Jedediah Smith and the Opening of the West

by Dale L. Morgan

In 1822, before Jedediah Smith entered the West, it was largely an unknown land, “a wilderness,” he wrote, “of two thousand miles diameter.” During his nine years as a trapper for Ashley and Henry and later for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, “the mild and Christian young man” blazed the trail westward through South Pass; he was the first to go from the Missouri overland to California, the first to cross the length of Utah and the width of Nevada, first to travel by land up through California and Oregon, first to cross the Sierra Nevada. Before his death on the Santa Fe Trail at the hands of the Comanches, Jed Smith and his partners had drawn the map of the west on a beaver skin.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Westerns

472 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1964

Reviews

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I (can) read fairly fast and do so when I get several library books that show up at once. (You know you have over the last 2 or 3 weeks sent for maybe 7 books...and they all show up on the same day). This is a library book, and still have 5 more waiting or in progress, 7 if you count the audios.

This is one I'd liked to have lingered over more. I am what is usually called a "history buff". In other words I have no "degree" but I love history, especially American history. I minored in history and have over the years read many, many books on the subject. American history and especially revolutionary history and the move west I love. I've read bios of many of the people mentioned in this volume based on the journals and writings of Smith as well as other sources. Here you'll meet people you know if, like me you've read of this period before, Hugh Glass, Jim Bridger, Mike Fink, Jim Beckworth and others as their paths cross that of Smith.

Jedediah Smith is one of the most fascinating of the Mountain Men and his story, the life he lived reads like an adventure novel. This man who maintained his belief in God among men who took pride in their roughness and even debauchery became one of the most respected of them all. He went west youg and also died fairly young.

I recommend the book and may try to add to my library later...may. i spend more than I can afford on books now and the reason to own it would be so I can peruse it at my leisure. The problem is, I don't do that with the books I already have. They sit on the shelf waiting for me to finish library books!

4.5 stars if I could, just because I like it. 4 stars.

[Marcus Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by author Dale Morgan is a bit of a tough read. That's not because the story is boring or trite. This scholarly reprisal of the life of one of the most important explorers of the American West in the 1820's is both exciting and significant. Rather it's because the story is written in dry and awkward prose, presumably for scholars who probably already have good knowledge of the history of the American West and are now looking for detailed confirmation of the substantiated facts, with plenty of citations and footnotes, specific to Jedediah Smith.

Morgan's book was first published in 1953. Perhaps that version had a large format map with readable text. My 1964 edition did not. The map, even spread across two pages, is extremely difficult to read. I found myself constantly going back to the map to reference the text descriptions to the locations on the map, but was always so frustrated that I could barely read the small and faint print on that map.

Even so, I finished the book with a healthy respect for Smith and most of the other beaver-hunting mountain men of that era. They accomplished feats of exploration, long-distance travel, and survival that few modern humans could appreciate, much less perform. I came to appreciate Jedediah's wholesome and honest character. There is no bragging in his journals or letters. His courage is outstandingly apparent. His attempts to treat the natives fairly is commendable. It is truly amazing what he accomplished in his short life.

[Benjamin Hannum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan writes a very informative book on the fur trade in the early 1800’s. Although the title suggests this book is primarily about Jedediah Smith, it is much broader and deeper than just Smith. Early on in the book, Morgan informs us that there are periods of Jedediah Smith’s fur trading life where there is scant information on Smith. He is being honest about that. You go a few chapters with barely a mention of Smith except as a side note. In fact, Morgan devotes much more time to Smith’s superiors, Ashley and Henry, in the first half of the book. There are chapters devoted to Smith’s journeys, but because Smith’s journal entries were few and far between, or were lost, there is little first-hand account from Smith himself. Overall though, I enjoyed the book. I just believe it needs a new title.

[Ted Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. I didn't know a lot about Jedediah Smith other than he was probably one of the most well known trappers and explorers of his era. I didn't know the circumstances of his death other than he died in the mountains so this book held some suspense for me as well. Reading of his death was like reading about a favorite characters death in a good novel.

This book really helped me piece together what I knew about these times and how Jedediah contributed. Given when this book was written explains some odd phrasing and ways of writing that I had to slow down to read but overall, I very much enjoyed this book.

[Stephen Drew]

For Personal Reference:
From Today in Christian History on X

On November 27, 1826:
Christian explorer Jedediah Strong Smith entered California’s San Bernardino Valley, becoming the first U.S. citizen to cross the southwestern North American continent.

Smith was known to carry a Bible at all times and relied on divine providence for strength during his arduous journey. His moral convictions shaped his respectful treatment of Native Americans and his leadership style.

Smith’s crossing marked a key moment in Western exploration, with his detailed maps and journals paving the way for future settlers.

[JLA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dale L. Morgan attached Jedediah Smith's name to the book for the marketability. It's more a history of trapping and skirmishes with Native Americans then a biography on Smith. In fact, large sections have nothing to do with Smith to the point that Marfan awkwardly sprinkles sentences throughout to state what Smith was doing at the time a more interesting character is on stage. Narrative was technical, unimaginative, and lacking in context. Could been a great book.

[Jurkovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable story of the beaver trappers of the American West circa 1825. Smiths travels are simply stunning. Get a good map with rivers well marked when you read this book. An American legacy. The author, Dale Morgan has chronicled and well referenced this era of American history. He brings it to life with understandable reverence and awe of Jedediah Smith. Truly— more than the Smith River Of Northern California shoukd be named for this “Mountain Man”.

[Mike Gower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Lots of information about the fur trade in the 1820-30s. Discovered that Jedediah is my 2nd cousin 5 times removed, so that made the read mean much more to me. Sad that he died so young.
Also the story that the movie Revenant is based on is related in this book.

[Karen Hockemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done....

[Chuck Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting and informative but a bit dry and too detailed for me. Glad I read it though.

[Justin Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads a little bit more like a thesis than a biography. It does have some great and detailed information, but not written for entertainment.
I read this for my newborn son, who we named Jed.

[Rob 2272 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have to admit I skimmed through this book. Interesting, but a little dry for me. The highlight was the story of Hugh Glass that has been made into a couple of movies.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This history gives me a more accurate picture of what really went on in the West than the archetypal greedy white man vs. Native American who lives ideally with the environment. I noticed Black Feet trapped beaver out of rivers in the Rockies before the first trappers arrived to try their luck. The account also shows when conflict arose it had a prior cause unrelated to Jedediah Smith. People (Whites and Native Americans) over generalized and held grudges back then too. A lone mountain man was soon to be a dead mountain man. There is more safety in numbers. Mountain men are like teenagers (yes many of them were teens) - they took chances other people would not.

[booklady]

Bought this book a few years ago (at the Western Hertiage Museum) when my family and I first watched the series, "Into the West" because I was so struck by what a good Christian man Jedediah Smith was. Got it out again and I'm determined to read it this time.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jedediah Smith traveled back and forth across the area from St Louis to southern California, to the mouth of the Columbia, and back again. His survival was amazing as was his death near Kenton Oklahoma.

[Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does an excellent job of collecting information from many sources and weaving it into an interesting biography of an incredible man.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history, surprising to see how many names of streams and rivers arise from these early explorers.

[Bob Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good examination of an amazing pioneer explorer.