Across the Wide Missouri
Encyclopedia
Across the Wide Missouri (ISBN 0-395-92497-9) is a 1947 historical work by Bernard DeVoto
. It is the second volume of a trilogy that includes The Year of Decision (1942) and The Course of Empire (1952).
Across the Wide Missouri is a history of the fur trade
in the American West during the 1830s, a time when it was at its peak. The trapping of beaver
and other animals caused conflict between the trappers and the various Indian
tribes of the Upper Missouri River
Basin.
The book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History
in 1948.
Bernard DeVoto
Bernard Augustine DeVoto was an American historian and author who specialized in the history of the American West.- Life and work :He was born in Ogden, Utah...
. It is the second volume of a trilogy that includes The Year of Decision (1942) and The Course of Empire (1952).
Across the Wide Missouri is a history of the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
in the American West during the 1830s, a time when it was at its peak. The trapping of beaver
American Beaver
The North American Beaver is the only species of beaver in the Americas, native to North America and introduced to South America. In the United States and Canada, where no other species of beaver occurs, it is usually simply referred to as "beaver"...
and other animals caused conflict between the trappers and the various Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes of the Upper Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
Basin.
The book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History
Pulitzer Prize for History
The Pulitzer Prize for History has been awarded since 1917 for a distinguished book upon the history of the United States. Many history books have also been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography...
in 1948.