Arizona Books

Last night I had a dream. It was about this unpublished book. I read it there and it was wonderfull

Mr. Simon J. Ortiz's work, "Men On The Moon", is a collection of three earlier groups of his short stories. The tales are not just of contemporary Native American life but also of their History, and specifically their History with the, "Mericano".

The History of Native Americans cannot be written without the experience of loss, displacement, internment, and racism to mention just a few. The Native Americans are one of the Genocides that this Country is responsible for, and even though we who made read this History took no part in the atrocities, we also are the only ones who can make amends. Those responsible, the dead, are not terribly productive.

These stories are not complaints nor are they a cry for pity. They are each brief statements of fact that no matter how tragic maintain a sense of hope. Justice, fairness, acknowledgement of the crimes committed against them are perhaps some of the redress they illustrate/seek.

The book is not grim; it is full of irony, sardonic moments, and even humor. The short story that is also the title for the book is wonderful. An elderly man muses about the first information he sees on viewing his first TV. A series of questions follow with answers from a younger family member. If NASA had to answer these questions as put forward by this wise old sage, the groping for answers would be amusing, and the space program would be doubtful. I don't believe the Author was actually questioning the merits of the space program, rather illustrating how easily things may happen despite failing the most basic of queries.

There are stories of heroic service for the United States during her wars, and too there is a story of one man that went to prison rather than serve. I mention these as I found this book very balanced. This is not one Native American's list of complaints, rather a reasoned and balanced view of their History and what that History has wrought.

The book is great reading that communicates its message in an informal conversational way consistent with Native American Culture. It loses nothing to the extent its format is not structured in the traditional manner of, "scholarly", History. Nonetheless this man is a wonderful writer, a poet, role model, and eloquent representative for his people.

When I read this book, Simon Ortiz's voice came from the pages. Simon Ortiz writes like he speaks and his stories are rich and beautiful. As a student of his I have had the unique opportunity of hearing many of these stories orally, but they have not lost their beauty and depth being written down. If you like this book, check out Simon Ortiz's poetry. You won't be disappointed.

I found this book very helpful and had to own it. I first reviewed the book after getting it from the library.

This is a nice size book that you can use to both plan your trip to Arizona as well as bring with you while you're traveling. It's a paperback with a heavy-duty cover. It also gives you an overview of the history of Arizona going back thousands of years ago to the present. The book divides the state into regions and then spends about 1-2 pages on a place or town. Just about all of the book (about 230 pages) is spent on this, the back of the book (about 30 pages) is spent listing various hotels and restaurants in each area. (Frankly I'd just get a AAA guide if that's all you're looking for) Websites are given for most of the places discussed in the book so you can get more information. I wouldn't use this book as my only guide to Arizona, but it is a good start!

This book is organized very well for people who are interested in planning a trip to Arizona and want to make sure they do not miss any of the great sites. The book is organized by area, allowing the reader to focus on a particular area of the state. Lots of pictures and great descriptions provide good information and a good idea of what to expect.

I used this book to start planning a trip, and it worked out very well. Note however, that I also had some additional books to find more information about specific areas, Arizona history, hikes, and much more. This type of information is not provided at a great level of detail here.

My copy of "Plaintext" is dogeared because I've reread it a lot. I've also bought copies for friends. It's honesty and directness captured me immediately. I felt I was in the company of a real person who was not afraid to talk with me about her life. The religious component is important too because Mairs tells me about her spiritual struggles, her anger and loves. Her life in the Catholic church is exposed so that we can identify with her. She deals with questions we ask too. When this book was first published, I'd read nothing like it before. I'm an ordained woman and needed to confront some of the same issues dealt with here, marriage, unfaithfulness, doubts. I also loved the Arizona setting, since I live in northern Arizona and felt close to Mairs because we had that world in common.
This book is one treasure I'll never part with.
Elaine Greensmith Jordan, 2008

I have never read a book of essays from beginning to end but I could not put this one down. It reads like a novel with the depth of an extended poem. Each essay presents a journey into the interior of human heart--an intricate, rocky road through emotions and experiences entirely unique and yet completely understandable. Sometimes I felt like I was looking in the mirror, finding my whole life in a line, on a page. Other times I felt as if I had made a new and very intimate friend.

I chose this book because I have been struggling with a new-found disability and had read that Nancy Mairs had written about her experiences with Multiple Sclerosis in an essay with the gutsy title: "On Being a Cripple." I was delighted to hear Mairs treat this issue with pain and wisdom, and then move on to so many more aspects of her own life story. The writing is exquisite--complex, delicate, and blunt. The stories are gripping accounts of infidelity, depression, suicide, terror, appreciation, parenting, sex, mystery, loneliness, humor, writing, and love. The honesty with which she reveals details about herself and her family is unprecedented. And some sort of affiirmation comes with each gritty revelation, making the irreducible value of human experience once again apparent. Mairs is a feminist, but not in any formulaic manner. Her plea is that women be given the opportunity to explore all of the facets of their own humanity; that being locked in limited roles has caused so many of us to go "mad." Her poignant recollections of younger days are all but universal. Who has not felt different, alienated, self-effacing, and alone at least some time in their life? I cannot imagine anyone not being gripped by the courage and the genius of Mairs' honesty and introspection.

I've read only a few of Mairs' essays from this volume, and the ones I've read are beautifully crafted. Nancy Mairs hates having MS, yet she is not sorry to be a cripple (a term she prefers to handicapped or disabled.) How can this be? Nancy Mairs reveals her life as it is lived day-to-day, as a married, employed, active, wife, mother, and, most importantly, woman and human being. Her style and tone is such that even those unconnected to any kind of disability or disabled person will be profoundly moved by her autobiographical essays.

Very well written,well documented. Much more objective than others of this genre.

The late Alden Hayes engagingly weaves true stories of the cultures and individuals who have populated the Chiricahua Mountains, from mammoth hunters of the Clovis culture who arrived more than 11,000 years ago down to ranchers and farmers at the beginning of World War II. Various Native American cultures, including the Apaches who had migrated into the Borderlands by about 1600 A.D.; Spanish explorers; and gringo miners, ranchers, outlaws, and homesteaders followed those initial hunters in a swirl of history that at times involved substantial conflict and bloodshed. All but the book's first chapter take place in historic times, with the bulk detailing the years between 1860 and 1920 when figures such as Cochise, Geronimo, the Earps, the Clantons, and "Curley Bill" Brocius were on center stage. Important locations include Fort Bowie, Galeyville, Paradise, Portal, and Rodeo. Hayes' book will be most meaningful to those with at least passing acquaintance with Southeastern Arizona from the Dragoon Mountains east through the Sulphur Springs Valley and Chiricahua Mountains to the San Simon Valley, Peloncillo Mountains, and Animas Valley of New Mexico. If, as I have, you have visited Chiricahua National Monument, gone birding in Cave Creek Canyon, stopped at the monument to Geronimo's surrender in Skeleton Canyon, viewed a staged shootout in Tombstone, or yearned to learn more about the days of the Butterfield Stage and Apache Pass, this is the book for you. Hayes admirably includes a short section describing the geological and ecological setting of Southeastern Arizona, including three maps at various scales. In several sections of the book, Hayes also provides photographs of some of the many people whose lives, difficulties, and adventures he aptly describes. One minor criticism is that even more map detail would have been useful for tracing the exact movements of people through the Chiricahuas and adjacent ranges and valleys down into Sonora and Chihuahua, although sufficient detail is present to see the major outlines of those journeys. I enjoyed Hayes' book because it taught me why Portal, Paradise, and Rodeo are there at all and revealed the human, often tragic, struggles of those who settled (or were displaced from) Southeastern Arizona. I highly recommend this book to those with similar interests.

Portal and Paradise are tiny communities on the east slope of the Chiricahua mountains of Arizona. They are delectable places in the high desert, and the Chiricahuas are possibly the finest of Arizona's "sky islands" -- isolated green and lush mountain ranges that rise precipitously from the desert.

The history of the Chiricahuas matches the appeal of the scenery. Coronado marched through this region in 1540; the Apaches made it their home; and Gringo ranchers and miners arrived in the 19th century. Billy the Kid killed his first man in the Chiricahuas; Curley Bill, John Ringo, Cochise, and Wyatt Earp are part of their history; Geronimo surrendered for the last time in 1886 just across the valley.

As is apparent from the lengthy title, the author has a sense of humor and that contributes to the appeal of this book as he plows through centuries of history and events. As he moves into the 20th century, he gets much more upclose and personal with the people -- and it's a sparse population -- who inhabit the region. He first lived in Portal in 1936 and he knew many of the oldtimers who settled in the region. He carries the history up to about 1940 with tales of the people who tried, and usually failed, to make a living of mining and ranching in this land of little rain and less opportunity. I love the quote heading one of his chapters: "Arizona would be a desirable place to live if it had more water and a better class of people." A few good black and white photographs illustrate the people and the land.

Today, as the author points out, the Chiricahuas are visited more by birdwatchers than by bandits. That's progress, I guess. The author has done a fine job preserving and recording the history of the Chiricahuas and the people who lived here before the birdwatchers arrived.

Smallchief

Although I loved the Rough Riders movie on TNT, they got the character Buckey O'Neill wrong. This book will set you straight on a forgotten hero, who did more in 38 years than most men would do in a life time. Just how far would he have gone had he not been killed at Kettle Hill? The next time that I'm on Whiskey Row, I will give a toast to William Owen O'Neill. This is a great book.

Buckey O'Neill was a legendary lawman, a gallant soldier, and a Democrat when being one meant fealty to the flag and country. Even in a Republican state like Arizona Buckey O'Neill is a state hero - and much revered in Prescott.

This son of an Irish immigrant and Civil War Veteran risked death many times, chasing outlaws across the deserts and praries. If he hadn't recklessly strolled along the front lines facing the Spanish emplacements on San Juan Hill, O'Neill might very well had gone on to bigger and better things, including possibly being territorial governor. He was a particular favorite of Theodore Roosevelt's, who took his death very hard.

Dale Walker has already written a superb book about the "Rough Riders" in the "Boys of '98" and here he sets the record on the man who is arguably Arizona's favorite son - above and beyond t Goldwater, the Earps, and perhaps even John McCain. Only the late hero Pat Tillman's life and career might be as adventurous and as legendary as O'Neill's was.

Dale L. Walker's biography of O'Neill, one of the early West's most fascinating figures, is richly drawn, authoritative, and distinguished. O'Neill is best known as one of the Rough Riders of the Spanish-American War, but Walker meticulously depicts all the other facets of this legendary Arizonan. This is surely the standard work on O'Neill.

Samba Dreamers is an amazing book, a sociological tour de force, and a fun read. Two young Brazilians in Hollywood are in the midst of a torrid illicit affair. They break all the rules including big time felony. He's a fugitive from Brazil's dictatorship of the 70's and she's the daughter of famed Brazilian movie star Carmen Socorro (read Carmen Miranda). Caught up, used and misused by the Hollywood power structure, they long for the sensuous rhythms and relaxed tropical warmth of Brazil. Ms. De Azevedo deftly balances a keen and adventurous insight into Hollywood with a sincere sympathy for her native Brazilian culture. This book is bound to become a great Hollywood exposé movie in the tradition of such classics as "Sunset Boulevard" and "Day of the Locust". For now it's a must read!

"Samba Dreamers" is a dark, fantastical and, indeed, brilliant cautionary tale for those who search out paradise without first confronting -- and defeating -- their inner demons. If Nathanael West had been Brazilian, "The Day of the Locust" would have looked a lot like "Samba Dreamers." De Azevedo is a remarkable new literary voice. [The full review first appeared in the El Paso Times.]

Samba Dreamers is compelling, imaginative, and fabulous reading! Brazil, the idea, finds passionate range in this fast-paced story told by a deft spinner of fantastic tales about love and dreams in Hollywood. De Azevedo's intelligence and humor are both in evidence as she takes on stereotypes about everything from Hollywood success to the Carmen Miranda biography to Amazonian lore, and brings us a wild slate of engaging characters.

Birdboy is the misfit hybrid whose bird-plus-boy body graphically illustrates all the ways that bodies and selves don't always fit very well into what life has in store. Rosea Socorro Katz is a knockout character, so believable and so larger-than-life at the same time, a contemporary Amazon in not-exactly-comfortable clothing, the wanna-be lover with the heart of gold and killer instincts. Joe Silva is a Brazilian transplant who won't try to fill stereotypical Latin lover shoes, but he does wear a Ricky Ricardo costume for work, and de Azevedo draws the tensions of his coexisting Brazilian/US identities with sympathy and humor.

So many things in this novel are occasions for laughter: The naming of the twins (Keffy and Jeffy) after tv show puppets because the names sound "American." The Hollywood homes tour business and its lies and gullible tourists, probably closer to truths than fiction. The funny but perfectly imagined artifices that bring all the novel's characters into relationship.

And so many things in the novel are inspired: the chapter-heading glosses of anthropological journals about Amazons and cannibalism; the dark complexities of Joe's relationship with Brazil; De Azevedo's smiling and insightful exploration into the challenges of being alive for all her characters, for all of us.

Highly recommended reading!

'The Sandscrapers' - A Forgotten Navy
'The Sandscrapers' is a novel about a World War II naval officer and the ship he commands from Norfolk, Virginia through the Panama Canal, and all through the south pacific. The storylines (and all the events) are so realistic, the book must be based on actual events. I have not read a novel that tells about this sector of the navy. Maybe that is why the title is 'A Forgotten Navy'. The book is so intriguing that not only a World War II history buff would enjoy the book, but anyone interested in a good story. I highly recommend 'The Sandscrapers'.

The life & times of the men & wives of a forgotten amphibious force of landing vessels serving in the Pacific during WWII.

Within the covers of this unassuming, modest saga, you will meet brave & true ordinary men as they serve their country in extra-ordinary times. You will read of their recruitment & maneuvers, their frustrations & heroism, their terrors & poetry. You will see patriotism in action, gruff & ready, tender & determined.

THE SANDSCRAPERS is a unique addition to any military library!

Nominated for the Third Annual Library of Virginia Fiction Award, Griffin Garnett's The Sandscrapers is a naval adventure novel set on the high seas, aboard the "Landing Ship Medium Program." Set in the southwest Pacific during the deadly days of World War II, The Sandscrapers is a story of heroism, struggle, sacrifice, and endurance, exciting, involving, and highly recommended reading from first page to last.

The author's descriptions and trail details are excellent. Provides a nice comfort feeling when hiking in unfamiliar areas. There is a lot of road and trail head improvements going on in Sedona, so don't be suprised (as we were) when "dirt road" is now paved, etc.

Let me preface by saying that Sedona is one of my favorite places in the US. The author, who I have hired as a personal guide, shares some of his best hikes in this well written, easy to follow text.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

We had been to Sedona once before for 2 days and were only slightly familiar with the area. This time we brought "Sedona's Top 10 Hikes" with us for our 6 day trip. We only wished we could have done more of the hikes. We are not hiking people by any means. This book is a great guide for the novice and pro. Just a side note - it is not stressed enough how rough the roads are up Schnebly Hill. Take a jeep tour or rent a jeep. We took a camaro convertible. Even so, it was amazing!

I was given this book as a gift. Now to tell the truth, I don't do well with water. Even thinking about ships makes me queasy. After reading this book I am absolutely hooked and fascinated. I want more stories. I wish the author to keep telling me tales. If there is still time for you to get this book as a gift for anyone on your list, I highly recommend it. Anyone would enjoy this read. And, if by chance you know someone with a Navy history or who already loves the sea, this book is a must. I surely hope there is a sequel. Thanks to the author for much enjoyment.

For those fascinated by the Titantic and other tragedies at sea, this book will be a great read. Not only does Berc write in a conversational manner about many such fatal voyages but he also has chapters on other themes such as mutinies, unusual cargos, ships that disappear, and other strange occurances. You don't have to be a naval history buff to enjoy these fasinating stories that happened to ships at sea. It was simply an enjoyable and well-written book for all ages. And, the author's description of his naval background, itself quite interesting, allows us to glimpse the reason for his obvious passion for the topic.

I really enjoyed the author's unique stories of similar, but extraordinary sea experiences. The unusual tales of over 200 ships are grouped under 20 separate chapters. There are tales of mystery ships, mutinies, animal antics, piracy, phenomena of the unknown and more in these highly readable short stories. I was given this book by a colleague only to find that I am captivated by a world about which I knew nothing.

An important major reference work, Sonoran Desert Plants is an exhaustive study of the woody plants native to the Sonoran Desert. 80 species are treated, and each species treatment includes excellent grey tone photographs and distribution maps, in addition to the discussion. This is an absolute sin qua non for students of the Sonoran Desert, botanists, naturalists, and aficionados of the cacti of the region. I reviewed this book several years ago & have not changed my mind about the book even though I am selling my copy now. I have moved "biomes" and really have no need for Sonoran biology texts anymore.

Co-authored by plant ecologists Raymond Turner and Tony Burgess along with botanist Janice Bowers, Sonoran Desert Plants: An Ecological Atlas is an enlarged and thoroughly revised edition of the original 1972 atlas. Packed cover to cover with figures, distribution maps, black-and-white photographs, and detailed information concerning the taxonomy and ecology of 339 plants, Sonoran Desert Plants is a superb in-depth manual especially recommended for ecologists studying the Sonoran desert area. A glossary, index, and impressively extensive compendium of cited literature round out this specialist's resource.

I found this book to be quite unique in the way it covers its subject area. I know of no other book which seeks to treat in a botanical manner the more conspicuous and important woody plants of the Sonoran Desert biome. I discovered the existence of plants that I previously did not know about. Each species is covered very well, with notes on its appearance, distribution, ethnobotany, and ecology. Excellent half-tone black and white photographs. I can't recommend this book too highly if one is interested in learning more about the Sonoran Desert woody plants.