I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC for this title. As a long-time history student, I was interested in this book as soon as I heard of its upcoming publication. I have read a lot of early American history books, but the only ones that make my bookshelf are the ones like BLOOD AND TREASURE.
First, what it is not: (1) It is NOT an elementary narrative of just Daniel Boone; (2) It is NOT a boring recitation of details and facts lacking any human elements; and (3) It is NOT 1,000 pages long, although it could easily be longer for Daniel Boone.
Second, what it is: (1) It IS a “man and his times” story, allowing the reader to know what was happening politically & culturally before, during, and after each of Boone’s adventures; (2) It IS a great story that captures the reader in Boone’s world; and (3) It IS only a little over 400 pages, including notes and bibliography.
The only criticism that I have is related to the scarcity of relevant maps. Any book that covers a large area and continually involves battles and troop movements should provide a framework of geographical reference. This increases the sense of reality to the narrative, and relates it to the cities, hills, valleys, and paths still surviving today.
There is no doubt that Daniel Boone was an extraordinary pioneer in a very dangerous age. He was a great leader, adventurer, fighter, and hero to many people in the swiftly growing western expansion of the late 1700s. Blood and Treasure is exactly the type of book he deserves. It is also the kind of book all of us (both amateur and professional historians) can enjoy and keep on our shelves to share with others.

Blood and Treasure by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin is an awesome book that delves into the history of Daniel Boone, the expansion into the lands of the western frontier, the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, and so much more. It was gripping from beginning to end.

I know this is a nonfiction book, however the smooth way that the prose was written and how well the narrative unfolded at times made it all seem so exciting and flawless as if I was reading a fictional account.

I learned so much more about Daniel, different viewpoints from the colonists, the Native Americans, British citizens, and events that are a part of our American history that I truly could not appreciate when it was first presented to me in middle school. Now as an adult, I see and understand things differently.

Is our past as a nation unblemished and perfect? Nope. We were flawed in many ways, and definitely were in the wrong in several ways on our quest for our own independence and should have done many things differently, but that isn’t what happened. We need to learn what really occurred, why, what was right and wrong despite the century differences, and how we can modify things for the future (if applicable).

I really enjoyed learning so much more about Daniel Boone then I could have ever imagined. He is a fascinating and complex figure that is an integral part of our nation’s history.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/20/21.

Blood and Treasure is an account of Daniel Boone's life. It discusses the development of the wilds of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. It is essentially a romanticized whitewashing of the Native American genocide.

The truly gripping story of Daniel Boone and the times he lived in. I really learned a lot about the events proceeding and surrounding the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War.
I can recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand better the founding of this country, and our relationship to the native Americans who were already here.

BLOOD AND TREASURE by the writing team of Bob Drury and Tom Clavin balances readability and research perfectly. Fast-paced and thrilling at times, so much so that it's easy to overlook the depth of information presented about the land beyond the Appalachians and the people of Colonial America (and later the United States) who wished to populate it. I was struck by how intertwined some white settlers and hunters were with the Shawnee and other tribes they encounters and how quickly those relations descended into brutality and killing. Those readers interested in maintaining the vision of Daniel Boone as portrayed by Fess Parker on TV over half a century ago, might want to think about not reading this book. But the 'real' Daniel Boone has a lot to offer as well, and Drury and Clavin have so artfully placed him within the context of the early frontier that I'll never think of him the same again.

This book was exactly what I was hoping for. Not only does it succeed as a concise, thorough, and meticulously researched account of the conquest of America's first frontier, it also manages to bring the people and events of this time and place exploding to life with colorful and surprisingly intimate details. The geography, history and storytelling are enough to give this book 4 stars, but the true magic (and thus, 5 stars) comes from how it reveals the soul and character of the people that created this chapter in U.S. history without any sort of political commentary. The authors let the facts speak for themselves and , in turn, reveal a picture of a nation that is deeply flawed at its core despite how badly it wants to think of itself as a superior model for the rest of the world. The truth is, this country will never be "great" until we come to grips with our horrific past and go through a genuine and authentic reckoning. We are simply not who we think we are...and, sadly, we never have been.

“Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man.”

So begins the music for the popular TV show (from 50 plus years ago) “Daniel Boone.”

The story of this big man is brought to life again in “Blood and Treasure” a historical biography by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, that looks at Boone’s life through the resources of the past, and lens of current thinking. Subtitled, “the Fight for America's First Frontier”, this book is more than just facts and sources, it is an exciting presentation of the times surrounding and including the American Revolutionary War.

Daniel Boone is known as a frontiersman and explorer. He was not book smart, but he was life smart. And he lived through and actively participated in amazing times- the French and Indian Wars and the Revolutionary War. He helped rediscover the Cumberland Gap and the “Warriors Path” and he established settlements in Kentucky- Boonesborough- and other places in the “New Frontier.” He rescued his daughter from an Indian kidnapping, and he himself was taken captive in Ohio. Despite his dangerous adventures, he lived to be 85 years old and was still “erect in form, strong in limb, unflinching in spirit.”

This book, carefully written, is engaging- even the footnotes are fascinating. While the story of Boone is a highlight, the book also examines the events of the strife with the Indians as western expansion, and wars with the French, and British combined to create a time of danger, unrest, and cruelty. Many historical figures make an appearance in this book. (The authors explain their use of the word “Indian” because it was the term used during those times.)

I noticed that in other reviews of this book, many readers could relate to this book because they had ancestors who had had followed in Daniels Boone’s path. Anyone who likes, history, and exciting adventures will enjoy Blood and Treasure.

Thank you to authors Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review!

Amazing.

This is possibly the best history book I have read for a long time. Kudos to the authors for clear, concise, and engaging prose and substantial research. By the time I was only 25% of the way through the galley I had already learned a lot about the Native American tribes that existed in the 1700’s. I also learned a huge amount about the French and Indian Wars and how the French and British recruited Native American tribes to fight the colonists.

The book focuses on Daniel Boone and contemporaneous events such as the Revolutionary War. Boone and his travel are placed in the center and events are explained around him. And not just events like treaties and wars. The context of his world is explained at each relevant point, including the vast numbers of beaver that lived in wild areas, the extensive range of the American Buffalo in the 1700’s, and the botany of certain areas. Boone lived from 1734 to 1820, so his life was a part of the infancy of the nation.

Numerous colonists, Native Americans, British, and Canadians are profiled when they are introduced into the timeline. This adds important background for understanding the actions of people living at the time, and most importantly, Daniel Boone.

The story ranges from the northeast in Pennsylvania, down to Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and even the British Colonies of East Florida and West Florida. Exploration of the Illinois Territory and fighting there during the Revolutionary War is also covered.

Emphasis is given to Boone’s search for and experiences in the Native Americans’ storied land of Kanta ke (Kentucky). In going into wild lands where Native Americans lived, he was captured at least 3 times, the last time with the result that he was adopted into the Shawnee tribe. Adoption could be a brutal process and happened to both white and black people.

The narrative covers significant amounts of Native American history. I had no idea Potawotami and Chippewa Indians fought colonists on the British side. Large numbers of Shawnee, Delaware, and Mingo also fought on behalf of the British in the western territories. Also discussed are numerous brutal raids, battles, and skirmishes with what could be called atrocities or war crimes on both sides of the fence. The authors cite a statistic that during the entirety of the Revolutionary War, the mortality rate of colonists in the 13 Colonies was 1%, while that of “westerly” colonists settling west of the Appalachians was a staggering 7%. I had no idea so much of the Revolutionary War was fought far to the west of the 13 Colonies.

This history is of particular interest to me since my family research has revealed that a portion of my father’s family lived in western Virginia, northwestern North Carolina, and northeastern Tennessee (not far from Kentucky), in the 1700s-1800s.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in Native American, Revolutionary War, or U.S. history in general.

Thank you to authors Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read such a fantastic book!

Drury and Clavin provide an intriguing and colorful study of the settling of America’s first western frontier through the lens of the life and times of Daniel Boone.

This book does not dwell on Boone apart from his historical context, but examines the larger push westward from the pre-Revolutionary period and the French and Indian War up to Boone’s death in 1820. Examining this topic through the lens of Boone’s life allows for the introduction of human drama into the historical period (opening with the murder of his son James). Boone is particularly relevant in this way given his lifelong fascination with Native American cultures and the land, both of which would be challenged and changed by the movement he represented.

One strength is that the narrative helps to show the intersections and fluidity of frontier life in America. George Rogers Clark and George Washington are among those who appear in the course of Boone’s story. And while the Boone story if deeply connected with the settlement of Kentucky, it takes us from birth in Pennsylvania to death in Missouri – with frequent trips between North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana and Virginia.

The book ends with an examination of the claim that Boone’s legacy was an artificial product of mythologizing biographers and cultural products. The authors give a negative conclusion to this assessment based on their research. This book served as an opportunity for me to begin researching my own Boone ancestry.

This book is very well researched and written. While history books are often dry and boring, this one presents the events in an engaging way. It not only covers the fascinating life of Daniel Boone, but it also gives an in-depth look at the conflict between Native Americans and westward-moving settlers.

The biography of one of the arguably most famous frontiersman and explorers, is presented by authors Bob Drury and Tom Clavin in the book entitled “Blood and Treasure, Daniel Boone and the Fight for America’s First Frontier.” It is a well-researched and well-written book with lots of research notes.

Much has been written about Boone and his exploits including a TV show from the mid-1960s lasting until 1970. Even watching this show only provides a small glimpse of the man, his family, and his ambitions to go across the Appalachian Mountains. While the legend of the man was probably larger than life in some ways, his biography provides an intimate glimpse into the more mundane facts of daily life in the times.

Another thing that “Blood and Treasure” does is place Boone’s exploits and adventures in its space in the larger history. These adventures were happening before the American Revolution, during the French and Indian War, and during the Revolution itself. Boone died in 1820 so lots of adventure came his way and much history was made both by him and others.

The authors provide a detailed glimpse into the character of the man and others of his time as well as living conditions during the times. It is interesting that Boone did much traveling from the Yadkin Valley in NC over the mountains and beyond—not just once but several times.

For me, the background of Boone’s trip from Pennsylvania south was eye-opening as my own ancestors followed him south lagging by about 30 years. But this early history meses well with my own research on the migration of the times down the Great Wagon Road. So many Europeans landing in Pennsylvania came south mimicking the route of Boone, my ancestors, and others.

Many biographies are filled with a plethora of dates and happenings and can become ponderous. That is not the case with “Blood and Treasure.” To be sure there are lots of facts and figures, but the tome is not ponderous. I would not say it is a quick read, but it was an enjoyable one.

The biography is great for those interested in the early history of the early frontier period of colonial American and then the earliest days of the United States. It is also great for those who might have grown up watching or talking about Daniel Boone, the frontiersman. His life is so interwoven with the country’s history to read like one. I would definitely recommend it as whatever your preconceived notions are, I’d opine you will change at least some of your preconceived notions of both Boone and the country’s history.

An interesting story of the expansion of American civilization into the wilderness during the 18th century. The book is a biography of Daniel Boone but in a broader sense is a history of the subjugation of the native tribes.
Simon Girty, a white man who lived with the Indians, made the following speech before going into battle: “Brothers, the Long Knives have overrun your country and usurped your hunting grounds. They have destroyed the cane, trodden down the clover, killed the deer and the buffalo, the bear and the raccoon. The beaver has been chased from his dam and forced to leave the country. Were there a voice in the trees in the forest, it would call you to chase away these ruthless invaders who are leading it to waste.”

Daniel Boone‘s life is not glamorized, but he is depicted as he was: a great hunter and woodsman, an Indian fighter who honored the ways of the natives, a family man and a bold adventurer. His life was filled with loss and sadness, danger and adventure, and is much more interesting than the stories told on television. The book is well researched and written.
As an aside, I noted more sesquipedalian words in this book than any other book I have read. I was constantly using the dictionary function of my Kindle to find the meaning of a word that I’ve never seen before. I’ve read several books by Tom Clavin and have not noticed his other writings being overly verbose. It was sometimes distracting, but also educational.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Blood and Treasure explores Daniel Boone's life and is a great read for anyone interested in learning more about him as well as all the native tribes fighting settlers to keep their land. I didn't know much about him going into this book outside of him finding a passage through the Cumberland Gap, and some of what I did know was based on the myth of him. But wow did Boone have quite the fascinating life. His life is linked to many struggles of his times, giving readers great insight into all the tensions of the day from the French and Indian War to Lord Dunmore's war in Kentucky between settlers and natives. This book did a great job of humanizing Boone and showing how he was still very much just a man of his times.

When Daniel Boone's name comes up in a conversation, someone will sing the song. Most of us grew up watching the television series and Fess Parker will forever be Daniel Boone to many. But most of what is popularly known about Daniel Boone is fictionalized and there is really no need for his history to be fictionalized. He was a leader and explorer from a young age, always looking forward over the next hill, beyond the next trail. From birth, it seems he was destined to be a significant figure in the history of the expanding United States.

This book is non-fiction. It is one of the best life stories I have read in a long time and I read a lot. The authors have done an amazing amount of research, accumulating information from so many sources and managing to bring it all into a cohesive story that kept me reading long after I said, just one more chapter. There is no dull, slow moments in this book. It's my privilege to give it 5 stars. Let's hope these authors have an equally interesting subject for their next book. There is a next book, right?

Blood and Treasure is a biography of the pioneer, American hero, and trailblazer Daniel Boone. The authors, Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, in Blood and Treasure, tell a fascinating story of the man from his early childhood in Pennsylvania to his later years. Over the span of his lifetime, Daniel Boone explored, trapped, fought Indians, built forts, cabins, fathered nine or so children, and blazed trails thru the Appalachians that were previously inaccessible to settlers and most pioneers. The book sets out to dispel myths about Daniel Boone but the reader cannot help but be amazed at Daniel Boone nonetheless. An expert shot from the time he used his first rifle, Boone was also a trapper, hunter, surveyor, land speculator, and tradesman. Boone was a keen observer of Indian ways and knew survival medicine and how to repair the basic long and short rifles of his day. This book does not portray him as the cult television hero, but as a strong man, a survivor, and a true pathfinder and trailblazer. Boone himself did not like that he was portrayed as an Indian fighter, instead preferring that he be remembered historically as doing what he had to do to survive in the wilderness of his era. For lovers of the history of the age of Boone and the region around the Cumberland Gap and Kentucky where he spent many years of his prime, this is a must read. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review #BloodandTreasure.

Blood and Treasure, Daniel Boone and The Fight for the First Frontier by Bob Drury & Tom Clavin.
This is a comprehensive story of the life of Daniel Boone and how much he contributed to the expansion of American settlers and the understanding of the indigenous peoples already on this new land. As a young boy, Daniel learned so much from the Indian tribes that visited his homestead, opening up a new and almost alien culture to him. This would mark him in later life as a leader, pathfinder, and true frontiersman. The book is not dry or boring, it is actually an easy read with all the facts tied into the main theme of frontier knowledge and expansion. During the reading of each chapter, numbers pop up at the beginning of some paragraphs, and at the end of the chapter they explain in more detail references, terms, and ideas mentioned. I liked that because it made clear what had already been said and why. This book was a good look at life in the mid 1700's, and I recommend it.

historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, colonial America, American Rev War, Native American, explorers, family-dynamics, facing-death, firearms, fraud, friendship, fur-trade

I just gave up on giving this book the attention I wanted to give it and pre-ordered the audio version! This is nonfiction with mild embellishments. The facts are well researched but the embellishments are author comments and clarifications that make it so much more readable and memorable than a Charles River Editors thesis. It is so much more than a simple recounting of facts in a timeline fashion but a marginally fictionalized (read conversations) humanization of the people of the time. This is history at its finest in my book (sorry about the pun) warts and all. If you have time and attention to give the visual page, more power to you, I did not. But as I've said, I will simply have to wait until the more portable form is released. Well worth every penny!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

Full review on goodreads. Great piece of nonfiction. Although a little heavy at times and shared violence, it would suck in many people interested in the time period and Daniel Boone.

This is a first time author for me, I'll have to look up some other titles.

It is centered around the life of Daniel Boone but has so much history intertwined. It was very interesting and I took my time to try and absorb some of what was happening. The author describes how the white man came over from England to establish their own country while taking the Native American's land. The Indians were lied to and cheated, no wonder they went to war against the white people. It touches on historical wars of the time as well as the historic figures involved.

Very good read if you love history. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I have been fascinated with Daniel Boone since I was a girl and read everything about him I could get my hands on. I love history and especially the American frontier.

If you also enjoy history, here is a book rich and full with our early history as well as the life story of an amazing man. Recommended


“My footsteps have often been mixed with blood,” he told Filson. “Two darling sons and a brother have I lost by savage hands. But now I live in peace and safety in this delightful country.”

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion here is my own.