The Great Salt Lake

by Dale L. Morgan, Milo Milton Quaife (Introduction)

The Great Salt Lake, moody and mysterious and fabulous, is the subject of this book by Dale L. Morgan, eminent historian of the American West. Early in the nineteenth century, the lake was a scenic backdrop for mountain men and trappers in search of beaver pelts. For Brigham Young and his Mormon followers it was the place of destiny. But for Spanish, British, and American explorers and traders, it was a barrier sea "strangely removed from common experience," a starling "joke of nature." Approached as a history, geography, geology, or high adventure, "The Great Salt Lake" is fascinating reading. This Bison Book reprints the original 1947 edition published by the Bobbs-Merrill Company in the American Lake Series edited by Milo M. Quaife.

Genres: History, American History, Science

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1986

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once had a very good Utah History professor tell me that Dale Morgan was the historian for me. He recommended this book. Well, I bought it, let it sit on the shelf for about six years, picked it up and immediately fell in love with it. This Utah History book speaks to me like none other before it. It's simply beautiful and tells the story of the Great Basin and its people. The Post World War II Generation historians (especially those that delve into Mormon/Utah History)is something worth investigating. I think we are definitely in another good era of Utah/Mormon history and let's admit it, many of these folks were mentored by Arrington. But the likes of Brooks, Arrington, and yes even Dale Morgan (though many would argue with me) is something that has been missing for a while. It's still refreshing to pick up a good history book and soak in the land where I live.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1947, this turned out to be more interesting than I foresaw. It was chosen for neighborhood book club & as I'm always up for history, I got a used copy online & decided I would read it. Since it describes the area where I live, I was interested in the history. It turned out to be an entertaining history of the lake & the life surrounding it. There's geology, a history of all the people who wandered through the area & settled here, economic discussions, political discussions, & a look at the future in the last chapter. That was fascinating to compare with how the state has evolved since then. All in all, a fine history with little-known contemporary anecdotes that he found in deep dives in newspapers.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe him to be one of the most honest and transparent of historians. Such a shame he died before his time.