Jesse James Books

This superbly crafted story is the kaleidoscopic exploration of a man, a myth and the rich, entrenched culture of the old South before and during the Civil War and afterwards, when the South revolted against being stripped of money, dignity and slaves, and produced the white Southern bandit: Jesse James, and his like.

Constructed in short, fictional, first person accounts from people who knew Jesse or knew of Jesse at various times in his life, newspaper articles and letters, each chapter reveals another clue to the identity of the mysterious, mythological Southern hero, Jesse James. The author has a superb feeling for the rhythm and nuance of language, which gives each of his characters, regardless of age, sex, character or region of origin, a genuine voice.

The gifted George Jansen carefully and meticulously probes the life of Jesse James' life and the culture that produced such a violent and cruel hero, but, like a poem rather than a treatise, leaves the reader with an impression, a richly textured thumbprint on the legendary myth itself. A must read!

The Scrapbook presents a kaleidoscopic view of the civil war and surrounding years as experienced by Jesse James and the people he touched (often not so gently) in the course of a career filled with theft, murder, and singing in church. The fictional account of the outlaw's life, which takes place mainly in the border states, views the great issues of the time from the perspectives of a diverse assortment of individuals; at the same time, the character of Jesse James radiates outward to conjure up the mythic aspect-Arthurian legend generally and Robin Hood for the outlaw-of the Confederacy's culture of nobility. Plus, it's a page turner.

Like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, Jansen furnishes pieces of Jesse James' life for the reader to put together and see a completed picture emerge. Each of the chapters in The Jesse James Scrapbook reveals a side of Jesse's life from the points of view of his fourth grade teacher, his neighbors, newspaper articles and letters, and other observers of his time. I enjoyed hearing each character's voice, different from chapter to chapter, tell of experiences with Jesse. Although the book is fiction, the accounts ring of truth as they are based on legendary or actual accounts. For those of us who truly believe that the "story" part of history is the most fascinating and alive, this book is a "must read."

Read the Jesse James Scrapbook for history, for a taste of life with outlaws, for stories of America's Civil War. George Jansen's fascinating novel covers more than one-half century of incidents and people connected with Frank and Jesse James. The incidents are based on real or legendary happenings, and source notes accompany this historical novel. Narrators such as Confederate soldiers, farmers, acquaintances of the James family tell their stories, chapter by chapter. The tone of each chapter, the voices of the narrators, complete with changes in speech patterns, all take the reader back to the time period -- the second half of the 19th century. This fascinating book describes people and places and encounters with carefully chosen words. I bought two books . . . so I wouldn't have to share mine.

The Jesse James Scrapbook relives a tumultuous period in the history of the United States through a skillful recreation of historical figures. The aftermath of the Civil War is brought to life in the characters of the James brothers, Cole Younger, William Quantrell and various other noteworthy perpetrators of mayhem who closed out the era of continental expansion ...strife that marked the interval between Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt.

The author, George Jansen, has written a work comparable in technique and effect to Gore Vidal's Burr, which also uses a fictional narrator to present history. Aside from its narrative thrust, The Jesse James Scrapbook makes admirable use of the argot of those distant days and is reminiscent of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn in that respect.

I recommend The Jesse James Scrapbook to readers whose interests lie in a true perspective of the American West of the 19th century.

I was very happy with my purchase. It came in the condition as promised and sooner than expected. I would definitely purchase again from this seller. Thanks!

I love this book. The authors do a great job of selecting interesting cases, covering the material thoroughly, and adding humorous footnotes that together make this the best textbook in law school.

Makes the seemingly not interesting topic of Wills & Trusts come alive and you can see the real life applicability of it.

This is an excellent textbook on Wills and Trusts. I received the book on
time in mint condition. Case Closed.

This was an excellent purchase. It is the book that I needed and it's wear was accurately depicted.

Although there have been a number of biographies of James J. Strang, Prophet of the Great Lakes Mormons, very little has been written about his followers, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite).

Vickie Speek's excellent book, "God Has Made Us a Kingdom," is a much needed step toward painting the broader picture. In addition to telling Strang's story in a careful, engaging way, Speek tells the stories of his four plural (or polygamous) wives, both before and after their husband's martyrdom. These narratives enrich our understanding of the lives of early Mormons --- especially the (often ignored) lives of early Mormon women. It should also be mentioned that the history Speek includes of the Strangites after Strang cannot be found in any other book.

Speek's careful treatment of the charges that the Beaver Island Mormons were engaged in church-sanctioned stealing illustrates her fair and neutral approach to the sources.

Overall, this is an excellent book. My only complaint was that it left me wanting to read even more of the always interesting history of the Strangite Mormon church.

Vickie Speeks's "God Has Made Us a Kingdom" has joined the many other books on my bookshelf about Strang. Ms Speek's book is so well written and so thoroughly researched that I could dispense with all others on this subject but this one. She has tried very hard (and I believe has been successful) to show the various viewpoints of this contriversial King of Beaver Island. The numerous footnotes attest to her extensive research.

The foreword of the book gave me a better idea of what I was going to read. I had longed for this book. Books about the other denominations, sprung out of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) are very limited. If they do exist, they are apologetic, not neutral scholarship.

V C Speek, with her sublime and humble style, diplomatic and investigative, has given me a personal deep understanding of Strang and his people. She has dug in archives, she has read books about the LDS movements, former books about Strang, taken contact with his descendants and the congregation that still cherish this faith. I thought it would be the life story of Strang - I wanted to have some source criticism of his two major works, the Voree plates and the Book of Law. I did get some insight, but more on the surface. Speek didn't want to go into the polemical side of these issues. Good done - she treated these works as natural as all other sides of Strang's life. Normally, Strang becomes the focus in many books and the way she has dedicated the half part of the book to the five wives of Strang and two chapters to the time after his murder and what happened to his people and the controversy between his followers and the islanders, have made a book a sort of a synthesis.

The book starts with the discovery of this denomination in Voree and how Speek starts her voyage thru the archives in different cities to capture this off-shot of Joseph Smith' movement. After his death many sought to be new leaders of the church, one of them his own brother, William Smith. Strang in his own way - thru personal revelation and a letter (put in question) by Joseph himself - became a new prophet for a new people with a new covenant. Even though he had broken with Joseph about the issue of plural marriage, he took with himself the role of translator, prophet and seer. He established a new kingdom according to the kingdom envisioned by Joseph, the Council of Fifty. Strang came to accept plural marriage. He became the king Joseph never had the time to become, he also got his kingdom till both islanders and people of his own put a stop to it. He also became a senator, Joseph had run for president, but never made it.

So much continued, with it also the same troubles: mobs attacking the movement, stealing, rumour spreading about how dangerous and contra-US the movement is. Once again the people had to relive the Missouri and Nauvoo persecutions. With his murder, his wives scattered and what happened - yes, just find out by your self. Left was that island, Beaver Island, civilised, modernised, but empty.

His wives were different in many ways. Each of them was educated, competent and skilled. Speek has captured their sorrows and happy times, thru diaries of their own or others and has shown this spirit of survival and of hope.

The resemblance between Joseph and Strang shows how much belief and faith make us want to change everything. The new revelations of Strang brought new perspectives to the LDS faith. It can be his way, it can be the way he understood his higher power, at the end, I see how much we need faith. When you make a city out of marshes and jungles, you have proven that paradise CAN exist today on earth, NOW.

Both Joseph and Strang left so many broken hearts, so much unresolved. The question of whether they are fraud or prophets haunts them. But Speek catches the people, their every day life, whether cutting trees or gathering berries, wearing funny clothes or not drinking. Finding more, and bringing new pieces to the puzzle of faith and its interaction with us. These people really had a bawl, not always, but they had it. Do we?

"God Has Made Us A Kingdom": James Strang And The Midwest Mormons by accomplished journalist Vickie Speek is a history of James J. Strang, a charismatic Mormon dissident and polygamist who was considered to be the successor to Joseph Smith in Mormon communities of the Midwest. "God Has Made Us A Kingdom" also pays especial attention to accusations that the Strangite clan engaged in wholesale"consecration of gentile property" that may have amounted to raw piracy. Two-thirds of "God Has Made Us A Kingdom" is devoted to Strang's life; the remaining third to the lives of his wives and children. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this revealing glimpse into a man in the center of Mormon community, whose life and example 150 years ago leaves repercussions upon Mormon life today.

Vickie Speek has written a definitive history on the Strang era on Beaver Island, MI. She pays special attention to Strang's five wives, their children, and developments in the aftermath of Strang's assassination. Unlike van Noord's somewhat dry history of Strang, Speek writes in a compelling narrative style that you won't be able to put down. This book cries out to be a major motion picture. It's a fascinating story from American history.

The book was given to me as a gift. I cannot tell you how great it was, to start a Sunday Morning out, in such a positive way. Jesse James has a great sense of humor , but still profound. His namesake would be proud.
I hope he does another book soon. I am a new fan. Very impressed!

This is the book to read on monday mornings to get you in the right frame of mind for the week. Read a few pages and go out and face the world knowing you can win.

Rich Fox

This was a very fast and funny read. I hope he writes another book soon. Does he do Motivational speaking? If he can talk as well as he can write, we may have a winner here.

Jesse obviously has a way with words...and an optimistic attitude. If you want a fast, fun, entertaining and thought provoking read, buy this book!!

Totally great reading! I loved it, page to page! Even the Authors name is cool! I bought one for myself and one for Dad, for Father's day! AWESOME!! Just one question though, when is the seminar???

I found this book to be well written and researched. James Jesse Strang is a unique character (A King no less!) in the history of Michigan. This book inspired me to visit Michigan's Beaver Island. As a compliment to this book I would also suggest reading Guardian of the Great Lakes The U.S. Paddle Frigate Michigan By: Mr. Bradley A. Rodgers.

I'm a relative of his and have recently become interested in learning about him. So please if you know about him tell me.

This work is a fairly standard, straight-forward biography of King Strang. It is very well researched, documented, and foot noted. It would appear that Mr. Van Noord dug deeper into his reseach than most authors dealing with James Strang have in the past. The book enlightened me on several points regarding King Strang that I had previously read and Mr. Van Noord found to be incorrect. If you are interested in learning about a fascinating man and those around him this is the book. However it gives only a sparce and very typical Beaver Island history and does not touch on the legendary (and I believe, mythical) Mormon, Beaver Island treasure at all. If those items are your points of interest, look elsewhere.

Mormonism's second prophet wasn't the famous Brigham Young -- he may have seized control of many of the Church's institutions, but he never claimed to be the "Prophet". That mantle was seized by the insteresting historic figure, James J. Strang, who led his portion of the Mormon Church from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Voree, Wisconsin, and then to Beaver Island, Michigan at the same time that Young was leading his branch to Utah.

Van Noord's book is a great biography of Strang which makes close use of Strang's journals, letters, books, and draws a great deal from the newspapers which Strang's church published. Strang's many successes both on Beaver Island and then also in the Michigan legislature, imply that he was quite a brilliant and eloquent character. The book leads you to wonder what might have happened had he not been assassinated.

The only problems with Van Noord's book are that he does not seem to be an expert in the field of Mormon history generally, and he has relied on informants in the modern Utah church -- the great rival of Strang's church -- for some of his information on Mormonism. Additionally, the biography definitely leaves you wanting a larger history of the Strangite church.

All in all, the book is an excellent read. I picked it up and nearly read it cover to cover uninterrupted, as I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Strang next.

I have done extensive study on the subject of Jas. Strang and his followers. I found this book and several others extremely fair-minded considering the controversies (as well as present day prejudices) surrounding this utopian experiment. I welcome other comments. My great-great grandfather was present at Strang's coronation on Beaver Island, Michigan.

This was too boring and dry for us. I am all for fiction for my children that has a moral purpose. We LOVE Thornton Burgess's animal stories, for example. But this sort of book is the type that I try to steer clear of. It's a bit too dumbed down for my children. The author has pounded his message to the point of overkill.

I love this book!!!! My second grade teacher read this book to my class and I remembered it after all these years so I bought it for my 11 year old daughter. She loved it too!!

This is something I remember reading as a grade-schooler and enjoying, as I have all of his books. Reading it again brought back some of this enjoyment. It is definitely more for young readers, though.

In "A Penny's Worth of Character" Jesse Stuart takes the reader back to a simpler time, when a boy could exchange used paper bags for a candy bar at the store. The message of the book is as old, that of honesty. Stuart skillfully illustrates the inner turmoil of a young boy who has been dishonest and how he makes it right. It's an excellent book for kids from 4th grade up and would make an excellent story to read aloud.

I remember reading, and rereading, this book as a child. Growing up in Kentucky, I can relate to the rural aspects of the book. The story is timeless and timely in the world today. Jesse Stuart will remain forever in my heart and the hearts of grown children everywhere who read his works an example of what goodness can come from writing for children.

I was fortunate to have met Jesse Stuart on one occasion and I own every book that he wrote -- I've read them all, "Taps" multiple times. He wrote darn near as many books as did Agatha Christie.

Jesse Stuart, the former Poet Laureat of Kentucky, and a renowned Kentucky (and Ohio) school teacher, was probably second only to Mark Twain in hallmarking the humorous American Short Story, as is the case with "Taps." This book was really based upon an impoverished Eastern Kentucky family and, as the book generally portrays them as hillbilly scoundrels, I'm certain that Jesse would never have admitted this actuality to anyone other than a trusted friend. But it was apparently pretty clear, when the book was originally published, as to whom it was all about and a lot of folks were talking about it.

In any event, the fictional family of Private Tussie got the word that this unfortunate soldier was killed overseas in wartime and the large clan proceeded to reap an insurance benefit as a result. The body was sent home and carried up the rocky hillside to the old family cemetery for burial on the backs of Tussie's numerous kinfolk. Subsequently, the old family patriarch decided that they could quit living like trash, in squalor, and rent a nice big home. Other relatives also flocked to the scene to reap the dubious rewards of Tussie's death. Reveling in their newfound prosperity in the big new home, the clan does not endear themselves to the local community with their endless Hillbilly antics and peccadillos.

I cannot go further without revealing a spoiler of the story but I can assure you that it's one hilarious tale, in my opinion, Stuart's best. (Most would say that "The Thread That Runs So True" is his top read -- it certainly got him the most fame).

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed either "Huckleberry Finn" (Twain) or, "As I Lay Dying," (Faulkner). It's quite readable and a real page-turner. As a Native Appalachian, I can tell you, however, that "Taps" has been a minor topic for increasing controversy as political correctness rears its ugly head ever-higher in American sociology! *.*

This book was the winner of the 1943 Thomas Jefferson Award and the illustrator is THE Thomas Benton, the famous mural painter from Missouri.

This book is a literary classic in that it can be read on so many diverse planes of enjoyment by so many different kinds of people. It is folk-poetry sensuous and hilarious fun, but also lots of eager page turning to see what is the world can be going to happen next.

Everyone who reads this book will enjoy it.

This book was written after Stuart conducted interiews with my family (my grandmother on my mother's side is a Tussie) who still live in southern Ohio and Kentucky. It is a true-to-life tale of a poor country family who finds themselves suddenly "rich." The language of the hills and the nature of good ol' home folk comes to life in Stuart's telling. This is a story for anyone with family from the hills.

Do not read the introduction before you read the book!!!! Gifford explains why it wasn't made into a movie by giving away the surprise ending. I can't believe they put that in the book. It is a wonderful story about an Eastern Kentucky family in the WWII era that wastes the insurance money from thier dead son....)Hope you enjoy the book!

This book gives a look in the life of uneducated folks in the hills of Kentucky, and how money can make a change in thier life and relatives life. The language is true to the region this story happens in, and the life-style is factual. A book that can give a reader insight in the life of mountain people doesnt come along very often. The author has lived this life and know how to tell a story using his past experience

Like Jeremiah who deals with suffering, Mr. Tabbs book is wonderful in helping us search for understanding through the pains of life. His advice and wisdom are encouraging and the questions that he asks througout the book are what everyone of us is asking on the inside but Tabb as the bolness to verbalize and wrestle with. This book stretched my soul and strengthened my relationship with God. I have read a lot of books on suffering and this is the best. It is honest, God honoring and helpful, in walking through the variety of trials that people face. Praise God for a real and great book on suffering. I will buy many to give to those who are wrestling through life. - Chris Trent

In reading Out of the Whirlwind, I've grown closer to God and gained a greater perspective for understanding the times when I went through times of suffering. This book isn't pop-theology, it springs out of the authors extensive Biblical research and personal experience. I've already passed a copy on to someone who is questioning "why God is allowing her to go through bad times," and plan on keep other copies handy to give to others. This book will benefit you whether you are struggling or not. It is for anyone who wants to draw nearer to God and gain a greater understanding of who He is.

It is not my intent to pit Christian book against Christian book, so please don't be offended by my review title.
On the surface it is very easy to ask God to bless us. It is easy to be a joyful, loving believer when things are all well and good. But people, we are going to have good days and we are going to have bad ones as well. How do you handle, the bad, or turbulent or the desperate times. When it seems as if even God has turned from us, what do we do? Job 2:1 says" Shall we accept only good things from the hand of God?"
When I got this book I thought why take on this subject? After reading it, I realized why Mark Tabb had to write this book. This is a message that needs to be told and this author doesn't pull any punches. Bad things are going to happen to everyone of us and our true dependence on God will be tested. Mark Tabb writes in the first chapter,"It is not a question of if our lives will be turned over by grief but when."
Tabb also warns us toward the beginning of the book that he is not going to try to explain why bad things happen. I think that this was a wise choice. The way he explains issues of truth, acceptance and moving on are more important then any discussions we could have about why bad things happen. (I will say that Mr Tabb does make some profound statements about the why's and where's of bad things.)
This book is also one of the most definitive character studies on Job that is out there. I gained a tremendous amount of respect for this Bible hero after reading this book. Tabb eloquently uses Job's faith, trust and character as examples that we should all strive for.
If you are unfamiliar with Mark Tabb's books you are in for a real treat. He is incredibly gifted communicator. His writings are very intelligent yet they are quite easy to understand. His "real life" stories are at times touching, other times humorous and always thought provoking. Out of the Whirlwind is his best book to date.
In closing, we know that this is definitely not the first book on this subject, but there is something unique about it. This book's readers are going to have a common thread... the desire to pass this book on to others. I have heard and read of quite a bit of this going on already. I personally have given this book to three people. That, my friends, is a benchmark, not for a good book, but for a great book.

I have read, and own, many books on the suffering and hardship that we experience at some point in our lives. I first started to read this as a local church pastor merely looking for another resource, but soon found myself captivated as a man living in what can sometimes be a very harsh and painful world. Mark writes well and very personally but never loses track of the big questions that must honestly be asked about the hard issues of suffering. He does a fine job of presenting a solidly Biblical framework for understanding what God is up to in our complex, and at times, terrifying world. I have read the book three times now, and am about due for another read. It may make you cry, or be angry, or be silent, but it will not leave you unchanged if you read it with an open heart and mind. My family member who is battling cancer read it and then gave a copy to his friend to read who is now a parapalegic due to a car accident. I simply cannot recommend it more highly.

The first thing I noticed while reading this book was that there were no lulls in the action. It seems that every part of Jesse's short life was exciting. The author at times makes Jesse out to be almost a saint, but it doesn't interfere with quality of the information that he has provided.

An excellent book on a well known subject. Judge Ross (Jesse's great grandson) lived much of his life with Jesse Jr. and tells many unknown & interesting stories. A great read.

I found this book in Arizona, of all places. It's one of those books that is hard to put down once you start reading it. I have read alot of books about Jesse James but this is one of the very best. I highly recommend it.

Interesting perspective from a family descendant of one of the most enduring western myths. This treatment recounts family legend and an inside psychological look of a mythical legend who actually existed, not only, as a western hero, but also as a , father, grandfather and great grandfather. Interesting insights on Jesse's fear of death and acceptance of his inevitable fate, his constant search for vindication for his actions as a noble cause, and his incongruous beliefs of love of family and revenge.

This is he best novel about the Civil War I've ever read. While the various descriptions made this book sound somewhat clownish, it really is the story of two families of non-combatants and how they struggled to stay alive as the War raged around them. Funny, sad, touching, and excellent in all respects.

This is actually the first book in the H.H. Lomax Series. I think this is the funniest western that I have ever read except maybe "Mixup at the OK Corral: (By the same Author). I cannot understand why this book is out of print. If you find a copy, buy it and don't lend it to anyone because you will want to read it many times and this is not a book that anyone will give back.

This is the second in the book seris and is well worth the time it will take to read this. It has acton and adventure and there is even a joke in it about Bill Clinto

This is a humorous, clever tale of a well known western folk hero and a virtually unknown bumbling western nobody. The book engrosses you from the beginning and keeps you guessing until the very end. Don't let the length discourage you. This is a great read!