Nevada's Environmental Legacy: Progress or Plunder (review)

2?? o Book Reviews401 American Indians played a dominate role in the history of Oklahoma in the nineteenth century, and the authors place this part of the story in the broader context of the history of the United States. From big-game hunters, to drilling for oil, to conservation efforts to save the forests and soil, to storm watching, to the Oklahoma City Bombing, the authors paint Oklahoma history in broad strokes, which may leave some readers wanting to know more about specific events and places. Oklahomans such as C. M. Beiden, Charles Haskell, Alice Mary Robertson , Henry Bellmon, and Elva Shartel Ferguson are highlighted. There is even a brief mention of "Pretty Boy" Floyd and other infamous people of questionable character. As transportation improved, the state grew and changed. From trails to trains to interstate highways, the authors emphasize how modernization has impacted the state through the movement ofpeople and products. Agriculture has played— and contínues to play—an important role in Oklahoma's economy, even though the number offarmers has continually declined over the years. From Kay County's 101 Ranch to Ardmore's cotton gins to Enid's grain elevators, the authors include textual snapshots of places helping the reader visualize Oklahoma. Dark times in Oklahoma's history such as the Tulsa Race Riot are also presented. Along with economic issues, politics and the impact of various politicians is covered by the authors including information about the state changing from a Democratic to a Republican state. Providing a broad perspective for the state, this work is written for a general audience and is a readable account of Oklahoma history. It provides an excellent overview and will intrigue readers to pursue more details about particular topics of interest to them. There is a recommended readings list to aid them in this endeavor. Presented in chronological order, the reader can easily "travel" through time, acquiring historical nuggets along the way. There is also an appendix that lists places to visit and see history, adding to the value of this work. Addit íonally there are black-and-white photos, maps, and illustrations along with a handy index. Although there is minimal mention of Texas, primarily referring to boundaries and transportation routes such as the "Trail of the Cross" and the Texas Road, this work is highly recommended for the Oklahoma history classroom, public and academic libraries, and for anyone interested in an overview of the state's history. Oklahoma State UniversityTanya Finchum Nevada's Environmental Legacy: Progress or Plunder. ByJames W. Hülse. (Reno: University ofNevada Press, 2009. Pp. 156. Illustrations, maps, bibliography, index. ISBN: 9780874177695. $24.95 paper.) In James W. Hulse's compact overview of Nevada's environmental history, he explores the decisions Nevadans have made about their natural world. He offers this overview as a corrective to the state's history, which he argues has too often ignored the environment. Hülse counts himself, and his substantial body ofwork on Nevada history, as remiss in examining the state's past through an environmen- 402Southwestern Historical QuarterlyJanuary tal lens and focuses readers' attention on the toll taken by ranching, mining, and military testing on Nevada's land and water. Hülse begins with the convoluted land policies ofearlyAnglo settlers that would literally shape the development of Nevada for generations. As only an historian of Nevada could do, he likens the earliest federal land practices to a buffet table: "those who arrived first took generous portions; those who came later got the scraps" (2). The greatest beneficiaries of this federal largesse were the railroads, with the Central Pacific Railroad carving out the greatest share for itself. The long history of mining has left some of the deepest, most visible scars on the landscape of the Silver State. Hülse traces this extractive industry from its humble origins in placer mining in streambeds to modern open-pit mining and cyanide leaching operations. The toxic legacies of these more recent developments in mining have animated the activities of local environmental and Native American groups. Hülse's emphasis on water in such an arid landscape is a particularly welcome contribution to Great Basin scholarship. Surveying waters from the Carson River...