Old West/New West: Quo Vadis?

Fred Egloff

Western history has recently received more than its normal share of attention in national magazines and major newspapers. The articles invariably relate to a counterculture approach whose advocates refer to themselves as "New West" historians. They in turn describe historians who even faintly adhere to the Turner hypothesis as "Old West" historians. The more sensational and negative claims of the upstarts make better copy, so their side prevails. This book goes a long way to providing a reasonably balanced view of the controversy as six well-known historians present both sides. Patricia Limerick, the most prominent challenger from the New West side, seems dismayed at the questioning of her own theories. While Carl Abbott's West is one of mercantile dynamics, Donald Worster's West is in the environment. Gerald Thompson provides a spirited defense of the Old West historians. Gerald Nash places the New West historians in a historical context by pointing out alarming similarities they have with other ideologies from the past. Though this book is primarily about historiography, it should prove of interest to a general readership due to the fascination created by the media.