The Frontiersmen

A Narrative

By: Allan W. Eckert

Narrated by: Kevin Foley

Length: 30 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The frontiersmen were a remarkable breed of men. They were often rough and illiterate, sometimes brutal and vicious, often seeking an escape in the wilderness of mid-America from crimes committed back east. In the beautiful but deadly country that would one day come to be known as West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, more often than not they left their bones to bleach beside forest paths or on the banks of the Ohio River, victims of Indians who claimed the vast virgin territory and strove to turn back the growing tide of whites.

These frontiersmen are the subjects of Allan W. Eckert's dramatic history. Against the background of such names as George Rogers Clark, Daniel Boone, Arthur St. Clair, Anthony Wayne, Simon Girty, and William Henry Harrison, Eckert has re-created the life of one of America's most outstanding heroes, Simon Kenton. Kenton's role in opening the Northwest Territory to settlement more than rivaled that of his friend Daniel Boone. By his 18th birthday, Kenton had already won frontier renown as woodsman, fighter, and scout. His incredible physical strength and endurance, his great dignity and innate kindness made him the ideal prototype of the frontier hero.

Yet there is another story to The Frontiersmen. It is equally the story of one of history's greatest leaders, whose misfortune was to be born to a doomed cause and a dying race. Tecumseh, the brilliant Shawnee chief, welded together by the sheer force of his intellect and charisma an incredible Indian confederacy that came desperately close to breaking the thrust of the white man's westward expansion. Like Kenton, Tecumseh was the paragon of his people's virtues, and the story of his life, in Eckert's hands, reveals most profoundly the grandeur and the tragedy of the American Indian.

©2001 Jesse Stuart Foundation (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Historian-novelist Eckert has fashioned an epic narrative history of the struggle for dominance of the Ohio River Valley that makes compelling reading." ( Publishers Weekly)

this is the finest quality book on the subject.

great depth and scope with compelling characters drawn from real life,a magnificent listen...form a chiminisee.

Well written but the brutality…

I have to stop listening. There’s only so much brutality that I can stand to hear about. The life of the people’s of this time is painted with a bloody gruesome brush! The story is well written. I just can’t listen anymore b

Fascinating History of Midwest

an account of the pioneer men and Indians of Ohio, Kentucky,Indiana during the early establishment of European settlers.

The forever battle of opposing sides and those personalities that lead them.

The inhumane actions of both white men & red men.in their forever war of living among one another.

When Men were Men!

Absolutely riveting story about the men who lived, loved, and died exploring and defending this country. A stunning retelling of events from the Revolutionary war and the constant westward expansion into the Ohio River country belonging to several Native Americans nations. Both groups battling to try and keep what they claimed as theirs. Amazing story I definitely recommend!

Eye opening story

Amazing almost unbelievable story. Narration was one of the best I have heard. Truly a page turner

Superb

I read this book as a young man back in 1980. As a Native American raised in Southeast Ohio, it was/is my Old Testament. It formed me. This audio version reaffirmed all of those impressions.

A MUST for Midwesterners

This book plunges the listener into the world of a very young United States, providing a careful glimpse at our nations early heritage while thoroughly expounding the settlement of the Midwest. Eckert has done a wonder in unfolding the life of Simon Kenton. This serves as a phenomenal biography of early American history, leaving the listener in deep introspection concerning the issues of the time. If you love Ohio, you must listen to this!

Simply Awesome!

I was saddened for this amazing audio book to be finished, as there seems to be few so filled with factual detail and riveting story alike.

Havent finisished yet,but its excellent.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes because for me its excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Frontiersmen?

Still havent finished,but its so graphicall.

Any additional comments?

When Ive completely finished I will be able to give a more overall assessment.

Thank you.