Comments on: Book Review – Inventing Montana – Ted Leeson

By: Cutthroat Stalker (Scott)

Cutthroat Stalker (Scott) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:08:52 +0000

Hey Mike! Yes, it is great to still come across those pockets of friendliness, and it’s too bad when they disappear. Now that we’ve settled in my wife’s hometown ( pop. 1500ish), it’s nice to be involved in the waving to people I’ve come to know, and strangers too. We’re this very moment celebrating Pioneer Day (a Utah holiday) on the local town square. People from far and wide who used to live here come back, and it’s neat seeing all the locals greet each other and those returning as they watch the parade or see their children and grandchildren participate in the greased pig chase. I’ve lived in big cities (Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego and Los Angeles), and I wouldn’t give up my mountains and hometown country life for anything.

By: Mike Schmidt - brownsburg, indiana

Mike Schmidt - brownsburg, indiana — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:23:21 +0000

I can remember way back when in my hometown, Brownsburg Indiana, everyone waved to everyone, even on Main St. Well, the town has grown exponentially over the years and is now an extension of Indianapolis. Over this past Fourth of July, my family traveled to visit my wife’s mother in Southern Illinois, She lives out in the country about a half hour east of Mt. Vernon. Everyone we passed, from people in cars and trucks to Mennonites hanging their laundry waved to us. It’s nice that it still exists in places.

By: Underground Review: “Inventing Montana” by Ted Leeson (Two Fins Up) | The Trout Underground Fly Fishing Blog

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:30:25 +0000

[...] Addendum: The Cutthroat Stalker posted his own review of Inventing Montana here. [...]

By: Cutthroat Stalker (Scott)

Cutthroat Stalker (Scott) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:11:43 +0000

Ray,

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. That’s great that you were able to get a signed copy. When I went to purchase mine I did a quick look for a signed one, but couldn’t find any at the time. He always leaves me with plenty to think about.

By: Ray Miller

Ray Miller — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:29:53 +0000

I took the reviews as a reason to purchase a used copy of Inventing Montana. He does give you a lot to think about in addition to a great story. A nice touch on my copy is that it is signed by Ted himself.

By: Cutthroat Stalker (Scott)

Cutthroat Stalker (Scott) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:34:18 +0000

I don’t know if I’m a bit biased since I do visit the area quite frequently myself. But I’ve always liked his writing regardless of locale.

By: Cutthroat Stalker (Scott)

Cutthroat Stalker (Scott) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:32:40 +0000

DJ,

Thank you for commenting–it’s nice to get a local’s perspective. I’m up in the Ennis area a fair amount (maybe three times a year) since it’s only about 5 hours from my house. The wide open farm land, narrow valleys and towering mountains feel much like my home, yet having such a huge influx of visitors makes it much different than here. And I suppose rather difficult at times. “Getting to know” Leeson (or those like him)–I hadn’t really thought much about that aspect, yet I don’t know if the point of the book is for us to get to know him, or those he is with. It’s for us to see Montana through his eyes: how he invents Montana. Did you find he painted an unflattering image of Montana/Montanans?

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:05:26 +0000

Scott,

Nice review. Got this book for Christmas but short of sneaking a few quick paragraphs, have yet to read it. Looking forward to the read…

Sounds like good stuff to burn away the dead of winter…

Bob

By: DJ

DJ — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:14:33 +0000

I live in MT, fly fish, read about and value what it means to be “from” here. I found the author’s style to be overly contrived and cutesy. I’m not a fan of FPPT, nor do I have much respect for characters identified as The Writer, The Cook, The Painter, etc. This might work as fiction, but not as a work about people who I’d like to get to know – such as those who have been coming here for 20 years. But, as with most people from out of state, it’s hard to get to know them. Leeson perpetuates that notion. I can’t recommend this book.

By: Cutthroat Stalker (Scott)

Cutthroat Stalker (Scott) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:31:45 +0000

FR, Huh...I'll be. I have The Three Musketeers and Man In the Iron Mask (it's been decades since I've peeked below the covers), and did not know (maybe I did, but can no longer remember?) about the 20 years/10 years books. Nor did I realize Man In the Iron Mask is only a third of a larger work. Thanks for the enlightenment.