Blood and Treasure, by Bob Drury

Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America's First Frontier

by Bob Drury

White settlement of Kentucky went wrong from the beginning.  It was just folks, like Boone and Simon Kenton, wanting to make something for their families.  They wanted to find good land and stay ahead of Eastern development.

But the problem was, of course, that the land already belonged to someone else.  Someone willing to fight for it.

This is a violent, bloody book.  If you're looking for a book about good oke Dan'l, blazing the trail West, this is not it. Boone was clearly a violent man in a violent time.  The authors are careful to not show him as being more violent than necessary.

There is much we do not know about Boone. Boone told his story to others, he did not write it down. He was too busy staying alive.  And the Indians he encountered left no record either.  There are many details missing from his story. The authors make us aware of these details, but do not try to push any theories. 

Clavin and Drury write strong history books based on fact which can actually be read and enjoyed. Check it out. 

My thanks to Quentin, who recommended it to me. 

Read every day folks, and read for fun!