Wanted, dead or alive! First hand accounts of the American West - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

oliver9184 · 05-09-2010, 05:10 AM

I'm looking for recommendations for some eyewitness accounts of what we call the "Wild West". These would ideally document frontier life in the states/territories roughly west of the Mississippi, from the Civil War up to the First World War, though earlier pioneering accounts are of interest. Mark Twain's Roughing It is a good example of what I'm looking for; something readable and hopefully not too dry and serious. Also of interest is anything that examines how and why the West has been romanticized and embedded in the popular consciousness over the last hundred years or so, that can hopefully illustrate the disparity between truth and legend. Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction. I've put this in the entertainment board as my interest in purely recreational.

warrrreagl · 05-09-2010, 05:20 AM

My wife, Grancey, got a bunch of those books a few years ago to research a part she was playing in a play about frontier life. The play was called Going to See the Elephant, and it was a very realistic, accurate account of women trying to make it alone in the frontier. I remember the books she got were pretty good.

I'll make sure she sees this thread.

EDIT: I noticed on Google that there is also a novel by the same name, which is not what you want. The play is by Karen Hensel and Elana Kent.

05-09-2010, 05:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
oliver9184 Psycho	Wanted, dead or alive! First hand accounts of the American West I'm looking for recommendations for some eyewitness accounts of what we call the "Wild West". These would ideally document frontier life in the states/territories roughly west of the Mississippi, from the Civil War up to the First World War, though earlier pioneering accounts are of interest. Mark Twain's Roughing It is a good example of what I'm looking for; something readable and hopefully not too dry and serious. Also of interest is anything that examines how and why the West has been romanticized and embedded in the popular consciousness over the last hundred years or so, that can hopefully illustrate the disparity between truth and legend. Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction. I've put this in the entertainment board as my interest in purely recreational.

05-09-2010, 05:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
warrrreagl pinche vato Location: backwater, Third World, land of cotton	My wife, Grancey, got a bunch of those books a few years ago to research a part she was playing in a play about frontier life. The play was called Going to See the Elephant, and it was a very realistic, accurate account of women trying to make it alone in the frontier. I remember the books she got were pretty good. I'll make sure she sees this thread. EDIT: I noticed on Google that there is also a novel by the same name, which is not what you want. The play is by Karen Hensel and Elana Kent. __________________ Living is easy with eyes closed. Last edited by warrrreagl; 05-09-2010 at 05:24 AM..