Tough Trip Through Paradise 1878-1879

this is a great story from one who lived with the indians during the time before their decline. this book is hard to put down.

I was introduced to this book by my late beloved Uncle Floyd Rittenhouse, himself a lover of Montana history. Tough Trip is some of the most authentic Montana frontier literature. Besides, its a great read.

This memoir reads more like a novel than any memoir I've ever read, with a plot that revolves around Garicia's survival and fortunes in both business (trading, trapping) and in love. Garcia's prose voice is also singular and entertaining, like Twain crossed with Gabby Hayes. And for lovers of tragedy you will not find tragedy more heartbreakingly rendered in any novel you are ever likely to read. Notice the other reviews where readers say they want to buy more copies to give to friends, and those who said that they didn't want the story to end. I can vouch for these sentiments as they were my first impressions upon finishing this gritty and moving story. IMPORTANT NOTE: The newer version of this book (which includes "1878-1879" in its title) for some reason does not include photos included in the original paperback version. These photos include shots of Garcia, his wives and love interests, and his territory, and they are valuable to the reader if for no other reason than they depict the beautiful dress of the women in the tribes Garcia encountered.

I read this book in the early 1970's when I was the author's age, and have never forgotten it. Andrew Garcia writes with bittersweet longing for a time when adventure was freely available for those foolhardy enough to risk all. He writes in imperfect, but colorful prose about simpler times. Villains humorously drawl, "I'll plug ya if ya move." His self-depracating wit sounds like a real Huckleberry Finn in the wild west. The center piece of the tale is the massacre of the Nez Perce tribe by the U.S. Army; which Garcia relates from the first hand account of his beloved first wife (a Nez Perce herself). Fireside desire for beautiful native women in isolated wilderness, tempered by his Catholic background make for great romantic tension. Whether exactly true or not does not matter. It is a wonderful story of adventure, love,and sadness. I look forward to re-reading it to escape back to paradise.

In the sixties I was in a dentist's office in Huntsville, Alabama, with my four young daughters. I picked up one of the better magazines, Esquire or something, and started an excerpt from "Tough Trip Through Paradise." With attention drawn in several directions, you can't usually get into a magazine story. Suddenly I was so caught up in Mr. Garcia's adventures that I tried to read faster and faster before whichever child was finished in the dentist chair. I did finish the part of the book the magazine finished and very soon, perhaps before we went home, I visited the library and checked out the exact book. I have bought by special order Mr. Garcia's journal and given it to a library, my father-in-law, and many others. I have it on order now to give to a neighbor. My father-in-law, who scoffed at gifts and other books, quoted from it and re-read it until his death. For once in my marriage I pleased him! About the book itself and Andrew Garcia: He knew how to write, did he ever. I still quote passages from the book to myself -- (these aren't exact quotes, ". . . I'm not too good but I don't steal horses." "The young maidens know they will marry an older man with means to support them but first they will have a fling with the young bucks." "I notice the squaws want their dresses made with buttons down the front." It is so simply written that it is elegant. I believe every word is true, he did not need to elaborate, every day was exciting.