Caesars of the Wilderness

Author Grace Lee Nute

Minnesota Historical Society Press (March 15, 1978)

Reprint of the long out-of-print 1943 book, the definitive work on Radisson and Des Groseilliers, with an additional, end-sheet map.

Description

During the period between the publication of Pierre Esprit Radisson’s Voyages by the Prince Society of Boston in 1885 and the appearance of Caesars of the Wilderness in 1943, scholarly journals and books were often enlivened by the historical controversy surrounding Radisson and his fellow explorer, Medard Chouart, Sieur Des Groseilliers. Often referred to as the “Radisson problem,” the controversy called into question almost every aspect of the two men’s lives, from the authenticity of parts of Radisson’s narrative to the exact itinerary the men followed in their travels.

The publication of Caesars in the Wilderness brought the historical debate to an end. Based on many years of research in repositories throughout France, England, and North America, the books, with its skillful presentation of new evidence, settled many of the questions that had long puzzled scholars.

Author information

Dr. Grace Lee Nute, former professor of history and curator of manuscripts at the Minnesota Historical Society, was best known for her many publications and articles on the fur trade and exploration in the Great Lakes area. Among her many books are The Voyageur, The Voyageur’s Highway, and Rainy RiverCountry, available from the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

• 430 pages
• 5.75 x 8.75 inches
• ISBN: 9780873511285