Arizona: Historic Land. By Bert M. Fireman. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1982. Maps. Illustrations. Bibliography. Index. 220 pages. $16.95.
If qualifications of the author are a measure of the worth of a book, this posthumously published history of Arizona has to be an important book. Fireman spent a lifetime working with the Western Historical Association, Arizona Historical Society, Arizona State Parks Board, the Arizona Collection at Arizona State University, and with historic preservation national organizations. In this brief book, Fireman describes the geological foundation, the native American populations, and the intrusion of whites into Arizona. He also deals with the gold rush and Civil War era, the territorial period and the fight for statehood. In addition, Fireman introduces mining, labor, transportation, ranching, water and politics in Arizona. Well written, with an obvious affection for its subject, Arizona: Historic Land is a good starting place for a journey through Arizona history.
