Into the West: The Story of Its People

Into The West is an engrossing, fast-paced demographic survey that characterizes development of the American west. Walter Nugent sets out to draft a people's history that omits (intentionally) political and economic theories, insofar as these were not the primary motivators behind the book. Nugent sets out to study five myths (Jeffersonian agrarianism, exploiting resources, i.e., "Gold Rush," California Dreams, rugged individualism, and migration) that presumably have served as motivators to move west. Then, once he establishes the boundaries of the west as the Pacific Ocean and the 98th meridian, he begins his study.Nugent's style promotes undying optimism and steadfast confidence in the resiliancy of the land if not always the individuals that settled it. At times Nugent seems to favor West Coast urban (Seattle, Portland, and especially California-particularly Los Angeles) as the most fortunate western areas, though the experiences of each western state serves as supporting evidence for his theories. Since the book has clearly defined geographic boundaries, there is not the temptation to view the Old Northwest or Kentucky, or even Minnesota or Missouri, as the "west." Nugent does not confuse west and frontier.Nugent draws on intricate detail to support his work. He writes of French communities in 1750 Texas, and Mormon colonies from Pocatello to San Bernadino to Mesa to Mexico. He understands what the Ogallala aquifer meant to the high plains. At times the book seems too slanted towards California, but then the nation's most populace state demands intensive evaluation.Nugent's conclusions are precise. None of his aforementioned myths wholly explain western development, but each still played a significant role to those who moved there. Jefferson would have been hard-pressed to base agrarian ideals on western homesteading. Gold Rush mentality reappeared as people sought gold, silver, various other precious metals, and oil shale. California Dreams occasionally lead to riots (1965, 1992), displacement (Japanese internment camps), or emigration to other states. Rugged individualism occasionally means beatnik, hippie, or other alternative lifestyles. Migration occasionally means returning east or back across the oceans altogether.But this is what Nugent wants to illustrate. The west is dynamic not stagnant. It is multicultural, not homogenous. Into The West is a fine example of one scholar's attempt to define the people of this most urban settlement area.

For a more personal view of history than most texts would offer, consider Walter Nugent's Into The West, an important history contrasting the experiences of various peoples who settled there. From pioneers and their motivations to involuntary immigrants, this provides important historical details.

The West, the mythical West. After all the movies and books, another book, just fresh from the printing presses. Yet, it will not bore you. The catchy spine B & W photographs show a sample of ethnicities that found freedom of life in a land where rules were fresh and into the making. The cover photograph is very catchy too, almost as of a B movie from the 1940 hollywood years. The style is fast and rich with texture and details, and never stuffy. The last chapter, on the last 10 years, I wish it had more on the Colorado front range being invaded by Californians, and how the latter and the Coloradans coped with each other. In that regard, the bibliography did not mention Mark Bacon's "The California Escape Manual", a very appropriate side reading.