An interesting book. I've read a few of Kaplan's other works (MONSOON and ASIA'S CAULDRON are certainly recommended), and this one looked a bit different to what I'm used to from him.

It's another well-written book that combines some elements of cross-country memoir with the history of western expansion. An interesting and thought-provoking book. If you're a fan of Kaplan's other works, then you should certainly check this one out. An interesting examination of American history with a good twist/spin on it.

Book received from NetGalley.

This was a good but not great read for me. I loved how the author talked about his father and how his father ended up being on of the reasons why Kaplan got the traveling bug. However, when he was explaining the books his father read and had him read and why they were also a part of it, the storytelling seemed to go off on a bit of a tangent and was a bit confusing for me. The best part of the book was Kaplan discussing parts of the United States that I haven't been to yet and are on my "bucket travel list", it made me want to buy a ticket and fly out so I could see the places and things he mentioned.

Reading this was like reading a thank you to his father’s shared wanderlust, and to the expansion of his mind by Bernard DeVoto.In writing this Robert D. Kaplan has managed to shine a light on the circular nature of history during a time when we might need it most. I was worried that this was going to be the sort of book that bemoans the lack of the good ol’ days, and a wishlist of the way things used to be. I was pleasantly surprised in the manner of which it showed inclusiveness and really highlighted more than simply the white folks conquering the West. There also is a deep understanding and a spark of joy in knowing that instead of simply tearing down our past to build up from the bones, more and more of America is investing in preserving our past. Whether good or bad, it is a part of us and it will shape our future in ways we might not be able to spot. The push towards isolationism and solidarity seems to be taking place in our country not from a position of strength but from a place of fear. Kaplan notes this and tries to explain the large political swing America’s political system is going through, by showing our past and how it affected us at the time.
One of the great joys about reading someone’s travel memoirs, especially if you have taken the same route, is seeing things through their eyes. Having driven from New Jersey to Montana myself not even two years ago, I find myself remembering the trip through Kaplan’s stories and descriptions. It adds another layer to the memories I already had, as I begin to understand not only the difference of locations and peoples but also the historical importance of the cities I drove through stopping only to fill a gas tank. Kaplan creates a connection to the readers, that pulls them in and shows them a land that has become simply a fly over zone for most of the country.
I would say that this book is for people who are interested in the politics of land, and have an interest in the shaping of America as a whole. Also anyone who enjoys travel memoirs will get a kick out of “Earning The Rockies.” Though I had no real knowledge of Bernard DeVoto’s work, I’ve planned to go back and read more into his backlog of works

*This eBook was provided by NetGalley and Random House in exchange for honest feedback*.