Friday, August 15, 2008

How the west was won (by the Portuguese)

I'm just finishing a fascinating book by Donald Warrin (Professor Emeritus, California State University, Hayward, Department of Modern Languages and Literature) and Geoffrey L. Gomes (History and Political science, Chabot College, Hayward) - Land As Far As The Eye Can See: Portuguese In The Old West. An incredible history of those brave Portuguese men and women, mainly from the islands, who helped settle the American West Frontier. I loved the bio of "Portuguese Joe", particularly the hilarious dispute over his will. And then there's Manuel Brazil, who helped capture Billy the Kid. I think I'd like to be called "Portuguese Raggedy Ann" from now on.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Vou comprar...
f