Hard Road West: History and Geology along the Gold Rush Trail by Keith Heyer Mel

Description: Hard Road West by Keith Heyer Meldahl 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. This title brings their perspective to life. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description In 1848 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. Hard Road West 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. Taking readers along the 2,000-mile California Trail, Keith Meldahl uses the 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 nations westward expansion. He guides us through a corrugated landscape of sawtooth mountains, following the meager streams that served as lifelines through an arid land, all the way to California itself, where colliding tectonic plates created breathtaking scenery and planted the gold that lured travelers west in the first place. "Alternates seamlessly between vivid accounts of the 19th-century journey and lucid explanations of the geological events that shaped the landscape traveled. . . . The reader comes away with both an appreciation for the arduous cross-continental wagon journey and an understanding of the events that created such a vast and difficult landscape."—Library Journal "[Meldahl] draws on his professional knowledge to explain the geology of the West, showing how centuries of geological activity had a direct effect on the routes taken by the travelers. . . . Meldahl provides a novel account of the largest overland migration since the Crusades."—Science News Author Biography Keith Heyer Meldahl is professor of geology and oceanography at MiraCosta College in California. Table of Contents Preface Introduction: Stardust 1 An American Journey 2 Between Winters Chill Brackets 3 Ascending the Plains 4 Exhumed Mountains and Hungry Rivers 5 Black Hills and Bent Rock 6 To the Backbone of the Continent 7 Cordilleran Upheaval 8 Most Godforsaken Country 9 The Bear and the Snake 10 A Breaking Up of the World 11 Most Miserable River 12 The Worst Desert You Ever Saw 13 Into the Land of Gold 14 Contingent History Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes Glossary Bibliography Figure Credits Index Review "Alternates seamlessly between vivid accounts of the nineteenth-century journey and lucid explanations of the geological events that shaped the landscape traveled.... The reader comes away with both an appreciation for the arduous cross-continental wagon journey and an understanding of the events that created such a vast and difficult landscape." - Library Journal "Meldahl draws on his professional knowledge to explain the geology of the West, showing how centuries of geological activity had a direct effect on the routes taken by the travelers.... Meldahl provides a novel account of the largest overland migration since the Crusades." - Science News" Review Quote "What is really special about Hard Road West is the deftness with which Meldahl suynthesizes perspectives from his may excursions . . . the words of the emigrants themselves through their jouornals and memoirs, and a perspicuous account of the tectonic science. The reader comes away with a deeper intellectual and emotional contact with this landscape as well as a more visceral sense of the trqagedies, triumphs, stupidities, and sublimities involved in the frontier encounter." Details ISBN0226519600 Author Keith Heyer Meldahl Language English ISBN-10 0226519600 ISBN-13 9780226519609 Media Book Format Hardcover DEWEY 978.02 Illustrations Yes Year 2007 Imprint University of Chicago Press Place of Publication Chicago, IL Country of Publication United States Short Title HARD ROAD WEST Series Chicago Lectures in Physics DOI 10.1604/9780226519609 UK Release Date 2007-11-01 AU Release Date 2007-11-01 NZ Release Date 2007-11-01 US Release Date 2007-11-01 Pages 352 Publisher The University of Chicago Press Publication Date 2007-11-01 Audience Professional & Vocational Subtitle History and Geology along the Gold Rush Trail We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:161786646;

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