Linda's Non-Fiction Books
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What's New from Linda?
Most recent books
Write Now, Here's How: Insights from Six Decades of Writing
Published August, 2020.
When Hot Springs Was A Pup -- by Badger Clark
edited by Linda M. Hasselstrom and Peggy Sanders
Published December, 2021
Linda's Non-fiction Books about Her Ranch and Life
Click on the book title to drop down to the information on this webpage.
Books are listed in order of publication.
Windbreak: A Woman Rancher on the Northern Plains
Published 1987.
A journal of a ranch year introducing Linda and George, the ranch, and many friends, family members and other animals.
Going Over East: Reflections of a Woman Rancher
Published 1987. Reprinted with a new epilogue 2001.
Linda, husband George, and son Michael go "over east" to the summer pastures far from the ranch buildings. Each gate they pass brings new ranch stories.
Land Circle: Writings Collected from the Land
Published 1991. Anniversary Edition with new material published 2008.
Linda writes of the cycles of life and death in nature, in her own environment and in her family.
Feels Like Far: A Rancher's Life on the Great Plains
Published 1999.
Linda moves to the city but remembers her ranching past, writing of family, friends, and nature.
Between Grass and Sky: Where I Live and Work
Published 2002.
More stories of the ranch and Linda's connections to nature and to animals, both wild and domesticated.
No Place Like Home: Notes from a Western Life
Published 2009.
Linda writes stories of changing communities, drawing from her own experiences of ranch life and city life.
Gathering from the Grassland: A Plains Journal
Published in September, 2017.
A diary of a year on Linda's ranch, and spiritual sequel to her first published book, the 1987 Windbreak: A Woman Rancher on the Northern Plains. Linda examines several generations of family diaries searching for an understanding of her ancestors and for direction in planning for the future of the plains ranch which has been in the family for over a century.
Linda's Non-fiction Books about Writing
Write Now, Here's How: Insights from Six Decades of Writing
Published 2020.
Forty entertaining essays offer suggestions and inspiration for writers, based on Linda's many years of writing and as a teacher of writing.
The Wheel of the Year: A Writer's Workbook
Published 2015.
Seasonal essays to guide your writing and encourage you to be mindful of your world. For writers and readers.
Other Non-fiction by Linda
These non-fiction books are on topics other than Linda's ranch, though they are chock-full of Linda's descriptive writing. Click on the book title to drop down to the information on this webpage.
When Hot Springs Was A Pup -- by Badger Clark
edited by Linda M. Hasselstrom and Peggy Sanders
Published December, 2021
Story-filled history of Hot Springs, South Dakota written by SD Poet Laureate Badger Clark in the 1920s. This 4th edition includes many historic photos.
Bison: Monarch of the Plains
Published 1998.
The lovely coffee-table book about the life and history of the American bison, with glorious photos taken by David Fitzgerald.
Roadside History of South Dakota
Published 1994.
Travel across South Dakota without leaving home. Enjoy historical stories and photos of the towns and people.
Journal of a Mountain Man -- by James Clyman
Edited by Linda M. Hasselstrom
Published 1984.
This historical journal written by a Mountain Man in the early 1800s was edited, introduced, and annotated by Linda.
All About the Book
Read some behind-the-scenes details about Linda's books: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on book jacket photos, and more.
Each book below has a link that will take you to the expanded material found on this website.
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Write Now, Here's How: Insights from Six Decades of Writing
In Write Now, Here's How, a dedicated and experienced writer leads the reader through forty entertaining essays that define six decades of writing. Reading this book is like joining Hasselstrom for conversations in the quiet privacy of her writing retreat house, where dozens of writers have found their voices.
Hasselstrom doesn't just explain; she demonstrates with examples from her own work how you can organize your writing space, fit serious writing into a life filled with work and family, make walking a vital part of writing practice, and begin to see the invisible. She gently leads you into meditations that will help you create a writing retreat in any busy week. With Hasselstrom's guidance, your writing will grow and bloom like wild pink roses along a dusty gravel road.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, readers' comments, and more.
Click here to go to the Write Now, Here's How webpage.
Write Now, Here's How: Insights from Six Decades of Writing
Nonfiction
Published 2020
301 pages, size: 6 X 9
$19.95 -- paperback
ISBN: 978-0-917624-01-8
Published by:
Lame Johnny Press
PO Box 169
Hermosa, SD 57744
www.windbreakhouse.com
info@windbreakhouse.com
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Gathering from the Grassland: A Plains Journal
Nature writer, poet, and longtime leader in land stewardship, Linda M. Hasselstrom examines several generations of family diaries searching for an understanding of her ancestors and for direction in planning for the future of the plains ranch which has been in the family for over a century.
Moving through the days of a year, she is never afraid to show the reader the most difficult thing of all -- the truth of her life. The portrait that emerges is of a woman who makes peace with life's complexities and finds joy in honoring the plains and its people and animals.
Ever the nature writer at heart, Hasselstrom crafts miniature essays on plains animals including antelope, owls, badgers, snakes, buffalo, and cattle. She also delves into rural community dynamics, death and aging, family, and the work of a writer.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, readers' comments, and more.
Click here to go to Gathering from the Grassland webpage.
Award Winner!
2017 Sarton Women's Book Award Winner (Memoir), from Story Circle Network
Gathering from the Grassland: A Plains Journal
Nonfiction
Published 2017
320 pages, size: 6 X 9
$29.95 -- hardcover
limited edition
ISBN: 978-1-937147-12-9
$19.95 -- trade paperback
ISBN: 978-1-937147-13-6
Published by:
High Plains Press
PO Box 123
Glendo, WY 82213
www.HighPlainsPress.com
toll-free: 1-800-552-7819
fax: 1-307-735-4590
e-mail: editor@HighPlainsPress.com
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The Wheel of the Year: A Writer's Workbook
The Wheel of the Year is structured with sixteen essays, one for each of the eight seasons through two years, with an intermission essay, “Respect Writing By Not Writing,” which discusses taking time off. Extensive writing suggestions are included, as well as additional resources. The workbook is intended as a guide and teacher as a writer sets up her own schedule of writing and develops a relationship with the natural and mundane worlds in which we live. If the reader came to a retreat at my Windbreak House Retreats, this might be a series of conversations we would have about writing.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on the book jacket photo, and more.
Click here to go to The Wheel of the Year webpage.
The Wheel of the Year: A Writer's Workbook
Nonfiction
Published 2015
300 pages, size: 6 X 9
$22.95 – paperback
ISBN 978-0-9966450-0-3
Published by:
Red Dashboard Publishing
Red Dashboard Publishing no longer represents The Wheel of the Year.
All book orders and correspondence about this book should be directed to:
Windbreak House
PO Box 169
Hermosa, South Dakota 57744
info@windbreakhouse.com
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No Place Like Home: Notes from a Western Life
Drive the main highway into your community and remember how it looked ten years ago, fifteen, fifty if you are old enough. What you see is what you and your friends value, an announcement to every passerby of what you hold most dear.
--from No Place Like Home
Chapter 1, "Selling the Ranch"
The book's central theme is community, with stories from Linda's 16 years in Cheyenne juxtaposed with her experiences in communities of other kinds as she tries to understand how we are to cope with changes to our rural communities in the healthiest way.
What Linda says about this book:
Without knowing it, I began writing this book in a hotel in Lybster, Scotland, when I encountered a local ex-merchant mariner named Duncan. No Place Like Home draws vignettes from communities I've known in my life in the west, showing how they have grown and thrived and failed and changed. Each of the stories that make up the longer narrative is true; each happened to me, and each taught me something about the kind of place I want to live. Each of these linked stories is part of my definition of how a real community should work. Reading my stories, I believe, can help others recognize the stories that are creating the communities they live in.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on the book jacket photo, and more.
Click here to go to the No Place Like Home webpage.
Award Winner!
2010 winner of the WILLA literary award for creative nonfiction by Women Writing the West.
2010 Best Woman Writer Award from the Zonta Club of Billings presented at the High Plains Book Awards in Billings, Montana.
Click here for a webpage about Linda's awards and honors.
No Place Like Home
Nonfiction
Published 2009, Paperback edition 2010
211 pages, size: 6 X 9
$24.95 – hardcover
ISBN 978-0-87417-796-1
$18.95 – paperback
ISBN 978-0-87417-831-9
Published by:
University of Nevada Press
website: www.unpress.nevada.edu
Book sales are handled by the University of Chicago Press
Toll Free: 1-800-621-2736
Or: (773) 702-7000
email: custserv@press.uchicago.edu
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Between Grass and Sky: Where I Live and Work
Linda writes, “Nature is to me both home and office. Nature is my boss, manager of the branch office–or ranch office–where I toil to convert native grass into meat...”
The essays in this book reflect her close attention to her homeplace and the depth of her sympathy with the world around her. She writes knowingly of the rancher’s life and of the intelligence and dignity of the animals she tends, especially the much maligned cow, as well as of the wild creatures-- the owls, antelope, rattlesnakes, bison, mice, coyotes and others-- that share the prairie grassland she calls home.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on the book jacket photo, and more.
Click here to go to the Between Grass and Sky webpage.
Award Winner!
2003 Women Writing the West: Willa Award Finalist (runner-up).
Click here for a webpage about Linda's awards and honors.
Between Grass and Sky
Nonfiction
Published 2002, paperback edition 2005
215 pages, size: 6 X 9
$24.95 – hardcover
ISBN 0-87417-522-4
$18.95 – paperback
ISBN 0-87417-627-1
Published by:
University of Nevada Press
website: www.unpress.nevada.edu
Book sales are handled by the University of Chicago Press
Toll Free: 1-800-621-2736
Or: (773) 702-7000
email: custserv@press.uchicago.edu
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Feels Like Far: A Rancher’s Life on the Great Plains
Seventeen interconnected stories paint an intimate portrait of family, love, ranching, community, and survival on the Great Plains. Looking back over her life on her father's western South Dakota ranch from her new home in a city, Linda writes of the joys of training her first horse, lessons learned from a spirited aunt, coming to terms with the death of her beloved husband, the comfort of an old friend, and the frustration of watching her parents’ decline.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on the book jacket photo, and more.
Click here to go to the Feels Like Far webpage.
Feels Like Far
Nonfiction
Published 1999, paperback edition 2001
233 pages, size: 6 X 9
$22.95 – hardcover -- out of print
ISBN 1-55821-887-4
$14.95 – paperback
ISBN 0-618-12495-0
Hardcover published by:
The Lyons Press
123 W. 18 St.
New York NY 10011
(212) 620-9580
or (800) 836-0510
Fax 212-929-1836
www.lyonspress.com
The hardcover (cloth) edition is now out of print; however, Linda has a number of them for sale.
Paperback published by:
Houghton Mifflin, Mariner Books
333 Berkeley St.
Boston MA 02116-3764
(617) 351-5000
Fax: 657-351-1201
www.hmco.com
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Land Circle: Writings Collected from the Land
With her father's ranch at the edge of the Black Hills always at the center, Linda explores her connection with the land and the circle of life. Stories, both humorous and touching, on travels with George, land issues, religion, women's views, adversity and loss.
Both editions have endnotes and suggested further reading. The Anniversary edition has a new introduction, a foreword by Dan O'Brien, and other new material.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about the Anniversary Edition published in 2008. Linda answers some questions about the essays in the book, tells the story of her Redwing boots, and the mystery of the juniper tree photo is revealed.
Click here to go to the Land Circle webpage.
Award Winner!
1992 Mountains & Plains Booksellers award: one of four best books of the year.
Click here for a webpage about Linda's awards and honors.
Land Circle
Nonfiction interspersed with poetry
Published 1991, paperback edition 1993
349 pages, size: 6 X 9
$19.95 – hardcover
ISBN 1-55591-082-3
The 1991/1993 editions are out of print; however, Linda still has some cloth copies (hardcover) for sale.
Anniversary Edition published 2008
with new introduction, foreword by Dan O'Brien, and other new material
402 pages, size: 5.5 X 8.5
$16.95 – paperback
ISBN 978-1-55591-696-1
Published by:
Fulcrum Publishing, Inc.
16100 Table Mountain Parkway, Suite 300
Golden, CO 80403-1672
(800) 992-2908
or (303) 277-1623
Fax: 800-726-7112
website: www.fulcrum-books.com
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Going Over East: Reflections of a Woman Rancher
Paying tribute to the rancher's preoccupation with the cycle of birth and death, Linda reflects on ways to apply the wisdom of nature and the lessons of the past to the problems of the future. The stories are structured around the opening and closing of gates as Linda and George go "over east" to the summer pasture on the John Hasselstrom cattle ranch on the Northern Plains.
With suggested further reading.
A new epilogue in the 2001 edition offers readers a look at the changes to the land and Linda's life since this book was first published.
Study Guide
A Going Over East study guide created by a college professor is available.
Click here for details.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on the book cover, and more.
Click here to go to the Going Over East webpage.
Award Winner!
1987 Winner of the first annual Fulcrum American Writing Award.
Click here for a webpage about Linda's awards and honors.
Going Over East
Nonfiction
Published 1987, paperback edition 1993
reprinted with new cover and epilogue, 2001
206 pages, size: 5.5 X 8.5
$10.00 – original 1993 edition paperback
sale price only from Linda M. Hasselstrom
ISBN 1-55591-141-2
$15.95 – paperback 2001 edition
ISBN 1-55591-141-2
Published by:
Fulcrum, Inc.
16100 Table Mountain Parkway, Suite 300
Golden, CO 80403-1672
(800) 992-2908
or (303) 277-1623
Fax: 800-726-7112
website: www.fulcrum-books.com
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Windbreak: A Woman Rancher on the Northern Plains
"Through her eyes, we too come to notice more, and to cherish with her all the fine small beauties of her strenuous life." [from New York Times Book Review]
A journal of a ranch year, following Linda and George on the John Hasselstrom ranch at the edge of the Black Hills in western South Dakota. Linda vividly details the daily work, worry, and wonder of one who lives on the land. With map and glossary.
Study Guide
A Windbreak study guide created by a college professor is available.
Click here for details.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: How much of the book is true? Is that really Linda on the cover? How did Linda turn her daily journal into a published book?
Click here to go to the Windbreak webpage.
Award Winner!
1988 Literary Guild alternate.
Click here for a webpage about Linda's awards and honors.
Windbreak
Nonfiction interspersed with poetry
Published 1987; reprinted
233 pages, size: 5.5 X 8.5
$14.95 – paperback
ISBN 0-9609626-3-8
Published by:
Barn Owl Books
Berkeley, California
Book sales handled by:
Linda M. Hasselstrom Books
PO Box 169
Hermosa SD 57744
(605) 255-4064
www.windbreakhouse.com
info@windbreakhouse.com
Some Readers' Comments about Windbreak
"Just discovered you ~ Windbreak ~ was mesmerizing . . . My family homesteaded in 1885 near Aberdeen, SD from Spydeburg, Norway. . . I have my great-grandmother's journal that one uncle translated from the Norwegian. . . she came here with no English at 18 / lived in sod house originally / had 6 children. . . I must say that I believe it is your candidness that most gripped me. . . LOVE, LOVE your work."
-- Connie E. Mabry, Ed. S.
author of Saving Your Life ~ One Day at a Time: A Daily Guide to Easy, Fundamental Coping Skills for Depression
www.savingyourlife.org
"Oh my, the nostalgia. Ranching is a way of life no one really understands unless they have lived it. What a marvelous job [Linda] did describing the deep dark realities, the heart aches and the joys. And most of all the antidotes around the medicine of all, the smells, the sun, the rain and the feelings."
-- Penny Porter
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When Hot Springs Was a Pup
by Badger Clark
Originally published in 1927, this slightly humorous look at the history of Hot Springs, South Dakota, was written by Badger Clark, South Dakota's first Poet Laureate. This 4th edition includes a foreword by Linda M. Hasselstrom and many historic photos collected by Peggy Sanders.
All About the Book --- Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: How did Linda come to publish this book? Who holds the copyright?
Go to the When Hot Springs Was a Pup webpage.
When Hot Springs Was a Pup
by Badger Clark
Nonfiction history with photos, index, map
Published 2021
198 pages, size: 6 X 9
$14.95 – paperback
ISBN 978-0-917624-04-9
Published by:
Lame Johnny Press
PO Box 169
Hermosa, SD 57744
www.windbreakhouse.com
info@windbreakhouse.com
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Bison: Monarch of the Plains
Full-color dust jacket shown without the slipcover.
In case it is unclear in this tiny website photo, that's
a close-up of part of a bison's head on the cover--
the horn in the center and one eye in the lower right corner.
Bison: Monarch of the Plains
Text by Linda M. Hasselstrom
Photography by David Fitzgerald
More than any other animal, the bison symbolizes the American West. Linda recounts the natural history and Native American connection of the bison, while David Fitzgerald's photographs capture the grandeur and appeal of this awesome beast.
With 100 color photos, map, notes, suggested further reading and index.
All About the Book
Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: Q&A with Linda, notes about content, information on the book cover, and more.
Click here to go to the Bison book webpage.
Award Winner!
1999 Independent Publishers Association award: best environmental and nature book.
Click here for a webpage about Linda's awards and honors.
Bison: Monarch of the Plains
Nonfiction
Published 1998
128 pages, Size: 10 X 13
originally priced at $39.95 – hardcover
new copies recently selling online for $24.95
ISBN 1-55868-406-9
Published by:
Graphic Arts Center Publishing
Portland, Oregon
Graphic Arts has gone out of business and their website is no longer available.
To purchase this book you'll need to search online for new or used copies.
Please note: Linda does not carry this book for sale, sorry.
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Roadside History of South Dakota
Linda takes readers on a tour across South Dakota's major and minor highways, introducing its towns and characters, both past and present. She also addresses Indian-white relations, the rise of tourism and the plight of twentieth-century agriculture.
With maps, chronology, bibliography, index, and black & white photographs.
All About the Book
Read some behind-the-scenes details about this book: a list of corrections to this text and an exclusive essay by Linda about her experiences writing this book, and why the corrections have never been made to subsequent editions.
Click here to go to the Roadside History of South Dakota webpage.
Roadside History of South Dakota
Nonfiction, guide to major highways, towns
Published 1994; reprinted
467 pages, Size: 6 X 9
Hardcover edition is out of print.
$18.00 – paperback
ISBN 0-87842-262-5
Published by:
Mountain Press
PO Box 2399
Missoula, MT 59806
Phone: (800) 234-5308
or (406) 728-1900
Fax: 406-728-1635
Website: www.mountain-press.com
email: info@mtnpress.com
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Journal of a Mountain Man -- By James Clyman
Edited and introduced by Linda M. Hasselstrom
One of Win Blevins's "Classics of the Fur Trade" series, this is a journal and correspondence of a fur trapper and explorer during the heyday of the American fur trade, and during the peak of emigration to Oregon and California. James Clyman was a member of Jedediah Smith's first brigade, and he encountered the Donner Party in 1846.
With chapter notes, bibliography, map and index.
All About the Book
Click here to go to the Rendezvous webpage where we have posted more about this book.
Read an essay by Linda about James Clyman, mountain men, western myths, forgotten westerners, and how she came to put together this book.
More About Mountain Men
If you are interested in the Mountain Man era you may also enjoy historical reenactments with Rendezvous camping and black powder muzzle loading. Linda has written Rendezvous stories which may be found in her books Windbreak, Land Circle, Between Grass and Sky, and No Place Like Home.
Click here to go to the Rendezvous webpage on this website for a bibliography of Linda's Rendezvous stories and to see photos of Linda's Rendezvous experiences.
Journal of a Mountain Man: by James Clyman
Nonfiction
Published 1984 by Mountain Press
reprinted 1998 by Tamarack Books
295 pages, Size: 6 X 9
$18.95 – paperback
ISBN 1-886609-09-8
Book sales handled by:
Out of print. Find the book online.
Kindle edition available on Amazon.com
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