Luke's Adventures on the Oregon Trail

About the Book

Luke’s Adventures on the Oregon Trail is an historical fiction of travel in 1853 to Oregon. The story tells the experience from the viewpoint of twelve-year-old Luke Bishop. He describes preparing for the trip and his experiences on the trail. The first part of the book describes Luke’s life on the farm and his parents’ decision to travel to Oregon. His Father and Luke build a wagon, buy oxen, and his parents sell the farm. First they travel from their home in Illinois to St. Louis and Independence, Missouri, when they will begin their trip on the Oregon Trail. On the trail they have to deal with Indians, buffaloes, crossing rivers, steep hills, boredom, and sickness. The Bishop family survives all the problems and Luke’s father becomes a farmer in Oregon. Luke will always remember the family’s trip to Oregon.

About the Author

Barry Guinagh received a Masters Degree at Michigan State University in Physics. He then followed his interests and received a PhD in Educational Psychology also at Michigan State University. At the University of Florida, he did research on two year olds and wrote with others Child Learning Through Child Play: Learning Activities for Two- and Three-Year Olds. He also authored Catharsis and Cognition in Psychotherapy. He served as a faculty member at the University of Florida for thirty-two years, teaching courses in the young child, adolescence, and personality. In retirement he enjoys spending time with his family, writing, and traveling.