Texas and the Far West Book

Details the American expansion into Texas and the far west from the late eighteenth- to the mid-nineteenth century, including information on the Oregon Trail, the war with ...

Children's Literature

The expansion into the West remains one of the touchstone events in American history. One need only think of images such as the cowboys, wagon trains threading their way across the plains, or the rush of Native Americans riding by on horseback to recall the emotional impact the West still possesses. In reality, the movement west involved a great deal of uncertainty, hardship, courage, and cruelty. For example, thousands of men, women, and children lost their lives traveling along pathways such as the Oregon Trail. The "opening" of the West brought to an end the traditional way of life of thousands of Native tribes. Additionally, much of the West was acquired via an imperialist war with the United States' southern neighbor, Mexico. Regardless of these historical realities, the settlement of the West remains an event of both great complexity and stirring memories. In this chapter of the ten-volume "North American Historical Atlases" series, Rebecca Stefoff tackles the subject of the American West. Ms. Stefoff is a writer who has previously published several fine works dealing with this topic. In this work Stefoff briefly touches on many of the central themes of the westward migration. In addition, the author incorporates numerous maps and illustrations to highlight the text. This book is one that will interest readers with a desire to know more about the legendary American West. Hopefully, readers of this well crafted book will turn to some of the author's other works for a more in-depth look at this subject. 2003, Benchmark Books, Romaneck