Missouri Books

Although I was expecting bold, daring and exciting tales of the wild frontier, this book does portray Manuel Lisa's vision, exploits and dealings in the fur trade of the early 1800's very well. From establishing Fort Raymond at the confluence of the Big Horn River and Yellowstone River in 1807, the book takes the reader along Lisa's other adventures up the Missouri River thru 1820. Supported by historical documentation from such men as Thomas James, John Bradbury, Henry Brackenridge and John Luttig, to the many correspondence letters from Lisa to others, Oglesby does an exemplary work piece of this man's life. Well liked by most Indian tribes but oftentimes thought of as an abrasive and badgering individual by the whites, this is a man who simply wanted to fulfill his dreams of opening the fur trade in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. The book is not just about his adventures, as it is also about the business transactions, strategies, financial responsibilities, etc. associated with the heavily competitive fur companies of the day.

So much has been written about the great William Ashley period of the American fur trade in the Far West (c.1822-1840), that it's easy to forget there was a distinct pre-Ashley period, a period dominated by Manuel Lisa. It was Lisa, immediately after the Lewis and Clark expedition, who first trapped furs along the Missouri-Yellowstone River corridor.

Lisa was born in New Orleans in 1772 and began trading furs with the Osage about the same time Lewis and Clark set off for Oregon. He helped supply the expedition, and upon its successful return in 1807, Lisa made his first keelboat journey up the Missouri. He had always fancied establishing trade with Santa Fe, but the Spanish were never interested, so he set his eyes toward the northwest.

He established Fort Raymond at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Big Horn Rivers, and formed the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company in 1809. After a few lean years, by 1812 enough furs were being brought back to St. Louis to make his efforts profitable. In 1814 William Clark appointed Lisa sub Indian agent for the tribes above the Kansas River, which ended up being a brilliant political move. This was during the War of 1812 with England, at which time the Indians were getting belligerent toward the Americans; Lisa had a sterling reputation with the tribes, however, being perceived by the Indians as always being a fair dealer with them, and this helped quell their opposition and basically kept the tribes out of the war altogether.

By the last year of his life, Lisa had made over a dozen trips up the Missouri. As in the subsequent trading period, the Blackfeet were his biggest nemesis: their hatred of first the British and then the American was absolute. During the winter of 1819-1820, Lisa apparently became ill, and he died in St. Louis in August of that year.

Lisa's trappers had explored all the important beaver streams of the Rocky Mountain West by the time of his death. He devised and established the system which combined trading with the Indians to keep them friendly with trapping furs, both done from an established post built in the wilderness. William Ashley would later incorporate the rendezvous into Lisa's system, but it would remain in place for years to come. Manuel Lisa was a major figure in the early West and should be better known and appreciated.

Oglesby is an excellent writer, scholarly but not dull. He writes with care, but even better he writes with style. He's a joy to read. Anyone interested in the opening of the West should read this book.

Mark Twain and Medicine is an absolutely wonderful book. Not only is the story it tells entertaining, but the insight into the history of medicine and its relationship to our own health care system is informative and thought provoking. I found myself anticipating each chapter, wondering what the next new medical trend would be. I was alternately amused and amazed by this evolution. Do yourself a real favor and read this book. Then, do your physician a favor, and give her or him a copy. You will find yourself discussing and using what you learn as long as you deal with doctors.

Mark Twain And Medicine: "Any Mummery Will Cure" by K. Patrick Ober (Professor of Internal Medicine and Associate Dean for Education, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an informative and scholarly survey and analysis of the famous and opinionated American author Mark Twain's views of and experiences with the medical profession. Twain's experiments with alternative care systems available in his era (partly due to his frustration with the shortcomings of traditional medicine), and Twain's articulate (and sometimes scathing) commentaries offer a unique perspective on the American medical industry of his day -- and still comes alive for contemporary readers who are keeping in mind how the author's life experience impacted his great works of literature. Highly recommended for in-depth American literature studies shelves, and particularly for those devoted to Twain's immortal literary classics, Mark Twain And Medicine is a welcome addition to academic and community library collections.

Annalies Corbin is one of the leading lights of US underwater archaeology. This book reflects her tremendous engergy and accomplished scholoarship. Accessible to the professional and the layman. Highly recommended for archaeologists, historians, and steamboat or old west enthusiasts.

The book lives up to its title. It is an excellent example of a study of material remains and how they actually relate to the people who left them behind. The fascinating thing about shipwrecks and what material items they house, is that people did not get a chance to pick and choose what they left behind, such as when a Great Plains family left a sod house for their first frame house. Instead, everything they brought, except for that on their back, they were forced to leave behind. It is an instant snapshot of time, place, people, and lifestyle. Dr. Corbin has done an excellent job of explaining why she undertook this project, as well as explaining her conclusions. Granted, she was only able to research so much, but these brief "pictures" of lives gone before us, are illuminating. She does a fine job of bringing the historical record to bear on the artifactual evidence, and vice-versa. Not meant as a book for public consumption, it will have a welcoming audience in "students" of the past and the westward expansion of the United States. The only drawback is the "as usual" high price for a Plenum series book.

"Matthews: The Historic Adventures of a pioneer Family" is a wonderfully written book which looks into the past of a prominent Southeast Missouri family. This book provides lessons in business, success and morality, as taught by the late C.D. Matthews and the generations that followed.

After C.D. Matthews settles in Southeast Missouri and begins building and expanding his business empire, be prepared to be reading for hours. I did not put the book down from page 100 through 306.

Matthews: The Historic Adventures Of A Pioneer Family by Edward C. Matthews III is the biographical story of the author's family who settled in Southeast Missouri two hundred years and eight generations ago. A superbly written family history, this is the story of generations of men and women whose ambitions and perseverance were to shape and influence the entire region. Beginning with the settlement of the then newly acquired Louisiana Territory, nd continuing with the subsequent growth and development of Southeast Missouri, these are very human stories of Matthews family members complete with the private tragedies, public accomplishments, and diverse personalities. At the core of the story is C.D. Matthews who was born a poor farm boy in the 1840s and who grew up to risk his life supplying corn and wheat to the Confederate forces during the Civil War. Surviving the war, he went on to amass a fortune in the fields of banking, lumber, railroads, and land. Also available in a hardcover edition (0976041316, $35.00), Matthews: The Historic Adventures Of A Pioneer Family is informative and fascinating reading, and could well serve as a template for others who are thinking of writing their family histories.

Dr. John Tietjen passed away on February 15, 2004. In his passing, we lost a leader of the Lutheran faith and a strong proponent of open dialogue among all faiths. Anyone wishing to learn how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America became what it is today must read these memoirs. They are fascinating, insightful, and written in a manner easy for the layperson to understand - much like Dr. Tietjen's sermons. No boring theological memoirs here. He regales the reader with recollections of real-life anguish, tests of faith, and an ultimate resolution worthy of a true disciple of Christ.

Since this is a non-fiction account of the events surrounding the split of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod from Dr. Tietjen's notes and papers, it could fall into the category of "church history" ... a category known for its dry reading. However, Dr. Tietjen is such a wonderful story teller, I found myself turning page after page thinking "what happens next?" as if I were reading a fictional novel. Being a Lutheran, I already knew the outcome, but the way Dr. Tietjen told the story made it seem competely new.

Anyone who is interested in learning the fascinating details of this important event in Lutheran church history will find this a must-read. You'll learn the facts ... but you'll also be completely captivated by the way the facts are presented. Hard to put it down!

Miles Davis was more than a Great Musician He was a Man with a Mind&He had alot to say.this Book reflects on that&more.very detail on many subjects.any book usual on Miles is a must read because not only for His Music but His take on the World Around Him.

Miles Davis was far more than just another jazz musician. He was a primary reference for the jazz culture of performers and audiences of his day and a man whose influence on the jazz community continues down to the present time. In Miles Davis And American Culture, Gerald Early has assembled an impressive collection of essays on the world, work, and life of Miles Davis. From Early's opening essay "The Art of the Muscle: Miles Davis as American Knight and American Knave" to Benjamin Cawthra's "Remembering Miles in St. Louise: A Conclusion", Miles Davis And American Culture is a compendium of cogent, illuminating, and occasionally challenging descriptions, analyses, and commentaries on a great icon of American jazz -- and a "must" for students of jazz history, as well as Miles Davis' legions of fans.

This book is great, not long enough but so much fun to read. I liked learning how Rose lived. I want to read the whole series now!

Its 1894, and Rose Wilder and her Papa and Mama move from the prairie to Missouri . They past a Dusty Trail and when they make camp Rose gathers fire wood. The next day they eat hardtacks and Rose travels with George and Paul on there wagon. Then they cross a river, go swiming, and meet Russians and help a lost dog but soon they come to Missouri.

Richard Gaskell's state fair photographs are well worth a look. His images are respectful of his subject but they avoid the sentimental, nostaligic point of view so typical of much rural art. One is reminded of the great images of rural life that the WPA photographers produced in the 1930's. An excellent book for urbanites who've never been to the fair, but also for rural folks who want an honest but loving point of view of one of their great traditions.

If ever there is a book that captures the beauty and grace that is often hidden under the sweat and tears of hard farmwork, this is it. In a series of haunting photographs, Gaskell has found humor, grit, honesty, and a piece of his own soul. Sunday morning bacon and eggs will never be the same.

As a Missouri native, I assure everyone interested in this book of its usefulness. Informative and well written, this book is a must have for anyone visiting, or living in Missouri!

Although I may be biased, (since C.H. "Skip" Curtis is my mother's boyfriend), I really loved this book. It's extremely informative for anyone--novice to expert--who travels on MO Route 66. Skip knows everything there is to know about Route 66; he's the editor of the Missouri Route 66 Magazine and he travels the road every time he visits my mom (which is a good 200 miles one way). Since I grew up on the Mother Road, I thought I knew every old hotel and shady bar on the route, but I was mistaken. Skip fills his book with two road maps (one from St. Louis going to Joplin and another vice versa), so you won't get lost. Also, there are tons of old photographs and postcards. Plus, my mom, my '55 Chevy and my favorite building are in the book; which puts it on the top of my book list. If you buy his book, you'll become a Missouri Route 66 expert (which comes in handy for parties), he'll become rich and I'll get more birthday presents (so, it's an investment we can all enjoy)! If you have any questions after you buy his book, write to him and he'll be more than happy to assist you. Or you can just ask him what C.H. stand for

Nate Evans has created a Grahame Base, Dr. Seuss- type book that is a fun read for young and old. Lessons about boasting, cynicism, greediness all rolled up into one fun book. Bongo and Lu have their work cut out for them as they help Prof. Yahoo find "animals" for the queen's zoo. The fact that the Professor has lost his glasses is of no concern to him! One last slip at the end of the day saves the day.

Does Nate Evans have any more books I should know about?

Both me and my children have enjoyed this book a ton! The wonderfully bright illustrations and the rhyming story are fun to read over and over again!