Texas Books

Because I lost my father in WWII, Lost in the Victory, had a very personal meaning for me. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. The personal stories of what happened to several of the orphans once the war ended brought back memories that were buried for years. A truly touching book. Thanks Ann

A well documented reminder of how families that lose a parent in a war are permanently affected.

As one who lost my father in WWII, this was a difficult book to read because it triggered a flood of emotions that had been suppressed for many years. It should be required reading for all military officers and world leaders. Those of us labeled war babies or war orphans will be forever grateful to Ann Mix for bringing us together and our stories to light.

So few members of my generation, born in the 1960's, have been introduced to the full depth of a war's reach. Often our understanding is derived generally from the broadest high school or college survey class; or worse, Hollywood. So it is quite sobering that a member of the "me" generation receives the sharpest of slaps across the face.
As a collection of essays and interviews of American World War Two orphans, LOST IN THE VICTORY paints a broad and intense picture of a narrow and lonely subject. With each chapter, the sense of loss grows; not just the loss of a fine American to battle, but the loss of a child's identity.


However, the range of emotions is broad. While sad and desperate at times, the book also brims with pride and faith.


For a Memorial Day tribute, there could be no better slap of reality than LOST IN THE VICTORY.

This novel made me remember some very dear moments of my childhood.

I wake up inside William Bell to find myself reliving the dreams and adventures of my own childhood. All the fears and joys of life come alive in the hot Texas summer that feels your toes and soul with sand. SWC

Lovesong for the Giant Contessa is a beautifully scripted novel, set in a strange and wonderous place: Texas. This thought provoking work is sure to become a classic. I have read, even studied, many author's work. Few have compared in their ability to capture their reader's imagination like Steven Tye Culbert.

Lovesong for the Giant Contessa is a lovely novel, full of melodic, tightly packed prose that reminds me of good poetry, striking characters, and a story as delightfully complex as the patterns of a seashell. In that strange Texas country, the novel rings deadly true

Fans of the Return To East Texas series will enjoy this final segment, A MAN OF HIS WORD by Eva Gaddy. When Will McClain, the third foster child of Frannie Granger, returns to Uncertain, Texas, loose ends are tied up and the mystery of Frannie's death, as well as Emmy Monday's birth, are finally resolved.

Remembered more as the prodigal son than an admirable character, Texas Ranger Will McClain arranges to investigate his foster mother's murder twenty years after the fact when an archeologist unearths Frannie's bones. His foster brother stands accused of the murder and its up to Will to prove Jed's innocence, despite the circumstantial evidence. Questions of loyalty to family and to one's sworn career make Will's job even more challenging. And there's also the matter of the gorgeous red head with the temper to match that wants back on the archeological site.

Tessa curses the day she uncovered the old bones on her Caddo Indian burial mound dig. The project that was supposed to allow her to complete her degree and insure her career comes to a screeching halt while local law enforcement crawls over the site and refused to allow her to continue her work. As time slips away, so do her grant and her future. Then, on the day the sheriff finally agrees to let her back on site, the Texas Ranger had to arrive and put her on hold again.

However, Tessa gets her wish, in a round about way, when Will visits the site and realizes the devastation the sheriff's department has wrought. The site looks like a nuclear explosion rather than the scene of a crime, and valuable evidence could have been destroyed. Consequently, Will convinces Tessa to work for him, excavating the crime scene while her students return to the Indian Mounds. As their feelings draw them closer together, however, career and dreams prove to be a conflict of interest.

This intricate tangle of murder, lies and love creates a satisfying conclusion to the Return To East Texas series. As family ties and loyalties are questioned, Gaddy gracefully questions the meaning of family and arrives at rather unconventional conclusion, proving the bond of love strong than blood. The growth of the heroine as she learns to define her own values, based on her own desires rather than her family's values, also provides a sound lesson. And I must admit a soft spot for a hero not afraid to admit his emotions long before the heroine resolves her own feelings. A MAN OF HIS WORD is highly recommended.

Who is that cover guy? I have tracked him on more than several covers. Best part of the book [grin]

The murder mystery of Frannie Granger, "Mom Fran" rolls on - a bit light on clues and threats but nicely damaging.
Tessa comes across as a bit wishy, being under her mother's thumb a bit much and is willing to settle for an affair?

Will McClain came across as a stronger character, enough to tone down Sheriff Fielder. Logan Fielder tended to mellow out in this story. Got a bit of a chuckle on Amanda Jennings attempts to pick up again with Will. Did she think she was still back in high school?

Then there was Ray Jennings snobbish attempts to put down Will and others in his town. Joleen Berber finally got in her two cents worth and settled everyone's hash.

Loved the final tie-ins that brought together Jed Louis and his wife Gwyn, Emmy-M, Riley Gray Wolf and Alanna & Will and finally Tessa. They all had learned the value of the family circle.

The mystery was pretty decent, the action was good but the romances were kind of like wet noodles. I have found that denial and frustration lends to a more passionate build-up and makes you want more. These three "ladies"? just didn't promote very strong romantic feelings. [The characters not the writers]

The series is a good read and will recommend but not keep.

Fans of the Return To East Texas series will enjoy this final segment, A MAN OF HIS WORD by Eva Gaddy. When Will McClain, the third foster child of Frannie Granger, returns to Uncertain, Texas, loose ends are tied up and the mystery of Frannie's death, as well as Emmy Monday's birth, are finally resolved.

Remembered more as the prodigal son than an admirable character, Texas Ranger Will McClain arranges to investigate his foster mother's murder twenty years after the fact when an archeologist unearths Frannie's bones. His foster brother stands accused of the murder and its up to Will to prove Jed's innocence, despite the circumstantial evidence. Questions of loyalty to family and to one's sworn career make Will's job even more challenging. And there's also the matter of the gorgeous red head with the temper to match that wants back on the archeological site.

Tessa curses the day she uncovered the old bones on her Caddo Indian burial mound dig. The project that was supposed to allow her to complete her degree and insure her career comes to a screeching halt while local law enforcement crawls over the site and refused to allow her to continue her work. As time slips away, so do her grant and her future. Then, on the day the sheriff finally agrees to let her back on site, the Texas Ranger had to arrive and put her on hold again.

However, Tessa gets her wish, in a round about way, when Will visits the site and realizes the devastation the sheriff's department has wrought. The site looks like a nuclear explosion rather than the scene of a crime, and valuable evidence could have been destroyed. Consequently, Will convinces Tessa to work for him, excavating the crime scene while her students return to the Indian Mounds. As their feelings draw them closer together, however, career and dreams prove to be a conflict of interest.

This intricate tangle of murder, lies and love creates a satisfying conclusion to the Return To East Texas series. As family ties and loyalties are questioned, Gaddy gracefully questions the meaning of family and arrives at rather unconventional conclusion, proving the bond of love strong than blood. The growth of the heroine as she learns to define her own values, based on her own desires rather than her family's values, also provides a sound lesson. And I must admit a soft spot for a hero not afraid to admit his emotions long before the heroine resolves her own feelings. A MAN OF HIS WORD is highly recommended.

Texas Ranger Will McClain learns two months after the newspaper published the story that the bones of Frannie Granger were found near Uncertain, Texas. Unable to ignore what happened to his beloved foster mother, Will travels to Uncertain where he stops archeologist Tessa Lang, discoverer of the remains of Frannie,from continuing her dig.

The real shock to Will is to realize Sheriff Fielder believes his foster brother Jed Louis killed Frannie. Will refuses to believe that and plans to learn the truth about who killed Frannie. Still, Will admits all the evidence makes it seem as Jed is guilty, and though it alienates him from his foster sister Emma, he will do the job, even arresting his foster brother. However, to his and her amazement, Will and Tessa soon fall in love, but even that will not stop Will from his obsession to find out who killed Frannie.

The Third and final Tale in the "Return to East Texas" miniseries, A MAN OF HIS WORD, is a powerful climax to a strong romantic suspense mini-series. The story line combines a warm relationship drama with an engaging police procedural. Lead characters and other cast members return to round out a terrific book and trilogy.

Harriet Klausner

I was first introduced to Matt's family restaurant, El Rancho, in Austin 20 years ago during college and still make a point of going there when visiting. I grew up in TX and now live in the wilds of NJ with nary a Tex-Mex joint in sight - or within a days drive. I can make the very simple recipes from this book, close my eyes and feel like I'm home again. After making several of these dishes for a very Italian NY friend of mine she demanded I spend an afternoon showing her how to make her favorites from this book. Very high praise indeed.

If you are interested in Tex-Mex cooking, do yourself a favor and buy this book. You won't regret it.

I've owned this cookbook since around the time it was released and still use it. The recipes are generally easy and very delicious. I really like Matt's Big Time Eatin' Chili.

This is a simple to use, easy to read, enjoyable cook book that is not only a pleasure to work out of, but is intresting and fun to read.

The recepies are straight forward, Martha Stewart would hate this book.

For years I have been tring to make enchalidas for my family without them having the consistantly of tree bark. Matt has shown me how to share the recipies I enjoyed so much growing up in Texas to my family being raised in New York City.

Great recipes. Great stories. The #1 authority on Tex-Mex Cooking in America. A "Best Buy" book for yourself or gift.

One of the great architectural achievements of the second half of the 20th century is an exciting story in Ms. Shulman's well written book. This musicologist has been able to capture all of the fascinating nuances in this amazing project from its conception, political and economic issues, design, building, the grand opening and the Meyerson's very positive impact on the community.

A sumptuous read - Laurie Shulman's inimitable wit and style grace the pages of this handsome book. The details she shares are as fresh and lively as her trademark program notes. Like many others who worked in the Arts District, I watched the Meyerson being built - from crater to finished perfection. The knowledge Shulman imparts expands my appreciation and most certainly will enhance my enjoyment of another concert in this dream hall, the Meyerson.

This is a great book about a wonderful place for music. After reading the book, I purchased copies for my relatives who are professional musicians, and those who care about such music. One might ask how can you make a story about building a music hall interesting, but Laurie Shulman has done so.

Excellent and interesting book on a fantastic community effort.

Most college students and people in their twenties and thirties will enjoy Midnight Texas. It portrays a typical college experience in many ways, showing people balancing between school, relationships, and personal interests. The main character, Duke, is in the band Midnight Texas. He falls in love with a girl who has some serious emotional issues and is in a rather abusive relationship with another man, who is just using her for sex. (Readers should be forewarned that the book is a bit explicit, especially in the prologue). Duke must choose between being a member of the band and making it big and trying to be everything Kate wants him to be. His decision is logical and the way he comes to it is especially well-written and thoughtful.

The story is more than just a love story, however. It is an exploration of codependency, and Duke's attempt not to become codependent in his relationship with Kate, based on his own sense of who he is, what he wants, and what she wants; the novel asks questions about the fine line between loving someone and letting someone smother you because they are needy, and it warns against letting a depressed person make you depressed.

I could completely empathize with Duke. In fact, I imagine most of us in our college years have to make similarly difficult and life-changing decisions about our romantic lives, so I think all readers will enjoy this book and be able to relate to it.

Devin Dugan is also a successful stand-up comedian who has performed at NMU, where he went to school as well as all over the western states. He's a very funny guy. Check out his website for more information on his other works and his comedy at www.devindugan.com.

- Tyler R. Tichelaar, author of "Iron Pioneers: The Marquette Trilogy, Book One"

This book is a very good read. I recommend this to anyone.

I have had the priviledge of working alongside Devin Dugan, who is a very funny comedian. So when I got around to reading his book, I was stunned at how thoughtful the whole thing turned out to be. It's a story about a love so deep and yet never quite consumated. I thought it was remarkably intelligent and very mature about the relationship between the two main characters, and it is one of the more orinal love stories you will ever read in contemporary literature. This may sound like your typical romance novel with two models on the cover, looking like they spend 3 or 4 hours a day working out at the local health club (be it Ballys or 24 Hour Fitness), and in the throes of passion and unable to control their hormonal impulses regardless of their families wanting them to be kept apart. No, it's not like that at all. It is much more down to earth, and I really appreciated that.

For anyone that has a good understanding of mental health issues or who loves the local rock bands that play in their college, or for those who have been in a realtionship with a partner who was tremendously sensitive, this is a book worth reading. And if you're not one of the forementioned people, don't worry. It's still a book worth reading. It's sort of a cousin to Cameron Crowe's "Say Anything," which must have been a big influence on the writer.

Great work Devin! Look forward to the next one!

...Dugan gives us, in a modest, yet epic, volume, a veritable bildungsroman--an American picaresque for the 21st Century. The protagonist of this work (and I apologize, but I don't have the novel in front of me so I cannot remember his name) leaves an indelible mark on the reader. Dugan, in polishes prose, weaves a tapestry of adventure for this young man to journey forth on. Through college, into the legal system, and beyond. We are carried into a world which we know surrounds us, yet most of us know little about. It's quite a successful accomplishment on many levels. And a real quick read.

If Dugan has one failure, it's his over-reliance on traditional narrative discourse. His narrator rarely challenges us, or asks us to suspend our preconceived judgments about our expectations. Instead, he gives us a finely wrought yarn that is mainly traditional, yet solid...

Anyone who has read any of Frank Vandiver's books can be assured that a book by Vandiver is well worth having and reading. This book is no exception. The author presents a fleshed out, human, icon of the Confederacy.

Vandiver captures Jaskson; warts and all. His is a comprehensive book detailing all aspects of Jackson's life. Well worth the money and read.

After all that has been written about Jackson, Vandiver's treatment is still the best. Highly recommended.

This is an essential book for anyone's personal library. Smart, concise, well-illustrated, and comprehensive it tells the story of one of early America's greatest field commanders. Never engaging the question of North versus South and the issues that sculpted the Civil War, Vandiver focuses on the man, his legend, and the simple values he built his life around.

A friendly and enjoyable tale of success in the retail business and how success was accomplished. Stanley Marcus recounts the growth of his family business and the stories of customer demands and customer service that created a hugely profitable and customer orientated retail empire.

While customer service is the primary focus of the book, creating innovative and exclusive items for the very wealthy provides a glimpse into how the rich find ways to dispose of their money. Marcus was a master of imaginative packages.

I bought 4 copies of the original edition and gave them away to people in sales. There is no better book for a young, or old, sales person to read.

I've read two books by S. Marcus - "Quest for the Best" and "Minding the Store". Both are fascinating.
Without any doubt, Stanley Marcus is the most talented American retailer of the 20th century. You will find out from this lively narrative what made him the best - impeccable taste, discriminate merchandising, extensive knowledge of manufacturing, business vision, professional honesty and breadth of intellectual interests. If you aspire to be a specialty retailer, drop 99% of the books about selling, they will not show you a worthy real-life example of how to run a store that customers can not resist to visit. Marcus does not hold back any secrets how he did it.
Read, laugh and get inspired.

I guess it was my Business degree & marketing background I brought to the Architecture Masters program that made the Dean feel this might be my best contribution to the profession. Why else would he have presented me with this book upon defending my thesis project & graduating - was it really almost 30 years ago?

Now #2 of 4 kids is graduating college in advertising and I can't resist getting her this insightful, revealing history of a magic retail legacy that began in our home town. In fact, my mother grew up in the Adolphus - the marketing ally of Neimans - why else the memorable Thanksgiving parades? So this book certainly has roots to love for marketing majors, Dallasites, those in the fine arts, fashion. But it is more - much more.

The book teaches the rewards of quality, value and commitments to the good of the customer. It's not the mystique of the His & Hers fabulous Christmas catalogue gifts that make cash flow, its the quality of the $10 dresses. It's not the suit, it's the fitting; it's not the price, it's the value; it's not the steak, it's the sizzle. I hope the book passes on the value of ethics, its rewards, mystique and satisfaction, while proving the theory is all true and still alive & well today. Besides all that, it's a fun book to read.

This book, like "Quest for the Best" is an absolutely fascinating look into the world of high-end retailing. It should be in every business student's library.

This book is a very witty and entertaining read. Chris Wham has managed to create characters that invite both ridicule and empathy. It was refreshing to find a book that articulates many of my frustrations at our country's current climate of religious conservatism.

Mr. Wham's witty and astute discourse on the trials and tribulations of the search for spiritual meaning revolves around the sometimes surreal dreams of no less an Entity than God Himself. Or should I say Herself? Or Itself? It all depends on what day it is and what pancake you're looking at. But that's okay. After all, aren't we all a little confused sometimes about what God is and where that confusion takes us in our search for spiritual answers? While The Miracle Pancake of Delgado, Texas doesn't give any perfect formulas about where to find the answers to our spiritual questions, or what those answers might be, it does give us a number of entertaining choices to ponder and pokes some good fun at all of us in our search.

A quick read, incredibly funny...Wham manages to get in equal jabs at psycho-babblers, artistes, action flick heroes, football players, and everyone's favorite, the TV preacher. The story gets in close, juxtaposing true believers against the sleazy suits dying to make a dime off anything. Truly the best book I've read in a long time.

I devoured this book. One of the best works of fiction I have read in a long time. The characters are quirky and real-straight out of Texas. Chris has written a book that is funny and entertaining but it also has a great message. Read this book and pass it on.

I am related to General William L.Cazneau 1807-1876 and his wife Jane McManus Cazneau 1807-1878, the subject of this book. I met the author in November 1999 in Texas. A great amount of research has gone in to this book and it took years to collect it all. I am a direct descendent of General Thomas Nugent Cazneau 1812-1873 of California, brother of William. I am sending copies to libraries and friends. God Bless You !!

History is a passion of mine and this book is so very good. I can not imagine how long it took to do all this research. It gave me a different understanding of our government history. Just to think if our politions had had the foresight that Jane McManus and Aaron Burr had, Cuba, Doninican Republic, and Mexico just to name a few, could have been States today. I would love to have been Jane because she was so smart and brave. I found her one of the most fascinating persons in history. I loved this book.

History is a passion of mine and this book is so very good. I can not imagine how long it took to do all this research. It gave me a different understanding of our government history. Just to think if our politions had had the foresight that Jane McManus and Aaron Burr had, Cuba, Doninican Republic, and Mexico just to name a few, could have been States today. I would love to have been Jane because she was so smart and brave. I found her one of the most fascinating persons in history. I loved this book.

Linda Hudson has done a wonderful job of following the travels and trials of Jane McManus Storm Cazneau from her youth in New York to her involvement in Texas land deals in the 1830's and her mission to Mexico City in the midst of the Mexican War in the 1840's to her life in Eagle Pass, Texas, (which she somehow did not at first realize was literally the middle of no where) to her exploits in Cuba and her return to New York City to play a role in the presidential campaign of 1852.

She has shown the complexity of the politics of the times especially as they relate to the question of slavery and its expansion into Texas. She has also related the very complicated life of a woman who was liberated long before being a liberated woman was considered cool. In doing so, she has created a far more complex view of society in the United States in the middle of the 19th century than many historians have uncovered...or been willing to admit to having uncovered.

It is a wonderful trip into the history not only of the United States but also of Mexico and the Caribbean that she has taken with Jane Cazneau and that she allows the reader to share.