Cover Art Description:
The fierce rhythms of Rocky Mountain rivers and the scenery through which these waters flow have attracted rafters and kayakers to the West in ever-increasing numbers since World War II. The violence of the water depicted in Albert Bierstadt's A Stream in the Rocky Mountains (front cover, 1882, oil on canvas, 39" x 30," Fisher Gallery, University of Southern California, gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes Fisher, photograph by John Elder) reminds us of the lure of such rivers for thrill-seekers, but the painting's scenic beauty symbolizes the waters' attraction for others who simply want to enjoy the reverie of a remarkable landscape. As Michael Yochim explores in his article, Yellowstone National Park remains off-limits to whitewater boaters, a restriction that has generated controversy and concern. Michael Yochim's article suggests the metaphorical distance we've traveled since the days when water was solely a commodity to be brokered, exploited, and controlled. In relating a little-known episode from William F. Cody's life, Robert Bonner details the complicated maneuverings of water boosters, local business interests, and the federal government in managing western water. More recognizable to most readers, though, will be Paul Hedren's intriguing story of a violent episode in Cody's life, the scalping of Yellow Hair.
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