FRANCIS PARKMAN

With a New Introduction by Samuel Eliot Morison

The library of America is dedicated to publishing Americas best and most significant writing in handsome, enduring volumes, featuring authoritative texts. Hailed as the "finest-looking, longest-lasting editions ever made" (The New Republic), Library of America volumes make a fine gift for any occasion. Now, with exactly one hundred volumes to choose from, there is a perfect gift for everyone.

(Note: this is the Little, Brown and Co. 1870 edition)

The library of America is dedicated to publishing America''s best and most significant writing in handsome, enduring volumes, featuring authoritative texts. Hailed as the "finest-looking, longest-lasting editions ever made" (The New Republic), Library of America volumes make a fine gift for any occasion. Now, with exactly one hundred volumes to choose from, there is a perfect gift for everyone.

On the 13th September, 1759, there lay upon the bloody Plains of Abraham two men. Hearing an officer cry. "They run! They run!" one of these dying men raised his head and asked, "Who runs?""The enemy," replied the officer. "Then God be praised; I shall die happy." This man was John Wolfe, commander of the English army before Quebec. The other of these two men on being told that his wounds were mortal, and that right speedily, replied, "So much the better, I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." This man was the Marquis of Montcalm, the commander of the French army then in possession of Quebec. From the names of these two brave Generals, Mr. Francis Parkman has taken the name of his new history. Montcalm and Wolfe. For many years this learned scholar has been engaged in writing a series of histories illustrative of the struggle between these two nations, the English and French, for the ascendency on this continent. Most volumes hitherto published bring the history of the struggle down to 1700. The present work begins with 1748. Thus there is an interim of half a century not The events yet covered by Mr. Parkman. covered in the present volume are the conflict for Acadia, the land now known as Nova Scotia. The great Indian battle known as Brad docks defeat, with the events before and after, in which Washington was so active. The defeat of the Baron Dieskau, and the capture of Crown Point. The coming of Montcalm to America as the French Commander, and the capture of Fort William Henry, by the French under Montcalm, in 1757. With this event and the frightful massacre of the English by the Indians, as the former left the surrendered fortifications, the volume is brought to a close. So far as history is concerned there has been nothing yet produced in America superior to these books of Mr. Parkmans. The style is vigorous, full of spirit, even brilliant on occasions when the author warms to his work. The sketches of character are positively excellent. They betray the skill of an Indian in tracing the crooked paths which, when unraveled, dis pay the human character. And in the delineation of that character even Scott himself was not greater with old Monkbarns. Are you incredulous? Then turn to the picture of Gen. Braddock. That gentleman instantly stands before you. You will see him as you look to - day upon living men, walking and talking before you. But you will see more. You will see just why he was beaten; just why Washington, albeit he were the incarnation of human bravery, was unable to pluck the flower, Victory, from the poisonous nettle, Defeat. The picture of Montcalm is only less valuable because it is less piquant, it is more matter of fact. But when you come to Sir William John son you will be again edified, as you look into his fortified house at Albany, and upon his Dutch houskeeper, whom subsequently he married, and when she was dead, upon the young Mohawk squaw, who did the honors and other things of the house. We might go on in just these specifications, for the book is full of them, but we must stop somewhere. And we simply say that this history has never taken hitherto anything like so attractive a guise as Mr. Parkman has here given them. The admirable style in which the volume appears is equal to anything issued in this country.

Historian, critic, and horticulturist Francis Parkman was renowned for his analytical acuity and narrative skill. In A Half Century of Conflict, Parkman dissects and explains the tumult that surrounded the birth of the United States. This book is regarded as one of the highest literary achievements in nineteenth-century historical writing. Francis Parkman (September 16, 1823 November 8, 1893) was an American historian, best known as author of The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life and his monumental seven-volume France and England in North America. These works are still valued as historical sources and as literature. He was also a leading horticulturist, briefly a professor of Horticulture at Harvard University and author of several books on the topic. Parkman was a trustee of the Boston Athenum from 1858 until his death in 1893. Parkman is one of the most notable nationalist historians. In recognition of his talent and accomplishments, the Society for American Historians annually awards the Francis Parkman Prize for the best book on American history. His work has been praised by historians who have published essays in new editions of his work by such Pulitzer Prize winners as C. Vann Woodward, Allan Nevins, and Samuel Eliot Morison as well as by other notable historians including Wilbur R. Jacobs, John Keegan, William Taylor, Mark Van Doren, and David Levin. Famous artists such as Thomas Hart Benton and Frederic Remington have illustrated Parkmans books. Numerous translations have been published worldwide. In 1865 Parkman built a house at 50 Chestnut Street on Beacon Hill in Boston, which has since become a National Historic Landmark. The Francis Parkman School in Forest Hills bears his name, as does Parkman Drive and the granite Francis Parkman Memorial at the site of his last home in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts (now a neighborhood of Boston).

In the heart of the 17th century, as the sun of Louis XIVs reign cast its golden rays across France, a remarkable figure emerged in the distant land of New France: Count Frontenac. A seasoned soldier and a skilled diplomat, Frontenacs arrival marked a turning point in the history of the colony.Under his leadership, New France embarked on a transformative journey, its destiny intertwined with the ambitions of the Sun King. From the shores of the St. Lawrence to the vast expanse of the Great Lakes, Frontenacs influence shaped the fate of a continent, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to resonate today.

First published in 1849, The Oregon Trail distills Parkmans 1846 journey from the Missouri valley along the Platte into sharply etched episodes of prairie and mountain life. Emigrant caravans, traders camps, Fort Laramie, buffalo hunts, and weeks among a Lakota band furnish its ethnographic texture. In prose that marries Romantic description to exact observation, Parkman offers both a gripping travel narrative and a revealing document of antebellum expansion and its cultural frictions. Boston-born and Harvard-educated, Parkman (18231893) conceived the expedition as fieldwork to test his reading about Native nations and the borderlands he would later chronicle in France and England in North America. Guided by the hunter Henry Chatillon and hampered by fragile health and eyesight, he kept meticulous notes that became these sketches, initially serialized before their book publication. Readers of American history, travel writing, and Indigenous studies will find in this book a vivid primary source: exhilarating in scene, exact in incident, and instructive in its limitations. Approach it critically and generously; for seminars or solitary reading, Parkmans sketches illuminate the making of the overland imaginary and the human costs of continental ambition.Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the authors voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readabledistilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Author Biography · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.

In "The Book of Roses," Francis Parkman presents a compelling exploration of the rich symbolism and cultural significance of roses throughout history, weaving together a narrative that transcends mere botanical description. Written in a lyrical prose style characteristic of mid-19th-century American literature, Parkmans work reflects a sophisticated understanding of the aesthetic and emotional resonance of roses. This text not only serves as a homage to the flowers beauty but also situates it within broader historical and literary contexts, drawing connections between horticulture and the human experience. Francis Parkman, an esteemed historian and travel writer known for his meticulous research and vivid storytelling, draws upon his expansive knowledge and experiences in natural history, travel, and literature to create this enchanting study. His previous works, which often explore the interplay of nature and culture, imbue "The Book of Roses" with a sense of reverence for the natural world. Parkmans personal passion for botany and gardens is evident, as he enthusiastically chronicles his discoveries and insights into the deep-rooted connections between humanity and nature. Readers seeking a profound exploration of the intersection between nature, culture, and the arts will find "The Book of Roses" to be an invaluable addition to their literary collection. This engaging work appeals not only to gardening enthusiasts but also to those interested in the broader implications of how plants shape our lives, making it a delightful and thought-provoking read for anyone intrigued by the beauty of the flower that has captured human imagination for centuries.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the authors life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

The Oregon Trail is a vivid and adventurous firsthand account of exploration across the American frontier, offering readers a remarkable glimpse into life in the mid-19th century. Written by historian Francis Parkman, this classic narrative blends travel writing, personal experience, and historical observation to create a compelling portrait of a vast and untamed landscape.Driven by a desire for adventure and a deeper understanding of the American West, Parkman sets out on a journey that takes him far beyond the comforts of settled society. Traveling across the prairies and into the rugged wilderness, he joins a band of hunters and traders, immersing himself in a world defined by survival, endurance, and constant movement.Through his detailed and often dramatic account, Parkman captures the physical challenges of frontier lifelong days on horseback, unpredictable weather, and the ever-present risks of the journey. His encounters with wildlife, including vast herds of buffalo, as well as the harsh realities of hunting and subsistence, bring a raw authenticity to the narrative.One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Parkmans interaction with Native American tribes. He offers observations of their customs, traditions, and ways of life, providing insight into cultures that were, even then, under pressure from expanding settlement. While shaped by the perspectives of his time, these accounts remain an important part of the historical record.The landscape itself plays a central role in the story. Parkmans descriptions of sweeping plains, distant mountains, and open skies evoke both the beauty and the isolation of the frontier. His writing conveys a deep sense of scale and wonder, as well as the challenges posed by such an expansive and often unforgiving environment.Beyond adventure, The Oregon Trail reflects a personal journey of endurance and discovery. Parkmans experiences test his physical limits and reshape his understanding of the world beyond urban life. His narrative offers insight into the spirit of exploration that defined an era, as well as the complexities and consequences of westward expansion.Rich in detail and atmosphere, The Oregon Trail remains a cornerstone of American travel literature. It is both an exciting chronicle of frontier adventure and a valuable historical document, capturing a pivotal moment in the nations history with clarity, depth, and enduring appeal.