Missouri Books

This is an excellent account of how our forefathers dealt with the day-to-day struggles in the frontier. Excellent as history, entertaining as drama, it's hard to put down.

At 550 pages, this classic social history of the first decades of settlement in Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakotas is informative, entertaining, sometimes poignant, and one heck of a read. For anyone whose knowledge of this period is as limited as mine, it's also full of surprises -- lots of them. Historian Everett Dick dips into a substantial collection of documents, listed in his 10-page bibliography, and organizes what he's found into 35 chapters, each on a different subject, including the sod house of the title, homesteading, prairie towns, vigilante justice, farmers vs. cattlemen, extremes of weather, Indians, hunting and trapping, the railroad, sports, education, the church, journalism, doctors, lawyers, and entertainment. And that covers only about half of them.

Settlement moved quickly and furiously across the Missouri River, while the federal government was still negotiating the relocation of the current residents, i.e. Native Americans, then spread across the territories in a surge of speculation and rapid development in a series of booms and busts. Cliches and stereotypes from movies and television quickly fall left, right, and center, as the author revels in the rich tapestry of human endeavors portrayed against a raw, still alien landscape. Law and order were virtually nonexistent, and a recurring theme in the book is the frequency of scams, fraud, graft, and chicanery of all kinds that were the order of the day. In such an environment, the carrying of weapons was universal, and differences of opinion were normally settled with bloodshed and no questions asked afterwards.

There is the land rush, featuring claim jumpers and speculators with no interest in tilling the soil or putting down roots but turning a quick buck, usually in total violation of whatever law existed at the time. There are the wild cat banks, printing their own money, all of it eventually worthless to those left holding it. There are the crooked investment schemes that raised capital for towns that were never built. Prairie communities lure railroad companies to build lines in their direction with outlays of cash. Elections are rigged, bribes paid, and blood spilled over the location of county seats. Phony local governments elect themselves into office and after borrowing money for public projects abscond with the funds and leave the area's legitimate settlers under a crushing load of debt. And on and on. It's a fascinating account of the frontier as a kind of bonfire of vanities.

But this is only one theme in the book. There are many others, and much to relish in descriptions of the daily life of more ordinary folks who are typically jacks of all trades, short of cash, either hard-working or hard-drinking, often overwhelmed by the isolation of their circumstances. It's a delight, for instance, to read of country and small town pastimes and pleasures from baseball to dances that go until sunup.

Given the book's origins in the 1930s, it tends to neglect the lives of women (an oversight that has been corrected in many more recent books), and while it seems to want to give a balanced view of Indians, it tends to focus its interests elsewhere. Unfortunately, the treatment of African Americans is somewhat condescending. Those faults aside, the book is a page-turner, especially for anyone who, as I did, grew up in this part of the world with only a glimmer of an idea of its actual history.

Given the amount of aid Germany and Italy gave the Spanish Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, it is somewhat surprising that Spain didn't enter the war on the Axis side. They didn't, and this book goes a long ways toward explaining why. The Spanish economy was devastated by the Spanish Civil War. It was dependent on the world economy for oil and food. Remnants of the Spanish Empire, such as the Canary Islands and Spanish Sahara were vulnerable to British attacks if Spain sided with Germany and Italy.

At the same time, the Spanish nationalists were tempted by potential spoils such as Gibraltar, and possibly French Morocco. If the Germans had tried hard enough in the immediate aftermath of the fall of France, the Spanish might have considered joining the Axis. The Germans weren't interested in Mediterranean adventures at that time though, and by the time they became interested the Spanish had had time for second thoughts.

This book does a good job of looking at Spanish foreign policy during World War II, but it also looks at the Spanish economy and Spanish society in some depth. A good read.

This book is a fascinating look at Spanish politics and culture during World War II. It covers all aspects of Spanish history, from Franco's meetings with Hitler to bullfighters losing their lives in the arena. I've always found European history interesting, but until a few years ago I had never read anything about Spain, and had no idea what an interesting part it played during this time

1939 was the year that World War II began. But in Spain, this was the year that war ended. The Spanish Civil War devastated the nation from 1936 to 1939, and thus while most of Europe was going to war, Spain was rebuilding from a war.

Wayne Bowen's new book, "Spain During World War II", describes how Spain attempted to rebuild itself under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Dissent on the "Left" was forbidden: communist, socialist, and democratic views were suppressed by the Franco regime. But plenty of dissent on the "Right" existed. This book narrates the history of some of the major dissenters and shows that their power was quite significant.

One example of successful dissent came from Cardinal Segura and Cardinal Goma, leaders of the Catholic Church in Spain. They supported Franco but condemned Nazi Germany - because, while they didn't mind dictatorship, the pagan elements in Nazism filled them with horror. These church leaders managed to prevent a "cultural exchange" accord that would have exposed Spanish youth to Nazi culture.

At the other extreme was Pilar Primo de Rivera. She was the leader of the Women's Section of the Falange, and was enthusiastically pro-Nazi. In May 1941, concerned that Franco was appointing too many monarchists and too few Falangists to his cabinet, she led a protest against Franco's policies. Her popularity was too great for Franco to eliminate her, and he backed down and appointed more Falangists to his cabinet. Pilar Primo de Rivera continued to lobby for Spain to enter the war on Hitler's side, and to promote the Nazi cause within Spain.

Meanwhile, the majority of Spaniards during this time were not concerned with politics: they were concerned with jobs, the economy, and sports. Soccer ("football" in Europe) and bullfighting - the two great Spanish sports - were promoted by the Franco regime as a safe alternative to politics. But even here, the regime found that the Spanish people could not be controlled, as regional rivalries led to violence between the fans at football matches.

This book is a fascinating look at how Spain managed to rebuild from its war - at the same time that the rest of Europe was being devasted by the greatest war in history.

War is a Grim Reaper that deeply invades the lives of everyone it encounters. The U.S. Civil War hosted the Reaper, and as the title of Lois Glass Webb's book depicts, "The Spectre of Death Rode the Land."

In Southeast Missouri, John Gordon announces that the family will remain neutral, that they will remain the farmers that they are and raise corn and hogs as they always have. Family duty is a strong pull but a sense of justice is yet another. Stuart Gordon goes against his father's wishes and joins up as the Union army pushes into Missouri. His brother Riley is pulled from both sides, all the more stronger now that he is the eldest son at home. With women to protect, crops to be pursued and life wreaking havoc at every turn, Riley struggles with his commitments and sense of honor.

Life continues on through the deaths of loved ones. Every day is a battle to get through. Every little thing once taken for granted is now an obstacle to get over. John Gordon's daughters, Kate, Emely and Ritty hang on, hoping against hope that the war will end and life will return. But how can it? Husbands are lost, new lives are birthed, torment of fear is persistent. Will life ever be the same again? Likely not, but maybe there is a new one to look forward to.

Lois Glass Webb's story is one often told but rarely given the humanity and depth of life that her characters portray. This is more than a tale of the North invading the South; it is a story of life prevailing over that spectre of death. With the fast paced action of a war story and the heart felt perspective of deep emotion, this book is one that brings history to the light of humanistic evaluation. Facts and statistics do not breathe, but history told through family remembrances, with emotive response, hopes and fears shared with the reader, is a book you won't forget.

The Spectre of Death is a book full of fascinating characters and swift action. I loved all the different stories of the people caught up in the Civil War in southeastern Missouri, how their lives intertwined, the crazy situations people get themselves into for love, money and family loyalty or disloyalty.

This is well worth buying. You'll end up reading it two or three times, like Dickens, because of the interlocked tales of all the characters.

Anyone looking to do business in St. Louis needs to get a copy of this book! Nothing will map the terrain better than St. Louis Currents. I have found it immensely useful for research and perspective on a host of critical topics.

A colleague described St. Louis Currents as an owner's manual for the St. Louis region. How true! It has proven to be very useful for me in my job as policy analyst and teacher. It has summaries of key issues facing the region, the current state of activity in each area, and valuable statistics. It was presented in an easy-to-read format. You would have to visit a hundred websites to get all of the information found in this one volume. The accompanying CD-ROM version makes it even more convenient. Policy wonks like myself will find it incredibly useful at work. It makes preparing lectures and presentations easy. There is really no other resource book like it. Other cities would be smart to produce a book like this.

Seeing an old building torn down is like losing a friend to me. This books is like a family photo album of the dead and gone that you never knew but with lots of great historical information. If it's obscure St. Louise history your looking for, look no further. I am a trasplant to St. Louis and reading this book is like hooking up with a local whose in the know. Not only do you get the history and a photo of each building but you also get St. Louis' own history as well. I highly recommend it to anyone regardless of whether you have a connection to St. Louis or not. I will read and re-read this one again and again.

For native St. Louisans with a taste for history, this is a pictorial marvel. The photographs and accompanying stories of early St. Louis landmarks are fascinating. The book clearly takes the reader from the earliest days of the city, thru its glory days, and finally, to the remaining examples of those days.

R. M. Kinder was a teacher of mine at Central Missouri State University. Her creative writing classes (I must have had four or five) allowed my own writing to grow. Her stories are biting reality mixed with wit that will leave you thinking as well as laughing. Sometimes when you laugh you'll think "Wait that's not really very funny," but in the end you laugh anyway. Underneath the humor lies a series of suggestions, comments and wisdom. There is a gem here. Read her work, you'll enjoy it.

I loved this book. It's not easy to find, but well worth ordering. Kinder has a fine lyrical sense and a gift for subtle characterization. Each story is memorable and exciting.

This book is a colorful and entertaining romp through a world of Jayhawks and Tigers. In addition to being well-illustrated and entertaining, it also teaches important precepts to preschoolers regarding Tigers and their kind, and how the gallant and noble Jayhawk is universally and transcendantly victorious over the inherently undehnanded Tiger.My child is due in July, but this book is already on the shelf awaiting the time she is ready to learn about the Campanile, Potter's Lake, and those ruffians that live down the road across a magical line.

All in all, I love this book; the story and illustrations are great, and stand on their own merits, and Fambrough knows how to spin a yarn. A strong buy. Just wish children were able to learn a little about treacherous Wildcats too.

This is a wonderful children's story with beautiful illustrations! As a Lawrence native and KU alum, I was very impressed with the characterization of the little Jayhawks and the Missouri Tiger. Coach Fram did a marvelous job, and the information in the back of the book makes this a collectors item for all to enjoy and treasure for many years. Getting this book could not come at a better time with the Orange Bowl Champs and the Basketball Champions all in the same year. I would love for someone to come up with a basketball version! This is a perfect present for all Jayhawk parents and grandparents to give to their little Kansas fans!

I suppose anyone who would make that trip would have to be intrepid, but he seemed really to be.

The thing I like the most about him is that he was such a civilized person. A gentle, intelligent, well educated, modest, and very friendly person.

The other review about his insights into what he was describing is, in my mind, quite correct also.

I may be a bit prejudiced and certainly am more interested because my middle name is Bradbury as a result of being a descendent of his.

One of the earliest, and very well written, accounts of life on the upper Missouri River. This is a classic of the fur trade era. Bradbury, a botanist, went up the Missouri with the famous Astorian overland expedition of William Price Hunt, Ramsay Crooks, Donald McKenzie, naturalist Thomas Nuttall and others in 1811. His descriptions of Indian life, geology, botany, geography and overall life as it was in 1811 being so far removed from civiliztion is incredible. He was a very articulate and keen observer of the world around him. Bradbury gives further insight into Manuel Lisa, John Colter, Henry Brackenridge, trading with the Indians, etc. The last chapter he devotes to the soon to be mass immigration into the western parts of the United States. His thoughts on this are ahead of his time. There is simply too much good to say about this timeless masterpiece. The book itself may be somewhat difficult to find, but it is worth looking for. A+

I have yet to read this book, but Dakota Epic is still one of the better "on-the-set" books I've ever read! I'm sure this book lives up to Dakota Epic is style and substance.

Any book by Bill Markley will entertain you, as well as inform you. He writes what he knows and does excellent research. You won't be disappointed in this look at the Corps of Discovery as they start out on their expedition, and whip their team into shape.

I just finished reading this fascinating history of the Arkansas River from its source to the Pueblo Dam. I am looking for a copy for my own library as the one I read is a library copy. Author Virginia Simmons presents interesting geological information as well as the impact of man upon that environment. I looked for an explanation of the ridges that emanate east/west from the Sawatch Range between Salida and Buena Vista but found none. A small disappointment. The book contains maps and photographs which support the text. It would make an excellent reference for people who plan to visit the area as it did for me. I would like to have seen a few more detailed maps, but the ones it has are useful. Though containing no footnotes or a bibliography as such, Simmons cites the sources of her information in a section on Suggested Readings.

Virginia Simmons has produced a well researched look at the upper Arkansas including the evolution of mining and the creation of towns. It is well written and easy to follow. The book is enhanced by her fine photography. This book is unique in that it provides the first balanced history of this region including Lake and Chaffee counties.