BOOK REVIEWS & NOTICES
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Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2015. ix + 474 pp. Paper, $29.95
Many historians have attempted to explain Utah’s transition from a theocratic territory to a full member of the national commonwealth, none more successfully than Charles Peterson and Brian Cannon. Basing their analysis on Alan Tranchtenberg’s concept of “incorporation,” they trace the evolution of industry, labor movements, agriculture, politics, and demography from statehood until the end of World War II, bringing Utah through an awkward “adolescence” to a mature American state. This work is extremely well-researched, particularly in regard to Utah sources. Private papers, oral interviews, journal articles, government documents, newspapers and periodicals, and published primary and secondary works have all been consulted. The book is carefully footnoted and thoroughly indexed, and its bibliography offers a treasure trove of material for anyone wishing to conduct further research on the chosen Utah topics. Consequently, in regards to Utah, this book has tremendous depth, and it also references most of the basic secondary works illustrating concurrent national history. The writing style is entertaining, informative, and highly accessible. The authors substantiate major points not only with statistics and general information, but also with comments from Utah residents of varying backgrounds. Their even-handed approach highlights myriad
Organizationally, this structure works well in most cases. Including so much material on Native Americans is commendable, but some information could be better incorporated chronologically. The authors have left material on the Indian New Deal in the topical chapter rather than including it chronologically, but they do include the Navajo code talkers as part of Utah’s World War II history. One other weakness seems to derive from the choice of Alan Trachtenberg’s work for the overall context. His emphasis on democratic, corporate transitions shortchanges other aspects of Utah history. Culture and recreation, including sports, get their due only in the 1920s, with another brief mention as relief from the gloom of the Great Depression. Thus, unlike the discussion of other topics, where transitions emerge clearly, this treatment ignores the evolution of Utah culture, certainly very important since Mormon pioneer days, as well as among Native Americans and ethnic minorities. Science and technology, such as the lasting impact of Utah inventor Philo T. Farnsworth, are completely neglected. A few other improvements could strengthen this already fine work. Some references deserve more clarification, particularly the meaning of
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Organizing such a vast amount of material always presents a challenge. The authors have met it by generally proceeding chronologically, beginning with political, then agricultural and industrial transformations from statehood through the Progressive Era. Labor next earns two chapters, followed by one on Native Americans, then two on the environment (one specifically on water), and chapters on the 1920s, the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II. Each chapter begins with a brief overview and ends with a thorough conclusion.
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Coming of Age in the Nation, 1896–1945
examples, including women of all backgrounds, immigrant minorities, Native Americans, and Latter-day Saints, both famous and obscure.
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The Awkward State of Utah:
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