The Oregon Trail

A New American Journey

De: Rinker Buck

Narrado por: Rinker Buck

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Winner of the PEN New England Award

“Enchanting…A book filled with so much love…Long before Oregon, Rinker Buck has convinced us that the best way to see America is from the seat of a covered wagon.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Amazing…A real nonfiction thriller.” —Ian Frazier, The New York Review of Books

“Absorbing…Winning…The many layers in The Oregon Trail are linked by Mr. Buck’s voice, which is alert and unpretentious in a manner that put me in mind of Bill Bryson’s comic tone in A Walk in the Woods.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times

A major bestseller that has been hailed as a “quintessential American story” (Christian Science Monitor), Rinker Buck’s The Oregon Trail is an epic account of traveling the 2,000-mile length of the Oregon Trail the old-fashioned way—in a covered wagon with a team of mules—that has captivated readers, critics, and booksellers from coast to coast. Simultaneously a majestic journey across the West, a significant work of history, and a moving personal saga, Buck’s chronicle is a “laugh-out-loud masterpiece” (Willamette Week) that “so ensnares the emotions it becomes a tear-jerker at its close” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis) and “will leave you daydreaming and hungry to see this land” (The Boston Globe).

Too much personal opinion

Good history of the trail but too much personal opinion formed on untrue facts about the people and religions.

Modern Day Oregon Trail story.

Very interesting. Was disappointed in the foul language! I finally had to stop listening because my kids were listening as well.

Funny, informative tale of two brothers

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice mix of their contemporary journey and corresponding historical narrative on the trail. Occasionally, the book felt like a slog with unnecessarily filler when the author would divert into lengthy descriptions of wagon types or other minutia. He did a great job narrating the book and the conversation between the two brothers at the end was a nice treat.

wonderfully satisfying

Well written, entertaining and informative.
Rinker Buck created an amazing true adventure, shared it with us, and was humble and authentic the whole way. I highly recommend!

An Armchair Odyssey

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My one reservations was the reading. Mr. Buck is not as polished as a professional reader and the story would have been better served by having another reader. Still, I found The Oregon Trail to be well worth listening to.

Best book in my 100 book library

Great story
Well read
All books take you on a voyage, but the reality that Rinker Buck created was extraordinary.
I still feel the post partum the brothers felt in Baker City.
My thanks to the Buck brothers

Great Trail!

Really loved this tale of modern pioneer brothers on the Oregon Trail. It was an endlessly fascinating look at both the past and the present of the westward experience. Thanks to both Rinker and Nick for sharing their travels!

So, this is what so many families endured?

If you could sum up The Oregon Trail in three words, what would they be?

Sweet. Courageous. Heartwarming

What did you like best about this story?

The relationships - brother to brother, drivers and the animals, folks they met along the trail. Such a wonderful overview of what makes people - well - people

What does Rinker Buck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Only someone in the wagon, driving the mules, meeting the people, could pass on the warmth they experienced.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

don't know

Any additional comments?

This should be required reading for classes in early american history. I learned so much - who knew that George Washington was instrumental in the breeding of American mules?

Great trail ride, but the narration was very bumpy

This was a great history lesson with personal annocdota events that enhanced the ride-along. My only criticism is Rinker's halted style of narration. At times it was so annoying, if the story had not been enchanting, I considered not completing the audio.

Enjoyable adventure

I really enjoyed listening to this. From the start, Rinker's voice reminded me of the guys from the radio show Car Talk so then I had a picture in my mind of Rinker and Nick as Click and Clack from that show which may have added to my amusement. I like when the author of non-fiction reads his/her own story. I loved hearing about the mules (and history of mules), Oregon Trail's history and the preparations necessary to even start. With the exception of the one couple they encountered, it made me so happy to hear about all the kind people across the west that helped, shared, and became trail families. There is a bonus discussion with Rinker and Nick at the end so keep listening.