THE WEST.

by Jon E. Lewis

The lore and the legends, the lawmen and the bad men, the rise of the cattle barons and the tragic demise of the Plains Indians, the pioneers and the forty-niners, Little Big Horn and the Alamo, Calamity Jane and Crazy Horse -- from the Alleghenies to the Rockies the events that shaped the West and the people who tamed it are featured in this vivid anecdotal history, which draws upon firsthand testimony and contemporary documents to provide a compelling and comprehensive account of a land as it became a nation.

Genres: History, Westerns, American History, Nonfiction, The United States Of America

Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Jon E. Lewis is a historian and writer, whose books on history and military history are sold worldwide. He is also editor of many The Mammoth Book of anthologies, including the bestselling On the Edge and Endurance and Adventure.

He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in history. His work has appeared in New Statesman, the Independent, Time Out and the Guardian. He lives in Herefordshire with his partner and children.

From: Constable & Robinson

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's surprising how well the mythology of the Wild West (Lucky Luke comics included) can serve as a framework for the history of the West. The thematic approach is slightly based upon controversy. The story moves swiftly from the first centuries of European colonisation to the Lewis & Clark expedition, after which the mass migration trails for land and gold spread across the map. Out of the resulting frictions, the legendary figures of the age were born: the cowboy, the miner, the prospector, the outlaw... and oddly enough, the clash between sheep and cattle breeders over the grass of the Great Plains. Somehow, a sense of chronology is kept up, with the railways as the main breaking point between the 'true' Wild West and the West that was molded into the framework of the Reconstruction nation. This goes also for the last quarter of the story, devoted wholly to the Indian Wars. It's a shift of focus away from the 'settling' in all its forms and the native inhabitants of the land that are forever pushed to the margins. Sometimes they pushed back. Hard.

What's striking when your field is 20th century wars, is how recent the West came to end, preserved only in a heavily sanitized rodeo show form; the generation that rode out into the sunset went to the grave while their grandchildren read about the sinking of the Titanic and periodical tensions among the Great Powers of Europe.

What is striking for everyone is how HARD life on the frontier was : most of its romantic heroes never even reaped the benefits of their labour; that went to the men in top hats and golden chain watches on their waistcoats.

[charles hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book of the West

Started of well, then dipped away,
Reading better books about American west, alright if you want a quick summary of the West.

[Danny Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catching up on some History, this is a good one as summaries go. yes, I said a "summary," all 500 pages. includes / buzzwords-topics: Louisiana Purchase; French Indian Wars; homsteading; pioneers; Cowboys; Cochise; Sitting Bull; George Custer; billy the Kid; Bat masterson; Doc Holiday; The Youngers; The James Brothers; rustlers; the 49's; gold rush; The donner Party; The Daltons; Pinkertons; Wyatt Earp; buffalo Bill Cody; Brothels; Deadwood; Boomtowns; Wounded Knee, and on and on and on. I can speak somewhat intelligently on the West now. lol

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight forward, informative history book.

[Vincent T. Ciaramella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me awhile but it was worth it. Everything you've ever wanted to know about the American West. It's not a book that reads like a story. It's more topical. If you want to read about cattle drives, there is a chapter for that. If you are interested in the different trails then there is plenty to read. I love the American West so this was a fun read for me. It's also great reference book for anyone wanting to explore on the surface before going into more complex scholarship.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Making of the American West is painstakingly researched and referenced and still manages to be an entertaining read. At over 500 pages, the book a bit of trek, but it's well worth the journey.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good very readable book which let's you cover a big subject very well. Plenty of further reading suggestions.

[Connor Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Easy to read and immensely informative.

[David Flett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poor.