William Kittredge

William Kittredge (1932-2020) was an American writer and essayist best known for his works about the American West, particularly Montana and Oregon. His memoir Hole in the Sky and essay collection Owning It All are considered significant works of Western American literature. Coming from a ranching background in southeastern Oregon, Kittredge taught creative writing at the University of Montana for 29 years and helped establish the university's prestigious creative writing program. He received numerous awards including the Charles Frankel Prize from the National Endowment for the Humanities and lifetime achievement awards from the Western Literature Association. His writing frequently explored themes of environmental conservation, the changing culture of the American West, and the complex relationships between people and landscapes. Kittredge also co-edited The Last Best Place: A Montana Anthology, which became a definitive collection of Montana literature. Beyond his literary work, Kittredge co-wrote the screenplay for the film A River Runs Through It and served as a consultant during its production. His essays appeared in publications including The Atlantic, Harper's, and Outside Magazine.

Readers connect strongly with Kittredge's raw, honest portrayal of Western life and environmental issues. Many note his ability to capture both the beauty and harsh realities of ranching culture. Readers appreciate: - Clear, direct writing style free of romanticism - Personal insights into ranching life changes - Strong sense of place in Western landscapes - Thoughtful exploration of environmental ethics - Integration of family history with larger cultural shifts Common criticisms: - Some essays become repetitive in theme - Occasional meandering narratives - Can be overly pessimistic about Western changes - Some readers find his political views intrusive On Goodreads, "Hole in the Sky" averages 4.1/5 stars from 500+ ratings. "Owning It All" maintains 4.2/5 from 300+ ratings. Amazon reviews show similar patterns, with "The Last Best Place" anthology receiving particular praise for its comprehensive collection of Montana writing. One reader noted: "His descriptions of the Warner Valley capture both its harshness and grace without sentimentality." Another wrote: "Few writers examine Western mythology with such honesty."

Hole in the Sky (1992) A memoir chronicling Kittredge's life growing up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Oregon and his eventual break from the ranching life.

Owning It All (1987) A collection of essays exploring the American West's cultural and environmental landscape, drawing from personal experiences in ranching and farming.

Who Owns the West? (1996) Essays examining land use, environmental issues, and cultural changes in the Western United States.

The Nature of Generosity (2000) A meditation on human nature and environmental stewardship, combining personal narrative with historical and philosophical perspectives.

Taking Care: Thoughts on Storytelling and Belief (1999) Essays discussing the role of narrative in shaping cultural identity and personal understanding.

The Best Short Stories of William Kittredge (1984) A compilation of Kittredge's most significant short fiction works about life in the American West.

We Are Not in This Together (1984) A collection of short stories focusing on characters navigating life in the modern American West.

The Willow Field (2006) A novel following the life of a young Montana bronc rider through the changing landscape of the twentieth-century West.

Southwestern Homelands (2002) A series of essays about the Southwest's landscapes, cultures, and environmental challenges.

Ivan Doig writes about Montana ranching life and the American West from personal experience as a sheep rancher's son. His memoirs and fiction focus on working landscapes and generational stories of rural families.

Wallace Stegner explores environmental themes and the development of the American West through both fiction and non-fiction works. His writing examines the tension between preservation and progress in Western landscapes.

Norman Maclean chronicles life in early 20th century Montana through autobiographical stories about fishing, logging, and firefighting. His work connects family relationships to the natural world of the Northern Rockies.

Edward Abbey writes about desert landscapes and environmental activism in the American Southwest. His work combines nature writing with social criticism of development and industrialization.

Terry Tempest Williams creates narratives connecting personal experience to ecology and conservation in the Western United States. Her writing examines relationships between humans and natural landscapes through memoir and natural history.