Native Idahoan who grew up on a ranch along the Blackfoot River; graduate of Firth High School; served two years in the Marine Corps; received a B.A. and an MPA from Boise State University; worked for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for 30 years; produced the official radio program for Idaho’s Centennial, which aired on 30 stations statewide; author of two adult novels and four young adult (YA) novels; written and/or edited several books on Idaho history; writes a daily Idaho history blog on his site and on Facebook called ‘Speaking of Idaho’; writes a weekly history column for Boise Weekly and occasionally a history column for the Idaho Press; spouse: Rinda Just; one son, Jarad; three grandchildren.