This book, which I found at the library(can I say that word here?) was truly engrossing. The author juxtaposes indian and colonial culture so clearly and freshly, putting a historical and very personal perspective on facts not previously so well illuminated. He described and de-bunked for me the particulars of early period of colonial-indian political and territorial relationships. The action and battle scenes are painted with skillful brushstrokes as are the characterizations of the principle players. Mr Gilbert fairly describes with a warm heart the phenomemon which was the native American, sharing the fine points which created this honorable people without filtering the panorama through rose-colored glasses. The reader is reminded of this sad and shameful legacy of our country's history with each turn of the page. I think we would have been a much greater nation had we dealt these people an even hand. Great reading, greta history.

The history of the deceit effected upon Native Indian ancestors, especially the Shawnee, by the British, French, Americans, and by the Iroquois truly made me ashamed to be a white American. We call ourselves "civilized"; the lies, purging, and needless slaughter of Native Indian nations is comparable to the extermination of the Jews. Americans stole this continent from the Indians. Tecumseh (Tekamthi) was an honorable, just man, who only wanted what God had given his people - the land and the freedom to roam it and to use it (Mother Nature). As I approached the last chapter of God Gave Us This Country, I did not want Tecumseh to die; but I know he still lives on in the minds of living Indians as well as those of us who avidly study Native American history and who prefer justice

I really enjoyed this book a lot. A page turner! It is hard to believe someone could have done so much, seen so much, and accomplished so much in a lifetime. Totally amazing! Mountain man, explorer, trail blazer, and much, much more, from the early 1800's thru the 1870's. A true American icon. I would have given it five stars but, I didn't much care how others in the book such as Jed Smith, Jim Bridger, etc. were belittled by the author. We all have our heroes but cutting down others when it is not really necessary or deserving is, I believe, crude.

This my my favorite book--period. If you love history and western american, and great biography, if you love cowboys, wideopen spaces and GREAT books, then this is IT.

I came across Westering Man while browsing at the library. It's one of the best books I've ever read. Mr. Gilbert unearthed the life of Joseph R. Walker and what he writes about him rings true. If you are an enthusiast for the American West - and not for the phony glory stuff but for the history of the exploration of The West - don't miss this book. Since it was published in 1983 I've wondered if others who have read it have further information to offer-up about Joseph R. Waker and if so if Mr. Gilbert will write another book. It's been two years since I read it, I've missed it and now I'd like to buy my own copy. It's a gem.

A highly attractive book from its leather engraved cover to its beautiful illustrations, maps and sketches. The subject matter is very well written and structured, especially for the novice of western U.S. exploration. We see, through the efforts of many men and decades of hit and miss exploratory attempts, how the many pieces of the geographical puzzle gradually come together to shape what we know today as the American West. From the unyielding endeavors of Lewis and Clark, the fur trappers/traders, military, surveyors, etc. this is a wonderful and easily readable book. The only ostentatious scar in the readings is how Gilbert once again, (see reviews under his "Westering Man: The Life of Joseph Walker" on Amazon) downplays the character, efforts and accomplishments of Jedediah Smith in favor of his hero, Joseph Walker. With all due respect, and without a doubt, Walker was amongst the giants of early western expansionism and contributed immensely to geographical knowledge. There is, in my opinion, no reason to incessantly reiterate the magnificance or idiosyncrasies of one over the other, both men contributed so much to the geography of the west.