Breaking the Wilderness The Story of the Conquest of the Far West, From the Wanderings of Cabeza de Vaca, to the First Descent of the Colorado by Powell, and the Completion of the Union Pacific Railway, With Particular Account of the Exploits of Trappers and Traders

"Breaking the Wilderness" by Frederick Samuel Dellenbaugh is a historical narrative about the European exploration and gradual takeover of the American West. Beginning with accounts of the early European explorers like Cabeza de Vaca to major milestones like John Wesley Powell’s daring first descent down the Colorado River and the monumental completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, the story travels through decades of change. A huge part of the book highlights the lives and exploits of courageous trappers and traders, who were some of the first to travel into the untouched wilderness. Woven into this adventurous story are important recognitions of the West's natural beauty, the many types of wildlife that roamed there, and the richness of Native American cultures that were already part of the landscape. The book starts by setting the scene of this wild land, pointing out the many mountains, rushing rivers, and the important roles that animals like beavers and buffalo played in exploration and survival. The author's vivid storytelling brings to life the challenges and victories of the daring individuals who wanted to tame this untamed area.