by David Lavender. Softbound, 528 pages, 4" x 9". The finest single-volume history of the fur trade to appear. The author has a bloodhound's instinct for primary sources, and an above-average storytelling ability. It derives its importance not only from describing the fur trade, but also from the information it contains about frontier life, economic history, political and diplomatic activities, and, of course, the American Indian. A thorough effort of fine research, style and organization.