Proctor was an academically trained artist who combined his training in the East with full-on involvement in the life of the Western frontier, choosing as his subjects its people, animals, and landscape. His work adorns parks, public buildings, and museums across the country, and his life was a far-flung journey, which he describes vividly and thoughtfully. This volume is much more than a simple revised edition of Proctor's autobiography, which he began writing in the 1930s, when he was in his 70s, and which saw its first publication in 1971, edited by his daughter. Editor Ebner (a historian and art historian affiliated with the Connecticut Historical Society) poured over the original manuscript, incorporated previously omitted content, added annotations, and combined the text with a selection of some 125 illustrations, including historical photos and reproductions of Proctor's sketches, paintings, and sculptures. The volume is oversize: 9x12", and elegantly produced. It belongs in any collection with holdings in art or the history of the American West. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)