Arizona Books

The book is out of date somewhat but it is still a must-have if you are going to Tuscon. The author is very funny and very astute. I can depend on her recommendations and it has a good range of prices. You trip will be much better.

Feeling hungry? Want to know a bit of the history behind the food on your plate? Arizona Eats! has everything you need, from fantastic recipes that make your mouth water and your belly rumble, to interesting facts and brainy tidbits that satisfy your need to know as well. If you really enjoy Southwestern cooking, Carol Haralson has done it all for you in a tidy, attractive package. The cover illustration grabs attention and drags you right into a wonderful world of food, Arizona style! This book is a wonderful gift idea for anyone who collects cook books or likes to EAT!

She wasn't looking for a husband...

Kansas McClellan was looking for her brother, and Paxton Moore was the only man who could help her. She'd heard he knew the tough, Western landscape like the back of his callused hand, so it didn't matter that he stirred in her feelings of longing that she'd rather not explore.

He wasn't out to find a wife...

Paxton was happy with his life just the way it was, but ever since Kansas barged into town, the sultry days- and hot nights- were getting far too steamy for comfort. But he simply couldn't resist her. This was one female in distress he couldn't refuse- even if finding her brother meant losing his heart.

Dee Strickland Johnson's new book, "Arizona Herstory:Tales from Her Storied Past," is an impressive work that celebrates the history of her beloved native state with careful scholarship, captivating tales, and no small amount of humor.

Her expertly crafted, engaging stories in verse never speak in a detached historian's voice, but rather through the colorful and convincing words of the native people, vaqueros, soldiers, cowboys, outlaws, sheriffs, mule skinners, chuckwagon cooks, and settlers who populate this book. She brings the past alive vibrantly, and this unique volume delivers a panoramic view of the history and the settlement of the West.

Nearly 60 poems appear in chronological groupings. Those in the "Heroes and Hard Cases" chapter are full of Old West excitement. "Johnny Behind the Deuce" tells of a little known episode in Wyatt Earp's life, which the author says many historians view as his finest hour. There's the story of "The Rhyming Robber" and cowboy W. R. "Red" McNeill, who in taunting his victims with verse was perhaps was inspired by Black Bart. Johnson, with her signature wit, writes in a footnote (they are all worth reading) "Some of Red's verses have been slighted edited for meter. I am sure he could have done as well himself but, after all, he was often pressed for time." In the amusing and quick-moving tale of "one of the most notorious cattle rustlers and elusive prisoners in northern Arizona territory, "Climax Jim," nicknamed for the famous chewing tobacco, puts his habit to good use during a courtroom appearance.

In the "Just Plain Folks" chapter, one moving and timeless poem is "Shadows," narrated by a weary rebel soldier who heads west seeking work and comes to some profound realizations about war and the men he used to fight against, saying "...they'd risk hell for my damn sake/ And I fight as hard beside 'em, battlin' cows in wild stampede / As I used to fight agin' 'em -- just 'cause someone said I needed." "Belle of the Bar" is the intriguing tale of the baby who appears among the gamblers on Prescott's Whiskey Row, and is won with a roll of the dice.

Several poems concern the "Them Hash Knife Cowboys," the Aztec Land and Cattle Company that went from Texas to Arizona in 1885. The poem of that name tells how some of the Arizona cattlemen changed from their Spanish (California) methods and took on Texas ways: "They looked at our long tapaderos / That flip-flapped and flopped as we rode; / Called us "chaps, taps and latigo straps" / And it wasn't too long till we'd stowed / Our seventy-foot long reatas / Away with the rest of our gear. / We just gave up takin' our dallies, / All tied hard and fast in a year."

One chapter holds legends, lore, myths, "lies told as practical jokes," and finally, "unlikely stories told as fact," those latter two categories having particularly creatively told tales. One gem is "Stilt Stock Stampede," which is said to be based on an accident during an ostrich stampede in 1914. Johnson dedicates this poem to "the brothers Cook"; Jim Cook is the "Official State Liar of Arizona," who she writes "has graciously suspended his Liar's commission when supplying information for this book." Other fun poems in this section include "Cyclone Bill's Big Windy" and "Swap Me a Biscuit."

There's a glimpse of Johnson's own history in several poems in the "Later History: 20th Century" chapter. A poignant note after her poem "Two Old Hash Knife Cowboys," about two kind old hands who told her stories and were an audience for her cowboy songs when she was a girl, tells "Much later I learned that [one] had explained his kindness to me with these words: "Poor little devil; she ain't got no mama."

The multi-talented Johnson (also known as "Buckshot Dot") is a recipient of the AWA's Best Female Poet award) and is a sought-after performer, singer, and artist. The book includes her distinctive scratch board illustrations, many inspired by historical photographs and with subjects as varied as Wyatt Earp, Sharlot Hall, and the Yuma Indians of 1800.

For reciters, there are some "performance cut" versions of a number of poems, particularly crafted for stage delivery. Those interested in history will be further gratified by the well-researched timelines, footnotes, maps and bibliography. Others who simply appreciate good writing and engaging tale spinning will be equally pleased with this large collection of entertaining tales in verse. This is one of those lasting volumes that you can give as a gift to most anyone, and one that you'll be glad to have in your own library.

Margo Metegrano, editor, CowboyPoetry.com

This book is a must keep for all nature photographers. The books is well organized into basics,types of photography and places for photography with directions to the best photogenic locations in arizona. The portfolio section is amazing and has some of the outstanding photos one has ever seen about american southwest. The articles and photographs by outstanding photographers like Jack Dykinga,David Muench,Gary ladd,Peter ensenberger,Richard maack,Tom vezo,Leroy dejolie etc are both a visual as well as aesthetic feast to all photo enthusiasts. The experiences they have mastered over the years cannot be found anywhere else in one single place. This is a great travel guide too giving good directions to the best locations through out arizona. A jem of a book. Highly recommendable.

This issue features photographs of artwork by, and stories about: Allan Houser, Joseph Lonewolf, Grace Medicine Flower, Fritz Scholder, Helen Hardin, Charles Loloma, and R. C. Gorman.

Also, "Film Maker's Reflections," by Tony Schmitz, American Indian Artists Film Series.

The works of Frank Lloyd Wright have been featured in many magazines. As far as I know, though, only one magazine editor lived in a home designed by Wright - and paid a fee that was less than the housewarming gift (a piano) that he received from the architect when the home was completed.

For those unfamiliar with Arizona Highways magazine: Maybe you have to have lived in Arizona, to understand its significance. In its own way, the state magazine under editor Raymond Carlson established a world-class reputation in its field, just as Wright did in his.

On the front cover of this issue is a photograph of Taliesin West, as it appeared more than 50 years ago. (The photo wraps around to tbe back.) You know you have met a native when you are told, "I could have bought land out there for $100 an acre, but no one saw any future in Scottsdale at the time." Of course, Frank Lloyd Wright and his followers did.

Inside front cover: A full-page black and white photo of the approach to Taliesin West, along a dirt road, with the McDowell Mountains in the background.

Editor Carlson writes: "We are singularly proud of this issue because of the presence in it of Frank Lloyd Wright, eminent American architect and Arizona resident. We give you a few of the houses he has designed in the Phoenix area, we take you on a visit to his winter home, Taliesin West, and we offer you an article by Mr. Wright himself."

The article by Wright, "Organic Expression of the Nature of Architecture," is accompanied by a full-page b&w photo of the author. There is also an aerial view of Taliesin, out there in the middle of the nowhere desert; a drawing of the Taliesin West floor plan; and six pages of Taliesin photos, many in color.

The homes shown include the Benjamin Adelman "cottage;" the Raymond Carlson home; and the David Wright patio-house in a citrus grove at the foot of Camelback Mountain.

Other articles in this issue tell the story of the Salt River Project; Hereford cattle in Arizona; and photography of Spring on the desert.

Inside back cover: color photo of the Taliesin West theater at night.

Wickenburg, Yesterday and Today, by Ida Smith. Excerpts from A Path to Enchantment, An Artist in the Sonora Desert, by Wiliam J. Schaldach. Jeeping in Arizona, by Don Dedera. Central Arizona Project, by Tim Kelly.

Nogales - A close-up look at the twin cities of the South, the gateway to colorful Mexico.

Back Road to the Silver Kings - A round-trip tour of the glorious ghost towns of the Patagonias.

Kino and the Mission Frontier - Tumacacori, Cocospera, and Magdalena revisited.

Rancho La Arizona - A visit to the historic Mexican ranch that gave Arizona its name.

Table of Contents

Barry Goldwater on Photography: Before the Washington years, Barry Goldwater was well known as an avid outdoorsman and photographer. Here ar some of his reminiscences and some of his images of the Arizona landscape.

Eagles: One man's 12-year effort to capture on film the parenting cycle of our national symbol yields on impressive collection of rare and exciting photographs.

A Tale of Three Towns: In this state with at least three distinct cultures, three geographic regions, and a multitrack economy, there's no such thing as a typical Arizona small town. Lawrence W. Cheek visits St. David; Chinle; and Lake Havasu City.

Polo, Sport of Princes and Cowboys: At its best, it is much less a brawl than a ballet, choreographed for skilled riders and highly trained horses hurtling along at speeds up to 35 miles an hour.

The Buffalo Soldiers: Expert Indian fighters, the black troopers of the 10th Cavalry came within a step of catching Apache leader Naiche in a carefully laid trap.

The Old West in Stamps: "Return with us now to those days of yesteryear . . ." For postal officials both here and abroad, the American West has long been a favorite theme.

Bear Hunting the Hard Way: Arizona contains some of the finest black bear habitat in North America, resulting in a large and healthy population of the animals. We know because Al LeCount keeps track of them.

Bear Fever: What started out as a quiet weekend of angling in Arizona's north country came to an abrupt halt when a determined bruin with a fondness for fresh fish stumbled onto the scene. By Chris Negri.

The Old West in Stamps: "Return with us now to those days of yesteryear . . ." For postal officials both here and abroad, the American West has long been a favorite theme.