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The Adventures of the Mountain Men: True Tales of Hunting, Trapping, Fighting, Adventure, and Survival
Incredible stories from those who thrived in the Wild West.The “mountain men” were the hunters and trappers who fiercely strode the Rocky Mountains in the early to mid-1800s. They braved the elements in search of the skins of beavers and other wild animals, to sell or barter for goods. The lifestyle of the mountain men could be harsh, existing as they did among animals, and spending most of their days and nights living and camping out in the great unexplored wilds of the Rockies. Life outdoors presented many threats, not least among them Native Americans, who were hostile to the mountain men encroaching on the area for their own purposes. For a certain kind of pioneer, this risk and more were outweighed by the benefits of living free, without the restrictions and boundaries of “civilized” settlements.Included in this collection are tales from great writers, IrvingStanley VestalOsborne RussellFrancis Parkman Jr.And many more!In The Adventures of the Mountain Men, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Brennan has compiled many of the best stories about the mountain men-the most daring exploits, the death-defying chances taken to hunt big game, the clashes with the arrows of Native Americans, and also the moments when the men were struck by the incomparable beauty of the unsullied, majestic Rocky Mountains.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
210 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Vincent Brennan
43 books10 followersStephen Brennan is the co-author of The Adventurous Boy's Handbook and The Adventurous Girl's Handbook, and editor of The Best Pirate Stories Ever Told and The Best Sailing Stories Ever Told. He has worked as a circus clown, teacher, cabaret artist, actor, director, shepherd, and playwright. He lives in New York City and Woodstock, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 7, 2024
Though not as excellent as Osborne Russell's Journal of a Trapper, this collection of mountain men accounts is very educational and entertaining. Having grown up in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and having been "educated" on the local history, especially as it pertained to John McLoughlin -- Father of Oregon, I was yet surprised to discover in The Adventures of the Mountain Men... that McLoughlin was a French-Canadian, operating on behalf of the British Hudson's Bay Company, at a time when American mountain men and explorers were opening the overland routes to Oregon country. If this was taught to us as children, it was never properly emphasized, IMHO. We were taught only that the Hudson's Bay Company representative was the "Father of Oregon," which sounded to us like an American hero. Only much later, in 1849, did Mr. McLoughlin become an American citizen. So, in my eyes, a fellow like Joseph Meek should have been a much more heroic figure in Oregon history than John McLoughlin. That is but one man's opinion though, and stands only as one, small example of what this book has to offer.
September 29, 2015
It's six in the morning. The sun is beginning to poke over the horizon, allowing streaks of light to dance across the surface of the lake nearby. The air is crisp and cold, though not freezing. Birds have begun their morning songs and you can hear the distant howling of wolves to the east of where you lay. As the wind rushes through the branches of the towering pines all around you, you begin to stand up, roll up your sleeping-skins, and make something to eat. After some amount of trying, your fire is finally started, and as you begin to start your morning meal, you decide to wash yourself off. You remove your buckskins and moccasins, and carefully set your rifle in a safe--yet easily reachable spot. You wash yourself for some time in the frigid lake, your body used to the elements by now, and you can smell your food cooking nicely. A few more minutes pass with your back now turned to your camp, staring at the distant Rockies. Figuring it's about time you started to eat, you turn towards the beach to grab your things when you notice a rather unwanted visitor--a North American Grizzly.
When first reading The Adventures of Mountain Men: True Tales of Hunting, Trapping, Fighting, and Survival by Author Stephen Brennan, I expected something more akin to a rather bland encyclopedia, but I only see now how wrong I really was. While the book isn't to die for interesting, it does a very good job at capturing one's attention. This book primarily focuses of the multitude of stories revolving around mountain men from the early days of the frontier that exist withing American culture. Figures like Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, and Joe meek all have interesting stories to be told and this book tells them wonderfully, taking care to present even the more outlandish details, but not in a way to which they are totally unbelievable. This book feeds off of the legends of the, "tough and hardy," mountain men of old, and makes them truly seem superhuman, yet at the same time, regular people with strengths and weaknesses like the rest of us.
I wanted to read this book because I've had a fascination with the Wild West and the American frontier ever since the first time I really sat down and played Rockstar Games' 2010 blockbuster game Red Dead Redemption. It featured a more romanticized view of the western setting, more comparable to Hollywood films, but even still, it captured the grit, the struggle, and the perseverance that was the American spirit, the same spirit the mountain men possessed, perfectly. My fascination with early frontier history knows no bounds, and this book only propelled that. This book certainly lived up to it's word in terms of giving me the wonderful, engrossing stories I was looking for. Though it isn't perfect. There are points in the book that tend to drone on, and it is quite a long read. It is certainly a book you have to be looking for yourself in order to be able to make it through on your own initiative. Anyone finding this by chance might be turned off immediately due to the factual, and at times, boring tone this book can take on. Despite that, it always manages to re-captivate it's audience in due time.
If you have an interest in American history, or even if you're just looking for a good story in general, you should read this book. It will be a long read, and you almost have to be pretty invested in order to make it through, but it does tell some pretty interesting stories, while still managing to educate the audience.
When first reading The Adventures of Mountain Men: True Tales of Hunting, Trapping, Fighting, and Survival by Author Stephen Brennan, I expected something more akin to a rather bland encyclopedia, but I only see now how wrong I really was. While the book isn't to die for interesting, it does a very good job at capturing one's attention. This book primarily focuses of the multitude of stories revolving around mountain men from the early days of the frontier that exist withing American culture. Figures like Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, and Joe meek all have interesting stories to be told and this book tells them wonderfully, taking care to present even the more outlandish details, but not in a way to which they are totally unbelievable. This book feeds off of the legends of the, "tough and hardy," mountain men of old, and makes them truly seem superhuman, yet at the same time, regular people with strengths and weaknesses like the rest of us.
I wanted to read this book because I've had a fascination with the Wild West and the American frontier ever since the first time I really sat down and played Rockstar Games' 2010 blockbuster game Red Dead Redemption. It featured a more romanticized view of the western setting, more comparable to Hollywood films, but even still, it captured the grit, the struggle, and the perseverance that was the American spirit, the same spirit the mountain men possessed, perfectly. My fascination with early frontier history knows no bounds, and this book only propelled that. This book certainly lived up to it's word in terms of giving me the wonderful, engrossing stories I was looking for. Though it isn't perfect. There are points in the book that tend to drone on, and it is quite a long read. It is certainly a book you have to be looking for yourself in order to be able to make it through on your own initiative. Anyone finding this by chance might be turned off immediately due to the factual, and at times, boring tone this book can take on. Despite that, it always manages to re-captivate it's audience in due time.
If you have an interest in American history, or even if you're just looking for a good story in general, you should read this book. It will be a long read, and you almost have to be pretty invested in order to make it through, but it does tell some pretty interesting stories, while still managing to educate the audience.
March 5, 2019
Like the life of a mountain man, this book featured chapters of glorious excitement and paralyzing boredom.
I appreciated that the book featured only primary sources as it allowed the history to speak for itself. There were a few chapters where I could not fathom why the editor included it. However, other chapters grabbed my interest and refused to let go. The survival stories of John Colter, Jedidah Smith, and Hugh Glass were captivating. The two wives of Jim Beckwourth made me laugh out loud. And the touching portrait of Jim Bridger left me touched and inspired.
The mountain men were fierce, strong, troubled, tired, and free. Much like America itself. Good read.
I appreciated that the book featured only primary sources as it allowed the history to speak for itself. There were a few chapters where I could not fathom why the editor included it. However, other chapters grabbed my interest and refused to let go. The survival stories of John Colter, Jedidah Smith, and Hugh Glass were captivating. The two wives of Jim Beckwourth made me laugh out loud. And the touching portrait of Jim Bridger left me touched and inspired.
The mountain men were fierce, strong, troubled, tired, and free. Much like America itself. Good read.
February 10, 2022
Very hard to follow book. Extremely repetitive. Was expecting much more in terms of survival stories. It’s basically a book filled with journal entires and very short short stories. I couldn’t wait to finish it.
January 24, 2020
Factual & interesting
A good collection of true stories describing the West in the early 1800’s. I Recommend this book to all readers with interest in the real west of the 1800’s.
A good collection of true stories describing the West in the early 1800’s. I Recommend this book to all readers with interest in the real west of the 1800’s.
August 3, 2021
Stories of trappers and more
October 30, 2022
Really enjoy reading about that time period, but this one didn't hold my interest as well as other books on the subject.
February 1, 2023
A very interesting read although it was like reading a textbook! I did enjoy reading major parts of the book but some was just laborious. Overall is was good.
February 2, 2025
*audiobook
March 16, 2025
13 Very interesting but I think you have to be in the right mood.
Want to read
October 14, 2025SM
February 4, 2023
The brutality of the Indians is mind blowing!
May 31, 2020
I already know of some of these stories, but I also learned a bit about some of the early trappers. Read it as an e-book on the iphone.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews