This collection of twelve original essays explores the history of people interacting with the land. The first section examines how Native Americans attempted to maintain control of their lands. The second includes three essays that are concerned with land speculation, from the earliest penetration of the Europeans into the interior of America to the last frontiers of West Texas and Northern Mexico. A third section considers land policy and governmental attempts at regulation. The fourth documents environmental abuse and alteration by politicians as well as agriculturalists, farmers, and ranchers. Human interaction with the land is thus highlighted as westward expansion is chronicled.