Books by Michael Griske

Lisa & Scott - editor Michael Griske's latest work - vividly describes the peaks and valleys of two senior citizens' romantic relationship through text messages which they exchanged. This couple hopes that others will be inspired to overcome the pitfalls which love alone can't always conquer by reliving their story in the pages of this book. Mr. Griske and Catherine Mayrides, both of whom are keenly aware of all the obstacles Lisa and Scott faced, have supplemented their words in this publication with narratives and poems which provide additional insights as to how this wonderful union was able to survive and thrive in a world where breakups are all too common. Also available from Heritage Books is Mr. Griske's book, The Diaries of John Hunton, the true saga of our nation's frontier era as recorded by a Wyoming pioneer and his good friend, Michael's grandfather - a must read for Old West enthusiasts.

With his homeland overrun and devastated during the Civil War, Virginian John Hunton turned his eyes westward and, in 1867, traveled to Wyoming Territory's Fort Laramie, bastion of the plains and headquarters for military operations against the Sioux and other Indian Nations. He settled near that vast army reservation and later became one of the largest government contractors, freight haulers, and cattlemen on the booming Wyoming frontier. In 1873, Mr. Hunton began to record the story of his life and experiences in his diaries, which ultimately spanned more than half a century. He willed these journals to his good friend Pat Flannery, who dedicated the last years of his life to preparing the historical documents for publication. Besides the daily diary entries through 1888, Mr. Flannery also included narratives by John Hunton and others in these works, and his own painstakingly researched commentaries, to clarify and expand upon significant events from that enthralling period. As a result, the publications vividly preserved day-to-day life on the frontier and presented true exploits not only of people living in that era who have been all but forgotten, but also of such memorable Old West characters as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane Canary, Buffalo Bill Cody, Generals Crook and Custer, Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and many others, most of whom were personally known by Mr. Hunton. This book is an abridged version of Pat Flannery's monumental works. Selected excerpts from his manuscripts paint a vibrant and accurate picture of John Hunton's life, loves, and times. Its pages chronicle the existence and passing of a fascinating generation, a breed of men and women whose lives were often hard but seldom dull.