Wyoming Books

Jana Harris, We Never Speak of It: Idaho-Wyoming Poems, 1889-90 (Ontario Review, 2003)

We Never Speak of It starts out with a bang, as good poetry books probably should; "Crossing Lava Creek," a poem that (and I feel like this is a spoiler) describes what can only be a tornado coming out of nowhere, but doing it in such a way that it's hard to tell it's anything but an everyday storm. Just, in other words, in the voice of its eleven-year-old narrator.

What happens after this is really the deciding factor as to whether this book is or is not one of the best books of poetry I've read in the past few years, and I still haven't figured that out. Either Harris is so in tune with her subjects, and manages to use the diction in which they speak, so much that the time period in which these poems take place becomes second nature, or the poems themselves slide into the realm of the good rather than the realm of the fantastic. (The end result is the same; everything that comes after "Crossing Lava Creek" seems rather an anticlimax, even the other storms.) The difference between the two is whether it's a conscious trick of technique (as in, say, the novels of Cormac McCarthy) or whether familiarity, in this case, bred contempt. I am more than willing to give Harris the benefit of the doubt, and wouldn't have even considered the other possibility save that such a talent is so very rare; as readers of McCarthy will attest, using such a rhythm so that it is both effortless for the author and for the reader is even more rare. If that really is what's happening here (and reading a few more books by Harris, which has shot up my list of priorities as I made my way through this, should tell me if it is), then, as is becoming increasingly common in the past few years, I have uncovered another seemingly overlooked gem in the pantheon, another poet whose work is in desperate need of being read by, well, anyone and everyone. If not, it's a book chock full of good, solid work, and should be read at least by those with a liking for poetry, for history, and especially for the combination of the two.

This rating may go way up in the future. *** ½

The Wyoming Corporate Handbook repeats a lot of the material that Gary Sutton has published. It does a great job communicating the basics but I would have preferred to learn more about Wyoming. I would purchase "How to use Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships" by Gary Sutton.

Spur heads to the Wyoming wilderness to track down two missing government surveyors. Barely escaping with his life after a savage bushwhacking it looks like a land hungry rancher and his trigger-happy gunmen might complete the job. But Spur McCoy won't go down without a fight. No matter what it took, Spur would find the missing men...

After a gripping first chapter this entry into the Spur series was a bit of a let down. For me it seemed like a couple of different short story ideas had been hobbled together to make a longer read.

Dirk Fletcher gives the reader a fast paced, easy to read, none complicated book. There's plenty of action of more than one kind - the Spur series is an adult series - that should satisfy most readers looking for a quick, entertaining read, but if you want a bit more depth to the plot then I'd suggest you try elsewhere.

There are 10 water shots in this calendar. Sorry. That's just too many. 5 of the water shots have a mountain range reflected in the water. Pointing to a lack of imagination on someone's part. 6 of the shots have a pink/orange tint. I prefer green, blue and browns in my wild and scenics. tbh. I don't even think the snow shots are particularly good scenes. The cover photo is the best of all the photos. Wyoming is obviously a beautiful state. It needs a better interpreter.

Why did I buy it? I liked the wide open vistas. But the photographer has tried too hard to `artistically frame' each photo and that spoils the calendar for me. (A lone buffalo? Don't make me laugh.)

I recommend W&S Kentucky. Still the best for 2008.

This volume is part of the bicentennial States and the Nation series, which produced one book for each of the 50 states. It covers the state from 4 angles: as a major byway (but no stopping place) during trail days; as the first state to grant women suffrage; as the Cowboy state; and as an energy producing state. Interesting as far as it goes, but it's pretty much just a cursory overview. There are better books about Wyoming; Larson himself has written some of them.

After reading "Solace of Open Spaces," I was expecting something more "poetic" with this one. I really liked "Solace" a lot and was rather disappointed with this one. With such a magnificent subject, I would think Ms. Ehrlich could have done much better. The photography is really good, but the writing wasn't up to what I expected, IMHO.

I recently purchased three guide books on Montana: this one, the Montana Handbook, and the Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia. If all you're looking for are the places everyone else goes, then this is probably an OK book. It seems to only feature the places where the moneyed folks will go and none of the places that really make travel interesting. Their suggestions for dining and lodging were so limited they were worthless. I certainly didn't feel like I could plan a trip using this book. I got suckered in by the "look inside" feature on this and the Montana Handbook. Why they didn't put it on the Ultimate Montana book is puzzling. Probably because they wouldn't sell any of these other two books if people could really compare. If you want to see what all the other tourists see then this book is probably adequate. If you want to follow their recommendations for dining and lodging, better pack a lot of cash. I mean really, packing two of the largest states in the country into a pocketbook the size of a Grisham novel should tell you something. There are parts of the state they don't even cover. My advice, unless you just like spending money, skip this book.

A handy addition to other travel books for the region.

Who are we kidding here. Trying to pack to of the largest states in geography into one small book? The name must be selling the book, because I didn't find much substance here. There's a lot missing here. This and the Fodor's book must rely on their name to sell the book, not the content of the book.

With the name Frommer, I really expected something substantial. I canÕt tell you how disappointed I was when I got this. It is a mere shadow of the ÒMoon Montana HandbookÓ, and only a pamphlet of highlights compared to the ÒUltimate Montana Atlas and Travel EncyclopediaÓ. They try to funnel you in to the high traffic tourist spots, and only suggest the pricey restaurants and motels. About the only good thing I can say about it is that itÕs a quick read. They cram all of Montana into a little more than 200 small pages. If you really want to explore Montana, get the ÒUltimateÓ or the ÒMoonÓ books (the ÒUltimateÓ book is really the only one youÕll ever need). If you are part of the ÒKick me, IÕm a touristÓ crowd, then by all means buy this book.

Once again another great travel guide has come from the Frommer's series of books. When traveling to some place new I always look to see if there is a Frommer's Guide for that destination. They are well written and very easy to read and understand. I feel they are the most complete travel books around. Also there size makes for ease of use. They can be carried on the plane or in car in an overnight bag without taking up to much space. This allows for quick access when finishing last minute trip planning on the way there. Although I have not purchased this book, because I live the area of the US that the book describes I have looked it over and feel it lives up the Frommer's name. It provides the same useful information found in all Frommer's books, maps, general travel info., motel/hotel info., and great itineraries just to touch the surface. I would not hesitate in recommending this book and would buy it myself if I did not already live in Wyoming.

As a former realtor, Mr. Cole owes the natural world a large debt, and believes he is doing good work. My opinion, based upon a life lived in the northern rockies, is that bears NEVER benefit from interactions with humans. The natural world is not there for us to enjoy, or understand, or study - it is simply there. If you are looking for a better understanding of bears, read Steve Herreros book and if you like pretty pictures, check out any of the other authors online who do not routinely place bears at risk by forcing encounters.

Cole is in the news for all the wrong reasons: "Photographer, bear advocate cited for getting too close to bruins," by Scott McMillion, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 3/25/05. Cole has been cited for harassing bear in Yellowstone National Park. He hasn't had his day in court yet, but you've got to wonder. It's easy to get close-up photos of grizzly/brown bears at designated (and well-managed) bear viewing areas in Alaska and Canada. To get publishable photos of grizzly bears in Yellowstone or Glacier, you've got to get so close you put yourself in danger and run the risk of driving the bears away from food they need or a place they want to be. Grizzlies are a threatened species in the lower 48 states. Why bother them when you can get photographs of grizzlies in Alaska without stressing the bears? What kind of bear advocate would do that?

As the wife of Jim Cole, I can tell you that he has dedicated three (3) decades of his life to the study of Grizzly Bears in their natural habitats. His books took three (3) years to write and spotlight bear families from the lower 48 and Alaska which he has followed for years. Jim gave up a lucrative real estate career to pursue his wildlife passion and has made many sacrifices along the way. As a result of the most recent attack on May 23rd, 2007, Jim is now permanently blind in one eye. Ironically, Jim never considered himself to be a professional photographer. He counts himself as a Grizzly Bear Educator and performs original songs about bears to a wide range of audiences. Jim's books represent his life's work and offer useful insight into the cunning versatility of the great bear. As of the writing of this review, Jim has never been banned from any national park nor have his actions resulted in the death of any bruin. Simply stated, Jim believes these creatures to be the most intelligent and impressive animals on Planet Earth! Yes, his time spent in the backcountry is quite non-traditional; but Jim always was a rugged individualist.

Jim Cole has been ticketed and banned at many National Parks for willing breaking the law and endangering, not only his life, but the lives of the bears. He was recently mauled at Yellowstone and his actions most likely will result in the death of the bear as he pursued and harrassed a mother bear protecting her cubs. We were at Yellowstone during the incident and the rangers said that the photos they found in his camera did not line up with the tale he told.

This is his second mauling because he will risk the life of the bear just to get his money shot. If you are considering buying his books because you love bears, be aware that man is not a advocate for bears but rather will do things that result in their being shot in order to enrich himself.

Jim Cole is a talented photographer and writer. With a keen sense of observation Cole documents in a stunning way with pictures and word his observation of the grizzlies that roam our great National Parks. Together with his book on Grizzlies in Alaska the reader can gain an indepth and personal insight into the lives of these magnificent animals.

This book does a great public disservice. The information in the book has not been updated in years and is terribly outdated. Quite a bit of the information is absolutely wrong. Send the publisher a message - don't buy the book until they update it. Save your money, there are much better, current books out there such as "Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest" & Northwest - which are updated ever two years

The only useful thing about this writer's books on hot springs are the USGS maps and the latitude/longitudes. I bought a book of his nearly 20 years ago and was thoroughly dissatisfied, & was incensed when it seemed to me he was more interested in providing info for the land yacht crowd. I wonder if his book alleging that the lunar landings were hoaxes is any better. I doubt it. He probably denies the Holocaust took place, too. If you want a book on hot springs, check out Jayson Loam's books. They are much better. If you want info on faked lunar landings, get the movie "Capricorn One."

depending on what your looking for you may not want this guide. it has a fairly well established list to many commercial hot springs, but little else. If your looking for hot springs where you can hook up your RV then this guide may work for you. If on the other hand your looking for real, natural hot springs off the beaten path, then this guide is worthless.

We have tried one hot spring listing and enjoyed our hot soak, found one shut down, one remodeling and one a bit too pricey for us. Would like to see some reference to actual costs rather than than reasonable or free or deluxe. One place inacessible without 4 wheel drive but we will keep trying, the maps are good.

I'm usually a big fan of Hannah Howell's books, but I found this one to be a waste of money and time. None of the characters were believable. The scene where the 'hero' went to rescue the heroine from certain death -- I was ready to beat him on the head and tell him to get on with it already. I will think long and hard before buying any more books from this author.

Not worth the time or $$. Not only is the hero cruel and a jerk but it's hard to imagine (in the 1800's)a graduated and sophisticated lawyer from Harvard working as a bounty hunter. It's never explained how did he gave away his family's fortune and business to this woman who was his fiancee (who happens to be Ella's cousin). The only thing we know is that he needs $$ to get back his family's fortune. He kidnaps the heroine and then sets out on a dangerous journey back to Philly. They encounter through that said journey: drought, a storm, a tornado, 2 rapists and let's not forget the clever aunt who is always trying to rescue Ella. And guess what, they reach Philadelphia unscathed. He gives her away to her murderous uncle and get paid (after all they were been trough and knowing Ella's was heading to her dead). The final rescue is made because of the wit of the aunt. And finally this guy waits 3 months before going back to her and confessed his love. This was not a likeable hero. Sorry, but the plot just didn't work out for me. I'll stick to Howell's highlanders books.

I really like Hannah Howell. Some books more than others & this is one that I liked. It has a strong, interesting set of characters. At first, I had a hard time relating to Ella falling in love with the man who is taking her to her death. Of course, this all works out in the end & she forgives him.

Some of the plot I could not really get into. The fact that 2 of Ella's family (beautiful cousins) get engaged to men then back out causing them to lose their businesses & family livelihood (This being the reason that Harrigan easily turns her over to her uncle who wants to kill her for her inheritance). I never really understood that but all in all, this is an entertaining book. I have to stop myself from nit-picking & just enjoy a good romance.

This book is well woth the price. Well-balanced, strong characters, vicious bad guys, and a sexy lead man. Aunt Louise, with her platoon of stray youngsters, is a feisty, determined character. Ella is a strong-minded, independant, determined young woman. I had a problem with Harrigan's lack of trust, but this is clarified quite neatly later on. The love scenes are steamy, poignant and tender. I would definitely buy another of Hannah Howell's novels.