Missouri Books

I cannot help but pour forth great excitement and delight in a book I just picked up titled Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist, edited by Stephen Hines. Any American worth their salt knows Wilder as the author of the "Little House" books. I myself cut my book-reading teeth devouring these books time and time again, always dreaming of being a modern-day pioneer homesteader.

Before book-writing fame came to Wilder, she was known through the state of Missouri as a popular columnist in the Missouri Ruralist from 1911 to 1923. This book gathers nearly two hundred of these essays together for our profit. Ingalls wrote about home, agriculture, thrift, parenting, women's roles, etc., and gave readers an endless supply of pithy advice and personal anecdotes. She was Erma Bombeck, Will Rogers, Samuel Clemens, and Ben Franklin all rolled into one.

Ingalls' eyes were wide open to the advancements of the future, all the while seeking to keep her hands on the best of the "old ways". For example, in a clip called "Let's Revive the Old Amusements", she writes:
"Sometimes I wonder if telephones and motor cars are altogether blessings for country people. When my neighbor can call me up for a short visit over the phone, she is not so likely to make the necessary effort to come and spend the afternoon, and I get hungry for the sight of her face as well as the sound of her voice."

However, Ingalls was not a sentimentalist in regard to the past. She says:
"Love and service, with a belief in the future and expectation of better things in the tomorrow of the world is a good working philosophy; much better than, `in olden times-things were so much better when I was young.' For there is no turning back nor standing still; we must go forward, into the future, generation after generation toward the accomplishment of the ends that have been set for the human race."

Historians, fans of Little House, farmers, and children will all enjoy this book.

Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist is a collection of nonfiction essays written by the famous author of the "Little House " books for The Missouri Ruralist between 1911 and 1924. Complementing and extending the earlier collection of articles titled Little House in the Ozarks, this edition includes an additional forty -two articles and additional material omitted from the earlier collection. Laura wrote her articles addressed to contemporary farm women, making many philosophical and practical suggestions and observations pertinent to their daily life experiences. Her presence as an author is unmistakable. Much of the information pertaining to her years of experience as a Missouri farm wife finds roots in her pioneer history. Her values emerge clear and solid from the minutiae of daily chore lists and how-to suggestions. Her refreshing voice lends its clarity across the generations of technological advancement and finds its niche comfortably. This is a carefully edited collection that will appeal to lovers of the "Little House" books and American turn -of -the- century history too. The skillful adaptation to changing social and political environments while nurturing a stable base of beliefs and values is unique to this beloved author. Highly recommended reading for adults.

Nancy Lorraine
Reviewer

I couldn't begin to say enough just how much I loved this book. From the very first page, I was hooked. I *had* to keep reading to find out what happened next! This is a terrific read that will ring a chord with not only young adult readers, but adult as well.

Billy James Wilkins can't forget his best friend Gloria, who died from an aneurysm, and he won't stop digging until he understands the many mysteries of her life. And there are many, indeed!

What about the younger boy who turns up in the woods, the boy with Gloria's fiery personality--and an attitude to boot? And Josef Satan, the seemingly cursed man who lives in a cabin high on an Ozark slope? Billy must search his heart and his town's troubled history for truths to help him grasp the meaning of Gloria's life and death, and to help himself heal.

This story fascinated me, from the small mysteries to the big ones. The plot kept me guessing, and the payoff was satisfying and moving. The writing was excellent, reminding me of Mark Twain with the tone, lyricism, and humor. I also loved the characters, and I could picture each one of them--especially Billy's pain-in-the-rear big brother.

I think people of any age, male or female, would enjoy this story. Highly recommended.

I bought this book because Warren Angus Ferris is my Great (many times over) Grandfather and I was researching the family tree. What a delight to find that he was an accomplished writer and pioneer! His journal of his life in the Rocky Mountains is exceptionally well-written and a beautiful view of the time period. I recommend it to anyone with an interest of the early 1800's or fur-trading.

Day to day survival in the early American West at its best! Pick up any reputable book on the fur trade era during this time frame, and Warren Ferris' "Life in the Rocky Mountains" is always cited as a reference. There is good reason for this. Ferris joined the American Fur Company in 1830 at the age of nineteen and this is his journal of how life was back then from 1830-1835, so far removed from the luxuries of civlization. He spent most of his time in the central and northern Rockies, describing and recording just about everything one can possibly imagine from hostile Indians and the unrelenting forces of nature to grizzlies, days without food and water, etc. He was there at the Battle of Pierre's Hole and the death of William Vanderburgh. He also details the Yellowstone area with its geysers and other oddities, along with many other geographical areas which we now take for granted. Ferris vividly describes the many different Indian tribes of the region of their customs, cultures and habits. This is an excellent book and I can see why many historians use this book as reference material. A must read for fur trade era enthusiasts and arm chair explorers.

I found this book particularly interesting because it features both pictures and stories on dozens of prominent St. Louisans, and how they relate to the history of the city. The very first feature is about my late uncle, Bennie G. Rodgers. Fortunately, he was able to be included in the book. In addition, there are many other people whom I either knew or knew of in St. Louis. The book not only covers civil rights advocates, but also educators, politicians, health care providers, entertainers, clergymen, media professionals, athletes, and others. Their stories serve as an inspiration on how perseverence worked for them.

This book should be part of each St. Louisans home library!

Interviews highlight the celebrated accomplishments of the community's brothers, sisters, grandfathers, role models hear in the heart of the city. The book features professional and personal role models including ministers, doctors, boxers, entrepenuers, state reps and many other role models in the community.

Some have well-known names and faces while others have broken through glass ceilings to make a better future for all St. Louisans. From US District Court Judge Clyde S. Cahill, First African American to graduate from SLU and President of St. Louis Board of Education Joyce Thomas to General Surgeon Homer G. Phillips Hospital and KMOV's Senior News Anchor Juluis K.Hunter, this book digs into the personal side of these influential St. Louisans who can motivate us all.

This book can help youth who can use another mentor, and even those of us who just want to be proud of our community. It should not take a holiday to pen great stories such as the ones collected in this book.

Just moved here and this book is providing lots of background information plus wonderful day trips around the area!

When the subject of the Ozarks comes up in South Alabama, the first word to pop into the minds of most people is "Branson". Phyllis Rossiter's book proves there is much, much more to that complex and beautiful part of the country and its people.

Anybody planning to visit the Ozarks, or anybody living there, would do well to invest in a copy. As a travel guide, it shows there is something in the Ozarks for every taste. It provides great suggestions for fascinating, varied and unexpected things to see and the best ways to see them. Ms. Rossiter also gives addresses for getting more information about the places she describes.

In addition to its excellence as a travel guide, A LIVING HISTORY comes with a special bonus: Ms. Rossiter's insight into history and the Ozark culture and psyche. That insight will help explain the reasons for the uniqueness of the area and its people. Even native Ozarkers will come away with a better understanding of themselves. Don't head for the Ozarks without it!

While visiting Theresa Delsoin in Florida, I watched her spend many many hours writing and researching to bring her family story Malindys Freedom to life. Watching the painstaking work involved in writing a book gave me a greater appreciation of writers. Since this is her third book (the others were written in while Theresa was residing in Belize), she never allowed me to read anything until it was completed... I cried when I read Malindys Freedom... its a profound reading. I am so proud of her.
A wonderful true story, a must read for all that love family and history

When I started reading Malindy's Freedom, I could not put the book down. The story was so well written and descriptive. It is a book for all times and races. It is about loving, family unity and unfortunately about a terrible time in American's history -that peculiar institution called slavery. The way the authors wrote the book dealt with the human condition and how inspite of extreme hardships, the human spirit prevails through all the diversity. Malindy and her family emerges victoriously with love still in tact. The book also explores a period of the State of Missouri's history that many folk do not know about. I recommend this book highly for it is a book about family and how the human spirit thrives and overcomes difficult times. It is a excellent historical account with good research.
History gives us information to look at what happened and how it has shaped our lives today. With this information, there is an opportunity for us to not repeat the mistakes that some of ancestors made, and draw from the strengths of many of our ancestors who did live their lives to make a difference for all mankind. This book has inspired me more so than ever to make a difference. This book is a classic and should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for literature for it promotes, love, spirituality, forgiveness and understanding.

i am a grand, grand nephew of mr. reedy's! i have known of his lore and have long possessed the book reviewed here. it was written as a college thesis, i believe, by mr. putzel during his studies at washington u. here in st. louis.

i've long been amused by reedy's wit and daring, for st. louis was a very catholic, conservative town in the teens and twenties when his work flourished. fortunately for me, and unlike many irish families in town today, my entire family tree from its roots in clonmel, ireland to my grandparents here in st. louis have been carefully chronicled by the author.

as for reedy's contributions, carl sandburg and vachel lindsay (among others) apparently owed much of their introductory successes to reedy's "mirror", which was a literary journal of the day.

the security building in downtown st. louis continues to house businesses and professionals in its walls. at one time, my great, great uncle published his 20,000 subscriber journal for readers throughout the world. and what a life he lived outside of his office.

hope you enjoy!

It's hard to believe that a man who had such tremendous influence on American letters was all but forgotten before Max Putzel brought him back to life in this extraordinary biography. William Marion Reedy discovered and/or published many of the most important writers of his day, including Edgar Lee Masters, Vachel Lindsay, Carl Sandburg, Amy Lowell, Sara Teasdale, Theodore Dreiser and Zoe Akins. At the same time, he led a rough-and-tumble life in his native St. Louis, once even waking up after a night of hard drinking to discover he had married a local prostitute! Putzel's portrayal of Reedy in all his brilliance and decadence is one of those rare works of excellent scholarship that is also just plain fun to read. I recommend it with gusto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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