The Way West: 101 Keys to Understanding the Oregon Trail, is an electronic textbook written by history teacher Brian Hurd and Zoomable Media, Inc., for history fans young and old. The book features descriptions of 101 essential events, people, places, and concepts of the Oregon Trail, and is copiously illustrated with high resolution pictures and maps. In nine chapters readers experience the early exploration of the American West, the journey to Oregon, the difficulties in trail life, the arrival out West, and the legacy of this pivotal time in American history.