Washington!

by Dana Fuller Ross

Book Overview

The Civil War is over. North and South, battle-weary soldiers are returning home. But wounded veteran Toby Holt, son of legendary wagon-master Whip Holt, is riding west to claim a homestead on the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553209191
• ISBN13: 9780553209198
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Settling Washington & Building A Coast-To-Coast Railroad

Dana Fuller Ross' panoramic saga of America's great expansion into the western territories is some of the most intelligent, well written historic fiction I have read. The books trace the lives of the pioneers, Americans and immigrants from the North and South, Caucasians, Blacks, Asians and Native Americans, who daily waged a battle of survival. "Washington" is Book 9 in a series of 24 novels which truly bring history to life during one of the United States' most important and fascinating periods. I have become addicted to this series and plan to read all twenty-four books. The terrible Civil War has finally ended, having decimated the male population of the United States, and left the South in ruins. Millions of people will have to make major adjustments to their lives now that the war is over. Many will move west. Washington Territory is a rich land ripe for settlement, but relatively unknown back east because of its remote location and because of the war. Toby Holt, son of "Whip" Holt, the Oregon Trail's first wagon master, returns home to his family, wounded in body and spirit. His wife, a former courtesan, leaves him for another man. Toby and his partner Rob Martin are given a commission to survey Washington Territory for the northern transcontinental railroad line, avoiding as many major obstacles as possible. The goal - to layout the railroad across Washington and link-up with rail lines in Montana, Dakota and all the way across the continent. The entire future of the territory depends on this assignment. Both Rob and Toby stake land claims in Washington. However, there are ruthless profiteers there who take advantage of the lack of law enforcement and will go to any lengths, commit any crime, to amass personal fortunes. Many of the characters from the former novels appear here and they continue to grow and develop, while a new generation, born on the Pacific coast, begins to assume responsibilities as they come of age. A "cargo of brides" is sent to Washington to marry the lonely men, so there is romance galore. The novel's history, characters and plot are wonderful. I love history, and while I have read and studied this period in America's development, I have learned so much from reading these nine "Wagons West" books. I plan to continue until I read them all. A wonderful reading experience. JANA

The next generation of Holts & Blakes

This is the ninth book in the Wagon's West series.The civil war is finally over. Toby Hold is returning home a wounded hero (Whip's Son). This is the story of the second generation of Holts and Blake's, and their claim of parts of Washington for the US.This is the story of their struggles against the British & Russian forces trying to keep them for making the trip.This book is one of the 1st printing from back in the early 80's. If you are interested in the settlement of the American West this is one series that you need to revisit.

An interesting, yet not perfect, story.

WASHINGTON! is the book that sets the tone for the rest of the Wagons West! series, as it is the book that establishes Toby Holt as the central character. He was wounded during the War, and now must face returning back home to a wife that he hardly knows. He also must deal with a corrupt lumberman that rules the town of Tumwater like a fiefdom.However, too much deux ex machina hurts the book. Acts of nature are responsible for all the death surrounding Toby, nit him himself. Also, there were some unnecessary plot twists that were not necessary, like Toby's dog joining a wolf pack for a while and dealing with Nez Pierce.