6 000 Miles Through Wonderland

In See America First, Marguerite Shaffer chronicles the birth of modern American tourism between 1880 and 1940, linking tourism to the simultaneous growth of national transportation systems, print media, a national market, and a middle class with money and time to spend on leisure. Focusing on the See America First slogan and idea employed at different times by railroads, guidebook publishers, Western boosters, and Good Roads advocates, she describes both the modern marketing strategies used to promote tourism and the messages of patriotism and loyalty embedded in the tourist experience. She shows how tourists as consumers participated in the search for a national identity that could assuage their anxieties about American society and culture. Generously illustrated with images from advertisements, guidebooks, and travelogues, See America First demonstrates that the promotion of tourist landscapes and the consumption of tourist experiences were central to the development of an American identity.

Yellowstone National Park's famous geysers, exotic landscape, and beautiful wildlife partially explain its enormous popularity, but there is something more to the Yellowstone experience—a powerful spirit to the place that is more than the sum of its parts. This fascinating history of America's favorite national park shows how that spirit has endured over Yellowstone's 127-year existence. Meyer shows that Yellowstone has consistently evoked awe in different generations of Americans, even as our attitudes toward nature have changed over the years. That awe is also captured in photographer Vance Howard's evocative images, which, alongside historic photographs and other early artistic interpretations of the Park's wonders, support Meyer's view that Yellowstone's unique sense of place makes it worth preserving not only for its ecological value but for its lasting importance in American culture.

This book is about the myriad of Yellowstone National Park collectibles and souvenirs, from 19th-century horseshoes dipped in the park’s thermal springs to contemporary books and artwork. Included are exquisite hand-painted Limoges porcelain, historic sand-bottle curios, stagecoach and railroad paraphernalia, rare books, photographs, jewelry, store-bought souvenirs, toys, dinnerware, employee items, paintings, postcards, brochures, keys, spoons, clothing, knickknacks, and more. The book highlights nearly 600 items. Each item is displayed in an exhibition-quality color photograph that shows true colors and details. Moreover, the descriptive text was written by 14 experts in their respective collecting fields, and all text was peer reviewed for accuracy. The text explains the numerous types of collectibles, their features and characteristics, their abundance or rarity, and their importance. For collectors, this book is a valuable guide and reference. For fans of the park, this book shows a new way of appreciating Wonderland and may inspire a Yellowstone collection of their own, because these collectibles reveal reams of park history—history that you can hold in your hand.