Take a trip to the Pacific Northwest in Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition and Survival. This little known story follows two groups during the early nineteenth century — one traveling by land, the other by sea — as they attempt to colonize what is now the coast of Washington state. Drawing mostly from the explorers’ journals and letters, author Peter Stark uses astute detail to take readers on this epic journey west. Stark skillfully introduces multiple individuals while keeping the plot moving, explaining the adventurers’ difficult physical journey, as well as the heavy psychological toll and clash of cultures with the Indians tribes. The book’s epilogue also provides interesting author commentary on what might have caused the explorers’ hardships. A fantastic read!
Content Analysis:
Language/Profanity: 3 religious exclamations, 1 mild obscenity, 2 derogatory names.
Violence/Gore: Several verbal threats from local Indian tribes; several secondhand reports of violence involving shipwreck, torture, Indian attacks, beatings and ransacking an Indian village and suspicions of cannibalism; several brief scenes of violence involving Indian attacks, attempted suicide, a boating accident; several non-detailed scenes of violent death including suicide, hangings, explosions and characters shot with arrows; a few scenes of blood and gore involving torture and scalping; a brief scene of intense violence regarding the death of Captain Cook; an extended scene of violence involving an Indian massacre.
Sex/Nudity: A brief, non-sexual depiction of nudity; a few sexual references; reported sexual activity through the Indian’s sexual bartering.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death of family members, war, suicide and attempted suicide, racial tensions, massacre, hangings, torture, physical and emotional hardships due to starvation, isolation and trauma.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Individuals frequently smoke and drink.
