"The country in which I grew up - the rugged areas of southwestern Colorado - was changing rapidly in the 1930s. I sensed that something unique in the nation's experience was ending, and I tried to capture a segment of the passing on paper - the breakup of the great cattle ranches and mines and the last efforts of the old-timers to hang on in the face of declining profits and increasing mechanization they themselves could not afford" - David Lavender. 'Believe me, David Lavender can write. He can make you laugh; he can make people come alive in print' - "Book Week". 'His story is realistic and readable...Nor does he spread any gloss on the hardships. He does, however, put on record some of the most engaging characters in the modern literature of the West. He makes it understandable why he says that, after damning the country mightily, one comes to an absurd affection for the particular part of it he has most reason to hate' - "New York Times".
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The country in which I grew up—the rugged areas of southwestern Colorado—was changing rapidly in the 1930s. I sensed that something unique in the nation’s experience was ending, and I tried to capture a segment of the passing on paper—the breakup of the great cattle ranches and mines and the last efforts of the old-timers to hang on in the face of declining profits and increasing mechanization they themselves could not afford."—David Lavender
"Believe me, David Lavender can write. He can make you laugh; he can make people come alive in print."—Book Week
"His story is realistic and readable. . . . Nor does he spread any gloss on the hardships. He does, however, put on record some of the most engaging characters in the modern literature of the West. He makes it understandable why he says that, after damning the country mightily, one comes to an absurd affection for the particular part of it he has most reason to hat."—New York Times
"One Man’s West is a silver knife that slices through time. We should be grateful David Lavender had the acumen to record his memories of that time and to Bison Books for keeping them in print."—Colorado Central Magazine
(Colorado Central Magazine )
From the Publisher
8 1.5-hour cassettes
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great intimate narrative of life in western Colorado & Utah,
By A Customer
This review is from: One Man's West (Paperback)
David Lavender is a historian whose personal account of
growing up in Telluride and Ouray, Colorado is captivating.
Mr Lavender documents the arrival of the 1950's "modern age" to
western Colorado and Utah. During his youth, the open desert
and mountain lands evolve from a setting for silver mines,
lone cowboys, and vast cattle ranches into the garden of the
atomic age. He documents the arrival of uranium prospectors,
the departure of independent cowboy spirits, and finally, the eventual
return of the nuclear boom towns to dust. It is fascinating
to read him today and to see what the southern Utah desert was
like 50 years ago. If you visit these areas, I recommend that you
read "One Man's West" as you pass through them. It will give
significance to the sight of decaying farm or mining equipment
by the roadside, and fill you with appreciation for those who make
an effort to preserve the wilderness. I buy this book in multiple
copies and give them to my friends. It has no particular bent for
environmentalism or even "wise use" in the wilderness, but gives you
some historical insight. I have never met Mr. Lavender, but I admire him
as an author and historian. He has authored several other books
incouding and account of the Lewis and Clark expedition which, I have heard,
is quite good."One Man's West" was written in the 1940's then updated in the 1950's.
The New York Times published a glowing review of the book in the mid 1940's or 1950's.
Its age has only helped to enhance its significance to a contemporary reader of western history.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A prolific writer,
By A Customer
This review is from: One Man's West (Paperback)
Mr. Lavender recently died (April '03)and his obituary in the Los Angeles Times prompted me to go out and buy this book. I could not put it down...just as the Times stated, Lavender is a wonderful writer who knows how to describe the west. This book has it all, mountains, mining, cowboys and history with a nice personal touch. I would recommend it highly. It is an "easy" read and one that will leave you feeling satisfied once you complete the book. I am going to search out more of Mr. Lavender's works.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I agree with you review...,
By nickoli@rmi.net (Colorado) - See all my reviews
This review is from: One Man's West (Paperback)
An excellent book! Ranching and mining, rich history, not to be missed.
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