Texas Books

The novel follows the trails of Jake Chalk, a young settler conscripted into the Texas Militia in 1838, and his bitter enemy, Black Wolf, a Caddo war chief. Both are driven by revenge and their inevitable confrontation becomes a mutual obsession.

Jake meets and fights beside many men for whom several of today's North Texas counties, cities and universities are named. While coming of age, Jake grows to be a fierce Militia fighter, courts a beautiful young woman, helps build a frontier fort and is instrumental in settling a new city named Dallas.

More than a western novel and written in the entertaining, historical docudrama style of John Jakes and James Michener, Three Forks: a Novel of Texas tells the exciting story of the events preceding the settlement of North Texas, and the founding of Dallas in 1842. The novel takes the reader back in time to walk among and meet the famous historical figures who helped build Texas in the 1830s and 1840s.

Researched in many cases to the original document level, the novel not only details the history of an area once called "Three Forks," but also provides perspective on the fascinating historic events that occurred throughout the Republic of Texas, and led to its subsequent acceptance as a US state.

Three Forks, named for the confluence of the three main forks of the Trinity River, was a huge block of land in North Texas that today is larger than thirty-six individual US states in population, and nine states in geographical area. It is the home of the world's largest airport, and includes major US cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth and their rapidly growing surrounding cities.

Despite the significance of this area, its fascinating history, spanning 1836 to 1846, is frequently overlooked. This period follows the fall of the Alamo and the Texans' victory at San Jacinto, which leads to freedom from Mexico. As a result, The Republic of Texas is formed - an entire country separate from the United States. The period ends as Texas achieves US statehood, and the US goes to war with Mexico.

Even more overlooked in this period are the conflicts between the Texas Militia in Northeast Texas and many Native American tribes. Brutal attacks by both sides result in many deaths. Terror reigns throughout North Texas settlements and Native American villages. The dispute is over Three Forks, with its beautiful forests, rolling green hills and grassy plains.

Tom Marlin's experience and renown as an artist presents itself in his writing. Through well-crafted prose and dialogues from many cultures, he paints word landscapes and panoramas similar to those found in the works of Zane Gray. Despite the serious drama of military battles and human conflict, romance and humor permeate a revealing story that will both entertain and inform the reader. The novel also contains nine fully illustrated maps

Initially, I thought this was a story about times preceding the settlement of Dallas but I found it to also be a saga of westward expansion in the US (the culmination of which was the destruction of Native American cultures during the 19th century).

I was delighted to read not only a good solid story, but see the characters evolve with real emotion and motivations. A fairly difficult task for accomplished writers, the author ups the ante with a historically based setting. What I liked is that these aren't the cardboard characters you find in so many well conceived but poorly executed pieces of historical fiction, where characters only exist to fulfill their 'historical significance' and are discarded to the annals of history.

Stories that take the time to weave a good tale are one thing but when the author follows it up with what appears to be very detailed research to base the story upon past events in real locations (in addition to showing the effects of the real issues of day to day life in the time period) you know you've got something special. This book is going to be one tough act to follow, but I trust the author welcomes and rises to the challenge.

I suspect I'll be let down by the fact that the author is incapable of crafting his tales as quickly as I can read them. If you're reading this Mr. Marlin: START ON ANOTHER BOOK NOW.

Ok, so I grew up on the Lone Ranger and more of the stereotypical "good guys wear white hats" kind of western. I had written off the genre for the most part until I read some L'amour and thought I'd give this a shot as well. (Apparently there's a lot of really bad stuff out there and have been told I lucked out when I found L'amour.)

Keep in mind that my usual reading is stuff by Phillip K Dick, Bruce Sterling, and William Gibson, so you could definitely say I'm a fish out of water in regards to this genre.

Imagine my surprise when I saw not only a good solid story, but character development and...what's that? historically based. Stories that take the time to weave a good tale are one thing but when the author does the research to base the story upon past events in real locations AND deftly shows the affects of the real issues of day to day life in the time period....WOW.

I had never thought of "cowboys" like that before. It's my belief that if you like L'amour, you'll like Marlin.

Thanks for a great read, Mr. Marlin.

The novel follows the trails of Jake Chalk, a young settler conscripted into the Texas Militia in 1838, and his bitter enemy, Black Wolf, a Caddo war chief. Both are driven by revenge and their inevitable confrontation becomes a mutual obsession.

Jake meets and fights beside many men for whom several of today's North Texas counties, cities and universities are named. While coming of age, Jake grows to be a fierce Militia fighter, courts a beautiful young woman, helps build a frontier fort and is instrumental in settling a new city named Dallas.

More than a western novel and written in the entertaining, historical docudrama style of John Jakes and James Michener, Three Forks: a Novel of Texas tells the exciting story of the events preceding the settlement of North Texas, and the founding of Dallas in 1842. The novel takes the reader back in time to walk among and meet the famous historical figures who helped build Texas in the 1830s and 1840s.

Researched in many cases to the original document level, the novel not only details the history of an area once called "Three Forks," but also provides perspective on the fascinating historic events that occurred throughout the Republic of Texas, and led to its subsequent acceptance as a US state.

Three Forks, named for the confluence of the three main forks of the Trinity River, was a huge block of land in North Texas that today is larger than thirty-six individual US states in population, and nine states in geographical area. It is the home of the world's largest airport, and includes major US cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth and their rapidly growing surrounding cities.

Despite the significance of this area, its fascinating history, spanning 1836 to 1846, is frequently overlooked. This period follows the fall of the Alamo and the Texans' victory at San Jacinto, which leads to freedom from Mexico. As a result, The Republic of Texas is formed - an entire country separate from the United States. The period ends as Texas achieves US statehood, and the US goes to war with Mexico.

Even more overlooked in this period are the conflicts between the Texas Militia in Northeast Texas and many Native American tribes. Brutal attacks by both sides result in many deaths. Terror reigns throughout North Texas settlements and Native American villages. The dispute is over Three Forks, with its beautiful forests, rolling green hills and grassy plains. Tom Marlin's experience and renown as an artist presents itself in his writing. Through well-crafted prose and dialogues from many cultures, he paints word landscapes and panoramas similar to those found in the works of Zane Gray. Despite the serious drama of military battles and human conflict, romance and humor permeate a revealing story that will both entertain and inform the reader. The novel also contains nine fully illustrated maps.

For his first novel, Tom Marlin has captured my interest. The story line is skillfully interwoven with glimpses into the history and culture of the DFW Texas area in the middle 19th century. Many real names and places are used in the story which make it seem almost like a documentary of the struggle for territory between the native Americans and the settlers. Two main characters emerge; Jake Chalk, a young rancher who finds himself involved in efforts to protect the settlers from Indian attacks and to capture the other main character, Black Wolf, a young Caddo chief who seems to be bent on continuing the hostilities. The more the story unfolded, the more I was drawn into it trying to anticipate what would be coming next. Would Melody and Jake eventually marry? Would Black Wolf recover his sacred obsidian knife? The ending was exciting and surprising enough to rate a five star for me. There are still some unanswered questions which may be sufficient material for a sequel which I hope is coming soon.

On May 16, 1991 R. Scott Dunn, then 24 vanished. The only person who appeared to have any insight as to his whereabouts was the gruesomely named Leisha Hamilton, with the equally gruesome personality as reported in this book.

Scott, then 24 was highly regarded for his proficiency at electronics and repair. He took great pride in a restored Chevrolet Camaro, which he named "Yellow Thunder."

In 1991-92, Scott, who was living in Lubbock Texas at the time was engaged to be married. However, he was living with Ms. Hamilton who sounded like a master manipulator. She called Scott's father, Jim to inform him that his son was missing. Each encounter she had with Jim and local law enforcement people was an exercise in manipulation and cruel, inappropriate comments. Although she claimed to be in love with Scott and expressed pleasure at sharing an apartment with him, she was actively involved with another man and even tried to lead authorities to suspect him as being involved in Scott's disappearance.

Jim Dunn is a man one can respect. He is to be commended for his dogged persistence and untiring diligence in working with law enforcement and the Vidoq Society. It is through their hard work that they were able to bring Leisha Hamilton to justice, although Scott's body has not been recovered at the time of this review.

Mike & the Mechanics' 1989 song "The Living Years" which is about fathers and sons appears to underscore this book very well. It was truly heartwarming to read about a father and son who loved and had respect for one another.

My heart goes out the Scott Dunn's family. The terror, frustration and then grief for all these years must have been horrible. It is about time that victims and their families should have as many rights as people who are suspected or actually commit crimes. I live in Lubbock and cannot believe that a jury could believe Smith could have been part of the murder or cover-up and still let him loose on the streets. I hope that some day the Dunns will know what happened to their son or at least where he is.

This book reads like a fiction mystery novel, it keeps you on edge and you just can't wait to see how it turns out.

Jim and Scott Dunn have a very good, long distance father-son relationship. They talk frequently by phone.

Scott is an attractive 24 year old young man who had learning problems in school. However, he is a wiz at installing stereos and restoring old cars. He loves his cars and he excels in his job.

Scott had recently called his dad to tell him that he was in love and had just become engaged to be married to Jessica.

Then, Jim gets a call from Leisha, who tells him Scott has disappeared, leaving his most prized possessions, his car which he had named Yellow Thunder, and a boat. When asked who she is, she says "Oh, I have been living with Scott for a while". Jim is in shock. He has never heard of her.

Who is Leisha? How does she figure in Scott's disappearance?

Leisha is a woman who manipulates men to do what she wants, she plays one against another. She lies when it suits her.

Jim vows to find his missing son, but soon he begins to expect foul play.

Jim is a determined father, trying to solve this mystery. He prods police and other experts, to keep the investigation alive. He never quits. He is determined to find his son, dead or alive.

There are lots of technical data and lots of tedious facts, but the book is never boring.

Scott Dunn was a wiz at fixing up cars and installing stereos in them, and he took special pride in his own "yellow submarine." Surely he wouldn't have left town without it? But his father, Jim, hadn't heard from him in some time. When he rang up the boy at home, a strange woman answered the phone. Thus begins the true-crime puzzler TRAIL OF BLOOD.

Poor Scott was only 24 when he met Leisha, the sort of woman who pops up in noir movies in the late 1940s to destroy the men who loves her. Leisha was seeing a few other guys on the side, just to keep her hand in, but she hated being rejected.

When Jim came to see the house she shared with Scott, he wondered why she had a big couch right over a patch of carpet and why an afghan was covering the spots the couch could not. Once you pulled up the afghan and moved the couch, you could see where a huge section of the wall-to-wall carpet had simply been hacked out. And Leisha pretended she had never noticed this before!

Local police and the DA said to Jim, "Sorry about your son, but without a body there is no case." He was in despair until he turned on the TV and happened, just happened, to see a profile of the mysterious "Vidocq Society," about which I will say no more.

The book tells a lot about fathers and sons and it's a sort of plea to sons to keep in better touch with their fathers, and also to fathers, it gives the wise advice that you should cherish your son while you can, he may not be with you forever.

Trail of Blood tells the story of the murder of Scott Dunn, and how the mysterious Vidocq Society was able to help Texas law enforcement bring his killers to justice even though Scott's body was never found. This is a great book not only for the technical details and the ins and outs of the legal system, but also for all the fascinating people involved. The victim, Scott Dunn, was a talented guy with a magnetic personality. His killer Leisha Hamilton is a psychological case study with an amazing ability to manipulate and lie. Scott's father, James Dunn, doggedly pursued justice even when it seemed like there was nothing the police could do. Finally, the Vidocq society's forensic psychologist provides insiight into the criminal mind of Scott's killers.

Trail of Blood is a great read, and sure to satisfy anyone with an interest in true crime stories.

I found this book to a very interesting book on Texas tidbits. I read a lot about Texas that I never imagined. I recommend this book as a refreshing book to read.

I found that this book was very interesting and I learned a lot about Texas and Texans. I recommend this to everone who is interested in Texas, trivia and even to those who are not. Very enjoyable reading.

This book by Bill Cannon is a book that can be enjoyed a little at a time or read until complete. I truly did feel that I learned a lot about Texas and Texans.

A Treasury of Texas Trivia by Bill Cannon is a great read. It's the kind of book you can pick up in the middle and read just a story or two (of course you'll want to read more)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. It was hard to put down. Many extremely interesting facts about the great state of Texas. I recommend this book for everyone to read, even non-Texans.

I am a Dallas native who grew up around the time the Ski Mask Rapist was hunting in North Dallas, so I was very interested to read this book. It was so scary to read about my neighborhood in this book. But the book is great, very readable, and gives a great insight into the mind of Gilbert Escobedo.

this book is excellent. it is so detailed and once you start reading it, you can't put it down. it explores the profiles of serial rapists, how the police create profiles, and it gives you the chilling feeling like you are there observing the crime scene.

This is the most enlighting book I have ever read. Maybe because my husband is the dective that is portrayed in this story, never the less it sure woke me up to the facts of life. I had my daughter and granddaughter read it as well. you never know who to trust. I am looking forward to reading others by Howard Swindle.

Swindle has done an excellent job here of walking the reader through not only the investigation of the rapes committed, but the background and personality of the criminal, Gilbert Escobedo. The fact that Swindle was able to visit and interview Escobedo several times during his incarceration was, I am sure, immensely helpful. I feel that books like these can actually help prevent crime...in this case rape...by arming potential victims with crucial knowledge. The first thing they have to realize--and this is immensely obvious in the book--is that they ARE a potential victim. Escobedo committed upwards of 100 rapes, and even managed to maintain some "normal" relationships on the side...even going so far as to initiate not only an intimate relationship, but also a business relationship with an unsuspecting woman who, coincidentally, was previously one of his victims. She never even knew until he was finally arrested. You really can't make this stuff up.

Swindle handles a disturbing and incomprehensible subject with the vivid and intriguing storytelling ability of a novelist. He presents his subject, which readers look at like they would observe a horrific scene with face-covered hands, barely seeing through the cracks of their fingers, with a reverence of the oppression women endure. He handles the gruesome facts without painting an unnecessary violent picture of the details, although the violence is very real, rather implied without being glorified, whenever possible.

We see into this sick world without having to re-live the victim's overwhelming and terrorizing experiences almost vicariously, which may be the reason I was able to not only eagerly finish the book, but even broach reading about the subject to begin with. Subjects such as stranger rape, being attacked in the supposed safety and sanctity of one's private space, chills most women (and probably most men; however, I would venture to point out that it is not a frequent occurence for most men and thus men probably do not share the same level of terror with women for themselves, but possibly share some level of fear for the safety of their loved ones.)

Reading a book about rape runs the risk a lot of women aren't willing to take: that this is a topic that, even though a part of life, women don't want to explore. Everyday experiences such as the trepedation of entering a home alone in the dark are all too frequent reminders of the fear that rape invokes. Many know that this subject runs a great risk of stirring up complicated emotions few women want to ponder.

This is a must read for the realistic and inquistive mind, ever wanting to know more about human nature and the psychological and social forces that drive us, even when those forces are severely disturbed. For some readers of the subject of rape, it is almost as if gaining ab understanding of an issue allows some readers to lose, somewhat, the level of fear usually associated with such topics. It is for those indiv! iduals who want to solicitously broaden their dimension of knowledge about rape that I would recommend this straight-forward and expert handling of an extremely sensitive and terrorizing subject.

Oh Yes, now this is the kind of western I remember reading in the 50's and 60's when the bookstores all carried many westerns. If you remember Walt Slade or Jim Hatfield and enjoyed them then this is for you. Even if you don't remember them I really suggest you try this book. This was the first book by James Griffin I've read but I'm definitely going to buy all of his books and add them to my collection. This is just a great all out exciting western with lots of action and adventure and no sex or swearing. There are only a couple authors writing westerns today that I enjoy and Jim Griffin has now been added to that list.

Wonderfully paced novel. Griffin uses good characterization and a deft use of dialogue to capture a style of western storytelling gone by. The mood and style of this book is very reminiscent of the Pulp Era Western tales of the 20's through the 40's and after. An intersting turn is having the hero attractive to women, but very devoted to his wife, child and his God. He also has an intelligent horse (SAM) who is more than just a prop to talk to, or a plot device to save his bacon. Sam is an equal partner and is treated with love and respect by Our Hero. This is surely a departure from Western Fiction and a good one at that.

Worth every nickel, this book packs a good story and lots of action between its covers. Enjoy this one and look for upcoming books from Griffin.

The author,James Griffin, has captured in this book the true feeling of the West of years gone by. From the first page to the last I was not able to put this book down for fear that I would miss the next adventure with Texas Ranger Jim. There was just the right amount of intrigue, gun fights, and romance without the use of foul language or explicit sexual encounters. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written western novel and recommend it to all who enjoy a good, clean read with lots of action and a little romance to spice things up. Looking forward to another Texas Ranger Jim Blawcyzk novel to come along.

Anyone who remembers any of the Jim Hatfield, Texas Ranger stories from vintage magazines and paperbacks will enjoy this actionful novel with its band of ranger heroes. Unlike the traditional loner of the older tales, though, the hero of this one is happily married with a family back home while he risks his neck tracking down railroad saboteurs. A bonus is that the author knows his horseflesh, and treats the horses as characters in themselves. All in all, a fun read for old-fashioned (and some new-fashioned) western fans.

Trouble Rides the Texas Pacific is a good old-fashioned shoot 'em up in the best style of the Western writers of years past. Ranger Jim Blawcyzk is a straight-shootin' lawman, tough on outlaws, but devoted to his wife and son. The action in this book comes fast and furious, as Blawcyzk fights an outlaw gang that will stop at nothing to destroy the railroad. If you like lots of gunplay, and a very rugged hero, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

Dustin Ramsey has never forgotten that night, ten years ago, in the back of his Mustang one warm April. Embarrassed by his abysmal performance, Dustin had slunk away and not called again. Now he has hired a private investigator to find Erica Mann, the girl he could not forget. She now publishes a highly successful newsletter that provides an opportunity for them to meet again. But what he really wants, more than her writing skills, is an opportunity to make up for a teen's impatient backseat mistakes.

Erica still remembers that night in high school when she had been virginal and fumbling. With a bit more knowledge, she might have turned quick on the trigger into a treasured memory. So when Dustin calls with a business proposition, Erica is floored. She had started Dateline: Dallas on a dare and only intended to publish until her dream job as an investigative reporter appears. But Dustin's reappear in her life threatens her priorities, her desires, and her heart.

The first of the Truelood, Texas continuity, TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY sizzles with sexual tension and erotic love scenes that truly satisfy. Erica and Dustin struggle to reconcile the memories of the past with their desires of the present. Their evocative struggles demonstrate the author's understanding of powerful motivation and fear of vulnerability. With TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY, Vicki Lewis Thompson once again demonstrates her dazzling gift for creating sensual romance and extraordinary passion that readers have come to expect from this talented author. Very highly recommended.

Can I say that I was so turned on while reading this book? well whatever it was great...men has their [adult films]...us women has books like this. ok I told the truth.

Ten years ago, Dustin Ramsey and Erica Mann shared their first sexual experience in the back seat of Dustin's red Mustang. And the interlude was... a complete disaster. Now Dustin is facing a huge challenge- taking over the family business. But before he does, he has to get past his one and only failure. His plan: to find- and seduce- Erica again. Only, this time he's got to do it right... ** Erica is amazed when Dustin shows up on her doorstep. True, he has a business proposition for her, but the look in his eyes tells her what kind of proposition he's really offering... Erica has come a long way in ten years. Her newsletter, Dateline: Dallas, has gained her a reputation as the Dr. Ruth of the Dallas area. So if Dustin thinks he can just walk in and seduce her senseless, he'd better think again. Because Erica intends to seduce him first...

TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY is a great romantic comdey filled with hot scenes that scorch the pages! Ten years ago Dustin and Erica have an unsatisfying encounter in the back seat of his pickup truck. Now they have a chance to prove to each other (and themselves) that much has improved over the years. They truly find heat in that back seat once again. Definitely one for the "keeper" shelf.

Dustin Ramsey, CEO of struggling Ramsey Enterprises, hires private Investigator Jennifer Madison to locate Erica Deutchmann. Dustin thinks back to when they were in high school together and he had sex with her in his car. He happened to be a virgin though he pretended to be otherwise as befitting a football star. All he can remember is how badly he performed that day.

Jennifer finds Erica running a romantic advice newsletter in Dallas under a different surname. Dustin arranges to meet with Erica offering a deal involving two weeklies he owns. As Erica and Dustin meet, the sparks fly and they share sex like neither has ever felt. They begin to fall in love, but she is a tree hugger and he drives racing cars making a permanent relationship very unlikely.

Fans of heated romantic tension that emanates from every page will want to wear asbestos gloves, as TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY is a torrid tale that contains scorching scenes. The lead couple is a delightful pair, but especially Dustin who is still embarrassed after a decade from his horrendous sexual performance with Jennifer. Fans of contemporary romance with a 212-degree temperature will want to read Vicki Lewis Thompson's latest impassioned novel.

Harriet Klausner

I've had these books for more then 20 years now - taking them with me through flood and fire. The first is SECOND 6 months of his tour while, "The only war we ever had: A company Commanders Journal" is the FIRST 6 months of his tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969.

M. Lee Lanning was the youngest person ever to lead an entire Company of 200 soldiers even though he was only a First Lieutenant, all at the age of 23.

I find these books truly fascinating - they show the horror, the boredom, the friendships made and the attempts at comedy used to stay sane during wartime. I never thought that a "War Memoir" would ever capture my attention, but this did it. Many (if not most) war books are written by the pencil pushers or REMF's and not someone who actually held a rifle and saw the enemy.

Each page is straight from the diary that his father gave him before he shipped out - then what follows is his memory of that day.

One of my favorite excerpts:

"Our move was delayed when one of the FNG's (F-ing New Guy), who had joined Bravo Co. at Crystal (their main base) a few days before, saw something in a clump of bamboo. Seconds later he approached me carrying a heavy, cone-shaped object that I immediately recognized as a 105mm artillery round. From it's shiny exterior, I deduced it was a "dud" from our fire before assaulting the bunkers.

The FNG, proud of his find, had no clue what he was cradling in his arms. As calmly as possible, I told the man to walk back into the jungle for at least 50 meters, gently place the object on the ground and return to my location. The tone of my voice, and the fact that all the others were scrambling for cover, definitely got the troop's attention.

Without a word, he followed my instructions. I braced for the expected explosion as he turned away and slowly walked towards the jungle..."

If you get this make sure you also get "Only War We Had: A Platoon Leader's Journal of Vietnam" that is the first of this series - it contains his journal entries from the first 6 months of his tour.

I missed the Vietnam War by a year or two. I served as an 11B from 72-78. I always wondered what it would have been like to have been there in a rifle company. Plenty of books about SF and LRRPs, but not very many written by a real platoon leader. I never had a tremensous desire to be an elite soldier in an elite unit (if I could have even made it). I only wanted to be a rifle squad leader. This book really made me feel what it would have been like. What I missed. It is a real world book. Not a battle every minute book filled with stories of great exploits. Just a real world grunt in Vietnam book. I recommend the companion book "The Only War We Had."

this book is the best book ive ever read.This book started out in hawaii lee was a luitenant at the time but he wanted to upgrade his level in office so he was asked to become company commader his journey through the viet kong was very exiting it was full of action and outrage his tale was very inspireing he stood up for his men and became very popular as bravo company commander and became one of the best plotoon in vietnam his wife lived in sanfracico her name was linda when lee move out of the states his wife was pregnant with there girl rosallie.he was waiting to come home after 8 months in the war he was a month awayfrom coming home to the states when he got a rear job which he was waiting for and then took his long ride back home to sanfracisco.

This book is the second in the set, the first being THE ONLY WAR WE HAD. This book, however, is different in that the author is no longer a naive Lieutenant being shipped off to Vietnam. This book begins with the same Lieutenant--now aged and matured--returning to Vietnam from leave in Hawaii. Like his first book, VIETNAM 1969-1970: A COMPANY COMMANDER'S JOURNAL is both detailed and exciting.

I missed the Vietnam War by a year or two. I served as an 11B from 72-78. I always wondered what it would have been like to have been there in a rifle company. Plenty of books about SF and LRRPs, but not very many written by a real platoon leader. I never had a tremensous desire to be an elite soldier in an elite unit (if I could have even made it). I only wanted to be a rifle squad leader. This book really made me feel what it would have been like. What I missed. It is a real world book. Not a battle every minute book filled with stories of great exploits. Just a real world grunt in Vietnam book. I recommend the companion book "The Only War We Had."

In reading any history text, particularly historical monographs, I've learned the lessons of past history professors and tried to work out what the thesis is. What is the point the author is trying to make? Is it relevant? Is it defended well? And quite often, is it even clear? In War Machines, Timothy Moy takes a close look at two aspects of military technology in the inter-war years, Air Corps precision bombers and Marine Corps amphibious landing craft. In both cases, the reader is given a good overview of the development of these technologies. In the case of landing craft, it may be the only one the reader has ever seen; airplanes certainly show up more often than motorboats on the History Channel. But in addition to a general overview, there is the thesis that cultural concerns within the military played some role in the development of the technologies. Explicitly, Moy rejects the notion of technological determinism in either development. Generally speaking, an author can't go wrong in rejecting any sort of historical determinism. There are a million factors that go into the history of any invention, idea, or event. But while some points are made clearly in this regard, others are left a bit vague. And some of this discussion, unfortunately, feels somewhat forced, like an add-on to the narrative. The big question, how technology and cultural considerations all blend together, is addressed but not answered.

To begin with, Moy makes the point that the Air Corps, later to become the Air Force, chose to pursue flashy high-technology aircraft partly as a means to make an image for itself, and hence to preserve funding in the uncertain isolationist years after the First World War. It certainly isn't controversial to say that government agencies of any sort want to preserve their funding levels in tough times. Towards that end, the Air Corps developed the doctrine of strategic bombing. The idea was that fleets of bomber craft could destroy an enemy's war making capabilities early in any conflict, and hence prevent massive and prolonged wars. Why? Moy makes the statement that it fit the Air Corps's flashy high tech image and would justify high budgets. Unfortunately, this topic alone could and properly ought to fill entire books. Is it really the case that those were the only reasons? I don't think Moy is discounting other possibilities. After the sustained carnage of the First World War, I can easily see strictly military reasons to promote bombing. Additionally, Moy covers the culture war between bombers and fighters, where I think the case can be made that people were thinking with their egos more than with their intellects. Some considerable space is given here to the strategic considerations. So, in the end, how much is really about image and financial concerns? Certainly the powers that be could have focused on air support services, as airplanes had been used for early on. But at the risk of sounding deterministic, I have to wonder how long it would have taken the generals to realize the obvious strengths of large scale bombing (although the case for specifically high-altitude precision bombing may well have taken longer to realize, as no one had done it before). Moy also mentions an issue of wood versus metal for planes, and that sleek metallic designs better fit the high-tech image. They do, but that seems beside the point. By the time engineers reached the level of the B-29 Flying Fortress, it was an obvious choice. In the end, the reader is left with a clear picture of decision making during the inter-war years and the vague notion that military cultural concerns played some role.

The second portion deals with landing craft. In contrast to the highflying Riders of the Sky, the Marines have never presented themselves as anything other than rough and tough warriors. But they too faced funding difficulties in those lean years, which led to a more urgent need to define their mission. The Army on land, the Navy at sea, the Marines, uh, where? Guarding embassies. Storming beaches. Acting as boarding parties. And during the Great War, serving as regular infantry. They needed a clear mission, and the beaches were it. But in keeping with their image, they kept it low-tech. I think the text stays on firmer ground here. As Moy points out, they could very well have experimented with hydrofoils or helicopters, both new and experimental, as were airplanes. But they didn't. Most likely is that Marines hitting the beach from sturdy landing craft appealed to their image. Certainly it is true that high tech approaches had greater chances for failure - a bad outcome during a landing under fire - but they didn't really make the attempt. What they did attempt was to get a good landing craft, which is the subject of this section. It turns out to be quite a story in itself. As Moy points out, naval designers generally designed craft to avoid beaches altogether, not to land on them. Here, I note, the wood versus metal question again arises, and unlike the airplane case I think there are more legitimate questions. There is no obvious advantage of metal over wood on a small vessel, and the ultimate decision was for wood (I don't know what they're made of today). In the end, both prototypes were available: sturdy, maneuverable wood, or cheaper, long lasting metal. They went with the better choice for combat.

Moy tries to avoid "the opaque and mundane observation that everything is related to everything else." But I was still left wondering. Ultimately, I think these questions could be better handled through a much longer work than this. At 177 pages, it barely touches on the big issues. And finally, as full disclosure that any reviewer should point out, I had the pleasure of taking two courses with professor Moy a number of years ago, and am pleased that his writing is as enjoyable as his lecturing.

How do military organizations successfully "transform" themselves to meet new priorities and situations? Equally important and interesting, do technological systems employed by these military organizations bear the mark of the institutions that created and employed them. Timothy Moy considers these salient questions in this book by exploring two case studies in the interwar period when the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps transformed themselves by developing unique capabilities that found expression in World War II.

The Army Air Corps between the two world wars has been the subject of considerable historical investigation, and from the standpoint of employing new technologies it was a natural for Moy to consider. It represented a profound transformation, both in terms of a doctrine emphasizing strategic bombardment and flowing from that a reorientation toward the development of the manned strategic bomber. No less important, but certainly not enjoying the same level of scrutiny, was what the Marine Corps did during this same period. During the 1920s and 1930s the Marines developed the tactics and the technologies necessary to undertake amphibious assaults, creating a unique niche for their services that found expansive use in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Moy also notes that while the Army Air Corps relied on high technology to accomplish this mission, the Marines employed more modest technologies--landing craft and tactics emphasizing riflemen--to build a new mission for the Corps. Moy notes that these two organizations might have approached their perceived tasks in a strikingly different manner and reached different solutions, but the approach they took shape because of shared "beliefs, habits, and practices of mind," in other words because of an institutional culture that prompted the leadership to think about the challenges before them in a specific manner (p. 5).

Both the Air Corps and the Marines were searching during this period for legitimacy and therefore chose to emphasize unique capabilities not available elsewhere. In a succinctly argued text, Moy makes the case that as it sought legitimacy each organization pursued decisions that reinforced its ideals about itself. For example, the Army Air Corps believed it was on the cutting edge of technology and it had to pursue futuristic aerial bombardment options. At the same time, the Marines built capabilities around its riflemen, taking a decidedly low-tech approach to amphibious assault. Moy warns that both organizations were captured by their leaders' decisions and found change difficult thereafter. He cautions: "By the time the war came, The Air Corps and Marine Corps were prepared to do little else" (p. 169).

"War Machines: Transforming Technologies in the U.S. Military, 1920-1940" is a superb discussion of the interplay of technology, ideas, and organizations. It is a welcome addition to the literature of the twentieth century America military experience.

Timothy Moy is a professional historian and he has written a scholarly book. It digs deeply into the issues at hand, offers carefully measured conclusions, and supports those conclusions with a wealth of evidence. He makes a persuasive case for the idea that the technologies that made possible long-range precision bombing and amphibious assault were created by a complex set of forces: some technological, others political, still others institutional. Moy's treatment of amphibious assault is particularly welcome, since (unlike long-range bombing) it has received little attention from historians.

Moy is also a graceful and efficient writer. His argument flows smoothly, and--even when deeply immersed in details--he never loses sight of the point those details are intended to reinforce. The result is a book that can be read with profit *and* enjoyment by historians, military personnel, engineers, or anyone else with a serious interest in how new weapons systems are born.

War Machines: Transforming Technologies in the U.S. Military, 1920-1940 examines the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps' uniquely different relationships with technological developments during the interwar period. The Army Air Corps, which owed its very existence to technological developments, emphasized high-tech strategic bombing in order to support and expand the role of the Air Corps in the military structure. The end result for the Air Corps was that it left the Army and became the independent U.S. Air Force. The Marine Corps, which owed its very existence to the rather low-tech concept of a man with a rifle, focused on producing rugged and dependable landing craft whose sole purpose was to safely and efficiently transport riflemen and equipment to a hostile shore. The result for the Marine Corps was that it was not annexed by the U.S. Army, which believed it was essentially a redundant force.

The author, Timothy Moy, who is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico, received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, and this book is an outgrowth of his doctoral dissertation. After an introductory chapter, Moy, a historian of science and technology, devotes four chapters of his ten-chapter book to a roughly chronological examination of the Army Air Corps' development of strategic bombing. He then devotes four chapters to a likewise roughly chronological examination of the Marine Corps' development of amphibious landing craft. Moy concludes with a chapter concerning what he perceives as the military, bureaucratic, and cultural victories won by the Army Air Corps and Marine Corps, and how these victories were manifested in the roles of each service during World War II and in the creation of the independent U.S. Air Force in 1947.

Moy has produced a book that is both well written and researched. He tells his story not from a strictly military history point of view, but also includes the bureaucratic and cultural issues which played such an important role in the process of technological developments. Moy's conclusions certainly appear to be supported by the roles and successes of the Army Air Corps and the Marine Corps during World War II.

Despite these positive points, I do believe that this work has some weaknesses. In both cases, Moy has chosen technological developments which he knows, in advance, were perceived as successful during World War II. I find myself wondering, therefore, if his use of only successful outcomes somewhat biases his analysis of the relationship between these services and technology. From my point of view, he would need to demonstrate examples of failed as well as successful technology to truly make his case. In fact, I believe that examining the failures might be just as useful (if not more useful) than examining the successes.

Though some of the text can be confusing when dealing with the discussion of technological detail and despite my questions regarding Moy's methodology, I do recommend this volume for historians interested in the military, bureaucracy, and science and technology.

Timothy Moy's War Machines: Transforming Technologies In The U.s. Military, 1920-1940 is the fascinating story of how during the interwar years from 1920 to 1940, leaders from the Army Air Corps and the Marine Corps recreated their forces based on concepts and equipment emerging from new military technologies. Moy carefully examines how bureaucratic pressures, institutional cultures, and technological enthusiasm shaped and affected the choices and decisions of key military leaders. Indeed, the very existence of an Army Air Corps was based on the new technology of the airplane, while the Air Corps was compelled to compete for money and other resources during the years following World War I with an America enmeshed in isolationist policies. Moy provides the student of American military history with a cogent, articulate, astute, scholarly, and compelling analysis that will prove a greatly appreciated contribution as both a personal study and an academic reference.

This book reads like a dream. The language flows effortlessly and the imagery of even the simplest scenes creates vivid pictures in your mind.

It is a psychological tale, yet the pages turn like a mystery. The two main characters are sisters Jane and Blanche. Both past middle age, lamenting the loss of their youth and the personal injustices life has befallen them. Blanche is crippled and at the mercy of Jane - wonderfully delusional and unbalanced. The terror mounts as matters get slowly but progressively dark, as Jane spirals into a deranged world. Jane reminds me of a sinister child in many ways... selfish, cruel, spiteful and completely delusional. And like a child - actions have no consequence, feelings are flippant and opinions are made on a whim. A situation that is a living hell for Blanche, crippled in her room cut off from all contact to the outside world.

As Jane becomes increasingly unhinged, Blanche is subjected to the horrors of Jane's mind that manifect themselves in the most creative of psychological tortues. i.e There is an instance where Jane brings to Blanche's room her lunch tray, and leaving it pointedly covered, exits the room. When Blanche uncovers her lunch tray and settles in to eat... "She saw now what she had not seen before; the entire meal had been carefully sprinkled over with fine, white sand." And therein, the chapter ends. It leaves you to ponder the mental state of a person who would prepare a delightful meal, deliver it on a silver tray and go to the effort of painstakingly covering it with sand. Horror? No... but that's just the beginning...

Clearly, the reader sides with Blanche and waits with baited breath to see her escape, yet Jane is at times portrayed achingly real. You find yourself empathising with this sad, disturbed, fragile creature.

Having seen the movie, i can say in this instance the book and movie complement eachother. Both offering different things, both fabulous!

The two most interesting things about the novel are that
given the film's popularity the book has been out of print for
so long and that it demonstrates how ingeniously the filmmakers
used the components to create a film that stands on its own.
For nowhere in the novel are the descriptions of Jane or Blanche
in any way representative of Bette Davis or Joan Crawford. To
be sure, the key elements are here--the vaudeville prologue,
the rat and the parakeet, the relationship between Edwin Flagg
and his mother, the dance on the beach at closing--but the novel
has very little dialogue and none of the film's wit. Readers
waiting to read Baby Jane saying "But ya are, Blanche, ya are!"
will be sorely disappointed. The novel takes itself serioiusly
and is rather dark and frank about the physical abuse of Blanche
by Jane that at the time must have been shocking. Of course
what made the story shocking is something we know now all too
well--that aberrations of all sort take place behind closed doors
with neighbors unaware--and while the baroqueness of the setting
and the characters lives are the stuff of which ficiton is made,
the abuse factor gives 'Baby Jane' its one salient point of
credibility. Those fascinated by the film will learn much
by reading the novel.

The two most interesting things about the novel are that
given the film's popularity the book has been out of print for
so long and that it demonstrates how ingeniously the filmmakers
used the components to create a film that stands on its own.
For nowhere in the novel are the descriptions of Jane or Blanche
in any way representative of Bette Davis or Joan Crawford. To
be sure, the key elements are here--the vaudeville prologue,
the rat and the parakeet, the relationship between Edwin Flagg
and his mother, the dance on the beach at closing--but the novel
has very little dialogue and none of the film's wit. Readers
waiting to read Baby Jane saying "But ya are, Blanche, ya are!"
will be sorely disappointed. The novel takes itself serioiusly
and is rather dark and frank about the physical abuse of Blanche
by Jane that at the time must have been shocking. Of course
what made the story shocking is something we know now all too
well--that aberrations of all sort take place behind closed doors
with neighbors unaware--and while the baroqueness of the setting
and the characters lives are the stuff of which ficiton is made,
the abuse factor gives 'Baby Jane' its one salient point of
credibility. Those fascinated by the film will learn much
by reading the novel.

I absolutely loved baby jane it was such a great book nomatter how bad it was lol. i love the movie also and its soooo hard to find that soundtrack i love that hip song they play when blanche is trying to throw the letter out the window it was hilarious baby jane is one of the all time best thrillers !

Film fans who love the movie version will enjoy the book on which it was based, but should be prepared for how very different the novel is. Readers will see what an arduous task it was to adapt as a screenplay...and what a commendable job they (and the director & stars) did, as well. Since virutally no one nowadays will read the book first, it serves as an interesting character study into the psychology of the Jane and Blanche characters. And if anyone saw the ghastly TV movie remake starring the Redgrave sisters and John Glover, you will hope they hold on tightly to the novel and leave well enough alone!!

Having been a fan of Ms. Moore's other police procedurals, I snatched up her latest offering hoping for more of the same zany characters, colorful mysteries, and laugh-out-loud humor. I was not disappointed. Not only is Orchid a fast-paced read, Ms. Moore has topped her own previous efforts. I'm looking forward to more from this fantastic author.

After Detective Cezanne Martin solves THE LADY GODIVA MURDER and becomes the new acting-captain of the Fort Worth police homicide unit, she learns she's been put in charge of the newly-formed Cold Case Squad. When she inherits an 8 year old unsolved cold case, she finds herself in a media fishbowl. Not only is the brass trying to run her off, she learns the former investigating officer died while trying to solve the case. When she finds herself immersed in an alternative lifestyle group made up of wealthy, influential people who go to great lengths not to have their identities exposed, she comes face-to-face with the Executioner, leader of THE WILD ORCHID SOCIETY. This is an action-packed, nail-biting, suspense-filled read that will hold your attention way beyond the last page. Authentic situations, exciting dialogue and skillful plotting keep this novel fast-paced. I hope the last line is indicative of another sequel to come in the Cezanne Martin series. Absolutely fascinating to the end.

Having solved the LADY GODIVA MURDER does not liberate Cezanne Martin from being an anathema because of her affair with a married peer. Instead Cezanne is further punished by her relative Deputy Chief Daniel Rosen who announces at a press conference that she is the temporary head of homicide. Rosen informs the media that Cezanne will head up the newly formed Cold Case Squad and promises to solve the eight year old Great Dane Murder in two weeks. Rosen will keep the pressure on Cezanne because he expects her to resign after making the Fort Worth police a laughing stock.

Cezanne refuses to quit though she has just obtained her law degree. Instead she transfers in ostracized cop Klevenhagen because his personnel file is bigger than hers. As she watches a teen with the gift of sight, Cezanne obtains help from the FBI that leads her to digging undercover the Dungeons of Decadence, but soon learns that the Executioner stalks D&D participants seeking sacrifices of the top secret WILD ORCHID SOCIETY. If she is to solve her cold case, Cezanne will need to infiltrate this deadly group and unmask the Executioner. Besides her career in jeopardy, her life could be forfeit too.

The latest Martin police procedural is a fantastic tale that hooks the audience the moment that the reader realizes along with the heroine that she is being set up to fail. The story line moves forward on several fronts that not only never slows down the pace, but also cleverly merges together into a terrific investigative tale. Sub-genre fans will want Moore detective tales from a Five Star author.

Harriet Klausner

Don't let the cover frighten you, well maybe just a little. Ms Moore has given us a protagonist in Cezanne Martin that proves to be human. "Zan" has the depth of character to keep her wits about her through all the challenges anyone could be asked to face. This includes the confidence and determination to venture where her authority as police Captain and even the ability to defend herself or call for back up are taken away from her. We glimpse a part of her humanity that the stern exterior covers well. With her combined strengths and weaknesses, Cezanne perseveres through a high tension and well developed mystery. I didn't figure out, "who done it" until the very last. And that doesn't happen often. Get it. You'll thank me later.

Cezanne Martin returns as the Acting-Captain of Fort Worth Police's homicide unit, and this time, the brass has set her up with a cold case investigation designed to make her fail. The previous investigator died while investigating the Great Dane Murder (not about dogs) and Cezanne finds a connection with an underground organization known as The Wild Orchid Society (not about flowers). Infiltrating the bizarre, alternative lifestyle group could cost more than her job and reputation, if discovered; unmasking The Executioner, ringleader of The Wild Orchid Society, could put her on ice.

The storyline will grab you from the beginning, not to mention it'll keep you in a headlock until you're through.