Red Mountain [Paperback]

David Lavender (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 2000

David Lavender's classic novel of the rich silver strikes between Ouray (Argent) and Silverton (Baker), Colorado is back in print. Based on actual historical events and places (but with a few liberties taken) his fast-moving book details how hero Johnny Ogden builds what is now the Million Dollar Highway to connect Argent with the booming Red Mountain Mining District. Johnny's intense enthusiasm, dedication and ambition help make up for his youthfull mistakes. Red Mountain is a colorful, exciting novel that vividly protrays the excitement and optimism of the silver boom days of Colorado, as well as the doom and despair that followed after the collapse of the price of silver

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lavender takes the reader beyond where the historian can go. He tells the story through fictional characters who reflect the attitudes, hopes, and dreams of the generation that came to open the mineral treasure box. Come back to the exciting, heart-breaking days when mining beckoned . . . with the promise of fulfillment of dreams." -- Duane Smith, Ft. Lewis College

About the Author

David Lavender is the author of nearly forty books on the West, including two that won Pulitzer Prize nominations. He writes about southwest Colorado form first-hand knowledge. He was born in Telluride, Colorado, and witnessed the final days of Colorado's great mines. As a young adult he worked at the famous Camp Bird Mine and on his father's cattle ranch in southwestern Colorado. He graduated from Princton but returned to Colorado until his family's ranch failed during the Great Depression. Afterwards he moved to California where he lives today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 540 pages
• Publisher: Western Reflections Pub Co (April 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890437352
• ISBN-13: 978-1890437350
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,419,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Red Mountain by David Lavender, October 18, 2009

By 

Sally (Boise, Id) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Red Mountain (Paperback)

I read this book years ago and it has always stuck in my memory, perhaps because as a young person, I visited this area many times. I have always been interested in the silver and gold mines and the miners as well as the little towns that were made possible because of the silver and gold. I have read other books by David Lavender ( nonfiction) He was a wonderful writer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful experience of the country I love, October 17, 2008

By 

Kyle J. Majchrowski "kmajchro" (Portland, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Red Mountain (Paperback)

When I first picked up this novel, it seemed rather lengthy and a tough read. However, after the first 100 pages, it took off faster than I can remember any novel I have read in a long time.

Living in the area displayed in the book for the past 4+ years, I can relate to so many things with the characters and story. Growing up in Chicago certainly allow me to relate to the characters from the "big city." If one could replace the "silver-boom and bust" with the current "real estate boom and bust" in the area, you wouldn't know the difference. I have met and done business with many people just like Johnny, Gabe, Will, and more, it's amazing. I guess people are people, and the setting is amazing. If you've ridden the Durango-Silverton railroad, spent time in the mountains, hiked around here, then this book is a wonderful read.