Created by local writers and photographers, Compass American Guides are the ultimate insider's guides, providing in-depth coverage of the history, culture, and character of America's most spectacular destinations. Covering everything there is to see and do as well as choice lodging and dining, these gorgeous full-color guides are perfect for new and longtime residents as well as vacationers who want a deep understanding of the region they're visiting.Written and photographed by local residentsKnowledgeable advice on hiking, fly-fishing, camping, and other recreational opportunitiesSpectacular color photography and archival imagesLively essays on ghost towns, rodeos, the Battle of Little Bighorn, and cowboy artist Charlie RussellComprehensive lodging and dining listings, including the best of Montana's guest ranchesLiterary extracts by nature writers and cowboy poetsScenic road trips, with detailed, full-color mapsABOUT THE AUTHORBorn and raised in Montana, Norma Tirrell brings to this guide a native's firsthand knowledge of the state and an insider's view of its travel industry. For six years, as publications specialist for Travel Montana, a division of the Montana Department of Commerce, she wrote and produced the state's official travel guides. She is a partner of Q Communications Group, a Helena-based graphic design and communications agency. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, her first book, We Montanans, was published in 1988 by American and World Geographic Publishing. She and her husband, Gordon Bennett, enjoy exploring Montana from their home in Helena, centrally located on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains.ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERJohn Reddy, based in Helena, has been photographing landscapes and people since 1974. Reddy earned a degree in photography from Montana State University's Film and Television Production Department in Bozeman and subsequently lectured there for two years. He is widely published in Montana. His work has been seen in publications such as American Heritage, Outside, Men's Journal, Pacific Northwest, Sunset Magazine, the Smithsonian Guide to Historic America, and various books published by National Geographic. Reddy has many commercial clients, but prefers working on books and magazines featuring outdoor subjects. In his free time, he enjoys spending his time with his family and continually strives to capture on film the many splendors of his beloved Montana outdoors. Read Less