Missouri Books

Ranking equal to or better than Where the Red Fern Grows, this book was a 1936 MGM movie with Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan. I wish it would be made available again. For those of us of traditional old-fashioned values and sentiments, this story is simply Great!

Written in 1935, this book was serialized in the 1950s by the Saturday Evening Post. The reader's response was totally magnificent. And that is where I first heard of Kantor and this wonderful book. I'm just rereading it and once again basking in quality story telling by a master who knew and understood his genre.

Highly recommended reading for animal lovers and those who appreciate truly fine writing.

The Voice of Bugle Ann is a short novel but Mr Kantor's prose brought the story to life--I could hear Bugle Ann just as her owner did and I could feel his anger and sorrow at her lose. This is a powerful book showing to what extent man will go for his best friend--I came across this book on one of the Amazon lists and decided to try it--I could not have been more impressed.

Recently, while taking inventory (cleaning up my mess) of my library, I ran across my old copy of this book that has been with me since the mid 1950s. Being a strong believer is setting priorities, I instantly sat down, ceased the silly cleaning, and started reading the book once again. My goodness! I know it is impossible, but I am quite sure that old, really good books, get even better with age, just like wine! This is certainly the case with this one.

This work was first published in 1935. It was the first book that I had read by this author and, I must say, it hooked me. This is probably one of the greatest dog stories ever written. People constantly compare it to Where the Red Fern Grows, but to be honest, I personally feel Kantor's work is better written. The story takes place in the Ozark Mountains and is simply about the love a man has toward his dog. Now the story is much more complex than this, but this is what it boils down to in the end. Now take warning, this is a tear jerker. I remember crying when I was a little one while reading it, and the book had the same effect on me just a week ago. This author's prose is beyond equal in my opinion and he has the time, the place, the people and the era down perfectly.

On a personal note, the author names several people in this book, old time dog men and fox hunters. I had the pleasure and honor of knowing several of these old men while I was growing up and knew their sons and daughters quite well. They were a unique breed and I feel much richer for having known them and having been raised amongst them. I suppose this makes this work a bit special for me.

Now this book has fox hunting in it, although it is not a hunting book. The reader should understand this particular sport, which was not a blood sport by any means. In fact, actually killing the fox was considered very bad form and was just something you did not do. Basically it consisted of setting around a fire all night listening to your dog run a fox through the hills. I have spent many evenings doing this and could certainly relate. I do not hunt anymore, having given it up years ago, but I do make an exception anytime I have the opportunity to participate in this particular type of hunting. Probably not true, but it almost seems the fox enjoys the chase almost as much as the dogs and humans do.

If you are looking for a truly well written book, love dogs, and stories of very interesting people (the kind of people that it is difficult to find now days), then this one is for you. This particular work is on my list of top ten all time favorites. Recommend it highly. (Further note: If you happened to see the movie which was made in 1936, please do not judge the book by that viewing as per usual, the movie people missed it completely.)

Jeff Taylor's book is an excellent history of the Democratic party, exploring its history through the ideologies of Jefferson, William Jennings Bryan and Hubert Humpherey. Taylor views Bryan as the last of the populist, middle America Democrats, the type of isolationist, anti-Supreme Court, pro-direct democracy and pro-small government Democrat that is very rare in today's world. Humpherey, and by implication the usual nominees of the Democrats of today, represents a pro-globalist, pro-mass immigration (in spite of its impact on wages), often pro-war, pro-corporate pro-big government, pro-activist Supreme Court. Concerning religion, Bryan also represented a pro-Christian, albeit a populist, "social" Christian outlook that is sorely lacking among current Democratic nominees, though not among its electorate, as is proven by the votes of Democratic leaning voters in referenda and opinion polls on issues as diverse as immigration, abortion and same sex marriage.
Taylor argues that Democratic leaders of today are "Hamiltonians", believers in the concept of a strong central government. Democrats of today would argue that they might be Hamiltonians, but for Jeffersonian ends, i.e. they are for a big federal government but because of the good it will do for the common man. Taylor addresses the validity of this issue somewhat, though I'd like to see more disscussion of just who benefits from big government. I love his analysis of why Democrats have lost their way in terms of their hiding behind the activist Warren courts of the 50's and 60's to get their legislative dirty work accomplished. Taylor points out that it represents a dangerous approach, something that Bryan, with his support of direct democracy (i.e. initiative and referendum) and his opposition to what was at the time considered a conservative, anti-labour judiciary, would have shied away from.
I also enjoyed his discussion about the WW2 era, where liberals such as Sen. Wheeler of Montana, or Lafollette of Wisconsin, became "conservatives" just because they were opposed to our intervention.
Taylor argues that conservative populists such as Buchanan and liberal populists such as Jerry Brown and Ralph Nader actually have a lot in common, far more in common with each other than Buchanan would have with, say, Arlen Specter, or Dennis Hastert, or Nader would have in common with a typical DLC Democrat like Clinton. In France this has been the case in the opposition to France's deepening involvement with the European Union. There, rightist groupings such as the National Front and leftist movements from the Communist Party to other leftist splinter groups have successfully mobilized a majority to vote against the most recent European Union constitution.
I urge anyone who wonders why just because someone is pro-life that means they must be pro-Iraq war, or just because someone is pro-2nd Amendment that means they must be for tax cuts for the rich, or why someone who supports immigration reduction should be anti-union, to read this book. Taylor gives a great overview of a compelling, pro-middle America, pro-common people, pro-conservative values, pro direct democracy heritage in the Democratic party, a Jeffersonian heritage best represented in the 20th Century by William Jennings Bryan.

This excellent book outlines the various phases that the Democratic Party has transitioned through the ages since it's founding by Thomas Jefferson. This is a study in Jeffersonism and includes many pages of notes and references. It takes us through the period of William Jennings Bryan and Hubert Humphrey as well as some interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson.

As A Jefferson Family Historian who assisted with the Jefferson-Hemings DNA Study,I was immediately taken with the clarity and thorougness of the author's extensive research on the topics of slavery, religion and the DNA Study.

He elaborates on the first lies by a disreputable reporter and the historical and conjecture and psychological guesswork, unorthodox and questionable conclusions in a book popular among nonacademics but widely dismissed by scholars. Most historians rejected her theory concerning Jefferson and Hemings. The Nature Journal article mischaracterized the DNA results. The historian cowriting this article seemed motivated at least by a desire to excuse the sexual and legal misconduct of the then-current White House occupant. This refers Professor Joseph Ellis who was later exposed by the Boston Globe for lying to his Mt. Holyoke College students about his NON Vietnam service and other personal misstatements. His Nature article was also mistated grosely.

The author points out that an interesting and underreported twist, the DNA tests essentially disproved any genetic tie between Jefferson and the focus of the original Callender allegation, Sally Hemings. DNA proved NO DNA match and thus the long claimed Tom Woodson of family lore and misguided and biased films and TV specials are just that, FICTION. Mr. Jefferson was most adamant in his opposition to miscegenation and the debate may may be nothing more than an interesting diversion, since the scant evidence we have is inconclusive. Mr. Taylor cites referencies such as The Jefferson Myth and the Jefferson-Hemings Controversy: Report of the Scholars Commission.

Herbert Barger, Jefferson Family Historian

Read this book, and you just might join the Democratic party again, or form your own. St. Jude smiles on lost causes, and this is a book that might renew your faith in a few.

Amazon readers, I have always told you the truth and never lied to you, except for entertainment purposes and always with full disclosure. In the interest of which, please be advised that I am not the same Jeff Taylor who wrote this excellent book. I wrote two others instead; it's a common name. So far, I've tallied seven Jeff Taylors working in the fields of writing and journalism. Perhaps someday we'll gather and pool notes. In the meantime, I'd recommend this book if it were written by Joe Smith.

If you have reached a point of fatalism where your angst about politics has reached a fricking nadir or zenith, I humbly direct you to this book, written by Jeff Taylor, of whom (I hereby swear) I know not one iota of biographical data. We have never communicated in any way. Just happen to have the same name, and be authors of books.

If you want to find out how things went so far sideways and downhill after Carter and Clinton, if you'd like to connect some interesting dots,find your way out of the maze of what-happened, read this book. Buy it for those pathetic, lovable idealists who have let the Kerry/Edwards decal moulder on the back bumper of their Volvo Subaru Outwagon, and who probably feel like closet Republicans and who automatically pull green on the voting slots, out of guilt. (But they haven't read John Edwards' book, Home. Too busy working and worrying about personal death. They haven't read this book, either.)

Give it to them. Buy this book, wrap it for the holidays, and put it in the hands of your intelligent friends. Perhaps you can remake the world politically within your lifetime, by learning a little more about party history and party politics. For the first time in years, I'm registering to vote in the next election, after opting to abstain for the last few charades. Reading this book made me more optimistic; things have been terrible, even worse than now, for the Democrats before. If enough of us, whatever our names, exercise our rights to elect representatives with a life-friendly viewpoint, we just might fix the Titanic and save Troy, disarm the bomb at 11:11, and maybe build a world similar to the promised land of which Martin Luther King showed us a pure glimpse. No, you're right, it's impossible... so just read this book for pleasure and escape.

Jeff Taylor's book is a must read for anyone who is interested in answering the question why the Democratic Party has struggled so much in national elections since 1950. His analysis of the terms Liberal and Conservative and how little they truly mean these days helps to clear away the misconceptions that are perpetuated by most pundits. Taylor is able to cut through the glossy veneer of platitudes used by both parties and substantiate that the Democratic Party of today has become disconnected from its populist origins. This is an outstanding work of scholarship. As a history professor, I highly recommend this book.

I have prepared many of the recipes from this book and have found all I have tried to be wonderful. They are easy to follow, and the collection of recipes is diverse and appeals to the most discriminating of tastes. This book also provides visuals on the art of artistic meal presentation. Of the cookbooks that I own, I know if a meal is prepared from this book all will be happy, especially me!

I've had this cookbook for several years and I think it's terrific. I haven't made a recipe from it that disappointed me.

The recipes are not difficult to make, so anyone should be able to cook from this book. The food turns out a bit sophisticated. You could easily use some of these recipes for a dinner party.

Two of the recipes I really enjoyed from this book were Mustard Ginger Pork Chops and Minestrone. The pork chops were wonderful - you basically add a simple marinade (pretty easy to do!). The minestrone is wonderful! It is probably my favorite soup ever. It uses ham to give it a smoky flavor, then you add a number of veggies and pasta to it, and top it off with cilantro and parmesan cheese. This is a great soup to make at the beginning of the week and have it for lunch every day for the rest of the week. I've made this soup so many times and I've even tried to freeze it (although I wouldn't recommend that). This is also a good soup to fix ahead of time if you're going to have guests. Add a salad and some bread and you have quite a nice lunch.

Besides the recipes, the photography in this book is amazing. It's quite different than other cookbooks. I would have to consider the photos as "art" because they are of the quality of framed photographic art. I keep thinking of taking this book off of my cookbook shelf and using it as a "coffee table book" because it is so beautiful.

Overall, I would recommend this cookbook to almost anyone. The recipes are simple but elegant and the pictures make the book a joy just to look through.

This book will hardly fit back on the shelf: Yellow post-it notes hang from its margins, nearly a pad-ful so far, each marking a high-taste recipe. I've only had the book a year, but it has fast become a favorite.

I was amazed to find this book so readable and well written. Pierre Epstein has written an able and accessible tribute to his remarkable father. I only wish that Abraham Epstein had lived a longer, healthier life. With his remarkable energy, drive, intelligence, and social conscience, I wonder if with another twenty years of life he would have been able to further positively influence the "social security" of our society.

As I read this book, I wondered if Pierre Epstein has ever contemplated how much his father's sense of social justice was formed by his childhood's Jewish education. Abraham Epstein's life was a constant struggle to fulfill the essential commandment, "Justice, justice shall you pursue!"

Written by Abraham's son Pierre, this book provides a fascinating look at one man's struggle to breathe life into the Social Security system. Pierre Epstein brings a unique, personal insight and passion to his work (and includes a nice, feel-good, family angle to the story).

By shedding new light on his father's often overlooked contribution to what is now a well established, although constantly threatened and questioned, part of our lives in America, Pierre Epstein not only shows the origins of our Social Security system, but helps to illuminate the present state of affairs, and offers hope for the future. With a new, more socially conscious (we hope) Congress now in session, it's only a matter of time before a Social Security debate with the White House heats up. With that in mind, there is no better time than the present to examine the roots of Social Security.

Abraham Epstein presents Abraham Epstein: The Forgotten Father of Social Security, a solid biography of the American social reformer who permanently transformed the responsibilities of the federal government and was instrumental in instituting the nigh-unassailable institution of Social Security. Written by Abraham Epstein's son, Pierre Epstein, Abraham Epstein: The Forgotten Father of Social Security is a unique blend of memoir and intellectual history. Occasional black-and-white photographs illustrate this heavily researched, smoothly presented true-life story. A welcome and recommended addition to library and private American History and biography shelves.

I have read numerous books on the "situation" in the Middle East but they all read like History books. This is the exception. Salhani writes about his memories of war with humour and yet realism that makes you understand the life of a journalist in these situations. It was a page turner and I enjoyed it immensely.I do not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.For a comprehensive look at the Lebanese civil war et al,this is the book. Enlightnening, informative, humorous and yet touching. Salhani opens his heart to us in print and one cannot help but respond.

I thought Black September to Desert Storm was a fascinating look at 15 years of unrest in the Middle East through one reporter's eyes. The fact that the author seems to be smart, funny, observant and versatile makes the book easy to read and the complex political and social situations that form the backdrop to his adventures simpler to understand. No one book can capture the entire scope of the Middle East's continuing conflicts, but Salhani is able to show the ludicrous side of these myriad struggles as well as the human tragedies they engender. He does so with compassion and empathy as well as the cold eye of a cynic who has seen too much to be easily fooled. I found myself caught up in the human stories, fascinated and amused by the bizarre cast of characters which populate these pages, but I also felt anger and frustration at the bullheadedness and stubborn pride of the politicians and military leaders whose fault it is these conflicts will seemingly never end. Also, his candid insider's descriptions of the life of a war correspondent and the antics of the foreign press corps were astonishing and often hilarious. If you want to read an enjoyable book that's easy to understand but will still and enlighten you about the Middle East and foreign journalism, I strongly recommend Black September to Desert Storm.

Black September to Desert Storm is a book about the backstage of war.

It is easy to read and instructive not only about the comlex issue of the Middle East but also about Middle Easterns themselves. Most of all it shows through one journalist what covering comlex news events could look like.

Nobody can reveal the absurd and totally surealistic face of war better than a news photographer.

One might find it hard to laugh about events that shook the world with horror, but Salhani shows you how strange enough even in the hardest situations some humour is hidden. Professionals who hop from one war to another mentally survive by cherishing that side.

One might find it even harder to imagine that the most feared terrorist, soldier of fortune or sniper,can also have a human side to him.

If you are someone who reads newspapers and are interested in knowing how news gets to you, this book is a must.

We used this book throughout our vacation. The maps were great. Our favorite chapter was the one to Branson's free attractions. We would have missed a lot had it not been for this book and would recommend it to anyone.

Wow, what a great book! I can't believe how much information is in here. Carol obviously knows the area and I think she was able to explain a little of the background behind the different places without becoming a history lesson. I also think the maps are very clear and plenty easy to read and I think the text was well written. I especially like the section on how to navigate the various side-roads (if you've been to Branson you know how bad the traffic can be). I went on vacation to Branson before but only got to see a third of what is in this book - now I can't wait to go back again!

Now this is a guidebook, written by Branson "local" Carol Shaffer. Branson's Best Day Trips mixes area history (better than any show!) and photographs with a complete guide to Ozark attractions from shows to inexpensive day trips in the area. After all, the Ozarks do not begin and end on the Strip; Shaffer takes you to surrounding communities, and provides 19 maps and detailed directions clear enough for even the most directionally-impaired traveler! To top it off, Shaffer's writing style is delightful. We highly recommend this book.

I really like this book for it's no non-sense practical descriptions of the streams listed in the book. I have been to a couple not listed in the book that I wish he would have covered, so I could compare my experiences (Black River by Lesterville thru Sam Baker State Park for example). But that said, this is a comprehensive guide, very helpful.

Kennon's Ozark Whitewater was by far the best whitewater guidebook for the Ozarks (and the only one to find information on many streams), and it neve left my shuttle vehicle. It is in tatters now, so the timing of his updated guidebook is perfect timing for me. Though I will always refer to this and any of his books as "Ozark Whitewater" the new name reflects the fact that this is a big upgrade from version two. Much more up to date info, extremely good maps (much improved from the last version), and many new streams (some I've never heard of!). If you're a paddler in Arkansas, Oklahoma, or Missouri, Kennon has again produced the must have book for your paddling library. My copy is already on its way to being destroyed in the back of my shuttle rig! Highly recomended!

I was looking for a guide to the many rivers and creeks to take multi-day excursions with my family in Arkansas and the close by rivers to Texarkana where I now live. I am a beginner paddler and need to have details but as any person who is overwhelmed by information, a concise and clear presentation is very helpful. On both counts, this book delivers. Having GPS coordinates is particularly helpful and the maps are very clear. The book is divided by regions, and this is also helpful. I can recommend this book without question.

When I first read Michael Meyerhofer's poems, I immediately saw him as poetry's modern messiah: a poet that could save poetry from being regarded solely as "high art," or too confusing for modern readers. The poems in Cardboard Urn do not intimidate us with esoteric language; nor are his poems timid or pretentious. While many poems in this collection approach sensitive subjects with barefaced conviction, Meyerhofer tapdances on the line between the tragic and the humorous. He writes not of the mind, but of the physical world, and in such a way that we feel enriched by language instead of burdened by it. Meyerhofer's poems are purely luminous in their simplicity and touching in their sincerity.

One of my favorite books of poetry, hands down.

Mike Meyerhofer's book, Cardboard Urn, manages to cultivate a trustworthy level of sentiment while remaining objectively analytic al to such an extent that the reader truly begins to "understand" Meyerhofer's personal experiences and the effects that they have had. Brilliant use of language, form, register and aesthetics. Get this book and read "Digger", which is my personal favorite

I am just kicking myself. I had the chance to see this wonderful poet read, and I missed it. The poems in Cardboard Urn are pure, elegant, and moving. Meyerhofer's work covers a variety of subjects, but is consistent throughout in quality. Get this book!

This book honors the struggle of St Louis Chinese in the past 150 years for the hardship, struggle, discrimination and harassment, whether in the laundry or restaurant busines. However, the past 25 years, the old Hop Alley Chinatown image being long gone, there arises a group of Chinese-Americans in the main stream as lawyers, doctors, professors, engineers, architects, accountants, bankers, entrepreneurs, insurance agents, real estate agents, librarians and TV reporters in the cultural Chinatown. There were two Community Service Commissioners appointed by Governor Holden since 2001. Prof. Ling did a fine job in bringing forth this wonderful book even with a section on cemetry Chinatown of Vahalla. She shows Chinese-Americans contributing in society culturally, politically, economically and religiously, make St Louis our home.

For those interested in the immigration of Chinese to America should definitely take a look at this book. It gives much information on situations that many Chinese immigrants faced. The depth interviews give an interesting perspective about immigrating to a new country. It is good to be able to know about the Chinese immigration experience from those that went through it. I liked the focus of the book just on the Chinese of St. Louis. You learn a lot more intimate details when targeting a specific group in a specific area rather than a Chinese immigrants in general.
The book even mentions the development of certain areas of downtown including the building of Busch Stadium.

The author, Huping Ling, did a really good job with her research and her analysis of the growth of the Chinese Cultural Community in St. Louis. The book is very well written and sheds a lot of insight in the evolving role of Chinese Americans in the U.S., both from a social and political standpoint. For anyone seeking more knowledge or is curious about how Chinese Americans have adapted their culture and way of life in America, I would recommend this book

Marilyn Kallet's work has been around for decades now and that richness, that patina of time, shines through in this latest book. With an engaging mix of sly humor and eloquent recollections, she brings readers into her thoughts. Ms. Kallet has learned to see life in everything and face the world on her own terms. Gone is her youthful reticence and propriety, back when she was a young "Great Poet":
I was a great poet, composed,
understated, subdued.
Never let personality leak
into a syllable.
I wrote psalms with my silences.

But with age came wisdom. Reality set in, as in this charming excerpt from "Heartland, Revisited":
I'm old enough to be your Meemaw.
You chase me like a puppy yapping after a car.
If I turned around? Some crush
you'd have then. Honey, I'm taking
hormone replacement therapy.
You're pure testosterone.
I can't take you.

Her thoughts of death and holocaust are simple and poignant, as in this excerpt from "To My Poem of Hope":
Dear poem, if we look again,
and we must,
we will find scraps,
scrawled words, secret histories,
the cry between the lines....

Ms. Kallet says with humor that her signature poem is "No Makeup" and I can understand why that would be true. This poet disguises nothing. Lust, regret and sorrow share time equally with laughter and a peaceful acceptance of self:
"I'll have to rely on poetry,
won't I?"
And how, at fifty, I love
nakedness
in my face and lines,
and in your hands, dear reader.

As I read the poems in this book, the word "elegant" came to mind more than once. Marilyn Kallet is a strong, courageous, compassionate, humorous woman who writes her humanity in elegant ways.

The author of ten previous books and currently the editor of "New Millennium Writings" and holder of the Hodges Chair for Distinguished teaching, University of Tennessee--Knoxville, Marilyn Kallet's poetry has appeared in hundreds of publications. Her latest (and enthusiastically recommended!) anthology is Circe, After Hours and clearly documents her abilities as a wordsmith and her mastery of creative writing. Mezuzah: In the doorpost of her house, a hollow/where the mezuzah used to hang,/I press my hand against the indentation,/my way of speaking to the past.//Tough the hollow where the mezuzzah/used to hang. In Horeb, Nazis renamed her street/Hitlerstrasse. My way of speaking to the past/is to listen, press the old men for answers.//1941, Jews were packed into Hitlerstrasse./Now it's a winding picture postcard road,/Jew-free, pleasant as it seemed/before Nazis pressed my family into Judenhausen.//I press my hand against the indentation./Over Horb, a hundred doorposts echo, hollow.

Kallet's collection is rich with edgy humor and lyric force. Her elegant weave of the personal with the historic and with the idiosycracies of us all reminds me more of Penelope weaving her shroud and unraveling it each night. But the Circe reference is apt for this lament whose heart sparks with life.