num_pages: 188
description: There were many and varied reasons why the colonists on the Atlantic Coast pushed westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains into the region south and west of the thirteen colonies, the land of the Westward Waters. Using little-known source material—diaries, journals, old books—Mr. Steele tells the stories of six of them—five men and one woman—who faced hardships and danger in a broad new land. Eleazer Wiggan, a trader in the early 1700's, steady and honest, who liked the Indians, lived adventurously, and carried the white man's path a little further into the wilderness, is one of the pioneers, typical of many, whose journeyings and way of life are re-created here. There is James Adair, who believed the Indians were descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel and lived among them in the 1740's, studying their legends and customs about which he later wrote a book to prove his theory. Another of the six is Mary Ingles, who was captured by the Indians in a dawn raid but who managed by courage, wit, luck, and endurance to escape and eventually reach home again. Skillfully portrayed by a writer steeped in frontier history and known for Winter Danger, The Lone Hunt, and other outstanding fiction, this is vivid, authentic Americana, which brings alive an exciting part of our country's past.
language: English
title: Westward Adventure: The True Stories of Six Pioneers
titlecomplete: Westward Adventure: The True Stories of Six Pioneers
ratings_count: 3
awards: awardedAt: -220896000000
name: Thomas Alva Edison Foundation Award
publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.