Environment and Experience

The pioneer battling with a hostile environment—whether it be arid land, drought, dust storms, dense forests, or harsh winters—is a staple of western American history. In this innovative, multi-disciplinary work, Peter Boag takes issue with the image of the settler against the frontier, arguing that settlers viewed their new surroundings positively and attempted to create communities in harmony with the landscape. Using Oregon's Calapooia Valley as a case study, Boag presents a history of both l