The Year of Decision 1846
by Bernard DeVoto

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Book Reviews of The Year of Decision 1846

Book Review: Manifest Destiny in Politics and in Western US Development
Summary: 5 Stars

This book was written during the late 1930s and early 1940s, and is of interest, as well, for the backdrop of events against which it was written. A new preface by DeVoto's son and a new introduction by Stephen Ambrose nicely explain this point. A helpful timeline and many wonderful maps will also help increase your understanding.

Bernard DeVoto is our greatest historian of the western mirgration that helped build the modern United States. Before this book was written, there was no comprehensive work on this subject. Born in Ogden, Utah, he brings the perspective of a westerner to his writing, and scrupulously builds on many eye witness accounts to give us an in-person sense of this part of nation building. The western accounts are nicely put into the context of the gradual slide toward Civil War and the practical politics of the nation as a whole.

DeVoto is an entertaining writer who employs many of the techniques of novels and movie scripts to keep the action moving for us. He uses a comet splitting into two, for example, as an omen of the political cleavage that slavery is bringing. He also has strong opinions about the people involved and shares those opinions candidly. So this is very much of a personal view of history, although done by an eminent historian.

The book has many continuing story lines such as those about Fremont, the Mormon migration, the Donner party, and interactions with Native Americans (as seen through the eyes of the western migrants) that provide a lot of appeal for any reader of the book.

Although it was written first, this is the final book in a trilogy that DeVoto wrote. If you like this book, you should go back and read the other two books as well.

Truman Talley deserves a vote of thanks for bringing this important work back into print, and improving it!

After you have finished reading and enjoying this great book, I suggest that you consider where an improved understanding of American history could add to your life. A good starting point could be understanding more about the history of the place where you live. Then you could expand that to understanding more about places you plan to visit.

Enjoy your new learning and treks!

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