Books matching: the american west
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- #1
Save:A well-researched, accessible read perfect for history buffs or Western enthusiasts - just don’t expect a novel-style page-turner or the profound impact of Brown’s most famous work.
'The American West' by Dee Brown is a detailed narrative history that delves into the development of the West in the 1800s. The book covers the stories of various key figures such as Native Americans, settlers, cowboys, ranchers, and businessmen, highlighting the conflicts, struggles, conquests, and the eventual colonization of America. The author provides a well-documented and well-written account, with chapters dedicated to different subjects, making it an informative yet entertaining read. The book captures the essence of the American West, bringing to life the diverse characters and events that shaped the country during that era.
The writing style of Dee Brown in 'The American West' is described as very readable, engaging, and easy to follow. The book is praised for its detailed descriptions of both Indian and European situations, making it a recommended addition to any History library. Brown's storytelling is compared to that of a serious historian and a capable novelist, keeping the readers intrigued and engaged throughout the narrative. Despite some critiques about the lack of cohesive narrative and focus on Native Americans, the book is commended for its educational value and entertaining approach to exploring the history of the American West.
1994•458 pages A classic, unflinching look at America's dark past - a powerful, painful must-read that will change how you see history, though it's as heartbreaking as it is important.
'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West' by Dee Brown is a heartbreaking and authentic account of the white expansion into the American West from the Native American point of view. Each chapter focuses on a different tribe or event, providing a comprehensive and intimate retelling of the fate of the American Indian. The writing style is described as poetic, insightful, and impeccably researched, with harrowing details provided by first-hand recollections, making it a great first read of American History that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
Many reasons were given by both white men and Apaches for this sudden exodus from a reservation where everything apparently had been running smoothly. Some said it was because of the tiswin spree; others...1970•498 pagesA gripping, illuminating, and sometimes infuriating deep dive into the past and future of the American West’s water problems - an environmental classic that’s more relevant today than ever. Expect to be informed, possibly outraged, and definitely thirsty for change.
'Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water' by Marc Reisner is a comprehensive history of the struggle to control water in the American West. It delves into the political corruption, intrigue, and billion-dollar battles over water rights that have led to economic and ecological disaster. The author weaves a tale of rivers diverted and damned, exposing the greed, manifest destiny, and wishful thinking that have shaped the region's water management history.
Reisner's writing style in 'Cadillac Desert' is described as well-researched, highly readable, and engaging. covers the history of irrigation, aqueducts, and water projects in the West, focusing on key events and figures such as the Owens Valley, Mulholland, and Los Angeles. While some readers found the book to be depressing due to the dark themes it explores, others praised it as a classic study of the politics behind water in the western US, blending journalism, history, and commentary to shed light on the challenges faced in managing water resources in the region.
The American West was explored by white men half a century before the first colonists set foot on Virginia’s beaches, but it went virtually uninhabited by whites for another three hundred years. In 15...1982•612 pages- #4
Save:Unmissable if you love deep character work and epic adventures - Lonesome Dove is a masterclass in storytelling and worth the ride, even if westerns aren't your usual pick.
'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry is a sprawling epic Western novel that follows the journey of two aging ex-Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call, as they set out on a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The narrative is rich in historical detail, exploring themes of friendship, adventure, love, and survival in the rugged landscape of the American West. Through vivid characterizations and intricate plotlines, the author paints a compelling portrait of the challenges and triumphs faced by a diverse cast of characters on their arduous journey.
WHEN AUGUSTUS CAME OUT on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake—not a very big one. It had probably just been crawling around looking for shade when it ran into the pigs. They were having...1985•544 pages An uncompromising, poetic, and nightmarishly violent vision of the American West; admired as a literary masterpiece, but definitely not for the faint of heart.
Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy is a brutal and violent tale set in the American Southwest and Mexico during the 19th century. The story follows a young man known as The Kid who joins a group of scalp hunters led by the enigmatic and ruthless Judge Holden. The book delves into themes of violence, survival, and the darkness of human nature, all portrayed through McCarthy's haunting and vivid prose. The narrative is bleak and unrelenting, showcasing the harsh realities of life on the border between Mexico and America, where evil takes on human form in the physical world.
The book is described as a western where the Wild West is stripped of any heroic illusions, focusing instead on a group of merciless scalp hunters collecting bounties along the US-Mexico borderlands. McCarthy's writing style is elegant, detached, and breath-catching, rendering the beauty of the desert landscapes, the brutality of survival, and the emotional bankruptcy of the characters with exquisite detail. The characters, especially the enigmatic Judge Holden, provide a glimpse into mankind's addiction to violence, making the novel a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of morality and human nature.
See the child. He is pale and thin, he wears a thin and ragged linen shirt. He stokes the scullery fire. Outside lie dark turned fields with rags of snow and darker woods beyond that harbor yet a few...1985•352 pagesA landmark, myth-busting look at the American West - essential for history buffs and everyone tired of the old cowboy tales.
In 'The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West,' Patricia Nelson Limerick delves deep into the complex history of the American West, debunking myths and presenting a narrative that intertwines capitalism, nature, and cultural divisions. Through a detailed exploration of the West's development and the diverse interactions between Native Americans, Mexicans, missionaries, and settlers, Limerick paints a vivid picture of a region shaped by conflicting interests and the pursuit of profit. The book highlights the ongoing struggles over natural resources, the impact of private property on Western history, and the lasting effects of cultural conflicts on the region.
Limerick's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, offering a comprehensive analysis of the West's characteristics, including its political culture, environmental exploitation, and racial conflicts. By challenging popular beliefs and historical narratives, the author presents a nuanced and multi-faceted view of the American West, emphasizing the complexities of its past and the enduring tensions that continue to shape the region today.
WHEN ACADEMIC TERRITORIES were parceled out in the early twentieth century, anthropology got the tellers of tales and history got the keepers of written records. As anthropology and history diverged,...January 1987•401 pagesA sweeping, well-researched, and novelistic history of the American West’s most turbulent era - equal parts exhilarating, sobering, and enlightening. A must for history lovers, but not everyone’s cup of tea.
Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides is a meticulously researched narrative that delves into the clash between American Manifest Destiny and the Western Native American tribes, primarily focusing on the life of Kit Carson. The book spans the U.S. Western expansion from the mountain man era through the end of the Civil War, providing a comprehensive account of the historical events and key figures of the American Southwest.
Sides' writing style is praised for its ability to bring history to life, making the book read like a novel while maintaining a balance between critical and sympathetic viewpoints of Kit Carson and the American settlement of the southwest. The narrative is engaging and educational, shedding light on the complexities of the human history of the American southwest, particularly highlighting events such as the Navajos' Long Walk in the 1860s and Kearny and his Western Army's march to California.
In the two decades he had lived and wandered in the West, Christopher Carson had led an unaccountably full life. He was only thirty-six years old, but it seemed he had done everything there was to do...2006•630 pages- #8
Save:A hilarious, biting, and insightful anti-Western that lampoons tall tales and shatters Old West myths - highly recommended for fans of historical adventures and satirical fiction.
"Littel Big Man" by Thomas Berger is a historical fiction novel set in the Wild West, following the life of Jack Crabb, a man who was raised by Cheyenne Indians and later becomes a part of major historical events and encounters famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Gen. George Armstrong Custer. The book is described as a humorous and engaging tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clash, and survival in a witty and insightful manner, with a focus on the protagonist's journey between two different worlds.
My Pa had been a minister of the gospel in Evansville, Indiana. He didn’t have a regular church, but managed to talk some saloonkeeper into letting him use his place of a Sunday morning for services....1964•458 pages A masterfully researched and eye-opening account of the Native American West, perfect for readers craving depth and nuance. Not a light read, but definitely a rewarding one.
Colin Calloway's 'One Vast Winter Count' delves into the history of the Native American West before the Lewis and Clark expedition, exploring topics such as early human inhabitants, corn agriculture, Spanish and French interactions, rise of horsemanship, European colonial wars, and the impacts of horses and muskets meeting on the Missouri River. The book is praised for its clear, readable, and comprehensive account of the Native American West, highlighting the dynamic histories of native peoples and the environment over different time periods.
2003•636 pages- #10
Save:A beautifully written, somber western that’s as much about the human soul as the untamed frontier - perfect for readers who want more depth from their adventure stories.
John Williams' 'Butcher's Crossing' is a novel set in the 1870s following Will Andrews on a buffalo slaughter expedition in Colorado. The narrative details the journey from the dreadful slaughter to being snowed in, exploring themes of man's relationship with nature, the impact of the wilderness on individuals, and the consequences of greed. Williams' writing style is described as spare, detailed, and well-researched, providing a cinematic account of the harsh realities faced by the characters in the unforgiving wilderness.
The coach from Ellsworth to Butcher’s Crossing was a dougherty that had been converted to carry passengers and small freight. Four mules pulled the cart over the ridged, uneven road that descended sli...1960•326 pages
