Montana Books

La Montana Magica is a book that everybody interested in literature should read. I enjoy the characters and their profound psychology.
I recommend this book definitely.

This novel works like a huge and beautiful testimony of the years before the Great War in Europe. It transcends the limits of the genre and becomes a great Encyclopedia full of fascinating characters, archetypes and allegories. The intelectual battle between Naphta and Settembrini (the religious and social view between the liberal and individualistic perspective) is, maybe, the most perfect chronicle of a philosophical and political controversy that hasn't end yet.
At the end we all scream with the chilling scene of the duel and cry with Hans Castorp`s fate.

Well, Ethan Walker, 43 survived his trial and now has a fight on his hands.
The big, burly, unsocial rancher is determined to raise his niece, baby Darcy.
Marilee Taylor, 32 was too young to die. She was delivered to Ethan, her brother, in the middle of a snow storm by Homer Gilmore, a prospector and hermit. Then Homer disappeared.

Lori Bains, a certified nurse and mid-wife showed up to help get Marilee to the hospital and also bare witness to Marilee's desire that Ethan promise not to let her child fall into the clutches of her cruel in-laws.
[Lori Bains story coming up Baby Wanted!]

Now this is very interesting -- Kate Randall is a court Judge and wants to help Ethan keep his niece. Yet Ethan's temper gets him into trouble once again. People still believe he killed Charlie.

Mary Jo Kincaid had followed Ethan's trial every day. She was certainly disappointed that Ethan got off.

Noble Taylor was a snob and determined that no outlaw rancher was going to raise his granddaughter. Kate kept trying to bring about a reconciliation between the Taylors and Ethan. But something funny was going on.

What was Kate's secret? Why did she want to marry Ethan? Was it for the baby or to help Ethan keep Darcy? Very intrigueing!

Definitely Recommend -

Ethan Walker is a loner, a rugged individual who lives on his ranch outside of Whitehorn, Montana. He has one ranch hand, a man called John Mountain, no electricity and he's miles from his nearest neighbor and he likes it that way.

Then on a snow filled, stormy night a prospector named Homer shows up at his door with his younger sister Marilee. Marilee had run her car off the road on her way to Ethan's. She is in labor. Marilee gives birth at Ethan's, then makes Ethan swear that if anything happens to her, that he'll raise the child. Ethan, worried about his sister as she's lost so much blood, promises her he'll do it as an emergency helicopter lands out front. Then, sadly, Marilee dies in the chopper on the way to the hospital.

When he was younger, Ethan had been accused and arrested for murder, but he'd been acquitted. However in the minds of many in Whitehore he was guilty. So things look bad for Ethan when the baby's paternal grandparents decide to sue for custody. Then beautiful Judge Kate Randall has a solution. She'll marry Ethan, in name only of course, and that'll give him the respectability he needs, plus, with a wife, he's sure to win custody. However will he win custody of Kate's heart as well? And can Kate settle this loner down.

"The Law is No Lady" was a nice romance that kept me up for the better part of a Friday evening. Helen Myers put a generous dose of humor (two rugged men dealing with a baby) and suspense (will the grandparents get custody, will the judge and the loner fall in love) in her book and topped it off with a keen writing style. Highly recommended.

This detailed chronicle of the Plains Indians covers most of the 19th century explorations from Lewis and Clark to the overwhelming encroachment of the "white plague" (white settlers)fed by the railroad which destroyed the Indians' way of life.
Author Keim left no stone unturned in detailing the lives and times of all (but especially, the Flathead Indians)the Western Indian tribes of the 19th century.
I was being mentored by the author while he was finishing, what was to be, his final book. He definitely knew about the geography of Montana as he lived in buffalo country until he shipped out with the Montana 163rd Infantry Regiment to fight in the jungles of New Guinea during WWII.
A life-long collector of arms, his knowledge of weaponry is expertly inserted throughout the book.
History buffs of this era of westward expansion will enjoy this masterpiece.

Little Coyote is one of the best studies of plain/plateau Indians I have ever read!!! I recently spent a year in Montana and my birth mother loaned me her copy to read. At first I was daunted by its length, but then the story kept me enrapt for many an hour.

It is a running history of a People that few have heard of and shows them as they are, a People that are destined to lose their way of life. It is a cronicle of daily life and all its struggles, happiness, joys and sorrows.

This book is an excellent book for those who want to know just how much a People lost and how their ethnicity has been lost. The Character development is excellent. It is a book I highly recommend to anyone.

great to deal with. the book was out of print, so it was older,but in great shape. it arrived promptly. thank you.

I grew up in the area of Montana whereof this book is written. In fact, I was there at the campsite where Mrs. Jaeger's daughter was taken during the time period covered. I was one of the children that Mrs. Jaeger came to realize were saved by the loss of Her Child at the hands of a man who had murdered several children through the years.

I read this book cover to cover in a couple of hours. What a tremendous struggle and glorious victory over evil in this world because of this one woman's willingness to not only bear the cross, but to search the scriptures, pray steadfastly for guidance, and be willing to move forward in that process. A wonderful, wonderful book of love, spiritual growth, true Christlike compassion and forgiveness. I'll never forget it!

You can never go wrong with a novel written by Cheryl St.John. Whether it is a contemporary or historical novel, Cheryl brings both the characters and environment to life. The story of Bryanna and Devlin is one that is hard to put down. Don't miss this one!

Dr. Brynna Shaw doesn't do anything spur of the moment. She thinks things through. But there was no thinking when Devlin Holmes walked into her life. That might explain why she was married to him a few short days later. But as the saying goes, marry in haste, repent in leisure. Eight month's after the I-do's, Brynna's wondering if she made the biggest mistake of her life. Does she have enough with Devlin to ride out some mighty rough waters?

Cheryl St. John gets to the heart of Brynna and Devlin's emotions, the heart of the story...and what the reader finds is a whole lot of love! A wonderful read!

My grandfather's (Lynn Rae Ingersoll) mother (Rose Collins Ingersoll) was the daughter of Mary Collins of whom the author writes. My Auntie Iona Ingersoll (of Scoby Montana and spouse of Lynn Rae Ingersoll II) and I thought this book was fastinating. A couple corrections we agreed on; George Ingersoll and Rose Collins Ingersoll had 3 adult children: George Ingersoll Jr. Lynn Rae Ingersoll and a daughter Dixie Ingersoll. I have seen a military portait of George Ingersoll Jr and Iona's husband worked for George Jr. for awhile. Also, Lynn Rae Ingersoll and Bernice Kempton Ingersoll had five sons, not four. Dick Ingersoll, Lynn Rae Ingersoll II, Tom Ingersoll, Bruce Ingersoll (our Dad) and Gerry Ingersoll. Thank you for writing this book!

What a well written book. It provides great texture and a sense of what life was like during such an amazing period of our history. Whether you are related to Mrs. Collins or not, you will be captivated by the story and the sense of place.

Well done!

Favorite scene with Molly-
Angry and defensive that Holt is taking her print without her permission to dig up dirt on her.

Favorite scene with Holt-
Confronting the bad guy, while trying to protect Molly at the same time.

Together-
Angry and defensive that Holt is taking her print without her permission to dig up dirt on her.

What did you like about Molly-
Her love for her work. Her love for Holt. Not judging him. She also helped him through his pain. She had a good heart.

What didn't you like about Molly-
This is not really a dislike, but she allowed her ex to make her a victim.

What did you like about Holt-
His love for Molly. Despite being from L.A., he had a good heart. He felt guilty for his partner's death, proving how good his heart was. Sensitive, yet strong. How wonderful when he reunited her with her sister.

What didn't you like about Holt-
There wasn't anything I didn't like about Holt.

Casting Holt, I'd cast Mark Consuelos.
Casting Molly, I'd cast Gwyneth Paltrow.

I loved Allison Leigh's story about sheriff Holt Tanner and Molly Brewster. This small town in Montana and its residents seemed very real. Another good read from Allison Leigh.

I first read this book back in the early 60's when I was stationed in Montana. I found it full of facts that you don't find in history books. The characters are real and believable; makes you wish you had a time machine to go back and witness the action. A must for history buffs.

If you want to know the story of Montana, this is where you start. It's written by the best journalist-writer who ever lived in the state (excluding Bud Guthrie, of course, who chose fiction instead). It must be understood that it is not a "definitive history" as Howard himself stated, but a personal narrative of what matters. In the past two decades, a cottage industry of Howard-bashing has emerged in Montana, by historians eager to establish their own reputations. Yes, some of what Howard wrote was incorrect. Other aspects of his writings now seem outmoded (the colonial economy thing). But to say modern history proves Joe Howard was wrong is like saying Lewis and Clark are disproven by Rand-McNally. Howard was the visionary who showed the way to what Montana should and could be. But 50 years later, this remains the best non-fiction book that will ever be written about Montana.

I first read the Montana Angling guide in 1989, before my first trip to Montana. I was pleasantly surprised by the maps and fly suggestions. Once I got on the water, I appreciated the accuracy of the Guide. After all those years, I can still use it to select streams to fish with total confidence. For the most part, the only thing that has changed is the explosion of anglers all over the west (and probably all over the US). Some streams, such as the Blackfoot River system, have improved due to more enlightened conservation techniques. Probably the list of stores, fly shops, and motels need to be updated. But when I return to Montana, I always take along the Guide and the Geological Survey map of Yellowstone Park. Now I don't go to some streams due to crowds. Others are just as good as they were when I first went there. Hint1: Very few anglers hike off the road more than 100 yards. This leaves lots of territory for the rest of us. Hint2: We always know there will be quality, uncrowded fishing when the trailhead sign warns of bears being sighted within one mile. This sign apparently frightens away many hikers.
While I haven't read hundreds of angling guides, today I still would refer to the Guide's stream maps as my first resource, and I wouldn't look for anything better.

If you have wondered about the day when you could afford to go to the "Big Sky Country" and catch trout like a pro, this book is a MUST. It tells you how to get there, the access points, and everything you need to really enjoy your trip to Montana fly fishing. It is well written and simply MUST be a part of your fishing gear when you get to Montana. Wheather you are new to fly fishing in Montana, or an old hand, the wealth of information and readable style makes the book worth twice the price. I would hope that fishing guides would recommend this to their clients before they come to Montata.

As you can see, I am very enthusiastic about a well written worthwhile trout fishing guide.

Hope you will agree !

Favorite scene with Jasmine-
Going to Storm's room after dinner.

Favorite scene with Storm-
Fight with a "friend" about Jasmine.

Together-
Jasmine telling Storm she can't leave with him.

Favorite scene with Gretchen-
Being abducted.

Favorite scene with David-
The chase after a falling rock.

Together-
When Gretchen is abducted.