Exploring The West

by Herman J. Viola

Describes the early exploration of the West beginning with the Lewis and Clark expedition and looks at the work of scientists, soldiers, and artists

Genres: American History, History

256 pages, Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 1988

About the author

Dr. Herman J. Viola is a curator emeritus at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. A specialist on the history of the American West, he served as director of the Museum's National Anthropological Archives in addition to organizing two major exhibitions for the Smithsonian. "Magnificent Voyagers" told the story of the United State Exploring Expedition of 1838-42, and "Seeds of Change" examined the exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and the New Worlds as a result of the Christopher Columbus voyages of discovery.

Prior to joining the staff of the Smithsonian Institution in 1972, he was an archivist at the National Archives of the United States, where he launched and was first editor of Prologue: The Journal of the National Archives.

Dr. Viola's research specialties include the American Indian, the Civil War, and the exploration of the American West. He has authored numerous books on these topics, including Exploring the West, After Columbus, Warrior Artists, and The North American Indians. He is also the author of the middle school social studies textbook, Why We Remember.

His most recent book, Little Bighorn Remembered: the Untold Indian Story of Custer's Last Stand, was selected by both Book of the Month Club and the Quality Paperback Club, and was a primary selection of the History Club.

Dr. Viola received his B.A. and M.A. from Marquette University, and his Ph.D. from Indiana University/Bloomington. He has an honorary doctor degree from Wittingberg University, Springfield, Ohio.

Dr. Viola and his wife, Susan, have three sons. They are residents of Falls Church, Virginia, and Bozman, Maryland.

Reviews

[Dan Sibbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it an art book? Is it a natural history book amount animals, birds, etc? Is it a history of the Smithsonian Institution? Is it a definition of "manifest destiny"? It is all these wrapped together in a very pretty package I think. Some might not like it because it's too scholarly; some because its not scholarly enough. Voila, the prefect book. I enjoyed reading this book; I learned from the text. And I liked the pretty pictures, and that's good enough.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated and beautifully detailed, this book glorifies Euro-American exploration of western North America throughout the 19th century. Highly recommended for anyone interested in western exploration, Americana, military history, the fur trade, and wilderness. Deducted a point for being slightly out of date and for glossing over much of the effects the explorers had on Native Americans.

[Ede · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated overview of the westward exploration and expansion accompanied by short and clear descriptions of the main events starting from Jefferson's visions and ending with the purchase of Alaska.

[Cws]

XOS-978V

[David Gross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great photos, drawings and paintings, good overview of the west when it was first opening up to people from the U.S.