Title: Opportunity Knocked in Yellowstone
Author: Clyde Seely
Publisher: Pen Culture Solutions
ISBN: 978-1-63812-313-2
Pages: 356
Genre: Memoir
Reviewed by: Margie Przybylski

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Clyde Seely’s memoir Opportunity Knocked in Yellowstone is a masterpiece of United States history, told through an oftentimes overlooked lens – the family history of humble farmers whose lineage dates back to colonial America. Seely begins the book by asking readers to go to the last page, this sets the light hearted tone for the book and gives the reader a bit of insight to Seely’s fun natured personality.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the United States’ famous wonders and tourist destinations. However, if not for Seely’s entrepreneurial spirit, the Park and surrounding hospitality town may not look as they do today. Seely’s family grew up helping out at a nearby resort in order to make ends meet. Seely learned a great deal as a young boy and the owner even saw it in him to own the place someday. Seely’s work ethic and spirit took him far and even helped shape history and culture of this country. This memoir is an inspiring tale of hard work without the finger wagging. I found myself laughing and tearing up throughout the book. While this would do great within a US history class curriculum or an English class book list, I recommend it to history buffs young and old.

I appreciate Clyde’s frequent gratitude towards his parents. I don’t believe young people understand how much parents sacrifice for their children. Seely’s memoir is an excellent lesson in gratitude, even though he came from a family where the children were responsible for making ends meet, he holds no resentment towards his parents and eagerly worked to help the family’s financial situation alongside his two sisters.

Throughout the book Seely pays homage to the various people who helped shape his life’s story. He describes his family relations and goes all the way back to the top of his family tree. He starts in England with a group of Puritans who sailed to the United States in the time of the Pilgrims. He discusses the family’s journey out west as the church became increasingly corrupt. He describes influences in his life as pebbles making ripples in a pond. They go on endlessly, forever changing the state of the water even below the surface. This metaphor flows through the entire book, making interesting connections along the way.

Seely’s story of his own personal growth intertwines with his family’s history. Reading his memoir is like watching history unfold. His storytelling is enjoyable to read and each page holds new facts to learn. This book greatly sparked my interest in Yellowstone and I have a whole new view of this piece of American history thanks to Clyde’s beautiful and intricate family history.