Mark Miller on women in early Yellowstone

Nov 1, 2020 | Events

Fifth-generation Montanan M. Mark Miller will present a virtual discussion of his new book, Sidesaddles and Geysers: Women’s Adventures in Old Yellowstone, 1874 – 1903, on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. The free event will stream live on Elk River Books’ Facebook page.

Inspired by the story of his grandmother’s month-long camping trek through Yellowstone in 1909, Miller has been collecting narratives of women’s adventures in the early days of the park, and sharing his discoveries through Humanities Montana programs, for over a decade. He has compiled 10 of his favorites in Sidesaddles and Geysers.

According to the publisher, “This anthology of first-person accounts includes tales of high adventure, raucous humor and glorious sights by women who toured Yellowstone Park more than a century ago. … Early accounts describe arduous travel on horseback through roadless wilderness and sleeping on the ground in tents. Later accounts tell about travel over smooth roads in comfortable carriages and dancing in luxury hotels.”

A former newspaper reporter and journalism professor, Miller has written four other books of early Yellowstone narratives including Encounters in Yellowstone: The Nez Perce Summer of 1877. His articles have appeared in Montana Quarterly, Big Sky Journal and Gallatin History Quarterly. He now lives in Bozeman.

To view the event, navigate to Facebook.com/ElkRiverBooks at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10. You do not have to have a Facebook account in order to watch.

Sidesaddles and Geysers will be available for purchase online from Elk River Books before, during and after the event at shop.elkriverbooks.com. Miller will sign copies for those readers who desire it, and Elk River will provide both pickup and delivery options. For more information, send an email to info@elkriverbooks.com or call (406) 333-2330.

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