( 7 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Nov 16 2007
I am glad to see thi book is still available. It is a marvelous read and great for introducing an intelligent readership to the elements that made Manifest Destiny possible. The Bents were an important influence in this era and did as much as J. J. Astor to move the country west to the Pacific from their mid-continent location. Very much recommended for any American History library.
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Posted: Oct 14 2007
Though BENT'S FORT was published in hardcover by Doubleday back in 1954, this book can yet be used as a great introduction and study to both the Bent family and their fort on the Arkansas River. Neither Fort Union nor Fort Pierre, two of the largest centers of the mountain and plains fur trade, could come close to meeting its elegance. The fort was so impregnable that no Indian tribe in its right mind would ever try to attack it, and anyone inside its walls either stayed peaceable or they stayed outside. Situated at it was, the fort was convenient to both the Southern Cheyenne tribe but also to the weary travlers involved with the Santa Fe wagon trade. Among others who visited the fort were trappers and traders from as far away as the Rocky Mountains, and many other persons either lodged at the fort, worked at the fort or just generally hung around the fort. The fort's location has been re-established in recent years and a replica now stands where the original once stood. A sentinel of the prairie, the fort still stands forth drawing numerous visitors each year just as in the days of Ceran St. Vrain the Bents. Up to 200 men and 400 animals could easily be garrisoned within Bent's Fort, there were small rooms available for lodging, food available, even a blacksmith shop, and an odd assortment of tribes also: beside the Cheyenne who were kin to the Bents, could be found Arapahoe, Kiowa, Comanche, Osage, Ute, Gros Ventres, and mingled among these were also trappers, traders, bull whackers, Frenchmen from both St. Louis and as far away as Canada. This fort was the largest gathering point west of the last Missouri settlement. A settlement behind impregnable walls 14 feet high and 4 feet thick, that was self sufficient, one that dealt fairly and honestly with all traders, white or otherwise, and one especially trusted by the Indians, and a settlement that also made money for its owners. Though this study by David Lavender is indeed half century old the general historical perspective offered here is still valid and enjoyable. And in its inexpensive trade edition from The University of Nebraska Press a bargain for western readers interested in either the fort, the trappers-traders, the Indians, and/or Santa Fe trade wagons. So dig in and enjoy learning about this bastion of the plains. One of the more unique buildings of that era lasting up until 1849. Semper Fi.
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( 0 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Oct 14 2007
Though BENT'S FORT was published in hardcover by Doubleday back in 1954, this book can yet be used as a great introduction and study to both the Bent family and their fort on the Arkansas River. Neither Fort Union nor Fort Pierre, two of the largest centers of the mountain and plains fur trade, could come close to meeting its elegance. The fort was so impregnable that no Indian tribe in its right mind would ever try to attack it, and anyone inside its walls either stayed peaceable or they stayed outside. Situated at it was, the fort was convenient to both the Southern Cheyenne tribe but also to the weary travelers involved with the Santa Fe wagon trade. Among others who visited the fort were trappers and traders from as far away as the Rocky Mountains, and many other persons either lodged at the fort, worked at the fort or just generally hung around the fort. The fort's location has been re-established in recent years and a replica now stands where the original once stood. A sentinel of the prairie, the fort still stands forth drawing numerous visitors each year just as in the days of Ceran St. Vrain the Bents. Up to 200 men and 400 animals could easily be garrisoned within Bent's Fort, there were small rooms available for lodging, food available, even a blacksmith shop, and an odd assortment of tribes also: beside the Cheyenne who were kin to the Bents, could be found Arapahoe, Kiowa, Comanche, Osage, Ute, Gros Ventres, and mingled among these were also trappers, traders, bull whackers, Frenchmen from both St. Louis and as far away as Canada. This fort was the largest gathering point west of the last Missouri settlement. A settlement behind impregnable walls 14 feet high and 4 feet thick, that was self sufficient, one that dealt fairly and honestly with all traders, white or otherwise, and one especially trusted by the Indians, and a settlement that also made money for its owners. Though this study by David Lavender is indeed half century old the general historical perspective offered here is still valid and enjoyable. And in its inexpensive trade edition from The University of Nebraska Press a bargain for western readers interested in either the fort, the trappers-traders, the Indians, and/or Santa Fe trade wagons. So dig in and enjoy learning about this bastion of the plains. One of the more unique buildings of that era lasting up until 1849. Semper Fi.
