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The Personal Narrative of James O. Pattie of Kentucky
James O. Pattie’s Personal Narrative is a prime source for the history of the Southwest during the 1820s. He, and a group of fur trappers, set out on a journey from St. Louis to California and back. After Jed Smith’s trip this journey, which began in 1824, is the second known expedition to California. This remarkable book records an eyewitness account of what the West was like before the great swathes of migration occurred. Pattie’s book fully explores the dangers of life as a trapper in the wilderness of the far west, including during one episode after Pattie and a group of French trappers were attacked and only three of them survived. Personal Narrative provides fascinating insight into the earliest clashes that were beginning to occur between citizens of the travelers from the east, Native Americans and Mexicans as United States began its great westward expansion. Yet, Pattie also demonstrates how there was great cooperation between groups, for example when he aided Mexicans, Native Americans, missionaries and settlers with smallpox vaccinations. It is essential reading for anyone interested in finding out more about the Old West and life of this fascinating American frontiersman. James O. Pattie first published his account The Personal Narrative of James O. Pattie of Kentucky in 1831 and he passed away in 1851.
- GenresHistory
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 5, 2019
This memoir of early far western fur trapping and trading focuses on survival in the face of harsh nature and hostile Indians. The narrative starts in 1824 and covers the next 30 years. I have been curious about survival in the frontier since childhood. This memoir provides answers: competence, prudence and firepower.
The men were physically extraordinary. They chose campsites with care, entrenched, and set a watch every night. They were all armed with two six-shot revolvers as well as rifles. So they were able to defend themselves against attack and to pursue and punish attackers. When newer weapons were developed, they upgraded. They operated pretty much as would a small military unit. So they survived and flourished. There were numerous friendly encounters with Indians as well, by the way.
The writing style is literate and seems surprisingly modern. Nonetheless, this book is for a limited interest group, those interested in tactical history.
The men were physically extraordinary. They chose campsites with care, entrenched, and set a watch every night. They were all armed with two six-shot revolvers as well as rifles. So they were able to defend themselves against attack and to pursue and punish attackers. When newer weapons were developed, they upgraded. They operated pretty much as would a small military unit. So they survived and flourished. There were numerous friendly encounters with Indians as well, by the way.
The writing style is literate and seems surprisingly modern. Nonetheless, this book is for a limited interest group, those interested in tactical history.
November 5, 2023
This is a very good........and authentic account of 1825 trappers into Indian country.
I was mesmerized by the adventures and suffering these frontier trappers incurred on their journey from St. Louis to New Mexico, and on to San Diego.
I felt that when James finally made it home to Kentucky seven years later that the story ended too abruptly though. What happened to him then? He seemed so forlorn, and disappointed that the life he had shared with his eight brothers and sisters had dissolved. They hardly knew who he was. Nearly all had wandered away from the town that they began life in.
I was mesmerized by the adventures and suffering these frontier trappers incurred on their journey from St. Louis to New Mexico, and on to San Diego.
I felt that when James finally made it home to Kentucky seven years later that the story ended too abruptly though. What happened to him then? He seemed so forlorn, and disappointed that the life he had shared with his eight brothers and sisters had dissolved. They hardly knew who he was. Nearly all had wandered away from the town that they began life in.
June 28, 2019
A real life adventure of the 1820's!
I enjoyed this adventure very immensely. James O. Patty was a brave man as well as the other members of his party. It is hard for us to imagine men leaving their homes and families to trap beaver and travel into the great unknown! It truly takes you back in time fending off Indian attacks as well as Grizzly Bear attacks! I highly recommend this book for those among you who love a great adventure.
I enjoyed this adventure very immensely. James O. Patty was a brave man as well as the other members of his party. It is hard for us to imagine men leaving their homes and families to trap beaver and travel into the great unknown! It truly takes you back in time fending off Indian attacks as well as Grizzly Bear attacks! I highly recommend this book for those among you who love a great adventure.
January 16, 2022
Unbelievable
This is a fascinating narrative about one man's adventures near the Mexican border. As James travels he encounters challenges of all sorts including near death experiences from thirst and starvation. There are many encounters with Indians and outlaws along the way, not to mention a major conflict with a Mexican general all which make for an action packed story.
This is a fascinating narrative about one man's adventures near the Mexican border. As James travels he encounters challenges of all sorts including near death experiences from thirst and starvation. There are many encounters with Indians and outlaws along the way, not to mention a major conflict with a Mexican general all which make for an action packed story.
October 23, 2018
Excellent historical account
Well written authentic account of the early west, California and early mountain men. Real hardship and misfortune as well as great adventure, also interesting for early customs and politics of Mexican California
Well written authentic account of the early west, California and early mountain men. Real hardship and misfortune as well as great adventure, also interesting for early customs and politics of Mexican California
January 4, 2019
A return to an America not yet settled known to few.
A fine read with many thrilling adventures, heart rending accounts which only brotherly love and kindness could have been responsible for.
A fine read with many thrilling adventures, heart rending accounts which only brotherly love and kindness could have been responsible for.
June 27, 2020
An excellent narrative of an American wanderer in the early 19th century.
The writer is a good story teller. Though light on names of companions, his descriptive narrative of places and his sense of place is truly riviting.
The writer is a good story teller. Though light on names of companions, his descriptive narrative of places and his sense of place is truly riviting.
March 27, 2023
Fascinating narrative. I never know quite what to believe in books like this since so little can be verified other than some of the timeline based on government records. Pattie’s accounts with regards to his interactions with the Indians and Spanish rarely is critical of his actions and is often condemning of theirs. Maybe he was at all times always in the right, it’s more likely he wasn’t. Although the account of his life as he returns the Untied States was not at all flattering to himself which does lend some credence to the honesty of the rest of his narrative.
Either way, it was a fascinating read.
Either way, it was a fascinating read.
April 22, 2019
Life is never a guaranteed endeavor. Chance obstacles, unforseen tragedies, and luck, forever a fickled mist of desire, reiterating each day as what chance tomorrow may place on your plate. But then, life will always be shrouded to those who are willing to take a chance.
The old saying of " pays your nickel, takes your chance ". Really comes out to be, you still owe another forty cents.
The old saying of " pays your nickel, takes your chance ". Really comes out to be, you still owe another forty cents.
December 18, 2019
An Interesting Read
Very interesting account of this early Western trapper. I enjoyed reading about his meeting-ups with various Indian tribes and their customs. The ending is somewhat sad as his life was a disappointment to him and he found no joy or satisfaction in his adventures. He missed his family and being part of a family in his later years. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the early days of the Western settlement.
Very interesting account of this early Western trapper. I enjoyed reading about his meeting-ups with various Indian tribes and their customs. The ending is somewhat sad as his life was a disappointment to him and he found no joy or satisfaction in his adventures. He missed his family and being part of a family in his later years. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the early days of the Western settlement.
June 28, 2021
Good autobiographical view
James Pattie reveals the difficult life of an American frontiers man of the early 1820,s in the Taos and Santa Fe fur trade. This is a good read for understanding the tension s between Mexico and the American fur trade.
James Pattie reveals the difficult life of an American frontiers man of the early 1820,s in the Taos and Santa Fe fur trade. This is a good read for understanding the tension s between Mexico and the American fur trade.
April 6, 2025
Don't believe this was written by James Pattie, or anyone who had spent any amount of time in the western part of the US during the early part of the 19th century.
Rang so untrue to me that I could not finish.
Rang so untrue to me that I could not finish.
January 9, 2026
Excellent history of a trapper life
This is a good biological of a trapper and his father wandering through the wild country of the southwest of the Santa fe New Mexico and on to California trapping beaver.
This is a good biological of a trapper and his father wandering through the wild country of the southwest of the Santa fe New Mexico and on to California trapping beaver.
December 29, 2018
Great journal of the early west and as well
As the relationship of Americans with Mexico in the early years of the Repulic!
As the relationship of Americans with Mexico in the early years of the Repulic!
June 2, 2019
Great adventures to read about !
Captivating read . One could only imagine what the countryside was like in the late 1830s . Great adventures and story .
Captivating read . One could only imagine what the countryside was like in the late 1830s . Great adventures and story .
November 24, 2019
Great read. People in those days were a hell of a lot tougher than I could ever be! Made me appreciate how cushy my life is!
January 17, 2020
A Diary of Early Explorer
I enjoyed this young man's adventures. Low key and pretty abrupt ending which you would expect from a young adventurer in the 1830's.
I enjoyed this young man's adventures. Low key and pretty abrupt ending which you would expect from a young adventurer in the 1830's.
February 13, 2020
THIS IS A REMARKABLE BOOK.
October 22, 2020
Interesting
April 5, 2021
What an exciting life
This is an amazing personal journal of a honorable early American trapper. WOW, incredible!
I loved every minute of this book.
This is an amazing personal journal of a honorable early American trapper. WOW, incredible!
I loved every minute of this book.
June 26, 2021
Enjoyed this book. Amazed at all this man went through; very well written for a writer, self educated and from the frontier.
May 31, 2019
My thoughts
A very interesting tail of the past as told through journal entries. The book was most interesting in that you get a glimpse of what America looked like as untamed wilderness and views never taught today in any history class. It does read a bit slow but you must remember you are reading a journal.
A very interesting tail of the past as told through journal entries. The book was most interesting in that you get a glimpse of what America looked like as untamed wilderness and views never taught today in any history class. It does read a bit slow but you must remember you are reading a journal.
June 25, 2019
Great book of the
Good book about the people and the times country was hard and the whites and reds. And all the other people had to invent ways to make it in those dats. They were pretty good at innovating.
Good book about the people and the times country was hard and the whites and reds. And all the other people had to invent ways to make it in those dats. They were pretty good at innovating.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews