Items by Jenny Shank

An author’s West of dreams and nightmares
An author’s West of dreams and nightmares
Malcolm Brooks mingles romanticism with pragmatic realities.
Murder in Old San Francisco
Murder in Old San Francisco
Review of ‘Frog Music’ by Emma Donoghue
The bomb builders’ wives
The bomb builders’ wives
Review of ‘The wives of Los Alamos’ by Tarashea Nesbit.
Shady dealings in the desert
Shady dealings in the desert
Review of "Sunland" by Don Waters.
Brutal frontier
Brutal frontier
A review of ‘The Son' by Philipp Meyer.
Montana escape
Montana escape
A review of 'High and Inside' by Russell Rowland
Storm and stress on the frontier
Storm and stress on the frontier
Crossing Purgatory by Gary Schanbacher
Is this heaven? No, it’s Idaho
Is this heaven? No, it’s Idaho
A book review of Godforsaken Idaho by Shawn Vestal
A California essayist on American optimism and how landscape shapes our imaginations
The 'wrong kind of Indians'
The 'wrong kind of Indians'
A book review of Cowboys and East Indians by Nina McConigley
A world of hunger and desire
A world of hunger and desire
A review of A Guide to Being Born by Ramona Ausubel
Ghost of a chance
Ghost of a chance
A review of We Live in Water by Jess Walter
Frontier Justice: A review of Little Century
Frontier Justice: A review of Little Century
A review of Little Century by Anna Keesey
Acting the part
Acting the part
A gay Mexican actor conceals his identity in Alex Espinoza's 'The Five Acts of Diego León'.
Don't ask her to hike
Don't ask her to hike
In "Spectacle," a collection of short stories, Susan Steinberg explores power and gender in relationships
Girl in the woods: A review of The Snow Child
Girl in the woods: A review of The Snow Child
The debut novel from Eowyn Ivey, now in paperback, describes a homesteading couple in Alaska who adopt a mysterious girl living in the woods.
A Montanan walks into a Cairo bar: A review of Evel Knievel Days
A Montanan walks into a Cairo bar: A review of Evel Knievel Days
A homebody from Butte travels to Cairo to learn about his father.
A world of plague and hope: A review of The Bird Saviors
A world of plague and hope: A review of The Bird Saviors
In William J. Cobb’s lyrical novel The Bird Saviors, a mysterious virus strikes the residents of Pueblo, Colo.
Up the road and a world away: A review of Elsewhere, California
Up the road and a world away: A review of Elsewhere, California
A black girl growing up in ‘70s L.A. must learn to navigate between two worlds, in Dana Johnson's new book.
Three Nevada fiction writers make their debut
Three Nevada fiction writers make their debut
New authors Tupelo Hassman, Ben Rogers, and Claire Vaye Watkins discuss how Nevada inspired their fiction and the themes of their work.
Suffering and freedom in a microcosm: A review of San Miguel
Suffering and freedom in a microcosm: A review of San Miguel
T.C. Boyle's new novel focuses on the lives of two California families living on San Miguel island.
Home improvement: A review of Sugarhouse
Home improvement: A review of Sugarhouse
A hilarious memoir of home renovation, road trips, and redemption by writer Matthew Batt.
A parent lost and found: A review of Descanso for My Father: Fragments of a Life
A parent lost and found: A review of Descanso for My Father: Fragments of a Life
Harrrison Candelaria Fletcher tries to trace his family history -- particularly the life of his father, who died when he was almost two, in his new book.
Lights, camera, life: A review of Beautiful Ruins
Lights, camera, life: A review of Beautiful Ruins
Jess Walter's dashing sixth novel spans two continents and covers five decades as the lives of nine characters interweave throughout the years.
Practical pyromania: A review of The Flamer
Practical pyromania: A review of The Flamer
In his new novel, Ben Rogers tells the coming-of-age story of a young Nevada boy named Oby Brooks who just loves to blow things up.
Hero worship: A review of Let the Birds Drink in Peace
Hero worship: A review of Let the Birds Drink in Peace
In Robert Garner McBrearty’s fresh and funny new story collection, ordinary guys occasionally experience an instant of greatness – and have to deal with the unexpected consequences.
Stroke of insight: A review of Before the End, After the Beginning
Stroke of insight: A review of Before the End, After the Beginning
Dagoberto Gilb's remarkable new fiction collection captures the lives of struggling Southwestern people.
A forbidden road trip: A review of Lamb
A forbidden road trip: A review of Lamb
Lamb, Bonnie Nadzam's crisp, startling and psychologically intense debut novel, follows two troubled characters on a quest for redemption in the West.
From the Old World to the Old West: A review of The Little Bride
From the Old World to the Old West: A review of The Little Bride
Anna Solomon's fascinating first novel follows a young Jewish woman from Odessa, Russia, to the hardscrabble prairie of South Dakota in the late 1800s.
Love and loss on a Wyoming ranch: A review of Lime Creek
Love and loss on a Wyoming ranch: A review of Lime Creek
Lime Creek, Joe Henry's ravishing first work of fiction, is filled with exquisite snapshots of life on a Wyoming ranch.
High Country News Classifieds
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
    Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
  • NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION MANAGER
    Central Colorado Conservancy is an accredited land trust and community-based conservation organization based in Salida, CO. Our mission is to protect the land, waters and...
  • ESCAPE THE CROWDS AND EMBRACE NATURE: AFFORDABLE RETREAT, JUST AN HOUR FROM GLACIER NATIONAL PARK AND BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS!
    Welcome to your new tranquil oasis in Montana. This beautiful 2-bedroom home FSBO is just an hour's drive to the east entrance of Glacier National...
  • DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
    Areas of Responsibility: The Development Director collaborates with the Executive Director, other HEAL Utah staff, board, and supporters to continue building one of Utah's most...
  • DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
    Position Summary Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring an organized and creative Digital Engagement Specialist to join our Marketing and Communications Team. The Digital Engagement...
  • 92 ACRE EASTERN WASHINGTON GEM
    Welcome to Lost Creek Sanctuary... a true hidden gem in the heart of the Palouse. 1900 square feet, the main house is warm and charming,...
  • WEEKLY NEWSPAPER FOR SALE
    Vibrant, financially successful 1,100 print run, community-focused subscription newspaper in beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington seeks owner/s. It is time to retire. Now, your Norman Rockwell-like...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY - WILDLANDS AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM
    Job Opening Announcement: Wildlands and Wildlife Program Staff Attorney Reports to: Wildlands and Wildlife Program Director Location: Pacific Northwest, ideally in Eugene, Oregon, Portland, Oregon,...
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    The Head of Project Management will oversee our project execution to ensure that we are providing our partners around the world with the field data...
  • LEGAL DIRECTOR
    Trustees for Alaska is the only nonprofit environmental law firm founded and based in Alaska. We are seeking a Legal Director, full-time based in Anchorage....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Fund for People in Parks seeks leader to identify, develop, fund, and facilitate high-impact projects in western National Parks. Remote position with some travel....
  • GRASSROOTS REGIONAL COORDINATOR
    Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. The...
  • GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MANAGER
    Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. Position...
  • GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR
    The Grassroots Leadership (Director) oversees the training, guidance, and support of volunteer Broadband Leaders. (Broadbands are women-led grassroots chapters, with 40+ across the country.) They...
  • FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT NEEDED
    We would like to invite you to participate in a 60-minute focus group to help us enhance the New Mexico Courts website (https://www.inside.nmcourts.gov/). Our aim...
  • GILA GRASSROOTS ORGANIZER
    New Mexico Wild is seeking a Gila Grassroots Organizer who is passionate about public lands and community engagement. The Gila Grassroots Organizer will take a...
  • 20/40 ACRES IN ARIZONA WINE COUNTRY
    Chiricahua riparian ecosystem: 5100 ft elevation:18+ inches of rain/year: 1/4 mile creek through property: The Chiricahuas' have been called: "The most biologically diverse place in...
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    A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.
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    are a must try. They stay odor-free, dry fast, are durable and don't require machine washing. Try today.