That Dark and Bloody River

Chronicles of the Ohio River Valley

By: Allan W. Eckert

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

An epic novel by an award-winning author chronicles the settling of the Ohio River Valley, home to the defiant Shawnee Indians, who vow to defend their land against the seemingly unstoppable.

They came on foot and by horseback, in wagons and on rafts, singly and by the score, restless, adventurous, enterprising, relentless, seeking a foothold on the future. European immigrants and American colonists, settlers and speculators, soldiers and missionaries, fugitives from justice and from despair-pioneers all, in the great and inexorable westward expansion defined at its heart by the majestic flow of the Ohio River. This is their story, a chronicle of monumental dimension, of resounding drama and impact set during a pivotal era in our history: the birth and growth of a nation.

Drawing on a wealth of research, both scholarly and anecdotal-including letters, diaries, and journals of the era-Allan W. Eckert has delivered a landmark of historical authenticity, unprecedented in scope and detail.

©1995 Allan W. Eckert (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

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

History of a Time of Turmoil and Loss

Great collection of info about the Native Americans in Ohio and Pennsylvania during the 1700s. Crazy stories and wild adventures. Loved it. Awesome narration.

A look back into early america

I truly enjoyed this book especially the details of all the multitude of life events of the early pioneers. I have listened to many book on American history and usually find them well written and presented. this was no acception.

Sad but true. Native peoples were wronged.

Although a long, difficult story, glad I stuck with it. It’s my second book by Eckert and both were superb. The frontiersman was my first. Keeping up with the names and dates and locations were made easy to the narrator who did a nice job and keep my attention. Amazing how bloody the struggle was and I’m amazed at the low value of life. People were killed for no reason Including women, children, and newborns. But those were difficult times and the arrogance of those who stole land is appalling. There were no hero’s….. only selfish people who cares nothing about the people who were here nor the land and the rest of God’s creation they encountered.

America must show shame for its past and never try to hid it. America is the laughing stock of the world because it’s hypocrisy is mind boggling.

Great Book! Awesome Listen!

This is a fantastic book for any history buff to enjoy. Eckert has done meticulous research. His writing style is something anyone can enjoy. I read this book years ago but was thrilled with the opportunity to listen. Performance was superb. Please provide more of his books on Audible.

A Stark, Riveting Chronicle of the Ohio Frontier

That Dark and Bloody River continues Allan Eckert’s masterful depiction of the American frontier with an epic account of the struggle for the Ohio River Valley. Told with narrative urgency and historical precision, it captures the sheer scale of human endurance, conflict, and cultural collision that defined the region’s settlement.

Eckert once again excels at breathing life into historical figures—settlers, Native American leaders, and military commanders alike—while never shying away from the violence and consequence that shaped their world. His writing immerses the reader in both the wilderness and the deeply personal stakes of those who dared to tame or defend it.

If The Frontiersmen lays the foundation, That Dark and Bloody River expands the scope, offering a panoramic yet intimate view of a region soaked in blood, shaped by vision, and scarred by betrayal. It is essential reading for anyone drawn to the true grit of frontier history.

Wonderful history of the Upper Ohio River Valley

Loved it! Listened to it every day. Very accurate telling of our history in the Wheeling WV area.

Another great book by Eckert!

I have read all of Eckert’s books, including this one, and just had to listen to the reading of it and so glad I did! Well worthwhile.

We are lucky to live in such relative peace today in America

Incredibly well researched and smoothly written. I gave four stars instead of five simply because the length and brutal violence make it hard to get through at times, in the same way it’s hard to get through Shirer’s Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Yet, when the book ended, I wanted it to continue through history, following the times of Tecumseh. This part of American history is not often discussed, least of all with a goal of objectiveness or accuracy. Eckert’s research goes far and wide to get as close as we can to both. The book is very long, and dark and bloody indeed. But it is absolutely worth the listen.

Good companion to The Frontiersmen

Another great book by Eckert!
The reader is not the best for this story, but not a deal breaker either.

awesome

awesome historically accurate telling of pre and early American settlement of Ohio and Kentucky. should be mandatory 8th grade reading.