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Author Meldahl, Keith Heyer.

Title Hard road west : history & geology along the Gold Rush trail / Keith Heyer Meldahl.

Imprint Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2007.

Copies

Location Call No. OPAC Message Status
 Axe Kansas Collection J Schick  978.02 M482h 2007    ---  Lib Use Only
Description xxi, 329 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
text txt rdacontent
unmediated n rdamedia
volume nc rdacarrier
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-315) and index.
Contents An American journey -- Between winter's chill brackets -- Ascending the plains -- Exhumed mountains and hungry rivers -- Black Hills and bent rock -- To the backbone of the continent -- Cordilleran upheaval -- Most godforsaken country -- The bear and the snake -- A breaking up of the world -- Most miserable river -- The worst desert you ever saw -- Into the land of gold -- Contingent history.
Summary In 1849 news of the discovery of gold in California triggered an enormous wave of emigration toward the Pacific. Lured by the promise of riches, thousands of settlers left behind the forests, rain, and fertile soil of the eastern United States in favor of the rough-hewn lands of the American West. The dramatic terrain they struggled to cross is so familiar to us now that it is hard to imagine how frightening--even godforsaken--its sheer rock faces and barren deserts seemed to our forebears. This book brings their perspective vividly to life, weaving together the epic overland journey of the covered wagon trains and the compelling story of the landscape they encountered. Geologist Meldahl uses diaries and letters of the settlers themselves--as well as the countless hours he has spent following the trail--to reveal how the geology and geography of the West directly affected our nation's westward expansion. --From publisher description.
Awards Association of American Publishers PROSE Award, 2007.
Subject Pioneers -- West (U.S.) -- History -- 19th century.
Pioneers -- West (U.S.) -- Biography.
Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.)
Overland journeys to the Pacific.
West (U.S.) -- History -- 1848-1860.
West (U.S.) -- Description and travel.
West (U.S.) -- Geography.
Landscapes -- West (U.S.) -- History -- 19th century.
Landforms -- West (U.S.)
Geology -- West (U.S.)
Frontier and pioneer life. (OCoLC)fst00935370
Geography. (OCoLC)fst00940469
Geology. (OCoLC)fst00940627
Landforms. (OCoLC)fst00991689
Landscapes. (OCoLC)fst01735625
Overland journeys to the Pacific. (OCoLC)fst01049347
Pioneers. (OCoLC)fst01064447
Travel. (OCoLC)fst01155558
United States, West. (OCoLC)fst01243255
Frontier.
Goldrausch.
Geologie.
Weststaaten (USA)
Goldrausch.
Erschließung.
USA.
Wilder Westen.
Frontier.
Chronological Term 1800-1899
Genre/Form Biography. (OCoLC)fst01423686
History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
Other Form: Online version: Meldahl, Keith Heyer. Hard road west. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2007 (OCoLC)608046143
ISBN 9780226519609 (cloth ; alk. paper)
0226519600 (cloth ; alk. paper)
Standard No. AU@ 000041422222
CHBIS 005863022
CHVBK 168918803
HEBIS 190347309
NZ1 11304171
NZ1 14632723

 
    
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