Significance of the Frontier in American History [Paperback]

Frederick J. Turner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 082902610X | ISBN-13: 978-0829026108 | Publication Date: October 1991

This hugely influential work marked a turning point in US history and culture, arguing that the nation's expansion into the Great West was directly linked to its unique spirit: a rugged individualism forged at the juncture between civilization and wilderness, which - for better or worse - lies at the heart of American identity today. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frederick Jackson Turner (1861 - 1932) is widely regarded as one of the two most influential American historians of the early 20th century. He is best known for The Significance of the Frontier in American History. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Irvington Pub (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082902610X
• ISBN-13: 978-0829026108
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,599,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must reading for all students of American history, October 24, 2005

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Significance of the Frontier in American History (Paperback)

In 1893, historian Frederick Jackson Turner presented his landmark paper, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" to the American Historical Association. Turner's thesis that the availability of land that could be acquired by anyone willing to work it explains how America developed is a landmark idea in explaining the United States. There is much to be said in favor of his ideas. From the moment that colonies were established by the European powers on the East Coast until the frontier was declared closed in the late nineteenth century, hardy people migrated westward. There was a natural progression of the early hunters and trappers followed by people who planted some crops but still relied primarily on what they could kill or capture to those who constructed farms. The first two groups were transient, and the last group was permanent. It was they who established the communities with schools, churches, and commerce.
This book starts with an explanation of Turner's classic paper, which is followed by the text that he delivered. While some of what he says in the paper is still controversial, it remains one of the most significant examinations of the forces that drove the development of the United States. It is a paper that is must reading for anyone studying the history of the United States before the frontier vanished at the start of the twentieth century.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Beware Penguin Incomplete Edition!, January 23, 2010

By 

R. Webb (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Significance of the Frontier in American History (Penguin Great Ideas) (Paperback)

I ordered the one with ISBN 978-0-141-04257-2 not knowing it was a flimsy edition with only four of the 13 chapters in the real book! The original (out of print, but available through various online sources) has a waterfall on the front. ISBN 0-486-29167-7 is the real book.