George Drouillard is one of the most important men in American history.
Yet he is unheard of, especially in American history books.
If haven't read this book you won't understand the story of the white man's exploration of America.
Nor will you appreciate what it took to get Lewis and Clark across the continent and back.
The Booshway's headquarter's at Fort Union, North Dakota, has one of the finest inventories of fur trade history books in the U.S. I selected Hugh Glass and what looked to be a new Jedidiah Smith. When I went to pay out, the Park Service Ranger asked me what I knew about Drouillard. I told him I knew he had been one of the more well known of the Lewis and Clark crew and best I could remember he had been killed by Indians later. That was about it.
The Ranger insisted I read about the men in what he considered order of importance. He said Drouillard was the third most important man in the Corp of Discovery. I thought well, hell, if he thinks that much of the guy, I'll certainly buy the book. I did and was he right ! Wow ! I just thought I knew about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Either my memory had slipped or I had not been paying attention while reading the fur trade era.
George Drouillard was without a doubt one of the most courageous of the early mountain men. That's saying a lot. I'm not saying he was physically a brute or tough beyond words. I am saying this book will give you insight into a very, very savvy, capable individual who easily handled any and all responsibilities thrown his way.
He was Lewis and Clark's chief hunter, food provider, interpreter, Indian diplomat, grizzly bear fighter, recruiter, scout, enforcement officer, horse trader, boat helmsman, business man, and generally an indispensable member of the Corp inner circle. Cool under fire, unassuming, it seems the catch phrase, "let George do it", came from this man, not Washington.
Let's just say, I now think this man is the most under rated person in United States history. He is an inspiration to Americans of today. If we could be anything near what they were.....
Get this book. It took the author something like eight years of research to be sure he was telling the story correctly. There is no political correctness here. It is true history. Get this book ! If your interested in the fur trade era or want to know more about Lewis and Clark. This one will open your eyes to the caliber of men making up the Corp of Discovery.
University of Nebraska Press
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JOHN BOYKIN
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