Men with Sand

Book excerpt: A little more than a century ago, western North America was a mystery to the European settlers who had rapidly filled the eastern part of the continent. In the feverish search for beaver, gold, and emigration routes, a special breed of man emerged who would reveal the secrets of the vast West. Such men were said to 'have sand' or 'have sand in their craw.' These men, rugged individuals with the determination to succeed, the grit to survive, and wanderlust in their hearts, forged the way for the settlement of the West. The author skillfully guides the reader through the lives of thirteen of these men including the highly regarded team of Lewis and Clark.