Scott Weidensaul's The First Frontier

“The First Frontier” is perfect for a student of Early American History, but whatever reader that yields any slight interest in American history; can pick it up and experience a very real picture of what it was like to live than die in the first frontier. When a plethora of books are a continuous tale, author Scott Weidensaul's “The First Frontier” tells the tales of many. One of the main appeals of “The First Frontier” is that it doesn't focus on just the European view of early exploration and colonization of the Americas. It is well balanced with tales of deceit, betrayal and savagery from not just the Europeans but the Native Americans as well. As a history novel an author's approach can be rather stiff, as they tend to give the reader a burden of facts throughout. Although true, Weidensaul manages to piece together a rather impressive number of true stories, which came from either first or second hand records and journals. …show more content…
“Now whether shee was better roasted, boyled or carbonado’d, I know not, but of such a dish as powdered wife I never heard of.” John Smith stated, with rather dry disturbing humor. There is also a story of a man known by the name of Richard Waldron, who had a talent for cheating the Natives numerous times. When caught for his shortcomings, his Native victims dismembered him slowly. They started by slashing his chest with knives chanting “I cross out my account”. Another daunting story Weidensaul shares with the readers is that of a woman, who killed ten natives; men, woman and children while they lay sleeping. It was not for any reason, but to give payback to those who killed her infant daughter. This, although with much controversy, deemed her a sort of first frontier hero. Throughout Weidensaul's novel, there are many more interesting