A Week on the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers: Thoreau's 1861 Minnesota Journey Revisited by David R. Solheim
Solheim's literary travelogue includes substantial passages from Thoreau's notebooks and correspondence during his visit to Minnesota. The materials have special historic significance as his journey took place only about one year before the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, and Thoreau had contact with many of the significant figures on both sides of the conflict. Rivers also cites other visitors, especially Eric Sevareid, and makes mention of historic events in the area such as the James-Younger Raid on the Northfield Bank. Solheim's own experiences in retracing Thoreaus's travels add a contemporary view of the territory.
This 7'x10' book of about 150 pages includes over three dozen color photos by the author and his traveling companions, several historical photos, and two maps including a two-page color foldout of Minnesota and adjoining Dacotah Territory first printed in 1857.