Wholesale Montana: A Cultural Medley

Montana’s cultural diversity is far richer than you might think. The proof is in thirteen compelling essays, each focused on a distinct ethnic group’s experience under the Big Sky, compiled by historian Robert Swartout in Montana: A Cultural Medley. The stories are personal—a Scottish fur trader marries into tribal life in the Mission Valley, Métis families cling together to help build the new settlement of Lewistown, a young Three Forks football standout leaves his Japanese parents to fight the Nazis in WWII. Also featured are stories of Dutch, Irish, Chinese, Mexican Americans, Danish, Jewish, Finnish, Croatians and Slovenians, war brides, and African Americans. Under Swartout’s insightful curation, this collection reveals a surprising breadth to the immigrant experience in Montana.