"The lives, legends, and epic events that made the American West a world-renowned symbol of true grit are showcased in this gorgeous volume featuring the Gold Rush, the Indian Wars, cowboys, outlaws, and more. From Lewis and Clark's epic 1803 expedition to the showmanship of Buffalo Bill Cody, the story of the American West is epic in scope and full of amazing tales of tragedy and triumph. Lavishly illustrated with vivid photographs and intricate maps, this is the definitive history of a time and place that forever lives in legend. Travel with fur traders and trappers through the Pacific Northwest, read accounts of brave pioneers heading west along the Oregon Trail, see 19th-century technology progress as the golden spike connects the East and West coasts, and watch the rise and myth-building of the American cowboy unfold. The history starts with the early explorers who laid claim to the West, altering forever the lives and lands of the Native Americans they first encountered. Lush illustrations and archival imagery illuminate the conquest by the Spanish and other Europeans, the land rushes by settlers, construction of major transportation channels, the Indian Wars, the gold rushes, loggers, the open range, and more. Sidebars showcase fascinating figuresand highlights of the Old West, including gunslinger and performer Annie Oakley, the exploits of Jesse James, the rise of Western motion pictures, feuds between cowboys, ranchers, and sheep herders, and much more"-- Read Less