Escalante's Dream - On the Trail of the Spanish Discovery of the Southwest

In July 1776, Franciscan friars Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante set out from Santa Fe to blaze a pathway to the new Spanish missions in California, across the huge expanse of what would become the American Southwest. In October, in western Utah, ravaged by hunger and cold, the twelve-man team had to turn back. Stymied by the raging Colorado River, killing their horses for food, the men saw an exploring expedition transformed into a fight for survival. In this chronicle of adventure and history, David Roberts retraces the Spaniards' forgotten route, using Escalante's diary as his guide. Blending personal narrative with critical analysis, Roberts relives the glories, catastrophes, and courage of this desperate journey.

About the author

David Roberts (1943–2021) was the author of thirty books on mountaineering, exploration, and anthropology. His books have won the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature and the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Book Competition.

Product details

• Authors: David Roberts
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 18.12.2020
• EAN: 9780393358452
• ISBN: 978-0-393-35845-2
• No. of pages: 368
• Dimensions: 142 mm x 211 mm x 25 mm
• Weight: 320 g
• Illustrations: 8 pages of photographs; 1 map
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Portugal, European History, Spain, HISTORY / World, Travel & holiday guides, TRAVEL / Europe / Spain & Portugal, HISTORY / Expeditions & Discoveries, TRAVEL / United States / West / General, Geographical discovery & exploration, General & world history, Local History, General and world history, History of the Americas, Geographical discovery and exploration, Travel and holiday guides, US West, Western & Pacific Coast states, US West: Mountain States, HISTORY / Europe / Spain, HISTORY / Europe / Portugal