Wyoming Books

THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT ACCOUNTING OF THE PEOPLE AND EVENTS THAT REALLY MAKE THE JOHNSON COUNTY WARS. IT WAS COMPLETELY ABSORBING.

Bill O'Neal's The Johnson County War is a true, historical count of a violent and bloody conflict in Wyoming's northern rangeland. One side were cattle barons and powerful politicians; on the other, homesteaders and rustlers. The range war was rife with lynchings, ambushes, invasions by hired Texas gunmen, and ended in fierce last stand and siege drawing in hundreds of combatants. Black-and-white photographs pepper this meticulously researched and presented dissection of the conflict, highly recommended for American history shelves and as captivating reading for anyone who truly wants to learn about the strife that wracked the Old West.

The writer spend time developing the characters and researching their history. The book goes into the "why" and "how" of the Johnson County War. It is highly entertaining for the U.S. History fans like myself. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not be disappointed.

With lively and spirited prose, Julianne Couch takes us by the hand and through the doors of nearly thirty remote Wyoming drinking establishments which most people would feel intimidated to enter.
Whether it is blending local history, geography, science, current events or personal thoughts on just about anything, Julianne pieces together a particular watering hole with its immediate surroundings which in turn makes this book an imbibing read...chapter after chapter.
A gifted undertaking and an absolute pleasure to read.

Wyoming prides itself in being thought of as one small town with a long main street and a great people-to-bar ratio. Okay, so I added the people-to-bar ratio based on personal experience. But many of these great bars are not on main street; rather you have to stumble off into the alleyways and dirt roads. So if your goal is to get off of main street to explore the old western bar with more local color than you can only imagine, you might want a succinct and witty guide to take along. Look no further: Julianne Couch's new book Jukeboxes and Jackalopes captures with style and grace the people and places you will find in the small town taverns out here in the Big Empty. I know--I live in a Wyoming town. We have 100 people and 3 bars, which by all measures is a great ratio. But it is still a town too big to be included in this little gem of a book.

Ever wonder what the inside of a bar looks like and what kind of people frequent that bar as you speed by in your vehicle? Would the people be friendly? Would they be interesting to talk to, and would they be interested in you? Well, Julianne Couch makes the stops for you, enters the bars, and talks with the people. It is a great way to tour Wyoming and learn about the people who live there. Julianne Couch writes with a humorous touch. She is a modern day Mark Twain, a keen observer and storyteller. I know the next time I travel through Wyoming I'll take along a copy of Jukeboxes & Jackalopes so I'll know where to stop for a cold one and learn more about the people who live in the small town's of Wyoming.

Knowing the history of the exploration of this magnificent park makes me even more anxious to visit this beautiful country. After reading this book, when I visit YSNP, I will focus on a time long ago, when all the modern conveniences were not there. It is a great book to have read to get some of the background knowledge of this area, before you go out and explore yourself!

Today, being lost in Yellowstone National Park is as simple as turning on the wrong road after you lost your complimentary map or you can not locate the restroom in the Old Faithful complex. For Truman Everts, being lost in Yellowstone was a struggle between life and death. Everts's account details his 1870 adventure in Yellowstone after finding himself separated from his travelling companions. The separation began Everts's thirty-seven day struggle for survival in a pre-developed Yellowstone in which Everts had to find what little food and shelter he could just to survive. Readers will find this account to be a real-life struggle for survival reminiscent of Jack London's fictional work. The editor, Lee Whittlesey, does a superb job of editing Everts's story by providing the reader with additional information and the historical background of the book. The work is also illustrated with many early day photographs of Yellowstone which provides an stunning visual account of early-day Yellowstone National Park. This book will be appreciated by anyone looking for an exciting true-life adventure story as well as historians of the American West. People who have been "lost" recently in Yellowstone will also appreciate the book, even if their modern-day adventure pales in comparison to Evert's

Besides being one of those - Why haven't I heard of this story before? - adventure stories, this book offers a great opportunity to further enhance the Yellowstone experience.

I read this book while staying in a ranch outside Yellowstone National Park. As luck would have it, our first day of "touring" the park via automobile closely paralleled Truman's path, and I managed to read this story aloud to the kids later that night, in front of a big cast iron stove, while Clark's Fork gurgled 30 feet from the door. I'm not sure if it was the story or the setting, but they were captivated! They were able to tie Truman's adventures in with many of the places we had been earlier that day, and it gave them an entirely different perspective of the park. In addition to bringing the book to life (again - what a story!), it contributed immensely to their appreciation of Truman's ordeal, the magnitude of the park and the wilderness that lies 100 yards off the main roads... Highly recommended.

Othniel Charles Marsh died in the last year of the nineteenth century. The names coined by Marsh for his dinosaur discoveries are better known than his own: Brontosaurus, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops, to name just a few. Before death intervened, Marsh had planned a series of richly illustrated monographs. The illustrations were prepared, but the monographs on the Sauropoda and Stegosauria were never written.

In 1966, the beautiful but all-but-forgotten illustrations were unveiled by John Ostrom and John McIntosh in the book Marsh's Dinosaurs. Now this wonderful book is again available, with a new introduction by Peter Dodson, and an updated history including the exploration and research that have taken place during the thirty-plus years since the book was originally published.

Marsh's Dinosaurs is not your garden variety dinosaur book. There are no color plates or discussions of the latest controversies. This book focuses on the fossilized bones of dinosaurs that lived near the end of the Jurassic period in North America, and which were discovered in spectacular abundance at a place called Como Bluff, which paleontologist Robert Bakker calls "the Real Jurassic Park."

If you want to see what Stegosaurus plates look like, or the vertebrae of Apatosaurus, the bones are here, with detail that few photographs can capture. Here, too, is the large camarasaurid cranium that Marsh selected as the skull for Brontosaurus. Except for trace fossils such as trackways and a few skin impressions, our notions of what the dinosaurs looked like and how they lived are built on bones, and the bones are here to behold. For anyone whose interest in dinosaurs has gone beyond the popular summary, and who wants to go further than plaster and resin restorations in museum displays, this book is for you.

The illustrations are preceded by a history of the discovery and working of this paleontological gold mine. This section of the book includes watercolors by Arthur Lakes, whose sketches, diaries, and correspondence with Professor Marsh provide an eyewitness account of the thrill of discovery at Como Bluff, as well as the hardships involved, and the inevitable conflicts of the colorful personalities.

For those with an interest in art, the charming watercolors of Lakes provide an interesting counterpoint to the magnificent lithographs. Here we have the human history of discovering dinosaurs, over one hundred years ago, and the history of the dinosaurs themselves, over one hundred million years ago.

I heartily recommend this book to the dinosaur enthusiast. But for those of us with a passion for the denizens of the Jurassic Morrison Formation, this book is a necessity!

Othniel Charles Marsh died in the last year of the nineteenth century. The names coined by Marsh for his dinosaur discoveries are better known than his own: Brontosaurus, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops, to name just a few. Before death intervened, Marsh had planned a series of richly illustrated monographs. The illustrations were prepared, but the monographs on the Sauropoda and Stegosauria were never written.

In 1966, the beautiful but all-but-forgotten illustrations were unveiled by John Ostrom and John McIntosh in the book Marsh's Dinosaurs. Now this wonderful book is again available, with a new introduction by Peter Dodson, and an updated history including the exploration and research that have taken place during the thirty-plus years since the book was originally published.

Marsh's Dinosaurs is not your garden variety dinosaur book. There are no color plates or discussions of the latest controversies. This book focuses on the fossilized bones of dinosaurs that lived near the end of the Jurassic period in North America, and which were discovered in spectacular abundance at a place called Como Bluff, which paleontologist Robert Bakker calls "the Real Jurassic Park."

If you want to see what Stegosaurus plates look like, or the vertebrae of Apatosaurus, the bones are here, with detail that few photographs can capture. Here, too, is the large camarasaurid cranium that Marsh selected as the skull for Brontosaurus. Except for trace fossils such as trackways and a few skin impressions, our notions of what the dinosaurs looked like and how they lived are built on bones, and the bones are here to behold. For anyone whose interest in dinosaurs has gone beyond the popular summary, and who wants to go further than plaster and resin restorations in museum displays, this book is for you.

The illustrations are preceded by a history of the discovery and working of this paleontological gold mine. This section of the book includes watercolors by Arthur Lakes, whose sketches, diaries, and correspondence with Professor Marsh provide an eyewitness account of the thrill of discovery at Como Bluff, as well as the hardships involved, and the inevitable conflicts of the colorful personalities.

For those with an interest in art, the charming watercolors of Lakes provide an interesting counterpoint to the magnificent lithographs. Here we have the human history of discovering dinosaurs, over one hundred years ago, and the history of the dinosaurs themselves, over one hundred million years ago.

I heartily recommend this book to the dinosaur enthusiast. But for those of us with a passion for the denizens of the Jurassic Morrison Formation, this book is a necessity!

"Marsh's Dinosaurs: The Collections from Como Bluff" written by John H. Ostrom and John S. McIntosh is an illustrated lithographic masterpiece of detailed dinosaur bones. This book is for the serious dinosaur predisposed. This book is a serious skeletal anatomy book with lithographs drawn with great detail to a scale, as some of these bones are so immense that they would dwarf a normal sized human being.

Como Bluff, in southeastern Wyoming, was the site of one of the greatest assemblages of giant and small dinosaurs and of minute and extremely precious Jurassic mammals ever to be found. This site has probably had the greatest impact on the study of paleontology. George Peabody and Othiniel Charles Marsh, the two men who, more than any other individuals, were responsible for the founding and rapid growth of palenotology, and the money to excavate this sight. The one hundred and fifty lithograghs published here were originally intended to be part of monographic studies by Marsh of the sauropod and stegosaurian dinosaurs, but now they are out for all to see.

I found this book to be a wonderful comparative anatomy book of the skeletal remains for these dinosaurs. Marsh named the Brontosaurus, now the Apatosaurs, Stegosaurs, and the Diplodocus to name just a few of the dinosaurs found at the Como Bluff site. These dinosaur bones are covered in amazing detail. If you were like me, when I visited the museums I wanted to see the dinosaur bones close up. I wanted to see the detail in the bones displayed, but never got the chance as they were roped off from detailed view or in a glassed in display case where you couldn't get up close and personal with the bones. Now, I can finally see these bones close up and personal. You can see the detail as to where the blood vessels were and ligaments and muscles attached to the bones, and where the weight bareing bones supported the dinosaur as it moved. Even the teeth are shown and you can deduce what the dinosaur ate and how it chewed the food that it ate.

There is so much detail in this book that you can become overwhelmed, but the authors do a good job of explaining the purpose of the bones. The Como Bluff era spanned an interval of slightly more than twelve years, from early April 1877 to mid-June 1889 and thus, left its impression on the history of the American West, just as this book will leave an impression upon the reader of the dinosaurs fossil remains.

"Marsh's Dinosaur: The Collection from Como Bluff" is a solid 5 star book that deserves a place on the bookshelf of your home library.

I am thrilled to come across this mimeograph dealing with the important 1955 Potato trials in Wyoming! Although I have not read this particular mimeograph, I am well aware of the Potato trials in Wyoming of 1955, and it is an episode of our country's history that has never really been addressed. Far too few people know about the events that eventually led to the Potato trials in Wyoming, in 1955, but hopefully mimeographs like this one will help educate the public. It is important that we remember the past, so as not to repeat it. The Potato trials in Wyoming, 1955 may be in the past, but they did happen, and who is to say similar events may not happen again. But this time not in Wyoming, and not in 1955!

Those @%*& Irish think they do it all. The leaders world-wide in horse trials, and dog trials - days long show events, the Irish tried to steal the potato trials from the good ol' U S of A. We all know that the "Irish" potato is really just a good old fashioned Russet by another name. And now in his authoritative work "Potato trials in Wyoming, 1955", William A Riedl has unveiled to the shocked world the true story behind the attempted theft by the Irish of our beloved potato trials. So controversial it had to be mimeographed.

A documentary, both compelling and informative, riveting and shocking, rife with espionage, counter-espionage, and good old fashioned bitch slapping, we see the 1955 trials from an insider's perspective.

Never forget, never waiver. Against the forefront of pomp and circumstance unfolded dramatic events in the back rooms of potatoery that have never been surpassed. Don't deny yourself the undocumented, true story, and it's equally shocking sequels, "Potato trials in Wyoming, 1956", "Potato trials in Wyoming, 1957", and "Potato trials in Wyoming, 1958". You'll never tire, but beware of later, related works by K. E Bohnenblust, such as "Potato variety trials in Wyoming, 1968", and "Potato variety trials in Wyoming, 1971".

Let's face it, no one covers the Wyoming potato trials like Mr. Riedl.

This may be the most relevant question in regards to William A. Reidl's "Potato Trials in Wyoming, 1955." In a criminal trial, determining guilt is of the utmost importance. However, the word "trial" sometimes refers to an experiment or test, rather than a legal proceeding. Be that as it may, Mr. Reidl's title (say that ten times fast!) is intriguing. One imagines potatoes being cross-examined; potatoes refusing to answer the question; potatoes accusing each other of unspeakable acts. One also imagines potatoes mashed, slathered in butter, and topped with sour cream. Ummm ... oh yeah.

To be clear: I have not read William A. Reidl's book, nor will I. And, yet, I feel confident in giving it a five-star rating. Bravo!

This is book 2 in the Wagon's West series.

The wagon train is now heading into new territory for them. They are on the way to Oregon and are leaving Independence, MO behind. They are also now being led by Whip Holt. They are traveling through Nebraska and continuing westward.

This is the story of their struggles against the British & Russian forces trying to keep them for making the trip as well and the environment and Native Americans.

This book is one of the 6th printing from back in the late 70's. If you are interested in the settlement of the American West this is one series that you need to revisit.

This is a book I keep reading again and again. It just is a terrific read. If you're interested in the history of early America, then this is THE series for you!

"Nebraska" is Book 2 in Dana Fuller Ross' magnificent "Wagons West" series. In 1837 the United States was experiencing its first financial depression. Banks were failing, factories closing, and farms were being foreclosed. US citizens were increasingly hungry and dispossessed. Out of a population of 16 million, a quarter of a million were unemployed. People by the thousands were moving West to settle the wilderness and make a new start in life. Former US President Andrew Jackson, new President Martin Van Buren, and financier John Jacob Astor decided to assign mountainman and weathered veteran Sam Brentwood and his partner Michael "Whip" Holt to form the first wagon train of pioneers with the purpose of crossing the North American continent and settling the Oregon Territory. Imperial Russia and Great Britain were also determined to claim the Oregon Territory for themselves and planned to do everything in their countries' power to sabotage the United States' effort.

The caravan now included 500 people and their horses, oxen and prairie schooners. Having reached the frontier town of Independence, Missouri, Sam Brentwood and his new wife leave the group to open a trading depot to supply future pioneers and wagon trains. Wagon scout Whip Holt now takes over as wagonmaster and the legendary group begins to move across the Great Plains to the Rockie Mountains on the second stage of their journey. They are set upon by hostile Indians, British and Russian spies, accidents and illness, and the petty bickering that comes from interacting with the same people day after day, along with the monotony of the trail. Relationships and rivalries are formed which prove to be every bit as exciting as the journey itself.

The characters are outstanding and extremely realistic. The author vividly brings history to life in "Nebraska," as in the other books in the series. And the politics behind the settling of the West are fascinating. As one would expect, the novel is chock-full of adventure, hardship, courage, love, loss, tragedy and triumph. Many details have been taken from actual diaries and journals of early pioneers. Once you start this book you won't be able to stop until you have read all 24 novels. The next one is "Wyoming," and deals with the third leg of the trip -wintering in the Rocky Mountains and the move to Oregon. Very highly recommended!
JANA

For those of us who grew up with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, The Lone Ranger, and enjoy all those Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns, we can get our fix of the ole wild west in the audio drama format now, too. POWDER RIVER is written in the style of the 1940s and '50s radio drama, where a central ensemble of characters carry on surviving what life in a frontier town throws at them. The series is set in Clearmont, Wyoming near Fort Sheridan, at a time when American Indians were being "resettled" from one reservation to another and the railroad was being built, and law and order were yet fully established so there is plenty of action to be had here. One of the things that I like about Powder River, is that it is "family friendly," with language and situations appropriate for children to listen to with parents. For a good old shoot 'em up western, I highly recommend the POWDER RIVER series of audio dramas... especially great in the car!

Powder River is an amazing series. In season one, the show was "finding it's way." In season two, it found it, and quickly takes the listener off on an amazing journey with more plot twists and unexpected turns than you can shale a stick at. Why is it classic? YOu care about the characters, and the town they live in. One episode, titled "Blood on Montana Snow" is a great example of the chemistry with this cast. This show is every bit as good as Gunsmoke, or Bonanza, or even the Lone Ranger. The last episode in this 15 episode set is a cliff hanger of epic proportions. Someday in the future, this series will be hailed as one of the GREAT all-time westerns. It blows Louis La'Mour Theatre out of the water.

POWDER RIVER IS AN EXCELLENT RADIO SERIES. IT IS WELL WRITTEN AND HAS GREAT DEPTH OF ITS CHARACTERS. NOW THAT THE SERIES IS AVAILABLE ON CD, CASSETTE AND MP3 IT WILL OBVIOUSLY GAIN MORE FAN DUE TO GREATER ACCESS. IF YOU LIKE WESTERNS YOU WILL ENJOY POWDER RIVER. I CAN'T GET ENOUGH!

Another great story - smooth- exciting (but not overly)the story itself has good lessons. Claude Duval looses his best friend to a backshooter. Claude promises Dusty, I'll get him if its the last thing I do. Claude, hired by a rancher who had 60 Bramma cattle stolen from him, meets a fine looking women, and the man who murdered his best friend. But they are all involved in capturing a gang of outlaws. It's a good read.

Saw this author at a music event. His music is wonderful. His writing is even better than wonderful. He has exceptional insight. This was the first of his work I had the pleasure of reading. Since finishing it I have bought Moon Medicine and Come Sundown. Keep writing MB!

The reason I liked this book is because I'm very interested in western folklore. The book has great examples of western life. For example, it showed how the cowboys found cattle rustlers and put them in jail for theft.I think that this would be great for kids who enjoy western folklore.

I love this book. Centered on a cattle drive, Dan Parkinson weaves great characters, including a ghost, cowboy drama, and humor into a tale no one should miss.

This is yet another of Dan's marvelous Westerns. His characters are superb. His plots fascinating. And his humor is the best to keep you laughing and wishing to share with others! I laugh, cry and kiss the bucks goodbye with great joy on this one! I, too, would love to see this book (and many of his others) made into movies! You'll love these people... and appreciate what they went through. BUY DAN'S BOOKS....read them! He's an American treasure!

Perhaps my favorite Parkinson Book! A stirring, action packed adventure about a cattle drive with an unwanted guest. After finding a dead horse and Cowboy in a draw that looks to have died by lightening strike, a crew of Cowboys find a mysterious stranger wanting to join their outfit since he wants to get back to Wyoming. Once he joins the drive the comedy and adventure builds. I don't want to say too much to give the story away, but if you like westerns at all you will love this book. As usual, Parkinson adds his personal touch to the tale with comedy, adventure, and a touch of the super-natural. You'll never read a western like this one unless Parkinson rode it. Parkinson is a undiscovered gem with novels that would make terrific movies! Please don't miss this one, you will read it more than once.

I enjoyed the story of Hazard, the oldest Wilde brother of the Wyoming Wildes. This is the second book in the series and as good, if not better, than the previous book. Hazard is the least likely to gamble of the 3 brothers. The one most tied to the land. Cattle is his livelihood and his passion. And his cattle are dying for no apparent cause. When he seeks help, vet Dr. Ryan arrives. She is not what he expected but she is what he wants. This story flows smoothly, with an interesting cast and mystery to the end. I can hardly wait for the next brothers story.

This is a most enjoyable and romantic book. As a nurse, some of the medical stuff was not quite right, and was almost laughable. However, with all the romance, this was overshadowed. Any woman would love to have a prom night like that, with that date! Who would need the real thing? You have to read the book to know what that means, cause I'm not gonna spoil that little surprise! All in all, this was a well thought out, romantic book that I have read twice since buying it!

When Hazard Wilde's experimental herd begins yielding fatal results for unknown reasons, he calls in research specialist, Dr. Erin Ryan, under the advisement of a mutual mentor. He hopes that her objectivity and expertise will help him discover what is behind the unexplainable deaths that are occurring. Surprisingly enough, it is her heart that engages itself with this project and with it, her tenacity when it comes to finding out the cause.

I found Hazard, the middle brother, to be admirable, determined, and dedicated. He has a close affinity with the land and I really enjoyed looking at the Double W through his eyes because of his appreciation for what his father originally wanted for him and his brothers. It's what he struggles to hang on to and improve upon.

Erin Ryan was endearing as a heroine because of her naivete which was at such odds with her advanced mind. I've read of heroines who have been incredibly smart but have also been, as a result, incredibly insecure or hypersensitive about it as well. I think that Erin's naivete was refreshing. Her lack of consuming bitterness towards the childhood that shaped her was engaging as well.

Langan has drawn two wonderfully isolated characters towards each other with skill, compassion, and heart. It's a wonderful story that conveys the sense that, even for people who are socially withdrawn, there is someone who can understand you and whom you can come to understand in turn.