The Border Rifles: A Tale of the Texan War

by Gustave Aimard

Overview

Excerpt: The immense virgin forests which once covered the soil of North America are more and more disappearing before the busy axes of the squatters and pioneers, whose insatiable activity removes the desert frontier further and further to the west. Flourishing towns, well tilled and carefully-sown fields, now occupy regions where, scarce ten years ago, rose impenetrable forests, whose dense foliage hardly allowed the sunbeams to penetrate, and whose unexplored depths sheltered animals of every description, and served as a retreat for hordes of nomadic Indians, who, in their martial ardour, frequently caused these majestic domes of verdure to re-echo with their war-yell. Now that the forests have fallen, their gloomy denizens, gradually repulsed by the civilisation that incessantly pursues them, have fled step by step before it, and have sought far away other and safer retreats, to which they have borne the bones of their fathers with them, lest they might be dug up and desecrated by the inexorable ploughshare of the white men, as it traces its long and productive furrow over their old hunting-grounds. Is this constant disafforesting and clearing of the American continent a misfortune?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783958648531
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	10/24/2017
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	282
File size:	560 KB

About the Author

Gustave Aimard, born Olivier Aimard on September 13, 1818, in Paris, was a prolific French author whose adventurous life deeply influenced his literary works. Aimard's early years were marked by a series of dramatic escapades; he ran away to sea at a young age and later joined a band of pirates, experiences that would fuel his vivid storytelling. His travels took him across the Americas, where he lived among Native American tribes, gaining firsthand knowledge of their cultures and lifestyles.Aimard's literary career began in earnest in the mid-19th century, and he quickly became known for his adventure novels set in the American frontier. His works, characterized by their rich detail and dynamic narratives, captivated readers and offered a romanticized yet insightful portrayal of the untamed West. Aimard's ability to blend fact with fiction made his stories both educational and entertaining, appealing to a wide audience.Controversy surrounded Aimard's life and work, particularly regarding his claims of authenticity and his portrayal of indigenous peoples. Critics questioned the veracity of his experiences, while others praised his efforts to bring attention to the complexities of frontier life. Despite the debates, Aimard's influence on contemporary writers was significant; his adventurous spirit and narrative style inspired a generation of authors, including Jules Verne.Aimard's revolutionary ideas about freedom and exploration resonated with the zeitgeist of his time, reflecting the broader 19th-century fascination with the exotic and the unknown. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging cultural divides and igniting the imagination. Gustave Aimard passed away on June 20, 1883, leaving behind a rich tapestry of adventure that continues to intrigue modern readers.
Gustave Aimard (13 September 1818[1] – 20 June 1883) was the author of numerous books about Latin America. Aimard was born Olivier Aimard in Paris. As he once said, he was the son of two people who were married, "but not to each other". His father, François Sébastiani de la Porta (1775–1851) was a general in Napoleon’s army and one of the ambassadors of the Louis Philippe government. Sébastini was married to the Duchess de Coigny. In 1806 the couple produced a daughter: Alatrice-Rosalba Fanny. Shortly after her birth the mother died. Fanny was raised by her grandmother, the Duchess de Coigny. According to the New York Times of July 9, 1883, Aimard’s mother was Mme. de Faudoas, married to Anne Jean Marie René de Savary, Duke de Rovigo (1774–1833). (Wikipedia)