The Wyoming State Library will now run regular Wyoming-related book reviews on this blog and in the Outrider newsletter. Would you like to be on our reviewers list? Contact Susan Mark at susan.mark@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5915.
Wyoming Grasslands: Photographs by Michael P. Berman and William S. Sutton (The Charles M. Russell Center Series on Art and Photography of the American West)
By Frank H. Goodyear Jr. (Author), Charles R. Preston (Author), Dan Flores (Foreword)
Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 2015. 210 p.
Berman and Sutton capture the striking diversity of the Wyoming landscape through their sensational color (Sutton) and black & white (Berman) images. Preston and Goodyear, Jr., provide essays that put the photography into the context of natural history and the American West.
The largeness of Wyoming and her low population offer almost endless opportunities to experience a special kind of nature. This book gives the reader the chance to experience these unique Wyoming spaces that support farming and ranching, wildlife, and natural resources. The photographs depict the beauty of the land, dramatic cloud formations, and remind us of how harsh Wyoming can be. Beyond the beautiful photographs, it causes the reader to re-evaluate what is important. Landscape photography is about humanity and this book reflects Wyoming’s values and aspirations.
Reviewed by Thomas Ivie, research and statistics librarian
Wyoming State Library, Cheyenne
Wyoming at 125: Our Place in the WestBy Bill Sniffin
Lander, Wyo.: Mountain America, 2015. 188 p.
This book is a delightful and enlightening collection of historic photographs that tell the story of Wyoming; published in association with last year’s celebration of 125 years of statehood. The book contains history and photographs that relate directly to Wyoming, while also bringing attention to events that reached outside of the state’s borders. The cover is a colorized photograph of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, which adds a vivid liveliness to one of the more well known western shows to come out of Wyoming. Many other historic photographs have been colorized, which bring Wyoming’s history to life. There are various pictures throughout the book featuring Wyoming ranching families and the everyday lives of Wyomingites that truly highlight the legacy and strength of the state and its residents throughout the last 125 years. Of course, before Wyoming got its name there were many dinosaurs in the area, and they were not forgotten by the author! For anyone that enjoys Wyoming, state history, or historic photographs this book is definitely worth taking the time to go through.
Reviewed by Robyn Mofield, library technician
Wyoming State Library, Cheyenne