New York History Book

While most young readers will respond to stories of the early American West, there is little more exciting or educational than a factual account of those days. OFF LIKE THE WIND, The First Ride of the Pony Express is a prime example of a true account that holds more thrills than any fictional cowboy tale could possibly offer.

Illustrated by Layne Johnson's oil paintings this is a book that young ones will want in their libraries and perhaps some day pass on to children of their own. The account of the first Pony Express ride is a story filled with courage, endurance, excitement, and perseverance.

Three businessmen who made their lives carrying wagon loads of goods across the West came up with the idea of building a series of stations across our country from the east to California and the western territories so that a rider might carry mail along this route. With stations every 15 miles or so the rider would be able to change horses at every station.

Obviously, it would take plucky young men to be riders and one was certainly found in Johnny Fry, the first man to take this history making ride. Some 100 stations were placed along the nearly 2,000 mile trail. He carried mail "in small locked pouches called micelles."

Spradlin chronicles the 11 day journey from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Each day is accompanied by a description of the land being crossed and the hazards faced plus a stunning full page painting. A map of the Pony Express route, which actually covered a total of 1,840 miles is found on the endpapers.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke