Montana Behind the Scenes [Paperback]

Durrae Johanek (Author), John Johanek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

A look at the stories behind the incredible people, magnificent sites, and fascinating, intimate history of Montana.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book looks beyond the glaciers and geysers and delivers the stories behind the incredible people, magnificent sites, and fascinating, intimate history of Montana. The Johaneks relate the stories behind the more obscure, less-hyped things unique to the state including a blend of festivals, unusual museums, nature, history, geology, and a sprinkling of oddities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: TwoDot; 1st edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560447915
• ISBN-13: 978-1560447917
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,495,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your father's travel guide., February 25, 2001

By 

Charles Warman (Wichita Falls, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Montana Behind the Scenes (Paperback)

I'm a lifelong Texan, but my family and I have been vacationing in Montana off and on for many years. We've done all the standard tourist stops several times over. So this book provides just what we need. Here you will find the places and people that make Montana unique. You'll discover Joe, Montana (yes, it was). You'll drop in at the Jersey Lilly Saloon in Ingomar (pop. 10), home of internationally famous...uhh...beans. You'll visit the Fairview Bridge, which could accommodate trains and automobiles - just not both at once! You'll learn all about lefse, the potato-based, Norwegian version of tortillas. You'll stroll through an incredible rock-garden recreation of the Bible. You'll wander through the deserted streets of St. Marie - possibly the NEWEST ghost town in the U.S.

So if you want to know where stay along I-94 near Billings, or what size trailer can be accommodated at Hebgen Lake Campground, this is not your book. But you really want to get to know the state and its people, the Johaneks will take you there. All in all, it's an engagingly-written, idiosyncratic, informative and altogether charming book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only 5 stars allowed? This one should get 10!, December 30, 2002

By 

Deb Dursi (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Montana Behind the Scenes (Paperback)

"Montana: Behind the Scenes" has already found its place among my most treasured reads, and I haven't even finished reading the thing yet. I've read slightly beyond the first couple of chapters but felt the need to put in my two cents' worth about this delightful paperback even before I got past the Gumbo chapter (more on Gumbo later). I was captured first by the witty cover, and soon found myself going way beyond the posted speed limit just to get to the Gumbo. What is this Montanan-style Gumbo, you ask? It's not what you think. It's even better. Rest assured, you'll want more Gumbo than this brief chapter provides, but it'll whet your appetite for more Montana, Durrae-and-John-Johanek style. You don't have to live in Montana to appreciate this book, but reading it will make you want to put THIS trip on your travel planner. The sooner the better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Montana you want to see and know!, February 5, 2002

By 

roger koester (golden, co USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Montana Behind the Scenes (Paperback)

Fantastic book that makes you want to get in your car, head to Montana, and then get off the interstate and out of the cities. The vignettes of the small towns, unusual places, and unique people give even the armchair travel a delightful tour, without even being there. Nice writing, an excellent read.