It presnts cultural clashes from a global perspective starting in the 1600's. For once, I could understanfd the conflicts and their timing between Spain, Russia, England, France and the emerging US. The clear presentation of the Spanish presence as miners and slaveers. The English, French and Russians as fur robber barons represented by greedy men and the lowly US taking up the rear. The Indian population with thier established tribes, hunting areas and culture were spelled out clearly and convincingly. It was understandble now that Europeans really didn't or couldn't have removed the Indian without the use of our deseases such as small pox and meassles. More Indians died of small pox than any US Army battle. Not that we didn't remove, push, cheat them only that their population was overwhelmed by our deseases first. The history is written like a fast moving novel, exciting, detailed , twisting and turning. It has political plots, robber barons, government plots, greedy people and bungling fools. It tells of Indians against Indians, Indians against Spanish, French, English, Russians and the US. The vast majority of the western movement was only to pass through the plains, over the Rockies for most people to Oregon and California. It is remakable that Oregon has remained as rural as it has while California is the state which has really grown. The wealth of California apparently was sverely understated while Oregon was overstated. .You will love this book.

These four volumes do more to explain the depth and extent of the Indian Nations that existed in the Northwest prior to the fur traders. A vast empire headquartered in present day central Oregon, near the major Indian trading centers on the Columbia River with influences extending east into present day Wyoming, south to Santa Fe, NM and Indio, CA. This series of books is perhaps the only written account of the Shoshone Indians. An Indian nation that witnessed and bore the brunt of the indiscretions of fur traders, explorers, gold hunters, religious pioneers, settlers, and others.

I was captivated by this writing that covers the history of the Western United States from before European intrusion, up through the peak years of the fur trade. Very interesting view from the Native American perspective and the white man's greed that laid waste to the animals and Indians alike. Very easy book to read. Once I got started, it was hard to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.