This book is a collection of some of the most important works of Francis Parkman, one of the most celebrated historians of the American West. It includes his classic account of the Oregon Trail, as well as his vivid sketches of life on the prairies and in the Rocky Mountains. With detailed historical context and insightful analysis, this book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of the American West. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.