That Dark and Bloody River

Chronicles of the Ohio River Valley

By: Allan W. Eckert

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

An epic novel by an award-winning author chronicles the settling of the Ohio River Valley, home to the defiant Shawnee Indians, who vow to defend their land against the seemingly unstoppable.

They came on foot and by horseback, in wagons and on rafts, singly and by the score, restless, adventurous, enterprising, relentless, seeking a foothold on the future. European immigrants and American colonists, settlers and speculators, soldiers and missionaries, fugitives from justice and from despair-pioneers all, in the great and inexorable westward expansion defined at its heart by the majestic flow of the Ohio River. This is their story, a chronicle of monumental dimension, of resounding drama and impact set during a pivotal era in our history: the birth and growth of a nation.

Drawing on a wealth of research, both scholarly and anecdotal-including letters, diaries, and journals of the era-Allan W. Eckert has delivered a landmark of historical authenticity, unprecedented in scope and detail.

©1995 Allan W. Eckert (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

Eckert has fashioned an epic narrative history of the struggle for dominance of the Ohio River Valley that makes compelling reading. -Publishers Weekly

Wonderful history of the Upper Ohio River Valley

Loved it! Listened to it every day. Very accurate telling of our history in the Wheeling WV area.

Another great book by Eckert!

I have read all of Eckert’s books, including this one, and just had to listen to the reading of it and so glad I did! Well worthwhile.

We are lucky to live in such relative peace today in America

Incredibly well researched and smoothly written. I gave four stars instead of five simply because the length and brutal violence make it hard to get through at times, in the same way it’s hard to get through Shirer’s Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Yet, when the book ended, I wanted it to continue through history, following the times of Tecumseh. This part of American history is not often discussed, least of all with a goal of objectiveness or accuracy. Eckert’s research goes far and wide to get as close as we can to both. The book is very long, and dark and bloody indeed. But it is absolutely worth the listen.

A look back into early america

I truly enjoyed this book especially the details of all the multitude of life events of the early pioneers. I have listened to many book on American history and usually find them well written and presented. this was no acception.

History of a Time of Turmoil and Loss

Great collection of info about the Native Americans in Ohio and Pennsylvania during the 1700s. Crazy stories and wild adventures. Loved it. Awesome narration.