Although Yellowstone National Park may seem a bit too specialized for a book of historical & general interest, it really isn’t. George Black in Empire Of Shadows: The Epic Story Of Yellowstone tells the story of our northern mountain (mostly Montana) states in a no nonsense & colorful manner. Exciting, adventurous, stormy and often distressingly sad, we read a powerful recounting of Yellowstone’s beginnings, unencumbered by folklore or myth, with a large, colorful and violent cast of characters that includes early fur trappers, gold miners, pioneers, politicians, statesmen, thieves, adventurers, soldiers, and Blackfeet, Crow and Nez Perce warriors and chiefs. Well-documented and researched, the story is recommended reading for those who enjoy realistic accounts of the American West. A very enjoyable book about one of my favorite places in the world....