Wyoming Books

This book will be a great pocket guide because of its size and information. The book gives insite into the places to stay in the parks as well as dining and recreation. Very helpful!!

This book has been a great help in planning a family vacation to the National Parks. And the compact size (about 4 inches by 8 inches) means the book will be small enough to fit in a fanny pack for easy reference during the trip. Kudos, Frommer's.

My family spent 2 weeks in Yellowstone, Grand Teton's and Jackson Hole, Wy in June 2005. We purchased this book months prior to our visit, highlighted the "MUST DO'S" and scratched off things we were not interested in--long hikes. This wonderul book helped us plan our trip so that we got the most for our time and money. I would like to see more resturant info but it was a very nice tool to have. If you get to Gardner, Montana this book recommends a 'hole-in-the-wall' resturant called Hateful Helen's. The book says 'not much to look at but wonderful food' and we agree! Best hamburgers you've ever eaten. We had a wonderful vacation. Thanks Frommers!

This was one of many books I purhased for our first trip to Yellowstone and this was good for a general overview.

We were planning our first trip to Yellowstone and were new to Frommer's guide books, but we thought we'd give it a whirl. I'm glad we did, as it gave us great insight to places in Yellowstone we never knew existing! I would highly recommend Frommer's guide books to any destination, as it not only provides you with off the beaten places to go, but also suggests areas to avoid if you are short on time. From now on, we plan all our vacations with Frommer's.

Where's the legend in this book? By standard definition a legend is a story of the past, a myth, a thing that inspires. This book did not qualify on any account. This story of "oil field trash" addresses a young person you don't want to be in a place you don't want to go. It speaks of a class of people that think lightly and feel deeply. The characters have extreme loyalty but not much sense. The protagonist did not reach notable proportions although his demise was touching in an overly sentimental way. His issue of personal success in the light of special needs in school was perhaps the message that stayed with me most. All in all, an average read.

A fantastic read. The author writes a great picture. The story lacks for a moment or two because it is real. If it was for drama then things could have been added, but that is not the point. Well worth the read. Tears at the end shouldn't surprise you.

This is easily one of the best books I have read in a long time. Fuller's descriptive prose drew me instantly into the lives of the Bryant family and made me long to see this region of the US. As in her other books, her ability to bring to life the commonalities that exist in places and situations uncommon, is engaging and thought provoking long after the book's end.

I particularly appreciate the way she describes people and situations in ways that do not marginalize or villainize despite pain and culpability.

Excellent read!

I devoured this book. It is an amazing read. Of course, I knew how it ended (by the introduction and also the review in the newspaper) ...still, the end of the story broke my heart into a million pieces.
The reader gets to know Colton and to embrace his sweet and enthusiastic life of dreams and unfufilled hopes. He never gave up and never grumbled about his lot in life.
What really made my heart break though, was the small portrait of Colton at the very end. A sweet faced boy, his face haunted me as I read the book and long afterwards, too.
I can't be sure that Colton wasn't an angel on earth when he lived, but he is certainly an angel now. I heartily recommend this book.

A friend recommended this book to me and I'm so pleased she did! Fuller is a wonderful stylist and she paints an incredible pictire of Wyoming for the reader. The characters are larger than life, but seem believable in light of the tremendous landscape against which they're set. This is a book that I will be recommending to friends for years to come.

My kids and I just got back from Yellowstone and Grand Teton, and this book made our trip even better than it would have been without it. The funny thing is that I almost didn't buy this book. I refused to be one of those people who experience Yellowstone from my car, so a book called "Scenic Driving" didn't appeal to me at first. But Yellowstone is so huge that even if you plan to hike every day you still need to drive between trailheads, and as a result, you spend a lot of time in the car. My 13-year-old son narrated the entire drive and we ended up seeing things and doing things that we wouldn't have otherwise done. This book helped us understand what we were seeing and led us down roads I would have passed up if it weren't for this book telling us what was around that corner. (By the way, "A Ranger's Guide to Yellowstone Day Hikes" was a great book too!) I can't recommend this book enough. It's a must!

We used our copy of this book to plan our main drives around both parks. Except for a very few instances the scenes were exactly as described and exactly where they were supposed to be. The wildlife viewing recommendations for the most part were spot on. We recommend this a an invaluable resource for those planning to drive most of the roads and entrances to both parks. We lent our well beaten copy to other couples since our return and both couples raved about how useful this book was to their planning and daily events.

I love the detailed descriptions she writes mile by mile which will be very helpful to have in the car as I drive through the parks myself. It has also prepared me for what to look for.

As a "map lover" I like the detailed maps of different sections of the park even more. But . . . I have two complaints: 1) Her maps do not include everything she describes. To me, that is the purpose of a zoomed in map of one section of the park! 2) In her written description she talks way too much about the fire of 1988! But overall I have found the book helpful in my preparation for a visit to both parks and plan to carry it with me.

I purchased many books as a reference for our first trip to Yellowstone, this is the one book I decided to take with us and we used it everyday, the information given was interesting and easy to follow. We felt like we had our own personal guide. Would recommend this book to anyone.

Amazon is not so great about removing older versions of books and this is one example - if you are going to buy it, get the 2006 version. Now, about the 1999 version....I will agree that it is helpful for driving through the park, but it's only good if you are traveling in the direction she has written it in. For example, if you are traveling a particular leg from north to south but she has written the guide traveling south to north, it is really difficult to follow. The book Yellowstone Treasures by Janet Chapple is written with mile markers regardless of which direction you are traveling in, so I recommend it over this one. Chapple's book is also more comprehensive.

Extremely well-written historical novel by Sam Morton about the Absarka area (southern Montana to Nothern Wyoming). The book covers the time from the 1800's when Native Americans dominated the area through the Indian Wars and English and eastern settlers moving in to present time. The role of the horse is the connecting theme but the book is filled with live --and fictional characters against a background of historical fact which makes for a very informative and spellbinding read.

This well researched and wonderfully written historical novel is a magical trail ride on the back of a wild, independent and almost immortal palomino stallion. Sam Morton brings this special part of Montana/Wyoming to vivid life. It is written with honesty, without apologies for the brutality displayed by both the Indian and the White Man. The scenery and cast of real "characters" are described in all their ruggedness and gentleness. My trail rides in this beautiful country will never be the same. I could not put this book down.

(After further consideration, I later tried to change the rating to five stars, but couldn't do it.)

That's not the reason this book resonates with me, nor why I'd recommend it to anyone interested in Western history, ranch life, horses, or people. By any standards, and mine are pretty exacting, this is a fine book. A great read.

Not many big books can hold my attention, but this one did. I'm happy to have it on my shelf where I can go back to it, because there are nuances in the writing and stories of the people and horses that I must have missed the first time.

What I really want to tell you about this book, though, is Mr. Morton's creative use of fiction and historical fact. He uses fiction techniques to bring Crazy Horse to life, to make him the heroic yet human figure he was, and to show why he was so frightening to white settlers. Crazy Horse was totally dedicated to the freedom of his people, and to eliminating whites from their lands.

I ended up loving many of the people Mr. Morton writes about: Noll Wallop, Edith Gallatin, Bob Tate, and others. They, too,were heroic in their own ways. I've often thought of them while I've nursed my sick horse this winter, at only 5 below zero. They were survivors, who built ranches and lives in an inhospitable land.

There's another good quality in this book: Mr. Morton reports what happened and shows the people as they were without being mean-spirited, judgmental, or romantic. He lets their actions speak for themselves. It's rare to find a book of Western history (or historical fiction) in which the author has no axe to grind, but this author just writes a fine book.

Despite the use of fictive techniques, and despite my having found it in the fiction section of my local bookstore, this book is a history. The research is meticulous and exhaustive, and does not call attention to itself.

Mr. Morton does not gloss over or romanticize unpleasant events such as the slaughter of the Crow horses, but he does not wallow in the gore, either. For that, I'm grateful.

My only adverse criticism of this book has to do with the publisher's end, not the author's. The book should have been better proofread. It is jarring to read of a "shoot" when the word should have been "chute." Or to come upon an unfinished sentence. However, this is a criticism readers can level these days at many publishers, who cut costs at the expense of quality.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the history of the cowboy and horse days. I learned things that I never learned in school about the history of this part of our country and enjoyed it so much more. I laughed and I cried and I had a hard time putting it down. I plan to buy this book for several people that I know who will love to read it! I think it would be great if they made a movie from this book. Thank You Sam Morton for writing it!

I commend the author for an ambitious attempt to capture horse history in this important area, but cannot recommend the style -- hardly qualifies as a historical novel -- or the lack of precision with details. When he reverts to a non-fiction essay voice, Morton writes compellingly, but the fiction attempts are shallow. Yet, from a non-fiction standard he misspells too many names. This might seem trivial but it shows he wasn't being thorough. What this book needed was a really tough editor. Perhaps if it is reprinted in the future the publishers will take the time and money to have someone edit it professionally.

Wonderful story in the same vein as "Lonesome Dove". This hero is the strong, silent, hurting type that every woman wants. He's deadly with a gun, says what he means, means what he says; the heroine is part Native American and her spirit can't be broken. Her three kids are typical kids: the boys get into all kinds of mischief; the little girl is so sweet even when the hero snarls at her for small infractions because he hurts too much because she reminds him of his dead daughter. The love scenes are wonderfully written and the final ending scenes are "happy ever after". This book will stay with you long after you've read it.

I haven't read many of Joan Johnston's books, but I loved this one.

Kinyan Holloway was married to an older man when she was 14. Her father a Souix warrior gave her to Holloway for his wife. Now 11 years later her husband is dead is a range accident.

Left with a 300,000 acre ranch to run and 3 children, with no knowledge of how to run a ranch, she has to think about taking a man she doesn't know or a man she doesn't like in marriage.

Colter is recovering from the pursuit of the 3 men who killed his wife and daughter leaving him to die from knife wounds. He has found 2 of the men and after 7 years of searching has decided to give up and buy another ranch and settle down.

Fate brings him into the life of Kinyan at the critical time she has to choose to sell her ranch or marry Ritter Gordon a man her husband hated.

She chooses Colter, with Ritter determined to somehow prevail and get the ranch, there is lots of action. Not to mention the attraction between the newlyweds. Colter has to manage the ranch and learn to feel again not just for Kinyan but her 10 year old twin sons and 5 year old Lizabeth.

The currents between all the members of the family and the battle Colter wages to regain his humanity as well as hold on to the ranch against a determined adversary make this one of the most delightful western adventures I have read.

I am so pleased that I ran across this author. She writes with such clarity and compassion. I truly enjoy her books. This one is an easy read. Colter, our physically and emotionally scarred hero, has spent years tracking down the confederate soldiers who (post war) brutalized his wife and child...and left him to die. Unable to locate the last of them, he heads west to start his life over, such as it is. Kenjin is a young widow with precocious twin boys and a little girl who is trying to save her ranch and they enter into a marriage of mutual need and benefit.
As he teaches her how to run her ranch, he also becomes, against his desire, a surrogate father to these children. The dialogue is so believable and touching that u feel like you are there.
Naturally there are bad guys who try to take over the ranch, kill Colter, etc....and the love that kinjin brings to heal colters heart. This is a simple story with very real emotions and a book that is not very complex to enjoy.

Wyoming Territory, 1875

COLTER'S WIFE is absolutely enjoyable! You won't be disappointed!

Drifter, Benjamin Colter suffered the unimaginably cruel deaths of his wife and daughter and now he found himself in the Wyoming Territory to begin anew.

Kinyan Holloway just found herself a young widow with a sprawling ranch and she had no idea on how to manage it. A marriage of convenience to experienced rancher Benjamin seems to fit everyone's needs. Through trials and tribulations they discover love.

A must read for a western historical romance readers!

The book has been very well reviewed by others. I only wanted to add that this was an outstanding read! It will stay on my bookshelf for reading again in the future. It has all the elements in it that make it a great story. I highly recommend it! You won't be dissapointed! Be sure to set aside some time because you won't want to put it down!

The greatest strength of this novel is the voice and point of view of its narrator and protagonist Rowdy. Sandlin has done a wonderful job of creating a persona whose dry wit and pigheadedness creates much of the humor in this text. Rowdy's logic can be ridiculously close minded one minute and amazingly tolerant and wise the next. It is this character's contradictory nature and his uncomplicated view on life that gives this novel its innate charm.
Tim Sandlin is a gifted storyteller, and his writing has moments of sheer brilliance. You might be reading a chapter with a ridiculous plot element and all of a sudden stumble upon a line that stops you cold with it depth and singular power. This happened to me numerous times while reading this book, and I for one appreciate a text that has literary elements AND moments of simple "fun".
Be prepared for an ending that is more touching than the reader will be primed for. The situation that Sandlin creates between Rowdy and his son Tyson rings very true, as I know people who have found themselves in very similar circumstances. The reality of that subplot is actually uncomfortable and painful at times because of its harsh authenticity.
Overall Rowdy in Paris is a worthwhile and enjoyable read. Buy it. Maybe it will convince Mr. Sandlin's publishers to put more of his books back into print.

Warning: you will not want to put this book down. Sandlin's hilarious scenario cuts to the heart of human nature. You will love these characters for their courage, persistence, and desperate eccentricity. I laughed, I teared up, I didn't want the story to end.

I could be considered biased because I have loved almost everything Tim Sandlin has written, but I think this book is terrific.
It may be his best work. It is humorous as Sandlin always is and touching as well.
I highly recommend it.

Pardon the interruption, however I am rating Tim Sandlin as a "new author find" vs. this specific book. While I own "Rowdy in Paris", I elected to go back and read early Sandlin first...specifically his Sam Callahan trilogy (Skipped Parts, Sorrow Floats, and Social Blunders)

If you are like me, you run out of your favorite authors books, go back and read anything ever written by a good one, and constantly look for new ones.(And many times throw new authors in the trash before finishing) Add Sandlin to your list of must reads, if you haven't discovered him already. I think I found him on one of the other "crazy" author web pages of recommendations (Carl Hiaasen, Bill Fitzhugh, Christopher Moore, or Tim Dorsey...not really sure)

Sandlin's early three books (I like the second one, Sorrow Floats best) show a great talent for "laugh out loud" humor, while still having great social and individual relationship perspective and commentary. Some have reviewed that Sandlin can get "outrageous"...if so, my kind of writing.....IMHO, you can not go wrong reading Tim Sandlin.

What better fish out of water than a cowboy in Paris. The cultures are so far apart that I both cringed and laughed out loud at the actions of the characters. With so few funny books to choose from, this makes for a fun read.

Lots of good information in this book really helped prepare us for our trip to Yellowstone. Hike information was great and even pointed out when certain trails opened. This was very helpful in planning since we were traveling in May before many trails were open.

We used this guide almost exclusively during our recent 2 week trip. We took about 7 hikes from the book and we found them to be very accurately described by the author. We were able to find hikes that worked for the whole family. Great book if you plan to travel with kids.

This was the best book out of three that we purchased. This book is equally good for singles, couples, or families - so don't let the title mislead you. In addition to the great hikes, it also describes several other types of trips - like row boating on Colter Bay in the Tetons. It's well organized and includes good maps and descriptions. I highly recommend this book for anyone planning a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.

I purchased this book and several others for my trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone. This book was very informative on lodging, trails, sightseeing and travel. This guide was a time saver as well giving me ideas of the trails and difficulty and estimated time. Many things to do and lots of recommendations for children but its so much more. Definately a keeper and will use next time im planning a vacation to the area. Oh by the way, i do recommend a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone. The tetons were breathtaking and definately do the trip accross Jenny Lake. Yellowstone, WOW the gysers, wildlife, fishing it was terrific. Have Fun. Jeff

Update: I have carried this book with me to Teton/Yellowston NP the last 5 years and its still releavant even if it is older. This is a great companion book to other more detailed books or newer books available, well worth the $$$....

This may be a great book for summer Yellowstone adventurers, but there is nothing mentioned about the beauty of Yellowstone during the winter. So, basically it was worthless and a waste of $$. We just got back from a winter snowmobiling tour, and it was amazing. I would suggest the Moon Handbooks - Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Parks...

THE WESTWARD CHRONICLES is a delightful three-book series set around The Harvey House, an establishment offering fine dining along the stops of frontier rail travel. Each book highlights a Harvey Girl and the circumstances and situations that brought them to serve at the Harvey House. Originally published in 1999-2000, THE WESTWARD CHRONICLES were re-packaged in 2005. A sucker for the Old West, I enjoyed the simple charm of these books and the loveable characters created by Tracie Peterson.

I loved this book! I found myself on edge, wondering if she was going to be found. I love the romance and intrigue combination.

This story was ridiculous! Simone, the main character, could never exist in real life. She was way too perfect and innocent to have been abused her whole life. And she was far too logical about the reasons for her abuse as well. I was horribly disappointed in this book. Anyone who has experienced abuse as a child would know that Simone's scars would not be so readily healed, nor would she have reacted the way she did to the other characters in the story.

Ms. Peterson has penned another truly inspirational read with her story "Shelter of Hope." This is really a story about never giving up no matter how severe the situation and always keeping faith, no matter how small it might be.

Simone Dumas knows nothing but heartache in her early years. Her mother and baby brother are killed by her father when they attempt to reach help from the abusive Louis Dumas. Simone, feeling as is her mother has turned her back on her and doesn't love her anymore turns her back first knowing in her heart that she will never see her alive again. She is right. Fast ward two years Simone is just entering womanhood, having learned how to deal with her father's rages. She is shocked when her father comes back to their cabin informing her that she has been sold along with the property to a man she doesn't know. Simone knows that she can't take anymore and wants a better life for herself. With daring she escapes and begins to forge a new path but not without the fear that her father will learn of her deceit.

Jeffery O'Donnell has no idea that the beautiful young girl that has made her way into his office is going to be his future. He is drawn to the sweet Simone, but can tell that she has secrets. She needs a job and has applied to become "A Harvey Girl." Jeffery takes a chance and hires Simone, as he needs respectable girls for many positions. Slowly Simone opens up and with the help of her friends Una and Rachel she begins to heal, add to that the growing attraction that she has for Jeffery, and his gentle patience Simone starts to believe in a happy ending. But, will her past creep up and ruin what she's managed to accomplish?

I knew the instant I read the "bet" (you just need to read the book) between Jeffery and Simone that their relationship was going to be special and romantic. The historical information regarding the "Harvey Girls" was interesting and a fun vehicle for this story. Ms. Peterson always manages to gift the reader with a truly emotional read. As a result I suggest that you find a quite corner to cozy up, have Kleenex ready, and be swept back to a place and time that no longer exists.

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

This book was interesting. I have been fascinated with the Harvey Girls for a while, but haven't had the opportunity to read much about them (other than watching the Judy Garland movie). I liked the way that Ms. Peterson wove historical elements into her fictional landscape. The country was a different place in the late 1800s and I believe that this story illustrates that. Simone's father held dominion over her in everyway until he sold her--and even then, still controlled her life through fear of discovery. Only with the redeeming power of her confession to God, love of Jeffery can she take back her life--but first she has to learn not only to trust again, but to allow people to become close to her.

A good book and I am going to pick up book 2.

"Law was still largely a local matter". This quote is typical for this book, as the book is an action-packed, suspenseful western. L'Amour's purpose in writing this novel is to entertain the reader, and to give you a little feel of old America. He pulls this off with a depictive setting, varied characters, laid-back country accents, and lots of irony.
Rafe Caradec, a rough and rowdy man, who hold his word sacred, sets out to fulfill his promise to a deadman to save his ranch and his family. Caradec is accused of being crooked himself, but finds a way to overcome.
Through the setting, L'Amour is capable of putting the reader in a western, old-American frame-of-mind. "There was no trail through the tall grass but he one that mind could make, or the instinct of the cattle moving toward water...". The description of the setting throughout the novel is detailed and vivid to the mind.
"A big man with wide shoulders sat at a scarred mess table...". Characterization plays a key-role in the novel. Rafe Caradec is a big and dangerous man. He is contrasted against Bruce Barkow throughout the novel. Barkow is the crook of the story, in who comes to be defeated.
The plot in this story is really simplistic and flat. It's your common, everyday western. Being such, it's very predictable. As far as plot aspect goes, the novel is not very elaborate. But not to worry, the effectiveness of setting, characterization, and language make up for the ineffectiveness of the elements of plot.
The language in this book is easy-reading. L'Amour uses simple diction throughout the novel. "Me for the gold fields in Nevady". Laid-back country accents are also used. This helps pull of the western feel of the novel.
In conclusion, without giving it all away, that is the basics of Louis L'Amour's Crossfire Trail. This is truly a great western...now get to reading it!

"Law was still largely a local matter". This quote is typical for this book, as the book is an action-packed, suspenseful western. L'Amour's purpose in writing this novel is to entertain the reader, and to give you a little feel of old America. He pulls this off with a depictive setting, varied characters, laid-back country accents, and lots of irony.
Rafe Caradec, a rough and rowdy man, who hold his word sacred, sets out to fulfill his promise to a deadman to save his ranch and his family. Caradec is accused of being crooked himself, but finds a way to overcome.
Through the setting, L'Amour is capable of putting the reader in a western, old-American frame-of-mind. "There was no trail through the tall grass but he one that mind could make, or the instinct of the cattle moving toward water...". The description of the setting throughout the novel is detailed and vivid to the mind.
"A big man with wide shoulders sat at a scarred mess table...". Characterization plays a key-role in the novel. Rafe Caradec is a big and dangerous man. He is contrasted against Bruce Barkow throughout the novel. Barkow is the crook of the story, in who comes to be defeated.
The plot in this story is really simplistic and flat. It's your common, everyday western. Being such, it's very predictable. As far as plot aspect goes, the novel is not very elaborate. But not to worry, the effectiveness of setting, characterization, and language make up for the ineffectiveness of the elements of plot.
The language in this book is easy-reading. L'Amour uses simple diction throughout the novel. "Me for the gold fields in Nevady". Laid-back country accents are also used. This helps pull of the western feel of the novel.
In conclusion, without giving it all away, that is the basics of Louis L'Amour's Crossfire Trail. This is truly a great western...now get to reading it!

I love Louis Lamour's novels soo much. This one was even special in comparison to a lot of others of his, however, it saddens me to not be able to give it a five star. I was enjoying the book immensely for most of its pages, but the last 20 pages was like a let down for some reason. If only it could have ended better, it would have been one of my favorites. So, I give it a bitter-sweet 4 star. But don't get me wrong, it is still very much worth reading. You gotta enoy Lamour :)

I'm not a western fan, but occasionally I do read Westerns for a change from my usual. And Louis Lamour is always a favorite. Not because of the tough and gritty "Howdy Pardner" kind of cowboy, but because I find him funny, his characters likeable, his books a quick read and an amazing escape from reality. Sometimes, too many of the books I read are too serious, or too dramatic, or too thought provoking, but Louis Lamour can be counted on for straight facts. There is always a bank robber, and always a person who "needed killin'" and always a damsel in distress or a least a damsel who catches the main character's eye. Kind of like a Harlequin for a break in serious realms, I always enjoy him.

When it comes to reading Louis L'Amour the modern western fan is faced with having to take things in context. Remember that L'Amour's works were primarily written in the fifties and sixties and, as a result, have a certain "dignity" about them that no longer applies with the westerns of today, especially those on the big screen.

Take CROSSFIRE TRAIL for example. There is plenty of action here but it is painted much more subtly on L'Amour's canvass than, let's say, on those of Larry McMurtry or on Clint Eastwood's or Kevin Costner's movie screens. Frankly L'Amour or his readers would not have tolerated the raw, often harsh violence of today's western s offerings.

L'Amour wrote with a clear sense of nostalgia and romance about the west. He was much for the kindred spirit of John Wayne and John Ford than of McMurtry, Eastwood or Costner.

I thoroughly enjoyed CROSSFIRE TRAIL, a tale of revenge, deceit and, as is the case with all L'Amour tales, of ultimate white-hatted triumph and justice. The fan of the movie of the same title, starring Tom Selleck, should note that there are some differences between the screenplay and the book. But all in all the story is the same and is just as enjoyable in print as the story told on the big screen. Read it in the correct mindset and you have a masterpiece.

Douglas McAllister

This book is one of the best books ever written. It is very easy to read and there are many illustrations to help understand. I really enjoyed this book then I'm planning to give a present to my nephew. If you think you are a biker, Hiram's book is a must. Thanks.

This book is one of the best books ever written. It is very easy to read and there are many illustrations to help understand. I really enjoyed this book then I'm planning to give a present to my nephew. If you think you are a biker, Hiram's book is a must. Thanks.

This is an awesome book that is well written and an excellent guidebook for the outdoorsman. The photographs are outstanding. The trail maps are very helpful.

I used this book as well as the Falcon Press "Hiking South Dakota's Black Hills country", by the Gildarts, on a recent trip to the Black Hills, Badlands, Bear Lodge Mtns & the Devils Tower.
Both books were useful, but I'd give the edge to this one:
1) Hiram Rogers' book includes photocopies of topographic maps. Reproduction quality isn't high, but is frequently sufficient for the purpose. The Geldart's book has only handdrawn schematic maps.
2) "Exploring the Black Hills & Badlands" has more material. As you can see from the info provided by Amazon, there are more pages, but this understates how much further Rogers goes. Descriptions of particular trails are a bit more detailed, usually, and there is more historical and natural history material given in most cases. You will find more material, especially, on the Badlands (eg. a section on off-trail travel in the Sage Creek Wilderness).
The Geldarts do touch on locales and details not mentioned in Hiram Rogers' book, so those planning to spend any appreciable time in the area might want to get both.
I see that there appear to be restrictions in availability through Amazon as I type this. If you aren't comfortable dealing with secondary dealers, I would note that I saw new copies of Rogers' book in the bookstores at Wind Cave National Park and elsewhere. Try the websites for WCNP, the Badlands NP or Custer State Park.

This book focuses mainly on hiking trails, so if that's your thing this is the book for you. It would benefit greatly if each trail entry was _clearly_ listed with it's approved uses. The index also needs a section under each activity, that way you can look up 'mountain biking' and find references to every trail they review where biking is allowed. Some of the reviews of the trails are questionable ... the trail from French Creek Horse Camp to Iron Creek is not ridable at all for mountain bikers, in my opinion, not even close, yet it's listed as 'an exciting mountain bike ride through the park's remote northern end'. I have no idea what they were thinking. Like I said, probably a better book for hikers than bikers, but still a good resource just to give you a hint as to what's available in the area and get you started. If biking is your thing, stick to the trails listed as having cross country ski access as well as for biking and you'll get some nice single track love.