Journals Books

With nonfiction being so popular nowadays, it's sometimes difficult to choose who and what to spend your money on, but with this anthology you get a taste of several different authors. My favorites are Bauer, Bain, and Beard (the B's win hands down, I guess), and I went on to read Beard's book too which is great. I love not only how personal these essays are, but also how heartfelt they are--I didn't feel the aloof stance of the observer that I sometimes feel in nonfiction--I felt like these were genuine people trying to make a connection by telling their stories. It's an excellent book.

Prairie Schooner is one of the oldest and most prestigious literary journals in the United States. It has been in continuous publication for 75 years and has been called one of the best magazines in America and was named one of the "Nineteen Magazines That Matter" by Writer's Digest. I think they got it right. Best of Prairie Schooner provides the reader with some of the best personal essays from critics, novelists, and poets such as Wright Morris, Maxine Kumin, David Haward Bain and Nancy Willard. These essays are personal in that they connect with the reader in personal, almost intimate levels, letting the reader see"...what makes their stories, what makes their poems, what makes their lives." This is a wonderful anthology that will provide the reader with delightful, insightful, worthwhile reading that is as advertised, the Best of Prairie Schooner. A good job by the Univ. of Nebraska Press.

"Big Sky Journal," based in Bozeman, Montana, is for the most part a celebration of the great outdoors, a kind of literary Field and Stream. This "treasury" of articles from the journal features a fair number of accounts of fishing and hunting, but if that's not your interest, there's more here to choose from. I particularly enjoyed Kim Zupan's reminiscences of riding in punkin roller rodeos, Ralph Beer's humorous essay on restoring a 1930s Montana State Highway Department snowplow, and Fred Haefele's mini-memoir of working as a timber faller. Laugh-out-loud hilarious is Jon Jackson's account of a 1972 cross-country trip with Raymond Carver in what turns out to be a stolen car.

A section on rivers includes Annick Smith's appreciation of the Big Blackfoot, the centerpiece of Norman Mclean's much-loved "A River Runs Through It." Rick Bass captures that self-effacing, wonky pride of long-time Montana residents in his essay about a rain-soaked fishing trip on the Yaak River. John Barsness describes an archaeological dig along the Missouri River, unearthing the site of a fort that burned down in 1844.

The spirit of Edward Abbey also infuses the pages of this book. Doug Peacock (inspiration for the Monkey Wrench Gang's Hayduke) has a fishing essay, and Ralph Beer writes an "apology" for being once angered by Abbey's famous diatribe against ranching. I happily recommend this book for lovers of the outdoors and good writing and to anyone whose imagination is inspired by the mountains, prairies, and rivers of Big Sky country.

The best collection of writing about the West I have ever read!

From witty to thought-provoking, this little book has all the quotes daddies need to make them feel good about their new role :) Would make a great stocking stuffer or an addition to a Father's Day gift. Excellent for new dads.

"Bill Cosby on Fatherhood" makes a great gift to Dad, whether it be for Father's Day, Christmas (makes a perfect stocking stuffer), Birthday, or any special occasion! Bill Cosby is great in describing Fatherhood memories, of when he was a child, and when he was a father. If you're in the mood for a chuckle, whether you're a Father or not, this is a great little book. I recommend.

This book deals with your birthdate and the correlation to a deck of playing cards. I was amazed at how accurate they pegged me. I was so fascinated at how without knowing me, this book could give me so many insightful looks into the positive and negative (unfortunately) traits of my personality and others. This is a MUST for every coffee table in America. You really need to get a look at the information in this book!

I first found out about the Cards of Illumination from a radio broadcast! The two authors were interviewed and explained how the sytem works clearly and simply. It was fun. The calls into the show were hilarious, because all the callers were really "pegged"! Everyone who called in was amazed, including me! Your birthdate corresponds to a card in a regular deck of cards. I was flabbergasted at how accurately I was described. Anyway, I recommend the book! It is a lot of fun, and easy to use. You can look up your friends as well as romantic interests to check for compatibility. The authors explain the system clearly and it is easy to follow and understand.

I received this book for my 21st birthday and I must say that every time I read it, it is an inspiration to me. Beautiful!!!!!

Having been a "writer" or "recorder of personal events," as I like to call it, since the age of 7, this book is fabulous. It provokes thought. It gives ideas. It inspires. It speaks volumes, in YOUR words on every single page. The spiral binding allows longevity - something I can leave for my children to read; should I ever decide to have any! What better way to record thoughts, emotions and feelings? I now have 3 completed volumes in my bookcase. I have the tendency to go back over time and read excerpts just to see how I was feeling at a particular time or what I was thinking. I'm always amazed. The artwork is unique and afrocentric. The quotes are oftentimes common, yet encouraging. Finally, I find out where my parents have gotten some of those little "quips" they used on my siblings and I as children. I was so disappointed to find out that the book is no longer printed in its spiral binding. Although the quotes are the same, the ability to record as much information has been taken away. Just the same, I'll always be a loyal fan of this journal.

Scholars should give this book an A+ for breadth of coverage and depth of analysis . . . but as a lay person in the field of academe, I celebrate its honesty and passion. While the chapters are uneven, each portrays a working writer who, for one reason or another, claims her Appalachian heritage as foundational in her life. By connecting with the rootedness of these widely-varying women, my own life --and spirit-- are immensely enriched. This book adds a unique perspective to the "spirituality of place" genre that includes such popular writers as Kathleen Norris and Thomas Berry. Take a chance -- read it! If it touches you as it did me, it may change your life.

It's amazing how much work the women in this collection have done, with so little national recognition. Dyer points out that none of them is represented in the new revision of "The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women," for example. Prejudices about Appalachia have prevented many readers from realizing what a gold mine (coal mine?) of literature the region offers. Hats off to Joyce Dyer for helping to bring this literature to the prominence it deserves. P.S. Also a very valuable read for anyone interested in writers and where writing comes from.

I bought this journal for my mom, and now I wish that I had gotten one for myself, as well. There are guided questions and lists on one side. Then, you can flip it over and use it as a regular journal. The pictures and quotes are neat and make you smile.

When I saw this journal I couldn't resist it. Even it's cover (the frown-y frog) makes me smile! It's a great journal with re-affirming quotes and funny animal pictures on every page. It encourages me to write out my feelings when I'm sad, mad...even glad! I love it so much that I can't even reserve it for blue days-it has become an everyday journal for me.
The directory in the back allows you to make lists of your favorite things, activities, places, foods, etc. so when you're feeling crummy you know how to pamper yourself. Just filling out the directory has made me think about what I really enjoy and consider adding more of these favorites to my every day life.

Having received my copy as a birthday present, I purchased another as a gift for a friend. The book is divided into two sections. The first consists of short essays by George Ellison on various subjects connected to flora and fauna and their history in the Southern Appalachians. Each one reveals little know secrets about its history. I loved the one about White Snakeroot. The illustrations are exquisite. The second section of the book is filled with breathtaking watercolor prints by George's wife, Elizabeth. I wish I knew where to buy one of the prints. Both Ellison's are very talented! Although you could consider this a "coffee table" book, it is much more than that. I learned so very much from reading it.

Reading this book just further enhanced the appreciation of a native born Western Carolinian. As a child I ran through the mountains but like the author I did not appreciate the beauty around me for too many years. The Ellison's have put together a wonderful book, well written and well illustrated. The artistic renderings are gallery class material. I highly recommend this book to those in love with the Appalachians.

I read this book (borrowed from a library) in 1978. I found it to be very readable and interesting. The author seemed very down-to-earth and insightful. I remember thinking at the time that he would be a good person to share a few beers and some conversation with. I plan to buy this book and reread it. Highly recommended if you are interested in its subject matter.

This was a fascinating account of a college president using his sabbatical (in 1974) to try out various blue collar jobs such as a ditch digger, a salad man in a kitchen at The Oyster House, and a garbage collector. Unlike Barbara Erenriech he has a basic respect for workers at all levels and we get to know the satisfactions as well as the drawbacks of the jobs, and some of the people who do them, mostly well, sometimes badly. He has opinions, well expressed, but he doesn't have an ax to grind. And the prices & salaries 35 years ago will give you pause.

This is a wonderful Civil War book told through the eyes of William Daniel Dixon of Savannah, Georgia. It is a fascinating and detailed account of his journey from the coastal battles of the early war to the battle of Atlanta. If you are from the southeastern part of Georgia you will find it especially interesting to read about the battles and encampments around the Savannah area. Dixon recounts his personal exploits as well as his unit's: the Republican Blues. Compared to the fast travel and communications of today it is great to read about a time of letters, trains, telegraphs, long foot marches, and horse back jouneys.

The Blues in Gray is a very readable account of the Republican Blues service in coastal Georgia with exciting battles taking place on the Ogeechee River at Fort McAllister south of Savannah, Georgia. William Daniel Dixon was 23 when he began his private journal which he kept throughout his Confederate Service. He was a native of Savannah and lived his entire life there. The editor, Roger Durham, has done an excellent job making Dixon's voice heard. I am Dixon's great granddaugher and am delighted that this primary material is available to readers and scholars.