Intended to help readers develop an appreciation of the contributions of Franco-Americans to the cultural heritage of the United States, this book, the second of six volumes, presents 15 readings representing many perspectives--from the historical to the sociological--illustrating the thinking and feelings of those in the forefront of Franco-American studies. This volume focuses on Franco-Americans in western and midwestern United States. The following articles are presented: "French Explorers and Settlers in Northern California, 1769-1870" (William George Reese); "The Church in Colonial America 1492-1790" (John Tracy Ellis); "The Huguenots of Colonial South Carolina" (Arthur Henry Hirsch); "Le Canadien-Francais et L'Amerindien" ("The French-Canadian and the American Indian," Charles Noyes); "Belle-Riviere, Griffon et Creve-Coeur: La Tenace Poursuite d'un Reve Imperial" ("Beautiful River, Griffin and Heartbreak: The Tenacious Pursuit of an Imperial Dream," M. Helene Pauly); "De Normandie en Mongolie? Nicolet chez les Etranges Winebagos" ("From Normandy to Mongolia? Nicolet in the Land of the Strange Winebagos," M. Helene Pauly); "The Fur Trade in Wisconsin" (Larry Gara); "The French Residents of Wisconsin" (Louise Phelps Kellogg); "Minnesota--A History of the State" (Theodore C. Blegen); "The Historical Geography of Detroit" (Almon Ernest Parkins); "The Story of Detroit" (George B. Catlin); "Annals of St. Louis in its Early Days under the French and Spanish Dominations" (Frederic L. Billon); "Gulf Coast Country" (Hodding Carter and Anthony Ragusin); "Sketches of Early Texas and Louisiana" (Frederic Gaillardet); and "Four Cents an Acre" (Georges Oudard). (LH)