Reviews for Salt Desert Trails: A History of the Hastings Cutoff and Other Early Trails Which Crossed the Great Salt Desert Seeking a Shorter Road to California

The average rating for Salt Desert Trails: A History of the Hastings Cutoff and Other Early Trails Which Crossed the Great Salt Desert Seeking a Shorter Road to California based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-12-16 00:00:00 robert dodd This concise book, as the title indicates, tells the story of the territorial years of Colorado. At about 150 pages, on average it devotes 10 pages per year. All the major events of the time are related, the major issues explained. We are introduced to all the major political, business, and social figures. I think it's a fine survey of the title subject. I was hoping for a bit more heft. But it is thoroughly noted and includes a generous bibliography, so there is plenty of opportunity for exploration.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-12-26 00:00:00 Cathy Thomas A fine short history of Colorado's territorial period, it ends with the state's admission to the Union in 1876. Many contemporary problems - how big should government be, what is its role, how should minorities/natives be treated, preservation vs. extraction or exploitation - saw the light of day during the territorial period. I wouldn't say it's "stay up all night to finish" reading, but it's well done. I reviewed this book for "Overland Journal," the quarterly magazine of the Oregon-California Trails Association, and the review appeared in the Fall, 2009, issue.