The Proper Edge of the Sky: High Plateau Country of Utah

by Edward A. Geary

Edward Geary’s collection of writings on the High Plateau country of central and southern Utah, a combination guidebook, travel narrative, personal essays, and natural, social, and literary history, encompasses each of those forms with a sweep as broad as the landscape it describes. It traces the progress of travelers to the region, including the historic Dominguez-Escalante party in 1776, and trappers and explorers such as Jedediah Smith, John C. Freemont, and Kit Carson. Scandinavian and English descendants of the early Mormon pioneers, sent to settle Manti and surrounding areas by Brigham Young in 1849, populate many of the pages and dominate the agrarian villages described by the author. The book also describes the multiethnic society of French Basque, Greeks, Slavs, Italians, Chinese, Welsh, and Finnish laborers and coal miners that developed in the region. Geary writes of all these people with affection and a deep sense of place, of belonging to a distinctive landscape and its history. It is a book that will bring a rush of understanding to those who have lived in the High Plateaus and greater depth of appreciation to visitors.

Genres: History

286 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2002

Reviews

[Cannon Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent elegy to the castle country

[Scott Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was overall very good, but I must say that the 7th chapter is my favorite. Being from Sanpete, the chapter entitled “A Wife from Sanpete County” really resonated with me. It was obvious that Geary understood the people-maybe even better than I, and I have lived here for 20 years.

[Kellyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most perfectly titled books I have read. Geary has a special emotional tie to the High Plateau country of Utah and does a masterful job interweaving geography, history, stories, and culture of the area. It motivates the reader to explore the country he describes.

[Mark Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up close, local, and insightful. Motivating to get a camper and get out there.

[Matthew Durrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and comprehensive look at the history of Utah's plateau country. Very entertaining read too.

[Judy]

Architecture is frozen music McColough

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The geographical and cultural history of Utah's central region...from Nephi south...is described. I loved the story of the Richfield tabernacle and all about the patronymics in the area.