From Furs to Farms

This audiobook explores the history of the Illinois Country, a region shaped by French, European, and Indigenous peoples over nearly a century, and its transformation following European treaties and U.S. territorial expansion. It highlights the shifting identities and fortunes of diverse communities—including white settlers, Indigenous peoples, Métis, and enslaved individuals—during a pivotal period of American history. Reda’s narrative offers a nuanced view of the complex social, political, and economic changes that laid the groundwork for modern Illinois and Missouri, challenging and enriching traditional historical perspectives.