Oregon Trail

Tales of the Wild West #1

by Rick Steber

Tales of the Wild West, Volume 1: Oregon Trail

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

59 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2012

About the author

Rick Steber, the author of more than 30 books with sales of more than a million copies, has received national acclaim for his writing. His numerous awards include the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Western Novel, Western Heritage Award, Benjamin Franklin Award, Mid-America Publishers Award, Oregon Library Association Award, Oregon Literary Arts Award, Independent Publishers Book Award, Indies Award for Excellence, and the USA Best Book Award. Three of his books have been optioned to movie production companies.

In addition to his writing, Rick is an engaging Western personality and has the unique ability to make his characters come alive as he tells a story. He has spoken at national and international conferences and visits schools where he talks to students about the importance of education, developing reading and writing skills, and impressing upon them the value of saving our history for future generations.

Rick has two sons, Seneca and Dusty, and lives near Prineville, Oregon. He writes in a cabin in the timbered foothills of the Ochoco Mountains.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

One-page well-written snapshots of travel and life along the Oregon Trail. The wide and interesting variety of fact-based tales give a good sense of the challenges faced, tragedies averted, and the joys and sorrows experienced, as each pioneer endures the cross-country journey. Most of the tales are serious-minded but several do offer a bright spot or a touch of humor.

I would recommend this to reluctant student readers, those with busy schedules who can fit in short bursts of reading, or anyone interested in pioneer experiences.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun-to-read collection of stories from the pioneers of the Oregon Trail. Gives you a taste of the adventure, hardships, heartaches, and accomplishment of those hearty souls who traversed the Oregon Trail.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 3 out of 5]

50 short stories/vignettes about people (including women, Indians, etc.) traveling on the Oregon Trail.

[Tami Gandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief vignettes of the trials and hardship early pioneers faced on the Oregon trail.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of little stories by Rick Steber of Prineville OR. Since I'm Oregonian I consider it local history. Enjoyed the topic. I think he did research the stories but I'm doubtful of the accuracy of some of them. I think they were taken from newspaper accounts and journals. Hard to tell as there are no footnotes, nor would I expect there to be. It was a fun and interesting little book. I'll read more in the nine-part series.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick 1 minute stories giving some true details of the movement from the East to West

[Angel Keiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took less than 2 hours to finish, with great storytelling that used just one page for each story.
It makes the book more interesting to know that each person's experience was true and written with lively description for us to immerse ourselves in. With its variety and length, it seems suitable for anyone aged 12 and up to enjoy.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a few short stories to my grandchildren as we drove around in their car while I was visiting. Some stories were more interesting than others. Having grownup in Oregon, I enjoyed explaining to the children what different things meant and were the places mentioned are found.

[Gu Kun · Rating 4 out of 5]

58 Pages of one-page stories, all with a solid head and a poignant tail. Quite an achievement.

[Debi Crawford-Poyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this slim paperback at our local library's used book sale and often read a page or two at a time while waiting in line at a store. I have always enjoyed reading about American pioneers so these
one-page snippets of life while traveling on the Oregon Trail were very informative and at times, heart-breaking.

[Rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tidbits.