The Winning of America series--Allan Eckert

Thanks to a friend who first read these books and has loaned them to me. He found that my Indian tribe (Sac and Fox) was often mentioned. Perhaps my dad's tribe (Caddo) will be mentioned as the books move west.

Eckert writes that the principle theme of the 6 book series is precisely how the white man took North America from the Indians. These books are non-fiction, a living history of actual characters, dates taken from original documents, including notes, military records/correspondence, notes, personal letters, diaries, journals, deeds, logbooks, newspapers depositions and tribal records. He writes narrative and then includes the actual documents that relate to the event.

As the author says, "This series moves across the continent, showing clearly and in the most fundamentally human terms how the land was won----through encroachment, trickery, warfare, grant, treachery, purchase, alliance, deceit, theft and broken treaty."

I think it highlights our human sins of pride, ego and greed. Which continues today!

Wilderness Empire--early 1700's to 1755. The French/English War
The Conquerors--1758 to1765 The Indian wars with the English.
The Wilderness War--1765 to 1780 I have just started this one.