Texas Books

This is a most worthy men-at-arms series; like the book's description says, it shows the much more colorful side to the uniforms of the Confederate Army. One man depicted in the color plates for Volume One that I found particularly interesting was a soldier in the Union Light Infantry, a SC unit based on the British Black Watch (42nd Royal Highlanders).
The plates are pretty much the highlight of this series, and show realistic looking soldiers surrounded by beautiful women and scenery, and baring all their various weapons. The text, nonetheless, reveals numerous interesting details. This is an excellent source on the uniforms and appearances of the soldiers of the Confederacy.

Osprey Publishing has issued Volume 5 of their popular book, The Confederate Army 1861-65. A part of their sprawling Men-at-Arms series (this is book #441 in that series), this one covers the uniforms and arms of troops from Tennessee and North Carolina. Written by Ron Field and lavishly illustrated with Richard Hook's watercolors, this book is a worthy addition to the Osprey family. Retailing for $15.95 here in the USA ($21 in Canada), the book has 48 pages, nearly all of them with period photographs or full color drawings.

The new book focuses on each state's antebellum militia and the hastily organized volunteer regiments that were pressed into Confederate service in the initial stages of the war. Using contemporary newspaper accounts, letters, state and local records, and early photographs, Ron Field presents an extensive array of early war military units, their uniforms and accoutrements, drawing heavily upon primary descriptions. He also takes a cursory, but interesting look at how the transition occurred from locally supplied clothing and equipment (which often varied widely from company to company) to state-issued regulation Confederate uniforms, particularly in North Carolina, where, by the end of the war, the term "ragged Rebel" would be made obsolete from the vast stores of supplies held by the state.



Field starts with Tennessee, looking at the outfitting of the militia and early volunteers in 1861, and examines the role various ladies aid societies played in clothing the soldiers of the Volunteer State. He then discusses the role of the state's Military and Financial Board in taking over the administration and logistics of supplying the troops. Field then shifts his focus to North Carolina, again discussing and characterizing the antebellum militia and contrasting them to how the state later took charge and made its forces appear more uniform in appearance. He also briefly compares winter clothing to summer issue for troops from both states.



The book includes a select bibliography for readers wanting to dive a little deeper into the outfitting of Confederate troops from Tennessee and North Carolina. The index is comprehensive, as is the discussion that accompanies the Richard Hook's illustrations. All in all, The Confederate Army 1861-85 (5) Tennessee and North Carolina (ISBN: 9781846031878) maintains the tradition of excellence we have come to expect from Osprey, and is well worth the modest investment.

Milner has exceeded himself with this book. His compassionate record of the exploits and traumas of several of his friends as they hone their writing skills is superb. I refer you to page 222 for the most touching prose regarding one's journey up to and into the abyss of the dark night of one's soul. Billy Lee chose to go into the abyss and stay. Obviously Milner chose to take theever so rickety ladder out. His book is testimony to that choice.

I had a fun time reading this book by Jay Milner. It's a really great chronicle of the exploits of a renegade group of Texas writers, musicians, artists, and politicos, as well a chronicle of Milner's own life as a novelist, university professor, and journalist.

Much of the fun in this book takes place in the mid 60s through mid 70s Texas, when Milner's running buddies include folks such as writers Gary Cartwright, Billie Lee Brammer, Larry L. King, and Edwin Shrake, former Texas Governor Ann Richards, Dallas Cowboy wide receiver turned novelist Peter Gent, and country music legends Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Kris Kristofferson.

Since this book is also autobiographical, it would be easy for Milner to embellish the high points of his life, and choose the frames from his internal "home movie" that would be in the book. Yet Milner does no such thing. He describes his life, and the activities surrounding it, with the objectivity of a trained "old school" journalist--either in the middle of a 60s or 70s scene involving sex, drugs, and country rock and roll--or in his honest and thoughtful analysis of what he considered his own inner demons.

Jay Milner's book is more than just a fun read. It is also a reliable history of a modern, creative period when artistic endeavors coming out of Texas began to be taken seriously by the rest of the world.

"Confessions of a Maddog" is an important work in this regard. I predict that it will be required reading in any college course involving the literature of the southwest for years to come.

Lee Leatherwood Austin, TX 31 March 01

This book presents an intriguing look into present-day Mayan beliefs. The author's thorough academic research of the Mayan religion in contemporary society is also vivid and accessible to the lay reader.

The chapter on the sacred Mayan calendar was especially interesting, as I found the descriptions of the interpretations of my sacred days extremely accurate. This is one of few books in this category that I can honestly say I truly enjoyed reading.

The author attempts to explain as rationally as possible how one feels called to become a Shaman and pursue an Earth-centric spirituality.

This isn't a boring story and I had to re-read certain sections to fully process and feel the experience. The section on how the Mayan calendar works as a type of life-guide is complicated, but a slow read makes it all understandable. Although this book discusses the Mayan indigenous perspective, the knowledge contained in its pages could easily be used to understand other Native American peoples' worldview; and just how one studies and connects to the lifeforce, and emerges a medicine person, or a healer dedicated to the community.

The author doesn't mystify the Mayan religion but rather shows that it is alive, evolving, helping and living with the present day people and deserves equal footing and interaction with the dominant religions.

I chose this book as a gift for a non-Texan, and then had to purchase another for myself! I love the variety of recipes in the book, which include traditional Texas favorites, recipes representing the numerous ethnic populations in Texas, as well as more current Texas food trends. The book is full of beautiful color photos, historical facts and trivia relating to the recipes. Well worth the money spent.

I just bought this. And read it. I have hundreds of cookbooks, and 2 shelves of Texas ones. Not only is it the best Texas cookbook, it has become my instant favorite cookbook, and gets my vote for the best cookbook in the world! No kidding! Why?

This is a beautifully illustrated book, with ALL of your Texas favorites- from Tex-Mex to Czek. And nice reading on some of our local favorite producers- for example of goat cheese.

I have grown completely sick of 'chef' cookbooks. Not only are we supposed to cook like a trained professional would in a resturaunt these days, we are supposed to cook for celebrities- or so it would seem from the endless celebrity chef cookbooks out there. This is a 'real' cookbook. For real people- and it is authentic. The cookbook I read just before this one, while really very good, had loads of bell peppers in the fajitas! I mean- yikes! This book is brave enought to list the famous (and much loved) but really tacky (and chefs would cringe) Texas classics- such as Rotel Cheese Dip and Frito Pie. There are of course much more sophisticated recipes, but all look wonderful.

Lastly, any book with such a drop-dead beautiful photo of bluebonnets gets my vote. But then I have never seen an ugly copy of a Texas Highway Magazine either.

This is a nicely written ethnography that should find a useful place in anthropology classes

This is an enjoyable and interesting ethnographic study of a small Mexican village. The author sheds light on the power structure of the village...the impact of the global economy on their weaving industry...and the important role that temporary migration of the men to the U.S., in order to send back cash, plays in village life. All this in easy-to-follow prose with neat examples. The pictures are great too!

I've used a number of recipes from this delightful little book, and never been disappointed. Engels/Thorpe present do-able recipes that work every time, using simple mostly on-your-shelf ingredients (at least if you live in the southwest, or live near an ethnic market.) I hope they will collaborate on another cookbook -- these recipes are much too good to be lost!

This is a delightful little book filled with recipes and family stories the authors grew up with. Records a way of life and a way of cooking that can raise the cultural awareness of all Americans! Great book!

Stacy Dean Campbell takes you back to a time when life was simple, yet restrictive to some. One can truly get a sense for the life and injustices that were ever present during the depression. His writing imagery gives the reader a true sense of being there. If you are looking for a page turning true to life drama, this is the book to read. And the music CD which accompanies the book adds the finishing touch to an already moving experience. It sets the backdrop, and even after reading the book, you'll find yourself listening to the music for everyday enjoyment, always remembering which tune reflects different overtones of the story. Stacy is a truly talented writer and musician, a true visionary, and one who leaves an imprint on the heart and soul. He most definitely is one to watch.

Few stories captivate with such escalating pace as Stacy Dean Campbell's "Cottonwood". In the tradition of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", this novel weaves its characters & their lives with such believable detail, one wonders how it could be fiction. I've always been one for great Beginnings & Endings and this one delivers, all the way thru the last page. If old-fashioned chill bumps, penetrating reflections and surprising finales are of interest, "Cottonwood" is a must-read.

Ms. Lopez gives us a work that is thorough in its research and skillfully crafted. The reader is unobtrusively drawn in by a warmth that results from the author's personal interviews with many of the informants. The African American athletes and the University of Houston Coaches become so much more than a record of facts about racial integration; each person has a unique story set against a common backdrop of the cultural and historical context of the South. The facts are threaded with stories, thoughts, reports and comments that reveal the humanity, the courage, the tenacity and the passion of all involved. A book that will appeal to many across diverse disciplines and not just sports fanatics ! ASIN:0786437219 Cougars of any Color: The Integration of University of Houston Athletics, 1964-1968]]

This book is a must read. "Cougars of Any Color" documents how the University of Houston broke down the racial sports barriers prevalent throughout the South. Reading this book made me proud to be not only a supporter of The University of Houston, but of the accomplishment of three brave athletes, their teammates, and their coaches. A great book.

The University of Houston should be proud of it's contribution to collegiate sports. "Cougars of Any Color" tells a story of courage and determination by UH to dismantle segregated athletics. This book has very thorough documentation and first person accounts and is a quick read.

I am a ranch wife and grew up on a ranch. This book is wonderful! The recipes are definately down to earth! Around my house it has to be meat and potatoes and this cookbook has wonderful new ideas! I really enjoyed the pictures and the stories. A lot of them really hit home. It was nice to hear that not all the bad ranch stories generated from our ranch!

I bought this cookbook for my 20-year old son, but soon realized I would have to have one also. The first thing that drew me to this book were the wonderful trail photos. Spending a little more time with the book, I found the accompanying stories revealing themselves to be an added bonus. Then the actual cookbook part: The recipes call for basic staples affordable by the beginning household and easily identifiable by novice cooks, but produce full-flavored dishes. The directions are easy to understand and not too numerous, resulting in no frustration for the beginner and time-saving for all. This cookbook is not for those who want fancy-schmancy stuff, but a must for those who want good hearty food.

Third book in The McCabes of Texas series: Dr. Cowboy (Jackson & Lacey), His Cinderella (Wade & Josie), A Cowboy's Woman (Shane & Greta), and A Cowboy Kind of Daddy (Travis & Annie)

Shane McCabe thought he'd teach his matchmaking mom a lesson - so when she engineers a situation where he ends up in the same bed with Greta while mom 'surprises' them, he decides to call his mom's bluff and locks Greta in a passionate clinch just as the door opens ... what he hadn't counted on was that his mom had brought the entire bridge club and Greta's mom with her, and now Greta's reputation was in ruins ... what else is there to do but marry her and then get a quick annullment? No one's going to want them to stay married if they're not in love, after all, both of their parents believe in only marrying for true love, and that's why his plan will work, he's certain of it ...

Description from the book back cover:

Bride: Made to Order ... Shane McCabe had a reputation - in his work and with women. The 'baby' brother in the McCabe clan, Shane was as wild and rugged as the land. But good girl Greta Wilson had always wanted him ... A tornado couldn't get Shane down the aisle - though his matchmaking mum was determined to try. So when she hatched a plot to get Shane and Greta together, they decided they'd prove they weren't made for each other ... even if it meant getting married!

The McCabes of Texas series is back with a story about Shane. The "bad boy" and baby brother of the McCabe clan, Shane is as rugged and wild as the Texas land he was raised on. Good girl Greta Wilson had always been in love with Shane, and in awe of his fun lovin' escapades, but she also knew he was not the cowboy for her, as not even a stampede of wild horses could get that cowboy down the aisle. Until, that is, Shane and Greta's mothers hatched a matchmaking scheme that landed the two together in bed! Then they'll do whatever it takes to prove to one and all they are not a match made in Texas! Even if that means getting married! This book is a lot of fun, and romantic to boot!