In the tradition of The Lost City of Z and Skeletons in the Zahara, Astoria is the thrilling, true-adventure tale of the 1810 Astor Expedition, an epic, now forgotten, three-year journey to forge an American empire on the Pacific Coast. Peter Stark offers a harrowing saga in which a band of explorers battled nature, starvation, and madness to establish the first American settlement in the Pacific … American settlement in the Pacific Northwest and opened up what would become the Oregon trail, permanently altering the nation’s landscape and its global standing.
Six years after Lewis and Clark’s began their journey to the Pacific Northwest, two of the Eastern establishment’s leading figures, John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson, turned their sights to founding a colony akin to Jamestown on the West Coast and transforming the nation into a Pacific trading power. Author and correspondent for Outside magazine Peter Stark recreates this pivotal moment in American history for the first time for modern readers, drawing on original source material to tell the amazing true story of the Astor Expedition.
Unfolding over the course of three years, from 1810 to 1813, Astoria is a tale of high adventure and incredible hardship in the wilderness and at sea. Of the more than one hundred-forty members of the two advance parties that reached the West Coast—one crossing the Rockies, the other rounding Cape Horn—nearly half perished by violence. Others went mad. Within one year, the expedition successfully established Fort Astoria, a trading post on the Columbia River. Though the colony would be short-lived, it opened provincial American eyes to the potential of the Western coast and its founders helped blaze the Oregon Trail.
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I loved this book because first off, it was a terrific history of a subject that’s not only an important part of our history, but one that is very little known. Extremely informative and easy to read. In fact, a must read.
This history book appears to be well researched and it sheds light on the westward expansion of the United States that had never occurred to me.
For example, I was amazed to discover that it was the fashion industry that provided much of the impetus for expansion to the Pacific Coast. Gold wasn’t discovered in California until the 1850’s. Thomas …
I grew up in the area. Astoria brings alive the sights, sounds, & smells…a book full of the history of the time. Reading it took me right back home!
History, the Wild West, one of America’s richest men and adventure all wrapped up in a great read. John Jacob Astor dreamed of establishing a settlement in the Pacific Northwest and after years of hardship Fort Astoria was founded.
After vacationing in Astoria, OR last year I stumbled upon this book and wished I had read it BEFORE arriving in …
I majored in History in college and love when I learn new aspects of history. This book was a very engaging narrative of the journey to found a new settlement on the west coast of North America. Very thorough and very entertaining. If you aren’t a fan of history and non-fiction, it’s probably not for you, but if you want to learn more about an …
If Stephen Ambrose’s book about Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the mouth of the Columbia River is called “Undaunted Courage,” Peter Stark’s “Astoria” can be called “Undaunted Greed.” The two should be taught side by side for the breathtaking counterpoint: Lewis and Clark’s mission of discovery and science in the interests of the nation, …
A fantastic historical study about how my far Pacific NW corner of the US attracted interest from the driven imperialists of its age. I learned a ton.
What an amazing part of forgotten US history! This is a well-written account of a marvelous highly visionary business venture that brought about significant impacts in our modern US history and geography. I wish I had known more (almost anything) about this before stumbling upon this book, but like most Americans I have been blissfully ignorant of …
Informative about little known history of the Northwest.
Great history that most of us have not been exposed to.
A great book if wanting to learn more about the history of the Pacific Northwest.
A really great book on the earliest foundations of Astoria, Oregon. I grew up 50-60 miles from Astoria, so I found this book to be highly informative.
Peter Stark is a stellar writer. Like Thomas Cahill’s, How the Irish Saved Civilization; both authors elevated complex historical truths into up-all-night, page-turning elixirs of master story telling. And it all actually happened. If only we could pay writers of their stature to rewrite all the history books assigned to public schools.
A page-turning history book.
Fantastic read for the history reader.
The Astoria story needs to be revived in America. These people and the treacherous adventure they endured needs to be known. Good reading/listening. Especially good for History fans.
After a first time visit to the PNW, I was interested in our pioneers. This was a wonderful read, if you are into early exploration and U S History. I am amazed when I read what our early settlers went through. And more amazed at the explorers that ventured into the unknown. Great read.
I have enjoyed reading the book. There was so much info – I can see reading it again sometme.
Nicely written account of the first American fur trade posts in the American northwest. Interesting characters, well-described and very easy to read.
I lived in this area and was interested in it’s history. Definitely dry reading, one I hurried to finish!