- The Write Stuff

Current Projects

Beyond the Land of Gold: The Life & Times of Perry A. Burgess

I’m excited to be promoting my latest book, which is the first mainstream title of which I am the sole author and not a ghostwriter. What a fantastic project this has been, and what a great experience working with Travis Thompson as editor! He brought a world of knowledge and passion to this book, and gave me a lot of great information to work with. I’m looking forward to appearing with Travis to meet our readers. Our appearance schedule is below. A pioneer of Colorado and one of the earliest settlers of Steamboat Springs, Perry A. Burgess was a longtime friend and partner to some of the wealthiest businessmen in the nineteenth-century American West. Burgess was also many other things: diarist, pioneer, prospector, banker, investor, inventor. His name appears in numerous historical works published since the 1950s, yet much of his fascinating story has never been told until now. In 1866, he traveled to Montana with his uncles and 300 head of cattle up the Bloody Bozeman Trail, during Sioux Chief Red Cloud’s war. Using Burgess’ diaries, family photographs, and newly discovered personal essays published in the Steamboat Pilot as our focus, Travis and I have pieced together the life of a remarkable man and his family, whose adventurous spirits were matched only by their willingness to risk all for the promise of the unknown.

Appearances & Events

Thursday, Oct. 21, 5:30-7:00 p.m. – Presentation at Boulder History Museum. Editor Travis Thompson and I will be doing a brief reading from the book, then speak about the life and times of its subject, Perry Burgess. An audience Q & A session will follow, then we’ll be selling and signing copies for attendees.

Free Admission – Public welcome. 1206 Euclid Avenue, Boulder. Phone: 303.449.3464 Saturday, Oct. 23, Noon – Tread of Pioneers Museum. We’ll be doing a historic presentation and book signing in this beautiful 1908 Queen Anne Victorian-turned-museum at the corner of 8th and Oak streets in downtown Steamboat Springs. Call for more information at 970-879-2214 or send an email inquiry to curator@springsips.com.

Saturday, Oct. 23, 5:00 p.m. – The Mugshot Coffee Shop in Oak Creek, CO. We’ll be doing a special extended-hours presentation for visitors to this cute retro coffee and confections shop that celebrates all things creative! Stop by for a jolt o’ joe and a little something sweet while you join us for a trip down our adventurous state’s memory lane. We’ll read a little and discuss Perry Burgess’ role in the development of America’s Western Frontier. 116 Main Street in Oak Creek. Call 970-736-8491 for more information.

Reviews

Our first review at Barnes & Noble gives Beyond the Land of Gold four stars!“This biography is aimed at American frontier history buffs, genealogy fans, and those interested in the history of the Latter Day Saints. I am none of these. In fact, my major connection is that Perry Burgess was a founder of Steamboat Springs, CO, where my family loves to ski! But Perry Burgess was an American original whose life is a fascinating account of the opening of the American West, the struggle to accommodate to native peoples, the rush to find gold, and the migrations of thousands of Mormons to Western states.” Read more…

Author Photos

Rebecca Valentine is the author of Beyond the Land of Gold. These author photos are downloadable as high-resolution, print ready images. Just click on the thumbnail image below. It will take you to the high-resolution image, which you can download by right-clicking (Windows) and choosing “Save Target As” or Control-clicking (Mac) and choosing “Save Image As.”

Please credit photos this way: “Photo by Laurie Bridges” Thanks.