Paul Andrew Hutton’s The Undiscovered Country: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Shaping of the American West is a well-researched book that takes the reader through America’s westward expansion. Framing his narrative around seven emblematic figures (Daniel Boone, Red Eagle, Davy Crockett, Mangas Coloradas, Kit Carson, Sitting Bull, and Buffalo Bill Cody), Hutton takes us on a journey through nearly two centuries of American history in its eventual pursuit of “manifest destiny” of being a coast-to-coast nation.
From the “French and Indian War” in the mid 18th Century to the Wounded Knee massacre of 1890, Hutton dives into tales of ambition, violence, environmental ruin, and societal upheaval. The author presents a very balanced account that foregrounds Indigenous experiences alongside settler narratives. In today’s era of historical nonfiction writing, this balance is refreshing to see.
Hutton’s character-driven approach is the strongest aspect of the book, offering both depth and accessibility. This invites readers to ponder American identity through the lens of those who shaped and were impacted by the frontier. The stories and character development are at times methodical but serve a purpose, helping provide important context to particular events that shaped America’s expansion westward. The Undiscovered Country is a strong achievement in narrative history that is epic in scope, compassionate in tone, and unyieldingly honest in its portrayal of an era that defined a nation.
MY RATING: 4.5
