The Mountain Men

By John G. Neihardt
Includes: "The Song of Three Friends", "The Song of Hugh Glass", and "The Song of Jed Smith".

The Mountain Men, a collection of three "songs" (or poems) is part of a "cycle" by Neihardt. The first two songs in this book deal with "the ascent of the river and characteristic adventures of Ashley-Henry men in the country of the upper Missouri and Yellowstone. "The Song of Jed Smith" follows the first band of Americans through South Pass to the Great Salt Lake, the first band of Americans to reach Spanish California by an overland trail". Each "song" is broken down into smaller poems.
Neihardt was priviliged to know many of the men who fought in real western battles and men who knew the famous mountain men he talks about. He depends upon their narratives as much as any written accounts or histories. Reading any of his other books in the "cycle", such as The Twilight of the Sioux will add to your appreciation for this historical poet.

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