Montana book wins two national awards

A Montana-produced book about the state’s largest wilderness has won two national awards.

“Crown of the Continent: The Last Great Wilderness of the Rocky Mountains” won the environmental category in both the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Awards and in Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year awards. The awards were announced at the recent Book Expo America in New York, the book industry’s largest event.

The two national awards follow an honor award given to the book earlier this year by the Montana Book Award Committee, which said, “This is the book you give to friends who wished they lived in Montana. This beautiful collection belongs on every Montana coffee table.”

The large-format, hardcover book describes the Crown of the Continent ecosystem that includes Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and the Rocky Mountain Front. It was written by Ralph Waldt, the naturalist at The Nature Conservancy’s Pine Butte Ranch, and includes a foreword by Montana novelist Ivan Doig, a preface by grizzly bear expert Dr. Charles Jonkel of Missoula, and an afterword by Whitefish environmental writer Douglas Chadwick. The book showcases more than 150 photos by Montana photographers.

Many reviewers have applauded “Crown.” A Seattle newspaper called it “a magnificent book” and praised the quality of writing in addition to the photography. Talk-show host David Letterman, who has a residence on the Front, said the book “is a wonderful study of two great national resources, Montana and Ralph Waldt."

The book’s publisher is Riverbend Publishing of Helena. It is available at bookstores or by calling Riverbend Publishing toll-free 1-866-787-2363.

Press releases and related documents may be copied electronically at www.riverbendpublishing.com. Click to the book description and click on “Press releases.” Or email ccauble@riverbendpublishing.com to have the documents sent via email.