The Way West: 101 Keys to Understanding the Oregon Trail

by Brian Hurd

Overview

The Way West: 101 Keys to Understanding the Oregon Trail, is an electronic textbook written by history teacher Brian Hurd and Zoomable Media, Inc., for history fans young and old. The book features descriptions of 101 essential events, people, places, and concepts of the Oregon Trail, and is copiously illustrated with high resolution pictures and maps.

In nine chapters readers experience the early exploration of the American West, the journey to Oregon, the difficulties in trail life, the arrival out West, and the legacy of this pivotal time in American history.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940016254036
Publisher:	Zoomable Media Inc.
Publication date:	02/12/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	1,025,555
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Brian Hurd has worked with middle school students for 20 years, the last ten as a teacher at Mary of Lourdes Middle School in Little Falls, MN, where he teaches about ancient civilizations, Minnesota History, American History, World Geography, and computers. During this time he has visited Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China (the latter six times, for one-month teaching experiences at middle schools).

Brian travels extensively, and has encountered more than 30 countries on every continent except Antarctica, including all 50 US states. He focuses his adventures on history and the things he teaches. Brian has taught about the Oregon Trail and westward expansion for more than a decade. In the summer of 2012 he drove from Independence, Missouri, to the Pacific Ocean, visiting dozens of sites along the Oregon Trail. Along the way he also visited several museums dedicated to the trail, its memory, and impact. Brian has also read numerous books about the trail and those who traveled upon it to prepare for writing this book.

Brian graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with a journalism degree, and has worked as a newspaper reporter, editor, and photographer. He earned his second degree as a non-traditional student and has loved every minute of teaching.

In addition to traveling, Brian enjoys reading, writing, gardening, and cooking. He has lived in Central Minnesota his entire life, and now resides there on the Mississippi River with the love of his life, Terry, who is also a teacher . . . and their two cats.