YEAR OF THE BIG SNOW

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 19, 1962

The fourth expedition of John Charles Fremont ended in failure. Why this happened is a subject for historians to ponder how it happened makes for interesting historical drama and demonstrates that not all the herole challenges of the early west were met successfully. Unfortunately Fremont is a shadowy figure in this account. Fourteen year old Ted McNabb is the hero and it is through him that we join the party. With the help of the Delaware Indians, the expedition was launched along a new central route toward the mountains. The first wild Indians Ted encountered were the Comanches and the first Indian Council he witnessed was mediated by the famous Broken Band Fitzpatrick. Up the Arkansas River to Fort , down the Robidoux Pas near the Rio Grande, they forged. And then came the snows relentless, and crippling. Fremont's decision to divide into separate parties, the failure of the rescue crews, the dwindling supplies led to the end of the expedition is which only a few survivors reached Taos alive. The facts are here in detail, but the writing lacks the focus and intensity to drive them home.

Pub Date: March 19, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1962

Categories: FICTION