Idaho Books

Having grown up during this era, I can relate to the way things were done in this generation. It should be considered a remarkable event when the author has the commitment and opportunity to revisit places and events which were a part of his life almost 60 years ago. It is obvious that his Forest Service experiences left a lasting impression on the author as a young man. The reader is brought into those experiences with considerable detail.

This is the story of the way life was in the Clearwater National Forest and elsewhere for the folks who lived and worked for the Forest Service about 60 years ago. The author's vivid memories are etched in details that make great reading. Some of his recounts are quite amusing and others testify to the danger and tough mindset required to live in the conditions common to those days and the area. The book let me relive similar experiences from long ago. I especially enjoyed the photos showing lookouts, scenery and people of the US Forest Service.

Mr. Coffman has done a good job of transporting his readers back to a time of adventure for young men that would be hard to find today. The book is informative and at times amusing. I enjoyed it.

The author did such a good job of telling about his days as a smokechaser in this rugged and unforgiving territory that I felt every muscle in my body getting stiff and sore. I am sure these boys slept well whenever they hit the pillows. Interesting reading.

This is a well written book that gives the reader a look at life as it was in the mid-forties in the mountains and the work it took to be team player. The long hikes from camp to the look outs and the pure brawn of hard work was a way of life, a true way of camping out!!!!

In her book, "but Enough About Me," Nancy Miller says that "Memoir reading works like a kind of interactive remembering -- where the [process] prompt the construction of memory itself" (7). Hole in the Sky (Kittredge) and Breaking Clean (Blunt) are compelling to me because I have a vague memory of the West that comes from living in close proximity, culturally, socially and physically. Traplines casts the same spell, but in an entirely different way. While memoirs might help us make sense of our lives by reviewing the life of others, Traplines helped me make sense of my point of view about what has become of Nature. While Judy Blunt and Bill Kittredge connected with me through honest and courageous tellings of the West, John Rember connects with me through his fine intellect, through his flint-edged philosophies about what we have lost. He helps me find voice to my feelings and frustrations. It helps that I was raised on a similar chunk of heaven, one that has not yet been discovered entirely, or one that has been discovered by a gentler surge of humanity. Still, the Steelhead are nearly gone and the Salmon are all breeders. Nature suffers the loss without telling me how painful its been. Rember helps me to understand.

I am awestruck at Rember's ability to seamlessly string together opposing topics and events of his life. Traplines gives the reader a violent shove out of his or her comfort zone immediately, challenging any preconceived ideas and providing new insight about subjects such as death and nuclear war. It's not often that I read a memoir that teaches, while maintaining the trustworthiness characterized by the style.

Reading this book, you get a sense of wonder at the great distance we've managed to carve between ourselves and the natural world. Traplines re-invests significance in the things we take for granted -- from the smallest gestures to the extinction of whole species. It is breathtaking, sad, funny, angry and peaceful, all at once. This is the story of how we got here today, and how we will reckon with that in the future.

...you should read this book. The setting is Idaho's Sawtooth Valley, but the lessons are universal. It's about finding a place in the world and making it your own...about how place affects who we are...and about finding peace of mind in a world that is all too transitory. On top of all that, the book is beautifully written. Rember is one of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking authors you'll ever encounter. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You'll find it a welcome respite from today's headlines.

The Sawtooth Valley is located in central Idaho just north of Ketchum and Sun Valley; Stanley is its main hub and that's where John Rember grew up and where much of this memoir is set. (Those who take notice of the national daily high and low temperature reports might recognize Stanley, which is often listed as the place with the lowest temperature, especially in the summer months.) Rember reminisces about his hard rural upbringing (electricity reached the valley only in the 1950s, during his childhood), of his resourceful and self-reliant parents (there's a good chapter on Rember going poaching with his father for elk meat when they unexpectedly run out late one winter), and of his own early years of living on his own. The best chapter concerns his time spent living in a primitive cabin in Stanley in the late 1960s while pumping gas at the local Texaco station - his uncut hair identifying him as a hippie to the residents. But while Rember's memoir is warm and personal, there's really nothing remarkable or compelling about his recollections or his writing style. The reader is left with the impression that Rember was merely a guy living in an out-of-the-way region where it was cold much of the time and surviving wasn't so easy. Yet he doesn't give us any reason or insight into why living such a life in such a place is worth it. It's a pleasant enough book, but not very provocative.

First of all celous father is out gambling trying to win stuff for the family. He didn't think the Crow warriors would come to capture his one carousing thing in his life, his family. Then Bia gets captured but like most people would try to do run away as fast as she can they couldn't keep up with her. Bia ends up getting captured and then they take her away. Celou takes her little brother Mumbic and goes looking for her mother and she cant find her but one the way Celou finds her other little brother Jean-Paul and then they take off looking for her mother. On the way there Celou leaves her two brothers together and then they get captured. Then In the end she ends up saving almost her whole family.

I had to read an adventure book for a book report. This was a good one. It started slow, but it got better when Celou was tracking her family. It got really exciting at the end -- I didn't know what was going to happen to Celou next! It was yukky to read how Celou fed and cleaned up her baby brother, but I guess that's how they did things back then. Neat book about a girl who was a heroine.

Celou's family has been taken captive by another tribe-except for her and she has to save them. She follows them to their camp and has to figure out a plan. But what can she possilbly do? She must also survive herself. But how? Very, very exciting!

Celou's father is a French fur trapper and her mother is a Shoshone Indian woman. Celou's father has gone away for a month to sell the year's pelts. Celou, her mother, and her two younger brothers are alone in their remote summer camp. All of a sudden, four Crow warriors arrive and take Celou's mother and brothers captive. Celou mannages to escape. She rides for help at the main Shoshone camp nearby, but finds that it has been attacked by the enemy. Now Celou is completely on her own. Can she save her family, or will she be captured as well?

While this book is useful, I feel it falls short in a number of areas. The evaluations of the major waters are good, but those of the various secondary streams and lakes are cryptic, maybe necessarily so, and there are virtually no directions to any of these. The reader is given the name of a secondary stream or lake and a couple of lines evaluation. No directions, not even a general location other than the large portion of the state in which they are grouped. Joe Evancho appears to know what he is talking about, but he doesn't do a good job of passing that information on to the reader. I would rate this book about 3 stars (out of 5) and could recommend it if you don't have access to Retallic and Barker's Flyfisher's Guide to Idaho.

Fishing Idaho, An Angler's Guide is one of the most useful guide books I've ever had the pleasure to read. Mr. Evancho has gone to great lengths to cover every river, stream and lake in the state of Idaho. He does so without giving away any secret fishing holes, but the information is there for the determined angler to find those special places on his or her own. The book also includes other information useful to anyone plying the backroads of Idaho -- information on camping, boat ramps and air strips. You can tell that a lot of work went into producing this fine book. It makes a great gift for the angler on your list.

I don't need 1,000 words to describe this book. Just one: TERRIFIC. I purchased the book in Michigan, traveled to Idaho and found the information to be super good--from finding fishing spots based on written directions and maps. Accomodattion informtion was right on and Idaho is definitely a beautiful place. The book shows and tells how to go about fishing in Idaho whether you fish with flies or hardware or bait.

I just completed my first extended visit to Idaho. I bought this book not expecting much, like most fishing books...This is the exception! I was able to select some out of the way spots, and I was never let down! I rented boats, found access, met lesbians (oh just kidding) The BEST fishing book I've read to date! Bob Aydelott

For those who like literary novels, this is one of the best ones on the market right now. Great writing, great story by a talented new author. It's a novel that makes you think and makes you question. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Luke Rivers. I can't wait till Keith Lee Morris comes out with another novel.

For those who like literary novels, this is one of the best ones on the market right now. Great writing, great story by a talented new author. It's a novel that makes you think and makes you question. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Luke Rivers. I can't wait till Keith Lee Morris comes out with another novel.

Great book by a new author. The Greyhound Gods vivid language creates a gripping story of the struggle for self-discovery by Luke Rivers,it's main character. Luke searches for meaningful answers in his world beset by huge questions. A real page-turner that will hold you to the end.

Couldn't resist the musical reference, as it's apt for this amazing novel. Look: there are plenty of books out there -- thousands, in fact -- that seem more concerned with exhibiting the subtleties of craft than actually affecting the emotions of the reader. The Greyhound God ain't that kind of book. It's beautifully written, deeply felt, quite funny, but without one whit of post-modern "irony." I've read the book three times and each time I found myself entering into the world of Luke Rivers, the loss of his family, the tragedy that spurs this loss, his journey across America, and his strange, wonderful canine obsession. The book is one of those rare accomplishments -- a journey of self-discovery that feels real and revelatory. Readers deserve this kind of compassion. Period.

Mostly hotels not really camping which I was looking for. But it's great for hotels if you need something for that.

Many of my friends will not leave home without their dogs, so when I discovered this book I knew I had found the perfect pet lovers gift. The feedback has been excellent -- they report that the information is up-to-date, accurate, and easy to use. Dogs and their drivers are both well-served. Now all I need is my own dog...

HAVE DOG WILL TRAVEL NORTHWEST EDITION includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho and has been newly updated to list over 2,100 dog-friendly accommodations throughout the Pacific Northwest. This isn't just a plain listing of dog- friendly hotels: it tells where in the building the pet is welcome, any restrictions, deposits, price ranges, and general room descriptions. From cabins to resorts, motels, and chain hotels, HAVE DOG WILL TRAVEL comes packed with plenty of specifics suitable for touring.

Now in a newly updated edition, Have Dog Will Travel: Northwest Edition by Barbara Whitaker is the a practical guide for dog owners and dog lovers to hassle-free traveling. Have Dog Will Travel: Northwest Edition features over 2,100 canine-friendly accommodations in the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Addresses, phone numbers, rates, web sites, and brief summary of basic information concerning each lodging fill the majority of the pages; with an additional sections offering basic advice concerning everything from first aid for a dog to types of available ID tags and how to best go about cleaning up after one's pet. Have Dog Will Travel: Northwest Edition is especially recommended for dedicated dog owners in the Oregon, Washington, and Idaho area.

Letters of long ago gives a sometimes harshly honest look at frontier life from a woman's perspective. It chronicles the tragedies and triumphs of Emma Thompson Just in the desolate and isolated west. First hand accounts of a woman's life in the frontier are uncommon and this is a book that gives an entertaining and very real look at the simple yet difficult life of a pioneer wife.

Written by the daughter of Emma Just, who is the central figure of this book first published in the early 20's. The book gives a factual account of the very interesting and often difficult life of a pioneer woman in the late 1800's. For anybody who is interested in history, especially from a woman's point of view, this is a fascinating look into what life was really like for those who chose to brave a new and untamed frontier. It chronicles the not so average existence of an incredibly courageous woman across the span of two decades. The "plot" is interesting and well written, giving the reader an honest look at pioneer life from Emma's correspondence to father... through her own letters of long ago.

A very sweet book. The heroine would be thought of as quite a modern women even today, but she lived in the late 1800s. Heartbreaking at times. You'll never forget the decision she made when the Nez Perce were coming-At least, she thought they were!

Letters of long ago gives a sometimes harshly honest look at frontier life from a woman's perspective. It chronicles the tragedies and triumphs of Emma Thompson Just in the desolate and isolated west. First hand accounts of a woman's life in the frontier are uncommon and this is a book that gives an entertaining and very real look at the simple yet difficult life of a pioneer wife.

This book is great if you are a Milwaukee RR fan. It has alot of history not covered in other books. It also had alot of story and photos on the 1900s fire.

After the terrible 1893 depression (when much of the country's railroad mileage went into bankruptcy) the U.S. entered into a tremendous boom (the Great Northern's earnings quadrupled over 15 years from 1890). So in 1905 the Milwaukee Road decided to build to the Pacific Coast, partly so as not to get locked into just local Midwest business and partly because some directors controlled Anaconda Copper in Butte, and wanted to break the Great Northern-Union Pacific-Northern Pacific pool so they could get lower rates for Anaconda (in one of hundreds of errors in the book, the author suggests that only the Northern Pacific served Butte).
So Stan Johnson, based on a more than lifelong association with the Milwaukee Road (his stepfather was a conductor with the road, going back to construction days), has written the story of the road's remarkable Western Extension. The book has a fabulous collection of photographs, showing all phases of the process. The author goes down the whole route from Mobridge to Puget Sound, covering the major projects and mishaps involved, with detail added from years of stories from Milwaukee railroaders. As a result the book is highly recommended to all Milwaukee fans (of course), and also to anyone with an interest in western railroading and rail construction. Unfortunately there is no good map of the whole route. Readers with access to the Internet can use Terraserver-USA (with USGS topographic maps and aerial photos, with almost all the line covered) and Google Earth (the line can be followed fairly well, even where abandoned west of Miles City). While the construction process is well covered, Johnson says nothing about the financing required or the ultimate fate of the railroad (and the Extension), nor does he discuss the horrible cost overruns. Originally estimated to cost about $ 60 million (evidently from a rather casual estimating process, based on replicating the Northern Pacific), the cost in fact ran over $ 220 million, while electrification added another $ 23 million. The Milwaukee had bad timing, as its construction coincided with the rail construction boom at the beginning of the century (the Western Pacific, SP&S, Santa Fe's Belen cutoff, rebuilding the Central Pacific, plus others) so costs went up, while competing roads made it pay much more for land needed. But the worst came from the U.S. government; the Panama Canal was finished in 1914, forcing down freight rates, the newly active ICC (egged on by politicians) fixed rail rates while inflation (unknown since the Civil War) took off, and it sharply forced up labor costs. In addition to the directors' favoring their own interests over the railroad's (the Montana power contract for electrification for example), there was a lot of incompetent management. The 3,000 volt DC electrification chosen was a very poor choice (requiring manned substations every thirty miles), while it's hard to understand how the cost could have been justified on the Milwaukee's traffic base (but all that copper wire helped Anaconda again). Largely as a result the Milwaukee went bankrupt in 1925.
Unfortunately the text seems not to have been edited at all (except for spell check). There are hundreds of obvious errors. Parts of the text have had words added, while other words are deleted. The author's syntax is sometimes rather tortured, and his material could have been better organized. This is really unfortunate, as this could have been one of the great rail history books, a source of pride to everyone involved. Instead it's a terrible display of sloppiness, with only the picture editor deserving credit for a job well done.

Stan Johnson's treatment of the building of the Milwaukee Road's Pacific Coast Extension is a masterpiece. He has done excellent research, and his writing is easy to follow. As a product, the book is impressive, too. The layout is pleasing, and many photographs complement Johnson's text. The only negative about the book is that the proofreaders let the author down; there are a lot of editorial errors in the text.

A great book for those of us that fondly remember power changes at Harlowton, pacing the "XL Special" west of Piedmont, or camping alongside the St. Joe River waiting for the "Thunderhawk" to leave Avery!

Extensive coverage of the surveying, funding, and trackwork required to build our favorite railroad's Pacific Extension, with particular focus on the area between Three Forks and Avery; the crossing of the Cascades is covered, but not in as much detail as lines east of Othello.

Afer several chapters of general interest discussion of surveying and funding the line, as well as recruiting trackworkers in Europe (Montenegro? Who would have guessed!?)five chapters take you from Mobridge, South Dakota, to Tacoma, Washington, with particular focus on Pipestone and St Paul passes, and construction of the line through Sixteen Mile Canyon, above Harlow's Montana Railroad.

While certainly not a picture book, there are many superbly reproduced photographs depicting life along the right-of-way being built; most of the images I've never seen, and I have most of what has been published on the Milwaukee Road since the 1960s.

Unusual for railroad books, there are many "quality of life" images such as Milwaukee Road sponsored boxing matches, baseball teams, and dancing bears (real ones!) for the entertainment of trackworkers and their families. You'll also note the high per capita presence of saloons in these towns, like Taft, Montana. Guess the "hell on wheels" towns made famous by the Union Pacific four decades earlier was still alive and well in the early 20th century American west.

Author Johnson's latest addition to literature on the Milwaukee Road explores lots of new historical ground and is a fascinating read and a detailed examination of the construction of the Pacific Extension of one of America's greatest "fallen flags!"

Elizabeth O'Connal has been threw more than her share of heartache in her life. After her mother died her father remarried a woman who treated Elizabeth horribly for years. Then when she finds some stability with her husband and two young children she finds out that he had a second family living in another state.

Things are better now for Elizabeth. She is ready to open up a chocolate shop-she is friends with her ex-husbands other wife (who is now her brothers wife.) Then life throws her a loop when she agrees to go out on a blind date with Carter Hudson who has also been dealt some hardships in his life.

Their blind date does not go off as well as many people would have liked which was why a friend suggested that Carter help Elizabeth get the chocolate shop up and running.

While trying to get the chocolate shop up and running Elizabeth has to deal with several things that she never expected, sparks that fly between her and Carter, her father coming to down with news that rocks her world, and someone that is trying to make sure that her chocolate shop is not as successful as it could be.

What happens between Elizabeth and Carter? What news does her father bring? Who trying to wreck her chocolate shop and why? Read The Other Woman.

Elizabeth O'Connell is stunned to learn she is THE OTHER WOMAN as her spouse Keith had another wife Reenie before her that he returned to, abandoning her and their children. Though now divorced for the sake of the children who she believes need a father even a cheating one, she relocates moving to his hometown of Dundee. There she opens up The Chocolaterie Store and raising their two children Mica and Christopher as a single mother.

Friends set up Liz on a blind date with senatorial aide Carter Hudson. She dislikes his ease of talking about her personal mess and his condemnation of her letting Keith get away with his crap. However, Carter does not allow the fact that she has two kids deter him from seeing Liz. She soon sees how kind he is to her children and how much he tries to help her at her shop. Though she vowed never again Liz falls in love with Carter, who reciprocates her feelings, but she wonders if she can trust love after the Keith fiasco.

THE OTHER WOMAN is an interesting contemporary romance starring a likable woman who though upset with her former spouse remains on good terms with him especially for the sake of their children as the character driven story line is kept focused on Liz. Carter is an intriguing protagonist who sounds obnoxious on their first blind date, but proves first opinions can be false as he turns out to be a nice nurturing person. Brenda Novak writes a warm second chance at love starring a deserving female and the man who wants her forever.

Harriet Klausner

THE OTHER WOMAN by Brenda Novak
May 19, 2006

Rating **** (4 stars)

Here is another book in the "A Dundee, Idaho Book" series. It furthers the story of two women who were unknowingly married to the same man at the same time. In THE OTHER WOMAN, Liz O'Connell is picking up the pieces of her shattered life. She had followed Keith from Los Angeles back to Dundee in order for her children to live closer to their father, but she's now a single woman. Keith had returned to Dundee to pursue his first wife, Reenie, which was a slap in the face for Liz.

The novel opens with Liz on a blind date with Carter Hudson, who is currently working for Reenie's father Senator Garth Holbrook. Unfortunately, the blind date isn't going very well, and the more they talk, the more Liz dislikes Carter. She walks out of the restaurant in a huff, despite the fact that she didn't want to hurt Reenie and the Holbrook's feelings, but there is only so much Liz will take from a man as rude and abrasive as Carter Hudson.

Keith is trying to convince Liz that he still loves her, now that Reenie is married to Isaac, Liz's brother, but Liz knows better. While she keeps their relationship civil for the sake of the children, she will not fall for Keith again. However, Keith, who was determined to woo Reenie back, is now hoping to get back Liz.

In the mean time Liz is opening up a chocolate shop, based on the novel by Joanne Harris, and with Carter's help (he's doing a favor for the Senator), the shop opens up with a bang. However, there is someone trying to sabotage her business, with her shop being vandalized more than once. Liz and Carter by now have an understanding between them: while they rub each other the wrong way, they have a hot chemistry that will not quit, and the two have agreed on a no commitments relationship. The reader will figure out that this relationship is more than just temporary for the both of them, despite their notions that this will only be a fling. Carter comes to Liz's rescue more than once, and with his background he has the tools to find out who the vandals are. What he finds out is not pretty.

To complicate matters more, Liz has a hot boyfriend back in Los Angeles, her tennis coach Dave, a much younger man but someone who had helped her get through many lonely nights. He is still pursuing her despite the distance, but he refuses to move to Dundee, and she will not take her children away from Keith. Between Dave and Carter, she is not sure who is the better man.

Liz and Isaac's father, Gordon, has been living with a secret since his wife and their mother Chloe passed away when Liz was only fourteen. It is a secret that is tearing him up inside, but it is also something that created a rift between him and his children. Gordon has a need to let this secret out, and when it does, it creates an even larger rift. Gordon shows up in Dundee unexpectedly, and does not receive a warm welcome from his two adult children.


This book is a spicy complex soap opera of a novel that kept my interest peaked until the very end. Trying to remember all the various characters and how they fit into the story line was a chore at first, but after a few chapters, however, the characters fell into place and there was no problem keeping up with the plot. The relationship between Carter and Liz was hot and steamy, and the author did a good job demonstrating that! She handled the sex scenes perfectly, leaving enough to the reader's imagination. The children played only a minor role in the story, creating a different feel from some of the other superromances I've read recently. It was definitely not a "family-themed" romance, but was a romance with adult issues running throughout the story.

There is definitely room for more sequels in the DUNDEE, IDAHO series by Brenda Novak. With such a complex set of relationships, the next novel will be sure to be a winner. I enthusiastically recommend THE OTHER WOMAN. - courtesy of Loveromances.

The last year has been pure hell for Elizabeth O'Connell. First she discovers that her husband has been living a double life, with a wife and family in Idaho. To make matters worse she discovers that she is actually his second wife and that their entire life in California has been built on a lie. Just when she thought that she couldn't take anymore, she is totally devastated when her husband cuts all ties with her and rushes home to Dundee determined to try and get his first wife to forgive him. Unable to believe that he could totally abandon her and their children she follows him to Dundee. With the marriage of Elizabeth's brother Isaac to her husband's first wife Reenie (Big Girls Don't Cry Harlequin Super Romance #1296) the next year finds Elizabeth and Reenie forming a family with their children. Now Reenie has tried a little matchmaking, arranging a date between Elizabeth and Carter Hudson. At first Carter and Elizabeth don't like each other, but the more time they spend with each other the more they come to care. However, Carter tragically lost the woman he loved and Elizabeth is determined that she will never be second best again.

The Other Woman touches upon every woman's feelings of rejection. Both Carter and Elizabeth must deal with their pasts before they find a future together. Although The Other Woman can stand alone, I recommend that readers first pick up Reenie's story, Big Girl's Don't Cry (Harlequin Super Romance #1296), as it is not only a great read but also will adds the background to this story. Brenda Novak has written a romance with truly complex relationships that keep the reader turning the pages and keeps them engrossed in the story until the last page.

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Jeff Long has written a most interesting story of the last old west type shootout that may ever occur in this country. It is true. Dallas was a guy who came from Virginia and wanted to be a cowboy. He went west and became what he had always wanted to be, and he was good at it. He had a superb work ethic. Along the way, he acquired some of the trappings of a real cowboy. He had a Winchester rifle with an octagonal barrel. He was a good shot, both with the rifle and pistols. Over time, when he was living in Nevada, he spent his winters trapping coyotes and cats, with an occasional mountain lion thrown in. His last winter season he was trapping right along the Nevada/Idaho line and ran into a couple of Fish and Game officers from Idaho. One of them, Bill Pogue, the senior of the two, had a bit of an attitude problem, according to Jim Stevens, a friend of Dallas's who had brought him supplies. Pogue and Dallas were like kitchen matches and gasoline. Pogue was most likely playing it hard and Dallas most likely was stubborn. The confrontation erupted in gunfire and Dallas, deadly quick, dropped both Pogue and his backup, Conley Elms. He finished them off, trapper style, with a gunshot behind the ear with a .22 rifle. I know Claude Dallas. The book pretty much portrays Dallas in a true light. Crowded, like he was that day, he would not back down. Later, when he was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, he was captured without a fight and without any firearms. I've liked this book well enough to own it and to read it several times. Jeff Long's work is first rate all the way through. Though this book is no longer in print, it is a book to own.

I thought that this book was a pretty good adventure. The characters were interesting, the plot was cool, and all in all it was a pretty cool novel. His later book "The Descent" was far, far better, of course, but this one was pretty good.

I thought that this book was a pretty good adventure. The characters were interesting, the plot was cool, and all in all it was a pretty cool novel. His later book "The Descent" was far, far better, of course, but this one was pretty good. Learning a little bit about Claude Dallas was an interesting moment of history.

To read a 20 year old book written about events that happened 25 years ago is an adventure that begins with one big question -"Will the content still be fresh?"

In the case of The True Story of Claude Dallas you will not be disappointed in any way.

The more I read the more I appreciated the depths to which the Dallas story taps natural instincts of survival, independance and drama that are indeed timeless.

But more than the Dallas story the author succeeds in painting a beautiful picture of the land, customs, and people who inhabit what remained of "the west" in the 70s and 80s. And this again has a magical timelessness to it - man against the elements, man on his own, man against the encroachment of government and other men.

If you have ever driven thru Northern Nevada you have most certainly passed thru Winnemucca - and can remember the romantic bleakness of the landscape. And as you drove thru and stared out from the comfort of your car you probably wondered "who the heck lives out here?"

This book answers that question - not just in terms of the people of the land, but of the spirit of the place and its link to men everywhere.