Montana Books

I love cookbooks that live...Big Sky does just that...it lives in all families. The recipes take you to a family dinner or a friendly get together. Big Sky brings wonderful recipes together with family and friends. What else is there.

Beautifully done. Pictures magnificent. Recipes unique. I gave this book as a gift to a friend who grew up in Montana... she was thrilled!!!!

The authors experienced a frantic Manhattan lifestyle tempered by visits to Montana until they bought a ranch and become involved in the food traditions of the area. When passionate cook Ellen Wright discovered the area's blend of fresh game and ingredients, she joined them and BIG SKY COOKING WITH REFLECTIONS features a fine blend of full-page color photos, recipes, and dishes steeped in Montana ingredients. Sesame-Soy Venison Chops, Elk Pepper Steaks, and Bison Osso Busco aren't dishes you'll find many other places, either.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Interesting book to read as well as some really good recipes

This book is filled with excellent recipes that are different from your every day common recipes. An excellent addition to my wife's cook book collection.
One recipe in the book "McCleod's Hot Mustard" is worth the price of the book.
Carl Robinson

I just got this book from my girlfreind and I wasn't that excited when i got it. A christian novel is a very strange thing for me.
Besides that, I live in Miles City, I work at "The Fort", and by other peoples dubbing I am a cowboy, not that I really think so. The book was a great read. I flew through this book in about 12 hours and I thought it was a great book. He brought in the discriptions of the area and the thoughts of this community great. I also liked his use of spiritualilty without making it a fire and brimstone chrisian novel. I almost didn't know that John Moore was that kind of author until later. I think I would have passes on reading this if he woulden't have drawn me in with the opening of the story, talking about the straind relationship of a young man living with a hard headed father on a ranch, which i have experienced and I can say he is very accurate to the experience.

GREAT BOOK

Good book! Some who start this story find it slow in the beginning. In a way I suppose it is. But the author starts it off in this way, I feel, because he is laying a foundation ... not just for the rest of the story, but also for the main character, Ezra Riley. Strong foundations can't be laid quickly, they need to be built layer by layer to be effective. In the foundation of The Breaking of Ezra Rily we see what it really means to be a Cowboy. As said before, it's not the Hollywood romanticized version, it's gritty and real. Throughout this beginning, the author shows who Ezra's parents and extended family are and we see how they influence who Ezra becomes.

About a third of the way in, Ezra's makes a choice, and it's here that the pace of the book picks up. Ezra finds that his father doesn't understand that his way of life is too hard on his poetic nature, so one day, without a word, he leaves. He wanders the open road becoming a "hippy", dabbles in eastern religion, hallucinogens, and the culture of the early 70's. (He even studies martial arts in a monastery in the mountains.)

Ezra eventually realizes, that the land he grew up in is such a part of him, that he must return and what eventually brings him home is his Father, the man who drove him away.

Throughout the novel there is a struggle between loving the land and the cowboy way, but not wanting to be owned by it. A powerful metaphor in my eyes.

This is a Christian novel, but it is the only recent Christian novel I've read that reveals the Christianity I've practiced and come to know. The author was not content with just telling the tale of how his character found faith, he makes it richer by revealing what walking in faith is all about AFTER coming to Christ.

The struggle between us and God, us and our fellow man, as well as the powers of darkness that try to influence us- all of it's in this book.

Ezra deals with a paganist nutcase, a witch, a millionaire who offers him everything he's ever dreamed of-for a cost of course, the generational curses upon his family, a friend who has the charisma but none of the character to be a "preacher man", thereby allowing Ezra to experience most of the pitfalls of Christian ministry.

If you get this book and start reading it, "don't quit the critter". Keep reading. It's worth it!

The Breaking of Ezra Riley has been my favorite novel for a number of years now. It has something that most "Christian" fiction lacks, even though I do enjoy a lot of Christian fiction. It is real, honest, and raw. I found myself relating with the main character and his struggles throughout the book. I think the message of this book speaks to men especially, most men who have grown up in the last century. You can't read this book and not sympathize with the main character and all he goes through to come face to face with his father and the truth about himself. If you have never known the love of a Father I highly recommend that you read this book.

I have had the pleasure of corresponding with John L. Moore and purchasing other books from him. He is a very genuine man. Some of the out of print books available in limited numbers by the author. I highly recommend this fabulous book. While not a fast reader, I was able to complete the saga of Exra Riley in a matter of a few days. One does not wish to put the book down and I often would tell myself ,"just one more chapter." This novel hit me in the right time and place and has me aching for wild spaces. It has been an encouragement as well, especially for all of us who feel that we don't measure up in some way.

This was given to me as a gift, and I really didn't know what I'd think of it. I've never been one for Cowboy books, I've never once read Louis L'amour. So to be quite honest, I really didn't care if this was a read that I'd put down half way through. Well, after the first chapter I found myself looking at my wife saying, "Ya know, this isn't half bad." That was kind of an understatement, it was awesome!

So you REALLY want to read about Montana? You want to read about horses, possibly learn about what ranch life is all about? Are you ready for this? Is this the adventure you're looking for? You'll find out. Ezra Riley is the man who comes back home to stay after his daddy's funeral. His daddy is Johnny Riley, and everybody knows ole' Johnny. One tough sonuvagun that Johnny. Ezra has his Uncle Sam and Solomon still alive in these parts of Montana, and they still speak their mind when the time comes. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song called "The Great Adventure" and it starts out with him singing in excitement, "Saddle up your horses!!!" If you read this men, or anybody for that matter, saddle up, and hold on tight!

One of the key themes in this is "Don't quit the critter." Now, living in New York, I think I even get the simple meaning of such a honky-tonk phrase. Is it that simple? Yep, and it packs quite a punch. It isn't as graceful as say, fly fishing, but it separates the men from the boys, so to speak. This wasn't an easy read at times. You feel some of the discouragement. But finish it if you start it, and you'll feel as if you earned a great prize. The simple prize of finishing, and persevering! That should at least be worth something.

"The Christmas Menorahs" witnesses an event that
reveals how an ordinarily silent majority can address
a hate-mongering minority effectively. It can be done!
Story is beautifully told and illustrated. Good for
children as well as adults.

This is a very important book - written for children yet making the story accessible to many adults too. Would that all adults could set the example of the adults in this story.

Our kids have turned this into a play, which they have enacted the past three years at Chanukah. It's an important about tolerance fighting hate.

This is an important story for Jewish and non-Jewish children.

This is one of the best books for kids during the holidays (or year round for that matter). It's great for adults too, I look forward to reading it every Hanukah.

I remember that night in December 1993. As Christians, we displayed the full paged Menorah from the Billings Gazette in our window. It was a message to the skinhead(s) that hatred and bigotry have NO place in Billings, Montana or anywhere else.

Samuel Florman gives himself a significant task: to explain who engineers are, what motivates them, how they derive pleasure in their work, and, most importantly, how their work is connected to the overall progress of civilization and the human race. He succeeds brilliantly, in a work that has deservedly become a classic.

Florman covers a great deal of ground in his book, with a focus on the last 150 years of the engineering profession. He quotes extensively from other works of literature and culture (from Homer to Paul McCartney), and has obviously read widely and thought deeply about his subject matter. He spends a good portion of his book refuting the views of people he calls antitechnologists, whose views were popular among the Sixties counterculture crowd. But ultimately, what Florman accomplishes is to provide a constructive, pragmatic philosophy of the Engineering profession, that allows society to move forward to solve the never-ending set of problems that we face.

As a good work of philosophy (or science) should, Florman's book (originally published more than 30 years ago) provides an intellectual framework for interpreting events of today. Although the views of the "strong" antitechnologists have failed to incite a large-scale revolution of Americans returning to the agrarian villages of yesteryear or the communes of the Sixties, the battle between technophiles and technophobes continues unabated. Florman's book provides insights into the debates over issues such as energy policy, environmentalism, genetically modified foods and drugs, land use policy, globalization, as well as the future direction of the U.S. economy, especially after the technology/Internet boom and bust of the late `90s and early `00s.

Ultimately, Florman would argue that these are not issues of technology; engineers can be directed to build fail-safe nuclear power plants or super-efficient solar energy collectors or both or none. These are decisions to be made by an informed citizenry, their political representatives, and regulated profit-seeking corporations - ultimately, a society that understands technology and risk, and that does not exhibit Luddite antitechnology biases. Meanwhile, I am sure he would be dismayed to see U.S. college engineering enrollments declining, especially among native-born Americans - there are plenty of people in the rest of the world who still value the Engineering profession.

I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about entering or already in the Engineering profession, to anyone interested in learning more about the profession, and to teachers and those in positions of influence over young people's choice of careers. Ideally it would also be read by politicians and antitechnologists; it would be very interesting to hear how someone would directly refute Florman's arguments.

In reading this book, I found quite a bit of agreement between myself and Florman. As a practicing engineer, I have fairly well defined ideas of my role in society, how society values my contributions vice those of others, and the needs for technology in our growing world. When I finished the book, I had a feeling that Florman was preaching to the choir. As an engineer, I was bound to think that my profession was important, and he really didn't have to convice me that our work has helped build society to what it is today. The problem is that I don't think a lot of non-engineering types are inclined to pick up this book and read through it, in much the same way that non-Muslims are not very likely to grab a copy of the Koran and read it.

This problem, I think, is symptomatic of what Florman is really writing about. The Catch 22 of the profession is that the vast majority of people aren't interested in understanding the contributions that engineers make to the world, because if they were interested, chances are they would become engineers. The same holds true for history of science/technology classes at universities, where most of the folks that are in there are trying to learn about the history of their discipline.

If you are not an engineer, reading this book will certainly broaden your understanding of the people who bring you everything in life. If you are an engineer, this book will likely add to your convictions as to why you became one in the first place.

This is a book for all engineers (and many scientists) who havbe ever had a crisis of faith in their work. It's a reminder, if one is needed, that engineering is human, humane work, and profoundly fulfilling in itself.

Florman gets off to a slow start, though. The first third of the book is apologetic, acknowledging the many social and environmental ills in which engineers have taken part. "Forgive us," he seems to say, "for not being better than the masters who command our work and the clients who demand it." The next third of the book takes on a shrill tone, an answer to the neo-Luddites of the 1960s and 1970s. Florman spends time answering their anti-technological absurdities and self-important elitism. Only in the last third of the book does Florman make the central point of this book.

Engineers, as a stereotype, seem boring, but perhaps that's becuase we lack so many of the stereotypical failings of other professions - avarice, personal arrogance, or violence. Engineering is no less creative than any of the "creative" arts, and is a profound expression of all that sets us apart from animals. It's part of the tradition of Homer and the Old Testament, where the ability to create was god-given, and the tradition of Chartres, where engineering skill was an offering to God. Florman notes that putting one's skills to the service of human needs is a living expression of the communal sense. I felt that myself when I acquired a breast cancer microarray dataset in the course of my work. It was the realization that those blank case numbers were real women, some now dead, and that I had a duty towards them (or their memories), their futures, and the futures of others. But most of all, Florman reminds us that engineering is fun. It answers personal, social, and even spiritual needs in ways that outsiders may never understand. I assure you, the greatest awareness of the world and its glories comes from direct involvement with it, and an engineer's life is about involvement with the physical world.

Issues have changed since Florman wrote this in 1976; it sometimes answers questions that aren't commonly asked any more. Still, it's the finest statement I know of what there is about engineering that makes a practitioner proud, even happy, to be a part of it.

//wiredweird

I read The Existential Pleasures of Engineering in my senior year of high school, when I was applying to Cornell (my first choice). I mentioned it in my alumni interview. It might have had something to do with getting in early decision, but that's not the point!

The person I really felt I had to convince was my auntie the Arts major and her husband, the HVAC engineer who'd been trained initially as a philosopher. This book didn't convince *them* but it did make it easier for me to buck their disapproval of my entering the profession.

I'd scored in the 99th percentile in spatial relations, and had won the senior award in Mechanical Drawing as the first girl who'd ever even taken this Industrial Arts Course at our school, so it was off to Engineering School for ME. Just proof that individual differences in various intellectual capacities are far more important than the statistically insignificant (3%) differences amongst groups of people of different gender. (Who was it that said something about requiring liberal arts majors to take stats in college? I took it in High School, along with Calculus, Physics and Computer Science. Maybe a certain engineer could stand to brush up on *his* stats. Hmm.)

The only real encouragement I got was from my Mechanical Drawing teacher, Mr. Campbell. Mr Campbell's encouragement and this book made it a lot easier to face the constant disapproval and lack of support I faced from people with extremely outdated and certainly *misinformed* attitudes regarding women in engineering. Anyway, nothing succeeds like success, and half those disapproving people are either retired or dead now, so the only thing that lingers is their legacy of destructive disinformation. A woman's work is never done!

Disappointing is the news that the second edition of The Existential Pleasures of Engineering asserts that women bring anything different to engineering than men do, even if it is couched in positive terms. Just think of us as technically talented people with extremely impressive CVs, *can* the speculation about our personal lives (and childbearing in particular -- men have children too, you know!), and we'll get along *just* *fine* thank you very much.

This is a book for new engineers. For a student who is choosing to learn mechanical, civil, aerospace, electrical, software, or another engineering discipline. For the high school student contemplating academic options. For the university student working through courses. For the apprentice engineer working on real problems for the real world for the first time.

For all of these it can be invaluable to know that the engineer is not only defined by the science and math geeks finding something they are good at. That is important. In addition the engineer has a valuable role in society. And the creative and analytical urges that may separate the student from the crowd are fundamental urges of the human. We create. We build. And we take joy from this. It is in the genome - from the baby working over the blocks to The Skunk Works building a U2 or SR-71.

Samuel Florman has written a philosophy text on why engineers do what they do, and feel what they feel. The mature engineers will have fought through any resistence and anti-technology populist imagery. We learn to laugh and reflect on Chaplin caught in the gears, and keep an eye on overwhelming those who the technology should serve. Indeed, the practicing engineers will also have learned to deal with the guilt tossed our way by the league of environmentalists who treat modern technology as a planetary evil.

Those engineers will enjoy this book but probably not be altered by it. As we know from the numbers, fewer and fewer students are entering the engineering professions each year. This is where the book is important. One of the most rewarding and fulfilling professional directions is often considered a social problem through negative "press", reinforced by peer treatment in school. Don't we all learn early that engineers will create something that will destroy us all? And the engineers are unnatural, nerdy types who do not fit normal society.

Witness the Q equivalent in Alias. Quick, name a positive example of an engineer in prime-time television. Has there been one since MacGyver?

Give students this book and allow them to form a more positive impression. Let them read quotes from works that praise engineers and their contributions. Let them learn that the engineer has had a good image through earlier history, reflected in works of art. This book can help the young engineer build some pride and sense of greater purpose, and not feel guilty about enjoying the creative process.

Perhaps this book would not have been written if there had not been a strong anti-technology sweep in American society. (And shared in many others worldwide). In that sense it is an apology for the engineering professions. Yes, sometimes our creations break. And those creations are sometimes critical to society. That does not negate the professions good. And engineers are not ones to dodge responsibility. We build it as best we can for the common good. It breaks, it is our fault, and we will improve and improve again.

Where would we be without the creations in the first place? None of us want the power grid to fail and the lights to go out. But how many want the lights to never go on?

I received The Existential Pleasures of Engineering while in college (first edition, mumble years ago). It boosted my confidence that I was preparing to do important things for society and that I would enjoy the work. That is a good thing for a book to deliver.

I suggest clicking to read the back cover.

Awesome book!

As this was one of the higher priced books on Montana, I was leary when I purchased it. I noticed also, that amazon.com does not discount it as it does the others. Now I know why. It's worth every penny I paid for it and more. I love the "quick reference" charts for dining, lodging, and auto which make it easy to look up any of the businesses in that category. And unlike other guide books I have looked at, it appears to list every eating place, motel, and gas or repair stop, not just the ones the author likes. I never was crazy about authors telling me what places I should like and not like. This book just gives me raw information and lets me decide where I want to go. I also like how they number every business and interesting stop and put the numbers right on the map showing me where they are. And the discounts are real and abundant. I have paid more money for coupon books with less useful discounts. And these just come as a bonus. If you're even thinking about going to Montana--buy this book.

I have purchased 11 books to plan my trip to Montana. I do not wish to write reviews on all of them, but felt compelled to comment on this one. It is far and away the best book I have found for planning a driving trip through the state. It listed 3-4 times as many motels (apparantly all of them)as any other book. The same is true for places to eat. It listed every gas stop. None of the other books listed any. Its maps are much more thorough, and they have maps of small towns as well as the big ones. The quick reference charts are priceless, and it is the only book to offer discounts from the states merchants. A truly priceless book, and I highly recommend it to anyone even thinking of going to Montana.

I just bought five books including this one on traveling in Montana. I almost didn't buy this one because of the price. That would have been a huge mistake. Not only do you get what you pay for with this, it's worth twice the price. This is the only book that gave me a complete selection of motels and places to stay. The way they organized the routes and indicated directly on the maps where everything is located is a huge help. We can pick our place to stay and plan where we are going to eat before we even get there. This is also the only book that tells us not only where gas stops are, but what they have for services. And marking the attractions directly on the map with numbers is a great way to see just where things are. I like the discounts too. Seems like we should get our money back in a couple of days. I'm not crazy about having to present the book for the discounts, but hey, nothings perfect. I thought this was close enough to give it the highest rating after comparing it to everything else available. And hey, if you like pictures, there are hundreds of them in here. Anyone planning a trip to Montana would be just plain stupid to not get a copy of this.

I am retired and do a lot of traveling. While I like to find out as much about a place I am visiting before I go, I have a limited budget. After looking through all of the books available here, this one looked like a safe buy. I ordered it with high expectations from all of the comments here. I have to say my expectations were met. If you're looking for good solid information on where to eat, sleep, gas up, and play in Montana, you'd probably have to buy a number of the other books available to get this much information. I have planned my trip this Spring down to the minute using the information in this book. The only thing that disappointed me was that the discounts were expired. However, the publisher did include a form acknowledging that and allowing you to purchase the next edition for half price when it is released this Spring. Were that all publishers this honest. If you're even thinking about going to Montana, this is a must buy. I have traveled to most states and as a result have a fairly large accumulations of travel guides. I have to say, this is probably one of the best I have seen.

I couldn't disagree more with the reader from Atlanta. I travel extensively throughout the NW states, Canada, and Alaska. I have used the Milepost extensively for years when traveling to Alaska, and find it to be the best available for that area. However, I picked up a copy of the Montana Directory last summer when in Montana. I found the things that were missing from the Montana book were the thousands of useless pieces of information that the Milepost includes at literally every milepost. What I want is useful information, like where to eat, sleep and gas up. I have found the Montana book to be extremely comprehensive and useful for that. I wanted to know points along the route that are of interest. I so far have not found a signal ommission on the Montana book publishers part, and I have used it on half a dozen trips to the state since I acquired it. Perhaps the Atlanta reader is mistaking quantity for quality. Yes, the Milepost definitely has more "stuff". But the MT. Directory has"~ far more useful information and presents it in a very concise manner."~ paid advertisements and does not show you where they are on the map, you have to figure that out on your own."~ and quickly pick out the places that have what I'm looking for. As I drive a deisel vehicle, I find the charts extremely useful to locate stops that sell deisel fuel. You won't find that info in the Milepost. minor inconvenience. I did find an advantage in this as a few of the merchants refused to void the discount and told me I could use it next time through. Overall, I calculate I've saved over $300 using the book. The only discounts offered in the Milepost are buried in ads here and there, and don't come close to those offered in the Montana book. I am able get free drinks or coffee at most of the gas stops. Quite frankly, the book is worth the price for the discounts alone. A person will do well"~ to buy it just for the money they will save."~ roadside information is thorough, and I still feel like I got my money's worth many times over. I can't give it a 10, but I will give it a 9. Since there are only five stars I had to round up. While there are more "fun" books to read on Montana, there are none that I have found as useful. I hope your customers don't take that Atlanta reader's comments seriously. I noticed they really didn't say what they didn't like about it. I wonder what it is he/she would do to improve the book?

A perfect gift for your grandmorth, mother, sister, daughter, or friend! Great stories about the strong bonds of women. Highly recommended!

My best friend gave me this book for my birthday, and I had already bought it to give to her for her birthday. The vignettes worked into the text are wonderful. This is a great celebration of intimate friendship between women. I would highly reccommend it!

I was touched by each story in this book. Some even brought tears to my eyes. This book would be a great one to have for yourself and to give to all your friends.

I am a girlfriend and fortunately, God has blessed me with some fabulous girlfriends. I found a close example of each of my girlfriends in this book. This book is so clever! It's fun to give to my girlfriends and laugh over the good, bad, ugly, ridiculous and bizarre times we have had...and these girls in the books had! It's a great book to read and to give away. Don't miss getting this one!!

This book was given to me by my best friend after finishing college. I will always treasure this thoughtful and special gift.

_Girlfriends_ is a collection of stories that explore and celebrate female friendship through the eyes, ears, and hearts of everyday women. Some of the women were friends for a lifetime, others for a short time. However, all understood and/or demonstrated the meaning of "true friendship." For example, the stories included everything from the thankful musings of a once-ill woman about the extraordinaty kindness of her girlfriends to a giggly account of how two eerily-simiar best friends met as assigned roomates their first day of college. (The latter tale struck very close to home in a wonderfully spooky way.)

While many of the stories tugged at the heartstrings, I never felt manipulated by the authors. (Note: Part of the reason why I don't like the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series is that I feel that the authors are just dying to make the reader clutch for the box of tissues.) Rather, I appreciated the "real" tone of the stories, as they read like good conversation shared over a nice pot of Hazlenut coffee.

Some readers have commented on the book's simple language and lack of depth. I don't think the goal here was to explore the psychology of friendship, rather I think it was intended to be a simple and beautiful celebration meant to be enjoyed by "Girlfriends" everywhere. Enjoy!

This is a very objective and informative book on General Longstreet who, had he died at the battle of the Wilderness instead of surviving his very severe wounds, may have had a monument on Monument Ave. in Richmond in spite of not being a Virginian. Longstreet fought all the major campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Manasas up to the Wilderness returning after a recovering from severe wounds to command the Richmond theater during the siege and the final stages of the war. Piston points out well that Longstreet was a steady hand for Lee as he called him my "Old War Horse". Enlightened in that he thought of the war in broad strategic fashion suggesting using the railroad and interior lines to reinforce the west with eastern soldiers and he even offered to go himself which he did in time for the battle of Chickamaugua. Longstreet's role in Gettysburg is well discussed particularly the Lost Cause syndrome led by Jubal Early who pins the entire war on Longstreet at Gettysburg. Ironically, Early's original memoirs make no mention of any criticisms of Longstreet until after Lee's death when Early finds a niche to match his abrasive leadership style. Often critics suggest that Longstreet failed in Suffolk, Knoxville and East Tennessee; however, Piston notes that in Suffolk and Knoxville he was laying siege to forces equal or larger than his own that stayed within their works. The attack at Fort Sanders was a severe failure and in the East Tennessee campaign Longstreet performs well but the low point was Longstreet's dealing with personnel in difficult circumstances. Piston demonstrates how Davis micromanaged when he writes of Davis' interference with Longstreet personnel issues. Impressive that after his wounding Longstreet returns for any command that Lee will give him. Piston quickly covers Longstreet's post war career as a businessman, a republican who enters Louisiana's controversial political scene, leads the Police on horseback against a mob only to be attacked himself, his Republican connections and maneuvering for political plum jobs and his final days as a hotel owner and vineyard grower in lovely Gainesville, Georgia. Longstreet's post war writings are covered which had Longstreet been more accurate in his views or memories, his legacy may have stood taller and less challenged.
His criticisms of some of Lee's decisions and turning Republican cost him dearly in the south but he steadfastly refused to change to suit others. The most endearing part of the book is Piston's telling of Longstreet and Dan Sickles after a joyous round of spirits, they walk each other repeatedly back to each others door refusing to end the night of the two most controversial generals who were at Gettysburg.

William Piston has written a fine, highly readable, and fair-minded but sympathetic biography of one of the most controversial leaders of the Civil War. While Lee himself held Longstreet in the highest regard and made the dependable Longstreet his senior subordinate and commander of his First Corps in the Army of Northern Virginia, the stubborn South Carolinian found his reputation tarnished after the war by jealous military rivals who disliked Longstreet's politics and resented his criticisms of some of Lee's command decisions.

As a military biography, this work offers a fairly comprehensive and balanced treatment of Longstreet's career that effectively demolishes some of the more unfair criticisms of Longstreet as a commander, and in particular takes apart the myth (that emerged in post-war controversy) that Jackson, not Longstreet, had been the senior commander in whom Lee had placed his most reliance and trust (although for a more critical, but still balanced and highly useful analysis of Longstreet's military record, see Jeffrey Wert's biography of Longstreet).

Reading Piston's book will demonstrate why Lee described Longstreet as "my Old War Horse," and why Longstreet was widely regarded on both sides as one of the very finest -- if not THE finest -- corps commanders of the war. Piston also does a nice job of disentangling the post-war Gettysburg controversy, which emerged out of polemics over Reconstruction politics and the bickering among former Confederate generals anxious to rescue their own reputations while putting Robert E. Lee above any criticism.

Lee, of course, was a great commander, but he never pretended to be perfect, and Longstreet, in daring to criticize certain aspects of Lee's tactical operations, became a threat to a post-war mythology, the cult of Lee, that became so important in building a post-war, Solid Democratic South and white supremacist post-Confederate Southern identity. As Piston demonstrates, the post-war Lost Cause mythology, in deifying the defeated Lee, required a scapegoat, a "Judas", upon whom the blame for defeat and humiliation could be heaped. As both Jackson and Stuart had been killed during the war, and as most western Confederate commanders lacked the prominence to serve this function, Longstreet emerged for unreconstructed Confederates as the bete noir of Southern military history, both for his post-war Republican politics and his criticisms of Lee, his actual war record and relationship with Lee notwithstanding.

And in this post-war Lost Cause narrative, Gettysburg became the critical key or turning point upon which all else hinged, as though the outcome of a thousand campaigns mobilizing millions of men, fought over five years across a vast continent, could be reduced to one afternoon on one bloody field in Pennsylvania, or as though (even if that had been true) Longstreet alone could be blamed for Lee's failure at Gettysburg. It is the politics of Reconstruction and Longstreet's place in that political struggle, that largely shaped what became the dominant Southern narrative about the battle of Gettysburg, and the meaning of that defeat in the larger destruction and humiliation of the Confederacy. Piston's treatment of this issue, and his discussion of the evolution of Lost Cause historiography, is brilliant, and deserves attention not only from those interested in the Civil War and Reconstruction, but from those interested in the relationship between politics, historical memory, the historical record, and the writing of history.

Piston's book is the first modern account of the first soldier of the Confederacy. Controversial both during and after the war, James Longstreet is one of the most fascinating and forgotten figures in American history. Second in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, Longstreet was the only senior officer who was with that army from the first battle at Manassas to the surrender at Appomattox. He was in command of the most famous attack in American history, Pickett's Charge. His most notable victories included Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, and the Wilderness. After the war, he did several things considered unpardonable sins by most Southerners, some of whom still cannot forgive him to this day. First, he dared to criticize Robert E. Lee and his conduct of the battle of Gettysburg. Second, he reconciled with his conquerors, became a Republican, and accepted appointive federal offices from four out of the next six presidents of the United States, including President Grant, to whom he was related by marriage. Even worse, he became a Catholic in a staunchly Protestant South. Most important of all, he promoted a doctrine of racial reconciliation that is as relevant today as it was 135 years ago.

"Longstreet is the one Rebel general who's memory hasn't been romanticized." Yikes. That "who's" deserves grammatical capital punishment.

This biography and the one by Jeffrey Wert must be considered as one of the two best works on the life of General James Longstreet. William Piston's work came first so he get the credit for turning the tide for James Longstreet who have long been a goat and villain of the Lost Cause of Confederacy. Piston proves to be a good writer, fair and honest about Longstreet. The controversy that surround this general are treated with a sympathic outlook, realizing that perhaps, Longstreet was too honest and blunt for his own good during the time and period he was alive. Longstreet made many errors during the war and he did many great things as well. His major mistake was telling the south after the war that Lee did the same thing. I think if the reader read both Piston and Wert's biographies, he got Longstreet pretty well covered.

In Pale Morning Done Jeff Hull skillfully fashions a world of believable people, beautiful places, noble causes and roiling relationships. Pale Morning Done made me feel as though I was living in present day Montana, restoring a spring creek, fishing and having a drink or two with friends at the end of the day.

C. D. Peterson
An old fly fisherman

Hull does a great job of bringing the fly-fishing guide sub-culture to life in this entertaining and sometimes poignant modern novel. I live in Montana and am on the fringes of this particular group and laughed out loud and in fondness during several passages. The tragedy near the end of the book keeps it from becoming too sweetness-and-light and kinda shook me up a bit. The only thing that annoyed me was the main character's chronic indecision--figure it out already! But then, I guess that's pretty true-to-life too.

Being a regional novelist (Suomalaiset: People of the Marsh, ISBN 0972005064), whenever I am out and about, I like to pick up regional fiction and read about the places I visit. While visiting Glacier National Park in Montana this summer, I happened to buy "Pale Morning Done" by Jeff Hull, a Montana author. Being a trout fisherman (a poor one), and a lover of the out of doors, the book piqued my interest. Little did I know how wonderful a read it would turn out to be! Hull uses the landscape of Big Sky Country as a separate and distinct character in this story of thirty somethings coming of age far later in life than one might expect. The protagonist, his love interests, his neighbors, his friends, are all crafted and portrayed with the hand of a deft and adept writer. The dialogue is pitch perfect and the narrative sections, especially those connected to the landscape, sing like fine poetry. If you're looking for a good literary novel with contemporary themes but timeless conflicts, read this book.

Early Xmas gift that I couldn't put down.

I have fished many places, including Montana. This book brought me back. Rich storyline, interesting characters and an honest portrayal of the complexities facing many of the storied fishing spots across the country. And, beautiful insights into why those of us who fish for the joy of it all are brought back to the water whenever life allows. Hull paints a picture of fishing a stream that fills all of your senses. I agree with the editorial reviewers who evoke the names of the great fishing authors when describing Hull's writing. He gets it and can put it into words that you can't stop reading. I can't wait for his next book!

Jeff Hull paints a vivid, wonderful story. This book takes you to Montana, and keeps you there well after the last chapter is read.

This was a good book with characters from the first book Passionate Kisses. But it was based on not so much Jesse and I would have like that better. Mae is a good character but I just related to Jesse better.
But that is my hang up.

As always, very well written. It took me to Montana and surrounded me with strong women. I like that. Wish we had more good westerns to read.

Radclyffe makes us think and feel as we read but more than that, if you are interested in WRITING, you can take notes from one of the best.

As usual, Radclyffe delivers a great book. This one is better than usual tho.

Her writing just keeps getting better and the storyline of this book is new and refreshing. She does a good job with westerns, hope there are more to come.

Love the way the characters are not so wimpy. Frankly, I'm quite tired of books where at least one of the strong characters is always breaking into tears and having to be comforted by the other.

Also glad to see that there is no big emphasis on the elderly, sweet caregiver that always "understands" everything. For some odd reason almost every lesbian book out there has to have this character.

Additionally, I like having 4-main characters fully developed and the action is plentiful.

I just wish we could have more stories where the main people already know and love each other and are partners in the action, without having to spend 3/4ths of the book enduring the typical "does she love me?" and the ever popular "I'm not good enough for her" themes.

Our author always has a gifted way of hitting the mark with deeper sensual/sexual emotions and actions that most authors just skim over or miss altogether. She also manages to throw in some lesbian relationship humor that makes us all relate. This story is no exception and will not disappoint.

Good job on this book. I was right there in old west Montana with them the whole time.

For what I believe is the first time, I'm giving a Radclyffe book 4 stars instead of 5. `Promising Hearts' is a pseudo-continuation of her wonderful `Innocent Hearts,' but doesn't begin to meet her usual level of artistry.

This book brings back characters - rancher Jesse Forbes, her lover Kate Beecher, frontier madam Mae, Kate's family, and other townsfolk. It introduces Dr. Vance Phelps, a woman who served in the army and lost her arm in the last battle of the Civil War.

Feeling that her life is essentially worthless, Vance moves West to assist a frontier doctor in his practice. She dresses like a man, but is otherwise very different from Jesse. Vance becomes friends with Kate and encourages her to become a midwife. In the meantime, Vance begins to build a relationship with Mae. It is due to this relationship that the book takes a brief, but unnecessary, segue into a mystery regarding who actually owns the saloon and employs Mae. I say "unnecessary" because it really doesn't add anything to the story and seems like an after thought. The book also seems to just drop off at the end. There is very little closure for anything but the mystery. It's almost as if Rad didn't really finish the book.

As with her other books, Rad's actual writing does not disappoint. She is a master at bringing her characters to life and telling an interesting tale. This reader was merely disappointed with the last few chapters. Still highly recommended... especially if she's planning a sequel!

Sometimes running away is the most courageous thing to do, as exhibited in the new movie, 'Mongol.' It takes a lot of courage to leave the old life behind. The Lady in this story was young and came to America to forsake her dreams. Born into wealth and 'given' to a cruel man in marriage for money to her ingrate father, she had no other choice but to flee when her father died.

It wasn't merely her physical beauty and intelligence her "Prince Charming" (so like Mark) came to appreciate, he eventuallyy discovered the beauty within her and her strength, before it was too late. My favorite sentence in this "clean" romance was "Trepidation warred with anticipation." So like the first Rosemary Rogers romances of Steve and Jennie (with a little risque business in between."

Dear Lady, could be identified as a romantic comedy. Miss Bunny and Miss Patsy the busy bodies, Miss Beth the lonely English woman, Garret Steele the rancher, Owen Simpson the mayer in love with Miss Beth, and little Janie who needs a mom are the characters who bring the story to life. Dear Lady is a perfectaly believable story filled with characters you can't help but fall in love with. Dear Lady is full of inspiration and unintended love.

This could be a comedy of errors. People being caught in all sorts of not-good-lookin' situations. Strong characters, near misses, wrong impressions, righteous looking trouble makers, ohhh all the right ingredients for a lovely romance novel!!

Determined not to marry a man she didn't love, Lady Elizabeth Wellington jumps a ship to America to run away from a marriage which her recently deceased father had arranged. Her lone friend in America is her young pen pal, Janie Garrett, in New Prospects, Montana. Remembering that Janie had recently said the town needed a new school teacher, Lady Elizabeth travels to New Prospects and applies for the job. The town's wealthy banker, Owen Simpson, immediately falls in love with Lady Elizabeth. She, however, has her eye on the widowed father of young Janie. Fast and enjoyable read. Get all your chores done, sit out on the swing, and lose yourself in New Prospects, Montana and love.

Dear Lady is a charming story of Lady Elizabeth Wellington of Langford House, Buckinghamshire, England, who arrives to a small town in Montana to inquire about a teaching position. Her motivation to leave a life of luxury is to escape from marrying a very unlovable man. She ends up finding unexpected love in this small town. It's an endearing story and a fun read for summertime vacation, or any time.