Conquering The Borderlands: A Southern Tier Journal: San Diego to St. Augustine by Bicycle [Paperback]

Lorraine Veisz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 2009

In terms of United States history, the Borderlands are the territories, from "Alta California" to "La Florida," that formed the northern frontier of Spain's New World empire. Conquering the Borderlands relates their histories, landscapes, and cultures as they unfolded during the author's Southern Tier bicycle journey from San Diego to St. Augustine.The Southern Tier route intersects the paths of Spanish conquistadors, stagecoach routes, and cattle drives, all of which come alive in the pages of this book. A ferry across the Mississippi evokes Mark Twain's account of life on the river; Louisiana's bayous recall Evangeline, Longfellow's poem about the Acadian exile from Canada. Curious javelinas emerge on West Texas roads, carnivorous plants alongside Deep South highways.On a personal level, the author describes the rigors of the trip and the anxieties that spring from attempting a cross-country ride nearly forty years after the goal first captured her imagination. The author coined the term "chronological borderlands" for that stage in life when professional and family responsibilities have been met, and deferred dreams spring to life with a renewed sense of possibility, coupled with apprehension that physical limits may be closing the door. The books is not intended to replace travel guides and maps, but to serve as a valuable companion piece that can further enrich the experience of Southern Tier travel - by bicycle, car or armchair.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lorraine Veisz drew upon her experiences during a 3,160 mile bicycle ride from San Diego to Saint Augustine, her university studies and life-long interest in Spanish language and history, and nearly two years of research following her cross-country journey, to write "Conquering the Borderlands." Lorraine's background enabled her to combine source material from both Spanish and English language archives with her personal observations. Having finished this project, Lorraine is about to pack her folding bike aboard the sailboat she and her husband own, to seek new adventures on sea and on land.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (June 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1438985312
• ISBN-13: 978-1438985312
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #608,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Conquering The Borderlands: A Southern Tier Journal: San Diego to St. Augustine by Bicycle, February 1, 2010

By 

J. BARY (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conquering The Borderlands: A Southern Tier Journal: San Diego to St. Augustine by Bicycle (Paperback)

The book was a historical journal of the borderlands, not a bicycling journal. Not enough written about the day-to-day adventures of cycling cross-country. I was disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading, September 19, 2010

By 

Raymond Riha - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conquering The Borderlands: A Southern Tier Journal: San Diego to St. Augustine by Bicycle (Paperback)

This book is not only a story about a the author doing a cross country bike ride with a group of woman but a history lesson of the southern states. You will read about tales of Spanish Conquers, U.S. Calvary, Indian and settlers who came through the area or settled there. The author has studied Spanish and it's history so she has a vast knowledge of it's culture. She also will express her own trails and tribulation she endured while crossing through the dessert and over the mountain ranges. I recommend the book for anyone who might desire to do this trip yourself.

Ray

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History Along the Ride, January 24, 2010

By 

Ramsey Doran "RamDoRide" (Nashville TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conquering The Borderlands: A Southern Tier Journal: San Diego to St. Augustine by Bicycle (Paperback)

Lorraine Veisz's book was full of information and fun facts. The fact that she could ride this route and still take time to see so many out-of-the way sights (and sites) was amazing. She certainly makes a good case for knowing something about an area before you travel there. Too, I hope her book will induce more people to get out on their bikes and see the world.