The Pacific Northwest drew European explorers in search of a northwest passage to Asia. Overland traffic was spurred on by Lewis and Clark and later by huge fur companies. Missionaries and mountain men clashed with Native Americans in the area, and the discovery of gold, silver, and copper spurred even more conflict.

Bk 1. The sea peddlers. Short cut to Cathay -- The track of the bear -- The first American -- Ledyard's heirs -- Nootka Sound and the fury -- Columbia's river. Bk. 2. The wars of the beaver kingdoms. To claim a continent -- "Ocian in view" -- The star man -- Astor's threat -- The beginnings of disaster -- "A dagger to my heart" -- Doldrums -- Persons of the great drama -- To strip the country bare -- Accidental greatness. Bk. 3. Oregon fever. Prophet without honor -- The fruit of failure -- The cry from the wilderness -- Portents -- The first women -- The opening wedge -- The vineyards of the Lord-and others -- The new order -- Conflict and tragedy -- Way station -- "May we not call them men of destiny" -- Substitutes for anarchy -- Decision -- An era ends. Bk. 4. The pangs of adjustment. The magic wand -- Assorted frankensteins -- Oregon's rambunctious stepchild -- "A real go-ahead man" -- "I wonder if the ground is listening?" -- Whose war is this? -- Exit Goliath. Bk. 5. Extravaganza. Stampede -- Law and disorder -- How to build an empire -- "Coarse, pretentious, boastful, false and cunning" -- The bones of their mother -- The railroad rush -- Mineral boom-and bust -- One more merry-go-round. Bk. 6. For these blessings. The trees -- The fish -- The water.