The McFarlands of the Old West follows Peter McFarland and his wife, Ann Collins, from their flight from the Irish potato famine to the United States, through Peter's service in the Army (1855-1883), as Ann raised their family of eight children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. It describes the life and times on the frontier, from the Yakima wars in the Pacific Northwest through the Civil War and the Indian wars of the Great Plains. Six of Peter and Ann's children were boys: their experiences ranged from Indian scout and witness to the Battle of Wounded Knee to wagon masters and mule packers for the army, from participation in the Spanish-American War in Cuba and the Philippines to serving as one of the first civilian park rangers at Yellowstone National Park, from a horse-thief and jail-breaker to a tough-fisted policeman in Cheyenne, Wyoming (complete with four gunshot wounds to attest to his bravery). Together the McFarlands display the full range of the Old West. Their experiences are set firmly in context through the extensive use of primary and secondary source material. The book contains numerous documents, ranging from discharge papers to land grants, many previously unpublished photos, and an extensive bibliography. All those interested in the Old West or the role of the Army in the expansion of the US will find much new material and much to enjoy. Genealogists will find many hints on how to track down their ancestors.