When I Went West : Kessinger Publishing : 9781166169749 : 116616974X : 10 Sep 2010 : When I Went West: From The Bad Lands To California is a memoir written by Robert D. McGonnigle, originally published in 1901. The book chronicles the author's journey from his hometown in Pennsylvania to the western United States during the late 1800s. McGonnigle describes his experiences traveling through the rugged terrain of the Bad Lands, encountering Native American tribes, and eventually settling in California. The book provides a firsthand account of life in the American West during a time of great change and upheaval, including the aftermath of the Civil War, the expansion of the railroad, and the colonization of the western frontier. McGonnigle's writing is vivid and detailed, bringing to life the people, places, and events he encountered on his journey. Overall, When I Went West offers a unique perspective on the history of the American West and the experiences of those who traveled there in