The Sagebrush State, 5th Edition: Nevada's History, Government, and Politics (Shepperson Series in Nevada History)

Wilbur S. Shepperson Series in Nevada History

by Michael W. Bowers

Nevada’s politics are in large measure the result of its turbulent history and harsh environment. Michael W. Bowers’ concise volume explains the dynamics of the political formation process, which is strikingly unique among the fifty states.  Even today, Nevada is unlike the other states in its politics and culture: it’s economically right, yet libertarian, the home of widespread gaming and a 24/7 lifestyle, has a high percentage of federally-owned lands, and has one of the highest rates of urbanism in the U.S., yet is often governed by rural legislators.

This comprehensive and insightful explanation discusses how Nevada’s history has shaped its political culture, and how its government operates today.  The Sagebrush State serves as a highly readable and accessible text for the study of Nevada’s political history and constitution, which is a graduation requirement at the state’s colleges and universities. The fifth edition is updated through 2017 and includes the full text of the state constitution with extensive annotations of all amendments to the original 1864 document.

Genres: History, Textbooks, Nonfiction

332 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Ashley]

Strangely entertaining for an accepted textbook. I appreciated the effort to keep me interested but I wasn't able to reference it during class discussion because the tone was so close to a story.

[Kirsta · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning about Nevada's political history was the most interesting to me. The rest was useful.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for class.

[Anonymous Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The driest book I’ve read this year

[Sierra]

Finally…. Hopefully I pass the final worth 75 % of my grade :D

[Brian Flint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mr. Bowers is clearly a talented researcher. I never felt that the raw facts were questionable as the references were either readily cited or contained within the manuscript. I came away feeling I have learned the essentials regarding Nevada's history and political system. Mr. Bowers has a talent of making a text book readable and interesting, a feat difficult when writing academic manuscripts. While his B.A. in History certain helped in the very brief history portion of this book, his advanced degrees in Political Science clearly shine in his more extensive treatment of the political systems at work in Nevada. As a historian, I was hoping for greater attention on the history. My only criticism of this introduction to the Sagebrush State is Mr. Bowers clear bias in the treatment of events and consequences in the state's history. Specifically, he can easily judge European-American actions as they pertain to minorities without contextualizing this actions. Furthermore, he paints the minorities as victims, only mentioning what was done to them without mentioning ways in which they contributed. It is our job as historians to present the events without applying modern morality. This does not completely detract from the usefulness of this book. I would assign this book in my classroom along with other books to provide a balanced view of the history of Nevada.

[Dustin Tatman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way out in the land of the setting sun,
Where the wind blows wild and free,
There's a lovely spot, just the only one
That means home sweet home to me.
If you follow the old Kit Carson trail,
Until desert meets the hills,
Oh you certainly will agree with me,
It's the place of a thousand thrills.

Home means Nevada
Home means the hills,
Home means the sage and the pine.
Out by the Truckee, silvery rills,
Out where the sun always shines,
Here is the land which I love the best,
Fairer than all I can see.
Deep in the heart of the golden west
Home means Nevada to me.

Whenever the sun at the close of day,
Colors all the western sky,
Oh my heart returns to the desert grey
And the mountains tow'ring high.
Where the moon beams play in shadowed glen,
With the spotted fawn and doe,
All the live long night until morning light,
Is the loveliest place I know.

Home means Nevada
Home means the hills,
Home means the sage and the pines.
Out by the Truckee's silvery rills,
Out where the sun always shines,
There is the land that I love the best,
Fairer than all I can see.
Right in the heart of the golden west
Home means Nevada to me.

[Edwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a solid intro to Nevada constitutional and state history. The chapter on Civil Liberties and Rights was my favorite. The second half of the book is quite dry, starting with the chapter on the "Nevada Legislature." Despite this obstacle, the book offers glimpses into why Nevada is truly a unique state in our country.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the textbook for a class I had to take for my teaching certificate. I didn't expect to enjoy it, but I loved it. It's very comprehensive and gives a well rounded history into Nevada and it's constitution. I enjoyed it very much and ended up with an A in the class!

[Julie Hendrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the history of Nevada intriguing and I enjoyed the political aspects of the book as well.

[Delanie Slattery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the textbook for a class. It was a pretty good read.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so very much that I bought myself a copy for my personal library.