Peter Stark's Gallop Toward the Sun (book review)

 Stark, Peter. Gallop Toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation. Random House, 2023.

In Gallop Toward the Sun, writer and historian Peter Stark argues the importance of the on-and-off war between Tecumseh's Pan-Indian movement and the aggressive American land drive headed by William Henry Harrison. He believes that this was the critical moment where the Indians, uniting under Tecumseh's strong political and military leadership and his brother Tenskwatawa's revolutionary religion, could have halted America's westward drive. Stark obviously sides with the Indians, understandably so as their lands are invaded and their health and culture eroded by the proximity of American settlements and whiskey. To his great credit Stark, while sympathizing with the Indians, does not shy away from some of their more barbaric attacks on settlers. In a way this makes him admire Tecumseh more, as the great chief abhorred torture and excessive cruelty and actually halted and prevented massacres of captured American soldiers. Tecumseh was also a great traveler, visiting other Indians as far afield as the Deep South and Kansas (the central action in this book takes places in Northwest Territory, or the Midwest).

Stark also does much to put William Henry Harrison in proper perspective. Harrison is often seen in a semi-comical light, known for his catchy presidential campaign song and his record for shortest term in office (a mere month). In reality he was a highly ambitious and intelligent man who drove westward expansion even when opposed by President James Madison. His eventual defeat of Tecumseh during the War of 1812 was arguably a death blow for native resistance and ensured the gradual and ultimate success of the United States' Manifest Destiny. Stark further looks at the wider context of America's westward drive during a time of great tensions with European powers. America was trying to prove to Britain that it was not to be messed with. Its expansionism was part of this, as it dared colonial powers in North America to stop them from reaching the Pacific.

Stark's narrative describes the backgrounds of Tecumseh and Harrison, then explains their various interactions and battles. While Harrison easily swindled many out of their lands, he found a massive challenge in Tecumseh, who was able to solidify resistance and point out the flaws and lies in the proposed land-grabbing treaties. One of the most critical moments is the two leaders' meeting at Grouseland, Harrison's aristocratic home in Indiana Territory. Stark even describes it in the prologue to set up his narrative. Tecumseh and Harrison eventually fought each other in the War of 1812, with the former effectively commanding alongside British forces in Canada and Northwest Territory. He might have actually won as well if the British, following a great naval defeat on Lake Erie, did not suddenly withdraw and expose their native allies.

One could argue that Gallop Towards the Sun is slanted, but I personally found it to a great, very readable history of two powerful, dynamic men who shaped history. It describes the military campaigns and Tenskwatawa's religion without feeling bogged down. It will definitely make you rethink President Harrison. In fact if one shares Stark's feelings they might think he actually deserved to die a month into office.

You can buy the book here.

Rating: Must-Read

Rating System

Must-Read: Definite read for history in general

Highly Recommend: Definite read within a certain subject

Adequate: Useful if looking for information or an intro on a certain topic

Pass: Not a good history book, useless, or absolutely farcical