Yonder: A Place in Montana

by John Heminway

The travel writer offers a written portrait of the great Western state, focusing on the history of the Bar 20, the thirty-six-acre ranch he owns in Montana.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Melissa]

An interesting premise that didn't quite live up to expectations. Author Heminway traces the lineage of his Montana ranch through several generations of ownership, including his own. Part travelogue, part Western history and part memoir, the book falls a bit short in that the different owners' chapters lack a connectedness that is much more apparent in the modern-day sections. There are some sections that are quite well written, but they are not enough to make up for the rest. The book also suffers mightily from poor copyediting and numerous typographical errors. For better treatment of similar themes, seek out nonfiction by Rick Bass or Terry Tempest Williams.

[Louis]

Equal parts travelogue, Western history and memoir, Yonder traces the history of a ranch in Montana. Heminway has become its latest owner at the outset. He had spent a great deal of time in Africa and sought a place back in the U.S. to call home at least part of the year. Once he settles in he grows curious about who came before him. In his research he studies the reasons Americans moved west even after the official end of the frontier. In time he becomes interested in learning more about the Native Americans who these settlers encountered. He also captures something of the spirit that animates the current-day residents of Big Sky country. While this is by and large a good read certain flaws lessened its impact for me. The most noticeable is the book's dire need of a good editor. Not only are there commas galore (someone at NatGeo must truly love them), there are a fair amount of typos. Worst of all for the reader is the rambling, anecdotal nature of Heminway's tale. The narrative does not often build the way a good book does, lessening its impact. A good read but it could have been so much more. Three and a half stars.

[Sandra]

Although the writing seemed a little disjointed, I love the history of regular places where ordinary people lived. I find it much more fascinating that that of "the rich and famous". It also surprised me with archaeological insights into the area. A very unique and interesting book.

[Claire Connors]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the way he wrote, I felt like he was conversing with me. And the things I learned about Montana from his research are important things that everybody should know. I just was very impressed.

[Rain Trueax]

John Heminway wrote lovingly of a place I also love but only rarely am able to visit-- Montana. This is the story of the place, the experiences and what it's like to live there. I hesitate to recommend it because too many people already live there which is making it less what it was when I first visited; still if everyone visited through imagination and a book like this one, it could stay what it has always been-- a mix of wilderness, energy, and the Old West. (I bought the book when in Arizona-- another place I dearly love for a lot of the same reasons).