The Hunters of Kentucky: A Narrative History of America's First Far West, 1750-1792

by Ted Franklin Belue

The Hunters of Kentucky covers a wide range of frontier existence, from daily life and survival to wars, exploits, and even flora and fauna. the pioneers and their lives are profiled in biographical sketches, giving a rich sampling of the personalities involved in the United States' westward expansion. Author Ted Franklin Belue's colorful, vivid prose brings these long-forgotten frontiersmen to life.

Genres: History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Suzanne]

This is my second "read" of this book. I usually don't read non-fiction because I read for enjoyment and escapism--that requires the skillful telling of a good story, which is something not usually found in non-fiction books. I like history, and this book is pure history. It's well researched and documented, which impresses me because I'm so bad at researching and documenting stuff. Anyway, this book is chock full of well-told stories that are even more fascinating and exciting to me because they are *real*. It's full of obscure facts that boggle my mind. For instance, most everyone "knows "that Kentucky was not inhabited because of it was so full of game that the surrounding tribes, Cherokee and Shawnee, "shared" it as a common hunting ground. WRONG! It was inhabited "first" by the "Fort Ancient People." I'd love to know more about these mound builders. After these people left or died out, it was inhabited by Mosopeleas, Honniasontkeronons (who *were* these people?), and Algonqins who were called "Shanwans" by the Iroquois, "Chaouanons" by the French, and "Shawanoes or Shawnees" by the English. This uncovering of such little-known facts make this a fascinating book to read. And the book has maps! I love maps.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are researching the genealogy of early Kentucky this book will fill in a lot of blanks. I read this book because I wanted to understand why my ancestors left Virginia and made the move to Kentucky. Why would anyone face the hardships and death that was west of the Shenandoah Mountains? Belue paints a picture of what the challenges early frontier families faced.

[Mike Rumping · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it.

[Mitzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the history books about early Kentucky, but a worthwhile read.