The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West

by Patricia Nelson Limerick

Book Overview

The "settling" of the American West has been perceived throughout the world as a series of quaint, violent, and romantic adventures. But in fact, Patricia Nelson Limerick argues, the West has a history grounded primarily in economic reality; in hardheaded questions of profit, loss, competition, and consolidation. Here she interprets the stories and the characters in a new way: the trappers, traders, Indians, farmers, oilmen, cowboys, and sheriffs...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393304973
• ISBN13: 9780393304978
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Superb Social & Intellectual History

Limerick's text is quite simply the most important work in social and intellectual history of the American West of the past several decades. Scholarly yet readable, the appropriately documented text includes historic photographs as well. The final chapter, "The Burdens of Western American History," is commonly and effectively used in college classes in history, American Studies, environmental ethics, and other areas. A GREAT text to give to the child or nephew/niece going off to college because it introduces the reader to such a wide, interdisciplinary context of understanding.

Considered essential to New Western History.

Limerick's book is thoughtful and enjoyable to read. It covers in broad detail many aspects of Western History and seeks to give the Old West a more inclusive and broad face. There are parts that may be uncomfortable to some, but her analysis is thoughtprovoking and well reasoned. Almost everything about Western history is discussed here.

Standard for New Western History

Limerick's writing is vivid and engaging. The organization of her chapters is excellent. She critiques every aspect of the Turner thesis. Her book is/was the opening salvo in the New Western History that looks at the American West as a region instead of a process of frontiers. Limerick seeks to include everyone in her story of the American West, not just white, Anglo-American cowboys and Native Americans. A wonderful book. There is NEW stuff in this book, in that before her few historians of the west looked at women, Asians, Indians from their perspective, blacks, etc. A must read for any student of the American West!

The continuity of history

Anyone who still believes with Frederick Jackson Turner that the West somehow "closed" in 1898 should read this book. Limerick advances the thesis that the same boom-bust cycles and the same struggles over land, water, and mineral rights that characterized the "Wild West" are continuing to this day. She writes in an engaging style that combines well-told narrative with penetrating analysis.

A terrific read

Limerick's work here is outstanding. Here ability to tie in the violence of the western expansion to our current myths and current behavior is terrific. Moreover, in addition to be an eye-opening and informative work, it is an enjoyable read as well. A must have for anyone who has an interest in Western history, or who simply wants to learn more about US history.