It Happened in Idaho (It Happened In Series) [Paperback]

Randy Stapilus (Author)

Book Description

Series: It Happened In Series | Publication Date: June 1, 2002

This book offers an inside look at 31 interesting and unusual episodes that shaped the history of the Gem State.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From its wind-swept plains to its snow-capped peaks, Idaho is a land of variety and splendor. It's also a place with a lively and colorful past filled with mountain men, Indian tribes, frontier families, renegades, and business tycoons. It Happened in Idaho takes readers on a rollicking, behind-the-scenes look at some of the characters and episodes from the Gem State's past.Here you'll read about the mistake that led to the founding of Idaho's first town, a mule that struck silver, the midnight theft of the capital, and the calamitous Teton Dam flood.Many of the people and events from Idaho's past are well known, but many are not. Do you know how Sun Valley, the first major ski resort in the United States, came into being? Or the story about daredevil Evel Kneivel's attempt to jump the Snake River canyon on a motorcycle? And how did Idaho potatoes become famous?In an easy-to-read style that 's entertaining and informative, author Randy Stapilus recounts some of the most captivating moments from Idaho's history. (6 x 9, 128 pages)

About the Author

Randy Stapilus has written about Idaho for more than a quarter of a century, as a newspaper columnist, reporter and author of a book about Idaho's political history, Paradox Politics (Ridenbaugh Press). He edits four newsletters on Northwest public affairs and natural resources. He has lived in all the corners of Idaho, currently at Boise.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: TwoDot; 1st edition (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762710268
• ISBN-13: 978-0762710263
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,454,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Randy Stapilus is a writer, publisher, blogger and former newspaper reporter and editor. His specialty over the years has been Northwest politics, and his first book was Paradox Politics (Ridenbaugh Press, 1988). He has followed the Snake Rover Basin Adjudication closely for more than 20 years, and has written extensively on water rights nationally as well. He has since written several books on Idaho history and tourism, for Globe Pequot Press and (with James Weatherby) the Caxton Press. He lives in Carlton, Oregon, with his wife Linda and three large dogs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful skip and jump through Idaho history, December 14, 2002

By 

Tom von Alten "Tom von Alten" (Boise, ID USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It Happened in Idaho (It Happened In Series) (Paperback)

Stapilus collects the highlights of Idaho stories and presents them in readable vignettes. Some of the stories were familiar to me, after living here 27 years, but many were new, and delightful. How Idaho potatoes became famous, the first city electrified with nuclear power, the compact synopsis of "Big Trouble" in 3 pages, murderin' mountain man Claude Dallas' moment of infamy and more.

Once it's done, you'll wish there were another layer of chocolates underneath the first one, or maybe that the book idea had been for 5 and 6-page versions of the stories rather than 2 and 3.

4.0 out of 5 stars It Happened in Idaho, December 31, 2011

By 

Sally - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It Happened in Idaho (It Happened In Series) (Paperback)

It was a quick read and told me of events in my home state that I never knew. I wish it would have included how the boundry of Idaho was formed. I am told that the boundry was formed by mistake. Now I'm curious. I gave the book as a present to my two brothers to enjoy as well.

3.0 out of 5 stars Idahoan Review, February 8, 2008

By 

Ranse Herzinger - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It Happened in Idaho (It Happened In Series) (Paperback)

Interesting stories about historical events in Idaho's history. I would recommend it to anyone interested in getting aquainted with the state and its past.