Twentieth-Century Montana: A State of Extremes

by K. Ross Toole

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806118261
• ISBN13: 9780806118260
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Montana: A State of Extremes

Montana is indeed a state of extremes. Temperatures can go from seventy below to a hundred-and-ten in the shade. Montanans historically elect Republicans at home and send Democrats to Washington DC. Western Montana was built on mining and lumber. Eastern Montana was, and is, farming and cattle. K. Ross Toole also wrote "Montana: An Uncommon Land." Since their publication, every book on Montana references one or both of these two books. True to his subtitle, Toole writes about matters of such scope that they polarized people, leading to tension and conflict. He talks about the boom and bust that drew homesteaders to the state and then drove them away. He portrays the strife between management and labor, as well as manager against manager, which lead to the "War of the Copper Kings." Montanans sent young men to the World Wars in record numbers and mounted an inquisition of unprecedented proportion wherever they sensed even a hint of disloyalty. Economic pressures created both millionaires and paupers. The combatants in these epic struggles furthered their positions by employing the press, the universities, and whatever else was at hand. Each of these clashes had consequences reaching far beyond the borders of the state. Corporations such as Anaconda, Standard Oil, and most of the national railroads took part in the battles. Many of them emerged severly wounded. Politicians rose and fell. Fortunes were made and fortunes were lost. By shining a spotlight on the differences that made a difference, K. Toole has helped to clarify the forces that molded history. Admittedly, "A State of Extremes" is dated and looks at Montana history from a restricted perspective. For a more balanced view of Montana history, you can turn to "Montana: A History of Two Centuries" by Malone, et al. However, do not deny yourself the pleasure of enjoying K. Ross Toole's books.