The Zane Grey Frontier Trilogy: Betty Zane, The Last Trail, The Spirit of the Border

These three novels of the American frontier of the 1700's began one of the most storied careers in writing history. For a first novel, Betty Zane, has to rank as one of the best ever done by an inexperienced writer. And why it was rejected so many times is still a question many people must ask themselves after reading this book. Guided by a journal left by his ancestors Zane Grey crafted one of the most notalble works about one of the final battles of the American Revolution. Along the way, the reader will encournter many members of the Zane family, Lew Wetzel, and the Girty brothers, all real people; and Betty Zane, the heroine who saves Fort Henry. This book gives you a feeling of what it would have been like to live at that time and in that place. It is only fitting that such a book was the beginning of a literary career unsurpassed in the genre of historical romance. The Spirit of the Border is the second book in the Ohio Valley Trilogy. These books detail the life of the Zane family as they carved out a home and community in what was then the frontier, or the 'west'. Historically accurate as to the characters involved, except for the lead hero and heroine, these books are great history about a time and a place few people know about--the years leading up to and just after the American Revolution, and how these early pioneers lived, the conditions they faced, the outlaws they encountered, and the Indians who either made life miserable or who could become your greatest ally in survival. The chapters dealing with the Moravian missiionaries and the settlement the Indians called the Village of Peace and its destruction are worth the price of the book all by themselves. This book is an exellent read. The Last Trail is the final installment of the trilogy Zane Grey wrote about his ancestors and the part they played in the American Revolution, and the establishment of the frontier. This book focuses on Jonathan Zane and Lew Wetzel both "border men" who either lived with the Indians, or as in Wetzel's case fervently hated the red man. But without the likes of either there was no way the frontier could be made safe for the influx of settlers. This is the country where Zane Grey grew up, fished, and tramped through the woods learning the woodcraft and skill to know of which things he wrote with unsurpassed accuracy, and it shows in his books. Romanticized, to be sure, yet accurate to a T in history, this book makes for a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about this country in its earliest of days. I recommend it without hesitation. This collection is well worth the time to read and own for yourself.

These three novels of the American frontier of the 1700's began one of the most storied careers in writing history. For a first novel, Betty Zane, has to rank as one of the best ever done by an inexperienced writer. And why it was rejected so many times is still a question many people must ask themselves after reading this book. Guided by a journal left by his ancestors Zane Grey crafted one of the most notalble works about one of the final battles of the American Revolution. Along the way, the reader will encournter many members of the Zane family, Lew Wetzel, and the Girty brothers, all real people; and Betty Zane, the heroine who saves Fort Henry. This book gives you a feeling of what it would have been like to live at that time and in that place. It is only fitting that such a book was the beginning of a literary career unsurpassed in the genre of historical romance. The Spirit of the Border is the second book in the Ohio Valley Trilogy. These books detail the life of the Zane family as they carved out a home and community in what was then the frontier, or the 'west'. Historically accurate as to the characters involved, except for the lead hero and heroine, these books are great history about a time and a place few people know about--the years leading up to and just after the American Revolution, and how these early pioneers lived, the conditions they faced, the outlaws they encountered, and the Indians who either made life miserable or who could become your greatest ally in survival. The chapters dealing with the Moravian missiionaries and the settlement the Indians called the Village of Peace and its destruction are worth the price of the book all by themselves. This book is an exellent read. The Last Trail is the final installment of the trilogy Zane Grey wrote about his ancestors and the part they played in the American Revolution, and the establishment of the frontier. This book focuses on Jonathan Zane and Lew Wetzel both "border men" who either lived with the Indians, or as in Wetzel's case fervently hated the red man. But without the likes of either there was no way the frontier could be made safe for the influx of settlers. This is the country where Zane Grey grew up, fished, and tramped through the woods learning the woodcraft and skill to know of which things he wrote with unsurpassed accuracy, and it shows in his books. Romanticized, to be sure, yet accurate to a T in history, this book makes for a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about this country in its earliest of days. I recommend it without hesitation. This collection is well worth the time to read and own for yourself.