The Oregon Trail

More about the book

In the bestselling tradition of Bill Bryson and Tony Horwitz, Rinker Buck's work is a major participatory history that recounts traveling the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail in a covered wagon with a team of mules—an endeavor not undertaken in a century. This journey spans six states from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean, highlighting the trail's significance in shaping America. In the fifteen years before the Civil War, 400,000 pioneers migrated westward, making this the largest land migration in history, uniting coasts, doubling the nation's size, and laying the groundwork for railroads. The trail years also forged the American character, showcasing determination, financial cycles, and ethnic clashes. Despite its historical importance, the trail is now largely forgotten. Buck, known for his adventurous spirit, aims to revive this vital road's legacy. His expedition, filled with humor and heart, features his brother Nick, three cantankerous mules, and a "filthy" Jack Russell terrier named Olive Oyl. Throughout the journey, Buck navigates thunderstorms, chases runaway mules, and traverses the Rockies, while introducing readers to the diverse pioneers who ventured west. With engaging narrative power and candid reflections, Buck invites readers into a transformative journey across America.