"From the mysteries of the ancient Anasazi to the technological marvels of Silicon Valley, the American West has been a place where legends are made. In this authoritative, single-volume reference, you'll discover the full scope of Western US history and learn the true stories of the people, places, cultures, and events that have been the stuff of legends from pre-Columbian times to the present." "This comprehensive sourcebook is divided into five major sections, each covering an important historical period. Within each section, you'll find vivid, well-written narrative entries covering a wide range of fascinating subjects, including the Louisiana Purchase, the Oregon Trail, the California Gold Rush, and the Oklahoma Dust Bowl. In addition, eyewitness accounts taken from letters, diaries, and public documents put you in the center of the action as the broad sweep of history unfolds." "You'll also discover a host of larger-than-life figures - mountain men and movie stars, pioneers and politicians, gunslingers and geologists - who sought and found their fortunes west of the Mississippi and whose exploits helped to create both the reality and the mythology of the American West. You'll meet Billy the Kid and Bill Gates, Kit Carson and Barry Goldwater, Geronimo and Johnny Cash, among many others. And you'll learn about the essential roles of women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Mexican Americans in the westward expansion and continuing development of the West." "Supplemented with more than 80 stunning illustrations, including period photos, line drawings, and maps. The American West provides surprising and engrossing details on countless topics such as adobe architecture, the Conestoga wagon, the Bowie knife, and the Colt 45. It also covers famous Western battles, from the Pueblo Uprising to Custer's Last Stand to the L.A. riots of 1992." "In many ways, the history of the West is the history of America itself. The American West gives you fast, fingertip access to every aspect of this immense and ongoing story. It is the must-have reference for students, history buffs, and anyone interested in the West."--Jacket.