Kit Carson's Own Story of His Life: As Dictated to Col. and Mrs. D.C. Peters

by Kit Carson, Blanche C. Grant (Editor)

The famous Taos scout Kit Carson used the experience he gained trapping in the Rocky Mountains to become a guide for General Stephen Watts Kearney as well as John Fremont, who saved his life. Carson describes his travels and adventures throughout the southwest and depicts his exploits with Indians and Mexicans. Carson's vivid account is a compelling example of both the fearlessness and the ruthlessness that typified many a man of his era. You might find yourself occasionally rooting for the other side while reading this decidedly "unvarnished prose."

140 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christopher (Kit) Carson was referenced in the W Cather book, Death Comes for the Archbishop. I therefore wanted to follow up with this book that I recently picked up. When books link up in this way, there is such a magic in reading.
I found this to be quite interesting, though it was not particularly well written.
On the second page I found myself very amused and won over. A man in the party had accidentally shot himself in the arm. The text, as dictated by Carson, read,
"One of the party stated that he could do it" (amputate the arm).
The footnote read *Carson himself. He was only 17 at the time. Imagine that!

[Brian Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. Saw the experiences Carson had through his eyes. I'm glad his history was captured.

[Conrad Wesselhoeft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kit Carson blazed historic trails across the American West. His life of adventure and conflict in the untamed mountains and deserts is unparalleled. It's a story of passion, grit, sacrifice, deceit, strength, love, loyalty, cruelty. On and on.

Kit was the quintessential mountain man who seemed to be everywhere as frontier history was being made. He was a multi-shaded mix of peacemaker and warmonger, hero and villain.

Sadly, he was no storyteller. Or perhaps the fault lies with his anemic memoirists, Col. and Mrs. D.C. Peters. The result is a book as dry as sun-baked adobe--one that possesses all of the riveting plot twists of an actuarial table. It may be the most boring memoir ever written by a man who lived a fascinating life. For a year, this short book rested on my bedside table serving double duty as a sleep aid.

I really should give it one star. However, I'm giving it two, because it teaches this lesson: if you've lived an epic life, and want that life jotted down, don't let a well-meaning acquaintance do the jotting. Choose your biographer carefully.

For a full-blooded account of Kit Carson's momentous life, try BLOOD AND THUNDER, by Hampton Sides.

[Chris Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.