Montana Books

Great book! Very interesting true life stories that pull you in and let you experience some of these exciting adventures. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. A must read!

My mother loves bear stories and is constantly trying to get me to read them. She had just got Ben's book for her summer reading and I was lucky enough to spend most of my vacation with it. It is a great read and has provoked alot of discussion around the dinner table.
Be sure to read Ben's book on Lewis and Clark, too.

I read this book after reading "Great Wyoming Bear Stories" (which was actually written after this book, and is intended to be a companion piece) and really enjoyed the stories and writing that Ben Long employed in this collection. Many of the tales go back to the late 19th/early 20th century, and into the present. I wouldnt call it a definitive book on the behavior of bears (if you are looking for that information, read something written by Stephen Herrero). Nonetheless, this is absolutely a great collection of stories concerning both grizzlies and black bears. My only complaint is that it wasnt longer. Definitely worth reading.

I had delightfull moments reading that book. It's another winner from author Cheryl St. John. Highly recommended (almost 5 stars for me)!

Brock Kincaid was home and the last thing he expects is to find himself staring into a set of eyes that look hauntingly familiar...the eyes of a son he never knew he had. Is he too late to build a relationship with his son? Abby Watson wants nothing to do with the man who murdered her brother, left her pregnant and broke her heart. But how can she deny a father's right to know his son? Brock and Abby have to work to overcome the past, live through the present and possibly find a future together. Cheryl St. John is known for her tender, poignant stories that touch readers' hearts, but she's outdone even herself with The Gunslinger's Bride, a tender story about letting go and loving.

Brock Kincaid is just as [wonderful] as his brothers, Caleb and Will and cousin James portrayed in the anthology of Big Sky Grooms, another must read and also a keeper!

Be sure not to miss Big Sky Brides anthology of the delightful contemporary sisters, Suzanna and Diana Brennan and the historical story of their great-great grandparents, Isabella and Kyle Running Horse Brennan.

The hikes cover some of the best hiking over a large area.

it encompasses the hikes that every avid hiker must do before or during death.

I have the first edition of this book and it has been an invaluable guide to the incredible hiking in the Northwest. Living in the east and only getting to the west when business or a vacation take me there (for relatively short periods of time) I've always tried to make the most of the time I did have to hike. I have done about 1/3 of the hikes in the book and have yet to be disappointed. I have other, more detailed, hiking books for these areas but I rely on this one for selecting my hikes. I just wish this type of book were available for other areas of the country.

This is not a coffee table book. Nor is it a book to be wasted on a library shelf. The photographs and brief accompanying text are meant to be consumed slowly, revisted, again revisted, appreciated like two fingers of old sour mash sipped during the bleak. It is irrelevant that a few of the photographs appear slightly grainy. What the artist brilliantly captures are facets of modesty and humility among a gracious people who, by choice, live a somewhat remote, sometimes trying life.

Once in awhile, you find a book that outstrips others and stands on its' own. This isn't the glam photography of Annie Liebowitz, the sexually overt Herb Ritts, nor is it the intentionally odd portraiture of Diane Arbus. This is an artist in the same league as Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Galen Rowell, and Phil Borges. Simply put, Laura Wilson is a thoughtful artist, whose vision and understanding are the product of a level of artistic and a respect for history that few others show. If there is one word that stands above all it is this: craft.

This book is the result of years of visiting and slowly getting to know the Hutterites, not an easy task. A friend of Richard Avedon, Laura Wilson's greatness and strength show up in her photos which depict the people as they are. If you can, buy them all! Her work is an education in the type of commitment it takes to make and pursue fine art.

Laura Wilson's photographs are truly extraordinary. I first was introduced to them by a recent essay on the PBS News Hour. The few photograps that were shown left me mesmerized and eager to see more. The presentation of the photographs in the book, however, is extremely disappointing. Rather than helping the photographs, the layout gets in the way. Several of the best photos are split between two pages ( e.g., the photo of the women on the haystacks is split 75%/25%). Also, many of the photos are blown up so large that graininess becomes a significant problem.

Laura Wilson's photographs deserve a far better presentation than they are given in this volume.

Kari Swenson was abducted by a mountain man father/son team as she hiked alone on an isolated trail in the thickness of the country growth at Big Sky, Montana, as she trained for the Olympics event she meant to win. They treated her abusively in the rough mountain way as she pleaded to be released. The old man, Don Nichols, asked his son, "Shall we keep her?" Danny nodded, with "Yeah, let's keep her."

This drama played out for five months while the first rescuer was killed on Moonlight Creek in the wild forest, so close to Big Sky. "Remembering a tragedy is always painful." The long manhunt and eventual capture of the kidnappers ended peaceably due to the expertise of Sheriff Johnny France. This "drama of the confrontation between the Sheriff and the fugitives is as exciting as any fiction" and it is "a tale of high adventure in real life."

At the first trial in Virginia City where cowboys drink coffee and other liquids at Bettie's Cafe, Danny was not found guilty of murder because his father was the one who shot Al Goldstein. The district judge is described as a crusty old Southerner who 'ran a tight court' who felt that the younger man should have been found guilty as well because the murder had occurred during the course of the original felony. But the jury of rural Montana didn't see it that way. Dan got the maximum sentence to be served at the hardrock prison at Deerlodge.

A new trial ended with Don Nichols receiving guilty on both counts, murder and kidnapping and also got the maximum sentence under law. He must serve 42 years before any chance of parole. For a man his age, that is equivalent to the death sentence.

Life goes on at the Mountain Range with hot dry summers and fiercely cold winters. Kari went back to full time training for international biathlon competition, but this time in the Green Hills of Vermont -- but never alone. She was only twenty-three when that happened; today, she would be 44. By now, it is hoped that she has found the peace after such a grueling experience.

In contrast to the other reader, I've known Johnny France since *my* childhood LOL. This is a gripping crime story that also gives a native's glimpse into a community and a way of life that's rapidly changing. Read this as much for a taste of western Montana as it once was as much as for the murder story.

I've know Johnny France since he was a young man. Without his dogged determination, these two killers might not have ever been captured. Don Nichols is still in prison and most likely will never get paroled. This book tells fascinating tale almost too strange to believe in these modern times. Great reading!!

What makes an American Indian and Indian, and why is it important? These are the two overarching questions which inform Professor Harmon's study of the tribes of the Puget Sound region in Washington State from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present. Combining a narrative description of the events which led to the relative subjugation of tribes and their negotiation of their members status as government wards and American citizens with a legal and economic analysis of the part that native peoples played in Washington state, Harmon goes a good way towards showing how the Amer-Indian identity came to be, why it did. Furthermore, Harmon's study goes a long way in showing how interplay between natives and whites created the situation in which most Indians live today.

This is not only a book about the interplay between whites and Indians though. By showing the intermingling of the various tribes before, during and after their subjugation by the American government, Harmon goes a long way in explaining how Indian identity was created not only by the dominant white societies over generalizing of difference and government sponsored attempts to assimilate most natives, but by the overlapping kinship between tribes (and later with whites). This fact, besides having important legal ramifications that Harmon found herself dealing with as an attorney for the Suquamish tribe in a boundary dispute with the state of Washington in 1980, has extreme relevance for the study of how native peoples in the west have negotiated their existence as both groups and individuals. Also, by exploring the cultural norms of the tribes as they came into contact, Harmon shows how native peoples were able to take advantage of opportunities which the economic development brought in its wake to advance many traditional values associated with having wealth and status. For the natives of the Puget Sound region, as opposed to those on the Prairies or in the East, the expansion was not an unmitigated disaster--though it certainly was not a dinner party either.

Harmon's analysis of Indian history involves creative use of anthropology and historical documentation. In her recreation of life in the Puget Sound region while it was still considered the frontier, Harmon shows a world in which of whites and natives from other areas of North America were seen through the lenses of opportunity, apprehension and simple curiosity. As Harmon explains with regard to the British fur traders--known among the tribes who would come into contact with them as King George men--who came to the region in early nineteenth century, "[a]ccording to local folklore, Europeans at first seemed so different from known humans that Indians supposed them to be animals or creatures from myth time," but, "by the 1820's, natives plainly recognized the King George men as fellow humans, candidates for incorporation into the regional network of human relations (17)." Harmon further demonstrates that for much of the nineteenth century, traders, and later settlers had to acclimate themselves to many of the expectations and values of the native peoples because of the lack of many institutional forms of coercion that would not invite retaliation. Differing attitudes about crime, work habits, spiritual matters, and what to do with the fruits of labor are among the many conflicts that shaped Indian and non-Indian relations during this period and helped to create an Indian identity.

During the twentieth century, most natives came into coercive contact with American institutions in ways that would further advance an Indian identity, and also advance its utility for natives. Most younger Indians found themselves at least for some time at federally backed schools and mission schools with government backing in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Though the goals of these schools was to assimilate natives, they had the unintentional effect of placing a large number of people together whose only unifying feature was their native descent. Harmon writes, "the pupils' interaction helped them formulate a common Indian identity. Diverse as they were, the children were at the schools because the administrators regarded them all as Indians (156)." As much as many of the children and their parents may have, rightfully, resented the treatment that was meted out at these schools, it was unavoidable that the children would gain a sense of identity as non-whites--possibly with divergent or oppositional interests.

It was not inevitable that native peoples' would form an identity that became in some important respects oppositional to the dominant culture. Harmon shows that the native peoples were largely integrated into the economy of Washington state and that discrimination against Indian workers was not a problem until the late 1920's. This was not actually what precipitated the creation of the myriad organizations which would come to represent native interests, nor the reactions of Bureau of Indian Affairs under the tutelage of John Collier--the so called "Indian New Deal"--but these three forces combined to further enforce an Indian sense of difference by way of the dominant society. With World War II uprooting thousands of Indian men for both military service and economic reasons and Washington state's post-war attempts to abrogate treaty rights of several tribes using the (often specious) argument that the tribal entities the treaties were negotiated with no longer existed, Indian identity further crystallized around an understanding of being unfairly exempted from the American dream and being further stripped of rights legally accorded them--rights that many depended on to earn or augment their livelihoods.

Harmon's study is not easy reading--not because of its subject matter or because of any fault of her's as a writer, but because of the amount of knowledge about native history it presumes on the part of the reader. For the reader unfamiliar with native history and western history more specifically, much of this book is difficult fare. Beyond that minor flaw, a flaw unavoidable to any specialized study, the work is an insightful look at what it is to be an Amer-Indian.

Indians in the Making is a comprehensive study of the complicated and ambiguous development of ethnic identity among Indian groups in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. The scope of this work is approximately the early 1800s to 1975, and examines the social, economic, religious, and political developments and entities that attempted to define the native population of this region. Before European contact, Indians saw no need to categorize themselves, and had no basis for comparison. With the influx of traders and, more importantly, immigrants to the region in the mid 19th century, Americans saw the need to sort Indians into groups and separate them from non-Indians. For the first time, Indians found themselves ascribed a certain identity from outside forces. Americans believed it was this ascribed identity that would determine what place Indians would have in the American world. However, due to factors such as constant mobility, intermarriage, intermingling, and dispersed settlements, the distinction between Indians and non-Indians became blurred. Ironically, since the 1880s, U.S. officials "set the parameters of Indian identity for purposes of political and property relations, but they have never monopolized the process of defining `Indian' or `tribe.'" (247) Indians in the Puget Sound region have historically refused to define themselves solely in the terms suggested by their American colonizers. Thus, the historically divergent interests and beliefs of various Indian groups in this region have made efforts to consolidate a Puget Sound Indian identity extremely difficult. In the 20th century, the debate about century old treaty fishing rights helped forge a historical and cultural link between these diverse groups. The "treaty-reserved right to fish became the best expression of their relation to non-Indians, and thus, a cardinal symbol of their own Indianness." (218) However, the idea of what it is to be Indian in this region remains a dynamic process.
Indians in the Making presents a unique study on the idea of "identity." Harmon allows the reader to process events as they were processed by the Indians of Puget Sound. The differences between the ways in which Americans viewed certain actions or relationships and the Indian interpretation are clearly spelled out. This approach provides the other side to the story that is so often missing in Indian History. One aspect that could have been explored further was gender relations. Harmon focused on the interaction between groups of men far more than women, except when discussing intermarriage. Harmon conducted extensive research for this book, and offers almost 100 pages of notes after the text. The historical factors that contributed to Puget Sound Indian identity are thoroughly explored, but the account isn't too laden with details. Harmon examines the Indian identity for what it is, as well as for what it is not. Too often, ethnic identity is defined by the policy makers, but in this case, the author examines the ways in which a group has sought to define themselves.

Dr. Harmon has written a wonderfully crafted work which will be important for future historians of the Pacific Northwest. The story is quite simply about the history of Indian people in the Puget Sound area. Unfortunately, after reading this book, you will no longer see the history of Puget Sound tribes as simple. The history is very complex as the Native peoples and the white explorerers and settlers try to distinguish themselves from each other. In the beginning, George Vancouver could draw a line in the sand to separate the races. It only went downhill from that point especially as the number of interracial marriages began to increase. Who is eligible to be a tribal member? Who can live on the reservation? Are the Indians who live off the reservation truly "Indian"? These are a few of the numerous questions that are raised in this book.

Dr. Harmon has presented a thorough and carefully written work. I would highly recommend it to any student of PNW history or indigenous history buffs. Future historians will have a new benchmark to base their works on. Dr. Harmon provides a wonderful bibliography which is rich with information. This book deserves a home in your library.

Since I personally know the author who is a fellow dispatcher at another agency and am good friends with the real-life "George," I already knew some of the trip that inspired the book. As a writer myself, I must say that this book is extremely well written. Although I don't fancy romance novels, I did like this, although the steamy scenes were too explicit for me and I didn't like the adulterous theme. But over all, it was a good book. Good debut, Claudia! I also must add that Claudia Thomas is a wonderful woman. She recently served as a critical incident debriefer at the site of the WTC attacks, counselling emergency workers. She took an entire month off from her job to do this. What an awesome lady!

In Irish Hearts the reader is treated to a tour of Colleen Keating's personal world as she sojourns towards new beginnings and refuses to allow her neglectful husband to hold her back from life's adventures. Colleen is a pioneer styled woman living in contemporary American who travels throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in search of her ancestral roots -- and finding more than she expected. Entangled within a loveless marriage, we empathize with her temptations when she encounters Ciaran Kelly, a handsome Irishman. Both of these star-crossed lovers are bound by commitments and experience the tug of hearts and distress of souls as the irrevocably find their mutual affections requited, yet forbidden. Irish Hearts is a superbly crafted novel of romance and responsibility, of unexpected opportunity and socially required sacrifice.

Well done. Haven,t read a romance in years. So glad I chose this one. The characters were so real Ifelt as though I was part of the story. I hope there is more to come from this author. She has a true feeling of life. As they say on Broadway,"author,author."

Steve Chapple's story of a kayak trip down the Yellowstone touches the heart of Montana and Montanans, describing the very soul of that elusive "Montana Spirit". It is a heartwarming book of family values and community, with the excitement of the kayak trip thrown in for good measure. His expertise with the language and his ability to describe makes this one of the best books I've read in recent years!

Big rivers fascinate me. Trips on them fascinate me even more. I liked his friendly way of writing about how he and his family paddled and puddled around on and off the river. His descriptions of surrounding country add to this story. I like a good story, and this is one.

Steve Chapple's story of a kayak trip down the Yellowstone touches the heart of Montana and Montanans, describing the very soul of that elusive "Montana Spirit". It is a heartwarming book of family values and community, with the excitement of the kayak trip thrown in for good measure. His expertise with the language and his ability to describe makes this one of the best books I've read in recent years!

Una excelente historia, de la cual uno puede aprender que todo hombre pasa por lo inevitable en el momento que menos lo espera, y aqui la leccion de esperanza ¿Hasta que punto podemos determinar nuestro destino? y lograr fortalecerse y aprender de ello y que cada persona logre determinar su propio camino, realmente un excelente libro ultra-recomendado :) !!!!

A beautifully witten short novel about a man who believes he is a prophet of God. The story's a little off beat and relies on the reader's belief in a higher being, but it doesn't really matter because the beauty of the novel lies in its language.

Este fue el primer y mas inspirador libro de Paulo Coehlo que he leido. De hecho lo prefiero a EL Alquimista.

Lo he leido tres veces y no dejo de aprender. Esta historia de Elias es motivadora, al ver a un profeta de Dios (Elias) a veces lleno de temor, otras de coraje, otras con fe y muchas otras con duda. Creo que lo que mas me gusta, es esa semejanza a nuestra realidad, pues aunque creamos en Dios, es humano que alguna veces dudemos y estemos en desacuerdo con el.
Si lo lees, te recomiendo que lo hagas lentamente, digiriendolo poco a poco, pues hay muchos mensajes que pueden pasar desapercibidos.

Terry Johnston writes like a man who was there as events unfolded. He leaves no doubt that he was there--not during the events, but at the locations. Weaving contemporary newspaper articles and original letters throughout the text firmly roots this novel in time and space. This, plus occasional historical footnotes quenches a historian's thirst for authenticity. It made me want to go and visit these places for myself, equipped with Johnton's literary visual aids.

Terry Johnston's "Lay the Mountains Low" is a must for the avid fan of western history. Part of the Plainsmen series, we are not gifted with the rugged Irishman Sheamus Donnegan, as he is on duty miles away trying to quell a different Indian uprising (this makes Johnston's writing less fictionalized)instead we fall in love with numerous characters both Native American and European. This is the second part to a trilogy about the Nez Perce War of 1877, focusing on the drama which occurred after the Battle of White Bird Canyon and culminating with the tragic Big Hole Battle. Johnston takes you to the campsite, the fort, the trail ride, the battle ridge, and makes you consider how you would stand up against the elements, enemy and morality. Without a doubt, this is Johnston's best piece of work and is a must read for all fans of the Great American West. Make special note to read the afterword as Johnston provides information on his fact-finding trips thoroughout the West. Johnston provides valuable information and insight to battle sites, cemeteries, forts and historical road-side stops...again, Johnston gives the reader a seat on the fifty yard line to some of our nation's most famous locations.

As always with Terry, a great book, an excellent way to learn about the history of the American West. If you are looking for a typical shootem up western this is not the book for you. This book is not for the faint hearted, there are few heros here, just a people fighting for their freedom and their lives against impossible odds. There is a lot of pain and and heart break here for both the Nez Perce and the whites, but mostly for the Nez Perce. This book really got to me, it was heart breaking reading what happened to the innocents on both sides. My family,s history goes back over 150 years in the west, so Terry,s books have special meaning for me. Read this book and you will never forget it.