When I started the podcast, I had no expectations that any significant number of people would ever tune in. Fast forward to today, there are thousands of people like you who not only listen, but tell their friends, share on social media, leave amazing iTunes reviews, and reach out to me directly with kind words. I can’t thank you enough for the encouragement—it’s been unbelievably fulfilling and fun to connect with so many like-minded folks from around the world who love the American West.

Much to my surprise, people have begun to ask how they can support the podcast financially. I’ve set up two options: Patreon (a monthly subscription) and PayPal (a one-time payment). If the podcast brings you as much enjoyment and value as say, a latte or burrito, I’d greatly appreciate your financial support. Click over to Patreon to see the Theodore Roosevelt-themed giving tiers and associated supporter-only benefits. All supporters will have their names listed proudly on the Wall of Badasses below, right alongside my personal gurus (i.e. badasses emeritus), and the rewards only get cooler from there.

Seriously, thank you for your support, financial and otherwise.  I wouldn’t be able to do this work without your interest and encouragement.

Click Below to Support Mountain & Prairie

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September-October Book Club Selection: “The Emerald Mile” by Kevin Fedarko

At the end of each podcast episode, I ask the guest to name his or her favorite book about the American West. The books mentioned have been as varied as the guests’ careers and backgrounds—non-fiction and fiction, biography and philosophy, academic texts and poetry. But one specific title continues to pop up time and again. This book touches on many important aspects of the West—its history, settlement by Europeans, and the all-important issue of water resources.

But unlike many dry texts about western history and water issues, this story is built around an epic, real-life adventure through the depths of the Grand Canyon. It’s one of those books that is so well written and action packed, you’ll have a hard time putting it down. But when you’re finished, you’ll realize that you learned an unbelievable amount about could-be boring subjects such as the Bureau of Reclamation, water rights, hydrology, and the government’s role in regulating water supplies. It’s almost as if the author figured out a way to trick his readers into understanding and caring about the plight of the Colorado River.

If you’re a regular podcast listener, you know exactly what book I’m talking about. The September-October book club selection is:

The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko

Everyone I know who has read this book has loved it, no exceptions. In my recent podcast episode with Pete McBride, he named  The Emerald Mile as one of two books that are mandatory for those wanting to understand water in the West (and Pete knows a thing or two about the Colorado River). But even if you care nothing about water or the history of the West, it’s still a damn good read—wild adventure, crazy characters, all in an extreme, unforgiving landscape. This is a perfect book for Mountain & Prairie Podcast listeners.

I’ll be excited to hear your thoughts on the book and the issues it raises about us humans’ impact on the American West, as well as solutions for moving forward in a responsible, sustainable manner.

• Grab a copy of The Emerald Mile—purchase it from Amazon or your local bookseller, or check it out from your local library. Start reading.
• Head over to our Goodreads Group. Create an account, then join in the conversation in the online discussion forum. As you read, give your feedback on the book, pose questions to the group, and share your thoughts as you plow through the adventure.
• The only way this works is with lots of participation from lots of people, so the more the better. DON’T BE SHY!

Mountain & Prairie Book Club – Goodreads Group

Upcoming Event! Hampton Sides at the Aspen Institute

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be interviewing Hampton Sides on stage at the Aspen Institute on Wednesday, August 15th. We’ll be discussing his amazing book Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West, as well as a whole host of topics related to the 19th Century American West. It’s going to be an engaging conversation at a world-renowned venue, so I hope to see you there!

Below is the full program description– click the title to visit the Aspen Institute’s event webpage.

American West Public Lecture: Kit Carson and the 19th Century American West: A Legendary Journey of Exploration

Featuring Hampton Sides, Editor-At-Large of Outside Magazine and best-selling author, in conversation with Ed Roberson, Conservation Director of Palmer Land Trust and host of the Mountain & Prairie podcast.  Hampton Sides will share his insights into the life of legendary Kit Carson, a 19th century trapper, military man, and pioneer. Enveloped in mythology, Carson’s story is a wonderful example of the conflict of culture and values that so defines 19th Century American West today.

Fee: $25. Tickets on sale Friday, August 3 at www.aspenshowtix.com.

Parking is very limited. Please carpool, walk, ride RFTA, or ride a We-Cycle bike. Information: www.we-cycle.org or www.rfta.com, or download the Transit app.

Last week, Jeff and Darcie over at Colorado Springs’ local podcast, The Little London Show, graciously asked me to stop by for a chat. We had a fun conversation and covered wide range of subjects—conservation, my new gig with Palmer Land Trust, Theodore Roosevelt, public lands, the Springs vs. Boulder, books, the ridiculousness of ultra running, my podcast, and much more.

I have no idea if I made a lick of sense—most likely not—but if you’re interested, you can listen below.

The Little London Show: Episode 141 – Ed Roberson

Download on iTunes

Download on Stitcher

July-August Book Club Selection: “Blood and Thunder” by Hampton Sides

If you’ve been following the blog and podcast for a while, you know that I read tons of books about the American West—everything from the detailed history of barbed wire to biographies of Stegner and Abbey to ecological examinations of the West’s large mammals.

But if I could only recommend one book, the choice would be easy. This book combines dense, specific history of the white man’s settling of the West, structured around the biography of one of our country’s most heroic-notorious-paradoxical characters.  It sheds light on the horrific mistreatment of Native Americans, while explaining the “Manifest Destiny” thinking that led to those atrocities. And it presents all of this information in an amazingly entertaining and exciting narrative that is truly fun to read.

The July-August Book Club Selection is:

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West by Hampton Sides

Blood and Thunder is in my top five favorite books of all time, and—no exaggeration—everyone I know who’s read it has loved it. Reading the book gave me a base level of knowledge about the West that has served me well both professionally and personally.  This is also one of those books that introduces you to countless characters and concepts that will warrant further reading and study—it’s a gateway drug into deep Western history.

If you’re like me, you’ll be disgusted by the government’s treatment of Native Americans, and likely perplexed by Kit Carson’s role in the “taming of the West” and the seemingly hypocritical nature of some of his actions. Was he really the Western superhero character that pop culture portrays him as?  I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on that.

Hampton Sides is a world-class writer who has honed his gift for telling complex stories in easy-to-read, engaging prose. I’ve read most of his books and much of his shorter-form writing for Outside magazine and the like—his subjects span a broad range but his writing is consistently top-notch. But of all he has written, there’s something special about Blood and Thunder that has stuck with me for years and years, so I trust that you’ll glean lots of value from it, as well.

• Grab a copy of Blood and Thunder—purchase it from Amazon or your local bookseller, or check it out from your local library. Start reading.
• Head over to our Goodreads Group. Create an account, then join in the conversation in the online discussion forum. As you read, give your feedback on the book, pose questions to the group, and share your thoughts as you plow through the epic. I’m especially interested in your thoughts on Kit Carson—is he the hero that history has made him out to be? I have my own thoughts that I’ll share.
• The only way this works is with lots of participation from lots of people, so the more the better. DON’T BE SHY!

Mountain & Prairie Book Club – Goodreads Group

Modern Huntsman Book Review: Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy

Excerpt: “While reading the full trilogy is an accomplishment on its own, it is really just a starting point for a deep understanding of TR, public lands, conservation, and the time period. Curious readers will find dozens of people, places, and concepts that warrant further study, and their reading list will expand wildly with each completed chapter. If the trilogy is the trunk of a great oak tree, there are countless fascinating branches to explore further.”

Best Books on Farming – A Crowdsourced List

If you listen to the podcast, you know that I’m fascinated with agriculture and its ecological and economic benefits to our culture here in the American West. Recently, I’ve been working in the farming community along Colorado’s lower Arkansas Valley—some of the most fertile and productive farmland in the Rocky Mountain West. I am thoroughly impressed by these farmers’ tireless work ethic, their commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, and their desire to see the land remain in production, rather than being developed into another poorly planned strip mall or housing development.

My immersion in Colorado’s farming culture has only whet my appetite to learn more, so I reached out to the podcast listeners via Instagram and asked “What is the best book on farming that you’ve ever read?” I received so many excellent suggestions, from well-known bestsellers to esoteric cult classics.  The full list is below, in no particular order.

Keep in mind, I have not read most of these books (yet), so I can’t vouch for all of them personally. But given the curiosity and passion of Mountain & Prairie Podcast listeners, I trust that these books offer valuable perspectives on farming and agriculture—a diverse set of historical, philisophical, technical, cultural, and ecological outlooks on a complex subject. While I may not agree with every point made in these books, I do love the process of learning, exploring new ideas, challenging my preconceived notions, and making up my mind based on thorough reading and research.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reach out with recommendations. If you notice any glaring omissions, please let me know in the comments below!

• Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman: Conservation Heroes of the American Heartland by Marian Horn
• Lentil Underground: Renegade Farmers and the Future of Food in America by Liz Carlisle
• A Thousand Acres: A Novel by Jane Smiley
• This Blessed Earth: A Year in the Life of an American Family Farm by Ted Genoways
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
• Wendell Berry: Port William Novels & Stories by Wendell Berry
• Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
• Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
• The Gift of Good Land: Further Essays Cultural and Agricultural by Wendell Berry
• Greenhorns: The Next Generation of American Farmers by Zoe Ida Bradbury
• The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball
• Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World by Joel Salatin
• Your Successful Farm Business: Production, Profit, Pleasure by Joel Salatin
• The End of Plenty: The Race to Feed a Crowded World by Joel K, Bourne, Jr.
• The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming by Jean-Martin Fortier
• 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry Word by Howard Buffett
• The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Vision to Shape Tomorrow’s World by Charles C. Mann
• The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
• The Botany of Desire: A Plant-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan
• Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food by Dan Barber
• The Shepherd’s Life: Modern Dispatches from an Ancient Landscape by James Rebanks
• Cowed: The Hidden Impact of 93 Million Cows on America’s Health, Economy, Politics, Culture. and Environment by Denis Hayes and Gail Boyer Hayes
• The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business by Christopher Leonard
• The Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World by Emma Marris
• Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman
• Restoration Agriculture: Real-World Permaculture for Farmers by Mark Shepard
• Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway
• Agriculture: Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture by Rudolf Steiner
• Books by Elliot Coleman
• Books by Wendell Berry
• Books by Joel Salatin
• New Roots for Agriculture by Wes Jackson

May-June Book Club Selection: “The Big Burn” by Timothy Egan

If you listen to the podcast, odds are you’ve been paying close attention to the ongoing public lands debate. I’d also venture a guess that you’ve spent a considerable amount of time exploring public lands, whether scaling one of Colorado’s 14ers, camping in the alpine of the Wind River Range, or simply peering of the edge of the Grand Canyon. Public lands are what make the West the West, and they are the foundation of everything unique about the region, from wildlife to scenic views, natural resources to recreation.

To fully understand– or even begin to understand– the American West, you need to understand the history of public lands, so the May-June book club selection is:

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America by Timothy Egan

The book is centered around a massive and deadly forest fire that burned over 3 million acres of Montana, Idaho, and Washington in just two days. While the story of the wildfire is exciting and tragic, I found the real value of this book to be the detailed history of the creation of the United States Forest Service—how our public lands came to be seen as a national treasure owned by the people, rather than a resource to be exploited by robber barons. 

As noted in the subtitle, the book digs into the role that Theodore Roosevelt played in shaping conservation policy, as well as the powerful political and economic forces he had to fight to ensure the protection of these landscapes. Egan also paints a vivid picture of Gifford Pinchot, TR’s right hand man in conservation and the first head of the US Forest Service. Pinchot was an interesting dude to say the least—he would hold conversations with the ghost of his deceased wife, began each day by pouring buckets of ice-cold water on this head, and would regularly square off in boxing and wrestling matches against TR.

The topics and people examined in this book are more important now more than ever—if you want to be an effective advocate for public lands, it’s mandatory to understand this history.  I loved this book, and I think about it regularly as I visit the far-flung corners of the American West. But don’t take my word for it, check out this glowing Los Angeles Times book review for a solid synopsis.

This book club selection is being offered in conjunction with the Diablo Trust’s monthly book club.  Diablo Trust is a leader in cutting-edge conservation in the southwestern US, so I highly encourage you to check out their website and consider supporting their work. At the least, read along with their book club— they have some wonderful monthly selections!

If you’d like to participate:

• Grab a copy of The Big Burn—purchase it from Amazon or your local bookseller, or check it out from your local library. Start reading.
• Head over to our Goodreads Group. Create an account, then join in the conversation in the online discussion forum. As you read, give your feedback on the book, pose questions to the group, and share your first-hand experience reading Stegner and Abbey. The only way this works is with lot of participation from lots of people, so the more the better.

Mountain & Prairie Book Club – Goodreads Group

Not interested in TR, Pinchot, or The Big Burn? Then get started on the July-August Book Club selection: Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides.  More details will be announced in early July.