The West from a Car Window

by Richard Harding Davis, Rawlene Lebaron (Introduction), Laurel Michele Wickersham (Introduction)

Richard Harding Davis was one of the most recognizable journalists of his day. Davis was larger than life for his time, so much the persona of his era that, with its passing, he has been largely forgotten and his reporting on major events or social conditions is difficult to find. In January 1892, he boarded a train to begin a three-month tour of the West to write a series of articles for Harper's Weekly. This series was later published in a book, The West from a Car-Window. The West offered adventure, danger, and potential riches; and had captured the imagination of the country. This well written narrative is beautifully descriptive and detailed. Readers will journey through Texas, from San Antonio to Corpus Christi; meet U.S. troops on the Texas/Mexican border; tour a mining camp, Oklahoma City, a Texas ranch, and an Indian reservation; experience an army post through civilian eyes; and for a finale, visit Denver and Colorado Springs in Colorado. Numerous illustrations by Remington enliven the text. A new full name and place index has been added.

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

Richard Harding Davis (1864–1916) was a journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish-American War, the Second Boer War, and the First World War. His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt and he also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.

Reviews

[Hans Halberstadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only discovered RHD because of this title, a copy of which was lurking on one of our bookshelves, neglected and unloved. It is Davis' account of his wanderings around the west, traveling by train, and his adventures with cavalry soldiers, ranchers, and many others.

As an addict of 19th century non-fiction, I can tell you that prose styles that were popular then normally don't hold up well today. RHD, however, uses a sweet conversational style that reads beautifully today. Reading it is like listening to somebody tell you their war stories over a drink, and I was enthralled.

RHD was hugely prolific during his short lifetime, famous in several ways, adored by the rich and famous. He was the model for Gibson's young man, the handsome dude in white tie wooing some aloof and delicious girl.

His fiction doesn't work as well for me, but his battlefield accounts are teriffic. He left a huge body of work and had a tremendous influence on his time and place. Much of that work is available free on ManyBooks and elsewhere. THE WEST FROM A CAR WINDOW is a good place to start.