By Darris Flanagan
In this first-ever book of its kind for Montana, historian Darris Flanagan – author of the book “Indian Trails of the Northern Rockies” – has compiled, in text and photograph, a detailed look at the early “glory days” of logging in Montana. From an historical overview to detailed looks at the major components of the state's logging history – lumberjacks, river drives, tie hacks, horse logging, donkey engines, railroads, trucks, crosscut saws and chainsaws, as well as a lively chapter about the Wobblies and the Strike of 1917 – he literally provides the reader with a close-up and personal view of this major industry and the rugged men who strode through its colorful history. While most of the thrust of this book is the early history of Montana logging and its glory days, Flanagan also brings the reader up to the present as he deals with mechanization and the changes it has wrought in the logging industry. The author, who grew up in a logging family in the Eureka, Montana, area, collected dozens of historic photographs from across Montana to illustrate “Skid Trails: Glory Days of Montana Logging.” Issued in softcover format, 176 pages, many photographs.
1-931291-35-7 Skid Trails: Glory Days of Montana Logging – $16.95