The World of the American West: A Daily Life Encyclopedia [2 Volumes] (Daily Life Encyclopedias)

Brief Description:

Addressing everything from the details of everyday life to recreation and warfare, this two-volume work examines the social, political, intellectual, and material culture of the American 'Old West, ' from the California Gold Rush of 1849 to the end of the 19th century.
What was life really like for ordinary people in the Old West? What did they eat, wear, and think? How did they raise their children? How did they interact with government? What did they do for fun? This encyclopedia provides readers with an engaging and detailed portrayal of the Old West through the examination of social, cultural, and material history.

Supported by the most current research, the multivolume set explores various aspects of social history--family, politics, religion, economics, and recreation--to illuminate aspects of a society's emotional life, interactions, opinions, views, beliefs, intimate relationships, and connections between the individual and the greater world. Readers will be exposed to both objective reality and subjective views of a particular culture; as a result, they can create a cohesive, accurate impression of life in the Old West during the second half of the 1800s.

• Offers insights based on social history and the daily experience of the average person to engage students' interest and curiosity rather than focusing on the events, dates, and names of "traditional history"
• Presents information within a thematic organization that encourages a more in-depth study of specific aspects of daily life in the Old West
• Includes related primary documents that enable students to view history more directly and reach their own conclusions about past events
• Examines a wide range of topics such as work, family life, clothing and fashion, food and drink, housing and community, politics, social customs, spirituality, and technology
• Provides a general introduction per volume, individual topic introductions, numerous images and illustrations, a timeline of events, and a bibliography identifying print and nonprint resources

Gordon Morris Bakken, PhD, is professor of history emeritus at California State University, Fullerton.

"Written at a level accessible to high school students, this reference tool would be a beneficial resource for high school, public, and undergraduate libraries."

ARBA

"Lots of sound information on a variety of fascinating topics for high school students, college undergraduates, and nonspecialists with an interest in the social, political, intellectual, and material culture of the 1800s American West."

Library Journal

What was life really like for ordinary people in the Old West? What did they eat, wear, and think? How did they raise their children? How did they interact with government? What did they do for fun? This encyclopedia provides readers with an engaging and detailed portrayal of the Old West through the examination of social, cultural, and material history.

Supported by the most current research, the multivolume set explores various aspects of social history--family, politics, religion, economics, and recreation--to illuminate aspects of a society's emotional life, interactions, opinions, views, beliefs, intimate relationships, and connections between the individual and the greater world. Readers will be exposed to both objective reality and subjective views of a particular culture; as a result, they can create a cohesive, accurate impression of life in the Old West during the second half of the 1800s.

Review Citations:

• Library Journal 04/01/2017 pg. 107 (EAN 9781440828591, Hardcover)
• Booklist 05/15/2017 pg. 36 (EAN 9781440828591, Hardcover)
• Choice 07/01/2017 (EAN 9781440828591, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:Bakken, Gordon Morris

Gordon Morris Bakken, PhD, is professor of history emeritus at California State University, Fullerton.