Customer Reviews

Saloons of the Old West

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This book begins with the stereotypical Hollywood image of the Old West saloon, together with a still from a western movie, in which John Wayne and Marlene Dietrich look on as a barroom brawl is about to commence. Then the author quickly takes the reader back to the real west, and there follows an entertaining and informative account of the saloon as it emerged as a social institution on the 19th century frontier, flourished until the turn of the century, fell on hard times and then disappeared with the arrival of Prohibition.

The author covers a range of subjects in a series of 15 chapters, each devoted to a topic such as the colonial origins of the drinking establishment, its first rude appearances on the prairies and in the mining camps, the furnishings of bars, the various dimensions of social life in the western saloon, what drinkers drank, bars providing sleeping accommodations, the uneasy relationship between saloons and frontier religion, gambling, entertainment, women in bars, and barroom violence.

As social history, this study of the western saloon is rich with anecdotes, amusing stories, and an appreciation for the ironies inherent in the subject. A number of historical figures have walk-ons, including Billy the Kid, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickock, and Buffalo Bill. Not to mention personages of note whose careers took them to the West: Sarah Bernhardt, Oscar Wilde, and Lola Montez.

Most interesting to this reader was the chapter on various forms of the quite literal "rotgut" consumed on the range and in the mining camps. Also of interest was the chapter on entertainment and the musical and theatrical productions, including Shakespeare and opera, that found avid audiences among saloon-goers. Maybe most informative is the author's putting together of the evolution of the saloon itself - its quick ascendance from humble beginnings to a central role in the male-dominated social life of the frontier.

Well researched, the book draws heavily on contemporary sources, including newspaper accounts, memoirs, almanacs, and songs. The book makes use of 150 well-chosen illustrations and photographs, several pages of notes, a lengthy bibliography, and an index. It's an excellent reference for the bookshelf of any Western enthusiast.

This one is not to be missed. For history buffs, as well as those who enjoy a good read, this is a great excursion back in time to when the saloon was a cornerstone of the community. I enjoyed it immensely, laughed out loud more than a few times, and highly recommend it.

Richard Erdoes has done his homework in this homage to an icon of the old west-the saloon. Beginning with the early pubs & inns to the brawling watering holes of the frontier, Erdoes chronicles the decline and fall of a great American institution. The great illustrations alone are worth the price of the book.

There is no other way to describe this book than to state that it is simply fantastic.It is a virtual encyclopedia about drinking,what was drunk,why it was drunk and where it was drunk in the Old West.While the author does give some insight into the taverns and drinking establishments of the east and even Europe;he concentrates on the saloons of the Old West.He must have done a huge amount of reading,travelling,interviewing and research to come up with all the facts and history that makes this book a wealth of information.When it comes to the Old West; it is an impossible task to separate truth from legend and pure fiction.Erdoes tries to comment on the truth and fiction aspect;but in the end he leaves it pretty well up too the reader to decide.The book is profusely illustrated with drawings and in some cases even photographs.Descriptions of saloons are given in detail and and the expressions ,descriptions and sayings are as plentiful as I have ever seen in one collection.Along with the saloons,Erdoes covers much else at the same time.Characters,personalities,events,are covered in just as much detail and completeness.Including so much information,facts and details would lead one to think that it would result in a heavy and boring read.However;such is not the case.The book is a very easy read as the author shows remarkable skill in making vast amounts of detail,very readible.
I am sure that I will turn to this book often in the future when looking up towns and personalities when reading Westerns or watching movies and documentries.
While there is a considerable Index;it stiil comes up short when one wants to look up something in the book.By that I mean ; there are mentions of many places,people and events that are not listed in the Index.There is also a wonderful Bibliography included and a very detailed set of Notes and page numbers for each chapter.
In summary,this is an excellent read as well as an excellent reference,for anyone interested in the Old West.
If you are looking for something to help you really understand what and why things happened the way they did in the Old West;this book will prove to be invaluable.