Presents the founding of the American West through the lives of explorers and settlers such as Eusebio Kino and Brigham Young
Gr 5-8-Doherty looks at nine important pioneers of the American West. Using primary sources, he profiles Juan de O-ate, a Spanish conquistador; Eusebio Kino and Jun'pero Serra, Spanish priests; as well as John Sutter, John McLoughlin, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, Peter De Smet, and Brigham Young. For each one, the author provides both biographical information and an overview of how the subject influenced the development of the area he or she settled. This approach allows readers to see the roles of strong individuals in the larger picture of settlement. The treatment of the trailblazers is very balanced, with discussions of each person's strengths and weaknesses as well as explanations of how their settlements affected Native populations. Sidebars, margin quotes, and anecdotes about related topics are also included. Black-and-white illustrations include period art and photos and contemporary photos of historic places. This book is broader in scope than Albert Marrin's outstanding Empires Lost and Won: The Spanish Heritage in the Southwest (Atheneum, 1997) and is more detailed than Carter Smith's rather superficial The Conquest of the West (Millbrook, 1992). It gives readers a clear perspective on the differing motives for white settlement and will be an excellent report source.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
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