Kentucky Books

This book screams out the problem Ross would have in naming his books: the novels were not confined to any one state by this point. Heck, the novel was over 2/3s of the way thru before Toby even set foot in Kentucky. Still, you have intrigue (assassination plot on Grant), turmoil over the 1973 depression, and international turmoil with Henry Blake over in Europe. A fun read.
NOTE: this is the book that introduces us to Alexandra, who would later play such a pivotal role in this series and the HOLTS series.

The "Portrait of America" series is a wonderful introduction for pre-teens to the 50 states and to the places and events that shaped the history of the United States. This "Kentucky" installment is particularly good. The book is broken down into sections like "History", "Culture", "Economy" etc., and each section is thoughtfully written and edited. And this edition is loaded with several beautiful photographs. The "Culture" section is my personal favorite.

This book, as well as the entire "Portrait of America" series, will prove to be a valuable teaching tool to all primary school educators.

As I type this, it is the day before Thanksgiving. Among the many things for which I am truly thankful is this new anthology of Kentucky authors and excerpts related to this Commonwealth over the last 200 years.

The excerpts are arranged by historical eras, and the emphasis has been on a sample offering, not a ranking or "best of" volume, which would have been edited differently no doubt. While most authors here will be new discoveries for general mainstream readers, there are some national names here that most Americans will probably recognize.

The works of Robert Penn Warren and Wendell Berry will always be national treasures, and a new movie of Warren's ALL THE KING'S MEN will soon be released, no doubt prompting many to take up the novel, to experience it for themselves. Wendell Berry has a new book of essays out this month (he is pro-agrarian, pro-peace, pro-local autonomy), and perhaps those relishing the included samples in here will turn to that splendid volume next.

This is a weighty tome, 879 pages, but it opens easily with print that is easy on the eyes. The dustjacket design is from Wade Hall's quilt collection, a splendid choice, and while it has a good share of Kentucky blue, several other colors weave into this quilt. So too, the writing inside represents the different regions of Kentucky, different eras, different worldviews, different ethnic groups.

The one section of Kentucky that I feel is greatly under-represented is the limestone bluegrass, the Kentucky hardboots. Horses have long been one of the attractions of the state, with Kentucky Horse Park, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, a large number of horse farms, etc., and there is a wealth of quality Kentucky horseracing literature unaccountably not represented in this volume.

Where is Kent Hollingsworth, lawyer, wit, longtime editor of THE BLOOD-HORSE, author of THE ARCHJOCKEY OF CANTERBURY? Where is Mike Berry, the funny editor of the IRISH AMERICAN and longtime horseracing writer? How about Earl Ruby (author of THE GOLDEN GOOSE) or Jim Squires (author of HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR, one of the best Kentucky horseracing titles of recent years, full of humor and grace)? I could name a dozen other Kentucky authors of equine-related works, worthy but missing.

Not that contemporary authors are left out. Sue Grafton is in here (although her father, Kentucky lawyer and novelist C. W. Grafton is not mentioned). I was glad to see many of my other favorites here: Chris Offutt (an heir of the Warren/Berry tradition), poet Frederick Smock, Ed McClanahan, Guy Davenport, Bobbie Ann Mason, and many others. Among the missing favorites were Terry Bisson (author of the Nebula and Hugo Award winner, BEARS DISCOVER FIRE, a Kentuckian writing about Kentucky), Anne Shelby, historical author Ted Franklin Belue, longtime comic columnist and author Richard Des Ruisseaux, and many other good ones.

Well, I guess everyone could not possibly be included. Again, I'm thankful for what we do have here. At the tag end of the anthology, an appendix of author biographical sketches is provided along with a helpful bibliography and an index. Wade Hall, who prefaces and introduces his selections, has done a tremendous job with this. He dedicates the volume to the late Dr. Thomas Clark, a monument to the man and to the literary history of the land.

This book give a great overview on the prehistoric life in Kentucky. It includes information about artifacts, where and how ancient people's lived. It also includes a section on when the Indians met the white settlers. This is one of the best Kentucky history boks I have ever read. I actually based a 5 page essay on it and got an A! This book is great.

No information but name and size, just quick identification of approximately 150 Kentucky birds in an 8.5 by 4 inch water resistant pamphlet that folds out to nearly two feet. This is great for the birdwatcher who can wait until they get home to look up information on the birds they have seen.

Very lightweight. Just stick it in any pocket and go.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (1/08)

"All things work together for the good of those who love God." How hard is it to remember these words when you are going through trials of this life? "Kentucky Brides" is a collection of three novellas by three talented Christian ladies.

For Jared Edwards in "Into the Deep," it seems so hard to understand why his Aunt had to die. The Mammoth Cave in Kentucky was supposed to be a place of sure healing. Jared believes the cave to be the cave of death because he blames his Aunt's death on being placed there. Could the "cave of death" actually be the place where a new chapter of his life begins?

"Where the River Flows" is a story of a man losing the love of his life. Edward is left with a sickly infant and no wife to help care for it. Rose enters Edward and Martin's lives as a surrogate mother. Edward is dealing with a lot of guilt. Will he be able to work through his guilt and pain and see that God is truly working in his life?

Jonas McLean is also a man who has lost the love of his wife and is a father with dependent children but no other parent to help him with the responsibility of parenting. Molly Pierpont decides to help her brother-in-law raise his children. She too knows the pain of losing someone she loves as she is not only mourning her sister but also is a widow herself. Molly has clear-cut differences from her sister. Will this couple be able to see through their mourning for loves lost and see God's guiding hand on their future?

Each of these stories is an excellent story. Each story in "Kentucky Brides" is very moving and flows beautifully from start to finish. You will find yourself cheering for these couples to see through their pain and see that with God guiding you along life's journey, you cannot lose.

Among the legions of racing fans that frequent such thoroughbred races as the Preakness, Belmont, and the Breeder's Cup, are those for whom their enthusiasm for the sport leads them to collect various kinds and categories of racing memorabilia. Now in an expanded and updated fourth edition, the "Kentucky Derby Glasses Price Guide", compiled by Judy Marchman is a unique and superbly illustrated compendium focusing on all of the Kentucky Derby glasses and shot glasses, as well as other rare and valuable glasses associated with professional horse racing. Organized chronologically by year, each color illustrated example also cites its price as a collectible. Ideal for novice collectors just starting out, and an informed reference for dealers and established collectors, "Kentucky Derby Glasses Price Guide" is an ideal and prized addition to personal, professional, and community library Antiques & Collectibles collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book is the best price guide for KY Derby Glasses ever published. A collector's glass and shot glass collection is not complete without this book. It shows pictures of all the KY Derby Glasses and Shot Glasses (even the rare and Valuable). The pictures highlight the beauty of these collectors' items to the full extent. If a person is looking to complete their collection they must buy this book and choose the glasses they wish to seek.

The exciting story of America's first great race horse.

Big Jack Spratt (that's Gramper) and little Jack Spratt (that's Jackie) are as alike as their identical blue jeans, straw hats and love of horses can make them. Gramper isn't quite as ready to make predictions of good fortune as young Jack is...but he's not one for standing in the way of daydreams, either. However, even daydreams have a few setbacks, which only make the story more exciting. When Ritsy (Aristides) just plain disappeared, for instance! And how he went and hurt himself and scared everybody into a blue funk! Well, you can imagine how wound-up Jackie got...

I was born in Murray, Kentucky, and grew up in nearby Paris, Tennessee. I'd always heard stories and seen promotional material distributed by the city of Murray proclaiming it as the "Birthplace of Radio," referring to the 19th century development of a form of wireless telephony by Nathan B. Stubblefield, a local farmer and experimenter. For various reasons, the facts about his scientific work and home life have been skewed over the past century and nobody is totally sure what he really was able to do. This book seeks to clarify the mysterious circumstances surrounding Stubblefield, and to provide an unbiased source for information on the man and his inventions. Includes a detailed biography, followed by an in-depth look at the efforts to confirm or deny Stubblefield's claims. Very well-written and thorough. The appendices include the full text of his patents and some reprints of old articles. An excellent read.