Out Where the West Begins: Profiles, Visions, and Strategies of Early Western Business Leaders by Philip F. Anschutz - 3 stars

[Leah]

Out Where the West Begins: Profiles, Visions, and Strategies of Early Western Business Leaders by Philip F. Anschutz
392 pages

★★★

This book goes over 50 different men who helped form the early American west – mini biographies coming in at about 6-10 pages per person. It’s separated into categories: early trade, agriculture and livestock, transportation, manufacturing, financing, and entertainment.

Last year I saw a special on some people who forged the United States and in looking up on information one guy in particular (don’t remember who now) – this book was recommended. My library had TONS of copies of this book so I just waited until I found time to read it. It was interesting. Some interesting people, some I didn’t care for, but all crucial to expanding the United States in the 1800s (up until 1915 when this author decided it was be forged enough). The author lays down all his sources nicely. The book is very heavy for coming in at under 400 pages. The stock of paper is great quality and full pages of colored painting are put in-between each section. But something was rubbing me the wrong way in some section, maybe it was in the foreword when he declares the start of the US with Columbus discovering America. Maybe it was on page 221 when he states “…the group of fourteen. Including Simon and his 5 children, and Rachel and her eight children, reached Philadelphia…” ok, now I’m not a math major (actually I was a history major) but I’m pretty sure that equals a group of 15? I little mistake perhaps but somewhat annoying.

When I was volunteering at the history museum here and this book came up, it was discussed between me and a couple employees and I found out 1) the author is local which probably why there were masses of this book (let’s admit it, this isn’t a type of book people clamor for in most cases), 2) the guy is far from being a historian, he’s an entrepreneur (which makes sense his choice of topic), and 3) this guy is the second richest man in my state (1st richest at the moment being the co-founder of DISH), Colorado, who seriously owns A LOT of big name businesses in my city and elsewhere and also owns many soccer teams, entertainment industry, etc etc etc. Which made everything makes sense on the writing and made me feel a little better about being rubbed the wrong way at parts – he doesn’t write like a historian and heck, his book was published by a printing company he owns in Oklahoma. Pretty much he could have written whatever and no one was going to argue the case.

With the being said, the author did introduce me to several new people that changed the west and that I hope to delve further into. The author attempted and sometimes failed but hey, he tried.

[Booknblues]

Leah wrote: "With the being said, the author did introduce me to several new people that changed the west and that I hope to delve further into.."

It sounds like the merit of the book is helping you get to know a number of different people you would want to further explore.