Where the Rivers Run North

By Sam Morton

Book Overview

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TRAVELERS had crossed the Oregon Trail during the gold rush of 1849. Even the most backwoods warrior understood what that meant: disease, death, and conflict with the whites. Asa... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0979084105
• ISBN13: 9780979084102
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Sheridan County Historical Society
• Length: 580 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Makes me want to go home

This is an amazing book that I enjoyed very much. I grew up on the Powder River with my family raising thoughbred horses and cattle over some of the area Mr Morton writes about. We sold many horses to Bob Tate for polo prospects and know several of the people in the book. It was so fun to read about Indians and Soldiers riding a trail from Powder River to Hanging Woman creek and knowing right where he was talking about. Or riding down Otter Creek to Ft Howes. I am a little dissapointed in myself that I grew up there and now, at 31 years old and living in Colorado, I have read a book that has taught me so much about where I was from. I have trailed cows to Ft Howes and saw the little rock building on top of the nob, but never asked why it was called that or why it was built. I have spent my whole life saying,"Powder River Let 'er Buck." Without knowing the full meaning of the saying or where it came from. I grew up taking for granted that I lived in an area where cowboys rode broncs and used thoughbreds to chase cows, and it wasn't uncommon to have high society from all over the world come into town playing polo, or visiting a dude ranch. Mr Morton also did such a great job of making the characters come to life that I wept when they died. My only complaint with the book is the proofreading. Other than that, this is a wonderful book that kept me captivated thoughout. Every night after reading it I would call friends and tell them about parts that I found so incredible. I am going to buy several copies to send to friends and family. I would recomend this book to anyone how loves the American West and horses, but especially to anyone from Absaraka. Reading it makes me feel like the Powder is calling me home. Thank you Mr Morton for teaching me so much about my "Home" and making me feel I was right there again.

magical trail ride

This well researched and wonderfully written historical novel is a magical trail ride on the back of a wild, independent and almost immortal palomino stallion. Sam Morton brings this special part of Montana/Wyoming to vivid life. It is written with honesty, without apologies for the brutality displayed by both the Indian and the White Man. The scenery and cast of real "characters" are described in all their ruggedness and gentleness. My trail rides in this beautiful country will never be the same. I could not put this book down.

What a Great Book!!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the history of the cowboy and horse days. I learned things that I never learned in school about the history of this part of our country and enjoyed it so much more. I laughed and I cried and I had a hard time putting it down. I plan to buy this book for several people that I know who will love to read it! I think it would be great if they made a movie from this book. Thank You Sam Morton for writing it!

Outstanding history of my homeland

Sam is a friend of mine and he taught me how to play polo. He's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to horses and the people associated with them. Having been raised on a ranch in Absaraka in the Powder River drainage, I know, knew or know of most of the characters in the book, but I didn't ever put it all together. Sam has done this and it's a great testimony to this wonderful place that I call home. If you've been to the area, read the book. If you haven't been here, come spend some time here in the summer on a great western vacation, but still... read the book. Great job Sam!

Should Be Required Reading

This is a fabulous book. It covers 3 generations of history in the Northern Wyoming/Southern Montana region. Written in the tradition of "Lonesome Dove" it weaves colorful characters with historical events ranging from Crazy Horse and famous Indian conflicts, to their assimilation with the English settlers who found their way to the area and chose to call such rugged and wild terrain their home. The difference being that the stories are true. It's essentially a character driven history book with people so colorful it's difficult to believe they're real. Who knew that the government relied on the area to supply tens of thousands of horses for the "re-mount" program for several wars and that it became an industry for Native Americans and Whites alike? The horse isn't the story, it's the common thread woven throughout more than a century that fosters Native American, White American and English relationships; focusing on the unlikely people that settle the area, and the enduring friendships that were forged as a result. A must read!!Where the Rivers Run North