Why the West Was Wild

Christine Linge MacDonald, a past director of the Toronto & District
Parent Co-operative Preschool Corporation and a freelance writer, is an
elementary-school teacher in Whitby.

Rapid settlement of the American West in the latter half of the 19th
century created a colourful and unique era in American history that has
captured the imagination of people the world over. Many vivid images
have sprung from popular movies and novels. In Why the West Was Wild,
Wayne Swanson provides a frank and detailed look at the “Wild West,”
giving young readers a chance to judge the accuracy of its ubiquitous
imagery in our culture.

Twenty-one topics are investigated. Each topic is presented on one side
of a double-page spread and enhanced on the other side by a full page of
photographs, paintings, maps, and drawings with informative captions.
Settlers have their first surprised look at the West’s vast prairies
and intimidating mountains in “Unknown Land.” Soon “Boomtowns and
Entrepreneurs” are established, and we learn about Wells’s and
Fargo’s clever stagecoach innovations. The lawlessness of the West
contributed to much of its wild attraction, but the hard facts are
disturbing. Swanson pulls no punches in describing the “Vigilantes”
(with images of public hangings), “Indian Wars,” “Range Wars,”
and “Gangs of the West.” The resulting exploits of colourful lawmen
like Wild Bill Hickok give some sense of the courage needed to try to
make a life in the American West.

Even though Swanson attempts to achieve a balanced portrait of the Old
West, many readers might not be able to see past the garish, bloody
excitement to perceive the quiet strength and courage of the average
settler and cowboy who endured this life. Nevertheless, Why the West Was
Wild is recommended.