Oklahoma Books

BLACKFOOT WAR ART: PICTOGRAPHS OF THE RESERVATION PERIOD, 1880-2000 is for college-level collections specializing in Native American studies and also for art libraries: it's a stunning survey of Blackfoot war art which presents both their representations of war and insights into Blackfoot culture and rituals. The author is a member of the Blood tribe, and uses both archival resources and museum collections paired with interviews of tribal members to provide a well-rounded, unique focus. The depth and detail in BLACKFOOT WAR ART is unparalleled, making it a major reference pick on the subject.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Since the mid-1950's Oklahoma Natural Gas Home Economists have provided recipes that reflect the richness of the various cultures and cuisines of Oklahomans. It's a wonderful collection of favorite Oklahoma Natural Gas recipes compiled over 70 years.

Many of the recipes have energy saving tips to use while cooking. Blue Flame Favorites should be a part of everyone's culinary library.

... didn't work then nor with the Volstead Act (the nationwide "experiment" with prohibition that enabled Al Capone and others similiarly situated to prosper.) This is the story of Oklahoma's coming into the United States of America with a "dry" State Constitution. It took an ice storm in the early 1980's to rid it of all those vestiges. The book is a well written study of what happens when the separation of Church & State is a sham. It is important reading today. As George Santayana admonished: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

A tapestry-novel, BOY ORATOR covers the walls of your mind's eye with a multi-decade, 360-degree portrait of a rarely presented corner of American history, more powerful still in presenting a coming-of-age as well.

Daugherty gives us the dirt-farming and coal-scavenging poor of Oklahoma during the first quarter of the last century, and dramatizes the brief but fierce conflagration of what was often such people's only hope for better -- the American Socialist movement. Yet he views this history through the eyes of someone who sees the past far less than he does the present and future, namely, the eponymous public speaker of the title, Harry Shaughnessy.

At once charismatic and shy, Shaughnessy's a marvelously complex creation. Onstage, he commands the crowd and outshines, out-talks all challengers; off the boards, he stumbles as clumsily as the rest of us, overwhelmed now by ill-understood romantic feelings, now by the discovery of evil. Some of the scenes -- in particular that of the coal miners' camp -- bruise us with the same the quiet pummeling as we get from a great Walker Evans Depression shot.

Harry and his Socialist brothers and sisters endure a tragedy, eventually. America veers into World War I and, in a classic pattern, its rank and file begin to punish anyone suspected of less than perfect patriotism. But this same crucible makes something more durable, more humane of young Harry. In the negelcted weeds of back-country Oklahoma, the destruction of one lovely bloom has allowed a tough new piece of greenery to flourish.

This is an anthology of short stories published in women's magazines (Ladies' Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Home Companion, McCall's, The Crisis) during the time period 1915-1930, all dealing with the problems and struggles of the "new woman"--independent, nontraditional, usually career-minded--that was slowly emerging from the stifled but increasingly obsolete Victorian household. The editor, a professor of both English and Women's Studies, includes an excellent introduction that gives a brief but detailed and well researched history of the women's magazines and why they are not more studied or valued today (as opposed to men's pulps). This is a truly fabulous book, both important as a time document and such a good read! I loved it! Perfect to while away time with on the train to work, on the plane, or in bed at home with a box of chocolates. The stories cover the whole spectra of women's experiences from young career-women starting out and/or wanting to break their particular glass ceiling to lesbian love to ethnic and/or female solidarity to "new" kind of marriages emphasizing equal partnership. Most are well written and still feel fresh but with all the romantic nostalgia flavor of the twenties and the popular fiction style of writing of the time. Give it to your girlfriend, your mom, your grandmother; it's a great gift. I wish Maureen Honey would publish a followup to this book.

Bryce Harlow passed away more than a decade ago, but within lobbying circles in Washington, he remains legendary. If some think the work of a lobbyist is not consistent with "Mr. Integrity," think again -- Bryce Harlow set a standard that still exists today for how to earn and keep the trust of public and corporate officials, at the highest levels.

Bryce was a native Oklahoman who brought his values of humility, candor, honesty and trust with him. His resume includes stints on Capitol Hill, the White House (as President Eisenhower's chief "lobbyist"), and founder of Procter and Gamble's Washington Office. Today, a foundation and an institute on business and government affairs -- training young people in the art and science of government relations -- bears his name. This books explains why. It educates and inspires.

Given all recent scandals and horrible perceptions created by a very small number of disruptable Washington insiders, this book is a wonderful reminder that integrity was, and still is, a fundamental value of the some 35,000 lobbyists who are registered in Washington, DC today, and the thousands more who toil in state capitols and city halls around the United States.

I grew up just blocks from The Ohio State University during the age of the great football rivalry between coaches Woody Hayes and Bo Shembeckler. Fall Saturday mornings were always spent on campus attending the warm up concert of the OSU Marching Band (TBDBITL - The Best Damn Band In The Land); tail-gating with family, friends, and phenomenal food; and, of course, cheering for the Buckeyes and watching them beat whatever team they were playing.

About that same time, Bud Wilkinson was obtaining legendary status as coach at Oklahoma, building one of the country's greatest ever football traditions which encompassed three national championships, 12 consecutive conference titles, 74 straight undefeated regular season games (1947 - 1959), 6 bowl victories, and career win-loss total of 145-29-4.

This book, Bud Wilkinson, An Intimate Portrait of an American Legend, by his son, Jay Wilkinson, and Gretchen Hirsch, details the length and breadth Bud's interesting and colorful life, through his coaching career, his career in the political arena, and his later years. A man of true grace and character, Bud was respected and admired by all those whose lives he touched. Delightfully written in a clear, entertaining style, this book is recommended for anyone who is interested in football, Oklahoma, great traditions, or simply a good role model.

Most water control projects in this country rely on big gravity damns, but in the early 20th century one John S. Eastwood designed dams which minimized the amount of concrete involved. While his designs were less expensive, he faced much opposition from engineers and politicians alike who believed their more fragile appearance would damage public confidence in their durability. Donald Jackson provide insights into dam building history and describes how in this case the illusion of stability strengthened by concrete won over Eastwood's innovative design plans. A 'must' for any collection strong in engineering, conservation, and energy generating issues.

This volume is a comprehensive field guide for the butterfly collector interested in the species of Georgia. All species known to occur in the state are listed, as well as all known strays. Resident species are all shown in accompanying photographs, and distribution charts advise the reader as to the location and time of year to search for each species. Includes butterflies and skippers. Review by Bill Cummings

A well put-together book, small enough to be carried to the field. Has excellent photos and the range maps are very useful. Information provided on each species is well written and very useful. The second half of the book has a wealth of information covering a diversity of butterfly subjects such as photographing them, raising them, gardening for them, and a wealth of other useful information.