The text covers pioneering in the North American frontier from the Mississippi River Valley as far west as Alaska and Hawaii. Entries feature worthy deeds, ethinicities, languages, and diverse lifestyles. Examples stress the building of communities and businesses in the wilderness amid clashes with Indians and the physical and mental breakdowns brought on by epidemics, floods, drought, and outlawry. Amid the famous - Donner Party, Jesse Chisholm, Texas Rangers - flourish the ordinary families who survived a stirring period of American history.