Missouri Books

The Invincible Duff Green: Whig Of The West by W. Stephen Belko (Assistant Professor of History and Historic Preservation at the University of West Florida) presents the remarkable life and times of Duff Green, famed entrepreneur, land speculator, lawyer, militia officer, newspaper editor, and politician who was influential in the early to mid 1800's. Showcasing the outstanding contributions of Green's various careers within the historical era and political context of Jacksonian democracy, The Invincible Duff Green offers an expansive and knowledgeable biographical analysis of his accomplishments and influential role in the rising acceptance of "Manifest Destiny" and the American development of a nation that would stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Canada to Mexico. The Invincible Duff Green is very strongly recommended reading as the life story of a man who helped to shape what America was to become.

The Invincible Duff Green offers two unique perspectives on Jacksonian era politics. First, the book examines Duff Green's transition from being Jacksonian Democracy's most ardent supporter, to becoming its most hated enemy. Though many others followed the same course, Green's powerful position as newspaper editor, not to mention his reckless manner, made him especially dangerous to the Jackson party. Belko's analysis of the transition exhaustively examines each of the forces driving Green's decisions.

The study also offers an amazing peripheral overview of the Jacksonian era that is often neglected in concentrated political biographies. Green's involvement as an editor, party leader, land speculator, businessman, and diplomat, as well as, his constant struggles to uphold Jeffersonian principles in a changing social and economic environment, brands him as the exemplary Jacksonian, and later as a Jacksonian apostate.


This book is a MUST READ for serious students of Jacksonian America, but Belko's riveting prose will keep even the casual history buff interested.

It is really hard to overstate the importance of Marshall Boswell's critical achievement here. His goal is to explain Updike's literary vision in constructing the Rabbit tetralogy, "a dialectical vision" which he calls "an interdependent matrix of ethical precepts, theological beliefs, and aesthetic principles-less a creed than a versatile formal device; it is, in effect the scaffold on which Updike has built the entire tetralogy" (p. 3). That goal is what distinguishes this book from the only other text wholly devoted to a discussion of the tetralogy, editor Lawrence Broer's Rabbit Tales: Poetry and Politics in John Updike's Rabbit Novels (Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1998). That work, helpful in isolated essayists' insights, lacks the coherent analysis and penetrating structural insights of the whole Rabbit mega-novel which make Boswell's book so valuable. Indeed, it seems fair to say that henceforth no commentator on the Updike tetralogy will be able to avoid coming to terms, up or down, with Boswell's carefully-wrought interpretation.
The four chapters analyzing the four Rabbit novels are really excellent examples of careful reading translated into readable prose. Students and general readers will find much of value in those chapters, each novel taken on its own terms, but also as expressions of the overall tetralogy vision. The Introduction lays out in careful detail the assumptions Boswell brings to this task. The key interpretive assumptions are taken from Kierkegaard and theologian Karl Barth-Kierkegaard providing the philosophical concept of mastered irony which presumes an author's vision "emerges indirectly via the unresolved tension produced by the interplay of that thematic dialectic" (p.4), and Barth providing the theological metaphysics of the "dialectic of evil, the concept of `something and nothingness,' [and] the argument for a serenely unproveable God." According to Boswell, "An unsettling Manichaean vision, Barth's dialectical theology appeals to Updike for its worldliness and its intellectually elegant explanation for the presence of evil" (16).
Those who dissent from this reading will likely do so at the point where Boswell assumes that the vision of the Rabbit tetralogy represents the entire Updikean picture of personal human experience as religious. Withal, a very impressive book, indeed.

This is essential reading for anyone interested in John Updike. Boswell summarizes the Rabbit books, Updike's best work, and presents a dynamic analysis of their importance. Updike doesn't just build characters, says the author, but presents the inner mystery of the human condition from a cosmic, really a theological, viewpoint.

Joshua Pilcher was a hard-luck figure of the fur-trade period. A visionary who saw himself and others like him as important explorers of the unknown West, a tireless businessman in the fur trade for a number of years, and an Indian agent at the end of his life, it seems that most of his endeavors ended up in failure, or at best, partial success. In 1819 he became a partner with Manuel Lisa in the formation of the Missouri Fur Company and took over the company a year later when Lisa died. After an unsuccessful journey up the Missouri to the Yellowstone in 1821, he joined Col. Henry Leavenworth in his attack against the Arikaras in 1823, an expedition that produced mixed results. The Missouri Fur Company failed two years later (Pilcher blamed Blackfoot attacks on his trappers as the cause). He formed another company and led an expedition to Fort Vancouver; nothing came of this, either, except the report he wrote about his venture, which praised the Oregon territory as a good place for settlement and the South Pass (later Oregon Trail) as an easy way to get there.

A failure financially in the fur business, Pilcher next became an Indian agent on the upper Missouri for a number of years before replacing William Clark as superintendent of Indian affairs in St. Louis. He died there in 1843. A diligent and serious man, working for the government in an office in St. Louis was probably not the way Pilcher envisioned his life as a younger man, but it's where unfortunate circumstances led him. John Sunder's biography is sympathetic toward Pilcher's plight. It's a scholarly and straightforward account of his life, interestingly told. Sunder is a fine writer, and this is an excellent biography.

Joshua Pilcher gets full recognition as a pioneer of the fur trade era, then later as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in St. Louis. Unless one is an enthusiast of this period of history, most people have never heard of Pilcher. After a brief career as a hatter in Kentucky, he then moved to Nashville and later to St. Louis. He began his fur trade endeavors with Manuel Lisa's Missouri Fur Company in 1819 and continued this till 1829 with many misfortunes in the business. He was involved in the famous Arikara Indian Battle on the upper Missouri, which resulted in disagreements with the army's strategy of handling this encounter. After his ventures in the fur trade, he later became Indian sub-agent, then agent, and after William Clark died in 1838, he was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis. This is a wonderful book well written and researched by John Sunder. Enjoyable.

I purchased this book for a quite dedicated chiefs fan and he was overwhelmed with all the facts, details, and history that is contained within this book. It is easy to find the fact that you are looking for because the book is well organized. There are many photos (B&W) throughout the book with a special color section in the middle. A great addition to any KC Chiefs fan's library.

Mark Stallard does a superb job of covering the Chiefs' history, giving colorful descriptions of a scores of players (famous and not so well known) and of the highlights of the seasons for Kansas City. Some of my favorites whom I had met, Jerry Mays and Willie Lanier, are given excellent coverage as are the players of various years through 2004. Unfortunately, this edition came out before Larry Johnson established himself as one of the league's great rushers; but an excellent synopsis of Priest Holmes is there, along with Buck Buchanan,Lenny Dawson, Joe Montana, Ernie Ladd and others. I thoroughly recommend this volume to any Chiefs' or NFL fan. The $8.12 edition is spotless and attractively and sturdily bound.

I couldn't begin to say enough just how much I loved this book. From the very first page, I was hooked. I *had* to keep reading to find out what happened next! This is a terrific read that will ring a chord with not only young adult readers, but adult as well.

Billy James Wilkins can't forget his best friend Gloria, who died from an aneurysm, and he won't stop digging until he understands the many mysteries of her life. And there are many, indeed!

What about the younger boy who turns up in the woods, the boy with Gloria's fiery personality--and an attitude to boot? And Josef Satan, the seemingly cursed man who lives in a cabin high on an Ozark slope? Billy must search his heart and his town's troubled history for truths to help him grasp the meaning of Gloria's life and death, and to help himself heal.

This story fascinated me, from the small mysteries to the big ones. The plot kept me guessing, and the payoff was satisfying and moving. The writing was excellent, reminding me of Mark Twain with the tone, lyricism, and humor. I also loved the characters, and I could picture each one of them--especially Billy's pain-in-the-rear big brother.

I think people of any age, male or female, would enjoy this story. Highly recommended.

I bought this book because Warren Angus Ferris is my Great (many times over) Grandfather and I was researching the family tree. What a delight to find that he was an accomplished writer and pioneer! His journal of his life in the Rocky Mountains is exceptionally well-written and a beautiful view of the time period. I recommend it to anyone with an interest of the early 1800's or fur-trading.

Day to day survival in the early American West at its best! Pick up any reputable book on the fur trade era during this time frame, and Warren Ferris' "Life in the Rocky Mountains" is always cited as a reference. There is good reason for this. Ferris joined the American Fur Company in 1830 at the age of nineteen and this is his journal of how life was back then from 1830-1835, so far removed from the luxuries of civlization. He spent most of his time in the central and northern Rockies, describing and recording just about everything one can possibly imagine from hostile Indians and the unrelenting forces of nature to grizzlies, days without food and water, etc. He was there at the Battle of Pierre's Hole and the death of William Vanderburgh. He also details the Yellowstone area with its geysers and other oddities, along with many other geographical areas which we now take for granted. Ferris vividly describes the many different Indian tribes of the region of their customs, cultures and habits. This is an excellent book and I can see why many historians use this book as reference material. A must read for fur trade era enthusiasts and arm chair explorers.

I found this book particularly interesting because it features both pictures and stories on dozens of prominent St. Louisans, and how they relate to the history of the city. The very first feature is about my late uncle, Bennie G. Rodgers. Fortunately, he was able to be included in the book. In addition, there are many other people whom I either knew or knew of in St. Louis. The book not only covers civil rights advocates, but also educators, politicians, health care providers, entertainers, clergymen, media professionals, athletes, and others. Their stories serve as an inspiration on how perseverence worked for them.

This book should be part of each St. Louisans home library!

Interviews highlight the celebrated accomplishments of the community's brothers, sisters, grandfathers, role models hear in the heart of the city. The book features professional and personal role models including ministers, doctors, boxers, entrepenuers, state reps and many other role models in the community.

Some have well-known names and faces while others have broken through glass ceilings to make a better future for all St. Louisans. From US District Court Judge Clyde S. Cahill, First African American to graduate from SLU and President of St. Louis Board of Education Joyce Thomas to General Surgeon Homer G. Phillips Hospital and KMOV's Senior News Anchor Juluis K.Hunter, this book digs into the personal side of these influential St. Louisans who can motivate us all.

This book can help youth who can use another mentor, and even those of us who just want to be proud of our community. It should not take a holiday to pen great stories such as the ones collected in this book.

Just moved here and this book is providing lots of background information plus wonderful day trips around the area!

When the subject of the Ozarks comes up in South Alabama, the first word to pop into the minds of most people is "Branson". Phyllis Rossiter's book proves there is much, much more to that complex and beautiful part of the country and its people.

Anybody planning to visit the Ozarks, or anybody living there, would do well to invest in a copy. As a travel guide, it shows there is something in the Ozarks for every taste. It provides great suggestions for fascinating, varied and unexpected things to see and the best ways to see them. Ms. Rossiter also gives addresses for getting more information about the places she describes.

In addition to its excellence as a travel guide, A LIVING HISTORY comes with a special bonus: Ms. Rossiter's insight into history and the Ozark culture and psyche. That insight will help explain the reasons for the uniqueness of the area and its people. Even native Ozarkers will come away with a better understanding of themselves. Don't head for the Ozarks without it!

While visiting Theresa Delsoin in Florida, I watched her spend many many hours writing and researching to bring her family story Malindys Freedom to life. Watching the painstaking work involved in writing a book gave me a greater appreciation of writers. Since this is her third book (the others were written in while Theresa was residing in Belize), she never allowed me to read anything until it was completed... I cried when I read Malindys Freedom... its a profound reading. I am so proud of her.
A wonderful true story, a must read for all that love family and history

When I started reading Malindy's Freedom, I could not put the book down. The story was so well written and descriptive. It is a book for all times and races. It is about loving, family unity and unfortunately about a terrible time in American's history -that peculiar institution called slavery. The way the authors wrote the book dealt with the human condition and how inspite of extreme hardships, the human spirit prevails through all the diversity. Malindy and her family emerges victoriously with love still in tact. The book also explores a period of the State of Missouri's history that many folk do not know about. I recommend this book highly for it is a book about family and how the human spirit thrives and overcomes difficult times. It is a excellent historical account with good research.
History gives us information to look at what happened and how it has shaped our lives today. With this information, there is an opportunity for us to not repeat the mistakes that some of ancestors made, and draw from the strengths of many of our ancestors who did live their lives to make a difference for all mankind. This book has inspired me more so than ever to make a difference. This book is a classic and should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for literature for it promotes, love, spirituality, forgiveness and understanding.

i am a grand, grand nephew of mr. reedy's! i have known of his lore and have long possessed the book reviewed here. it was written as a college thesis, i believe, by mr. putzel during his studies at washington u. here in st. louis.

i've long been amused by reedy's wit and daring, for st. louis was a very catholic, conservative town in the teens and twenties when his work flourished. fortunately for me, and unlike many irish families in town today, my entire family tree from its roots in clonmel, ireland to my grandparents here in st. louis have been carefully chronicled by the author.

as for reedy's contributions, carl sandburg and vachel lindsay (among others) apparently owed much of their introductory successes to reedy's "mirror", which was a literary journal of the day.

the security building in downtown st. louis continues to house businesses and professionals in its walls. at one time, my great, great uncle published his 20,000 subscriber journal for readers throughout the world. and what a life he lived outside of his office.

hope you enjoy!

It's hard to believe that a man who had such tremendous influence on American letters was all but forgotten before Max Putzel brought him back to life in this extraordinary biography. William Marion Reedy discovered and/or published many of the most important writers of his day, including Edgar Lee Masters, Vachel Lindsay, Carl Sandburg, Amy Lowell, Sara Teasdale, Theodore Dreiser and Zoe Akins. At the same time, he led a rough-and-tumble life in his native St. Louis, once even waking up after a night of hard drinking to discover he had married a local prostitute! Putzel's portrayal of Reedy in all his brilliance and decadence is one of those rare works of excellent scholarship that is also just plain fun to read. I recommend it with gusto!