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


Read by Carol Pelster

(4.9 stars; 7 reviews)

"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 (18 hr 13 min)

Chapters

Author's Introduction 7:13 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 1 28:27 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 2 12:27 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 3 27:20 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 4 17:56 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 5 27:04 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 6 28:38 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 7 18:11 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 8 13:34 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 9 9:16 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 10 22:41 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 11 22:47 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 12 14:08 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 13 20:12 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 14 13:23 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 15 30:25 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 16 27:29 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 17 18:59 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 18 21:26 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 19 16:33 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 20 20:18 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 21 22:38 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 22 11:16 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 23 11:40 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 24 7:29 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 25 10:43 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 26 17:26 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 27 10:33 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 28 12:45 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 29 15:16 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 30 7:22 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 31 14:54 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 32 15:01 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 33 13:41 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 34 24:13 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 35 10:41 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 36 14:52 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 37 24:09 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 38 16:38 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 39 11:45 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 40 17:27 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 41 22:54 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 42 9:43 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 43 16:42 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 44 28:50 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 45 17:42 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 46 17:10 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 47 20:41 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 48 13:13 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 49 17:57 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 50 16:39 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 51 10:11 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 52 15:36 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 53 25:24 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 54 9:05 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 55 5:44 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 56 8:01 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 57 20:39 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 58 15:59 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 59 11:54 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 60 10:39 Read by Carol Pelster
Chapter 61 24:28 Read by Carol Pelster
Appendix 45:23 Read by Carol Pelster

Reviews

amazing tale of true history, well told and read


(5 stars)

a