The Bad Old Days of Montana celebrates the state’s glorious and rowdy past. Many people born and bred here relish just how “bad” things used to be: the terrain, the inhabitants and especially the quality of whiskey. It almost goes without saying that Montana had all the characteristic wild west elements — and in abundance! The chapters focus on the infamous and notorious rather than the law-abiding and civic-minded settlers. These pages, like the state, recount the tales of people who came west seeking if not their fortune, at least opportunity. It is no secret that Montana was settled by the adventurous willing to brave the harsh conditions and to prevail. Whether on the right or the wrong side of the law, all settlers and pioneers made unique contributions to the state’s complex culture. Certainly, in the nineteenth century, Montana was not for the faint of heart. Beginning with the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 as the origins of the mountain men, the book will offer a variety of strange tales, ranging from vigilanteeism to the heyday of the Copper Kings. Many such tales were influenced by too much whiskey and greed. This book is an account of the misfits, outlaws and rugged individuals who cast their mark on this most remarkable state. Populated by the native tribes before “discovery” by Lewis and Clark at the headwaters of the Missouri River, the land that would become known as Montana was traversed by mountain men, mined by gold and mineral seekers and ranched and harvested by the homesteaders. Throughout these varied waves of discovery and settlement, this book explores the less-than-savory dealings, the early attempts at law and order (which often failed or had questionable results), and the myriad of colorful characters and events that made Montana what it is today.

The Bad Old Days of Colorado celebrates the state’s glorious and rowdy past. Many people born and bred here relish just how “bad” things used to be: the terrain, the inhabitants and especially the quality of whiskey. It almost goes without saying that Colorado had all the characteristic Wild West elements—and in abundance! The chapters focus on the infamous and notorious rather than the law-abiding and civic-minded settlers. These pages, like the state, recount the tales of people who came West seeking, if not their fortune, at least opportunity. It is no secret that Colorado was settled by the adventurous willing to brave the harsh conditions and to prevail. Whether on the right or the wrong side of the law, all settlers and pioneers made unique contributions to the state’s complex culture. Certainly, in the nineteenth century, Colorado was not for the faint of heart.

Seasoned travel writers Judy Jewell and W. C. McRae share the best ways to experience all that Montana has to offer, from the Yellowstone's rugged wilderness to the rolling prairies of the eastern region. Jewell and McRae lead travelers to the highlights of Big Sky Country, with original trip ideas including "A Lewis and Clark Expedition," "Fishing Southwest Montana," and "Soak It Up: Hot Springs of Montana." Complete with tips for cross-country skiing at Glacier National Park, observing elk at Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and finding the best watering holes in Missoula, Moon Montana gives visitors the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

This is the first book devoted to Montana's long history of industrial newspaper ownership and the consequences for democracy. The work also reveals the costs paid by owners and their journalists, whose credibility eroded as their increasingly constricted newspapers lapsed into ambivalence and indifference. The story offers a timeless study of the conflict between commerce and the notion of a free and independent press.

A New York Times Notable Book of the Year Winner of the Mountains and Plains Book Seller's Association Award "Sprawling in scope. . . . Mr. Egan uses the past powerfully to explain and give dimension to the present." --The New York Times "Fine reportage . . . honed and polished until it reads more like literature than journalism." --Los Angeles Times "They have tried to tame it, shave it, fence it, cut it, dam it, drain it, nuke it, poison it, pave it, and subdivide it," writes Timothy Egan of the West; still, "this region's hold on the American character has never seemed stronger." In this colorful and revealing journey through the eleven states west of the 100th meridian, Egan, a third-generation westerner, evokes a lovely and troubled country where land is religion and the holy war between preservers and possessors never ends. Egan leads us on an unconventional, freewheeling tour: from America's oldest continuously inhabited community, the Ancoma Pueblo in New Mexico, to the high kitsch of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where London Bridge has been painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone; from the fragile beauty of Idaho's Bitterroot Range to the gross excess of Las Vegas, a city built as though in defiance of its arid environment. In a unique blend of travel writing, historical reflection, and passionate polemic, Egan has produced a moving study of the West: how it became what it is, and where it is going. "The writing is simply wonderful. From the opening paragraph, Egan seduces the reader. . . . Entertaining, thought provoking." --The Arizona Daily Star Weekly "A western breeziness and love of open spaces shines through Lasso the Wind. . . . The writing is simple and evocative." --The Economist

Whether winning championship belt buckles or dealing with Hollywood types for endorsement deals, former rodeo star Tyler Creed can handle anything. Except standing on the same patch of land as his estranged brothers. Yet here they are in Stillwater Springs, barely talking but trying to restore the old Creed ranch—and family. Lily Kenyon knows all about family estrangements and secrets. The single mom has come home to set things right, to put down roots for her daughter. What she doesn't expect is Tyler Creed, whom she's loved since childhood. Now the handsome, stubborn cowboy who left home to seek his fortune just might find it was always under the Montana sky.…

“A touching and heartfelt love story about second chances . . . a great beginning to what will be an exceptional trilogy” from the #1 bestselling author (Fresh Fiction). After years of wandering, Logan Creed, a cowboy with a dusty law degree, has returned home to Stillwater Springs, Montana. To put down roots and reconnect with his brothers, to restore his family’s neglected ranch . . . to have kids of his own. Divorced mom Briana Grant has heard all the stories about her very attractive new neighbor and his less-than-attractive reputation. So Logan’s kindness to her young boys is a welcome surprise, especially when her ex reappears and an unknown enemy vandalizes her home. That’s when Logan shows Briana—and the people of Big Sky country—just what he’s made of. Praise for Linda Lael Miller “Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times–bestselling author “Miller tugs at the heartstrings as few authors can.” —Publishers Weekly “One of the finest American writers in the genre.” —RT Book Reviews

#1 New York Times Bestselling author Linda Lael Miller: The First Lady of the West! Meet the Creed brothers, descendants of the legendary McKettrick family. They’re renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana—but not always for the right reasons! Watch these three brothers reconnect and rediscover family… Logan Creed: He’s finally returned to Stillwater Springs, planning to restore his family’s neglected ranch—hoping he’ll eventually have a family of his own. His neighbor, divorced mom Briana Grant, has heard all the stories about him, so she’s surprised—and thrilled—with Logan’s protectiveness and his kindness to her young boys. Especially when her ex reappears on the scene. And when an unknown enemy vandalizes her home… Dylan Creed: He’s called "rodeo’s bad boy" and he’s a man who likes life in the fast lane. But when the daughter he hardly knows is abandoned by her mother, Dylan heads home to the family ranch. Town librarian Kristy Madison is shocked when he turns up for story hour with a toddler in tow. The man who’d left a trail of broken hearts—including hers—is back, and this time Kristy’s determined to tame his wild ways! Tyler Creed: A former rodeo star, Tyler can handle anything. Except being in the same place as his estranged brothers. Yet here they are, all three of them, trying to restore the old Creed ranch—and the family. For her part, Lily Kenyon knows all about family estrangements and secrets. The single mom has come home to set things right, and to put down roots for her daughter. The last person she expects to see is Tyler Creed, whom she’s loved since childhood… Three Montana brothers, cowboys to the core, and the women who love them. Three western romances! Nobody does it better than Linda Lael Miller.

Dashiell Hammett, like most successful writers, honed his skills in the trenches. Long before The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man made him a household name, Hammett developed his technique writing satirical magazine pieces, then moved on to churn out tales of sex, crime and adventure for pulp magazines. Characters like Sam Spade and Nick and Nora Charles made him famous, but Hammett perfected his style--and created the first hard-boiled detective fiction--writing stories and novels about an anonymous, middle-aged detective, known as the Continental Op. This detailed examination of the early works of Dashiell Hammett takes a new look at one of the 20th century's most influential crime writers and his creation of the hard-boiled detective story. Each chapter covers an element of Hammett's early writing career--his magazine fiction; the Continental Op's development as a character; the Continental Op novels; and the last Continental Op stories. A concluding chapter provides afterthoughts on Hammett's career, style and place in the history of detective fiction. A chronology of works cited, a bibliography and an index supplement the text.