Duncan (a writer, no university affiliation) explored the American West, focusing on those counties with fewer than two people per square mile. He sketches the people he encountered, including ranchers in the Nebraska sandhills, a New Mexico bar owner, a priest and UPS driver along the Texas-Mexico border, and the descendent of a Seminole Negro army scout in west Texas. He also describes the communities they belong to, and the geography of the areas where they live. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)