Book excerpt: An excellent guide for mountain-man enthusiasts and an intriguing exploration of the West, Rocky Mountain Rendezvous focuses on the fur-trading rendezvous that took place from 1825-1840 in the Central Rocky Mountains. Originally commercial gatherings where furs were traded for necessities such as traps, guns, horses, and other supplies, they evolved into rich social events that were pivotal in shaping the early American West.