Westward Expansion: A History of the American Frontier

About this book

When it appeared in 1949 the first edition of Ray Allen Billingtons Westward Expansion set a new standard for scholarship in western American history and the books reputation among historians scholars and students grew through four subsequent editions. This abridgment and revision of Billington and Martin Ridges fifth edition with a new introduction and additional scholarship by Ridge as well as an updated bibliography focuses on the Trans-Mississippi frontier. Although the text sets out the remarkable story of the American frontier which became almost from the beginning an archetypal narrative of the new American nations successful expansion the authors do not forget the social environmental and human cost of national expansion. While most Americans take pride in the nations frontier heritage and its associated myths they also share that history with others--especially with people of color--in whose collective memories the story of the American west is rendered both dark and painful. Westward Expansion encourages an understanding of American "westering" that is mindful of the racism and excessive nationalism that frequently marred the Western frontier experience. At the same time the authors understand a sense of optimism a profound faith in individuals own abilities the willingness to innovate and an abiding trust in democracy to be the transcendent values of the frontier experience traits that continue to influence the character of Americas people long after the close of the western frontier.