I am curious if the surveyors on this forum have read this book, Beyond the Hundredth Meridian, by Wallace Stegner, and what they think about it.
There are some discussions in a bit about the mapping of the west and the rivalry between USGS and the Coast and Geodetic Survey (which I was unaware of). Perhaps it exists today to? Not sure.
I have not read the whole book yet (it's a hard read for me, I read it very slowly) but seems to be fairly biased.
The thing to remember about Stegner's historical books is that he was primarily a fiction writer. So, he's at his best when describing action, and tedious when it comes to exposition.
FYI - his real claim to fame is the list of writers he taught: Wendell Berry, Edward Abby, Ken Kesey, Tom McGuane, Ernest Gains, Larry McMurtry, etc.
Thank you for the insight. From that list I only know Edward Abbey. I'll check it out the others.
"FYI – his real claim to fame is the list of writers he taught: Wendell Berry, Edward Abby, Ken Kesey, Tom McGuane, Ernest Gains, Larry McMurtry, etc."
And Ken Babbs, college basketball player, USMC Vietnam helicopter pilot, Merry Prankster and Kesey's right-hand-man. Babbs is 88 now and a couple years back released a book about the Prankster days entitled "Cronies". He still cuts firewood, cuts hay on his property and plays trombone. Not all at the same time, mind you. Nevertheless, some folks get all the good aging genes...
