The Pioneers by David McCullough
Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant
Genre: Non-Fiction
Age Group: Adults
What is This Book About? David McCullough, one of the country’s best-known historians, has written the story of the heroic settlers who first came to homestead in the Northwest Territory during the late 1700’s. These pioneers brought with them the puritan ideals of New England and were strongly opposed to slavery and advocates for freedom of religion and free universal education. McCullough relates the historical details by telling the story through the lives of five major characters, Manasseh Cutler, Rufus Putnam, Cutler’s son Ephraim, Joseph Barker, a carpenter turned architect, and Samuel Hildreth, a physician. These men and their families played a key role in the establishment of Marietta in what is now Ohio. The impact these men had, however, spread throughout the region and has had long-term implications for the area. The time period of the book is from 1787 to 1863. Although this book is history and is well-documented, it reads almost like a novel.
My Review: I enjoyed this book. McCullough makes history interesting and absorbing. Manasseh Cutler was one of the drafters of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and an early pioneer in the settlement of Marietta in southeastern Ohio. Although Manasseh did not actually live in Marietta, he did help in the initial settlement and was among the first to travel to the new territory and many years later, his son, Ephraim Cutler was a prominent resident of the community, an Ohio legislator and the leader in establishing a system of public education throughout the territory. Ephraim also established the “Coonskin Library,” the first public library in the wilderness, where the purchase price for books was raised collecting and selling raccoon skins. Due to the Ohio River, shipbuilding developed as an industry in Marietta as had been predicted by the early settlers. I was fascinated by the creativity and the abilities of these early pioneers. I do not usually read history for fun, but McCullough’s storytelling ability and his ability to develop the character of the historical figures made this book read like a novel. I highly recommend it.
Three Words That Describe This Book: True, Engrossing, Detailed
Give This a Try if You Like: Any other books by David McCullough or are a history buff
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
