The Oregon Desert

by E.R. Jackman, R.A. Long

Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Caxton PressThe Oregon Desert is a wild, rough region that does things to people who try to change it. It is like "The anvil that wears the hammer out." Stories of life on the desert are told with deep, subtle humor, wisdom and charm, producing a delightful book.

Genres: History, Westerns, Nonfiction

407 pages

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had seen this book many times, was attracted by the cover, and purchased it a number of years ago. I finally got around to reading it and was not disappointed. The book contains a number of chapters focusing on the natural and social history of the Oregon High Desert. The authors (E.R. Jackson and R.A Long) were a county extension agent and local rancher respectively and both had a great deal of practical knowledge of the ecology and history of this part of Oregon. They share their knowledge through many anecdotes and vignettes dealing with local wildlife, native Americans, wild horse round-ups, ranching, and transportation. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on range management (Grass Grows by Inches). In just a few pages, the authors summarized what took me 5 years of college to learn. While somewhat dated (the book was written in 1962), this book describes a very interesting part of Oregon, one that many of its residents, especially those west of the Cascade Crest, know (and sometimes care) very little about.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book - it is a journal of wisdom about the southeastern Oregon high desert by those who have thrived there.

The first half is a personal history of the land (and here Reuben Long is a master, with an easy temperament - the other guy adores the platitude). The back half are indices of locally-adopted Mexican ranch words, pictures and descriptions of flowers, geology and wildlife, and maxims organized like the book of quotations, around subjects like "coffee.".

It was in this back half that I realized how sweeping this book was intended to be, that these two were trying to write down and memorialize *everything* about the Oregon high desert. And for an occasional explorer but longtime admirer like me, I'm grateful that they did and that someone else knew how important the book was and published it. There is nothing like this book anywhere, and no one could have written it so well and authentically as these guys did.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written in the 1960s, the authors' lived their lives in the Oregon desert. The book has stories and quite a bit of opinion; the photos are a great addition. I didn't find it to be easy to read, it wasn't set up well and there wasn't a good flow. The information and opinion is dated. I found the Jackman sections easier to read than Long's.

[Raghuveer Parthasarathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, informative, and strange book about the Oregon desert – its wildlife, people, landscape, and history (especially in the early 20th century). It’s all told in a very informal, anecdote-filled style that’s at times confusing – a lot of terminology about horses and cattle left me quite lost – but that’s engaging overall. It paints a picture of ways of life very different than our own.

[Rare Book Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a social history book where people tell you what it was like to live in an area 100 years ago. when I travel somewhere new it's a fun way to get to know the area. Now I can't wait to go back to the Oregon desert.

[Chase Parnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Oregon classic. A worthy read from another time.

[Linda Howard]

If you love 'real life' tales of the old times, and you love learning about what it took to thrive and survive in the high desert of Oregon in days past, you will enjoy this book.

[Roberto Galindo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible mind, full of facts and knowledge of this stunning outback. It was a pleasure to read, so well written and balanced. It wa s tough to let go. A brilliant piece.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing I’ve read in years.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the stories, the local, the education, the descriptions of the places. Plus the no nonsense of wild harsh places.

[Eric Stoess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book detailing homesteading in Eastern Oregon and everything else you could imagine to learn about the Oregon desert.

[Pate Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this. A way of life now uncommon (mainly due to evolving work culture, career and land opportunities). To meditate on the appreciation and awareness given to one’s surroundings. The authors had that. If you want insight into mindfulness of labor/life/community relationships and historical large scale cattle/land operations all told under the influence of pre-modern, Oregon desert night skies…this is for you.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is written by two men from southeastern oregon, and they talk about all sorts of things about the area from plants, to people, to history, to being cowboys, to geology. Being a horticulturist and growing up in this area I especially enjoyed where he talks about the plants. When he talks about junipers it makes me laugh, especially since most people in the area have a grudge these days against junipers. While people think the southeastern oregon is not that pretty especially compared to the wet, lush, green western oregon it shows that our little desert has worth and beauty in a different way.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by friends and colleagues ER Jackman and Reub Long, this book is part geography, part geology, part history, part homespun tales of the early settlement days of desert homesteaders, among other things. It is mostly entertaining, rarely dull, and always bursting with information on that part of Oregon about which most people know very little. A valuable resource for anyone interested in the "other" Oregon.

[Darrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a description of Eastern Oregon in the early days when people first came into the country. Lots of horses, cattle,failing farmers, wildlife, interesting people and their stories. What it isn't anymore.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was written many years ago, I found it an interesting blend of natural science, humor and scholarly prose. The description of the Oregon desert stands and meets today's changes. A book sure to interest anyone living in or near the region.

[Tutu]

The Oregon desert history is interesting and you're engulfed by this book once you begin reading it.

[SadieKate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating in some ways. Very poorly edited. Must be read with an eye to the times due to the folksy, and some times bigoted, tone. However, a lot of information on Eastern Oregon.

[Chuck Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of early eastern Oregon by an old desert rat. (Jackman Long building at state fairgrounds name for him and Long an OSU prof.)

[Adrien]

Gives an idea of the hardscrabble life of a homesteaders 100 years ago