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Land, As Far As the Eye Can See - Portuguese in the Old West

by Donald Warrin and Geoffrey L. Gomes

"The Portuguese pioneered everywhere on the western frontier. Their stories-emblematic of the successful lives built by countless enterprising immigrants-has never been told, that is, not until this sensitive, pathbreaking book." Richard Orsi, past editor, California History

This is a pioneering work in a field long neglected by both popular and academic historians. It is the tale of men and women from Portugal who settled the frontier in the vast American West. It is innovative in structure, mingling in its parts biographical studies, geographical focus, and occupational pursuits.

Scrupulous research from an impressive variety of sources went into this study, making it a particularly well documented, lucid, fluent, almost kaleidoscopic analysis of the topic.

Opening with an overview of Portuguese history, emphasizing migratory trends, the text gives special attention to the role of whaling as the major factor leading to Portuguese settlement in New England and subsequently California. Thereafter each chapter opens with an ample analysis of the geographic, social, and historical situation encountered by the Portuguese settling in a particular area. It is only from this starting point that their accomplishments are presented.

These biographies of Portuguese immigrants range from lengthy, carefully detailed profiles of those who stood out in some occupation or undertaking, to glimpses of obscure yet important pioneers. Through the deeds of these pioneers the book gives a rather complete history of the opening, conquest, and development of the West.

Included are the famous, such as John "Portuguese" Phillips of Wyoming who gained fame on the Bozeman Trail, to the less well-known such as Antonio Montero, the fur trader; Peter Joseph, the Taos merchant; John Enos, cattleman on the Big Bend of the Columbia River; and Thomé Luiz de Freitas, Idaho's first playwright.

Occupations and activities alien to the Portuguese experience constantly emerge from the text, such as fur trading, mining, urban real estate, railroading, and large-scale cattle and sheep raising. The book also fills a large gap in regard to gold mining by the Portuguese.

Locations never before considered by historians in this field are highlighted: Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico, in addition to California which has been studied to some degree.

A vast number of photographs, many of them documenting activities mentioned above, make a valuable contribution to the text and assist the reader to visualize the various circumstances of the narrative. Five maps designed specifically for the work also add to its value.

Authors: Donald Warrin is Professor Emeritus, California State University, Hayward, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. He currently teaches Portuguese at that institution. He is the author of two books and numerous articles and papers on Portuguese American literature and history. Geoffrey L. Gomes has an M.A. degree in history from California State University, Hayward, and is a teacher of history and political science at Chabot College in Hayward. He has published more than two dozen articles on the history of the Portuguese in America.

A handsome volume of 352 pages, with extensive notes, bibliography and index. Illuminated with five maps and sixty-four illustrations. Printed on acid-free paper and bound in brown linen cloth with foil stamped spine and a printed dust jacket. ISBN 0-87062-306-0