Fur, Fortune, and Empire

The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America

From the best-selling author of Leviathan comes this sweeping narrative of one of America’s most historically rich industries. Beginning his epic history in the early 1600s, Eric Jay Dolin traces the dramatic rise and fall of the American fur trade industry, from the first Dutch encounters with the Indians to the rise of the conservation movement in the late 19th century.

Dolin shows how the fur trade, driven by the demands of fashion, sparked controversy, fostered economic competition, and fueled wars among the European powers as North America became a battleground for colonization and imperial aspirations.

The trade in beaver, buffalo, sea otter, and other animal skins spurred the exploration and the settlement of the vast American continent, while it alternately enriched and gravely damaged the lives of America’s native peoples.

Populated by a larger-than-life cast, including Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant, President Thomas Jefferson, America’s first millionaire John Jacob Astor, and mountain man Kit Carson, Fur, Fortune, and Empire is the most comprehensive and compelling history of the American fur trade ever written.

©2010 Eric Jay Dolin (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“[An] absorbing story…Dolin, author of the acclaimed Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America, offers another good history well told.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“A delightful history, reminding readers that while noble ideals led to the settling of the United States, the fur trade paid the bills.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Great book!!

Really a great source of info on the mountain man and history of the fur trade from the 1600s to the late 1800’s

Very well written

Interesting in many ways, great story which coincides with American founding. Read this book, it’s very well written.

Great Coverage

Excellent background information on why and how the many countries sent men over to participate in the fur trade. Motivations are explained for countries, Indians & individuals on why the fur trade business made great business sense and then what it became by the corrupting influences.

Starts a little slow, but…

…gradually gained momentum until, as the author promised, he leaves us (wanting more) on the precipice of Teddy Roosevelt. Most refreshing is the author’s refusal to digress into a politically correct ethnic or environmental tirade. Clearly plenty of terrible repercussions from the fur trade…(and he doesn’t ignore the same)…yet he is not out to catalogue villainies or apportion blame. He relates history in an evenhanded and fair manner and is rarely sidetracked by virtue signaling.

interesting story

somewhat slow at times, with lots of detail that didn't make the pace any better