Wyoming Books

I picked up this book thinking I would glance through it getting a feeling for what my daughter was studying in her 4th grade class. Two hours later, and only half way through, I thought, what a great book. There may be too much information for 4th graders to assimulate but their parents will love it. The book traces Wyoming's history from the earliest times through the present ending with a visit to the office of the state's governor. Providing interest for both young and old readers are fictional sections that illustrate the historical periods covered in the text. These sections are cleverly written and filled with stories that make historical events come to life. The author is blessed with a unique ability to combine fact and fiction at a level that can be appreciated by all age groups. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in the historic west - Wyoming in particular.

We, at Trail Elementary School, use this text in our 4th grade classes. The kids love it! Especially wonderful are the fictional stories that give flavor to the historical facts. We just got our revised editions in (1998) with a new cover and additional material. They're even better than the first edition.

I love this book! I have read it at least three times since I purchased it last summer. Colleen created several characters that were easy to fall into love with and villians that were realistic and easy to feel sympathy for.

I just can't put this book down! Ms. Coble has done her homework about the forts in Wyoming during the settling of the American West. Her characters are real, and she has inspired me with her accounts of how difficult life was within these forts, how our ancestors triumphed over so much adversity to settle this great nation and secure it for us today. Difficulties of women in childbirth, soldiers in the line of duty, and maintaining civilization where none before existed are brought clearly and beautifully to mind with her great writing skills. Her characters have feelings, depth and faith. Please, Ms. Coble, write some more Barbour books for this thankful reader!!! - Deborah Smith Embree in Nashville, Tennessee....

All I can say is "Buy this Book!" Elizabeth Watry has done a superb job of putting together the best and most complete selection of historic Yellowstone Park photographs currently available. Countless dozens of photos, many never before published, are now available for viewing with concise, interesting, and factual comments on various facets of the history of our first National Park. Ms. Watry is a rising star in the field of Yellowstone history. Keep an eye out for future books by this new and creative writer. You won't be disappointed.

Lee Whittlesey has done it again and given us another book on Yellowstone that is full of history, that is so easy to read and is hard to put down once you have read the introduction.
Ralph Bush, Canyon Lodge Savage, 1953 - 1956

I searched and searched and found and bought this book for my hubby for Christmas. Problem is everyone who ever bought this book is hanging onto it fiercly. Very hard to find a good copy. I wish the author would publish a new addition. If you are looking for a copy and can't find one here try calling around to the used book stores in Wyoming. Good luck!

Anyway, we personally were wanting some ideas for places to go 4-wheeling in our area. While this book helps with that, it is really geared towards automobile travel in Wyoming's outback scenic places. Most of the trips are down maintained dirt roads, which are better traveled on a 4-wheeler than a car anyway, so it works for us in that reguard, but it is not a Wyoming 4-wheeler trails guide if that's what you were looking for.

Still, it does have detailed directions, maps, and photographs for just about every dirt road in Wyoming, which is invaluable for any Wyoming outdoorsman no matter if you are a camper, hiker, arrowheads scavenger, birdwatcher, wildflower photographer, day-tripper, hunter, fisherman, ATV trailblazer, yada, yada, yada. And the author is right on about each excursion for what to expect, and see, and do, weather and road conditions along each road, what is public and what is private, backroads etiquette, etc.

If you want to explore the beautiful Wyoming that is off the beaten path, even if all you have is a car, this is a perfect guide book for you.

When Alex first started building the House On The Rock, a lot of people thought he was crazy. However, he was courageous enough to take a chance and pursue his dream and we are all better for it. This is your invitation to meet the dreamer, the creator, the builder - Alex Jordan.
--- from book's back cover

Written by historian Lawrence M. Woods, Alex Swan and the Swan Companies is a fascinating, in-depth biography of 1800's corporate tycoon Alex Swan, and the robust enterprises he founded, particularly the Swan Land and Cattle Company, one of the larger livestock companies to operate in the American West. Chapters don't just detail Swan's life; over half of Alex Swan and the Swan Companies is devoted to the stories of his former businesses long after he was no longer running them. Appendices of financial information, a bibliography, and an index round out this thoughtful, involving portrait of a self-made man's legacy.

Starley Talbott's Along the Grapevine Trail is a delightful and informative book. As a northern California transplant now living in northern Colorado, I had no idea that there were vineyards and wineries in the Northern Great Plains. How is this possible? This is a very harsh climate. I learned that the most popular cold-weather grape, the Frontenac, was introduced in 1996 and it is hardy to -30° Fahrenheit!

No less than twenty-five vineyards and wineries are profiled. Each profile includes unique information about the operation. Talbott has certainly done her homework. In addition to viticultural and vinicultural details, readers are treated to local history, geography, and even geology. There is a lot of history because many of the locations fall along the Pony Express, Oregon, California, and Mormon trails. The author provides lovely color photographs for each location.

Along the Grapevine Trail includes maps, an appendix that lists contact information for 85 vineyards and wineries in the three states, a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and a very helpful index. The book is printed on coated paper and the photographs are in color. It will easily fit in the glove compartment of your car.

All in all, this book provides a fascinating perspective on a new wine region. The Napa Valley has its Silverado Trial, the Spey Valley in Scotland has its Whisky Trail, now the Northern Plains has its Grapevine Trail. I look forward to exploring the Grapevine Trail with this book in hand.

Having grown up camping and fishing along the Divide's southern point in Wyo, this book is especially dear to me, providing a spectacular photo record of some of my most favorite spots on the planet.

As the trail slashes its way across the Cowboy State at a diagonal, the diversity of land and environment makes for unusual contrast of vegetation, mountains and water.

The text compliments the simply outstanding photography of Smith, who one can tell who's been there the majesty and beauty of this country!

Built by an oil company that struck water, the Beverly Hills catered to wealthy Easterners wintering in Southern California. It's owners have included Irene Dunne, Loretta Young and Hernando Courtright, a flamboyant showman who made the Beverly Hills the most chic place in town.

Gable had his affair with Lombard here. Yves Montand with Marilyn Monroe, John Kennedy with a gagglt of girls - during the Presidential campaign. Evelyn Keyes with Mike Todd, pre-Elizabeth Taylor. Howard Hughes kept four bungalows, but allowed the plumbing to be used in only two of them. Ali McGraw fooled around with Steve McQueen, who wasn't her husband. Joanne Woodward with Paul Newman, who was.

It's said that more movie deals have been made in this dimly-lit cocktail lounge than in all the studio offices in town. Paramount Pictures was sold over drinks to Gulf and Western. Arthur Miller talked Clark Gable into doing The Misfits, the film that killed him. Cary Grant conseled Lance Reventlow on the fine points of divorce during the latter's shedding of Jill Saint John. President Sukarno of Indonesia ogled Marilyn Monroe across the room and then decided to transfer his entourage of two hundred from the Ambassador to the Beveryl Hills. Warren Beatty spotted Leslie Caron among the artificial plants and began his pursuit. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra started a brawl and were officially banned. W.C. Fields requested and received a table for two - for him and his man-eating plant.

This is a look at the people and hapopenings that have made the Beverly Hills one of THE spots to be seen - and not be seen. Here is glamour, gossip, and an absorbing study of how a legend was made.

From the cover: Dealing primarily with the origin, growth, and final abandonment of the Cheyenne-Deadwood stage, this book also includes pertinent information about the life, customs, and manners of early Wyoming and Dakota pioneers who lived in the neighborhood of the stage routes or who participated in their development.