Toole reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Originally published in the 1950s, the book gives us a great history of Montana. Much is as we'd expect, but his details bring us closer to events that would otherwise feel distant. As I read, I realized I could substitute various current names and situations -- and be reading a contemporary analysis of today's political scene. The one frustration with reading a book written more than a half-century ago is that I wanted updates. What happened after Toole wrote "The End"? For us out-of-staters, what might seem obvious to Montanans isn't quite so clear to the rest of us. If someone knows of a "PS" to Toole's book, please let me know, as I'd love to read the sequel!