This book made tangible the hopes and dreams of the men and women who moved west in search of better lives. Fitzgerald has included maps, photographs and layouts of towns that illustrate the optimism (and in some cases, the deceptiveness) of investors and town founders who hoped to establish new communities. I have lived in Kansas most of my life, but never appreciated why earlier generations moved here, and ultimately why they thrived or failed. Fitzgerald clearly demonstrates how county seats, mines, railroads, rivers, and interstates can save or kill a town. In addition, he has included where to find the town's remains - if there are remains to be found. This book is easy to read in little snippets. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Kansas history and the history of westward expansion, as well as anyone who enjoys good anecdotes that build connections to those who have come before us.

I know the author personally. As I see above that Joseph W. Snell is listed as designer. Not so. He only did an introductory page. I typed & edited the manuscript. A sequel that is doing just as well is "Faded Dreams, More Ghost Towns of Kansas". Both volumes contain at least 100 old KS towns & histories, with maps and many pictures. Both are of great interest to the western history buff.

Thanks.

I bought this book just from browsing around in Amazon. I am trying to educate myself more on the ancient world and this book looked like a good one.

I gave this book 4 stars because it has wonderful information about the lives of the peoples of the ancient near east. I didn't give this book 5 stars because of its organization.

I felt like there was no point to the book except to puke out all that the author had learned during his research. I appreciate the author's hard work, and I believe it was worth the small funds I payed for the book, but the author needs work on his writing skills.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient history only because I have read so few books about ancient history. If you have the ability to stick it out through a book that has fascinating information, but requires some effort to read, then this book is wonderful. I am that type of person. I read a lot of computer science books as well :-) If you are the type that has to be lead through a book with the author exciting you all the way with his words, then don't pick this one up.

Snell's book is important in bringing together available social historical evidence (it is also very well documented). I found particularly enlightening Snell's discussion of slaves/slavery and women. I gave the book a 4-star rating because Snell's organization of the information he has marshalled is, at times, disjointed and hard to follow--probably because the ancient Near East is so hard to periodize. Nonetheless, the book was an informative read and could be used to supplement introductory works on the ancient Near East that emphasize imperial history at the expense of social history.

Snell's book is important in bringing together available social historical evidence; it is also very well documented. I found particulary enlightening Snell's discussion of slaves/slavery and women. I gave the book a 4-star rating because Snell's organization of the information he has marshalled is, at times, disjointed and hard to follow--probably because the ancient Near East is so hard to periodize. Nonetheless, the book was an interesting read and should be used to supplement introductory works on the ancient Near East that emphasize imperial history at the expense of social history.