The conquest of the great Northwest, Volume 1 (of 2)

A sweeping portrait of the English fur‑trading empire unfolds as the author follows the bold adventurers of the Hudson’s Bay Company from the icy shores of Rupert’s Land deep into the untamed valleys of the Great Lakes, the Saskatchewan, and the western rivers. The narrative weaves together vivid maps, period illustrations and first‑hand accounts, giving listeners a sense of the rugged terrain and the daring spirit that drove traders, soldiers and explorers to carve routes through forests, across mountains and along mighty waterways.

Through lively storytelling the book captures the early ambitions of these “gentlemen adventurers,” their encounters with Indigenous peoples, and the fierce competition that pushed them toward the Pacific. It also hints at their far‑reaching schemes—ventures into the American West, secretive forays toward California, and even a foothold in Hawaii—setting the stage for a dramatic expansion that reshaped North America’s commercial landscape.