The Story of the Pony Express

An Account of the Most Remarkable Mail Service Ever in Existence, and Its Place in History

De: Glenn D. Bradley

Narrado por: Bobbie Frohman

A crucial communication link from the end of the telegraph lines in the east to Sacramento, California. A series of relay stations were established with fresh horses so the rider could get fresh mounts all along the route. The riders just changed mounts and went as fast as possible...rarely stopping their daredevil rides even to sleep and eat. It took immense courage and perseverance on the part of the riders and the relay station personnel and took about 10 days through rough terrain, Indian massacres, ambushes, and weather conditions over the Sierra that were brutal, to get a message through. It was established at a critical time when communication from Washington D.C. and Sacramento helped with the establishment of California as a free state (vs. a slave state) and helped the Union factions strengthen just prior to the Civil War.

Glenn Danford Bradley (1884-1930) was an American author of late 19th and early 20th century. He concentrated on informative and historical work. His work deeply analyzed the subject.

Public Domain (P)2012 Alcazar AudioWorks

Thorough history

This short but thorough history was informative. The narrator was competent and easy to listen to.

Good overview of the Express but dated and racist

What disappointed you about The Story of the Pony Express?

I wanted to like this as I've always been fascinated by the Pony Express. Most of it was quite good but it's fairly racist in places (for example referring to Native Americans as savages). It also glorifies the taking of land for the civilized peoples (i.e. white settlers). Disappointing. To be fair, the author died in 1930 so unfortunately his attitudes are par for the course for his era. Look elsewhere for your history.

Would you be willing to try another book from Glenn D. Bradley? Why or why not?

Probably not due to his attitude toward Native peoples.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Impressed by what was accomplished by the Pony Express. Disappointed by the outdated racist attitudes of the author, which jarred me out my enjoyment of the book.