Winning the Wild West: The Epic Saga of the American Frontier, 1800-1899

This is a really fine book covering the westward expansion of the American frontier during the 19th century. The quality of page design, richness of images (photos new and old, paintings by western artists, maps, posters), and the rich detail and freshness of the text make this a book that's a feast for the eye and the curious mind with every turn of the page. As just one example, the chapter on cowboys and the open range includes reproductions of paintings by Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and other western artists (including a two-page spread of Russell's dramatic "Smoke of a .45"); a page-long quote from "Teddy Blue" Abbot's "We Pointed Them North"; a map of the cattle drive trails and railroad lines; vintage photographs of cowboys on the trail, roping and branding cattle, breaking horses, as well as studio portraits of cowboys; two-page illustrated essays on Dodge City and its peace keepers, the Colt Revolver, the Stetson hat, Black cowboys, and vigilantes; and full-page color photographs of rolling grassland in the Black Hills, the high deserts east of the Southwest, and cattle under a big sky with snow covered mountains in the distance. Stegner's book is both political and social history, and it captures both the triumphs and losses that represent the "winning" of the West, including the wars declared and undeclared against the Native American tribes. The strongest image in this regard is a vintage photograph of the mass burials at Wounded Knee in 1890. His book is also an album of brilliantly photographed color images of the western landscape -- plains, mountains, lakes, deserts, in all seasons. You understand that these breathtaking spaces are as much a part of the Western experience as the stories of the people who traversed and settled in them.The nearly square format of the book gives the pages room to breathe, allowing the book to absorb a vast amount of textual and visual materials. Stegner's text is richly interlaced with quotations from 19th-century contemporaries and established historians. The credits pages are a distinguished list of sources including the Amon Carter Museum of Fort Worth, Texas; the Buffalo Bill Cody Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming; Harper's Weekly; and the Joslyn Art Museum of Omaha, Nebraska. There's an excellent bibliography of over 60 books about the West, from "Teddy Blue" Abbot's and Andy Adams' cowboy memoirs to "American Life Histories" by the WPA Project. There's also a handy index of over 550 items.I highly recommend this book. It is 400 pages that will absorb anyone interested in the Western experience, whether they know a little or a lot about the subject.

This is a great book. Wonderful in many ways including the great cover art and binding.While no single volume could completely tell the story of westward expansion, this one makes a valiant attempt. If you could purchase just one book to help you understand the race across the west, this is it.The text is full and specifically highlights the lives of many famous and infamous characters. Chapters are broken down by particular era, which allows you to look into those areas of greatest interest.The book is filled with vivid photography. The landscapes are beautiful and breathtaking. Many artifacts are photographed and explained, offering a one stop Wild West museum. You couldn't find this many artifacts and historical photos in ten museums!A great book. Enjoy reading it all or skimming through your favorite stories.