Wyoming Books

I had the opportunity to visit Yellowstone National Park this summer and decided to pick up a few guidebooks from my local library. This book is marvelous. It discusses in detail the ecology and history of Yellowstone and its natural resources. The photographs are of the caliber you'd expect from a National Geographic publication.

A beautiful book. Get insight into the delicate ecosystem, the people and the wildlife in this amazing natural wonder.

Another wonderful book from National geographic. Get insight into the world's nest natural geysers. A must have for people planning to visit the beautiful park.

Frank Canton was sheriff of Buffalo, Wyoming in the 1880s and during the Johnson County War. Later he was a Deputy US Marshal in Oklahoma Territory, rising to high rank in Oklahoma law enforcement. He wrote an autobiography titled "Frontier Trails" that is a classic of western adventure about his life as a western lawman. Only, Frank Canton completely left out a significant part of his life history--his real name was Joe Horner and he was a convicted bank robber and murderer from Texas who had escaped from prison.

Alias Frank Canton fills in the blanks Canton left in his story, and does it very well. The reading was interesting and appeared to have been very well researched.

Frank Canton, whose real name was Joe Horner, was a fascinating Old West character. In fact, he's one of those characters that seem to fit perfectly those stereotypical views of what Old West characters are supposed to be: daring, full of bravura, mysterious, dangerous, dismissive of the law. Canton was all these things.

He started life in Virginia in 1849 as Joseph Horner. He went to Texas after the Civil War and became a cowboy. When not punching cattle he began stealing Indian ponies and then shot a soldier in a barroom brawl in Jacksboro, Texas. He was eventually arrested and sent to prison in Huntsville. In August 1879, while on a work detail outside the prison walls, Hunter escaped and headed north. He changed his name to Frank Canton.

More cowboy work brought him to Johnson County, Wyoming, where he became sheriff. When the Johnson County War broke out between large cattle ranchers and small farmers, Canton accepted a position with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and sided with the big ranchers. He was there when the violence took place in 1892, a hired gun.

None of the violence in Johnson County ever resulted in a trial, so Canton left the state for Oklahoma. Here he had a change in conscience and began working on the side of the law bringing in criminals. In 1897, he went to Alaska where he became a deputy U.S. marshal; he also met the author Rex Beach there and had many prospecting adventures with him.

When he was relieved of his duties after an investigation of his past dredged up some of the unsavory details of his life, he returned to Oklahoma, where he became the state's first adjutant general in 1907. He retired in 1916, a success, and died in 1927.

Canton's reported life was filled with mystery and half-truths. He wrote an autobiography that was published posthumously in 1930 that distorts or eliminates facts regarding events in his life. DeArment does an excellent job of correcting these mistakes and filling in the gaps. His research is extensive (I loved the marginal notes he cites that he found in a copy of Canton's aoutobiography in the Buffalo, Wyoming, public library, where the anonymous reader points out one lie after another, ending with "Too bad he didn't hang."). And the writing is excellent. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Old West or in unusual and controversial characters.

Matty Brennan would do anything to save the family spread...even marry the man who broke her heart six years ago. Of course, it's a marriage in name only, and of course it has nothing to do with any lingering feelings for her childhood flame. Dave Currick has no idea why it's so important that he marry Matty in name only, but he says yes because he'd do just about anything for Matty.

A marriage of convenience that's not overly convenient as it forces Matty and Dave to confront feelings from the past even as they look toward the future. The question is, what will that future hold for their marriage?

Patricia McLinn is a talented storyteller whose easy writing style and compelling plot will sweep you away.

Dire financial and legal problems lead Matty Breenan to a desperate solution. Determined to save the Flying W ranch following the death of her great-uncle, Matty proposes marriage to Dave Currick. Never mind he broke her heart six years ago when he unexpectedly ended their affair. If he agrees, marriage to Dave, in a round about fashion, qualifies Matty for a grant that has the potential of saving the ranch.

In the three weeks since she returned to Wyoming, Matty has pointedly avoided him; now, she's suddenly proposing. Dave has no idea why Matty wants to marry him except that in some inexplicable way her reason ties to her effort to save the Flying W. Dave's convinced she won't follow through, but, if playing along lets him back in Matty's life, then he's game. So game that he finds himself married. When he learns she didn't need him, but his address, Dave's anything but thrilled. Nevertheless, he's also determined to see Matty's efforts to save her ranch succeed, whatever he must do.

Patricia McLinn finds an innovative motive for a marriage of convenience in ALMOST A BRIDE. With her characteristic flair, these powerful characters and their emotional intensity keep the pages turning. Indeed, the mix of miscommunication, deep emotion and loopholes creates a delightful read. Recommended.

There aren't many species of herps in these two parks; they're cold and fairly far north. The book list 12 definite species and four or five possible species. However, the book covered them very well, dealing with their role in the parks ecology, how fires have helped shape their habitat, and so on. It's a really good refernce for how reptiles are distributed in the park, and how they interact with the other species. There are better sources for info on the various reptile species mentioned here, as the author's field of interest is narrow. Still, an execellent book on the herps of those two parks.

I laughed, I cried; two thumbs up! A science-based book, complete with citations of all the current literature, coupled with a readable, flowing style of writing. An important repository of all the scientific knowledge of these species in this region and issues affecting them (e.g., fire, climate change), yet engaging even to younger amateur herpetologists. Or, of interest to anyone who simply loves Yellowstone and the Tetons.

Garry Wallace needs a new bird dog as his old one, Ebenezer, is getting on in years. While this book is about him training his new bird dog, Valley Girl, it is also much more as the author also reflects on his own life and the small town in Wyoming in which he lives. And since the training of a bird dog takes a steady, but set pace, this book moves a lot slower than many other books, yet the pace and timing of the story are perfectly. You feel that you are in a small town in the midwest -- which is perhaps the highest compliment that a book can get -- to make you feel as though you are part of the book. You not only learn about the training of the dogs, but of the author himself.

I found this book to be a relaxing read. As a person that has trained and own dogs and horses much of what is in this book rings true in my own life. The book is written by a college professor but doesn't get bogged down with boring facts and statistics, it is down to earth account of his Lab in its first year of life, with all the ups and downs of training a puppy. The author claims that the book is not a training manual but this book would be a perfect addition to anyones library if they own or train animals because it gives a realistic perspective to what it is like for the inexperienced person to take on the task of developing a trained animal. The book does leave a couple of loose ends but nothing that is detrimental to the overall message of the book. The author exibits a dry sense of humor throughout the book which also adds to the realism and enjoyment of the biography.

Jeremi Kruger owns the Red Feather Frame shop in a quiet, little town in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She's happy when she can keep her four brothers and father from trying to run her life. She also doesn't need a man after a disastrous relationship in Chicago. According to her, men can smile lovingly, look a woman in the eyes and lie blatantly. Everything is going fine until she fires her picture framer for showing up drunk to work. He vows to get even. Then Daniel arrives.

Daniel Chase-Meyers--multi-millionaire--wife murder--fresh out of six years in jail. He stumbles across Jeremi while looking for a bathroom and saves her from getting crushed by her own framing supplies. Against his better judgement, he decides to stay as her employee. After all, she treats him like any guy who could make her laugh, like someone worth knowing. Will that change when she finds out he'd been convicted for murdering his wife?

A villain is watching Jeremi and Daniel with a hefty appetite for Chunky Monkey ice cream and revenge. Tricia Treager wants Daniel dead because of his role in her father's love affair with Lilian Chase-Meyers--Daniel's murdered wife. Tricia wants to destroy Jeremi, because she's become part of Daniel's life. Hey, no one said she was sane! She'll use, kill, and destroy anyone in her path to get at Daniel, including Jeremi's former employee.

A stay-up-all-night read with unusual characters!

Heart-stopping suspense and scintillating sensuality provide an exciting read. Daniel Chase-Meyers II leaves Wyoming State Penitentiary a tormented man who wants only to regain his humanity. In Cheyenne he meets hard-working Jeremi Kruger whose liquid silver eyes offer acceptance and the promise of salvation. He doesn't realize his efforts to rescue her art gallery and frame shop from bankruptcy make Jeremi the target of the woman determined to kill him. Bizarre vandalism plagues Jeremi's business, and a hit-and-run driver bounces Daniel into a tree. The elderly couple who help him are murdered. The frame shop is trashed and ruined. Dead bodies accumulate, all connected to Daniel. Jeremi knows he is innocent, and she knows she is next when a shattering truth is revealed and dark passions explode in the still Wyoming night.

Not hot and steamy in the least, it's a wonderfully romantic book that kept me tuned in until the last page. The heroine was a bit too b*tchy most of the time but she was still likable enough. It's understandable she was to have a chip on her shoulder, but the motivation for this could have been more dramatic. Having one man be that way isn't the end of the world, except to her apparently. How she treated Logan much of the time was fun to read but not entirely easy to emphasize with.

I really loved the 'hero' of the book, from this dominating attitude, to his temper, to his tenderness. As an older Presents, there's no sex, but you'll just have to let the imagination kick in. I'm grateful Dailey didn't spend paragraphs throughout the story focusing on the sheer, unrealistic beauty of everyone. (A pet peeve).

Editing must not have been done well, as I found at least 8 spelling errors and it did irritate me there was little separation when the story shifted. As an example, she would be talking about having lunch with Brad, then the next paragraph would turn out being the next day. No line separating it, no symbol, nada. It grew confusing.

A very feel-good story that isn't mushy and the characters aren't eye-roll inducing. (Thank God)

I read this book about a year ago and I still remember every detail. It is definately on my list of the best books I have read, and I have read a lot. It is beautifully written. If you get your hands on it, don't hesitate to buy it and read it.

Robert Stone bar none writes some of the best hiking books. They aren't fancy -- but highly informative. We own three of his books -- all of them with great hikes (some off the beaten path -- so you don't run into a bunch of tourists). We can't wait for our trip to Jackson Hole so we can use this book. Stay tuned...

This book lists 72 day hikes in Grand Teton National Park. This is probably a bit excessive -- are you really going to take 72 day hikes unless you live there? In addition, some of them are really just variants of one another that you could figure out yourself with a map. (The Bradley and Taggart Lakes loops, for example, as do the Willow Flats hikes between Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village.)

The hikes are well organized by region. The book includes a separate map for each hike showing trails, cutoffs, local roads and other landmarks. Unlike the Falcon guides, there is no information about elevations on the maps.

The information is good but not abundant. Most trails get only a single page of text, and the hiking directions are only a paragraph or so. Obviously this is necessary to cover the number of hikes in the book. Armchair planners will be frustrated, however, as there is not enough trailside information to help you decide which hikes you would find most interesting.

I'd recommend Schneider's book instead (see all my reviews).

This is the second of DeWitt's books that I have read and I look forward to his next one. The characters are so easy to know and become a part of the reader's life until they can finally put the book down. The plot is very comtemporary and smoothly portrayed with various events that are familiar in the news. The storytelling ability of the author is to be commended. Toward the end I just couldn't put it down until I finished reading. Congrats, and keep on pounding the keyboard...

This is the second book published by Ben DeWitt. The previous book "No Other Way" which is now out of print was an excellent historical military novel. "Death of a Hummingbird" is a novel based upon current events with shenanigans in the highest level of government. Like Tom Clancy, Mr. DeWitt has made the transition from the Cold War to current events without losing any of the suspense or interest found in a good novel. Mr. DeWitt is an excellent storyteller and has a good working knowledge of the military, CIA, FBI, NSA, and the inner workings of Government. The plot flows well; the suspense he creates may keep you up into the wee hours of the morning to complete this well-written novel. Unlike a Clancy novel which may take days to read, this book can be devoured in a long afternoon. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good well-written suspense novel.

Peggy Simpson Curry writes a story you can sink your teeth into be it a short story or a novel. She said that seeing the Tetons for the first time was like being born again, reading one of her short stories is like learning to read again. She knows how to write fiction about human nature, the wide sweep of the Wyoming plains, the nuances and candence of the language of man, be he ranch hand or boss. Peggy Simpson Curry writes a mean story and we can all learn by her tales. Besides that the picture on the cover of the paper back book was taken on our property and includes our hayrake! :)

Ms. Curry does a wonderful job describing life in the Rockies, whether it be on a hay farm, sheep ranch, or school bus. I was less impressed when she her stories ventured to California or to the East; those stories seemed less genuine