Galloping Across the U.S.A.

Galloping Across America shows how Mustangs, Arabians, Palominos, Morgans, and other kinds of horses played a central role in the development of the United States as a nation. From transportation within cities -- the omnibus, fire wagons, delivery of goods -- to mail delivery from coast to coast to tilling soil and herding cattle, Martin Sandler shows how essential the horse was for the survival of four million citizens stretched across 800,000 square miles. As roads improved, stagecoaches became popular for crossing the country. Covered wagons delivered pioneers into the western regions for homesteading. And Native American culture changed significantly as wealth and social standing within tribes began to be measured by the number of horses each man owned. Galloping Across America is a fascinating look at the horse-powered development of America up through the rodeos and mounted police of today. Filled with the spirit of adventure, competition, and restlessness central to the American character, the Transportation in America series reveals how the horse, trolley, ship, railroad, automobile, and airplane transformed the country. Each volume is richly illustrated with photographs, paintings, drawings, posters, timetables, sheet music covers, and original documents -- many of which have never been published before -- and includes fascinating sidebars on the colorful characters and technology behind the transport.