Utah, The Right Place: The Official Centennial History

Utah, The Right Place chronicles the history of Utah from prehistoric times through the 1990s. This comprehensive volume was commissioned as the official centennial history of the state. The text covers major developments in Utah's settlement, politics, economics, and social structures across multiple time periods. The narrative includes the experiences of Native American tribes, Mormon pioneers, and other groups who shaped the region. The book examines Utah's transformation from territory to state, its relationship with the federal government, and its economic evolution through mining, agriculture, and modern industry. Cultural aspects including religion, education, and the arts receive thorough treatment. This history illuminates the complex interplay between Utah's religious heritage and its development as a modern American state. The work balances institutional history with social and cultural analysis to present Utah's distinct path within the broader American experience.

Readers describe this as a balanced, thorough history of Utah that covers both Mormon and non-Mormon perspectives. Multiple reviewers note Alexander's even-handed treatment of controversial topics and inclusion of Native American, Hispanic, and other cultural narratives. What readers liked: - Clear chronological organization - Coverage of economic and environmental history - Inclusion of photos and maps - Academic rigor while remaining readable What readers disliked: - Dense writing style with heavy detail - Limited coverage of pre-settlement history - Some sections feel like lists of facts - Print size in paperback edition is small Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (45 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) One historian reviewer noted: "Alexander succeeds in presenting Utah history as more than just Mormon history." Another reader commented: "Comprehensive but requires commitment - not a casual read."

A Great and Shining Road: The Epic Story of the Transcontinental Railroad by John Hoyt Williams This history chronicles the western expansion through Utah and surrounding territories with emphasis on the railroad's impact on Mormon settlements and Native American communities.

Desert Between the Mountains: Mormons, Miners, Padres, Mountain Men, and the Opening of the Great Basin by Michael S. Durham The book details the transformation of the Great Basin region through multiple waves of settlement and development from Spanish exploration through statehood.

Mormon Country by Wallace Stegner This regional history examines Utah's geographical and cultural landscape through the lens of Mormon settlement patterns and their interaction with the environment.

Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows by Will Bagley The text investigates a pivotal event in Utah Territory history while illuminating broader themes of religion, politics, and settlement in the American West.

The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail by Wallace Stegner This historical account traces the Mormon migration to Utah through primary sources and geographical study of the pioneer routes.

🏔️ The book was commissioned by the Utah State Historical Society to commemorate Utah's statehood centennial in 1996. 🌟 Author Thomas G. Alexander served as president of the Mormon History Association and is a Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr. Professor of Western American History at Brigham Young University. 🗺️ The book covers more than just Mormon history, extensively documenting Native American settlements, Spanish exploration, and the diverse immigrant groups who shaped Utah's development. ⚡ During his research, Alexander discovered that Utah was the second state in the nation (after Wyoming) to grant women the right to vote, doing so in 1870. 🏭 The work details Utah's transformation from a theocratic territory to a modern state, including the pivotal role of mining, railroads, and defense industries in its economic evolution.