"This is a regional historical geography of exceptional quality. Regional studies, Carl Sauer once remarked in a seminar, involve judgement and perspective, insight and talent, and therefore should be attempted only by the mature practitioner. Donald Meinig qualifies on all counts. His excellent book makes us painfully aware of how little really good and readable work has been done in this genre."

• Foreword: Ghost RegionA Retrospective PrefacePreface to the Original EditionAcknowledgmentsSetting: Landscapes, Seasons, and People, ca. 1800Entry: By East and By NorthCompetition: By Land and by SeaMonopoly: London Rules the ColumbiaMatrix: American Visions and VenturesMissions: Protestants and PriestsPreparation: Clearing, Organizing, and Evaluating the LandColonization: Gold, Grass, and GrainStrategy: Settlers and Railroads, 1870-90Conquest: Some Pattersn, Methods and Ideas, 1870-90Empire: Town and Country, ca. 1890Elaboration: Some Patterns and methodsInquiry: The Farmer and the Scientist, ca. 1890-1910Culmination: The Great Columbia Plain, ca. 1910Appendix: Populations and Facilities of Tows, 1890 and 1910 (Table 2)BibliographyIndex