It seems that every generation must have its own take on Daniel Boone, both as a man and and as a symbol of the American thrust into the trans-Appalachian wilderness. We’re about to get another one…
Boone: An Unfinished Portrait by Daniel Firth Griffith.
Who was Daniel Boone? Was he a woodsman-philosopher or American Patriot? In this philosophical history, we peel back Daniel’s forest — gently of course, for leaves are fragile and we don’t want to disturb that beaver to your left as he creates an ecologically-rich wetland — and attempt to see him as he saw himself. Perhaps, in the naivety and purity of this place, we may also learn something about ourselves.
The author has an interesting background, which surely must inform his interpretation of Boone:
Daniel is a certified permaculture designer, Traditional Chinese Medicine student, horticulture and tree enthusiast, and regenerative farmer. Daniel is a also a published author on both Regenerative Agriculture and American History genres. His written work includes topics of animal husbandry and permaculture ethics within publications such as The Stockman Grass-farmer and The New Lyceum…. Daniel has degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and American History. Most importantly, however, he is the father to the sweetest girl and an undeserving husband to the most wonderful wife in the world.
The book will be published on October 22 by Robinia Press, which is described as:
...a regenerative and holistically-managed publishing house in Virginia, striving to produce content that inspires, leads change, and educates our community.
A sample chapter is available for download here, and a monograph titled Wanderlust in the West may be accessed here.
Readers of Frontier Partisans know that I am often frustrated by the tendency to tell the same stories again and again, focusing on a few frontier figures who have been famous since their own time, to the neglect of other stories that are just as compelling. And yet I have no room to bitch; my first podcast series will focus on Kit Carson. Why? Because Carson is a potent — and changeable — symbol of the American frontier experience. From his own time, he has been made into what people want and need him to be, be that a bold Prince of Pioneers or a genocidal proto-Nazi. Same goes for Daniel Boone. Their stories and what we make of them tell us a great deal about how we see ourselves. As the esteemed Paul A. Hutton puts it:
“If we look at Carson and feel uncomfortable, it’s because we’re looking in a mirror and seeing ourselves.”
That’s the resonance I was seeking for the first series — though I promise I will delve into the obscure with great relish in short order.
So, I’ll take another treatise on Daniel Boone and be grateful for it. To tell the truth, I’m really happy to see a young man with dirt on his hands engaging with the ur-myth of the American frontier. That can only be a good thing, right?
lane batot says
I really don’t mind rereading about certain famous historical figures over and over–just might not want to do it back-to-back(well, there was that time I had a “Geronimo-a-thon”, reading every book I had on Geronimo–considerable many–back-to-back, just to say I did it…..). It is always good to get multiple perspectives–some of them can be surprisingly opposite! Like Major Ridge of the Cherokees–you know that Chief Ridge who signed away(without the majority of his tribe’s consent) the Cherokee lands in the East. He is usually vilified as a traitor to his people, but one book I read(was it John Ehle’s “The Cherokees”?) portrayed him rather sympathetically. Plus, rereading about the same characters, or time in history(including rereading the SAME book multiple times!), really helps you to learn and remember the story–repetition IS the time tested way to LEARN something–for us and our dogs! So heck yeah, I can handle another Dan’l Boone telling! I recently acquired ALL SIX SEASONS of the old “Daniel Boone”(Fess Parker) TV series that I grew up with, and will soon indulge in a rewatch of THAT! Last time I saw THAT I was in Elementary School, so that will be a very interesting perspective to compare after all these years!
JimC says
The Daniel Boone revisit sounds like fun. Worthy of a post, I’d say.
lane batot says
Well, that might be awhile before I get through 6 seasons! I DO NOT “binge watch” ANYTHING. I don’t understand how anyone gets much out of, or enjoys doing that. I like to take my time and absorb. Also–dang! I have a hard time getting around to pecking out these comments, much less a whole posted subject! I don’t see how you do it! But we’ll see–maybe there will be a stretch of rainy, cold Winter days coming up(this Winter…..or the next…) that will keep me inside and more inclined to a computer project. There are several subjects I would like to get around to rambling about….. By-the-by–I made a mistake in the comment above(for anyone interested)–John Ehle’s book is titled “The Trail Of Tears” rather than “The Cherokees”(available cheapo on Amazon)…..
Lynda A. Sanchez says
Regarding your delving into Kit Carson, (and I think this is a great idea), I was saddened to learn yesterday evening that a panel of history professors was meeting with school officials to determine if Kit Carson elementary school in Albuquerque, NM should change its name. I don’t yet know the result, but as with so much of the “cancel” or tear down culture of late, the name will probably be changed since he was a man with no sympathy for the Native Americans he chased all over New Mexico–according to them anyway. The District is 80 percent Hispanic population. They have already changed the name of Oñate High School in Las Cruces. Good lessons in cowardice for our young people.
Lynda
JimC says
Paul A. Hutton is on that panel. They will surely change the name.
Lynda A. Sanchez says
hmmmm, well that is too bad. but as I said, this changing of names and tearing down of statues is a great example in the cowardice of our leaders.
enjoyed your other articles this time too.
las
Daniel Firth Griffith says
Well, while searching Google this evening for my title to see if it was finally indexed (the amazon page, that is), I stumbled upon this. I did a double take and realized that it was about me, my background, and my work. I guess publishing a book on such a figure means that this is only the beginning, but I am happy to know it is worthy of a post, for good or ill. I do apprecaite your notes on my “bio.” Yes, I own a 400-acre farm (wildtimshel.com) and dirt is often under my nails, or cow manure, really. I am happier that way.
I do want to note that the oringial “monograph,” as you call it, was my graduate thesis, an academic and poorly written work that i completed to graduate from college. The finished and much, much updated work (book) is more than twice as long, much more in depth and rich, and is a result of 4 years of academic study post graduation.
Wish you all well. Seems like you are doing something very fine here with Frontier Partisans.
JimC says
Thanks for stopping by the campfire. i am very much looking forward to your book.