Montana Books

This is a fine collection of 86 black-and-white photographs taken by photographer Joanne Berghold at small town rodeos around Montana in the 1990s and early 2000s. Unlike the commercialized rodeo to be seen in today's PRCA circuit, these local rodeos capture the spirit of the sport as it emerged in the early 20th century -- a family-oriented affair that brought the whole rural community together for a once-a-year celebration. Look at these pictures, and what you often see instead of covered bleachers and flashy corporate sponsor billboards is a wire arena fence with trucks and cars pulled up to it and open prairie or hills beyond. The parking lot is grass-covered, and horse trailers are parked under the trees.

The opening images set the tone of the book -- gravel roads with grass and weeds right to the edges, leading to a low horizon, where clouds drift in a big sky, a veil of rain falling into a distant mountain ridge. Then in the photographs that follow there's the contrasting activity of small town life, strung out along a treeless main street, and the gathering of people at the rodeo grounds.

A cowboy in black hat, wranglers and spurs checks out the draw for the events posted on the side of a trailer, a young girl practices roping a hay bale, hats are placed over hearts in the grandstands and in the crow's nest for the Pledge of Allegiance, horses in the dusty light move into a holding pen, a cowboy bows his head in prayer on the top rail of a chute over a saddled bronc, riders one after another take spills off bucking rough stock. The arena itself may be dusty dirt or waterlogged mud. A roper waits, eyes set in concentration, a piggin string clamped in his mouth under a full mustache; a young bulldogger skids boots first in the dirt, his arms locked around the horns of a calf. There are team ropers, barrel racers, young bull riders taping up, and bullfighters in clown makeup. In the end, buckles are awarded to the winners, cowboys head out with war bags over their shoulders, and horses move up loading chutes into a trailer.

The book is a tribute to a western tradition and way of life, still close to its roots in the workaday world of ranchers and cowboys. It includes an essay by Kim Zupan, a gifted writer and former rough-stock rider. All photos were taken in Montana in rural small towns like Boulder, Belt, Wilsall, and Roundup.

This is a great romance novel. The characters are very memorable. The story is filled with intrigue and passion. The powerful Harrington clan are surrounded by intrigue and danger. A very touching love story involving a troubled young woman from an abusive home. I strongly recommend this novel. It's one I know I will reread.

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Montana historians Harry W. Friz, Mary Murphy, and Robert R. Swartout Jr. Montana Legacy: Essays On History, People, And Place is an impressive and informative anthology of sixteen essays discussing the various facets of Montana history ranging from birth control and prenatal care in rural Montana, to Montana's Clark-Daly Feud, to the Montana State Prison Riot of 1959. Black-and-white photographs and maps enhance this scholarly assessment of different aspects of the Montana's cultural and political evolution from the 1800's down to the twenty-first century. Montana Legacy is very highly recommended for American History reference collections, and especially Montana State History supplemental reading lists.

Our Montana Legend was not fully explained - just roughly hinted at. But then that is what a Legend is.

Young [how young] widow Sarah Redding would do anything to help heal her young daughter, Ella.

She was poor relation to her scoundrel, Uncle Milt, and fit only for what work he could get out of her.
He was bound and determined to have the boundary creek and the neighboring animal for his own.

Sarah was hoping and dreaming of finding another man to love, but he would have to love her in return.

She was dusty, dirty, and disheveled [and barefoot]"Well, heavens to betsy", working up the ground to plant a garden and into her life rode a rugged jewel of a man who could offer her everything -- except his heart!

Gage Gatlin and his daughter, Lucy was looking for a homestead or ranch in which to finally settle down. Gage knew that love was a fairy tale but there was something about Sarah that drew him. His meeting with Sarah was momentous, about to change his life and disrupt it.

Suddenly the two girls were best of friends and wanting to sisters. Sarah was falling in love with Gage but he could only offer devotion and desire -- his wounded heart and problems was just hinted at.

But he was a legend and too darn good looking for Sarah's taste. Gage had to find a way to keep Sarah around, he was finding it hard to keep his hands off her.

Discrepencies: Arabian horse in that day and age? And how can he jump on a horse bareback and without a bridle and get caught in a stampede of cattle and horses and be using a bridle to steady his horse??

Definitely a good story content but again back with the PMS [numerous times] and she doesn't get pregnant? Ah well, some fantasy.

Good Read - recommended --M Humorous exchanges between the two just reels you in.

If you're a historical western romance lover, this is the book to read! The three stories are great and the characters steal your heart!

Be sure not to miss the continuing story of Kincaid brother Brock in Gunslinger's Bride. You'll also enjoy Big Sky Brides! Two contemporary stories of sisters Suzanna and Diana Brennan and the historical western story of great-great grandparents, Isabelle and Kyle Running Horse Brennan.

This book shows how gentile love can be. It is a great book that will live with you long after the last page. The characters are wonderful and it shows how they trust their love to take over. He is a perfect man and he turns her from a rough lady into her sensitive side. It has a wonderful ending!! :o)

This is a tale of romance and intrigue, that is springled throughout
with vivid description of life in the beautiful Montana Mountains.
Don't start the book late in the day, it is hard to put down.

Excellent 1996 re-issue of Jeff Hart's 1976 work published by the Montana Historical Society, with over 60 plants (from trees to lichens) used by Montana's Indian tribes for food, medicine, shelter, and crafts. Well-illustrated; essential for those interested in Montana history and the great outdoors. Many of these plants are becoming harder and harder to find with the boom in Montana's development, and conservation efforts need to focus more on the preservation of these often overlooked ethnobotanical treasures of the Treasure State.

The first essay, by Father Peter J. Powell, is titled, "They Drew from Power: An Introduction to Northern Cheyenne Ledger Book Art", and includes 5 black and white and 8 color plates as examples. The second essay, By Michael P. Malone, is titled, " Montana as a Corporate Bailiwick: An Image in History."

My husband bought this book and I only read it because it was all that was available at the time. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I am not a hunter but the romance and mystery kept me spell bound. I learned to appreciate and understand why people hunt. I loved the ying and yang of the relationship between Jefferson Kirk, the Montana District attorney and Heidi Singer, the citified journalist.