| An exciting and very interesting historical book about | | | | more aggression from those they found in the newer |
| the early fur trade and life in the 1800's. Some of the | | | | areas. |
| names were changed and/or created to enhance the | | | | The author created some real fascinating characters |
| storyline. "The Trade" begins in 1822 Canada where | | | | in the story, some that made friends for life, or so |
| beaver were the key to success for any group, | | | | they thought, took a wife or two or more in several |
| white, Indian, or half-breed. The times and living were | | | | occasions producing children that had a father but |
| very crude. Rum consumption was the key ingredient | | | | who he was they never knew. These men were |
| in most lives making some crueler than they would | | | | physically very crude and mentally, highly challenged |
| normally be and in some situations, the actions | | | | with too much time alone or with others that never |
| furthered by the rum made far too many so "out of | | | | spoke unless it was a threat to kill, hurt, or maim. |
| it" that they went as far as to kill in that out-of-mind | | | | Many, especially the Indians and half-breeds, cut |
| rum mindset. There was a Governor in charge of the | | | | themselves on purpose in many areas of their bodies |
| area appointed by Great Britain but he was so out of | | | | just to look fiercer. Several who appeared |
| touch from his superiors that his superiors rarely | | | | throughout the book were Ted Harriott, One Pound |
| knew his actions. The Governor traveled around from | | | | One, Jimmy Jock Bird, their wives, their children, and |
| camp to fort to groups throughout the area and he | | | | of course, the Governor. The book takes them on |
| was law. He made appointments as to who would be | | | | their travels in the entire area over the course of |
| the leader of certain areas called the Chief Trader. | | | | many years, tells of their aging, their mental state, |
| The Chief Trader was law unless the Governor was | | | | their desire to be Chief Trader in most cases, and |
| in camp when, in most situations, he would stay clear | | | | their love as well as their hatred of those wives. |
| of the Governor. | | | | I learned so much history reading The Trade both |
| The Hudson Bay Company had recently taken over | | | | with how people lived and existed in those days and |
| the North West Company and when joined, the | | | | their general lack of concern of any fellow human |
| combined companies had too many workers and had | | | | being. You travel in all types of weather with many |
| to find ways to trim jobs. Beaver were getting more | | | | obstacles, both human and animal, and cringe at how |
| scarce every year making the expeditions exploring | | | | they did survive, if one can call it surviving! |
| areas out from the forts go farther and meeting | | | | |