The Story of the West [Hardcover]

Kay Donovan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2003

This blend of social, cultural, political, and economic history tells the complete story of the American West -- from prehistoric mammoth hunters to present-day Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. Written in an clear, engaging style by prominent historians in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, The Story of the West brings to life the historical figures behind the myths with photos, objects, paintings, and drawings from the Smithsonian's collection. Contributors include: James P. Ronda, John Logan Allen, Glenda Riley, and W. Raymond Wood.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Edited by seriously scholarly historians and endorsed by the Smithsonian Institute, The Story of the West aims to be the most authoritative illustrated history of the American West ever published. Beautifully produced in DK's distinctive style, this title works well in breaking down an enormous and important historical subject into a manageable and accessible format. Western history is divided into six periods, each having a chapter written by a prominent academic in that period. The 100,000-word narrative is illustrated with 700 images and 50 full colour maps and timelines. The Story of the West will be bought as a home reference guide and purchased by school libraries and by the general armchair historian. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Robert M. Utley is one of the founders of the Western History Association. His works include Lone Star Justice: The First Century of the Texas Rangers, Cavalier in Buckskin: George Armstrong Custer and the Western Military Frontier, and High Noon in Lincoln: Violence on the Western Frontier.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (October 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789496607
• ISBN-13: 978-0789496607
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,565,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOLARSHIP, January 7, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of the West (Hardcover)

Not only Americans but people throughout the world continue to be fascinated by the history of and stories about our "Old West." Beautifully and generously illustrated this comprehensive volume offers a close-up view of this territory and its people.

A veteran of the National Park Service and an accomplished historian, Robert Utley offers readers the opportunity to explore six periods in our Western past, enriched with voices heard in diaries, letters, speeches, and newspapers.

Opening with those who peopled this area long before Native Americans, some 12,000 years ago, we begin our journey. We learn that prehistoric Indians were not meat eaters, hunters, but rather cultivators. In fact, pumpkins and gourds were grown in Mexico some 7000 years ago. Of course, one of the most important inventions in very early times was the bow and arrow.

The years of the Spanish conquistadors are traced as well as the mountain men, cowboys and gun slingers until we touch the hem of the modern West.

"The Story of the West" is a valuable contribution to scholarship as well as a source of enjoyment and enlightenment for lay readers.

- Gail Cooke

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating History of the West, January 16, 2004

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of the West (Hardcover)

"From the emergence of pre-Columbian civilizations more than 12,000 years ago to the urban West of today, this is the only book to recount the compete history of the West. Gripping eyewitness accounts, striking photographs, and archive materials are combined with absorbing narrative to produce a fascinating and truly comprehensive portrait of the real American West." ~back cover
"The Story of The West" is an authoritative reference that documents six distinct periods in Western history and highlights the human drama that has shaped this fascinating region.

1. The West Before Columbus
Prehistory - 1500
This covers the early Native American cultures, the land and its resources, the people, the changing west and tribal relations.

2. Spain in the West
1500-1800
A section detailing three centuries of Spanish influence, the founding of New Mexico, Mariners and Missionaries, Spanish Gains in the 1690s, and the West during the American Revolution.

3. The Winds of Change
1800-1840
U.S. Presence in the West, The Imperial West, Mapping the West, The Contest for Louisiana, Lewis and Clark Expedition, Empires of the Mind and Commotion in the Southwest. This chapter contains information on the Trail of Tears.

4. The Eagle Screams
1840-1865
Exploration and Migration, the Great Westward Migration, The Great Reconnaissance, The West in the American mind.

5. The West Subdued
1865-1900
Indian Wars, The Railroad Web, Federal Innovations, Development Run Rampant, Problems and Politics and Mythologizing the West.

6. The Contemporary West
1900 to the Present
The New West, the development of the oil industry, Hollywood, ethnic diversity and prominent figures like Walt Disney and George Bush. Covers areas like the Growing Economy (1900-1930), Politics and People, The 1920s, The West in the Great Depression, World War II, and Dreams vs. Reality.

The "Old West" of frontier times fascinates many Americans and scholars and the general public have become even more interested in researching this area of history. Robert M. Utley has devoted himself to historical research and writing. He specializes in the history of the American West and frequently appears on TV programs about the West. He specializes in:

The myth of the "old west"
The unique pre-history of the western states
The diverse ethnic populations who helped pioneer the west
The pioneering spirit that helped to shape the west

You can read about the ancestors of the Native Americans, Spanish conquistadors, fur-trapping, cowpunchers, mountain men, gunslingers, and Indian war leaders. There are also first-hand accounts from diaries, speeches, newspapers and letters. Quotes are sprinkled throughout the pages.

There are many maps, pictures, paintings, artifacts, sketches and other visual material that makes this book very enjoyable to read. I was especially interested in the information about making chocolate and there is a picture of a woman pouring chocolate to create a foamy drink.

Dr. Utley also put together a team of prominent historians including: John Logan Allen, Richard W. Etulain, John L. Kessell, Gerald D. Nash, Glenda Riley, James P. Ronda and W. Raymond Wood. They each contributed their expertise to a book that will be of great interest to all history buffs and readers who enjoy the rich and diverse history of the Western United States.

~The Rebecca Review

Also look for:

Native Americans
The Saga of Lewis & Clark
The Story of America
The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull
Lone Star Justice: The First History of the Texas Rangers
Cavalier in Buckskin

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of the West, August 25, 2008

By 

Monica Bautista (Mexico city) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of the West (Paperback)

I just lovedthis book. I live in Mexico, and I have always learned the Mexican history, its conquest, and everything focused on Mexico, but this book opened myself to a wider kmowledge.
It is well organized. It has lots of pictures, maps, timeline parts which are appreciated and make myself understand better what we are talking about. Great book.