Reviews

The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck, Michael Gellatly

a_w_'s review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

1.75

Honestly, I only chose this book for a reading challenge. If it wasn’t an audiobook, it would definitely be a DNF for me. It has interesting parts and a good combination of current happenings (the brothers completing the Oregon Trail) and past events (the original Oregon Trail pioneers). It also includes a lot about the Bucks brother's past.  There’s also an annoying amount of belittling people the author clearly doesn’t agree with.
Overall, it was slow and just not a book I would choose on my own so I had a hard time paying attention. I can see why people enjoy it, but it isn’t one I personally would pick again. 

smaranell's review against another edition

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adventurous informative slow-paced

3.0

ebc726's review against another edition

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3.0

The historical stuff was really interesting. The narrative sometimes, not so much. Was it just me, or did his portrayal of Nick come across as very Lenny in Of Mice and Men?

chickn_noodle_soup's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

applegnreads's review against another edition

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3.0

this may deserve four stars. kind of a walk in the woods with history, humor, and ill-conceived journey. of course you may become irritated with the author from time to time. of course he doesn't deal much with the injustices of the time. still, you laugh at him, feel for his mules, and wonder about his family.

aubrey_the_explorer's review against another edition

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5.0

Love, love, love this book. It wasn't what I expected, but it was what I needed. A great story of an amazing journey.

shaylag's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring relaxing slow-paced

4.5

Great story, loved the inclusion of historical accounts with the modern journey. Minus half star for language.

laila4343's review against another edition

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3.0

An interesting mix of memoir, history, and travel narrative. I admit my age bias - when I initially put this book on hold at the library, I assumed that the two brothers were young. Because only two young men would be crazy enough to travel the Oregon Trail now in a covered wagon, right? Wrong! These brothers are both over 60 years old - and must be in much better shape than me. It was neat to read about how much of the trail is still there. They faced quite a few daunting obstacles on the way, geographically, weather-wise, and with equipment. My favorite parts of the book were their interactions with ranchers, farmers, and folks along the way. There's a well-spring of goodness and generosity out there.

browardvanessa's review against another edition

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2.0

I thought I was going to like it more but it was a bit too much background on wheel construction and mule selection.

grumpkin's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative inspiring slow-paced

3.75