David Crockett: His Life and Adventures

by John S.C. Abbott

DAVID CROCKETT: His Life and Adventures by John S. C. Abbott might be the most accurate book you’ll ever read about this great American icon. Throughout the book, Crockett speaks to you in his own words and relates his amazing story.

The author admits that Davy Crockett wasn’t a model man, but nonetheless, “he has exerted a very powerful influence over this great republic.” You’ll meet other men of history, but make no mistake...this book is about that great adventurer and outdoorsman, Davy Crockett.

While modern Americans might think they know about Davy Crockett, their knowledge is based on a romantic television series or the movies. This book tells the true story in Davy’s own words.

You’re in for an exciting time as you read and enjoy DAVID CROCKETT: His Life and Adventures.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Historical, Classics, Adventure, American History

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1874

About the author

John Stevens Cabot Abbott (Andover Theological Seminary; Bowdoin College, 1825) was a historian, Congregationalist pastor, and pedagogical writer. With his brothers, including Gorham and Jacob Abbott, he was a co-founder of Abbott Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies in New York City.

Reviews

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Most men are remembered by how they died rather than how they lived.” This quote by David Crockett serves, in my opinion, as the best way to describe this national folk hero that has grown over the years bigger than life. He was born in poverty and didn't lead a particularly remarkable childhood for that time in American history. That doesn't, however, mean that it isn't interesting 220 years later. Even when this book was first published in 1874 the country that he called home had changed drastically. He was renowned for his marksmanship but his fame was probably more attributed to his good humor, down home values, and knack of telling yarns. He readily admitted that he lacked the formal education of the other members of the legislature and had no idea about politics but he never-the less won the election and served in the House of Representatives for the state of Tennessee (1833-1835). Luck wasn't something he was abundantly blessed with. His first three romantic flames flickered and disappeared but Crockett was nothing if not tenacious. One day before his twentieth birthday he married Mary (Polly) Finley but she died less than eight years later leaving him with three children. For practical reasons he married Elizabeth Patton in 1815 but spent as much time living in the untamed wilderness as he did at home. I grew up in Texas and this pioneer from Tennessee is more a Texan that the yellow rose and his death at the Alamo is the true pinnacle of his life. I liked this story as it separated the facts from the fiction while still remaining highly readable.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year I turned nine, I became a great admirer of Davy Crockett. My fourth-grade class had spent days learning about the Battle of the Alamo, the famous conflict in Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico, and our assignment was to give a presentation on our favorite soldier from the battle. I was a comic nerd and Crockett, clad in a coonskin cap with a rifle slung over his shoulder, reminded me of a superhero. Like Superman, Crockett seemed to represent everything good about America. He was brave, principled, and stood up for what he believed. When I gave my presentation to the class, I proudly reported he had continued fighting in the face of death, even when surrounded by the Mexican army.

What makes this book interesting is that it was written close to the lifetime of Crockett himself and uses generous excepts from Crockett's own journal. In this way we get a clear picture of the way life really was in the early 1800's for people settling West beyond the Appalachia. Descriptions of the hardships encountered in the lives of early Americans make you wonder whether any of us could survive if transported back to their time. Crockett was an amazing man, totally uneducated but perhaps gifted and naturally intelligent. The negative was a lack of information about relatives. Both wives were addressed as "wife" without any references to names or information about them. The same for brothers and brother-in-law. A little more information about spouses and siblings would have been nice. The one thing I would like to know more about is how and why he left his family to go to Texas. The book leaves one with the impression that it was pretty much wanderlust. The description of the Battle of the Alamo and his death are quite interesting. Other than that, it's a good overview of Davy Cockett's life. After finishing you will have a good idea of what the man was really like.

I think that is important to read about the people that helped shape this great country and David Crockett is certainly one of them. A man of little schooling, he went on to become a congressman and a defender of the Alamo. This was a good read with lots of background information and I highly recommend it for all history buffs.

[Edwin Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this and except that some of the history here is known to be specious and the other fact that Crocket never did anything of any real historical importance, and except for the third fact that the first two facts listed here cause me some embarrassment for bothering with the book in the first place, I would love to give it five stars.

I read this book (actually I listened to it) because, when I found it, it occurred to me that I didn’t know the first thing about Davy Crocket except that he didn’t really wear a coonskin cap.

Well, now I know more. For example,I know that Crocket was the only congressperson to vote against Andrew Jackson’s bill to move native Americans from the SE to Oklahoma on what would become “The Trail of Tears.” So good for him. This puts him in a league with Senator Wayne Morse from Oregon (Gulf of Tonkin) and Senator Barrack Obama (Iraq).

Also, listening to this book alone in my room I suddenly, and quite unusually, found myself laughing out loud. This happened around about the middle of the book where is inserted a letter supposedly sent from someone in Washington to be published in a Tennessee newspaper regarding Crocket’s first invitation to dinner with President John Q Adams. The letter was a satirical exaggeration of some of Crocket’s backwoods hillbilly quirks and mannerisms. If you choose to read this book, you’ll know the letter when you get to it. And you’ll laugh out loud too. If you don’t, I wish I may be shot.

I’m glad I read this. Cool book. And one of these days I’ll lie down on the floor and listen to the same author’s take on Daniel Boon.

[Barakiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Though this person isn't my favourite with his gratuitous killing of animals (like when he killed 6 deer, but only used 2), it's always good to learn about history. And as an aspiring writer, tales like this are inspiring, they really fire the imagination.

If you're interested in the American frontier lifestyle, what their courtships and weddings were like (fascinating), how they survived, what they bartered, how the country developed, conflicts with native Americans and Mexicans... then this is for you. Davey's life was definitely full of adventure.

He had many character flaws, but I can see why he stands out in history. He was quite a character.

Definitely recommend it to anyone who loves adventure.

[Michael J. Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book.

[Yaaresse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooo...I remember this book! This was one of Abbott's best biographies, written late in his career (1870s). Our library had a bunch of his books, and I read as many as I could find of them. His early books tended to indulge in legend-building the Great Hero of Great Character, but then he started writing about such people as Napoleon and Captain Kidd. I think he decided to become less of a minister and more of a historian at that point. In any event, this bio is one of his more readable and interesting. I'm not sure how well the scholarship would hold up given discovery of new records and documents, but I remember being fascinated by it at the time. Crockett had an interesting life, and Abbott decidedly does not paint him as All That and More.

[Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining read this was.

We've all heard the name of Davy Crockett, I think, but most of us know him from a Disney-fied story or some such. At least I do... by which I mean, the Davy Crockett Range at Disneyland Paris (I'm European -- American history is hardly touched upon in our history lessons).

I wasn't familiar with the man David Crockett, as he lived in an America which at the time he's alive is still forming and attracting immigrants and adventurers. Wasn't aware he was involved with the early armies and the wars against the Native American tribes. I did know he died at the Alamo (thank you Timeless TV show) but beyond that not much else I knew about him. This book certainly gave a much clearer picture.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting and full of facts and information I didn't know.

Young and old alike should enjoy this book as there's so much more to know and learn about this legend of the wilderness.

[Jack Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

King of the Wild Frontier, indeed!

Very good telling of Davy (David) Crockett. A compelling true-life adventure story, as well as an excellent account of America's history during those pioneering years.

[Doris Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable, easy read. I learnt a lot about David Crockett. Unfortunately, the author and Crockett himself, who is quoted extensively in the book, often used racially disparaging terms when speaking of African-Americans and Native Americans.

[Daniel.Rustowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Crockett: his life and adventures

Very good read. Great details, easy to follow. Love the short previews at the beginning each chapters. Highly recommended for lovers of biography’s.

[gerald morson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

A good read on the life of Crockett, lived his life to the full ,and became a legend in the alamo

[Jennifer Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simultaneously beautiful, appalling, and tragic. This book was so well-written, I didn't want to put it down. Abbott makes you pity a young Crockett, despise him as a young man, and then celebrate him in his hunting triumphs and travel adventures leading up to his death.

[Kurt Kallmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting and telling about David Crocketts life. Thanks

[John Karlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read

Enjoyed this book. Well written, very interesting and worth reading as a history lesson. Learned a lot from reading this story, and it is all true.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about Crockett and life on the frontier.

[Patricia J Lipinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful historical read

The book was beautifully written and historically accurate and gave me a real sense of the life and time of a truly great man.

[Joseph O. Gilpatric II · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I learned more about the man then I thought I knew. Hollywood painted him in the wrong light. Interesting read however.

[Carroll & · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never too old!

I've seen all the movies and documentaries but found out more about the man in this little book. Worth the read!

[Christie Wessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davy Crockett led a remarkable life and died a remarkable death. It was fascinating to read about life in the West in the 1800s.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

"David Crockett: His Life and Adventures" is one of the series of biographies,American Pioneers and Patriots, that were written by various historians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. John S. C. Abbott, who was a well-known pastor and historian, wrote "David Crockett, "Daniel Boone," and a number of additional titles in this series. Abbott, whose life spanned the period between the Louisiana Purchase and the end of Reconstruction, was also known for his theological writings. His classical education and gentle Yankee background are well-represented in this work.

"David Crockett" seems to rely heavily on Crockett's own autobiography and journals as well as on oral histories or traditions, although Abbott does not always list his attributions. Since I read a Kindle version that was published in 2007, it is possible that the original publication was more exacting. Although the story of Davy Crockett (he preferred David over Davy) is pretty well known, especially to those of us who grew up with Walt Disney's take on the pioneer, I found this particular book interesting and enjoyable for a number of reasons.

First, Abbott takes the stand that, although Crockett grew up and lived in circumstances that he considered to be only slightly above savage, he had an innate morality, intelligence, and charisma that allowed him to exceed his place in the society of the 19th century. For example, Crockett had only about 6 months of formal schooling, but worked to achieve competency in reading and writing when he was elected to the state legislature and later to Congress because he needed to have those skills to be successful. Abbott clearly has the opinion that Crockett worked hard and succeeded, scoring one for the Puritan ethic. I realized as I was reading that I was vaguely offended by this attitude, although I imagine it to be pretty much the attitude of the day in the mid- to late-1800's; then I realized that I see the same attitude playing out around me toward people who have less opportunity, less money, etc., than those that are more acceptable to society. It seems things have not changed much.

Second, I mentioned that I grew up with the Disney TV series, "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier" as the starting place of my knowledge about Crockett. Imagine my surprise as I realized that, although some liberties were taken with the facts to make the story more dramatic, the TV series got it mostly right. It made me wonder if this book was source material for the TV series. In addition, I learned that the poem "Farewell to the Mountains," which Fess Parker sings in the series, really was attributed to Crockett with editing by his friend Peleg Longfellow. Abbott quotes Crockett at length regarding the writing of this poem.

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are (1) interested in David Crockett and the details of his life; (2) interested generally in the settling of the region west of the Appalachians; and (3) not afraid to wade through Abbott's formal style of writing and not too put off by his judgemental tone. Be forewarned, the Kindle version has a number of editorial errors in it, but none is too egregious to put the reader off.

[Allan67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a resident of "Crockett country", I thought that this was the most accurate renditions of Mr. Crockett's life. It is not glorified as the Disney version, but is realistic as to the hardships that the early settlers encountered.

[Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very entertaining. Of course because of the funny stories that Crockett was famous for, but more because of the fascinating examples of how life has changed in the intervening 200 years.

I think I might add the actual autobiography to my reading list, and I recall hearing about a legend that Crockett survived the Alamo and secretly started a new life in mexico. I think that was Crockett. After reading this book I would not be surprised. Anyway...

I was reading it with a children's library in mind, and I'm a bit torn on how I feel in that regard. It's obviously appropriate for a certain age reading level wise, but there are some topics that really require some discussion, particularly the role of slaves and native peoples. Davey spends a decent amount of time early on thoughtlessly slaughtering the latter, but in later life is a vocal critic of Andrew Jackson specifically for that reason. Slaves are taken for granted and the way they are referenced is glaringly dehumanizing by modern standards.

I'm sure that if it's not a kid's first exposure to these issues it can be handled just fine, but I will definitely wait until we've talked about some things before suggesting this book.

[Babs M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing and I am sure greatly embellished but I enjoyed it.

[Tom Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up a fan of Walt Disney's Davy Crocket movies and I read Davy Crockett: His Own Story in college to compare the history with the legend. I would have stopped at the autobio if it weren't for Kindle offering all of these older and harder to find titles. It's a straightforward telling of Davy's life story and I think more of an inspiration to the Disney film that Crockett's own work. And that surprised me in a pleasant way. Written in the late 1800s, this book deals with Davy the legend after the fire of his time but before the era of revisionist authors that look for every wart. It's one of the best books I have read about the harshness of life 200 years ago and how people took it for granted that peril was beyond every horizon.

[Kimbolimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Davy Crockett when I was a kid. I did a book report on him in 6th grade in which I dressed up like him and acted out a part of the book for my classmates. But the years haven't been easy on my memories of him because I don't remember anything other than he loved to hunt and he wore animal skin pants, shirts, hats and shoes. This book was great fun to reintroduce me to dear old Davy. He lived a very interesting and wonderful life. The only thing I didn't enjoy about this book was how little his wives and children were talked about. The book makes it sound like he rarely ever saw them...I guess I'll have to read another book that is a little bit more detailed.

[Steven jb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writtten in 1874, this book gives an account of the life of David Crockett, frontiersman, soldier, hunter, and Congressman, who was killed at the Alamo in 1836. As this book was written only 38 years after Colonel Crockett's death, I thought this would be interesting and indeed it was, using quotes from his autobiography. Some time in the future, I would like to read a more modern version and compare them.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the material was familiar, from watching Disney's "Davy Crockett" on TV in my childhood. Other parts, I was just shaking my head wondering how much was true and how much was Tennessee exaggeration.

[Arnold Osborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My desire to read and my inclination towers the subject surpassed the quality of the writing and the author's ability to present the material. Upon saying this,I did enjoy the book and feel my time was well spent although I will continue to pursue other avenues on this subject.

[Mary Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about a great man, read while we camped and geocached through Tennessee. Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. WooHoo! That dates me.