Other editions of book Backbone of the World: A Personal Account of the American Rocky Mountain Fur Trade 1822-1824

A coming-of-age story of the first two years of the Rocky Mountain fur trade, 1822-24. It is told in his own words by Temple Buck, an Ohio-born lad whose rollicking tale begins with growing up in the Ohio wilderness, how he is kidnapped aboard evil Mike Fink‟s keelboat, is rescued by a beautiful St. Louis madam, and finally enlists in Ashley and Henry‟s first expedition up the Missouri River to the beaver-rich Rockies and a wealth of adventure and undreamed-of new experiences. This painstakingly researched tale blends historical and fictional characters in a colorful tapestry of actual events spiced with bloody battles, Indian customs and characters, homespun humor, and earthy romance. If you‟ve ever wished for absolute freedom and hair-raising adventure in the early Old West, come along with Temple and his trapper companions and breathe the free, pure air of the Rocky Mountains!

The first book in an exciting adventure series—the Temple Buck Quartet—that chronicles the rise and fall of the American Rocky Mountain fur trade, this volume is a coming-of-age story set in the first two years of the fur trade, 1822–24. Temple Buck is a young man whose rollicking tale begins with growing up in the Ohio wilderness before he is kidnapped by an evil keelboat captain. After his rescue by a beautiful St. Louis madam, he finally enlists in the first expedition up the Missouri River to the beaver-rich Rockies for a wealth of adventure and new experiences. This painstakingly researched tale blends historical and fictional characters into a colorful tapestry of actual events spiced with bloody battles, Indian customs, homespun humor, and earthy romance.