Leaving a Legacy

Stegner chose to write this book based upon a man's career rather than to write the traditional biographical novel. The subject of the book, John Wesley Powell, is more commonly known for being the first White man to successfully traverse the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, but Powell used that expedition to launch a considerable career in government service. Stegner makes the point throughout the book that many Americans have contributed to their country in this manner, working tirelessly for their government, moving the country forward without fanfare, with the only reward being personal satisfaction for a job well done.

Without Powell's selfless contributions of his time, knowledge, and even money, the opening of the West would have taken a different route altogether. Land barons, speculators, and power hungry politicians saw the West as an opportunity to make tremendous increases in their own wealth and...