Lasso the Wind

Lasso the Wind follows New York Times journalist Timothy Egan as he travels through the American West, examining both its mythology and current reality. His journey spans eleven states and covers topics from water rights to population growth to changes in ranching culture. Egan combines historical research with personal observations and conversations with locals to document how the region continues to evolve. The book explores conflicts between preservation and development, tradition and progress, while detailing specific cases of environmental and cultural transformation across the landscape. Through visits to key locations and interviews with residents, Egan investigates how Western states are adapting to modern pressures and challenges. He examines the impact of federal policies, urban expansion, and climate patterns on communities that maintain deep connections to their frontier heritage. The narrative presents the American West as a place of stark contrasts and continuous reinvention, where competing visions for the future collide with established ways of life. Egan's work raises questions about what elements of Western culture and environment can survive in an era of rapid change.

Readers find Egan's exploration of the American West thoughtful but uneven. The book's blend of history, current events, and personal observations resonates with those seeking to understand Western land use conflicts and cultural shifts. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex water rights issues - First-hand accounts from locals and stakeholders - Balanced coverage of environmental vs development debates - Historical context behind modern challenges Common criticisms: - Narrative sometimes wanders without clear focus - East Coast perspective on Western issues - Some chapters feel disconnected - Occasional repetitive passages One reader noted: "Egan captures the contradictions of Western attitudes toward federal land ownership - wanting both freedom from and support of government." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (891 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (68 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (42 ratings) Reviews skew positive, with most readers citing the book's value in understanding ongoing debates about Western resources and identity.

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🌵 Timothy Egan spent four years traveling 100,000 miles across the American West to research and write this book, visiting every state west of the 100th meridian. 🏔️ The book's title comes from a quote by John Wesley Powell, who warned in 1893 that attempts to settle and irrigate the arid West would be like trying to "lasso the wind." 🌊 The Colorado River, featured prominently in the book, now rarely reaches the sea due to extensive damming and water diversions discussed by Egan - a dramatic change from its natural flow. 🏜️ The author won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2001 for his work covering environmental issues in the West, many of which he first explored in this book. 🌲 One acre of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest, a region examined in the book, can store more carbon than an acre of Amazon rainforest - highlighting the ecological significance of the American West's landscapes.