Books become old friends

Interviewing Jim Montgomery for the story on this page about his book, "Lost Mountain Spirit," brought back a lot of good memories about a lot of good books.

For me, his book was like walking down a familiar highway, lined with people I never exactly met, but I do recognize the names on the mailboxes.

So it is for the insatiable reader of a particular genre or related genres.

From the time I was a child, I loved reading stories of pioneer days. Later on, I read every Western I could find.

One of the first books for grownups I recall reading was "Riders of the Purple Sage" by Zane Grey. I read it in sixth grade, and I didn't stop until I had read every single Zane Grey book I could get my hands on.

I still remember that, when our house burned when I was 12, I had three or four books from the Brownstown Public Library. The only title I remember, though, was Grey's "The Man of the Forest."

A few days after the fire, I went into the library and explained what happened and asked what the replacement cost for the books would be. The librarian on duty just looked kindly at me and said that, under the circumstances, there would be no charge. (Kindness is something you always remember, too.)

"Riders of the Purple Sage" remains Grey's best-known book. There is a sequel, as well, "The Rainbow Trail." One of my particular favorites is "Shadow on the Trail."

Grey's books, although there was plenty of gunplay, were intriguing in their emphasis on honor, and the courage to turn a second chance into a life-changing opportunity. They also were somewhat unique in that the plight of the Indians and the duplicity of many of the people who pushed their way into the West were revealed decades before those issues got much attention. His books were a far cry from the "penny dreadfuls" and "dime novels" that proliferated at one time or another.

As the years went by, I became drawn to historical nonfiction, including writings on the cultures of the various tribes throughout the country. I credit that interest in part to the influence of Grey's novels.

Jim Montgomery expressed much respect for the mountain men of old as we discussed "Lost Mountain Spirit." Those men were the explorers, guides and, as Montgomery pointed out, often mediators as whites struggled to gain a foothold in the West, and the Indians tried to maintain theirs.

Just like the book's main character, Pilgrim, the mountain men moved between the two groups, seeing both from the perspective that only those men had.

Montgomery spoke with enjoyment of the book and the writing process, and said he encourages others who would like to write to give it a try.

I concur. Maybe it's time to turn over that writing rock and see what's under it.
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Persinger is community editor for The Tribune. She may be reached at (812) 523-7063 or jpersinger@tribtown.com.