Epiphany in the Wilderness
Hunting, Nature, and Performance in the Nineteenth-Century American West
Format:Hardback
Publisher:University Press of Colorado
Published:15th Dec '15
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This insightful work examines hunting's critical role in shaping identity and culture in the nineteenth-century West, as explored in Epiphany in the Wilderness.
In Epiphany in the Wilderness, the author delves into the multifaceted role of hunting in the nineteenth-century West, examining its significance both as a means of subsistence and as a backdrop for grand narratives of adventure. The book is structured in three distinct acts, each exploring the social, political, economic, and environmental dynamics surrounding hunting on the frontier. By employing performance as a guiding metaphor, the author crafts a rich cultural ecology of the chase, drawing from literature, art, photography, and taxidermy to illustrate how these elements intertwine to shape the American experience.
The narrative presents the West as a theatrical stage where the American character is performed through the lens of independence and resilience. Central to this portrayal is the masculine hunter hero, an archetype that embodies the spirit of conquest and resourcefulness as he navigates the wilderness. However, Epiphany in the Wilderness also highlights the contributions of women, who emerge as adventurous figures in their own right, whether through their roles as homesteaders or as chroniclers of their experiences in autobiographical works and performances.
This exploration informs a range of academic discussions about the frontier era, including themes of personal challenge in nature, the evolution of gun culture, gender dynamics, and the complexities of wildlife management and conservation. The book ultimately sheds light on the intricate interplay between hunting, identity, and the environment, offering a nuanced perspective on a pivotal period in American history.
“A compelling, multi-faceted analysis of the importance of the West—and its taming—in our national narrative.” —Jan E. Dizard, Charles Hamilton Houston Professor of American Culture, Amherst College "As a measure of hunting’s power, Jones deftly offers a sophisticated account of hunting and its evocation by women and Indigenous peoples to challenge the fraternity of white male hunters and the power they wielded. Her compelling examples and anecdotes artfully illustrate her arguments, and her facilities as an imaginative historian are everywhere evident. . . . Highly recommended." —CHOICE "[Epiphany in the Wilderness] makes a compelling case for hunting's significance and thus stands as an original contribution to the cultural and environmental history of the West." —Montana The Magazine of Western History "[Epiphany in the Wilderness] provides a rich and detailed narrative that illuminates the significance of the hunt in the nineteenth-century American West and offers a meaningful contribution to western studies." —Western American Literature "[A] rich account of the complex ways that hunting constituted a theater where women and men could craft for themselves diverse social identities. . . . we are still living with the legacies of these diverse hunting performances, and Epiphany in the Wilderness offers readers a broad and provocative foundation for historical reflection." —Western Historical Quarterly "[A] well-conceived, wide-ranging reexamination of hunting in the American West, executed with wit and lively writing." ―Southwestern Historical Quarterly "The many-faceted inquiries of Jones’ work will provide grist for discussion for many years to come." ―Journal of Interdisciplinary History "[Karen Jones] calls forth a refreshingly diverse cast of characters, processes, and perspectives in this ambitious book. . . . Jones's characterizations of early western women, both well-known and obscure, are rich in detail and effectively disrupt any visions of a uniformly masculine American frontier." ―Journal of Historical Geography "[A] valuable addition to our understanding of nineteenth-century western history and literature. . . . This kind of creative thinking should stimulate classroom discussions." ―Journal of American History
“This book offers an important scholarly layer to existing works on hunting, masculinity, and imperialism and the West in national mythology.” ―Pacific Historical Review
ISBN: 9781607323976
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 36mm
Weight: 681g
360 pages