Out Where the West Begins: Profiles, Visions, and Strategies of Early Western Business Leaders by Philip F. Anschutz is a richly illustrated collection of 49 biographical sketches that illuminate the entrepreneurial spirit shaping the American West between 1800 and 1920. Drawing on the expertise of historians William J. Convery and Thomas J. Noel, the book profiles figures such as Levi Strauss, Fred Harvey, Adolph Coors, and J.P. Morgan, highlighting their roles in transforming the region through ventures in agriculture, transportation, mining, banking, and entertainment.
 
Anschutz emphasizes the interconnectedness of these pioneers, suggesting that their collective efforts not only cultivated the physical landscape but also crafted the cultural identity of the West. The profiles are organized thematically—covering trade, agriculture, railroads, and more—offering readers a structured yet engaging exploration of Western development.