Iowa Books

Finding this book accidently in a book store, I was hypnotized by the pashion of the writers for the American farm. Even though raised in the city, the book stirred within me those farming roots of my ancestors. The stories will make you laugh, cry, and wistfully dream of simpler times.

When we moved for my spouse's career from upstate New York to the edge of the prairie on the western side of Illinois, I cried all the way from the airport upon seeing what looked to be flat desolation. Over the five years we lived in Galesburg, Illinois, I came to learn and understand the prairie and to appreciate its exquisite beauty. George Olson's stunning watercolors and John Madson's essay transfer that beauty to the print medium. It a treasured book in our home, especially since our departure from the prairie, and one we have given as gifts to those friends who have also had to leave the prairie.

It is one of the best books of the year! (Honesty look out Steven king) The writer dazzles you with her sense of style and writing ability. One wonders what she is doing teaching when she has such an amazing and magnificent writing ability. This book is a page turner, with every sentence masterfully created. One can't wait to reach the end to find out the conclusion to this awe inspiring book. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for insightful insight into the past and how it has shaped us today.

I was late in discovering Janet Burroway, who exemplifies at a very high level the kind of writing I want students in my Life Stories and Legacy Writing classes to write. I took this book along to read on a trip and savored every word. She is a literary writer, and in her case this does not mean hard to read -- it means she goes to the heart of the matter.

In the sixties, seventies and eighties, Donald Kaul was the writer of a regular column known as "Over the Coffee" that ran in the Des Moines Register. He was so popular that I knew people who subscribed to the Register just to read his column. When I went to restaurants in the local small towns, I would hear people discussing his column of that morning. He combined a wit that was biting, yet never reached the point of being mean. Although, when he referred to Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew, he came very close. Clearly, he despised them.
This book is a collection of his columns that ran in the seventies. Like the best social commentators (satirists), his humor is very subdued, sometimes a second read is necessary to spot it. But it is delicious, when reading this book it was clear to me why he was so popular in his prime. My favorite columns are those where he is describing his involvement in RAGBRAI (Register Association Great Bike Ride Across Iowa). He was there when there were only a few people involved. It has now become a major event with thousands of bikers taking part.
Subtle humor is sometimes the best, thinking people appreciate having to think a bit when being tickled. Kaul does this very well, he is one of the best satirists/humorists that this nation has ever had.

For those who have the need to determine erosion factors and soil loss this is an excellent book. I have used it to check the results of computer modeling programs for terrace and water impound srtuctures; the programs will only see what is placed in. Using the formulas longhand the flaws in the imputes can be found. I like the book very well.

Chapters: Use and basic patterns for espaliers, Supports for espaliers, How to plant and start an espalier, Good training and good health, Fifty fine ornamentals to espalier -- Acer to Viburnum, Fruit trees as espaliers, The right vine for the right place, Ornamental vines -- annual and perennial, Climbing vegetables and grapevines, Seventy excellent vines -- Actinidia to Wisteria. The appendices cover: Control and cures for pests and disease, How to pronounce plant names, and Some sources of espaliers and vines.

I don't need another book on the golf swing. I wanted another copy of this book for the "Thoughts" it has. This is clearly the best "non-swing" golf book ever written and the illustrations are terrific. If you have ever played or are considering playing in golf tournaments, you need this book.

This was a used copy, from Alibris, and it is in better condition than many new books I've bought, I would highly recommend Alibris and Amazon for any used book.

[...] I would have paid the jacket price. The story is heart warming, and sweet. As a resident of a small mid-western town, I believe the story keenly reflects the type of people who live in this wonderful part of our country. If you're into gardening, or art, this is also a great book. I found it very inspiring.
The best part of finding this book was that my 16 month old son loves the pictures, and actually sits through the whole thing. For him, a pretty big accomplishment!

This is a wonderful exploration of a major facet of African-American history--a look at a place and time where the children of slaves built a prosperous local society. Buxton was a company town in Iowa where African-Americans comprised the middle class, the miners, the teachers, the doctors...and Whites were a minority. Race relations were generally unselfconsciously excellent, aged former residents indicated to interviewers (some of whom just could not believe it!); these people ran into the harsh racism of the outside world when the company town was disbanded and people had to resettle in DesMoines or Chicago or wherever. This book concentrates on the archaeological aspect of the Buxton Project. A must for any library of African-American studies, historical archaeology, and Midwestern history.