Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize, Pen Center West Award, Ray Allen Billington Prize, Caughey Western History Prize, Western Writers of America Spur Award, and the Caroline Bancroft Prize.
"In a way, Elliot West tells a familiar tale: that of Indians,
goldseekers, and the ensuing conflict. But in this case, West is
the first to assess the cataclysmic changes that the Colorado gold
rush brought to the Great Plains. In addition, rather than casting
the story in the usual terms of heartless aggressors and hapless
victims, West supplies a large and insightful interpretation that
at once softens and increases our understanding of the Anglo
disruption of Plains Indian cultures. To understand where western
history is now, and is likely to go in the future, one must read
this book."--Glenda Riley, American Historical Review"An
interpretive triumph, full of fresh insights into well-worn topics.
For all-round excellence in the full sweep of the western story,
West occupies the pinnacle. A truly fine book."--Robert M. Utley,
author of The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting
Bull"Many books have been written about the Colorado gold rush.
This one is different. The virtue of the book, besides its lucid
writing, splendid design, extensive research, and the meaning it
gives to the frontier concept that has been lambasted for thirty
years or more, is the fact that it never scolds or trashes any
culture. West's story is a story of cultural revisions--and thus
the imaginations and aspirations of many people."--William H.
Goetzmann, Journal of American History"In Elliott West's company,
the exploration of history becomes an adventure, a journey with
surprises and unexpected insights sufficient to shake the most
comfortable and settled of assumptions."--Patricia Nelson Limerick,
author of Legacy of Conquest"A haunting history and a wonderful
piece of storytelling. Rarely have historical figures been so
deeply human, so funny and tragic, as they are in this stunning,
clear-eyed and yet deeply empathetic book."--Richard White, author
of It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own
"West has harnessed, to powerful effect, the diverse and complex
story lines that form the history of the Great Plains. His fusion
of ecology and history is remarkable."--Washington Post Book
World"An interpretive masterpiece. West tells a colorful story
incredibly well, bringing individual actors to life and giving a
sense of the sweep of larger cultural events. This is lively,
literate, and at times humorous reading, paired with thoughtful
historical interpretations."--Environmental History"This book will
change the way the history of the West is taught and understood
forever."--Publishers Weekly
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