When you write a fictional account of a real event, you better have the facts straight. With SNOWBOUND, Richard S. Wheeler is definitely up for the challenge. The story is based on not only a real person, explorer John Charles Frémont, but one of his darkest episodes in his life.
That episode can only be described as a disaster of epic proportions. For those unfamiliar, Frémont’s fourth expedition dealt with trying to find a railway route on the 38th parallel, but got stuck in the snowy Colorado mountains. It seems Frémont was definitely a man who could not be swayed from what he thought was a brilliant idea, even if it wasn’t.
Wheeler does a fantastic job of turning this true story into a novel, with each chapter being told from the perspective of one of the party. Some were right there with Frémont throughout the excursions, while others relate the tale from the scouting group. The man-vs.nature story takes a serious dark turn later in the story when supplies are running low. Even when Fremont makes it to an area where his party can regroup, he has already lost most of them, yet he still wants to push on.
This is fantastic read, and while history buffs might know the basics of Frémont’s plight already, they’ll love how Wheeler has made it even more accessible in his retelling. This is the type of book history teachers should have their high school students read, since it gives one of the most accurate portrayals of crossing the country at that time. Add to the fact that it’s such a fast read, it won’t disappoint or be bogged down like a bulk of historical fiction.
In other words, this ain’t no WAGON TRAIN. —Bruce Grossman
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• FROM HELL TO MIDNIGHT by Richard S. Wheeler
Related posts:
- Snowbound / Games
- The Arcanum
- BULLETS, BROADS, BLACKMAIL & BOMBS >> Even Spies Start Small
- Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero
- BULLETS, BROADS, BLACKMAIL & BOMBS >> Freeze Frame
