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This presents a systematic account of boomer propaganda used in the central plains, especially Kansas and Nebraska, with peripheral attention to Colorado and Wyoming. The author asserts that the Central Plains region served as a model for other promotional activities elsewhere. He treats the various aspects of promotion, ranging from the efforts extended by railroads, newspapers, and state and territorial governments to a treatment of the safety valve implications, and the pseudoscientific arguments put forth to counter the image of the "Great American Desert." Basing his work upon a close study of the propaganda itself and a variety of other sources, including manuscripts, letters, and government reports, the author illustrates how vested interests tried to use various propaganda techniques to their best advantage, although the end-result sometimes served the public interest.

"A list of Veblen's books": pages 210. "Selective bibliography": pages 211-214.