i thought this book was very well written and i learned a lot about jedediah smith and after i read this book i went to my local library and checked out another book on jedediah smith i also learned about other pioneers

This book, first published in 1966 and reissued in 2000, provides a concise, upbeat description of American expansion between 1800 and 1860. This work is refreshingly free of politically correct revisionism, particularly in its treatment of the Mexican-American War. Goetzmann, one of America's most prominent historians of the West, writes in a lively style. At just over one hundred pages, the main text is an easy read. The eight maps are helpful. The suggestions for addtional reading, while thorough, are dated. Michael Michaud, Vienna, Austria

In creating this book of maps, the authors have not merely stepped on one of my pet peeves. They have kicked it, stomped it, gouged it, whipped it, and beaten it with a stick. My pet peeve is maps that have no mileage scale. I see it all too often in newspapers and magazines. Maybe ignorant reporters and editors can be excused. But how can these scholars give us an entire book of maps without a single mileage scale? Besides knowing the routes of the explorers, we want to know how far was their journey from one point to another.

I would like to know why mileage scales were omitted. Did the editor think people would use the maps for navigation and sue the publisher for any errors? If this omission was just an accidental oversight, then it should have been corrected before the book was published. Please explain.

But, that said, this is a beautiful and interesting book. Most of the maps are a full page, and each map is accompanied by a page summarizing the accomplishments of each journey and its importance. Also, many of the maps are accompanied by a contemporary drawing, painting, litho, etc. that illustrates the journey. Students of early North American explorations will enjoy this book. If the authors will revise it and add mileage scales to the maps, then I'll raise my rating to a 5.

This atlas serves a real need for any serious student of North American history. The alternative is to chase down many sources that have individualized map information for individual explorers.

In some cases, however, the colors are difficult to actually discern. There is so many route information, with so many colors that are similar, that it is difficult to distinguish one route from another.

Also, a stated map scale of both miles and kilometers for each map would be helpful.

Otherwise great! -- in my opinion.

Why is the atlas no longer in print, at least at present?

Are the authors planning a revised copy?

I'd like the authors to know about this, and receive a big pat on the back from this old history student and high school history teacher.

Les Falk, Kelowna, BC, Canada