Montana Books

Into the Blue: A Father's Flight and a Daughter's Return
this was a great book. It's really scary from the perspective that it reinforces what we hear that we must take charge (or someone must do so on our behalf) of our healthcare options.

Into the Blue is a funny, touching, inspiring and educational ride that we all need to take to deal with what this life may hand us. Edsall and her sister did amazing work with their dad in a situation many of us have or will have to deal with. Buy multiple copies and send them to everyone you love.

This book is the fascinating story of two sisters and their dad who was suffering from a stroke. The sisters are determined to get him back to his airplane. In this book the author underlines the support a patient needs from his doctor for a fast and safe recovery. This book will definitely be a welcome read to any one suffered from a stroke.

After eliminating my coffee habit with the help of a wonderful coffee substitute made from soya beans called "Soyffee", I'm feeling so much better. My doctor recommended it to help lower my cholesterol and promote strong bones. It's available online at www.S o y c o f f e e.com.

I loved this book! The writing was so sharp and funny, and the story is heartwarming and hilarious, without being overly sentimental.

Susan Edsall does suggest you go off coffee slowly before you start the plan. This would minimize headaches during detox. I couldn't wait to get started so, of course, did it all at once and had the most horrible awful headache for 4 straight days. I finally broke down and had a 1/2 cup coffee one day instead of taking aspirin and that did the trick...for the moment.

You feel as if you've known the author and her family all your life after reading this book, and you really care about them.

OK, I'm humble enough to admit I was wrong. When one of my best friends, a Volvo-driving soccer mom if there ever was one, suggested that I read and PURCHASE "Into The Blue", I was skeptical at best. Scenario: author and sister rehabilitate stroke-afflicted father so he can - *gag* - fly again. Yet another "chick" book. Ho-hum.

So untrue. It's been a long, long while since I've been so entertained, overwhelmed, affected, whatever, by a memoir. Susan Edsall has a great gift for writing, and for viewing the world by crushing the rose colored glasses. If this were simply a novel about how our heroine pulls her dad back from the abyss, it'd probably sell a bazillion copies in the romance section. "Into The Blue" is not simple - not by a long shot.

First off, it should be required reading for every med student, neurology resident, or anyone who has contact with stroke victims. The start of Edsall's tale is pretty grim; not for what happened to her father, but for the reaction of the medical community to his plight - indifference, condescension, and that "oh well, that's what happens, nothing we can do" type of nonsense that we've all seen too well from supposed professionals who you'd think would have more insight and creativity to go with all that specialized education.

Love of a parent pushes the Edsall family into a series of tough decisions, but the neat part of this book is the places that they come to as a result of these mileposts. The author seems as surprised as the reader at times by the way in which her father's stroke and her family's actions cause her (and all of them) to reconnect in new and very meaningful fashion. Susan's descriptions of her relationships past and present with her mother, her husband and above all her sister Sharon are hysterical - and very moving. I could relate 80 percent of her patter to my own family, which was an experience both interesting and disturbing!

This is a tremendous piece of writing, worthy of wide distribution and discussion.

Simply, yes, if you let it touch you.

At a time in my life when I needed help, clarity of vision, and hope, this book opened my eyes and my heart in a way I needed it most. I first read this book in 2005, and have since come back to it, time and again for the pure pleasure of it.

The prose is well paced and refreshing, not so fast that you feel like you've been caught in a whirlwind, not so slow that you put it down and never finish. It's just right, gripping, inspiring and amazingly real and down to earth. It is, in so many ways, an escape for the reader that leads them right back to themselves. Almost a meditation on life, this book helped me see the forest for the trees, and step outside my own life long enough to inspire me to make the changes I needed to in my own.

This was my Greyhood to Papermoon Montana, and such a yummy, pleasurable read. Without question not to be missed I'd have to say this book, and it's sequel are brilliant! This book isn't about boundaries, it's about freedom and self respect for one's self in balance and a certain amount of harmony with the the rest of the world.

Why don't they make books like this one required reading in school? Had I read this twenty years ago who knows, I might not identify with Jaunita so much at this point in my life. This book is about vision, and truth, with ourselves.

I love it!

This book is a short, quick read but a great story of a middle aged woman with the courage to pack her bags, leave her grown butt kids and put herself first for once in her life. In the process she finds herself. Great story.

I loved it. If you ever thought about breaking away to a fresh start...read this book. Dancing on the Edge of the Roof takes hold of the reader and never lets go. You can't wait to see what Juanita gets into next. Ride along with her on each adventure and take a moment to enjoy nature the way Mother Nature intended. What a romance! The ending leaves you feeling completely satisfied, yet ironically waiting anxiously for a sequel. I highly recommend this book for the mature and exciting women of today.

[...]

This story was well written, and I enjoyed the characters very much. I would like to have seen more love scenes and interactions though.

I am sure many of us have heard this Dr. Phil-ism. I believe it is true in all its forms--self-fulfilling prophecies and such. DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF is a simple, straight-forward book, and readers will benefit from its eloquence. Exaggerated, overblown writing may have its place, but Sheila Williams' first book will have a place in your spirit. Strip away the main character's (Jaunita Louis') skin color, occupation, neighborhood--all of the superficial things that can separate us from her story, and we will see ourselves. Facing the same challenges. On the same journey toward fulfillment.

What I got from DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF was a lesson: Do everything you fear to do. Get locks or a long weave, if you must. Learn to merengue. Take a trip to northern China. Study at an institution for culinary arts or interior design. Take your vacation in Fiji. Have a baby at 40. Get your MBA at 54. Do it all, because this is the only life we get. Even those who believe in a second life cannot be sure, so we ought to make the best of this world, this life's opportunities.

I was reminded that I cannot blame anyone but me if I don't take those chances in life that will, in the end, make me the best form of myself that I can achieve.

Good For The Soul.

although the movie doesnt compare.. AT ALL!! Penelope Williamson is by far my favorite author.. and this book is a great read.. you fall in love with everyone in the book, and whens its over you wished you could continue with them!

Although I am not usually a big fan of the typical Romance genre, (which to me has one dimensional charactors and a very predictable story line) this book seemed like so much more. I am sure some will say the story is "predictable", but I felt as though it certainly was believable and there was more of an exploration of human nature with the "good and evil" being not so clear-cut but rather having lots of "gray areas". For instance, the "Plain People" or Amish of the book who feel they are so "holy" and "closer to God than the "Unbelievers" who don't belong to their religion, in some instances are shown to exhibit the very human foibles of jealousy, anger, and mean-spiritedness and the "Outsider" who is a "cold-blooded" killer is shown in instances where great restraint and a giving and kind nature is illustrated. Some of the Amish in the book are very rigid in their thinking and acting and yet you see where Rachel is less rigid and gives more thought to life and sees things in much less "black and white" issues.

I also liked the two main charactors of the book and if you "like" the charactors you can't help but like the book. I also liked the story but would have liked a little less time spent on exploring the lives of some of the peripheral charactors in the book, such as the town doctor and the prostitute and a little more on the two main charactors. I also wish the author had written this book with some perspective of the inner thoughts and feelings of the "Outsider" but perhaps she did not because he was supposed to be an enigma, a mystery man.

All in all, I highly recommend the book. I also recommend the DVD which closely follows the book.

I love Penelope Williamson is one of my favorite authors, and I've read my share of them ,till nowadays I must have read 400 historical and contemporaneal romance novels, I am a compulsive reader, and I consider this book wonderful ,it was the first I had read of this author and I liked it so much that I've read all of her books,save the suspence ones, I really got upset when I knew she had changed of genre.What a pity!
I advise you to read it, you won't be disappointed.

This book reminded me of the movie "Witness" with Harrison Ford.

Boy, do I love this author's style of writing.

I felt like this story ended abruptly. I'm still wondering what happened with Marliee and Lucas and if Rachel's family ever spoke to her again, but then again perhaps wanting more is the measure of a good novel.

I happened upon the Showtime movie based on this book and was totally entranced by it. Imagine my joy to read "Based upon the novel by Penelope Williamson" among the movie credits! I immediately found the novel on Amazon, ordered it and received it within a few days. I could not put it down! I am not a fan of "bodice rippers", but I do like an interesting historical romance if the characters aren't caricatures, as so many are. Well, Johnny Cain and Rachel Yoder, despite their romance novel names, are anything but! Ms. Williamson is brave enough to give her characters flaws like ordinary human beings. Johnny Cain, when he stumbles upon Rachel's farm, is not a completely likeable or charming guy, but it is believable that he would be taken in by the love and warmth of Rachel's home and family - especially when the reality of his own origins surface. I could have done with a little less of the prostitute/doctor story line but, all in all, it was one of the best books I have read! The ending of the book is somewhat darker than the movie's version, but it moved me so that I reread it several times! I rate this novel right up there with another of my favorites, "Outlander"! Watch the movie (it's available on Amazon, I think), then read the book. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

After reading Russell Rowland's first two wonderfully written novels, I am extremely anxious to have Dig published so I can purchase a number of them to give to friends, as I did the other two---In Open Spaces & Watershed Years. Seldom does a writer pull the reader in so completely that you can't put the book down, & you mourn when you finish & have to leave the characters & not know what is next!!! Looking forward to Dig soon.

In this excerpt from Russell Rowland's _Dig_, Rowland's protagonist Lee Hurley unearths bits of his past--his guilt at his part in his now three-legged dog Dave's injury and other less visible wounds he has caused his family, including sister Joanie, her husband Peter, and their two sons. In this novel dealing with recovery from addiction, Lee and readers will realize that Lee Hurley is running from his past but is carrying it all with him. I look forward to a triumphant recovery when we are treated to the entire novel.

Dig is gritty reality. Being a romanticist and escapist, I found myself hurting almost too much for these people. It is easy to feel Joannie's love for her brother, that it hurts her to see him committing slow suicide. Peter is a likeable fellow with a humble innocence that conceals deep-rooted common sense. Okay, he does leave common sense at home when he and Lee visit the bar but he is wise enough not to jump into the fisticuffs.

If the rest of the book had been there, I'd have climbed a fence to read it. I want to know what tragedy damaged Lee and if he can overcome it.

The 2 paragraphs before Mr. Rowland got "cut off in his prime" as the Brits say painted an entirely different picture of Lee, and made you believe that, despite the obstacles--booze and his new enemy--he would triumph and build that cabin. Deeply rooted in the Montana soil, hopefully he will triumph over self flagellation in a bottle.

From Chaucer's Wife of Bath to Ken Kesey's Bromden, authors have used unreliable narrators to create drama and tension. Russell Rowland follows suit with Lee Hurley, an alcoholic with a fogged past. From the first page Lee seems perplexed at how life is going for him. He says to his best pal Charlie, "I thought we had talked about it. I thought you were okay with it." Apparently thought wrong for Charlie hightails it before Lee's story has a chance to start and the reader is left wondering what it is that has caused such a rift. The mystery intensifies as Lee remembers his father as the corpse his father's girlfriend woke up next to. When Lee arrives at his sister Joanie's he realizes "Something must have happened (the last time he was there) but I don't remember a thing." His sister doesn't clarify. When Lee asks what it was she replies only, "...it wasn't horrible." By the time the reader reaches the end of the excerpt of Dig, we have a long list of questions, and a sense that Lee has a long road ahead of him to not only make things right, but to make it through at all. With a house to build, family, and his three-legged dog Dave, he just might make it.

Like watching from a safe distance a tornado whipping across the high plains, Russell Rowland's capacity as a storyteller to pull from the earth, the great spirits and confounded men are awe inspiring in their power, and decisive in their attack.

From out of the green clouds and collision of hot and cold air, I immediately champion Lee, a sympathetic perpetrator of some unspeakable act. A soul suffering what might be slighted as "Type II" alcoholism, he seems too bright and too used to pain to ever really hit rock bottom.

My empathy meter starts clanging as his cavernous heart grows more hollow. After all - everyone knows it's more socially redeeming to drink your problems under than to get over them in therapy, right?

The story's characters easily involve themselves with the protagonist; all of those whom will probably, eventually get their hearts broken; all of those whom enable Lee and all who step up to the plate to pound the living snot out of him.

Dialogue, foreshadowing and the subtleties of relationships are where Rowland's genius reveals itself.

There is nothing a self-loathing bully craves more than a self-loathing optimist. There is nothing more intimate than the unspoken between siblings. There is nothing more crushing than one's own delicate, snide intelligence pricking in the night, "You know your brains cannot make you better."

Immersing yourself in Rowland's descriptions are worth the price of admission; who else can tell you so much about a character by describing their hair? But what may prove to be truly mystical in this novel is showing the reader the transformative power that an unforgiving terra firma can have on the spirit.

I give the short four stars only because I crave a bit more poetry in the starker, straightforward lines. Maybe that happens as the house brings good and evil to blows.

This book was one of the few memoirs I have read when in the end I placed the book down and sighed "wow." What a wonderful story. The author rolled experiences together in western Montana with his dad and grandmother and turned it into a lovestory for fathers and grandmothers, for people of Montana, and all that using very little dialogue. (That gave the book a sense of truthfulness, as who can recite full conversations that took place years ago?)

The constant struggle with man against nature, man against man and man against himself come alive in these pages. Despite many obstacles of every kind, his father never abandoned him and sacrificed what he had to to raise his son and to give him what he needed. Montana and its bittersweet closeness never leave the reader; its isolation and wide open sky are always in the background. Thus the title is so perfect for this beautiful memoir.

This was my first Doig book and I will definitely read more of him. I definitely consider this book one of the top ten in American 20th century writing.

This was my first Ivan Doig book, and I loved it! As a result, I've read most of the rest of what Doig has written and thoroughly enjoy reading about (and remembering) the areas of Montana where I used to live.

Of the three best books I've read in 2007, this probably ranks number two. It took me a little while to get into it, but the wait was well worth it. Ivan Doig is a magnificent writer and his talents are well displayed in this book. The other two books were The Good Old Boys, by Elmer Kelton, and The Missouri Riders, by George Banks.

This is my all time favorite book. Period. Beautifully written, thought-provoking. It will make you want to move to Montana. It will make you love open sky and a horizon that goes on forever and the importance of family.

As soon as I started reading This House of Sky, I fell into Ivan Doig's world. By the end I was so mesmerized by his wonderful language and vivid characters that I was wandering around the house with the book up to my nose, bumping into things, trying to do chores one-handed while reading. I would never have believed that a book that starts out with the gasping, hideous suffocating death of one of the author's parents and ends with the gasping, hideous suffocating death of the other one could contain such boundless love of family, such joy, and such beauty. Doig's vivid writing shades perilously close to poetry, and he has an eye for the perfect anecdote to illustrate his point. Doig evokes in the endless drudgery of Montana ranch life a heroic struggle, and turns his hardworking, mercurial father into one of the great figures of modern literature. As a chronicle of Doig's childhood and its end and of the Montana sheepherding life in the early parts of this century, This House of Sky is a spectacular success; but as a tribute to his beloved family and especially his father, the book is a powerfully moving classic.

I can add little to what others have said, other than to contribute one more five-star ranking. It may be hard to believe that anyone at this late date could offer anything new about the Battle of the Little Bighorn, but Donovan does and he does it well--covering both sides, which is in itself unique in this overcharged area of writing.

Personally, I don't believe Custer walked on water as the author would led us to believe. Also from my extensive research, the author's description of the characters involved was very misleading and inaccurate. For instance, Capt. Benteen knew the difference between a lousy commander and a good one, which explains his mistrust and dislike of Custer. Also for every historical source that stated Custer was popular with his troops, there are ten other sources that states the opposite. Moreover, much of Custer's glorified military record during the Civil War was contrived at best. Let's face it, Custer was very apt at blowing his own horn, while kissing up to his superiors. Generally, I was hoping for a more balanced account, which wasn't forthcoming.

Did you know that Custer was at Gettysburgh? I didn't. Did you know he was one of the top calvary generals of the civil war? I didn't either, but I learned these and many other facts about his life leading up to the battle of Little Big Horn. This is a very well told, very read-able tale of Custer's life. This is a very interesting history book, I learned a lot and enjoyed reading it very much.

This ably written popular history of the U. S. Army's 1876 campaign against the Sioux and Cheyanne clearly targets the general reader more than readers familiar with the wars against the Plains Indians. This is shown by the author's provision of considerable background material designed to familiarize the reader with the situation facing the combatants in 1876. This includes summaries of the careers of the main personalities on both sides, the history of the unceasing pressure on the Sioux and other tribes from the 1860's on, the Indian way of life and method of fighting (and the US military's contemptuous lack of understanding of the same), the lack of training and experience among US soldiers, the frequently poor quality of the soldiers themselves, the often bitter dislikes and rivalries among the Army's officers and the high degree of racism and greed that fueled the Plains wars. Much of this can only be sketched because a single volume of 401 pages of text prevents detailed exposition of this general background (interested readers can find more detailed information on these subjects relatively easily). All of this material and more will be familiar to readers knowledgeable about the destruction of the Plains tribes.

The book is a narrative of the facts much more than an analysis of the events, although Donovan does comment on some factors such as Reno's failures both in the valley and on the hill and Custer's repeated splitting of his 660 man force in the face of greatly superior numbers. Donovan does a good job of evaluating the often conflicting factual evidence. In the end, he cannot fully solve the mystery of why Custer did what he did for the simple reason that neither Custer nor any of the key officers who accompanied him on his last foray were around to explain their actions. Donovan does occasionally make some educated guesses on the "whys" that are reasonably insightful and he is good at providing information and letting the reader draw his own conclusions. For example he discusses the success that US foces had enjoyed against Plains tribes although often fighting greatly superior numbers, notes the Army's lack of understanding of how the Indians fought (particularly their reluctance to "stand and fight" to the end with the heavy losses entailed thereby, a tactic that demographics made impossible for the tribes but that the soldiers often mistook for cowardice) and explains the elementary tactics that had so often brought the Army success.

Donovan is particularly good in discussing Reno's conduct during his badly handled attack in the valley and later in the makeshift position on the hill. He carefully weighs the evidence but, aside from showing that Reno was probably drinking heavily throughout the engagements, pretty much lets the reader evaluate the facts for himself. These fights had plenty of survivors, many of whom had strong opinions (mostly hostile to Reno and laudatory of Benteen). Most were willing to share them with fiends and Army cronies but were not willing to speak frankly for official purposes. Some were concerned about their own conduct, some feared making professional enemies and all were concerned about the image of the regiment and the Army generally. The Army brass also wanted to look good. All concerned were only too willing to participate in a whitewash at the Reno Court of Inquiry, although they continued to blister Reno privately for many years after. The Army set up the dead Custer as the scapegoat, calling him rash, overly aggressive, a glory hunter and accusing him of failing to follow orders. Custer certainly made mistakes (plenty) but so did many others, including his superiors. None of the senior campaign leaders (Crook, Gibbon and Terry) performed particularly well in the campaign and much could arguably be laid at their respective doors. In context, Custer's blunders are understandable if, in the end, perhaps not forgiveable.

The book then traces the aftermath in summary form to and including the 7th Cav's Wounded Knee attack on surrendering Indians and the events surrounding it. This part of the book again covers a lot of ground, including Libbie Custer,s efforts to remedy what she saw as the injustices to her dead husband and the subsequent careers of some of the main survivors. Again this is done briefly, probably again for reasons of space.

In short, James Donovan tries to provide the general reader with all he needs to know about the 1876 campaign, its culminating disaster and its aftermath. Overall he does a good job. He has pursued the evidence and evaluated it well with no unfair axes to grind. He is especially good at using the evidence of lower ranking officers, common soldiers and Indian witnesses (including those serving with the US Army). His writing is clear and readable. This is an excellent overview for anyone wanting basic facts and knowledge and it provides an excellent start for those interested enough to want to pursue the issues themselves.

I hate to sound like a hackneyed reviewer, but I've just finished James Donovan's book, and that's the (inadequate) phrase that springs to mind.

The research is stunning and the comparative analysis truly important. The narrative is handled deftly, with great confidence, and more than a little elegance. Donovan is a helluva writer.

This is a topic I knew little about beyond the myths we all grew up with and a handful of books read over the years. But this book draws one in quickly and refuses to let go. The characters come alive, the events unfold with a cinematic sweep, and beneath it all, the deep research reassures that the only agenda at work here is to tell a fascinating story with balance and a strict adherence to the knowable truth.

And the last line is a killer.

This is the first novel I ever read from this author and I loved it. It is perfect in character depth, conflict, resolution, stamina and any number of other areas. This novel is the rule by which all others are measured.Ms. Radclyffe has done a wonderful job of spoiling readers against authors of lesser talent.

I loved it. This is my first Radclyffe and I can see why she's so popular. To me the queen of lesbian western love stories is Vada Foster & B. L. Miller's "Josie & Rebecca: The Western Chronicles" and I started out comparing this one to that. There are a number of similarities in the two. But, as the story continued I started to view it from another angle.
Besides being a delightful and sexy love story it is, as the title hints a very "innocent" love story. Both girls have no inkling of their sexuality until they meet and fall in love with each other and even then they're pretty slow at realizing their true feelings.
This factor gives the story an innocent ring to it and also a purity that is unusual for a book that has such sexy scenes. I would vote it as the book I would most like my gay-friendly hetro friends to read. It's a great book for lesbians and hetros alike. I look forward to reading the sequel and some of Radclyffe's other books.

Kate Beecher is a young woman who has literally been dragged from her pampered Boston existence by her father and mother out West. She is 19 and into photography/journalism. Her father and mother had been enticed by a friend of theirs who made the journey and promise a decent life for all of them. Kate is reticent to make the trip and even more reticent when she finds it is a rough settlement and not all like the life she left in Boston, until she meets Jessie Forbes. Jessie is the owner of a huge ranch outside town since her father died. Jessie is very butch and causes a lot of eyebrows to go up when she comes to town, but they seem to accept her for what she is. Jessie is a cattle rancher, and takes a lot of pride in maintaining the ranch that her father built. She takes a shine to Kate and soon a mild flirtation begins to happen. Meanwhile, Kate's parents notice that Kate has no interest in the young man they have picked out for her. They see her spending all her free time with Jessie, whom they see as an improper woman, wearing men's clothes and doing men's work. Kate is falling hard for Jessie and Jessie falls hard for Kate. The romance is hot and the story is good. Radclyffe does a great job, departing from her usual genre.

Kate Beecher leaves Boston with her family and treks across the county to land in Montana.

Kate is inspired by the beauty of the land. She's a little confused by the gun toting, Stetson and pant wearing Jess Forbes.

Jesse is a rancher and breaks horses as a past time. She notices Kate. Even saves her from an accidental stampede.

When a life threatening illness spreads thru the territory, they combine their efforts to help all they can. Their feelings getting more interesting as time goes on.

I love a good western romance. Kudos!

This book blew me away. Where else can you get the wild west, suspense and lesbian romance? Three of my favorites. I just recently discovered Radclyffe. Have I been missing out!!! She is fantastic and her books are all great. My shelf is quickly filling up with her name. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Promising Hearts, Innocent Hearts sequel.

I read this book in 2 days. Radclyffe keeps you thirsting for more. I fall in love with all of her characters.

Jessie and Kate will capture your heart. In a time where women don't wear pants, vote or have a say in anything. Two women fall in love. Jessie, a ranch owner who carries a gun and tames wild horses meets Kate a determined and feisty woman who has just arrived from Boston with her parents. They want Kate to get married(to a man). Not that anything else would enter their minds. What follows shows why Radclyffe is so amazing and special.

Like all her other books I've read, these characters grab onto the readers heart take them on an adventure, stop and start it a few times(no defibulator needed in this story, see Fated Love) and leave the reader feeling warm and satisfied.

What I love to do is get my crystal light, cuddle with my cat, Kali put on some smooth jazz and RR(Read Radclyffe).
ENJOY!!!

I am stunned by all of the wonderful reviews for this book. I thought it was by far, the worst book I have read since high school. It could not have moved any slower. The thing I did like about it was the ending and things turn around to get you. Just so much of it was completely out of left field. Boring! Boring! Boring!

This is an unbelievably wonderful novel to sink your teeth into. A page turner of high literary merit, accessible and intelligent. Fabulous craft and language, a most diabolical villain who drives even saints to wish him ill.

Yes he is intelligent, arrogant, rough, caustic, poisonous, and evil, all to hide one tiny chink in his armor that nonetheless, one person manages to find.

Read this book! My one regret is that Thomas Savage doesn't know how popular he is today.

The afterword by Annie Proulx reveals even more about Savage's motivation for the novel, and provides an extra ounce of satisfaction to to novel's end.

Read this novel as slowly as you possibly can, for every paragraph is painted with no fewer than two rich coats of molasses-thick paint, and sometimes silver paint in one layer reflects off of another.

Hunted by a dog, chasing prey as a dog, or dog pursuing dog?

Savage leaves nothing to chance, for this novel will speak to all three.


Skip the after-word, initially.

Thank you, Amazon, for recommending this exquisite novel to me as a Gold Box special. With an afterword by Annie Proulx and the recent success of Brokeback Mountain, this exceptional piece of western literature should now find the audience Thomas Savage so richly deserved in 1967. As restrained and sparing in language as its central antagonist, Phil Burbank, Savage has the uncanny gift of eloquence through omission, allowing the reader to read between the lines. I was captivated by his talent, and jolted by an entirely unexpected but immensely satisfying conclusion. This book has been five times optioned for film, yet never made. I doubt that will go on much longer.

A completely unexpected and disturbingly powerful character study of a small group of characters in the West, circa 1940s. The prose here is incredible, and the plot unfolds slowly and myteriously. Palpable tension-- the author knew precisely what he woas doing-- with an ending I truly didn't see coming. One of the most remarkable books I've ever read.

Keith shares with you his life and his love. As a man Keith bares his soul for everyone to look at and into, if you have the guts. Because looking into his, you've got to look into yours and that isn't always easy. Keith knows MOTIVATION, from the inside out and back again. He also teaches motivation to young students of the game and to executives at Fortune 500 companies. You will learn a lot about yourself reading this book. In fact you'll learn a lot about life, the ups, the downs, the joys, the pains, but more importantly what it means to get up off the ground one last time and keep going. Thank you Keith for writing this important work.

hey, i was in your thrid period english class in 2003-2004. I bought your book and had you sign it. now for senior year AP english 12 i'm finally going to read it!

Hey Dorney, This is Eddy W. Well your book was good and as I'm reading these reviews, they seem to be from students. Anyway, I thought the book was very enjoyable and you have got to get me the movie rights. Don't worry. I'll get get David Spade or somebody to play you.

See Yah!

Awesome book,I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from the Author.It is a must read for football and even non football fans.I found the book hard to put down and wanted more at its conclusion,Bravo Mr. Dorney (big cheese)I really enjoyed the memories you shared it brought back alot of good ones for me also.Keep up the good work!!!

A great read, brought back many memories & emotions from my years gone by on the gridiron. It'll stir you whether you played Pee-Wee, HS, College, or Pro Football.
Don't let this one go by without reading, you won't be sorry..
Thanks Keith!!!

The plight of the people of Libby and the other sites around the country is very sad and you want to hate WR Grace and the previous mine owners and operators. While their reponsibility is not in doubt, the book could have been improved by more information about what exactly they knew and when. I'm sure Grace et al. did not cooperate with the authors, but the extensive litigation should have made some of this information available.

I am in the middle of this book and I find it very compelling. I was interested in customer reviews and when I read the last review on how the story is not yet complete because many of the victims of this scandal do not have health insurance, I felt compelled to write.

Everyone will be making a profit on this story. WB Grace made their money and now the media will make their money. While I agree that the authors have done a wonderful public service uncovering this environmental disaster, I would like to suggest that a substantial amount of the money made on this book (and the perhaps subsequent movie) could be donated to the victims. If not for their illness, there would be no story. I was recently appalled to learn about the monies that were made by media stars on the Watergate scandal while Deep Throat (whoe courage made it all possible) was not doing quite as well. For the media to make money off these stories without providing for the victims is not right either.

I want you to read this book. It is important to you and your family. I consider myself a knowledgeable person and I don't remember this scandal when it came out in 2000-2001. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I live in southern CA, but the problems with asbestos effects all of us in the US. Attic insulation, talc products and even gardening/soil products have asbestos risks that have been used and available for sale up into the 1990's and beyond.

I must have read a review or heard one of the authors in an interview...but somehow this book made it onto my "Must Read" list. When I received the book, I questioned why I had gotten it, having forgotten what motivated my interest in the first place. But I started reading and have found this book to be a treasure.

The story is one of deception, corruption and greed on the part of Big Business, in this case the mining business. The owners and executives misled their workers, investors and the government agencies that regulated them into turning a blind eye to the dangers of asbestos in their products.

While the deception of the miners in Libby was unconscionable, the book goes on to document the Bush White House withholding information that the air in and around the World Trade Center was not healthy! Can you imagine, after a tragedy like the WTC disaster, that your own government, that you rallied round to give support, would turn on you and withhold information that the air that you breathe is full of cancer causing dust? Which tragedy is worse?

The book is truly a must-read.

Lastly, I want to point out the courage of the reporters, editors, doctors and the outstanding EPA field workers that fought to get this story out. Whistle-blowers, whose main motivation is to right a wrong, are oftentimes rewarded by getting fired and branded as outcasts. This book is ultimately a story of courage and perserverance of those determined to overcome the obstacles of standing out and doing what's right.

The author Andrew Schneider tells the story of uncovering a scandal of major proportions. It is a frightening, chilling story of hidden dangers allowed by government officials whose jobs are to keep us safe. It is the story of a mineral still used in our country whose lethal dangers were recorded by Pliny the Elder. Asbestos cannot be safely used in any manner.

This book is a masterpiece of investigative journalism - well written, throughly researched and truly in the interests of the public.

The authors do a superb job of combining all the science and politics with a touching picture of the real Americans who ultimately paid and are paying the price for corporate greed and governmental push-overs.

If you read just one book this year, this should be it!