History of Wyoming

Rating:
Summary: Full of information, but encyclopedic instead exciting
Review: I bought this book to add more to my upcoming trip to Wyoming in October. I was hoping to read exciting stories from Wyoming's past like the adventures of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. However, this book is very encyclopedic and dry in its presentation of Wyoming's data. The information on the weather will be handy, but I could have done without the pages upon pages of data on soil composition and historical costs of cattle. This book is certainly full of information, just don't expect to be entertained by it.

Rating:
Summary: Full of information, but encyclopedic instead exciting
Review: I bought this book to add more to my upcoming trip to Wyoming in October. I was hoping to read exciting stories from Wyoming's past like the adventures of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. However, this book is very encyclopedic and dry in its presentation of Wyoming's data. The information on the weather will be handy, but I could have done without the pages upon pages of data on soil composition and historical costs of cattle. This book is certainly full of information, just don't expect to be entertained by it.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough And Entertaining Reading of Wild West State
Review: I could not disagree more with the other reviewer who opined that it was encyclopedic but not exciting reading.

Larson certainly has researched his subject very well and could easily be stated as the Dean Of Wyo History. As this is a comprehensive history up to the Post WWII era, the author by necessity touches on every area, yet leaves some at the macro stage where one wishes for more. This is well supplemented with a thorough annotated bibliographic section for further research.

From its frontier routes with the Natives and mountain men to the explorers and natural resource, railroad and ranching industries which comprise this land, Larson weaves a tale which engages the interested reader and keeps your interest growing.

The book is equally divided from its beginnings and overall description and then section two of the 19th C. on.

A treasure of a state history. It must be added also that the line drawings by Brodie are very nice!