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Fort Dearborn
Before the city of Chicago, there was Fort Dearborn; and before Fort Dearborn, there were the Potawatomi. In a story that brings to life the founding of one of the world's great cities, Fort Dearborn takes us back to Chicago's early struggle of fire and blood. Through the eyes of two young boys and their fathers--one father a sergeant with the United States First Infantry, the other a Potawatomi warrior--we see the events that lead up to the Fort Dearborn Massacre. At the start of the War of 1812, more than sixty soldiers and civilians were killed when the Potawatomi and allied tribes attacked them as Fort Dearborn was evacuated. Some fifteen Indians were also killed in the battle.
Told from both the Indian and white perspectives, using scores of letters, historical documents and maps, and long-forgotten Indian speeches, Jerry Crimmins breathes life into the little known drama that took place in the vicinity of the fort that once occupied what is now downtown Chicago. Early in the nineteenth century, the Potawatomi attempted to co-exist with the settlers at the newly built Fort Dearborn, and even competed with soldiers in sports contests. But eventually, in an effort to preserve Indian lands and ways, there is a desperate turn to violence and fatal consequences. A suspenseful narrative, Fort Dearborn is also a remarkable historical account, minutely observed and meticulously documented, preserving a key moment in American history.
Told from both the Indian and white perspectives, using scores of letters, historical documents and maps, and long-forgotten Indian speeches, Jerry Crimmins breathes life into the little known drama that took place in the vicinity of the fort that once occupied what is now downtown Chicago. Early in the nineteenth century, the Potawatomi attempted to co-exist with the settlers at the newly built Fort Dearborn, and even competed with soldiers in sports contests. But eventually, in an effort to preserve Indian lands and ways, there is a desperate turn to violence and fatal consequences. A suspenseful narrative, Fort Dearborn is also a remarkable historical account, minutely observed and meticulously documented, preserving a key moment in American history.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 30, 2009
An fun way to tell history through the stories of two young boys. The only annoying thing was Crimmins' habit of foreshadowing. It wasn't done well and detracted from the book. But overall a good book and good look into history.
December 12, 2019
Lacked storytelling voice, but this made sense when I read that the author is a newspaper journalist. I loved the way the Indians were treated as real people who had family life and love, in spite of the final tragedy at the fort. The explanations throughout the book of where events of the past were in relation to streets and intersections in Chicago today were much appreciated and influenced me to want to search for these spots and imagine what it was like in 1812.
May 28, 2017
Has the bones to be a good book, but doesn't quite live up to it's promise. None of the characters were developed & the book becomes a series of vignettes.
Extensive bibliography.
Extensive bibliography.
March 25, 2020
Great fictional story on Fort Dearborn. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves Chicago history.
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February 15, 2008Before the city of Chicago existed, there was Fort Dearborn and the Potawatomi tribe." "Through the eyes of two young boys and their fathers - one a sergeant with the United States First Infantry, the other a Potawatomi warrior - Jerry Crimmins tells the story of the 1812 struggle of fire and blood known as the Fort Dearborn Massacre." "A suspenseful narrative, Fort Dearborn is also a remarkable historical tale, minutely observed and meticulously documented to preserve and even reconstruct key moments in American history. Using scores of letters, historical documents, maps, and long-forgotten Indian speeches. Jerry Crimmins breathes life into the little-known drama that took place around what is now downtown Chicago
November 20, 2010
This was good - it was compared to Devil in the White City as it follows two story lines, but the writing style is more consistent so its a little easier to move from chapter to chapter. It was cool to get a taste of Chicago history, and it was cool to hear about the people who are now street names. It was historical fiction, and I think it got too involved in the fictional character story line - that's why I gave it a three. But, if interested in the Fort Dearborn massacre, check it out.
January 13, 2011
Interesting historical fiction - feels more in the spirit of a western - lots of cowboys and indians action - will keep you turning the pages.
June 2, 2017
I read this awhile ago - about 7 years, and just remembered I had & how great it was. I like researched history with different perspective, and it made an impact for me to remember it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews