Fur, Fortune and Empire: The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America by Eric Jay Dolin

NEW! Traces the dramatic rise and fall of the American fur industry, from the first Dutch encounters with Native Americans to the rise of the conservation movement in the late 19th century. Hardcover, 442 pages, 6-1/2" X 9-1/2".

Best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin chronicles the epic story of the fur trade in America, from its beginnings with the Dutch and beyond the War of 1812. Dolin weaves the story of the fur trade into the fabric of America's history, showing how this economic engine drove exploration and settlement ever westward. Dolin explains how the struggle for dominance in the trade fueled rivalries and sparked wars. He exams the role of Native Americans, along with those of Euro-American explorers and settlers. The cast of players includes Capt. James Cook, Thomas Jefferson, John Jacob Astor, Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith.