This Road We Traveled

This historical novel really takes the reader back in time as we follow the story along the Oregon Trail. The journey is long and hard for these characters, but their travels are also life-changing and full of God’s mercies. It becomes an epic journey for the readers just as much.

The book follows three generations of women in the Brown family – each unique in their own way, but equally memorable. The grandma, Tabby Brown, stands out throughout the story as the rock of the family. She’s headstrong and stubborn, but she also has a heart for the Lord and her kids. She has many wise words throughout their journey west and proves to be a guide of sorts for her wandering family members.

Through her daughter’s and granddaughter’s perspectives, we learn more about their family and the hardships they’ve each experienced. And in a way, we experience it with them. Through the eyes of these three women, we get the unique opportunity of traveling the Oregon Trail as an old woman, a struggling mom, and an excited teenager.

I will say… there were times where the pace of the story seemed a bit slow to me. However, the author did a great job in telling the history of the people and the arduous trek west so many families endured. It almost read like a biography at moments, the details so clear and the conversations so honest. This may be a fictional story, but it sure felt like real life history to me. ?

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy.

This Road we Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick is a story of determination, hope, and faith that God will provide no matter how bad things get.

Tabitha Brown (known as Tabby) is determined not to be left behind as all her children decide to pick up and leave Missouri for Oregon. Her son, Orus, doesn't want her to come because of her age and her lame foot. She would, quite simply, be too much of a burden to them. But Tabby doesn't take orders from her son and with his Uncle John, she gets her own wagon, a driver, and oxen and with her pet chicken Beatrice, they set out on the Oregon Trail.

The story is true, which makes it all the more interesting. What happened to them on the trail is a testament to the strength and determination of the men and women who paved the way to a new frontier. While the story seemed to drag at times, it soon redeemed itself by picking up the pace and creating a story rich in history. The author is known for her excellent research and it shows. I had never heard of Tabitha Brown before I read this book and about the impact she had in Oregon. This should be required reading in schools. If you like historical fiction you will like this book.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Many historical novels have mostly fictional characters set around real events. Author Jane Kirkpatrick does the opposite; her books are based on real-life characters and events, with a few fictional ones tossed in.

This Road We Traveled is about the true story of the Brown family who traveled on the Oregon Trail. The novel is well-written with amazing descriptions and lively dialogue. You can clearly tell the author did extensive research before writing the novel. In the very back of the book, there's an interview with the author and a "Readers Group" discussion questions.

Overall, I enjoyed reading This Road We Traveled. If you like historical fiction, then you'll love reading this book.

When her son convinces the entire extended family to leave their Missouri homes and claim land in the Oregon territory, Tabby Brown must decide if she has the strength and stamina to travel in a covered wagon across the country. Though her son tries to discourage her, Tabby finances her own wagon with her brother-in-law and sets out on a new and dangerous adventure.

In This Road We Traveled, Jane Kirkpatrick tells the true story of Tabitha Moffat Brown, often called the "Mother of Oregon." Kirkpatrick's character development in this latest work of historical fiction is nothing less than masterful. The strengths and flaws of each character make them absolutely real, and their decisions absolutely believable. The historical details involved in a cross-country journey in the 1840s were fascinating, and engaging. Each sub-plot was as engaging as Tabby's, and I found myself unable to stop reading until I knew the fate of the Brown/Pringle party. As a whole, the book is nearly perfect, but the romantic in my would have enjoyed more developed love stories.

I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

"The Road We Traveled" by Jane Kirkpatrick is a historical fiction novel about the mother of Oregon Tabitha Brown and her journey with her family to Oregon. Just like any of Jane Kirkpatrick's novel it is well researched on the real history portion of Tabitha Brown and other characters in the story. Her books are so well written with true history intertwined that I have a tendency to almost forget that I am reading fiction novel. Her books always intrigue me as my husband and my family have a few ancestors that were some of the first white people to Oregon. So reading her books always takes me to a time era that I can read about and maybe in my mind experience what our families may have experienced. The detail in this book is so good even if you know some of the history of Tabitha Brown I don't want to give away any of this book you just need to read for yourself. I will admit I was very impressed that the author add actual writings from Tabitha Brown real diaries but I should expect that from her as she is a very talented writers. I highly recommend this book and really any book of Jane Kirkpatrick's.

I was given this book free of charge from Baker Publishing Group.

This Road We Traveled is based upon the latter years of Tabita Brown. Tabitha lived in St. Charles, Missouri near her grown son and daughter. At the age of 66, she chose to travel by wagon and horseback to Oregon with her two children and their families.

While the story is primarily told from the perspective of Tabitha, the novel also offers the voices of her daughter Pherne and granddaughter Virgilia. I had a bit of trouble with the switching of points of view throughout the novel.

What I loved about this novel is that it is based upon fact and that it was easy to feel as if I'd been on the journey westward in 1846. I could envision the scenery (or lack of), dust and trails of wagons and horses. I could smell the animals and stench. I could feel the hunger and frustrations. This was an emotional journey and I'm glad to have been a part of it.

My gratitude to Rel of Relz Reviews and publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.

This Road We Traveled written by Jane Kirkpatrick is about a woman named Tabitha Brown and her family. Tabitha travels with her family as they head to Oregon from Missouri. The sacrifices they made for the trip and the goodbyes to friends and family are hard on Tabitha and her family, but the Oregon Trail proves to be even harder.

I personally tried to really like this book but it seemed to be so slow! I really couldn't get connected with the characters or the story line. The subject of the Oregon Trail has always been intriguing to me and i thought this book would be a great read, but I couldn't seem to connect at all with the book or even enjoy it. I really tried, but the writing style and the long drawn out details just weren't for me.

On the upper hand, there is tons of history woven into the book. I did like that part. With historic figures, places, and the time period itself. I wished I had enjoyed this more so I could recommend it.

*I was given this book in exchange for my honest review

I'm not sure anyone writes historical fiction quite like Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane has a particular gift of bringing history to life and replays it in living color through her description and characters. She transports readers to a different time and place and makes them feel as if they are a part of the story and not just an observer.
This Road We Traveled is Jane's 25th Historical Fiction novel and is based on the life of Tabby Moffatt Brown, known as The Mother of Oregon. Jane brings depth to this story by allowing the reader to see the journey unfold from different points of view. Her writing draws the reader in and holds the attention until the last page is turned. You won't be sorry for time spent within the pages of this latest book from Jane Kirkpatrick and will find yourself desiring to drink in her other offerings as well.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Jane Kirkpatrick composes a faithful, detailed account of the “Mother of Oregon” in The Road We Traveled, depicting Tabitha Moffat Brown’s journey from Missouri to Oregon on the Oregon/Applegate Trail. The attention to historical accuracy and detail is wonderful and, as with the last book by Kirkpatrick I read (The Memory Weaver), I’m impressed and pleased at the research that went into this book. You can tell the book was lovingly crafted in order to pay tribute to a woman from history that many people probably do not know about.

However, all the lovely historical detail aside, The Road We Traveled is an uneven mess of a book. Perhaps “mess” is too harsh of a word. I’ll put it this way: there were parts of the book where I went “Hmm, this is interesting,” and then there were more parts where I wondered when the book would be over—especially towards the end, where so much time passed in so few pages that I ended up confused and detached from the book. So much was crammed into the end that I had trouble following along.

I do like the characters, for the most part, though Virgilia gets the short end of the stick, in my opinion. I do like the setting. But the pace of the book ruined it for me. It started out slow, then got mildly interesting, then trudged along with the wagons on the Oregon Trail, then finished in one large rush, dumping ten or so years of time into thirty or so pages right at the end. I think, as I mentioned in my review of The Memory Weaver, that this style of book is not really my cup of tea. I don’t particularly like stories that stretch across years of a person’s life because they often feel rushed and I don’t feel as connected with the character. I’d rather read, say, the fantastic Dear America account of the Oregon Trail (Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie) than this novel.

I appreciate The Road We Traveled for its historical detail, its wealth of research apparent in the pages, and its information on a little-known (to me, anyway, and probably to a lot of people) woman in history who went on the Oregon Trail when she was in her sixties and then founded a school. However, the style of the book itself, and other aspects such as its pacing, made it less than memorable and more than a little boring, and even confusing, to read.

Disclaimer: Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Legalities: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Kirkpatrick is the only Christian author I've found, whose books I consistently pick up, read, and enjoy. Normally her books are, for me, one-sit reads. I'm not sure why this one was easier to put down and wait a while before picking up again. Which does not detract from the story, just an observation. Sometimes it's nice to have a book one can read a chapter or two at a time, put it down for work, or sleep, and pick it up again later.

Kirkpatrick writes historical fiction, which I love, and she writes about the early women in the Oregon Country, which I also love. She is a Christian author, and her characters are, of course, also Christian (which they were in real life). She does not use the books to proselytize; she shows how important their faith was to the women. And trust me, to those early women—it was a lifesaver on more than one occasion!

The Road We Traveled tells the story of Tabitha Brown (Tabby), a grandmother, whose adult children were headed from Missouri to Oregon, and were going to leave her home with the one son who wasn't making the trek. The boys assumed (typical) she wouldn't want to go. Boy, Howdy were they ever wrong! Tabby (a widow), her husband's brother, and an orphan boy hired as driver, said they would be no problem, and would not slow them down, and made the trek.

This is a coming of age story for all characters involved, it is delightfully told, and gives marvelous insight into the lives of our early pioneers—especially the women. They often had no real choice in whether they made the trek or not, and it was wonderful to read a story about a real woman who, against all odds, made the trek on her own terms. With her usual style, she tells a detailed and rich story.

If you enjoy the history of early settlers to the Oregon Country (including what is now Washington State), read this book.

I really enjoyed this book! Jane Kirkpatrick does an incredible job with bringing this historical time period and significant journey to life. Tabitha makes such a great main character as she is such a strong woman, yet that does not mean that she is fearless and without her misgivings. Tabitha has her moments of questioning God and at times struggles with the fact that God can be leading her on this journey with so many trials and hardships, which is not unlike any of us today as we all have our moments of questioning God's plan especially in the midst of pain and suffering. This is a great read of anyone who enjoys history and having it brought to life in such vivid descriptions and characters whom can be empathized with.

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blog Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

I really enjoyed this book! Jane Kirkpatrick does an incredible job with bringing this historical time period and significant journey to life. Tabitha makes such a great main character as she is such a strong woman, yet that does not mean that she is fearless and without her misgivings. Tabitha has her moments of questioning God and at times struggles with the fact that God can be leading her on this journey with so many trials and hardships, which is not unlike any of us today as we all have our moments of questioning God's plan especially in the midst of pain and suffering. This is a great read of anyone who enjoys history and having it brought to life in such vivid descriptions and characters whom can be empathized with.

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blog Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Once the wagon wheels start rolling, this story is an interesting look at some of the struggles and trials many pioneers of the Oregon Trail encountered. As a fan of historical fiction and the Oregon Trail, I enjoyed the story as well as the healthy dose of historical facts and figures.

Although the focus is on historical figure Tabitha Brown, this story is also told from the perspectives of her daughter and granddaughter. Best of all, the story doesn't end when the wagon train arrives in Oregon, Kirkpatrick goes on to give closure and reveal the line between factual and fictional.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley and Revell Reads. The opinion expressed is my own.

The Road We Traveled is a Christian historical story written by Jan Kirkpatrick. The story starts in 1845 with Orus Brown returning to St. Charles, Missouri from spending time in Oregon. He has come back with stories and the news that he is taking the Brown family to Oregon but he does not intend for his mother, Tabitha, to go with. He tries to convince her that he is only thinking of what is best for her. He tells her that the trip will be long and hard and added to that her age and lameness, he does not intend to take her with. He thinks she should stay behind with her other son,Manthano, while Orus and her daughter, Phernie and their families make the move to Oregon country.
Tabitha can not be stopped she sets out to try to find a way to make the trip. She teams up with her late husband's brother to get a wagon and hire someone to take them on the trip with her family. Together with Orus and Phernie and their families, Tabitha join a wagon train group and head to Oregon. They endure illness, hardship and eventually run out of food and have to leave many belongings behind without know for sure that they will make it to Oregon.
This is a wonderful story of the trials that the wagon trains had to go through, as well as the emotional and physical challenges the people faced during the journey. I really enjoyed reading this book. It shows the strength that Tabitha had and how she managed to find ways to support her self even when she had nothing. It also showed the generosity that Tabitha showed towards others. I did wonder about Orus though. That he would talk his extended family into making this trip, but he went off with his wife and children ahead of the rest. He did not stick with the wagon train to help out. He was not there to help them decide which route to take when they were faced with two different options.
I especially like that the author shares with us at the end of the book, that this story is based on true people and true events.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing, this is my honest review.

Masterful storytelling breathes new life into the tale of real people and their contributions to Oregon's history! A must read for historical fiction fans who enjoy an inspirational story.
It was amazing what they went through and survived along the trail, beginning again with so little once they reached their destinations. In 1846 the Oregon trail was still fairly new, plus the existing threats of attack by both natives and the British made them question the existing route to the Willamette Valley. I learned so much about the people, why they made the decisions, struggled with each new challenge, and how they overcame such defeating circumstances.

Loved the indomitable spirit of the main character, Tabitha "Tabby" Brown, and how her wisdom, faith, courage and commitment to her family helped them survive. Her desire to seek the Lord's will for her life in her later years led her to do such remarkable things too. She is an inspiration! Having the perspective of the three women--grandma, daughter and grandaughter--really enlarged my understanding of how the journey affected everyone. Loved the nods to other people they encountered along the way and in the places they settled, weaving more of the history together. They truly were part of the fabric and foundation of the state of Oregon. The thorough research this author does is clearly shown in all of the historic details included too. Enjoyed reading the index, which includes a list of resources.

Hats off for the "mother of Oregon", Tabitha Brown! Highly recommend!

(Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest, original review.)

Based on actual events, This Road We Traveled takes readers on a compelling journey along the Oregon Trail. Told from three different perspectives, I enjoyed the historical depth of this story and the palpable emotions of its characters. Tabitha Brown was a strong, courageous woman whose faith never wavered amid the trials and tribulations she and her family faced. How fascinating to learn about The Mother of Oregon and her arduous journey! A story of “resilience, love, and doing good”, This Road We Traveled offers an inspiring and insightful glimpse into the past.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick is a novel set during the 1840s, on a wagon train to Oregon.

I confess, I wasn't able to finish it. I read a good part of This Road We Traveled, but just wasn't feeling it. I couldn't get into the story. Perhaps it was the way it was written - I believe Jane Kirkpatrick's writing style just isn't for me. So I skimmed through the rest of the book to the end, and will do my best to write a book review. I'm not rating it, because I didn't read the book in its entirety.

This tale of the Oregon Trail centers on the life of Tabitha Brown, the matriarch, and grandmother of her clan. We also see the story through the eyes of Tabby's daughter, Pherne and granddaughter, Virgilia. As Tabby's sons get the itch to head west, all three women are pulled onto the journey as well. Snakes, storms, and matters of the heart are just a few trials they face! Tabby is writing a memoir along the way. Pherne struggling to get over the loss of her young son. And Virgilia starting to notice a certain young man who's also in the wagon train.

It's the unique adventures of a widowed grandmother, a mother, and a young woman just entering a new stage in life.

I didn't feel like I was there with the characters. I wasn't really interested in them. So those are my feelings and opinions. Because this novel isn't to my personal taste, I won't be reading my Jane Kirkpatrick anymore.

If you enjoy historical-fiction, told in a more narrative (almost journal-style) way about family, memories, and forging a new future, then you might want to try out This Road We Traveled!

I received a copy of This Road We Traveled from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the historical views of this book, but I thought it was a very tragic story. Much too tragic for me. It had many unexpected twists and turns with lots of drama, mystery, some romance and some Christian faith.

Another gem written by Jane Kirkpatrick. Highly, highly recommended!!! The novel includes the journey from Missouri to Oregon, the death of a child, determination, fear, starvation, injuries, a faithful chicken, trials, survival, hard work, orphans, love, standing up, and much much more. The book is based on actual pioneers and other historical facts. This book deserves A++++++

I really enjoyed This Road we Traveled. I had never read any of Jane Kirkpatrick's work before, but expected good things from such an award-winning author. I was not disappointed. This book was very well written. It was based on real life events and real people but written as historical fiction. The characters and events were very realistic because so many of them were real. This story gives real insight into what many people faced on the Oregon Trail and the tough decisions that they had to make. It was a thought provoking yet entertaining read. The determination and perseverance of the pioneers is celebrated in the pages of this book. I would recommend this book to teens and adults. I received this book in exchange for my honest review through the Revell Reads blogger review program.

I love reading books based on the Oregon Trail so I was excited when I received this book early. Jane Kirkpatrick takes readers on a intriguing story with real characters. The things they went through during their journey was well described. I would recommend this book to anyone to read. You will be swept away and the story line of Tabitha Brown, her family, their Journey, struggles and a love and support for others she encounter.

Wow! Awesome, inspiring book! Thank you Jane for a great read! You are a great storyteller. I love the characters, and I felt their happiness and their pain. And Beatrice made it even better. Tabby was such an amazing woman, I wish I would have met her. Keep writing these awesome books!

Jane Kirkpatrick introduced a very strong woman, who dared to travel to the little-known lands in her senior ages. Tabitha Brown knows the risks of moving to another place can be dangerous, but staying alone in Missouri didn’t sit with her well. She embraced the long journey only to be close to her family: her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild.

The author starts with a breathtaking introduction, where Tabitha is in danger of dying, being frozen to death in the snow . But excitement didn’t last long for me, even though the book presented great characters and beginning setting was eye-catching, I lost interest in the next chapter.

Very good historical fiction, well written, and interesting characters. I've read quite a few historical fiction books on the Oregon Trail, and this one was a bit short on day-to-day details like cooking, food gathering, and such. If not for that...5 stars.

The Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick is based on actual events along the Oregon Trail. I tried to get into this book because I've been fascinated by her other historical writings but I just couldn't. I made it to almost page 100 and then quit because it didn't grab my attention, I didn't care about the characters, and it was very slow-moving. I've enjoyed many other books by this author but this one just didn't do it for me.

This Road We Traveled, is a history fiction book. The book is written based on actual events. The setting is mid-west, in the mid-1800s. The author does a phenomenal job in describing the hardship and survival the characters had to endure. This has never been my favorite type of book, but I was blown away! The content of the book, is consistent and keeps your attention throughout. The characters are very well described, and are easily envisioned. The book was intimidating to me because of the length, and subject, but all was easily forgotten once I dug into the book. The story is clean, and refreshing. You don’t get many books like that these days. I love how the author provides a cast of characters at the front, along with a map of locations across the Midwest to follow along with.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not because I thought it would not be good, but because this type normally does not interest me. But it had me hooked from the beginning. I definitely recommend those lovers of historical fiction to check this book out!
You can purchase your copy from your favorite bookstore, or the store.
I rate this book a 4/5 stars.
Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are true, and my own.

The Road We Traveled is a Christian historical story written by Jan Kirkpatrick. The story starts in 1845 with Orus Brown returning to St. Charles, Missouri from spending time in Oregon. He has come back with stories and the news that he is taking the Brown family to Oregon but he does not intend for his mother, Tabitha, to go with. He tries to convince her that he is only thinking of what is best for her. He tells her that the trip will be long and hard and added to that her age and lameness, he does not intend to take her with. He thinks she should stay behind with her other son,Manthano, while Orus and her daughter, Phernie and their families make the move to Oregon country.
Tabitha can not be stopped she sets out to try to find a way to make the trip. She teams up with her late husband's brother to get a wagon and hire someone to take them on the trip with her family. Together with Orus and Phernie and their families, Tabitha join a wagon train group and head to Oregon. They endure illness, hardship and eventually run out of food and have to leave many belongings behind without know for sure that they will make it to Oregon.
This is a wonderful story of the trials that the wagon trains had to go through, as well as the emotional and physical challenges the people faced during the journey. I really enjoyed reading this book. It shows the strength that Tabitha had and how she managed to find ways to support her self even when she had nothing. It also showed the generosity that Tabitha showed towards others. I did wonder about Orus though. That he would talk his extended family into making this trip, but he went off with his wife and children ahead of the rest. He did not stick with the wagon train to help out. He was not there to help them decide which route to take when they were faced with two different options.
I especially like that the author shares with us at the end of the book, that this story is based on true people and true events.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing, this is my honest review.

I really enjoy Jane Kirkpatrick's books - based on true stories that happened to real people, but fleshed out so you feel like you're there. This one does not disappoint. Being over 60 myself, it was real interesting to read about a women who went to Oregon by covered wagon in her 60s! She survived and thrived, and made a difference in her world. I highly recommend this book.

The Road We Traveled provides a detailed account of the journey of Tabitha Moffat Brown, also known as the mother of Oregon. The book begins the account when Tabitha’s son Orus returns to Missouri from his scouting trip to Oregon and convinces the family that there is a better life for them in Oregon. However, Orus believes that Tabitha will not be able to sustain the trip to Oregon and encourages her to stay in Missouri. Even though she has a club foot from childhood and she knows she would be a burden, Tabitha cannot fathom watching her all of her children and grandchildren travel to Oregon and leaving her alone. When her late husband’s brother John Brown suddenly arrives, she convinces John that they can make the trip together. What unfolds is a tale of fun, fear, sadness, separation, starvation, and most importantly faith as the family makes the trek to Oregon.

The journey continues once the family arrives in Oregon. Orus has already claimed his place in the forest grove. Her daughter and son-in-law decided to stay in Salem. Not wanting to be a burden to anyone, Tabitha and her changeling Nellie, who was left behind by her family on the trail, end up staying with a pastor and his wife. Eventually, Tabitha begins to realize that her work is not down. When she discovers how many children are orphaned along the Oregon trail, she feels that something must be done. She first convinces people that a school must be set up. Then some time later a university first known as Tualatin Academy, now known as Pacific University. And eventually the statehood of Oregon. It becomes clear why she is known as the mother of Oregon.

This tale was a wonderfully written story that covers a time of history that is well known, but probably not well studied. People have heard of the Oregon trail (or at least played the game), but few really understand what happened along the trail or why people made the trek. Kirkpatrick does a great job giving a first person account of the trials and tribulations along the trail. I had never thought about families being accidently separated, leaving children orphaned along the way. This book definitely put the history in a different perspective.

If you’ve ever been interested in the Oregon Trail or just enjoy historical accounts, I recommend to add this book to your reading list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest and thorough review. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book! Tabitha Brown was in her sixties, but refused to be left behind when her family journeys to Oregon. Tabitha’s determination and exhaustible spirit became a staple for her family.

Hardships, starvation, and sickness didn’t daunt these brave pioneers from their destination. I enjoyed Jane Kirkpatrick’s style of writing and the sprinkles of good old common sense she flavors the pages of The Road we Traveled. For instance on page 133 Tabitha says, “If you carry regrets into the future, the future won’t be a safe place either.”

The historical facts Kirkpatrick builds throughout the novel provides a solid foundation of American knowledge and know how of what our forefathers went through to settle the virgin soil of the western frontier and our Biblical roots. As Tabby puts this, “Her prosperity began when she had given everything away, when she had nothing left...”