The Dilettantes

<p>Catherine Amundson has a mission: prepare to relocate her entire family and dozens of rare (and heavy) books from Cambridge Massachusetts to the Oregon Territory all while her husband is away at sea. How does a highly educated fiercely determined child of the enlightenment and mother of six prepare herself for the life of a pioneer? Books so many books.</p><p>On the journey the Amundson family encounter an antebellum agitator curious Native Americans escaped slaves an ill-tempered stallion and an acerbic widow nursing her needy sourdough starter. The family are in over their heads from the start but despite the obstacles they encounter they cross the continent only to find civilization has arrived ahead of them.</p>