Set in 1793 and 1794, The Pioneers tracks the changes of a small town
called Templeton, built on the advancing frontier of New York. Natty
Bumppo, a hero raised by Native Americans, lives in a cabin, secluded in
a forest near Templeton. As the Christmas Eve snow falls, Natty, more
commonly known as Leatherstocking, embarks on a tense hunt for a deer.
As he tracks the deer down, he runs into Judge Marmaduke Temple, the man
who founded the town of Temple. While they argue over who killed the
deer, and therefore gets to claim it, they both fail to notice the
collateral in their hunt, a mysterious man who has been wounded by a
stray shot. Upon this realization, the men rush the stranger into town
to be cared for. The stranger is soon identified as a young hunter named
Oliver Edwards, who becomes caught in the center of the reoccurring
arguments between Leatherstocking and the townspeople of Temple. As a
farming town, the people of Temple often drastically change the
landscape around them. While the seasons pass, the conversion of hunting
grounds to pastures, the mass slaughter of animals, and the many trees
that are cut down wears on Leatherstocking. With the help of his best
friend, Chingachgook, Leatherstocking attempts to sway Oliver to his
side, and convince the town to practice conservation efforts.
Consequently, he must overcome the threat of imprisonment, mass
slaughter, and natural tragedies.
With elements of romance and adventure, The Pioneers by James Fenimore
Cooper reflects on the rapid changes early settlers inflicted upon the
environment. With themes of conservation and aging, The Pioneers
proves to be as thoughtful as it is adventurous. With legal battles,
near death experiences, prison escapes and secrets of ancestry, James
Fenimore Cooper's The Pioneers continues the thrilling saga of the
Leatherstocking Tales, following the legendary protagonist, Natty
"Leatherstockings" Bumppo as he continues to advocate for the respect of
nature.
Now featuring a new, eye-catching cover design and a modern,
easy-to-read font, The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper is suitable
for a contemporary audience. With these accommodations, modern readers
are able to explore the land of young America, while considering the
cost nature pays for civilization.
