The essays and anecdotes collected in this book are an engaging and
fascinating array of both the familiar and the surprising in Oregon
history. While not a comprehensive history, it covers the long span from
the prehistoric to the present with in-depth, thought provoking and
often humorous glimpses of the personalities and peculiarities that
inhabit Oregon's past. Its offbeat, ecclectic approach will inform and
entertain you. Learn what forces of nature combined to create Oregon
over geologic eons. See how the land's natural gifts inspired the mythic
world of its original natives. What was it like for Lewis and Clark to
spend an Oregon winter on the north coast -- without the modern tourist
conveniences? Follow the Barlow Road, the most perilous part of the
journey facing pioneers at the end of the Oregon Trail. Witness
Portland's booming optimism at the start of the 20th century, staging
the west coast's first worlds fair and building a world-class rail
transit system. See revealed -- as never before -- the seemy vice
underworld of Portland's 1950s rackets mobs. Recall Oregon's illustrious
sports heritage and re-live the careers of her superstars -- not just in
sports, but in politics too. All this and much, much more -- from the
sublime to the ridiculous, the momentous to the minute -- awaits within
these pages.
