The West: An Illustrated History [Paperback]

Geoffrey C. Ward (Author), Stephen Ives (Contributor), Ken Burns (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2003

For the first time in paperback comes the magnificent, copiously illustrated companion volume to the landmark PBS television series. 400+ illustrations, many in full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The companion volume to the stunning PBS television series, and an encore the acclaimed bestsellers The Civil War and Baseball. In a vivid narrative that begins with the arrival of the first Europeans and ends well into the twentieth century, author Geoffrey C. Ward provides a gripping journey through the turbulent history of the region that has come to symbolize America around the world. Drawing upon hundreds of letters, diaries, memoirs, and journals as well as the latest scholarship, and vividly illustrated with over 400 photographs, many of them never before published, The West: An Illustrated History chronicles the arrival of wave after wave of newcomers from every direction of the compass, each of which invested the harsh but majestic western landscape with its own myths and desires and dreams.

It is the central story of America, a story filled with heroism and hope, enterprise and adventure as well as tragedy and disappointment. It explores the tensions between whites and the native peoples that they sought to displace, but it also encompasses the Hispanic experience in the West, from the time of the conquistadors to the transformation of a Mexican-American village called Los Angeles into the region's major metropolis; the lives of Chinese immigrants who called the region "Gold Mountain"; and the ordeals of freed slaves from the South who sought a better life homesteading on the Great Plains. This book is as sprawling, vast, and rich as the history and land it describes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Following the format of The Civil War and Baseball, two earlier book companions to Ken Burns's television series, this beautifully designed, handsomely illustrated and stylishly written social history of the American West will be published as Burns's new eight-part documentary airs on PBS. Readers will be drawn to the book's lavish use of unfamiliar 19th- and 20th-century photographs (shown to great advantage on the oversize 9-1/4" x 10-7/8" pages), but those who come only to browse should stay to read. The core text is by Geoffrey Ward, coauthor of the two earlier tie-ins and author of two admired books on FDR; while each of the eight chapters includes a collateral essay by a visiting scholar, among them N. Scott Momaday, Dayton Duncan, Patricia Nelson Limerick and Richard White. The book is loosely built around the treatment?and the actions?of the first settlers: the American Indians (who are viewed neither romantically nor uncritically), as each new wave moves westward: explorers, trappers, soldiers, gold miners, Mormons, railroaders, cowboys, lumbermen, ranchers and others. It is an ethnic collision of Indians, Mexicans, Yankees, ex-Confederates, European immigrants and Chinese. Examined also are the changing myths the West has engendered. Its scope, the sheer size of the landscape and the time it covers make this book as sweeping as the Plains. $300,000 ad/promo; BOMC, History Book Club and QPB main selections; simultaneous release, Random House Audio Books.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books (October 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316735892
• ISBN-13: 978-0316735896
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 1.1 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Booksbycee Book Review for The West : An Illustrated History, April 19, 2002

By 

Buffy the Bookworm - See all my reviews

This review is from: The West: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

The West : An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward, Dayton Duncan has got to be one of the most "Can't put down" type of books I've had the wonderful pleasure of owning, ever! The illustrations, to many to count are of the finest quality I've ever seen in a book not to mention that the editorial choices were perfect. The photos depict the exact expressions that capture those lost moments in time... If you can get this book - buy it! It is for all ages and you could never grow tired reading it, as well. A certain coffee table type book! I rate this book a 5 STAR!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, beautifully illustrated of Western history., December 2, 1998

By 

Antonio N. Goodwin ([e-mail]) (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The West: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

Being sucked into this book is not hard at all. With it's wonderful photographs of Native Americans and western pioneers, you get a true feeling of the life and culture. Geoffrey C. Ward is an excellent writer, and has put together one of the finest books of early American history and culture. I highly recommend the reading of this book to anyone whose roots derive from this era.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The West by Geofrey Ward, September 29, 2003

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The West: An Illustrated History (Paperback)

This book is well organized and written. It would make a
perfect reference for a class project. There are vivid scenes
from the American West; such as, a majestic portrait of
the legendary Davey Crockett. The Devil's Tower is depicted
in a picturesque Wyoming scene. There are beautiful still
photos of a Snake Priest and Hopi dancer. The author researched
this work thoroughly. It is representative of the early
West. The purchase is recommended as a top rated historical
reference book well-suited for students of all ages and
backgrounds.