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Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains

Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains

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Number of Chapters: 63

Length: 18 hours and 13 minutes

Language: English

"Astoria" describes the many perilous adventures, discoveries, and disasters experienced by the brave Americans who joined the 1810-1813 Astor Expedition to Oregon. The wealthy New York fur magnate John Jacob Astor masterminded an extensive enterprise with the hope of setting up a fur trading center and outpost of American colonization at the mouth of the Columbia River. Journeying by land and by sea, the intrepid travelers endured incredible hardships, utter exhaustion, and near starvation. Especially interesting and harrowing were the odysseys of Wilson Price Hunt and Robert Stuart who crossed the continent in opposite directions. In spite of the difficulties described, the book was a catalyst that inspired a generation of pioneers to pursue their own way to the Northwest. Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip Van Winkle, was a masterful writer who was especially good at conveying the vastness and dangers of the wilderness. But as the book was written at the behest of the tycoon Astor, it also includes much description of business dealings, discussion of good and bad management decisions, and even at times some rather fawning praise of Astor himself. Irving also includes some anthropology as he describes the encounters of the explorers and the members of various tribes, whom he synonymously calls Indians, aborigines, savages, or their tribal names. It is noteworthy that the member of the expedition who receives the most abundant and unreserved praise from Irving is an Indian woman who exhibits constant courage and virtue. - Summary by Carol Pelster

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Author's Introduction (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 1 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 2 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 3 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 4 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 5 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 6 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 7 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 8 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 9 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 10 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 11 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 12 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 13 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 14 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 15 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 16 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 17 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 18 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 19 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 20 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 21 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 22 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 23 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 24 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 25 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 26 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 27 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 28 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 29 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 30 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 31 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 32 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 33 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 34 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 35 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 36 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 37 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 38 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 39 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 40 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 41 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 42 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 43 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 44 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 45 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 46 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 47 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 48 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 49 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 50 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 51 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 52 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 53 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 54 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 55 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 56 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 57 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 58 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 59 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 60 (Carol Pelster)
Chapter 61 (Carol Pelster)
Appendix (Carol Pelster)
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