Chris Carlson/Carlson Chronicles says every Idahoan who cares about this state should read two books: "The Unlikely Candidate" by the late Syd Duncombe and "Defending Idaho's Natural History" by former journalist and nine-term state Rep. Ken Robison:

Every Idahoan who cares about this state and how it came to be should read two relatively obscure books and be grateful the authors lived and worked here. Through their writings and teaching these two left an indelible imprint on Idaho. Though they labored in obscurity, the political cognoscenti in Idaho know them well. Though they are fading into the mist of history, their contributions should be remembered. Any Idaho history is incomplete if it does not acknowledge their roles in shaping modern Idaho.

One book is a delightful novel, a murder mystery in fact, but chock full of the author’s knowledge of Idaho government, politics and public affairs. The other is a wonderful history of the major environmental issues that transformed and dominated much of Idaho’s political debate for fifty years, from the late 1930’s to the late 1980’s. The novel, The Unlikely Candidate, is by the late Syd Duncombe who for 27 years taught government and political science courses at the University of Idaho.

The second book, Defending Idaho’s Natural History, is by former journalist and nine-term State Representative Ken Robison. Chris' full column here.

Question: Have you read a book about Idaho lately?