Bryce Andrews is a Montana-based rancher and writer, and he's the author of the brand new book “Holding Fire: A Reckoning with the American West.” Longtime Mountain & Prairie listeners will remember my first conversation with Bryce back in 2019 when we discussed his writing, conservation work, ranching experience, and his first two books. I thoroughly enjoyed that first conversation and was so impressed with Bryce’s thoughtfulness, curiosity, and humility, so I was thrilled to have him back on the podcast to discuss "Holding Fire."

"Holding Fire" is a thought-provoking memoir that explores Bryce’s complicated and evolving relationship with the landscape, culture, and history of the American West. Much of the story focuses on his grandfather’s Smith and Wesson revolver– a gun that he inherited and owned for many years while living and working in Montana. But despite being a committed big game hunter and owner of many guns, Bryce’s feelings toward the revolver began to change. As you’ll hear him explain, he eventually befriends a master blacksmith, learns to forge steel, and transforms the revolver from a gun into a tool that he now uses to plant trees on his property.

I loved the book, and it forced me to reexamine many of my baked-in notions about everything from the history of the West to my ideas about hunting for food, mental health, and the culture of the modern-day American West. We talked about why Bryce chose this particular topic for the subject of a book, his long-standing love of hunting, and why he decided to repurpose the revolver into a ranch tool. We discuss what he learned about craftsmanship from the blacksmith, the importance of converting guilt into action, and how fatherhood has changed his approach to life and work. We also talk about this summer’s Old Salt Festival, he and his wife’s stewardship of their ranch, and he offers up lots of excellent book recommendations.

And if you want to read and discuss a chapter of Bryce’s book for free, then download the new social reading app called Threadable. I have recently partnered with Threadable to highlight and discuss a number of readings about the history of the American West, including chapters from Sara Dant’s "Losing Eden," and Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s "An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States." Threadable allows users to read portions of great books, then discuss them in a fun and interactive way. As of this recording, Threadable is only for iOS, but if you want to read a sample of Holding Fire and discuss it with the Mountain & Prairie community, follow the link in the episode notes to download the app. I’ve really been enjoying it.

Thanks to Bryce for another wonderful conversation, and thank you for listening. Hope you enjoy.

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"Holding Fire" by Bryce Andrews
Bryce's first M&P episode
Read & discuss Holding Fire, Chapter 6 on THREADABLE
Episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/bryce-andrews-2/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

3:00 - Bryce’s process for choosing the topic of Holding Fire
6:15 - Bryce’s father’s choices of nonviolence during the Vietnam War
11:30 - How guns became a part of Bryce’s life
13:45 - Bryce’s background in hunting
18:45 - Bryce’s scariest interaction with people and guns
21:45 - The problem with “tough guys with guns”
24:00 - A winter’s impact on Bryce’s thoughts regarding guns
29:45 - Exploring the concept of guilt 30:30 - Exploring the cultural significance of fire and firearms with women of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes
34:30 - What Bryce has done on his property since purchase
38:00 - How writing fits into Bryce’s busy life
44:45 - How having a daughter has changed Bryce’s work, writing, and life
48:30 - How Bryce became involved in the Old Salt Festival
51:30 - What Bryce learned about creativity from a metalsmith
54:30 - Discussing action as the antidote to despair
55:45 - Bryce’s book recommendations

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