"Daniel Boone"..A great read for history buffs on the history

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: I'm only on chapter 3, but "Daniel Boone" by John Mack Faragher is a great study on pre-revolution frontier America.  Mack wrote this book in 1992 and attempts to get past the "Boone myths" by a careful study of the history of the period.  

: DB grew up on the frontiers of south Pennsylvannia (in Deleware Country).  At a young age he left his family's Quaker ways for the life of a hunter.  The books excellently describes the merging of the cultures of the white frontier folk and the natives.  The Europeans adapted to live more like the natives, adopting agriculture, hunting practices and dress (at least for the men). (It wasn't uncommon for hunters to show up in church in loin-clothe and hunting shirt.)  The natives in turn adapted the European (American really) rifles, and tools and by Hawkeyes time, had built log forts and houses.  

: DB would have been 15 years the junior to our fictitious hero, who's orgin was very well based by JFC on hunters like DB.  In fact DB, as a youth, hunted with Deleware hunters, attaining mutual admiration.  DB was known as the best shot on the frontier, (don't know if his rifle had a name, but he did say that "choosing the right rifle takes more consideration that choosing a bride...."  (at least someone said that he said that..the author is careful to point out what is fact and what is legend.)) 

: Most revealing was the character of DB, while no saint, and often rough and rowdy in his frontier ways, he was not an "Indian Fighter," and carried his Quaker ways in his dealings with all men.  In all his hunts and war pathes and captivities and explorations, he killed three indians, and regretted every one until his last days. 




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