The Best Land Under Heaven

[Matt McKeon]

I'm reading this book about the Donner Party and the Oregon Trail in 1846.(might read de Soto's 1846: Year of Decision)

The two leading figures are Jacob Donner and James Reed. Reed was actually of Polish descent, his name was originally Radnosky. He was in the same Black Hawk war militia company as Abraham Lincoln and Robert Anderson! His connection with Lincoln extended to legal work, and members of the Todd family saw off the ill fated wagon train when it left Springfield, Illinois early in the spring of 1846.

 

[Matt McKeon]

I'm reading this book about the Donner Party and the Oregon Trail in 1846.(might read de Soto's 1846: Year of Decision)

The two leading figures are Jacob Donner and James Reed. Reed was actually of Polish descent, his name was originally Radnosky. He was in the same Black Hawk war militia company as Abraham Lincoln and Robert Anderson! His connection with Lincoln extended to legal work, and members of the Todd family saw off the ill fated wagon train when it left Springfield, Illinois early in the spring of 1846.

Well I finished it. Its pretty good. A lot of the turn of phrase seems very similar to the PBS documentary on American Experience.

I showed that documentary in class. Originally to get approval, I sold it to my supervisor like this: "Its a sensational to be sure. But its done tastefully, It gives a real flavor to the Oregon trail. the kids can really sink their teeth into it." She replied, "Get the f#### out." Which meant yes.