Out Where the West Begins, Volume 2: Creating and Civilizing the American West

by Philip F. Anschutz

In 1790, it was not a given that the young United States, bruised and healing from its struggle for independence and populated by fewer than 4 million inhabitants, would even survive, much less flourish. But the great adventure that came next—the exploration and settlement of the lands lying to the west and stretching to the Pacific Ocean—would build a nation where only a patchwork of eastern seaboard colonies had existed before.

The first book in this series, Out Where the West Profiles, Visions, & Strategies of Early Western Business Leaders , profiled fifty individuals who made significant contributions to the economic development of a young nation. 

This second volume follows the saga of more than one hundred influential men and women—political and military leaders, religious thinkers, civil rights proponents, suffragettes, African American pioneers, writers and artists, explorers and surveyors, architects, inventors, innovators, medical professionals, and conservationists—who together wove the story of early western frontier America. The engaging account of their lives forms a unique tapestry of human experience. 

In the words of the author, “Understanding our distinctive past helps us better comprehend who we are now and who we wish to become.” 
 

Genres: History

392 pages, Hardcover

Published September 8, 2017

Reviews

[James Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 4th generation Colorado native, my life has been focused first on survival, then later, raising a solid family and building a successful business; helping to facilitate the expansion of a local Colorado organic natural grocery store to 160 locations across 20 states in the western US. Seldom have I had time to reflect very long on the history of our part of the world but that all changed a few weeks ago when I started reading Out Where The West Begins, Volumes 1 and 2, by Philip F. Anschutz. I had no idea the relevance it would have to the background of our local and regional transportation, industry, culture, architecture and place names for cities, mountains, trails, buildings and companies. While the reading is at times a bit dry, at other times it is riveting and enlightening, making the overall read well worthwhile and sparking an interest to learn more. I will let you read the full story for yourself but my father, Berry Craddock worked at Ideal Cement (in the book) prior to and through college before starting his own successful real estate development company Craddock Development Company (not in the book). I appreciate that the author kept it real and didn’t varnish over the moral shortcomings of some of the people that developed our region as well. If you live in the western US or would like an introduction to the western expansion history, these books are for you.

[Mark Kloha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed both of these books - Out Where The West Begins Vol 1 and 2. Well written, succinct, interesting, and enjoyable bite sized stories about lots of famous people. You could go to the library and find lengthier biographies on any of these people if you wanted more in depth portrait. This is a nice well painted postcard description of these famous westerners.