The Rockies

By David Lavender

Book Overview

"From the time of Coronado's discovery to the era of modern ski resorts and sport climbing routes, adventurers have been lured irresistibly to the Rocky Mountains. In this book distinguished writer David Lavender traces the colorful history of the Rockies, focusing on the period that began in 1859 with the first gold strikes. The real and fabled attractions of gold, silver, furs, lumber, and lead brought swarms of people into the mountains, eagerly seeking wealth. A get-rich-quick spirit pervaded the Rockies, leading to lawlessness, violence, vigilantism, and political expediency. The Rockies is particularly revealing about the struggles which resulted in codes peculiar to the mountainous West. Duane A. Smith provides a new introduction to this Bison Books edition of The Rockies."--BOOK JACKET. Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080327906X
• ISBN13: 9780803279063
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Length: 404 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An informative history of the majestic Rocky Mountains

Enhanced with an informative introduction by Duane A. Smith, The Rockies by David Lavender (Professor of History and Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College) is an informed and informative history of the majestic Rocky Mountains ranging from the gold strikes of 1859 to struggles that brought about law codes unique to the mountainous American West. An engaging presentation as much about the impact of humanity as it is about the mountain range itself, The Rockies is a welcome addition to American History Studies reading lists and academic library collections. Also very highly recommended is Professor Duane Smith's earlier works: The Way To The Western Sea: Lewis And Clark Across The Continent (0803280033, ...) and Westward Vision: The Story Of The Oregon Trail (0803279159, ...).