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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So much money invested to discover the pacific northwest, at the expense of so many lost lives…
A fantastic read of an amazing adventure. It is very surprising that this is not taught in schools. Most people I talk to have never heard of John Jacob Astor. What a shame!
Good book
Gives history of the Northwest a human face.
Hard to read
Who knew that reality could have been so deadly? A fascinating glimpse into those pioneers who pushed West — really enjoyed it!
Great lost history.
Very interesting piece of American History.
Growing up in Washington, I had no idea of the back story of the naming of the city of Astoria. Interesting historically, horrifying in many ways because of the trials suffered by both the overland trekkers and the shipboard explorers and, since I know the fate of J.J. Astor on the Titanic, I am interested to see what develops with the West Coast …
Very interesting and informative book about an enterprise I had not heard of. Some of the setting takes place where I live which made it all the more interesting. If you enjoy books about Lewis and Clark, you will also find this one of interest. I am sure I will read it more than once.
I had never been exposed to this part of American history. This book is very well written and logically presented.
If you are fascinated by the Lewis & Clark expedition, consider reading this true story of one of the earliest attempts at establishing control the Northwestern U.S. by the establishment of trading posts. Riveting history!
Great book!! Some say the truth is the funniest comedy, similarally this book proves that a true story can be more dramatic than the best written fictional story. Fantastic read !!! I liked how the author would occasional double back and review the experiences of the characters or the elements of the stories from another recorders perspective. All …
After reading it on my i pad I Bought the paper back for my son.
Boring. Could not get more than 1/3 through.
I had never heard this story. Fascinating!
Insight into a daring plan…that did not work out. Ultimate failure of a grand scheme still let to historic developments in the growth of the country.
Inspiational to say the least. Our west coast explored and all the parties that were involved was unknown to me until I read this book. I would recommend this book to history buffs and anyone interested in knowing how the American west was developed.
I’ve actually been to Astoria, Oregon. Years ago, I was slated to cruise Mexico, when an outbreak of swine flu sent the ship north instead of south (Hello, Seattle; Good bye, Cabo). I remember it was a pretty town, highly picturesque, but don’t believe we learned much of its history in the roughly six hours we were there. In reading Peter Stark’s …
I had heard a little about Astoria, but did not know much. This book was very informative and easy reading.
It told the hardship of life at that time and the difficulties of communications.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American History as an introduction to the northwest areas.