Yellowstone

Recommended Reading List

"The Geysers of Yellowstone" 4th ed by T. Scott Bryan
A field guide to the Geysers of Yellowstone National Park

"Death in Yellowstone"
How people have managed to get killed or kill themselves in the park

"Old Yellowstone Days"
An anthology of early writings about the park. Can be read in sections like short stories.

"The Yellowstone Story" by Abrey Haines Vol 1
From prehistoric to military occupation

"The Yellowstone Story" by Abrey Haines Vol 2
From Military occupation to present (mid 70s to 80s)

"Images of America Yellowstone National Park" by Whittlesey and Waltry
A small picture book with lots of really neat early photos. Some text explaining the photos.

"Atlas of Yellowstone" [Hardcover] W. Andrew Marcus (Author), James E. Meacham (Author), Ann W. Rodman (Author), Alethea Y. Steingisser (Author) Book Description Publication Date: April 23, 2012 Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was the world's first national park. In a fitting tribute to this diverse and beautiful region, the Atlas of Yellowstone is a compelling visual guide to this unique national park and its surrounding area. Ranging from art to wolves, from American Indians to the Yellowstone Volcano, and from geysers to population, each page explains something new about the dynamic forces shaping Yellowstone. Equal parts reference and travel guide, the Atlas of Yellowstone is an unsurpassed resource. • Features more than 500 maps including detailed topographic maps of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks • Contributors include more than 100 experts • Gives place name references for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the surrounding region

"Tracking the Spirit of Yellowstone: Recollections of 31 Years as a Seasonal Ranger" [Illustrated] [Paperback] Orville E. Jr. Bach (Author) Book Description Publication Date: 2005 Orville Bach writes about Yellowstone with a deep understanding and love born of working as a seasonal park ranger, and living in the park with his wife, Margaret, for over 30 years. Orville provides fascinating insights into Yellowstone's geologic wonders, its complex issues, and working and living with his family in the park. Bach takes the reader along on exciting backpacking, ski-touring and paddling adventures in Yellowstone National Park's wild and vast backcountry. A map of the park and 18 pen and ink drawings b Margaret Bach accompany the text.

"Wonderland Nomenclature: A History of the Place Names of Yellowstone National Park
Being a Description of and Guidebook to Its Most Important Natural Features Together With Appendices of Related Elements and Photos of Significant Characters" Lee Hale Whittlesey, Montana Historical Society Press, 1988.

An adequate and much cheaper substitute for “Nomenclature” is Whittlesey’s “Yellowstone Place Names.” This book is more up to date than “Nomenclature”, but not as exhaustive. Aubrey Haines also has a “Yellowstone Place Names” which can sometimes be found used for a reasonable price on ABE.com. This book is no longer in print.

Richard Bartlett has two very good books on Yellowstone history and issues: “Yellowstone, A Wilderness Besieged”, and “Natures Yellowstone.” Both of these books are basically histories of the park.

Janet Chapple’s “Yellowstone Treasures” is a mile by mile guide book to the park. My only problem is that sometimes she goes into too much detail as to how to get to places that I would rather novices stay away from for their own safety.

Scott Bryan’s “Geysers: What They Are and How They Work” is a good general introduction to geysers. Suitable for a younger or novice audience. My copy is 1990 and a large format pamphlet. I have not seen the newer 2005 edition.

Paul Schullery, who writes very well, has a couple of other books I would recommend. “Mountain Time” and “Searching for Yellowstone”. His “Yellowstone Ski Pioneers” is also a fun read.

“Mattie, A Woman’s Journey West” is the story of the woman under the headstone at Nez Perce picnic area. The author, Nan Weber, saw the headstone and developed an obsession to find the history behind it. It is a short and import book for its central discovery. Mattie did not die in childbirth as had been believed, but of tuberculosis. The entire book is a short read, but the last two chapters and the afterward contain “the rest of the story.”

“Nez Perce Summer, 1877”. Jerome Green. I only read the section from where the Nez Perce are about to enter Yellowstone to where they are about to depart, but it is fascinating reading. The last real Indian War in the United States. If you are interested there are great stories and lots of history here.

“Windows into Wonderland” by Bob Smith and Lee Siegel. The true story of the caldera by the dean of seismic researchers. Mine is the 2000 edition. The last time I heard Bob speak he said an update was in the works, but it hasn’t appeared yet. Not for the casual reader.

“Bear Attack, Their Causes and Avoidance” by Stephen Herrero. THE book on bear attacks by a respected academic. The last time he spoke in Yellowstone the Map Room was packed, mostly with park personnel, and there wasn’t even standing room. The book’s companion DVD, “Staying Safe in Bear Country” can be purchased from REI ($20) and contains as much as we know about bear safety.

An old chestnut, National Geographic “Grizzly.” The is the program from the 60s featuring the Craigheads. Only about a third is on the bears of Yellowstone, but it is classic early National Geographic video. I found a VHS copy on eBay UK and had to have it recopied so it would play on a US (region 1) VCR. It is a pain, but if you remember the Craigheads and their station wagon you will enjoy this VHS. There is video of early efforts at radio collaring and the bears at the Trout Creek dump.

What if Rush Limbaugh or Glen Beck had written a book on Yellowstone? It would be called “Playing God in Yellowstone” and was actually written by Alston Chase. Mr. Chase is loaded with credentials and a DEEP dislike of the National Park Service. If you read it, “Don’t believe everything you read dearie.”

Thanks Kent, for supplying the base and a great second list.

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