A Sometimes Paradise: Reflections on Life in a Wyoming Ranch Family

by Mark E. Miller, Danny Campbell (Narrator)

A Sometimes Paradise is a moving personal journey into the rugged beauty and hardscrabble challenges of Wyoming ranch life that shaped Mark Miller as a boy and then as a young man.

Against the backdrop of deadly ice storms and punishing droughts in a harsh, unforgiving environment, Mark shares stories of adventures, misadventures, and invaluable lessons he learned along the way. As he adapted to the rugged Wyoming terrain, he forged an unbreakable connection with the land and animals—and discovered the true power of family and friendship.

An eloquent account of self-discovery, A Sometimes Paradise paints a vivid portrait of resilience and a steadfast commitment to a vanishing way of life. More than a memoir, it is a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West and the people who call it home.

8 hrs. 40 min.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Nature, Agriculture

9 pages, Audible Audio

Published December 24, 2024

About the author

Mark spent his youth and early adulthood on a large family ranching operation in Carbon County, Wyoming, started by his great-grandfather Isaac C. Miller in 1881. He worked the land and livestock until he was thirty-two. In the meantime, he studied anthropology and archaeology, earning bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Wyoming, and a PhD at the University of Colorado. He then served as Wyoming State Archaeologist for three decades and today holds an adjunct professorship in the Anthropology Department at the University of Wyoming.

Mark lives along the Big Laramie River in Albany County, Wyoming. His memoir, A Sometimes Paradise: Reflections on Life in a Wyoming Ranch Family, is his third book.

Reviews

[Michelle Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this memoir! So much wonderful history about an amazing hardworking family!

This book made me feel like I was ranching right along with them . I lived in Wyoming as a teenager and enjoyed going back there in my mind.

[Steffanie H Burgevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tribute

Having spent numerous vacations in the West, especially Wyoming, I looked forward to this book. Mr Miller captured the essence and beauty, as well as the harshness of Wyo and the West superbly.

[Teresa Carstensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an attention grabber. It is well written and engaging. I learned about a time and place that I wish I could have seen. Mark E. Miller lets the reader see what life was like for him growing up in Carbon County, Wyoming. He does not hide the tougher aspects of ranching. I laughed when he wrote about his grandfather dyeing the lambs and cried when his grandfather passed. It is a snapshot of life in this amazing country and deserves a read. I only wish I could have shared it with my uncles, they would have loved it too.

[Rick Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this wonderful book, I am reminded of the Chris LeDoux song “Paint me back home in Wyoming”.

As a youngster, I was blessed with spending time on my godfather's sheep ranch near Labarge, Wyoming. As a preteen, I was further blessed with spending time on my cousins cattle ranch near Arlington, Wyoming.

Mark Miller's book brings these memories back to full clarity after six decades.

This is a heartfelt remembrance of love for family, of love of the land, love of livestock and the joys and heartbreaks of growing up.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sandra Jonas publishing for this Goodreads Giveaway copy.

Mark Miller’s memoir captures the real experience of ranch life, true to his family, not Hollywood’s depiction. Last third of the book, is best, with Mark’s discussion of loosing his parents and transitioning to life off the ranch.

[Wayne Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful. While I grew up on a small dairy farm back east, the stories rang true to that life also. One can’t live on land for generations without having a true deep connection to it. The lessons taught by the men and women who worked that land stay with you long after you have moved away.

[Ms. Christine M. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

poignant story of a vanishing way of life

Beautifully written. I loved the portraits of the authors grandfather and parents. A true description of old ranching life living close to the elements. Loved every page.

[Dwight A. Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving account of ranch life

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir. I was born in Rawlins and familiar with small town life but this opened up what some of my friends living on ranches experienced need first hand.

[Barbara Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about a genuine ranch

Very interesting and sometimes funny stories and history of a genuine ranch in Wyoming. I grew up in Colorado in the wilderness, but not on a ranch.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A taste of the West

Enjoy this glimpse of Wyoming ranch life. Mark paints pictures with his words, so you can join him in the high desert of Wyoming where ranch life taught us so much.

From one ranch family to another. ( Campbell Land &Cattle).

[Richard A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Mark Miller’s life growing up on the family ranch (I Lazy D – brand) in Carbon Canyon, Wyoming, about 40 miles from Rawlins, WY. This is the story of Miller’s great-grandfather Isaac Miller homesteading the ranch in 1881 and expanding the ranch (and switching from raising sheep to cattle) through the years until the ranch was passed down to his grandfather and then to a family trust and finally sold outside of the family. The author goes into the history of the ranch and details his childhood and adult life as he worked at the ranch both for his father and finally with his brother before the ranch was sold. While working at the ranch he earned a PHD in anthropology and became the Wyoming State Archaeologist and held that position for three decades before retiring in 2014. In 2019 Winnie (our dog) and I drove through southern Wyoming, wondering about the ranches along Highway 80 and spent one night in Rawlins, WY. I had time to tour the city and had I known about the ranch (even though the book was not released on audio until December 2024) I would have taken Winnie on an excursion to it. The book was narrated by Danny Campbell.

[Julianna Mauga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!

I really enjoyed this book. My mother was raised on a ranch in Wyoming so I was interested in the story and found myself learning a lot about the lives of ranchers. I even found myself getting a little emotional a few times. I highly recommend this book if you're at all interested in the lives of ranchers or you enjoy memoirs.

[Patricia Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author certainly has a gift for evoking the ethos of earlier ranch life. It's one of those idyllic, evanescent kind of memories that are gone now. Life was rough but more in keeping with how human beings were designed to live, in sync with nature and the earth. My Mom was raised on a sheep operation in Montana and I remember her speaking of lambing and the other landmarks of a rural ranch year.

[Dale Wilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark's recollections mirror my own days of growing up on a ranch in North Dakota (except we didn't have sheep!) This book took me back to those days that sometimes were dirty and dangerous and exhausting -- and rewarding and fondly remembered. The compassion of a true rancher comes through via Mark's many tales of raising and caring for livestock -- and the dealings with neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and perhaps even some we didn't really like. The lessons learned growing up on a many generation old family ranch are so true, and are an element that is getting harder to find. This book is a great read, as Mark is a great story teller!

[Ala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like slipping through the gates of the Dutton Ranch, only this time the dust is real and nobody’s yelling “Rip!” to fix things!!

The author paints Wyoming life with an honesty that doesn’t flinch, the beauty, the grit, the bone-deep loyalty that ranch families breathe like oxygen.

The storytelling is warm, reflective, and stubbornly authentic. It shows ranch life as something earned, not performed, and that makes every page feel grounded and real.

If you love the spirit of Yellowstone but want the heart without the drama, this book is your soft-spoken, wide-horizon answer.

[David Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyoming is what America once was—that’s more than a slogan.

Mark Miller takes us on his family’s journey through over a hundred years of ranching—and the rugged hardship, dawn-to-dusk work, and dangers beyond what most of us can imagine.

From outlaws to rattlesnakes, blizzards to droughts, this fabulous firsthand account about a harsh, unforgiving life is also about a deep love and respect for nature, for animals, and, most importantly, for family and dear friends. A superb story well told.

[Randi Samuelson-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Sometimes Paradise: Reflections on Life in a Wyoming Ranch Family opens up a window onto life on a Wyoming legacy ranch with an interesting history and a prominent presence in the state's history. Perhaps what strikes me the most about this book is the humanity - set against the wide-open empty of Wyoming. There is a lot of wisdom contained in this book - and more than a few laughs. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Gail love to read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I grew up with animals and farming. Nothing on the scale of this family but still I could relate to some of this. We were more horses and rodeos and rodeo stock but it was family working together. My dad's parents, sister, and brother. At various times off and on from 1950 until my dad passed in 2024 multiple family members lived on the property. Mark's telling of when his family left the ranch and his dad passing really struck a chord with me.

Also spent some time in Wyoming in the late 70s doing fossil and arrowhead hunting. Brought back lots of memories!

[judy mcdaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legacy

I enjoyed learning about life on the ranch,from a personal perspective. The lessons taught and handed down from many generations of ranchers gave a true account of the trials and the blessings experienced. By the end of this story, I felt like I would have loved to be part of the Miller family.

[Deloris Brinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting family heritage

I liked how this book told a realistic accounting of the family and their love of this ranch they developed and made productive with their hard work and dedication.

[vicki garzanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always wanting to live in Wyoming this book gave me a real feel for the way of life that appeals to me. Just as easy going as a gentle horses gait. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Jay R Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyoming Wonderful

What a good read. Visited Wyoming for the first time last year on my motorcycle on the way to see my cousin in Worland. Mark Miller’s description of the terrain and vistas hit home for me. This story kept me turning pages learning about the hardships and joys of working on a cattle/sheep ranch in Wyoming. The family and friends part of the story was just as interesting and tied the story together.
Thanks, Mark Miller for your bringing this life story to us.
Jay

[Judy Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!!

[Cathrine "Capi" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. As a horse-crazy young girl, I dreamt of living and working on a ranch, riding all day long, herding the cattle, sleeping under the stars.....the glorified version, of course! Ranching is hard work, 24/7/365, and Wyoming is some of the toughest terrain in this country. I enjoyed his stories of his grandfather and great-grandfather, the history of the family ranch, the hope that it would stay in the family for generations. I was very saddened when the board decided to disband the family ranch and lease it out, with what seemed like a heartless attitude to the family that had actually worked it, putting money over history. Sadly, that seems to be the way of many family ranches in these current times when it is cost prohibitive to carry on. I hope the author will cherish his memories, and pass those down to his son and grandchildren, and thank him sincerely for sharing those memories with us, the readers!

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading/skimming over half this book but then lost interest. Not to be taken as a negative about the book for others. Its just a lot of ranching and cowboy (boy) stuff that I eventually decided I'd had enough of.

[Christine Guarise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, thought provoking read. I loved every page.