Oklahoma Books

Although, by their very nature, the Texas ghost towns featured in Baker's book have deteriorated even more - or disappeared altogether - since the publication of this book in 1986, it remains a classic reference on this material and is a "must have" for the ghost town hunter's library.

The historical research is very in-depth and resurrects these "towns that time forgot" in the reader's mind. The book is lavishly illustrated with black and white photos taken by the author, as well as archival material. Highly recommended!

This is a great book on ghost towns (and near ghost towns) of Texas, and a model on how to present a guide to local history for travelers in a given state or area. This book describes 88 sites throughout Texas; each site has its own detailed map as well as precise directions on how to find the location. Also each townsite has at least one accompanying photograph, most more than one. Baker's text is lively and interesting and relates information about each town that is useful and informative. If you are interested in local history, especially of places that have seen better days, this book will give you much pleasure.

This is the kind of book you want to take in your car always! You never know in Texas when your going to be near a ghost town! The book has a map and is indexed, with good information on the towns , how to get there and what you will find. A must by for anyone interested in TX history

I knew many of the people Laverne talked about in this book. In my teen years, I spent a few weeks staying with my uncle Jiggs Collins. Jiggs lived in Trinidad when I first stayed at his house. He had a wild baby bobcat residing in his living room that winter.

Jiggs introduced me to the songs of Ramblin Jack Elliot. Jiggs was a LADIES man. Lots of ladies loved the old guy. He was one of the nicest and most considerate men I ever met, except that he could not manage to keep appointments. Jiggs's brother Bob said that Jiggs "woke up in a new world every morning." I asked Laverne why she loved Jiggs. She said he was handsome and was a gentle lover. He was not gentle when he killed a bear or rode a horse.

Jiggs moved to Weston and built a stone house at age 60+. He built it from scratch, working the stone then setting it. I miss him.

I agree, this story would make a great movie.

You wouldn't guess at the power of this book from it's size. As finely written as the complicated, intricately tatted lace fancywork Laverne's mother tatted into bleached sugar sacks, "still whole after fifty years." Stories as gripping and gritty as anything Hemingway ever wrote, featuring hailstorms that break every window in the house, treacherous horses, dogs, and rattlesnakes, and scandalous cowboys. Frequent flashes of wise, deep humor, understated and droll, that catches you unawares and leaves you laughing out loud. This was a woman worthy of the name. Would make a terrific movie.

I wish you could all have met Dr. Hanners! Janet Reno wrote to Dr. Hanners praising her mutual memory of growing up wild and free while trying to control nature and nature in the form of a pony. These are real people, many of whom still live in Kenton, Oklahoma, population 52.

I read this book because Jess Willard Speer, known as Tag to all of the family and close friends was my great-uncle that always enthralled me when we would sit in family gatherings and listen to his stories of life's experiences. I was overwhelmed at not only how much I found out from a genealogical perspective, that I somehow hadn't known before, but also by the grip this book got on me and my husband as well. We did not want to stop reading it outloud to one another! My father-in-law who never had the opportunity to meet any of my family loved the book and also could not put it down like ourselves. I had read The Grapes of Wrath when in high school years ago - it didn't grab me like this one did. A definite "must read" for anyone who likes history or just likes a great read!

This was one of the best books I've ever read....I heard stories about Oklahoma through my great grandma, and my grandma, but this book just validates those stories...and for a real treat I recommend the sequel to this book "Sons of Thunder".

I thought this book was more than excellent. I don't read much but this book was one that I could not put down until I finished it. I think it would make a great movie script! If you want to relive the Great Depression Era through a small boy's eyes you need to read this one. The author, Bonnie S. Speer, knows how to write. I have read other books she's written.

For the serious collector, this is an outstanding reference. It is not for the casual history buff. As regular reading material, it is very dry. It has to be taken as a guide: text supporting illustrations. The detailed drawings of uniform items, accoutrements, and equipment along with the dated regulations and orders makes this book an indispensable aid for identifying and dating U.S. cavalry items of the period that this book covers.

as a collector of militaria this book is one of the indispensable tools that i need to identify historicaly significant US cavalry uniforms and accoutriments.

I was a friend of Randy from meeting him in 1970 til his death. He was one of the most persistent men I ever knew. Born in Oklahoma of mixed descent, Anglo and Native American, he attended the Naval Academy and served for many years. He became an accomplished artist and illustrator. He spent many years preparing his monumental work. Just when it was finished and ready to submit, he went to town on an errand, upon returning, he discovered his entire collection gone--the studio had burned to the ground. And he had to begin all over again.
It is a testimony that he finished it and sent it in. Even though Volume Four was published post-humously. Not every man gets to fulfil his life's ambition as Randy did. Every illustration in this multi-volume work has been drawn by him from original materiel. Where relevent the complete text of regulations is quoted.
For example, in the period which I research, that from the 1880s to today, the volume three, reprints the complete Army uniform regulations in the nineteen-teens, not just the portion on mounted men. Thus, the work is useful also for those generally interested in the military through the period covered.
One must elucidate on the title a bit. As stated, it is not just on the mounted horse cavalry so celebrated in John Wayne movies, but covers all the mounted troops, dragoons, mounted rifles, and cavalry in the period of the frontier expansion, before the Civil War, then both North and South, and the post war frontier patrolling days. Not only is the equipment, both individual and horse, of the cavalryman covered, so is that of the artillery man where it differed. The coverage is relevent to all mounted men--quartermaster troops, engineers, signalers, and hospital corpsmen, and their clothing and equipment.

I'm so glad that I found this book after having been to Egypt and Jordan/Petra because this book has given me insight into the original means of transportation within the Middle East. Stephens' writing style is pure poetry and is a true joy to read. The English language has evolved, but has not improved since his day. To read this book is a true treat for the mind and adventurer.

After having had a private guided tour where we did not have to secure a boat that had been scuttled to save it from indentured service to the Pasha, and we did not have to obtain camels and goods as well as questionable guides that might slit our throats in the desert for our money, I could appreciate our accommodations much more.

To have been an adventurer then was much more of a true adventure. While I may have had a massage on the top deck of the cruise ship on the Nile at dusk, which made me feel like Cleopatra, I by no means was an adventurer of Stephens' stature and could appreciate the true effort it was to make the same trip 150+ years ago.

The Bedouins of today are not much different than the days of yore. We did not have to sneak into Petra from over the mountains, but did sit down to coffee and tea provided by them. They still live in tents, but many are now driving top end Mercedes instead of camels. :)

After reading that he shot a pigeon at Denderah and shot out an eye of Hathor, I had to go back and look at my pictures to see if I could find that statue at the temple!

If you go to Egypt or Petra, I recommend reading this book after the trip because it has much more meaning then.

This book is a true treasure and I can see why a book written by a man who was born over 200 years ago is still in print! I can only hope that it will stay in print for another 200 years so that "modern" people can appreciate the arduous travails of yore.

At the very beginning of Stephens' travelogue, he explains to the careful reader the methodology he used to validate the legitimacy of his writing. I thought it brazen of him, and since he falsified this "rationalization for writing" under such a guise, at times I did not know whether to believe him or not. He did have a quaint deadpan, tongue-in-cheek demeanor.
I thought it funny that just after our returning from Poughkeepsie, (New York) I was reading about his traveling through Poughkeepsie!
Little nuances such as "... with all the extravagance of Eastern hyperbole..." (page 233) dot the pages.
Throughout the book, there are many wonderful learning experiences such as "...I remember I had a long discourse about the difference between the camel and the dromedary. Buffon gives the camel two humps, and the dromedary one; and this, I believe is the received opinion, as it had always been mine; but, since I had been in the East, I had remarked that it was exceedingly rare to meet a camel with two humps. I had seen together at one time, on the starting of the caravan of pilgrims to Mecca, perhaps twenty thousand camels and dromedaries, and had not seen among them more than half a dozen with two humps. Not satisified with any explanation from European residents or travelers, I had inquired among the Bedouins; and Toualeb, my old guide, brought up among camels, had given such a strange account that I never paid any regard to it. Now, however, the sheik told me the same thing, namely, that they were of different races, the dromedary being to the camel as the blood-horse is to the cart-horse; and that the two humps were peculiar neither to the dromedary nor the camel, or natural to either; but that both are always born with only one hump, which, being a mere mass of flesh, and very tender, almost as soon as the young camel is born a piece is sometimes cut out of the middle for the covenience of better arranging the saddle; and, being cut out of the center, a hump is left on either side of the cavity; and this, according to the account given by Toualeb, is the only way in which two humps ever appear on the back of a camel or dromedary. I should not mention this story if I had heard it only once; but, precisely as I had it from Toualeb, it was confirmed with a great deal of circumstantial detail by another Bedouin, who, like himself, had lived among camels and dromedaries all his life; and his statement was assented to by all his companions. I do not vie this out as a discovery made at this late day in regard to an animal so well known as the camel; indeed, I am told that the Arabs are not ignorant of that elegance of civilized life called "quizzing." I give it merely to show how I wiled away my time in the desert, and for what it is worth.2 In spite of Stephens' information, zoologists still classify camels as Dromedary (one hump) and Bactrian (two humps)." (Pages 241-242).
I never quite understood the evacuation and continuous abandonment of Petra until Stephens stated: '...in reference to the interpretation of the prophecy, "None shall pass through it for ever and ever,'I can say that I have passed through the land of Idumea..."(Page 306)."...because the Bedouins would always be lying in wait for travelers..." (Page 266.)
Do absorb the explanation and vivid description of POOLS OF SOLOMON on page 327 and The traditions of prayer at The Wailing Wall on pages 368-369.
I had just gotten half-way through this book the night (5-27-02) my father own died, and how I wished that I could be able to share my findings, my questions I need answered, and discuss this book with him!

Mr. Sthepens was a great traveler and writer too, he made easy to follow his travels and gave his very personal point of view ot those days. In particular I like his graphic description of the conditions that people lived in the past. I recomend it to everybody all ages.

I read this book in one setting. What a fascinating journey Sladen takes you on in this first hand account of a significant moment in history. I've been reading books on the west my entire life and I have to say this is the best single book one could read on the American Southwest. It chronicles the remarkable meeting between General O.O. Howard and the Great Apache leader Cochise. Sladen records Cochise's personality and style in great detail. He gives a vivid portrait of life in an Apache village. He presents Tom Jeffords and Howard as they really were. He describes the incredible county this drama played out in with the sensibility of a true lover of beauty and nature. Sladen's become one of my heros along with Cochise and Edward R. Sweeney who edited this book and wrote a brilliant biography of Cochise.

Cochise is an elusive character. There are no photographs of him, and only one eloquent speech, which was recorded by an Army interpreter. Otherwise, we are left with vague secondhand accounts that often make him a two-dimensional cardboard cutout. Sladen's journal breathes life into this dynamic individual. It is fascinating reading, and, as Sweeney the editor points out, Sladen is not judgmental. He simply describes life in the Apache camp. A wonderful book.

Another book on my shelf from U. of Oklahoma that gets better with rereading.

Though this one was released more than 5 years ago, it reads as though written yesterday. And that is something, since the diary that underpins it was written in 1872.

This is must reading for anyone enjoying information of the period of the Apache wars in Arizona/New Mexico area. Other than the author's previous biography on Cochise, nothing is available giving personal views of Cochise and his people. And Cochise's statement that no whiteman would look upon his face was well kept. These two military men, and Tom Jeffords were among the few that ever did.

Enough good words cannot be said about this one.

Semper Fi.

Once again, Darlene Graham grabs hold of her reader's attention and never lets go in her latest book, The Man From Oklahoma. This suspense-filled romance will have reader's mesmerized from page one.

Nathan Biddle is one of the richest men in Tulsa, and he's also the prime suspect in his wife's disapperance. For hot-shot reporter Jamie Evans, this has all the makings of an award-winning story, just the kind her viewers love to follow. But as Jamie begins to get to know Nathan, she discovers there's more to the man than just his wealth and incredible good looks. She discovers that this man just couldn't have killed his wife, and Jamie becomes determined to help Nathan discover just who did.

As the two work towards uncovering crucial evidence that will exonerate Nathan, Jamie finds herself falling in love with man she once sought to expose. Will they find the key to the mystery of Nathan's wife's death in time for their own happiness to burst to life?

Darlene Graham has an uncanny ability to incorporate just the right timing to keep her stories moving forward and holding the readers spellbound. Her use of bits of Osage Indian history and lore give this story a mystical, almost magical quality that is fascinating. I highly recommend this novel.

Sharon Galligar Chance, Times Record News

Darlene Graham has written another page-turning thrilling romance. When Oklahoma oil tycoon Nathan Biddle's wife disappeared three years ago, he became a recluse. Now her body's been found and the finger of suspicion is pointed at him. Jamie, a local reporter, sets out to get the story, but before long she's convinced that the part Osage Indian didn't kill his wife. Along the way she finds herself strongly attracted to Nathan and when a series of strange occurances begin, it's clear, at least to Jamie, that someone wants to frame him.

This book is fast-paced and has strong characters. Even the villian and the Indian cousin are excellently drawn. The story is also sprinkled with interesting Osage lore as Nathan finds himself drawn to a heritage he never before embraced.

This is a excellent story you'll enjoy to the very satisfying end. I highly recommend it.

Three years ago, Nathan Biddle's wife of ten years Susie vanished without a trace. Nelson also vanished from Tulsa society by hiding on his ranch in the nearby Osage Hills. The Tulsa police believe the wealthy Sooner killed his spouse, but no evidence including a body existed until now. His wife's corpse has been found and Nelson is the prime suspect in her homicide.

TV reporter Jamie Evans airs what is known with the case on the local news as she and her editor know viewers love this type of show. She continues to investigate but as she becomes better acquainted with the real Nathan, she begins to realize that this affluent sensitive man could never kill anyone, especially his wife. Jamie decides to learn what really happened to Susie and why in order to prove the man she now loves is innocent. Nathan returns Jamie's feelings, but once burned twice cautious.

THE MAN FROM OKLAHOMA is an exciting romantic suspense novel. The stimulating work centers on a jaded journalist (refreshing that the jaded person is female for a change) revising her opinion on the husband being the killer when she begins to see his kind personality. The characters make this tale a success as readers believe in the transformation of Jamie from doubting critic to firm believer because she (and the audience) can accept as true the fundamental goodness of Nathan, flaws and all. This reviewer has now read two novels by Darlene Graham (see UNDER MONTANA SKIES) and plans to find some of her other tales as both of these have been super romances.

Harriet Klausner

I loved John R. Erickson's 1981 1st end edition of this book and wondered if the 2nd edition would live up to standards set by the first edition. I was not disappointed. Erickson gives a unique insight to cowboying. The chapters "Economics and the Cowboy" and "The Cowboys Wife" are in themselves enough to make this book a unique contribution to Western American literature.

I have only one small complaint about Erickson's work. That is that he gives feedyard cowboys the short shrift. His only discussion of them is a few condensending comments in "The Last Cowboy" chapter. He says he doesn't mean to disparage them and yet turns around and does just that. A book about "THE Modern Cowboy" needs a thorough treatment of feedyard cowboys. Moreover the distinction between feedyard cowboys and ranch cowboys is largely an artificial separation that exists only in Erickson's mind. The majority of feedyard cowboys that I've worked with have worked ranches and you will find quite a few ranch cowboys on the Great Plains who have put in their time in the feedyards. However, I would not let this one oversight of Erickson's keep me from reccommending this book to anyone and everyone.

Now in its second edition, The Modern Cowboy strives to answer the query: who is the American cowboy? Where did he come from, and what is he today? Digging deep into American history, legend, and practical reality, as well as taking a solid look at the contemporary lives led today by men responsible for the welfare of cattle, The Modern Cowboy is a superb source of background material for anyone who truly wants to know more about the legendary figure who appears in so many Western novels and movies. Highly recommended both for entertainment and personal edification.

I just finished reading The Modern Cowboy by John Erickson. It is a very good book about the life of the American cowboy. Erickson covers every aspect of the cowboy working on a ranch in our country. He not only covers the day to day life of the cowboy, he gives the reader a view of what is in the future for cowboys and ranching. A great book.

The memoir of Career Foreign Services Officer Edward J. Perkins, the first U.S. black ambassador to South Africa in 1986, comes to life in a hard-hitting memoir of politics and social change that will prove a 'must' for any seeking insights into South Africa under apartheid - and after. Perkins came from a cotton farm in segregated Louisiana to join forces with the elite Foreign Service, becoming the first black officer to ascend to director general. But even these many achievements would be superceded by his work in South Africa - and MR. AMBASSADOR: WARRIOR FOR PEACE tells it all.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

An account of a black man who truly pulled himself up by the bootstraps. He was raised on a cotton farm in segregated Louisiana by grandparents who could neither read nor write. He went on to get an education and ultimately enter the elite white Foreign Service. He was appointed as U.S. Ambassador four times: Liberia, South Africa, the United Nations, and Australia. A very well written book.

This is a terrific book! Perkins is a Black American born in 1928, who became a diplomat in the Foreign Service, and was the US Ambassador to South Africa in the 1980s during apartheid. The first chapter describes life in rural segregated Louisiana and Arkansas in the 1930s. It is a moving account, the more so because it is so simply and straight-forwardly told. Anyone who wonders if we've made progress in race relations should read this chapter. Moving on we meet the people outside Perkins' family who mentored him, and see clearly the truth of his statement that "... none of us goes through life unassisted." Later we see him as a US Marine, learning Japanese and studying Asian philosophy. It is just inspiring.

That's enough. Get the book; read it; and pass it on.

This book is an incredible account of the life and times of Mary Jemison, a white woman taken captive during the French and Indian War and adopted into the Seneca tribe of the Iroquois in western New York. This tale covers her more than 70 years living among them through many of the most vital years of the long history of the Iroquois Confederacy.

In November 1823, when she was in her 80s, Mary Jemison, at the urging of many of the friendly local inhabitants, gave her amazing life story to James Seaver to publish for posterity. Though his truthfulness in some details of that account has often been called into question, this book is one of the most important and complete of any of the Indian captivity narratives to come out of the period between the French and Indian War and the War of 1812, which most historians mark as the end of the period of influence of the Eastern Woodland tribes. This account gives unequalled insight into the Seneca Indians and their ways including religion, food, hunting, warfare, culture, etc.

Mary had many opportunities to leave the Indians and return to white civilization but chose not to do so and thus was witness to some of the most amazing events in the history of her adopted people. Her tale is important to not only historians and ethnologists, but to the general public itself as it is a truly amazing story of triumph and tragedy for a proud people struggling to survive in the face of overwhelming odds as a young United States continued to expand, forever extinguishing their way of life.

The narrative is fascinating reading, both in terms of the history revealed in the words of Mary Jemison and in terms of James Seaver who gives us his own version of her story. The effect is a layering of historical periods. With the help of the editing, you can peer through and see not only the period of Mary Jemison's captivity, but also the prejudices of the following time. An interesting example of the simultaneous respect and loathing with which the early settlers viewed the native inhabitants. I first read the narrative in high school, and would recommend it for young and old readers alike.

They say if you visit New York State you will find her descendants; many native-americans have her last name. Taken captive; her parents killed - Mary becomes part of a native-american family. She married a Delaware (Lenape) warrior, with whom she was very content and has many children. This is a dramatic, true story, told in her own words. She is in her 80's, and reminisces about her unusual life.