Reviews for A Journey to Ohio In 1810

The average rating for A Journey to Ohio In 1810 based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-10-13 00:00:00 Jeff Bayless I wish I could make it more interesting --I write just as I feel & think at the moment & I feel as much in haste to write every thing that occurs, as if you could know it the moment it was written - This was a used book store find and, being a historical journal, combined with being a trip to Ohio, It perked my interest. It's a curious thing, sitting inside an electrically heated and cooled space, near refrigerated food, and right down the road from a multitude of grocery stores, in 2015, reading a two-hundred and five year old journal written by a twenty year old woman as she traveled the country with her family through the wild countryside in a wagon. As such, this won't be so much of a review, which wouldn't be very fair to the author, as it will be a few comments on the journal itself. As a historical document it's incredibly valuable --a first hand recording of a family's journey over six-hundred miles creates a very personal link between the writer, the reader, and the history, especially with the somewhat personal nature of Margaret's entries. Margaret Van Horn Dwight was born into education and influence, her father being the brother of the president of Yale. With her father's death in 1796 she went to live with her grandmother, who was the daughter of renown Christian preacher and revivalist Jonathan Edwards. Because of this Margaret was raised in a very religious home, which bleeds through in her journal entries. She's a bit heavy with the judgments, scathing with her prejudice, and unforgiving with her assumptions. She doesn't much care for anyone that isn't of her stock, though she does come to appreciate a few of her fellow travelers as the journey continues. No doubt this can be viewed as the cultural influences of the period along with the blending of lifestyles and exposure to varied upbringings that lead to her presuppositions and remarks. It's somewhat interesting reading about her descriptions of the various taverns, private residences, and towns she stays in along the way, though it's heavily saturated by her lively descriptions of how dirty the blankets and pillows are, and how much racket and noise the unpleasant company of Dutch are making while she attempts to write. Her adventure is a difficult one, traveling in such a way, and her spirits are usually down. They are the very worst wretches that ever liv'd, I do believe, --I am out of all patience with them. -The whole world nor anything in it, would tempt me to stay in this State (Pennsylvania) three months -I dislike everything belonging to it I don't know if this is something that I would recommend, though one can read through it in an hour or so. As I said previously, this is an interesting historical document, and a window into the life of a young woman who is on a, very likely terrifying, journey over six-hundred miles to a new home after having left all she knows behind. I would not write if I could do anything else-- but I can not even think good thoughts- It is enjoyable to read in some stretches, though it isn't a story in the sense that it provides anything other than her own private narrative of the journey. I would be curious to read other documents on the journey in order to compare the descriptions and hardships reported. An interesting read, and a valuable insight into life several hundred years ago. Margaret would eventually succeed on her journey, meet her husband in Warren, marry, and have thirteen children. The introduction states that other documents Margaret was "a lady of remarkable sweetness and excellence, and devoutly religious." I will leave you with one of the most humorous passages where, after encountering a number of 'disagreeable' passerby's, Margaret leaves us with some insight as to her preferences: Among my list of cast offs, I would rank Dutchman, a Pennsylvania waggoner, ditto gentlemen -for their prophanity- & a Slut.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-03-31 00:00:00 Maruja Lawhun A well written and very informative book on the 1871 Chicago Fire. I knew it was a dissertation before reading it, but.was so pleased to find it very readable, unlike my own, and engaging. The book focuses on the social, economic and political effects of the fire waon the general population of the city. The author does a very good job of keeping own opinions out of the picture she paints. ? There is so much that I learned about the events and I discovered that I was more upset by the nefarious shenanigans of people like lawyer Wirt Dexter,and others who did they damndest to keep monies that were allotted to the poor from ever helping those who were effected negatively by the fire. Good book I'd recommend it to many.