The Last Best Place: A Montana Anthology

by William Kittredge (Editor)

A guided tour of Montana's literature, including Native American stories, autobiographies, journals, fiction, and poetry.

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Literature, Nature, Anthologies, Short Stories, Native American

1158 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

William Kittredge was born in 1932 in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[SmarterLilac]

Most depressing title ever. Explains why I've always wanted to visit Montana.

[Mountain Girl]

Sweeping, epic, and VERY rich! I live in Montana and my book group chose to read this (!!). Our assignment was to skim the book and make note of a few essays/folklore tales/poems that particularly resonated with us. Then, we read the selections out loud during the gathering. It was a deep, dark snowy night and it was SO MUCH FUN!! I particularly liked the poetry by Wallace McRae, "Enter Ramona Laughing" by Wayne Ude, "Raising Goats" by Michael E. Moon, and the excerpts from "A Bride Goes West" by Nannie T. Alderson

[John]

Captures the essence of Native American, homesteader, pioneer, mining and other developing Montana cultures that natives and transplants to this region can all appreciate. My favorite is the diary of a Butte nurse working in the early 1900's in this infamous mining town! Also check out Dashiell Hammett's contribution.

[Linda]

A sweeping and comprehensive look at Montana through its literature. The Last Best Place is a book that I pick up time and again to discover stories ranging from Indian legends and journals of discovery to literature of modern Montana and contemporary fiction.

[Kristofer Petersen-Overton]

The sheer range of this project is remarkable. Here is a book that deserves a place on the shelf of anyone with a fondness for the literature and lore of the West. From Native American folk tales to contemporary poetry, this collection is a stunning accomplishment.

[Diana H.]

Beautiful photography and the descriptions come close to what is wonderful about Montana.
Love it!!!

[Leslie]

a book to dip into again and again, for a trip to Big Sky Country.

[Cindy Powell]

I sold this book before moving to Hawaii. Now I wish I'd kept it.