Full title "Utah: Stories to Remember" contains factoids about the founding of Utah. Reducing emphasis on Mormonism, it is interesting imaging early settlers building an independent life in an arid climate. Focusing on Salt Lake City, information about multiple settlements is available.
Quig Nielsen wrote for the Utah State University and a handful of books related to life in Utah. As an avid member of the Mormon Church he became the Information Officer at the LDS Museum of Church History and Art.
With a realistic approach to historical facts, there is a slight bias. Events demonstrating early principles generating a modern society exhibit an excitable tone, while less exemplary remarks exhibit an inquisitive tone. Most obvious demonstration of this bias is how the story of crickets swarming farms in 1847 is on the last page. The book is written in a linear timeline beginning around 1847 and ending in 1972.
Crickets in this story are not similar to the Dust Bowl. When Pioneers settled the territory it was minimally disturbed when the event occurred. The story states how seagulls saved the farms. This event occurred almost a century previous to the Dust Bowl.
Finding this book better than average, depictions factoids are accurate. Early Settlers were industrious and wanted to make everything needed for survival within their new homestead. Milk, eggs, furniture and currency were important. Cars were automatically accepted. There was an upset in relation to the first coast-to-coast train, Union Pacific. Concerns largely relate to increasing ease for outsiders accessing the settlement.
Other books with an agenda glorify Mormonism. This interferes with factual knowledge and believability though it is true stewardship is a religious principle of Mormonism. It states we tend to God's Earth, the Great Industry. The Little Industry is the bit of space humans occupy.
These principles might have influenced decisions. Responsibility for various necessities, were assigned to families. There were strategic placements of towns, yet Early Settlers were not aware of ecological economics. Settlers were honest in their contracts and paid fair prices for land. Stewardship developed constructive relationships with Native Americans who lived in the new territory. These principles were essential. Nielsen remains unbiased and did not make assumptions. This is extremely respectable.
The book presents facts for people wanting to know about Utah. Quick trivia about is authoritative without condescension or jubilance implying modifications to information to comply with current controversial topics. Historians and people curious about the Early Settlers enjoy will reading "Utah."
Related Article
Working with Nature
