General Books

Yellowstone Treasures: The Traveler's Companion to the National Park

Janet Chapple

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Granite Peak Publications Amazon Marketplace: 36 new & used starting at $11.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Must Have Book If You Goto Yellowstone 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book was amazing! I received it almost a month before I was going on a 5 day adventure to Yellowstone. I planned my whole trip using this book and it was amazing the things I saw and learned. Yellowstone has little sign's that will point you in the right direction but this book sent you places that most people have never seen! While out on my adventure I showed and recommended the book to many people. They were all amazed at the things in this book and went right to the Yellowstone bookstore and purchased it. I found that 5 days was not enough to view everything in this book and Yellowstone.

Editorial Review:

The first and oldest national park in the world can be appreciated and enjoyed mile-by-mile in this comprehensive travel guide. Along with fascinating facts and anecdotes, readers will learn of Yellowstone's geyser basins, out-of-the-way hikes, flora and fauna, and its mountains, rivers, and lakes. Easy-to-understand scientific explanations and diagrams complement detailed travel tips ranging from escaping and avoiding crowds to picking the right season to go camping. This revised edition includes 270 pages of road logs and enhanced information for senior and disabled visitors and tips for visiting the park with children. With fully revised geological, historical, and practical information, this guide is the perfect companion for anyone planning a visit to Yellowstone National Park. Further information can be found at http://www.yellowstonetreasures.com.

Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park

Lee Whittlesey

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Roberts Rinehart Publishers Amazon Marketplace: 79 new & used starting at $3.54

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 46 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Morbidly Interesting, and a Personal Note 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

The last decade has seen a slew of books dealing with deaths in the national parks. The authors assure us that they publish these volumes to warn visitors of the dangers they face in the parks. The reality of course is that many in the literate public are fascinated by death, especially in unusual or exotic circumstances, and these books cater to that morbid demand. Nonetheless, they make for interesting reading and serve as a cautious reminder that visits to the wilderness, while safer than certain neighborhoods in major metropolitan areas, still contain very real hazards. This volume by Lee Whittlesey, was one of the first in this genre, and is still one of the best.

From grizzly attacks to death by poisonous gasses and murders, Whittlesey exhaustively covers all known deaths in Yellowstone from before the founding of the park to 1995 when the book was published. For me the descriptions of people falling into the hot springs were by far the most riveting, and the most grusome, portions of the book. Cooked alive, the victims of these accidents rarely died quickly, but often instead lingered on for many hours, a pretty horrific way to go. Whittlesey also catalogs the many mistakes victims and some lucky survivors made to help visitors to the park avoid similar fates.

One thing that sets this book apart from others in this genre is that Whittlesey, in addition to experience as a park tour guide and ranger, is a lawyer. This background shows itself in various ways. The book includes, for example, extensive discussion of court cases that resulted from fatalities in Yellowstone and how they have influenced park management. It also shows in the author's broader philosophy about the deaths in the park. True accidents, he argues, are rare. For the most part, people who have died in the parks were, he argues, actually negligent when it came to their own safety and sometimes the safety of others. This attitude towards the victims shows itself throughout the book, and most of the time Whittlesey makes a pretty convincing case.

But not always. When discussing the 1986 death of William Tesinsky (by mauling from a grizzly bear) Whittlesey notes, "Bear 59 was a semi habituated bear, ... But she had never even approached a human aggressively." This is not entirely true. I should know, because I was chased by Bear 59 on June 20 of that very year while hiking (alone) between the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and Yellowstone Lake. Indeed, it was my report to the Lake ranger station that led to the temporary closure of that trail, and the bear's eventual relocation by the Park Service. At that time, Bear 59 had two cubs and a large person walking nearby was, as the ranger explained to me, considered a threat. But 59 no longer had the cubs with her when she killed and partially ate the unfortunate Mr. Tesinsky. No doubt, as Whittlesey says, he was too close for 59's liking while trying to get the perfect photograph. But the retelling of this story, that follows the park's official report which I saw a few years later, is interesting in that it does not mention my earlier encounter with 59. Whittlesey the lawyer argues that, much as we don't want to admit it, negligence is more common than accident. He forgot to add that humans, including park rangers, might sometimes unintentionally omit certain bits of information that do not fit their preconceived notions.

(I asked a ranger about what had become of my incident report during a 1998 visit to the park. She said that it had not been included since the bear had not actually come into physical contact with me. I understand that answer, but it certainly does undermine the claim the bear had never before shown aggressive tendencies. In my case, I was unaware of her existence till I saw her charge out of the woods, two cubs at her heals, and easily 50 yards away.)

Editorial Review:

Intriguing stories of how people have died in Yellowstone warn about the many dangers that exist there and in wild areas in general.

Letters of a Woman Homesteader (Women of the West)

Elinore Pruitt Stewart

Amazon Price: $10.16 List Price: $11.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Bison Books Amazon Marketplace: 107 new & used starting at $0.01

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Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Specific Groups -> Women
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

I can't put it down! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Dear fellow Book-lovers:
I found this little gem at the local library today and I can't put it down. It is so good--easy to read (perfect for a busy Mom of 5 like me), inspiring, wholesome, funny, and informative. I am fascinated with this woman: her love for people, her giving heart, and her passion for fun and for life. I'm only on page 81 (out of 282) but I can already sit here and tell you to buy this book and enjoy it! I'm buying myself a copy and also one for my best friend. Christmas is coming!

Pioneer grit 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Genuine substance and sincerity describe Stewart's letters from the early twentieth century while homesteading in this remote corner of Wyoming. Whereas most women would not even consider putting down roots in such an isolated area, Mrs. Stewart was determined to make a life for herself in this territory. And she did just that. It took a special kind of person to live in this far-removed landscape.

Her writing, subject matter and approach to life were most admirable. Hard working and always enthusiastic for adventure, she writes of various encounters with surrounding neighbors and experiences into the countryside. If she had any dull moments on the ranch they must have been few and far between.

Very optimistic about life, Mrs. Stewart affirms, "...all my own efforts have always been just to make the best of everything and to take things as they come."
To further quote, "It has always been a theory of mine that when we become sorry for ourselves we make our misfortunes harder to bear, because we lose courage and can't think without bias."

A wonderful read furthering an appreciation for life in the homesteading era.

Editorial Review:

Complete with its original N.C. Wyeth illustrations is this outstanding first-person chronicle of life on the American frontier.

The Solace of Open Spaces

Gretel Ehrlich

Amazon Price: $11.20 List Price: $14.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Penguin (Non-Classics) Amazon Marketplace: 174 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Surprises 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This little collection of prose is surprising. A reviewer who didn't care for this book mentioned that it didn't do much to develop or push its theme forward. I think that description is accurate, but misses the point: the book, like its subject matter (Wyoming, mostly, NOT Montana), defies being pushed in any direction. It has a way of imposing itself upon the reader. The vividness of phrase dominates the imagination, but the place it brings you to is an open space, where you're only supposed to linger, discovering and uncovering little surprises of detail as they arrive. It is a wonderful experience and highly recommended, though with a warning: you must be prepared to wander a bit and fall into a different rythm, with different rules, for at least a little while.

A chiseled paean to the high plains of Wyoming 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Outsiders (Easterners, city types) are generally disoriented by Wyoming upon first encountering it. 99% of them probably equate the place with the far side of the moon and hope they never have to return. Ehrlich is one of the remaining 1% who came to Wyoming from "outside" and fell in love with it enough to move there permanently (I put myself in the same category though I haven't moved there - yet). In this book, actually a series of short essays, she tries to capture the allure of the place for her readers. She writes about the land, of course, and the weather, but also about the people who "are strong on scruples but tenderhearted about quirky behavior." Much of her time is occupied with sheepherding, something she describes as "a slow, steady trot of keenness with no speed." Ranch life, living on land short of water, and winter, which "laminates the earth with white, then hardens the lacquer work with wind" - all come under her scrutiny. She describes a rodeo which she thinks must only make sense to a rancher. Like Wyoming itself, it's a tough though gentle book, unsentimental and honest. An excellent book.

Editorial Review:

A stunning collection of personal observations that uses images of the American West to probe larger concerns in lyrical, evocative prose that is a true celebration of the region.

Photographing Yellowstone National Park: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them

Gustav W. Verderber

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> Nature & Wildlife

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Save time; take better vacation snapshots 5 out of 5 stars.
24 of 24 people found this review helpful.

Gustav Verderber was right on the money about everything in this book. If you only have a week to explore, save yourself some time and follow his instructions. He has mapped out when the rainbows appear on the falls, gives advice on where to photograph wildlife. Some of the trails he mentions in his book have since been closed due to erosion or wildlife management but if you talk with the Park Ranger Service (not Xanterra!) you should be able to find a comparable walk to capture the images.

The book may be beneath the experienced photographer but for an amateur who just wants better vacation photos and does not have the luxury to spend a year in the park getting them, this is the perfect guide!

Editorial Review:

Expert photography advice the author provided to visitors to Yellowstone when he served there as the Kodak Ambassador in Yellowstone National Park.

This guide is designed to allow the average visitor to comfortably manage the vast abundance of subjects within Yellowstone National Park and to answer the crucial questions of what is worth photographing and how to do that in a way that will result in postcard-perfect photos of the park's landscapes and wildlife. An appendix provides a suggested itinerary to plan a visit to each district. No park visitor should be without it.

Frommer's Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Park Guides)

Eric Peterson

Amazon Price: $10.39 List Price: $12.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Frommer's Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $4.44

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

We used a different guide 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.

We bought this book, but ended up using other guides. It is a fine reference for some people, but I'd recommend:
Yellowstone Treasures: The Traveler's Companion to the National Park (Great for more in-depth research)
and
National Geographic Road Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (NG Road Guides) (Quick roadside reference)
instead.

Editorial Review:

Frommer's Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is packed with all the facts, tips and descriptions you need to have perfect park vacation, in a pocket size guide:

• The most memorable park experiences, from Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, to Snake River raft trips.
• Great places to stay in and near the parks, ranging from historic lodges to family-friendly motels—plus a complete campground guide for each park.
• A fully illustrated nature guide to help you spot and identify bald eagles, bison, wildflowers, and more.
• The best hikes, from ranger-led interpretive walks to challenging backcountry overnights.
• What to see and do outside of the parks: rodeos, chuckwagon feeds, IMAX nature films, an elk preserve, Jackson Hole’s bars and boutiques, and more.
• Detailed, accurate park and trail maps

Wyoming Atlas & Gazetteer

DeLorme

List Price: $16.95 By: Delorme Amazon Marketplace: 1 new & used starting at $19.95

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Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> Atlases
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Very Informative & Helpful 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This atlas is a great book to have on hand while driving through Wyoming, especially via the backroads. It's a must-have for any traveler and resident.

Very Nice Atlas 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This was very well made, for an atlas. The format and legend was easy to understand, and it certainly helped my not so great navigational skills.

As only DeLorme can do! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

DeLorme has done it again! Stellar mapping and attention to detail make this a grand publication. Two thumbs up!

Great for getting around! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The Delorme atlases/gazetteers are valuable references especially if you are traveling the back roads. Compared to a regular road map, there is much more detail to find your way just about anywhere in the atlas coverage area. If you need a lot of detail, you can then purchase topographic maps. Special features are also noted. Get one of these for any state where you plan to explore off the beaten trail. I already have atlases for five states, and the collection will surely grow in coming years.

Editorial Review:

The first choice of outdoors enthusiasts. Beautiful, detailed, large-format maps of every state. Perfect for home and office reference, and a must for all your vehicles. Gazetteer information may include: campgrounds, attractions, historic sites & museums, recreation areas, trails, freshwater fishing site & boat launches, canoe trips or scenic drives. Categories vary by state

National Geographic Road Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (NG Road Guides)

Jeremy Schmidt

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: National Geographic Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $3.67

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A Must-Have Guide 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I just returned from Yellowstone and the Tetons. I used this book throughout my trip. It is clear, easy to use and well-written. The left hand page is a map of a short distance, say 14 miles, the right hand tells you about the sights. I used it in conjunction with a more detailed book (Moon guide), and found both useful in tandem. The only drawback is that it assumes you are entering the park from the West Entrance, so I had to use stick on notes to guide myself backwards by numbering the stick-ons in the order of my route. It was no big deal and hardly a reason not to buy the book. Two thirds of the annual 3 million visitors enter via the west, so you can understand the authors' reasons.

Editorial Review:

New and updated editions of these popular, low-priced guides—the definitive companion for road trippers—offer drivers side-by-side map and text commentary on the scenery, wildlife, geology, and history of the most spectacular and popular parks. The revised and updated series offers travelers user-friendly guides that follow the major roads within Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks.Volumes in this series have sold more than 100,000 copies since its inception, proving their appeal to visitors. Now, with new and updated information, these guidebooks are sure to be a staple for every road tripper who wishes to experience the best of these beloved national parks.

Scenic Driving Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, 2nd (Scenic Driving Series)

Susan Springer Butler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Used this every day of our trip 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

We used this book every day we were in Yellowstone. It was such a help in planning each day, knowing where to stop, what to expect in terms of how long hikes were, finding restaurants and shops, etc. I would read the information about each place aloud to the kids, which helped pass the time between stops. One word of caution, though. We are not the type of family that does a lot of hiking, camping, climbing, etc. We did find that some of her descriptions of the difficulty of the hikes and trails were a bit underestimated. Between the heat and the altitude, this is important to keep in mind! Other than that, I think this is a must have!

Excellent! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book was right on the money with all the things to see while driving through the parks. In combination with this book Outdoor Family Guide to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Outdoor Family Guides) and the Trails Illustrated maps of both parks:
Trails Illustrated Yellowstone Map Old Faithful
Trails Illustrated Mammoth Hotsprings Yellowstone National Park NW
Trails Illustrated Tower Canyon Yellowstone National Park NE
Trails Illustrated Yellowstone Lake Yellowstone National Park SE
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA: Topo Map (Trails Illustrated - Topo Maps USA)
(which can also be purchased at http://www.ngmapstore.com), we had a very easy time getting around the park and where things were located. It made planning a whiz!

John Colter, his years in the Rockies

Burton Harris

By: Big Horn Book Co Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $7.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Absorbing... 5 out of 5 stars.
23 of 23 people found this review helpful.

Yellowstone...Colter's Hell...geysers...Indians.... I found this book a total pleasure to read. Couldn't put it down! Although it is true that Colter's life was somewhat obscure by a lack of more historical documentation, Harris does an exemplary piece of work with what there is to work with. Citing such references as William Clark, Thomas James, Brackenridge, Bradbury and others, Harris does make a justifiable attempt to back up his story. Required reading for those into this time period of the early American West when mountain men roamed the wide open spaces, high mountain valleys and peaks. It must have been a tough, but very rewarding way of life...if you survived the perils and hardships of that day.

Editorial Review:

John Colter was a crack hunter with the Lewis and Clark expedition before striking out on his own as a mountain man and fur trader. A solitary journey in the winter of 1807-8 took him into present-day Wyoming. To unbelieving trappers he later reported sights that inspired the name of Colter's Hell. It was a sulfurous place of hidden fires, smoking pits, and shooting water. And it was real. John Colter is known to history as probably the first white man to discover the region that now includes Yellowstone National Park. In a classic book, first published in 1952, Burton Harris weighs the facts and legends about a man who was dogged by misfortune and "robbed of the just rewards he had earned."

This Bison Book edition includes a 1977 addendum by the author and a new introduction by David Lavender, who considers Colter's remarkable winter journey in the light of current scholarship.