The familiar events of Carson's life are given an affectionate treatment by the author of Little Sritches (1950) and Man of the Family (1951), books that described Moody's own Colorado background. There is a good sense of time and place, as the narrative starts at the beginning to tell of Carson's adverse boyhood, his struggle as a frontier ""runt"", and his decision to flee from his position as a saddlemaker's apprentice and at 16 to head for the trail to Taos. Small as he was Carson soon proved he was a match for any man. He Joined Ewing Young's trappers and became so proficient at outdoor life that he formed a band of his own mountain men. ""Carson's Men"" as they were called pathfound for Fremont in the 1840's. Close attention is paid to the role Kit played at all times, as Indian fighter and Indian friend and as the agent who won the love of many tribes. Full and satisfying.