A retired law enforcement officer with a serious passion for history, Petersen had been researching the opening of the Central Overland Trail (a ten-year project that became a book) when a fellow enthusiast pointed him toward 23 diaries of emigrants who used the trail. This volume offers excerpts of material heretofore unpublished--from these diaries as well as from accounts written by two soldiers and two employees of the Pony Express (and its predecessor)--supported by informative commentary and annotations. The Arthur H. Clark Co. is an imprint of the U. of Oklahoma Press. Annotation 2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
