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Rating: 
Summary: I just wanted to say...
Review: ...that I agree that this book should be back in print. I read it nearly 40 years ago when almost every book was boring (to me) and I found it mesmerizing and wonderful. One of the great stories of discovering the American West.
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Summary: A Priceless Piece of Americana
Review: Having read this book over 20 years ago, it has stuck in my memory as one of the Greats, where dozens of other titles are all but forgotten, and it is out of print?! A Pulitzer Prize winner, no less! This book needs to be available to hand down to my children and yours, and their children after them!
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Summary: American Flashman or British McPheeters?
Review: I can give this book no higher praise than to say that it is the equivalent, in purely American terms, of George MacDonald Fraser's British "Flashman" novels. That is, a novel that is painfully accurate in all of its historical details, but also wildly funny, heart-thumpingly exciting and at times, even deeply moving.Except of course, that Mr. Taylor wrote this book a decade before Mr. Fraser's Brigadier even appeared on the scene. They should have six stars for books this good! Some advice, try his TWO ROADS TO GUADALUPE and JOURNEY TO MATECUMBE, if you are lucky enough to find them. Both are almost as good as McPHEETERS. His later novels, A ROARING IN THE WIND and NIAGRA, while interesting, are unfortunately not of the same quality.
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Summary: Humorous but sometimes tedious...
Review: I liked the general plot behind this book - I love history and I love the Gold Rush period. And while I enjoyed quite a few of Jaimie and co.'s adventures, sometimes I found the book a little gruesome (some of the Indian segments), or just dull (the extended Mormon sequences). However, I do think Taylor writes with a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor, and for that, I'd probably up it to 3 1/2 stars.
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Summary: Great book
Review: I recently came across this book again. I remember reading it about six years ago in high school and thoroughly enjoying it. I shared a new chapter of the story with my family every evening. I also remember reading another fictional story about the Oregon Trail, about two sisters travelling alone, the younger one disguising herself as a boy. It was a great story, but I can't remember the title or the author. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, please let me know.
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Summary: Great book
Review: I recently came across this book again. I remember reading it about six years ago in high school and thoroughly enjoying it. I shared a new chapter of the story with my family every evening. I also remember reading another fictional story about the Oregon Trail, about two sisters travelling alone, the younger one disguising herself as a boy. It was a great story, but I can't remember the title or the author. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, please let me know.
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Summary: This book should not be out of print!
Review: I remember so vividly reading this book when I was in the 5th grade. While hiking with my 9 year old I was talking about this book and he can't wait to read it... if only we could find it. Help!
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Summary: A book worthy of Charles Dickens--a rare treat.
Review: I stumbled across this book thinking it would be nothing more than a light, but possibly entertaining fluff of a book. However, that doesn't even begin to describe the absolute delight I have found in reading this well researched and well written book. The incredibly well drawn and memorable characters are worthy of Charles Dickens, and the escapades are worthy of Mark Twain. Having it told largely from the point of view of a 13 year old gives it a delightful innocence and keeps it very fresh to the very end. The counterpoint of the father's journal and letters to his wife add more realism to the journey as well as a more mature introspection.
My only complaint is that, even for a sizable book, it was over MUCH too quickly. I wanted it to go on and on. What a terrible shame that this book is out of print.
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Summary: A wonderful adventure story for the whole family
Review: I was fortunate to stumble across this book in our local used bookstore. My children and I read it together and absolutely loved it. The children think it is much better than any of the books their schools have required them to read. It is exciting, insightful, educational, and mostly just fun. Read this book!
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Summary: This book is wonderful!
Review: My mother forced me to read this book 30 years ago. I resented it for probably no more than the first two pages of the book. After that, I was hooked. This book is truly gripping. I could not put it down. I looked for a copy without success the entire time my children were in their teens. I started looking for a copy again recently because I figure in ten to fifteen years I'll have grandchildren in the right age bracket, and I want to be able to give them a copy of it. If you can find a copy, buy it! You won't regret it.
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