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Through Indian Country to California
John P. Sherburne Book Review

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Plot Summary of Through Indian Country to California
"In the 1850s, a push was on to identify the best location for a
transcontinental railroad to California. Three different expeditions left the east, in the northern states, through the center of the country, and through the southwest. Lt. Amiel Weeks Whipple led the expedition from Arkansas, through Texas and the southwest, to San Pedro, California. The expedition consisted of a group of civilian scientists who would survey the route, including topography, plant life, native settlements, existing white settlements, and available water and timber. The expedition had an army escort that supplied food, weapons, and carried the delicate instruments used for the study. The author, Whipple's son-in-law, chronicles the journey, its trials and tribulations. They had the usual mishaps, including trying to keep from getting killed by Comanche Indians. Eventually they concluded their mission and returned to the east with their report. The route explored by this party wasn't the first one used, but was used later.
"
BethG, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Through Indian Country to California
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Kind Of History
Time of history: - 19th century
History of a people? Yes
Nationality? - American--General
History of a journey/colonization? Yes
Kind of journey? - horse travel

Subjects of this Historical Account
Ethnicity (if plays a major part) - European/White
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Neutral
From a certain profession/group? - land soldiers
Intelligence of subject of history: - Smart

Main Adversary
From a certain profession/group? - killers
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
Nationality? - American
Ethnicity? (if plays big part) - American Indian
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Somewhat Sympathetic

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - West
If applicable, liberal/conservative? - Historian is very moderate

Style
How much gore? - 2 ()
How fast-paced is the book? - 4 ()
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Book makes you feel... - challenged
How much focus on stories of individuals? - Focuses on brief history of a lot of players
How much romance? - 1 ()
Minor characters feature lots of: - military
Pictures/Illustrations? - A handful
Maps necessary? - Maps not in sufficient detail
Length of book - 201-250 pages
How much emphasis on small details? - 6 ()
Most similar books to Through Indian Country to California
Women's Journals of the Westward Journey by Lillian Schlissel
Frontier Women: Civilizing the West 1840-1880 by Julie Roy Jeffrey
The Sod House by Cass G. Barns
In The Footsteps of Lewis and Clark by Gerald S. Snyder
The Bounty by Caroline Alexander


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John P. Sherburne Resident Scholar Profiles

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