William H. Scurlock

This is the second installment of a series of books about "Buckskinng". Outside of doing historical research at universities, libraries, and historical societies, this book and others like it are just about the only places you can find information that will allow you to imitate this historical time period. Otherwise unless you are friends with a current buckskinner you are out of luck recreating the past. Even if you don't become involved in the hobby, finding out about early American life and equipment can be fascinating. Most people today would only try out the projects included if they were forced to, their loss!… (mehr)

I found it hard to start reading this book, due to the large volume of 'muzzleloading/mountain man' philosophy and background that was included. I understand that the guns are a big part of the 'rendezvous' experience - but that's not my interest, at all. I got the series of books, in order to find out information about sources for materials, as well as patterns and other 'research' based information. Modern 'mountain man' philosophy isn't really something I needed or wanted to know. Many of the stories of some of the first modern rendezvous seemed to be a 'you had to be there' type experience, which wasn't helpful to me.

However, this was the first book of the series, and the target audience may very well have gotten encouragement and support for their chosen hobby by reading these stories. The book is a collection of articles from people big in the buckskinning, rendezvous, and muzzleloading interest groups.

I will be reading the other books in the series, which seem to focus more on the 'how-to' aspects of making gear, which is really my interest.… (mehr)