The amount of research which went into this book must have been phenomenal but the writing style is so complex and confusing, it can be difficult to follow. This is the political and economical side of the fur trade business during the early 1800's from the point of view of John Jacob Astor and Ramsay Crooks of the American Fur Company. There is much to be learned from the book, especially relationships between the United States, England, France and Spain; establishing international boundaries; the never-ending saga of allowing (or not allowing) whiskey into the Indian country; the tense competition between the fur companies, etc. Better have a dictionary handy too as some of the wording will need defining to the average reader.

I found it revealing to see so many and varied kinds of masks all on the pages of one book. It alowed me to compare the masks with others from I have seen around the world. I am surprized at the simalarities.