Book #12: The Big Sky, by A. B. Guthrie, Jr.

The first of a trilogy, this book tells the story of Boone Caudill, 17-year-old young man running away from a drunkard, abusive father in Kentucky, who becomes a true mountain man.  Fascinating and unsentimental, this book gives a gritty look at life in the West in the 1830's.  Well worth the time.