Customer Reviews

Strength of Stone: The Pioneer Journal of Electa Bryan Plumer, 1862-1864

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Diane Elliott has so completely captured the experience of settling Montana in the 1860s as seen through the eyes of Electa that it is hard to believe this is fiction, and not a true diary. She reminds us of the incredible hardships families endured, the fear and deprivations experienced by these pioneers, and the everyday threat of violence under which they lived. All this is twined around the short and intense romance and marriage of Henry and Electa. The book leave you wanting more of Electa, and lets you draw your own conclusions about the mysterious and complex Plumer--misunderstood hero, notorious road agent, brilliant sociopath, or something of each. I couldn't put this down until I finished it.

Loved it!!! Diane Elliott brings her characters and settings vividly to life without belaboring descriptions. The book moves at a delightful pace and you will think about these characters long after your reading is complete. If you are a lover of historical fiction you'll really enjoy how well so many aspects and details of the period are captured. The characters are individuals that really lived much of this experience. In the Afterword the author provides many of her sources which would make excellent follow up reading. Also included are photos pertinent to the period. The book really takes you back in time to 150 years ago. The contrast between present day and the life experience and social expectations of such a short time ago in our history will not be lost on you. Highly recommend!

This is an excellent "historical novel" about Electa Bryan with much insight by Elliot. Living in Montana, I have walked the streets of Bannack and been to the Sun River crossing (where Electa first lived in Washinging territory, later Montana territory), and its certainly is interesting to know what took place there and what people were thinking in those days. I highly recommend this book to any Montana history buff.

Elliott did a tremendous amount of research in order to create this fictional story of real people who traveled to settle Montana. The detailed descriptions of the terrain and journal complemented the development of the characters. Loved the book!