Never has "Big Sky Country" looked so good! Montana photographers, Gordon and Cathie Sullivan have directed their considerable talents to covering the Treasure State completely and beautifully! One quick look at the cover shot and you know they were successful. Add to this a sparkling and informative text by Linda Stirling and you have a publication long overdue. Add this to your library now!

The third series of America the Beautiful is back in a revised edition. The books in this series are bursting with fascinating facts, updated statistics, and brand-new full-color photographs. America the Beautiful's dynamic design and editorial approach to the geography, history, people, economy, and government of each state will continue to make this award-winning series the one that students turn to first for researching school assignments. Montana is one of the nation's largest states, but it is home to very few large towns or cities. Rather, it is defined by its vast wilderness areas, which range from the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills and flatlands of the Great Plains. Readers will find out how Montana was settled and what role it has played in U.S. history. They will also explore the state's rich culture and traditions. Features: Updated statistics reflect the latest census data Brand new sidebars present profiles of people who had a major impact in recent years Breathtaking new photos and artwork Words to know, FAQs, mini-bios, interactive sidebars, maps, and graphs

"Given its wide range, this book should attract readers of history and lovers of the American West in addition to dinosaur junkies. " - Publishers Weekly Hell Creek, Montana, is one of the most windswept, hardscrabble locales in the American West-a quiet town of ranchers, farmers, and others who seek the beauty of the open spaces. It is also the unlikely setting of some of the most fascinating events in the history of the United States and North America. From the first-ever discovery of a Tyrannosaurus rex to Lewis and Clark's landmark expedition; from the Freeman compound standoff to Sitting Bull and Little Big Horn, Hell Creek has been a central player in the events of the last two hundred years-and the last 200 million. Now, with grace and quiet wit, renowned paleontologist and writer Lowell Dingus takes us on a tour of this desolate, beautiful, out-of-the-way place and illuminates its inhabitants, geology, paleontology, and surprising place in history. Nature lovers, dinosaur buffs, and people fascinated with the turbulent history--both ancient and modern--of the American West will find much to delight them in this journey to Hell Creek.

For nearly 150 years, railroads have been transforming the Montana landscape, from Continental Divide peaks to windswept prairies. Steel rails arrived on May 9, 1880, when the narrow-gauge Utah & Northern reached Monida Pass south of Butte. At the zenith of rail line construction during the 1890s and early 20th century, all major transcontinental railroads crisscrossed Montana: the Union Pacific; Northern Pacific; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q); Great Northern; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (Milwaukee Road); and Soo Line. Through the years, many original railroads evolved into the Burlington Northern Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), and Montana Rail Link with unique short lines along the way. Though routes and operations have changed, the scenery of Big Sky Country remains the same. Take a journey across Montana rails, from the mountains to the prairies.

In Treasure State Tycoon, John C. Russell regales us with an intimate look at the life of Montana entrepreneur Nelson G. Story. This richly detailed biography is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the nineteenth-century West. Beautiful maps and photographs bring Story's journey from humble prospector to Bozeman tycoon to life. Story's dazzling ability to sniff out opportunity-from the gold fields of Montana to the real estate boom in southern California-made him a fortune. Russell's unflinching look at Story's darker side in both his personal life and business dealings serves as a reminder that ambition and cruelty often go hand in hand. Book jacket.