The story of America's expansion to the Pacific Ocean is a familiar and oft-told one. Golay (To Gettysburg and Beyond) provides his take on events, from Robert Gray's discovery of the mouth of the Columbia River in 1792 to the Whitman killings in 1847. To make clear the theme that this expansion was inevitable given the nature of the times and the American character, Golay made extensive use of letters and diaries, particularly those of the Protestant missionaries sent to Oregon. Yet his words are also tinged with regret for what was lost because of this expansion and its consequences. While there is nothing new here, Golay offers a good picture of the trials and tribulations faced by the early settlers in Oregon and shows their relationship with Hudson's Bay Company. Recommended for most libraries. —Stephen H. Peters, North Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette (Library Journal, September 1, 2003)