Montana Books

Jill Brody has captured the stark beauty of a vanishing way of life in her portrait of a western ranching community. The exquisite photography is complemented and enhanced by Ms. Brody's crisp factual prose. The "story" of Drummond is told in the ranchers' and townspeoples' own words which impart meaning and relavance to the photographs. This is not an art book, but more of an elegant lasting impresion of a rugged, changing way of life that is both satisfying and challanging.

At first glance this appears to be a beautiful, elegant photography book. It is, but read on. Jill Brody's journalism background makes this unsentimental look at small-town cattle ranching in modern America ring particularly true. Her portraits of the very real people living this life -- and their own words as they reflect on the values they've learned from living off the land -- grab you. As you close the book you are left with a feeling that you've just experienced something very special -- and that you have in your hands a testimonial to a way of life that is uniquely American -- and probably destined to disappear in your own lifetime. Worth adding to your bookshelves as both a reference, and a piece of art.

I thought there were only two current Tx authors, McMurtry and DeMarinis. Wrong again. This is a facinating book, a vivid description of the Presidio-Candelaria-Chinati Hot Springs region and the 'I hate law' people who are attracted to it. For those who want to experience it first hand, we can recommend a B&B across the river from Candelaria in San Antonio del Bravo (run by one of Sanderson's Presidio school teachers) where you can enter into local Mexian culture. Hiking in the region is not, however, without some danger from the Mexican Army. The B&B is extremely comfortable, has a 'Toscana' view of the Chinati mountains in the north, and has an excellent cook. Take El Camino del Rio with you and read it there!

Dolph Martinez is a Border Patrol agent in Presidio, Texas, the heart of Big Bend. During a tracking expedition, he discovers a murdered wet, a mojado, and from there begins unraveling the biggest drug scandal in Presidio's history. He discovers not only that both sides of the border are involved but that his friends are as well. As Dolph carries out his regular duties and his investigation, he is vexed by Barbara Quinn, a local nun and suspected curandera who preaches of "pure pain" and of having "mercy, compassion, and grace" for the "poor and dispossessed." She tells Agent Martinez that he should listen to his blood, and it is this dilemma that each character in the novel faces. The brutality of living on the border changes these individuals in both body and in spirit. Their harsh environment alters their perceptions of right and wrong, of what is real, even. El Camino Del Rio is amazing for the complexity of its characters. Happenstance controls these individuals' lives in a place where what is right and wrong are not always clear and where boundaries and rules, set not only by the American and Mexican governments but by the land itself, are everything. The border dictates their existence, and they are left to accept their fate, feeling as though they have no say-so in the outcome of their lives. Some are fortunate enough to escape; they see the harshness of the border and leave. But those who stay are sucked into an emotional numbness that changes who they are and what they believe.

This is a perfect book to feed the amorous imagination; it is about good eating and good living. El Sabor de Colombia, is rich with wonderful recipes. It shows you how to prepare a dish step by step in a very simple way, and also provides you with information about the history of the region where the dish comes from. It's photography is a dream. You won't be disapointed.

Excellent presentation and well edited.
The cooking recipes have been well elaborated and easy to follow to prepare typicaL colombian dishes.To those interested in the culinary art will find this book very useful.

By far one of the best written and easiest guides to excellent fishing on some of the best waters in Montana! The photography is spectacular.

I purchased this book about six months ago. I've traveled to Montana in the past to fish, and was planning another trip this summer. While we planned to fish some old, familiar rivers such as the Yellowstone, the Madison and the Gallatin, we also wanted to try some new waters that we hadn't fished before. My wife and I spent time reading the information on the various rivers discussed in the book, and decided to also spend time in the Missoula area. We used the book not only as a tool to decide where we wanted to fish, but we also used the maps to get us where we needed to go. The end result was a successful fishing trip to Rock Creek and the Bitterroot,which was certainly aided by this exceptional book. By the way, the authors are incredible photographers; their photos in the book are great. I recommend that anyone contemplating a fly fishing trip to Montana purchase this book prior to their trip.

I bought this for my son who is moving July 5 to Billings, MT. The local Border's store did not have this book in OHIO. Just what he needed to begin his life in there.

This book is packed with helpful information. Whatever region you find yourself in, you'll find helpful information for whatever you may want to do, whether it be finding the perfect place to eat, finding a place to stay, or even things to check out, trails to hike, etc. This book was an asset to my planning of my last trip to montana and wyoming. A very worthwhile investment, highly recommended!

Hughie beautifully and articulately walks us through a life that very few people know anything about these days. Life on a sheep ranch has not changed too very much today and so her knowledge of it seems just as pertinent today as it was back then.

Hughie learned how to live as a ranch wife -- hiring cooks to keep her hired men well-fed and contented; driving supply trucks out to the herders; she learned to lamb the ewes; to tent a nervous, young ewe and her lamb to keep them together; she used a party-line telephone, listening in when necessary; she was a supportive wife to her husband amidst sickness, falling sheep prices and a depression; she brought a little class to a rough lifestyle by planting a lawn and flowers and by encouraging her neighbors to do the same (to many a husband's dismay); she learned to ride horseback despite her bouncing technique; she raised a family where schools were distant, roads were rutted and the weather so unpredictable that she had to take on the job of "teacher" herself for several years. She learned to truly love the life of a wool grower.

If you have any desire to learn about the way of life on a large sheep ranch, you will glean aplenty with Hughie's book, Golden Fleece, in hand. As a transplant into a sheep and cattle ranch myself 26 years ago, I could relate completely and sympathetically with Hughie and felt a deep kindred spirit with her.

I couldn't put the book down--it includes regional history, is autobiographical and humorous. Florence (Hughie) Call describes so much--this book covers thirty years as a Montana sheep rancher's wife--her observations, human understandings, "tenderfoot" mistakes, tragedy, local history, etc. You come to know the characters and feel like you could almost start raising sheep. Reads fast.

While not exhaustive, Mr McCarter gives a nice description of the remnants of the Milwaukee Road in Montana. From east to west borders, there is a short narrative for each online town, and what's left to see. There's directions for driving to some of them, and reasonably-accurate distances for finding these structures, etc. Don't go to Montana in search of the MILW without it, as there is so much you cannot see from the interstate!

The Iron Horse, a fire-breathing, smoke belching, steam hissing giant that dared to rumble through the Montana Wilderness on a pair of steel rails less than five feet apart, coursed its way into the history and hearts of Americans. Read this wonderful History and Guide as you retrace the path of the Milwaukee Railroad's electric iron horse through the Montana wilderness. Filled with pictures and loads of information. A must read for Railroad buffs all over the world

Hearthside Cooking, now in its second printing, has been an indispensible source for those of us who practice open-hearth cooking at historic sites. Not only does it offer practical advice, it provides an excellent overview of the development of Southern (the emphasis is on Virginia, of course) foods from the beginnings of English settlement here. The recipes are all from primary sources, shown as originally written, then for the fireplace, as well as for a modern kitchen. The bibliography, as well as the content of the book shows Ms. Crump's extensive research. I highly recommend it.

This book is the "bible" of open hearth cooking. Everything a beginner needs, it is also indispensable to the cooking interpreter working at a historic site.

I bought this book initially because I was adopting foster children and I wanted to help them with their loss issues. But then as I read it, I realized it applies to helping any child who has to face significant losses. I wish my brother had this book when he got divorced, maybe he could have understood and helped his children when their schoolwork plummetted and they became depressed. It helps you understand about childhood grief and how to aid the child in coping with it. I have referred to it many times and bought copies for my friends, too.

This book is often recommended for people adopting older children. However, it is a beautifully written book, and easy to read. It has information on how to help children with all sorts of changes, permanent (like a death), and temporary, like a parent going overseas for the military. The book helps adults understand what is going on for the child, and how to help them better with their sadness, anager and aggression.