Robert M. Utley is a preeminent historian of the West and the author of numerous award-winning books, including The Last Days of the Sioux Nation; Frontiersmen in Blue: The United States Army and the Indian, 1848–1865 (Nebraska, 1981); Custer and the Great Controversy: The Origin and Development of a Legend (Nebraska, 1998); and Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life (Bison Books, 1991).

"The definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier. . . . Very readable and impressively detailed."—New York Times Book Review "[Utley's] narrative of the trappers is entrancingly delivered. . . . A magnificent read."—Booklist "From a veteran historian of the West, a fine account of early American explorers. . . . A broad, vividly written work of historical reconstruction."—Kirkus Reviews "Reads like a well-spun novel."—Wild West "Robert Utley does a remarkable job in chronicling this unequaled segment of American history. He brings, with his easy-to-read style, the hazy images most of us have of obscure but nonetheless fearless heroes from our past into crystal clear focus."—Southwest Book Views "An authentic story that is anecdotal and very readable."—Richard H. Dillon, True West Magazine "Utley's volume makes excellent reading. It is fast paced, entertaining, and very well researched. . . . Added to his already impressive list of books, After Lewis and Clark solidifies Utley's reputation as one of the foremost scholars and entertaining writers on the West." —Joe Knetsch, Journal of America's Military Past

Robert M. Utley is a preeminent historian of the West and the author of numerous award-winning books, including The Last Days of the Sioux Nation; Frontiersmen in Blue: The United States Army and the Indian, 1848–1865 (Nebraska, 1981); Custer and the Great Controversy: The Origin and Development of a Legend (Nebraska, 1998); and Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life (Bison Books, 1991).

"The definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier. . . . Very readable and impressively detailed."—New York Times Book Review "[Utley's] narrative of the trappers is entrancingly delivered. . . . A magnificent read."—Booklist "From a veteran historian of the West, a fine account of early American explorers. . . . A broad, vividly written work of historical reconstruction."—Kirkus Reviews "Reads like a well-spun novel."—Wild West "Robert Utley does a remarkable job in chronicling this unequaled segment of American history. He brings, with his easy-to-read style, the hazy images most of us have of obscure but nonetheless fearless heroes from our past into crystal clear focus."—Southwest Book Views "An authentic story that is anecdotal and very readable."—Richard H. Dillon, True West Magazine "Utley's volume makes excellent reading. It is fast paced, entertaining, and very well researched. . . . Added to his already impressive list of books, After Lewis and Clark solidifies Utley's reputation as one of the foremost scholars and entertaining writers on the West." —Joe Knetsch, Journal of America's Military Past

Robert M. Utley is a preeminent historian of the West and the author of numerous award-winning books, including The Last Days of the Sioux Nation; Frontiersmen in Blue: The United States Army and the Indian, 1848–1865 (Nebraska, 1981); Custer and the Great Controversy: The Origin and Development of a Legend (Nebraska, 1998); and Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life (Bison Books, 1991).

"The definitive study of the decisive role mountain men played in the exploration and expansion of the Western frontier. . . . Very readable and impressively detailed."—New York Times Book Review "[Utley's] narrative of the trappers is entrancingly delivered. . . . A magnificent read."—Booklist "From a veteran historian of the West, a fine account of early American explorers. . . . A broad, vividly written work of historical reconstruction."—Kirkus Reviews "Reads like a well-spun novel."—Wild West "Robert Utley does a remarkable job in chronicling this unequaled segment of American history. He brings, with his easy-to-read style, the hazy images most of us have of obscure but nonetheless fearless heroes from our past into crystal clear focus."—Southwest Book Views "An authentic story that is anecdotal and very readable."—Richard H. Dillon, True West Magazine "Utley's volume makes excellent reading. It is fast paced, entertaining, and very well researched. . . . Added to his already impressive list of books, After Lewis and Clark solidifies Utley's reputation as one of the foremost scholars and entertaining writers on the West." —Joe Knetsch, Journal of America's Military Past