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The Minnesota: Forgotten River
Starting at Big Stone Lake on the eastern edge of South Dakota, the Minnesota River cuts through southern Minnesota, breaks into waterfalls at Granite Falls, and joins the mighty Mississippi at Fort Snelling, St. Paul. Evan Jones provides a detailed history of the river and its legends in The Minnesota. The river has provided the scenery for many of Minnesota's important historical events -- the Dakota Conflict (also known as the Sioux Uprising of 1862); the only blunder of Jesse James's career; and the origin of selling goods on credit by Sears, Roebuck and Company -- and hosted many famous faces, including Dred Scott, Zebulon Pike, and Henry David Thoreau. Illustrated with line drawings by Harry Heim, The Minnesota weaves an unforgettable history.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2001
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February 9, 2021The debate: how much of this is fiction versus non-fiction?
Jones, the author, repeats other sources with seemingly little critical thought. I suppose the critical thinking came in deciding which sources to feature. There is some interesting name recognition, as far as why certain names are on streets, counties and towns in Minnesota, but the writing itself is not especially well organized or clear, especially the first 100 pages or so. Would not recommend this book for those interested in a comprehensible and factual picture of the aboriginals and settlers who lived along the Minnesota River.
From other primary sources I've read, it's clear that misinformation, fabrication and exaggeration by news reporters, politicians, military personal and historians is not new. It goes back centuries, at least until Europeans first came to this country.
The Minnesota Historical Society reissued this book 2001. It was first published in 1962. Jones' repeated use of the term, "savage indian," is revealing, even for 1962. The book comes with this disclaimer: "The Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage Book Series is designed to renew interest in the state's past by bringing significant literary works to the attention of a new audience. Our knowledge and appreciations of the culture and history of the region have advanced considerably since these books were first published, and the attitudes and opinions expressed in them may strike the contemporary reader as inappropriate. These classics have been reprinted in their original form as contributions to the state's literary heritage."
I question the value of this book as part of the state's literary heritage.
Jones, the author, repeats other sources with seemingly little critical thought. I suppose the critical thinking came in deciding which sources to feature. There is some interesting name recognition, as far as why certain names are on streets, counties and towns in Minnesota, but the writing itself is not especially well organized or clear, especially the first 100 pages or so. Would not recommend this book for those interested in a comprehensible and factual picture of the aboriginals and settlers who lived along the Minnesota River.
From other primary sources I've read, it's clear that misinformation, fabrication and exaggeration by news reporters, politicians, military personal and historians is not new. It goes back centuries, at least until Europeans first came to this country.
The Minnesota Historical Society reissued this book 2001. It was first published in 1962. Jones' repeated use of the term, "savage indian," is revealing, even for 1962. The book comes with this disclaimer: "The Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage Book Series is designed to renew interest in the state's past by bringing significant literary works to the attention of a new audience. Our knowledge and appreciations of the culture and history of the region have advanced considerably since these books were first published, and the attitudes and opinions expressed in them may strike the contemporary reader as inappropriate. These classics have been reprinted in their original form as contributions to the state's literary heritage."
I question the value of this book as part of the state's literary heritage.
Displaying 1 of 1 review