Oklahoma Books

The truly unusual value of this book is that it represents a voice from a "Wild West" lawman that hasn't been overly varnished or adapted for our sensitive 21st Century ears. Written in the 1920s, it looks back on a time when the Oklahoma Territory was a place where outlaws, settlers, Indians, and lawmen were all very familiar with each other (for better or worse). Between the lines, you can tell that E.D. Nix has actually fond of some of the bad guys he chased. I particularly liked that Nix learned how to hang a man, but was relieved he never had to do it.

Another great biography from University of Oklahoma Press: Norman. And in addition, this one is written by the author's son, Ernest Haycox Jr.

If you've read any of Haycox's western novels or short stories, you have to have some interest in the man himself. This biography gives insight into the mind and person of the author who wrote all those wonderful westerns. Back when western writing was sorta looked down upon.

For me one of the mild shocks of the book was the self doubt this author often had. It's hard for me to take in, for anytime I've read the man's work I was amazed at his talent. I have a full shelf of his work, just picking up another one in a second hand bookstore yesterday. One I did not know existed, and by coincidence it is entitled: THE SILVER DESERT. A very close match to the title of this biography.

Another interesting fact for me is the lack of material ever written about and of this giant of the western writing world. We can truly be thankful his son took this project on, giving us details of his father's life and work.

Ernest Haycox's books and stories were oft times brought to the Hollywood screen. The movies are still available as are the books. See for instance TROUBLE SHOOTER which documents the building of the Union Pacific railroad, THE BORDER TRUMPET writing on the Arizona Apache wars, or BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON one of the best books ever on the Custer debacle at Little Big Horn.

Many letters and photographs fill this wonderful book, too. U of Ok has done it again. Another fine addition to any western library, be your interest in the west either fictionial or non-ficional.

Semper Fi.

I truly enjoyed this book of yarns. Most people would probably
like the book, however, it was a nostalgia trip for me. I was
born and grew up in the same area, just a few years later. Many
of the sites and names were quite familiar. I am purchasing
another one to send my brother.

ONE O'CLOCK JUMP: THE UNFORGETTABLE HISTORY OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BLUE DEVILS offers up a wealth of detail on a legendary jazz band from Oklahoma City. They went through many changes from 1923 to 1933, but their legacy has been under-stated until this book, so any avid fan of jazz may know of them, but only in passing. ONE O'CLOCK JUMP fills the gaps, using interviews with the six surviving Blue Devils and others and supplementing these with newspaper accounts of performances and government records. The result is rich reporting and jazz music history which cannot be ignored.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

THIS BOOK IS REFERENCED AS A FURTHER READING BOOK IN THE BEST SELLER "GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL" BY JERED DIAMOND.PAGE 448.

This book is essential in the library of all Native Americans and Non-Native Americans alike. Forget the old stereotypes, this work based on the intense research of Francis LaFlesche, an anthropologist and Native himself, blows all pre-conceived notions of Native thought and society. The intense and complex cosmological musings harken back to the Greek philosophers and Eastern Taoism and Confucianism. Finally something that truly shows the complexity and diversity of the original peoples of this continent.

Being raised not 5 miles from the location of the book in Osage County and only 13 years latter I felt I was reading a story of my life. This is a great book for young and old who love to hear stories like those told by your Grandparents on the front porch sipping tea in the cool Oklahoma evening. A must have for anyone who loves books of life and the realities that come with it.

There is a huge amount of information in this book, but it is all presented with wit and style. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially anyone even vaguely interested in Native American studies. I'm not qualified to tell you how good it is.

The Ouachita Mountains stretch across the border of southeastern Oklahoma into southwestern Arkansas, from roughly McAlester, OK, to Little Rock, AR. This excellent, 300-page guide describes just about everything anyone might want to know about the area, from geography and climate, to fishing and hunting opportunities, to historical tours. There are scores of detailed maps and charts, and many, many photographs. What I found most interesting were the chapters on historical tours across the region, with just about every town and hamlet described. (There are also whole chapters on Fort Smith, Hot Springs National Park, and Little Rock.) This is not only a great book to have with you if visiting the area, but it's also a terrific book for armchair travelers as well. A wonderful guidebook, highly recommended.

If you're interested in finding out about the Ozarks for the first time or if (like me) you've been to the Ozarks many times this is an excellent book. It starts with a thumbnail history and description of the Ozarks but the bulk of this book is devoted to supplying information on the entire region. This information includes geographic features - rivers and streams, caves, lakes, and topographic properties. Also included are descriptions ranging from a paragraph to several pages on just about every stream, lake, town, and park in the Ozarks. I learned new and interesting facts about areas I've visited many times before. If you love the Ozarks this is a great find!