Edward Garboczi
Tag: Book Review
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When we think about famous frontiersmen who lived in the Eastern United States, two names come to mind: Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. These men were famous for their daring and their character. The best book about Daniel Boone that I have ever read, and I have read a number of such books, is Daniel Boone, Wilderness Scout, by Stewart Edward White. The opening of Kentucky, mainly carried out by Boone, is an especially thrilling story, and his sterling character shines through. This book is suitable for a high school level reader. Although the Landmark book about Daniel Boone is very good, and at a bit lower reading level, White’s book is better. I would start with the Landmark book then turn to White’s book.
Davy Crockett is the other frontiersman that we all remember. He was from Tennessee and made his early reputation in that state. He became a four-term Congressman around the time when Andrew Jackson was President and brought his homespun wisdom and sayings into the rarified air of the Nation’s Capital. Constance Rourke’s book Davy Crockett is a good biography of this famous man and covers his whole life, though his death is perhaps the main reason that we remember Crockett. At age 50, he went to Texas in 1836 to help fight the War for Texan Independence. He was one of the defenders of the Alamo who either died in battle or was captured and executed immediately after the battle by Mexican General Santa Anna – historians are not quite sure. My wife and I saw the Alamo in October, 2025. This visit was a lifelong dream. There is a statue of Davy Crockett in front of the Alamo church, right where he served, defending the wall of the fort, memorializing his sacrifice there. Just as for Daniel Boone, I would start with the Landmark book on Davy Crockett, which is at a lower reading level, then turn to Rourke’s book, which is more at the high school level.
When we think about famous frontiersmen who lived in the Eastern United States, two names come to mind: Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. These men were famous for their daring and their character. The best book about Daniel Boone that I have ever read, and I have read a number of such books, is Daniel Boone, Wilderness Scout, by Stewart Edward White. The opening of Kentucky, mainly carried out by Boone, is an especially thrilling story, and his sterling character shines through. This book is suitable for a high school level reader. Although the Landmark book about Daniel Boone is very good, and at a bit lower reading level, White’s book is better. I would start with the Landmark book then turn to White’s book.
Davy Crockett is the other frontiersman that we all remember. He was from Tennessee and made his early reputation in that state. He became a four-term Congressman around the time when Andrew Jackson was President and brought his homespun wisdom and sayings into the rarified air of the Nation’s Capital. Constance Rourke’s book Davy Crockett is a good biography of this famous man and covers his whole life, though his death is perhaps the main reason that we remember Crockett. At age 50, he went to Texas in 1836 to help fight the War for Texan Independence. He was one of the defenders of the Alamo who either died in battle or was captured and executed immediately after the battle by Mexican General Santa Anna – historians are not quite sure. My wife and I saw the Alamo in October, 2025. This visit was a lifelong dream. There is a statue of Davy Crockett in front of the Alamo church, right where he served, defending the wall of the fort, memorializing his sacrifice there. Just as for Daniel Boone, I would start with the Landmark book on Davy Crockett, which is at a lower reading level, then turn to Rourke’s book, which is more at the high school level.