"A colorful tapestry of primary source readings from the early trans-Appalachian West." -- Ohio Valley History

"A revealing compilation of primary source materials describing Ohio's early history." -- Journal of the Early Republic

"Foster collected many first-hand accounts of life of early Ohioans and assembled them thematically so readers could visualize the difficult transition of Ohio passing from a wilderness state to a setting of bustling towns connected by roads and canals and a thriving economy." -- Northwest Ohio Quarterly

"Readers will have a better comprehension of what it was like to live on the frontier and how extensive the hardships encountered by the first generation of settlers were." -- Ohioana Quarterly

"The organization and pacing are excellent and the evolution of Ohio's nature becomes clear." -- Register of the Kentucky Historical Society