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Story of the Great American West
Recounts the settlement of the West from the first pioneers who crossed the Appalachians to the eventual disappearance of the frontier
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
About the author
Reader's Digest Association
4,729 books501 followersThe Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global media and direct marketing company based in Chappaqua, New York, best known for its flagship publication founded in 1922, Reader's Digest. The company's headquarters are in New York City, where it moved from Pleasantville, New York.
The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.
The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It presented the West in such detail that it impressed me, a retired history teacher. It also included lots of details and pictures which broke the subject down in simple terms.
March 7, 2026
An extremely useful and surprisingly detailed history of the American West. It covers a vast range of subjects in different parts of the country other than west. I used this as a study guide in planning a novel and found the information therein invaluable! So, whether you're doing research or just love stories from Pioneer and Cowboy times, this book was awesome. Highly recommend.
January 16, 2021
I love history and this book takes readers into the old west and a different time.
June 3, 2026
Popular-format history book. A coffee table book with lots of pictures.
Starts shortly after the Revolutionary War, with Daniel Boone and Kentucky. Ends around the turn of the century with the continental US mostly settled.
This is a 1977 Reader's Digest book, so you won't be seeing Project 1619 stuff here. You won't see words like 'genocide' or 'ethnic cleansing'. If you're my age, this is going to be similar to what you learned in school. Would perhaps be considered right-leaning by a lot of people today.
Portrays the raw deal which the Native Americans suffered at the hands of the white settlers in a raw and unflinching way, however, not really what the book is about, and, ultimately, the attitude of the authors about this seems to be "you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs." I.e., we genuinely feel bad about the Indians, too bad, they got in the way, but it's not like we were going to turn around and go back to Europe, or even just sit quietly in the original 13 states.
Minor drawback, this is a huge hard-cover book. You won't be taking this on the bus with you, or probably even reading it in bed or in the bathroom. It takes up my whole lap leaving no room for the cats. The print gets tiny at times.
Starts shortly after the Revolutionary War, with Daniel Boone and Kentucky. Ends around the turn of the century with the continental US mostly settled.
This is a 1977 Reader's Digest book, so you won't be seeing Project 1619 stuff here. You won't see words like 'genocide' or 'ethnic cleansing'. If you're my age, this is going to be similar to what you learned in school. Would perhaps be considered right-leaning by a lot of people today.
Portrays the raw deal which the Native Americans suffered at the hands of the white settlers in a raw and unflinching way, however, not really what the book is about, and, ultimately, the attitude of the authors about this seems to be "you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs." I.e., we genuinely feel bad about the Indians, too bad, they got in the way, but it's not like we were going to turn around and go back to Europe, or even just sit quietly in the original 13 states.
Minor drawback, this is a huge hard-cover book. You won't be taking this on the bus with you, or probably even reading it in bed or in the bathroom. It takes up my whole lap leaving no room for the cats. The print gets tiny at times.
August 25, 2017
This book follows in great detail colonization of territories west of Appalachians mountains. It contains vivid illustrations which help understanding life of a common men and activities. The book is very factual and objective.
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August 19, 2009XOS-978R
March 28, 2014
A little too dense, even for me. Didn't finish it, but it would definitely make a great reference book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews