This book presents a view of the history of the American West at the end of the 20th century. It is a systematic assessment of the current state of Western history. The book covers major new areas of emphasis. The debate over the history of the American West has become as energetic as the older debate over the meaning of the frontier in American history. Contrived confrontations are tedious, but legitimate intellectual inquiry can be exciting. Other voices need to be included in this intellectual conversation. For this reason, scholars of diverse backgrounds and interests have written shorter ... More

This book presents a view of the history of the American West at the end of the 20th century. It is a systematic assessment of the current state of Western history. The book covers major new areas of emphasis. The debate over the history of the American West has become as energetic as the older debate over the meaning of the frontier in American history. Contrived confrontations are tedious, but legitimate intellectual inquiry can be exciting. Other voices need to be included in this intellectual conversation. For this reason, scholars of diverse backgrounds and interests have written shorter chapters that respond to one of the seven major chapters. Native Americans, Mexican Americans, Asia and Asian Americans, gender, the natural environment, human perception, and the role of the West itself in America's history are all vital subjects.