Arizona Books

Mr. Momaday's voice in his collection of stories is priceless. He tells of the Kiowa's legends, follows them up with facts, and includes his own reflections on what it means to be Kiowa, Indian/Native American, human. The inclusion of his father's artwork makes this an even more impressive volume.

I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Momaday at a Western Writers Conference where he gave readings from this collection. And, not being a writer myself I felt out of place. It was Mr. Momaday's voice (think James Earl Jones), and his notice of me (the only other Indian/Native American in the auditorium) that mesmerized me. I've been a fan ever since.

Momaday spins together pieces of Kiowa myth and image interweaved with tales he heard as a boy. Poetic, tragic, unforgettable.

This book is deceptively short: it can be read in about an hour, but you find yourself going back and reading its various passages and thinking about them long afterwards. Momaday tells a story of the Kiowa Indians by tying in three aspects: folklore, actual historical events and his own family history. The book's format underscores this, with the first, folkloric item printed on one page, and the historical and personal reflections in separate paragraphs on the facing page, all set in different fonts. Not meant to be a comprehensive account of the Kiowas, it is rather an attempt to express the author's own feelings and his own view of his heritage. In this he largely succeeds, as he writes poetry in a simple yet powerful prose form. The only shortcoming for me were the illustrations (done by Momaday's father), which seemed to add little to the overall narrative. Otherwise, "The Way to Rainy Moutain" is a very unique and worthwhile book.

The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday; illustrated by Al Momaday. Highly recommended.

Rainy Mountain, a "single knoll [that] rises out of the plain in Oklahoma," is an old landmark for the Kiowa people. It is a land of bitter cold, searing heat, summer drought, and "great green and yellow grasshoppers." It is a land of loneliness, where the Kiowa were drawn after a long journey from the northwest through many types of lands.

The Way to Rainy Mountain is about the journey-in myth, in drawings by Momaday's father Al, in reminiscences, and in historical snippets. All reveal aspects of Kiowa culture, life, philosophy, outlook, spirituality, and sense of self-the beauty and the desolation, how the introduction of the horse revolutionized Kiowa life, the story of Tai-me, and the richness of the word and the past. It is a literal journey as well; Momaday, in Yellowstone, writes, "The Kiowas reckoned their stature by the distance they could see, and they were bent and blind in the wilderness."

This is a small gem of a book, beautifully written, illustrated, and designed. It has moments of insight, beauty, and sadness, as the ending of the Sun Dance, telling as the sun is at the heart of the Kiowa's soul-a soul that survives in every word and drawing of The Way to Rainy Mountain.

Diane L. Schirf, 3 March 2002.

In his writing, Momaday creates a vibrant sense of how stories are expressed through living words within vital communities. His brillant blending of mythology, folktales, oral history, historical descriptions, and personal reflections all connect in a fascinating story about finding one's way in life's journeys. The writing is so vivid and the book is so animated that patient readers will connect with what Momaday presents, provided that they choose to share in the reflective silence that he offers on the way to Rainy Mountain.

I loved this book. I have a voracious appetite for reading and I could not put this book down and didn't want it to end! I also like the characters.

I enjoyed this story, however, not as much as I did Deadly Gamble. Mojo's sister tended to get on my nerves in this story. I did enjoy the developments with Mojo and Tucker as well as the new friends that have "appeared".

Deadly Deceptions is number 2 in the Mojo Sheepshanks series by Linda Lael Miller, author of several other series such as the excellent "Look" series and various western themed romance books such as the "McKettrick" series.

Mojo is a somewhat unlikely heroine. In Deadly Gamble she discovered she can communicate with dead people, which isn't as macbre as it sounds. She sees them in order to get them justice, usually by solving their murders. They are not ghostly apparitions, but the closest I can describe them is living in a parallel universe, and have substance like a normal being.

Unravelling the mystery involves suspense, and can put you on the edge of your seat at times, but it does not make you squirm like a Patricia Cornwell. It is a lighter read than a Tami Hoag suspense, e.g. Dark Horse, Alibi Man, Dark Sky (which are all excellent books by the way).

This book centred around a little girl who is abducted and murdered on her way home from ballet class, but there were lots of sub-plots involving Mojo's adopted sisters and others including her cop boyfriend's children. The twist came near the end and I found it quite shocking when I realised why the person/persons did it. I don't want to reveal too much here!!

Mojo inherited a Biker Bar and lives in apartment above this, and not in a particularly great part of town. Read Deadly Gamble first for how this occurred, which is an interesting story regarding witness protection, etc. There are lots of interesting, and some really scary characters, one of which had me looking under my bed for several nights.

If you like animals, there are some great dogs in the book, and it was a very heart warming, but not syrupy ending. It is very well written and the dialogue and plots flowed very well.

I would definitely recommend buying this book or visiting your local library for a copy. I read it cover to cover and let the family order in Chinese for dinner because I just couldn't put it down. I have since lent it to two friends who also loved the book.

Definitely a keeper, but I'd suggest you buy it in conjunction with Deadly Gamble and read that first.

In this book we see the return of Mojo Sheepshanks from Deadly Gamble. Mojo is a PI (sort of) has an obsession with self help books and oh yeah she sees dead people. In this episode of Mojo's life she helps solve the murder of a 7year old girl who's ghost visits her. If that's not enough her sister is suspected of killing her cheating Dr. husband and her on again off again fling with HOT cop Tucker is really on again. This book made me cry and laugh and Mojo is a character that you can't help loving. It's definitely worth the read.

WONDERFUL!
If anyone is wishing they had a really good book to read over their summer vacation, DEADLY DECEPTIONS is it! Mojo Sheepshanks is wonderful! In this sequel to DEADLY GAME, Mojo, a PI who sees ghosts, is approached by the ghost of a 7-year-old deaf-mute girl, Gillian. Not knowing sign language, Mojo tries her hardest to solve the murder of this sweet little girl. However, Mojo's brother-in-law ends up dead as well, and she is off trying to solve this murder. When Greer, Mojo's sister becomes a prime suspect in her husband's brutal death, Mojo desperately tries to help in anyway her can. Tucker Darroch, a homicide cop and lover of Mojo, provides support and they find themselves engrossed in more then they can handle. Or have they? Linda Lael Miller has really out did herself in this series of stories. I found myself wishing that the story would go on and on. Don't miss this one for the summer!

This 2nd book of the trilogy is my favorite of all LLM books. The suspense was better in this one as to who was doing it and why. It is one I could read again and again.

I love all of Linda Lael Miller's novels. They are quick and fast paced with just enough spice to make them interesting.

As the second in the trilogy, I think I actually liked this one the best, but that doesn't say much.

Clare Westbrook has opened her new pro bono lawyers office after receiving a large inheritance from a father she didn't know. Unfortunately, Clare picked one of the worst parts of the city to set up shop. This leads to a slew of vandalism and murder attempts, as well as a crazy stalker after her.

As with her other novels, LLM spins several different plots throughout the story line. The only problem with her writing is that she never has enough red herrings making the reveal all that more obvious. The suspense is okay, but other than a curiosity for the Clare and Tony's on going relationship, the series falls short of being anything great. The serial stalker/killer in this particular novel makes for more interesting reading though compared to the other two in the series. The suspense is consistent throughout the novel as well keeping the reader turning pages until the very end.

Is it worth buying?

I hate to say this because I know the authors need the sales, but the series isn't worth retail value. It is okay as a check out from the library or on sale and this one novel is better than the others, but I still wouldn't want the series in my collection of great novels. It is just an average read at that.

I actually went searching for these book. Linda Lael Miller has never let me down, not with the historicals and not with the contemporary. Besides, Tony Santerra is too hot for me not to know what happened with them.

I cannot believe how this book ended. I finished it in November and the last book didn't arrive until January. I thought I would have a hissy fit. Linda Lael Miller really knows how to hold on to readers with this one. I really think she should have more Tony and Clare books.

Order came in pretty quick and in great condition-I would order from this person again.

This book is filled with beautiful colored photos and lots of very interesting information about hummingbirds.

Another reviewer was right! Small book, LOTS of information that you can USE if you're into attracting hummers...HIGHLY recommend the book.

You really cannot go wrong with this one if you have any interest in these wonderful little creatures what-so-ever. I have been watching, photographing, feeding and studying these little birds for years now. It is rather amazing that the author could pack so much information into one small volume and give us some wonderful photographs to boot. We here in Missouri have only the Ruby Throated, but, and I am lucky, I know, we are able to travel to other parts of the country and view other species. No matter how much you know of these birds, you are sure to pick up some new information in this work. As another reviewer pointed out, the photographs are well worth the price of the book. Recommend this one highly.

This is a wonderful Book!! The pictures are fantastic!! Makes a great table book but unlike most table books it's full of everything you need or want to know not just pretty pictures. I "Raise" Hummers in the wild and it has provided me with a wealth of information regarding these truly magnificent creatures. I'm constantly referring to it! I wish it wasn't such a beautiful book! That way I wouldn't worry so much about dog earing it up!!hehe!!

Another great novel by Nancy Turner, thoughtfully written. Poignant narrative with just the right amount of humor and insight into turn-of-the-century life in the territories. Bound to be a classic series.

Sarah has so many things to go wrong but she knows how to resolve the problem and keep it all together. Way to go Sarah. Mr. Hanna needs to get it together. He needs to concentrate on Sarah and not on Frances.

Let's see what happens as I get further into the book.

I have loved the two previous "Sarah" books. Sarah Prine is one of my favorite heroines, full of courage and spunk. Even when she doesn't know what to do, she does her honest best, which is a quality I admire greatly. However, (don't read any further unless you have read the book) I think Sarah "sold out" for lack of a better word. Her relations with Udell Hanna were a big disappointment to me. I know she was lonely, but that part of the book didn't feel like the true Sarah to me. She's human, as we all are, but I wish she had stayed true to herself. Still, a good story. I would like for Nancy Turner to put a picture of all the characters on her website, if she has any. Especially Jack. He must have been the Tom Selleck of his day!!

really enjoyed this book, I read the first two and this one was as good

This last book of the series was SO GOOD. Not as good as the first, better than the second. If you have read These is my Words then definitely keep reading the rest of the series! I wasn't going to read Star Garden because I didn't get that into Sarah's Quilt. I'm so glad I did!

Toso comes across as pompous, pretentious and self-important. His writing style is ponderous and tedious. He apparently never met a metaphor he didn't like - or overuse, or ruin by badly mixing several! I slugging through his ridiculously overblown mixed metaphors. This one on page 137 should be fair warning: "The smell of death whispers this fact again and again into my ears." This from a college professor?

I wanted to like this book and there were some interesting descriptions of the snakebite experience. Toso's meanderings through his own emotional process in dealing with the bite could have been engaging if the writing hadn't been so contrived, artificial and cumbersome. He uses the book as a platform to wander through topics that he inadequately ties to the main story. To use a phrase the author loves, most of the book is "apropos of nothing." Hopefully he got it all off his chest and this will be his last book.

What frightens me more than Toso's description of the snakebite is the thought that this man is teaching graduate level writing classes at a major university. I have a graduate degree from University of Arizona where Toso teaches. Thankfully I never had professors who would have allowed me to write as Toso does. I question whether all the other reviewers are either students looking for a good grade, or friends and colleagues who won't be honest about this boring mess. I'm surprised that a respected press like U of A allowed this to be printed. And why wasn't Toso's editor doing his or her job? Somebody really should say, "The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes."

If you feel compelled to read this book, borrow it from the library. Then you won't feel like you have to finish it. Once you've found another cure for your insomnia, you can return the book unfinished. I was very disappointed.

I have lived in Arizona all my life. I was born here. I seldom read a book that describes my love of the desert, but this book was wonderful. The descriptions of the desert, the sunsets, and the smells were wonderful. The Author seems like someone I'd like to have lunch with during a Monsoon, just to chat. Really enjoyed the book.

I, too, live in the high desert, and everyone asks me if I'm afraid of the snakes. ON my lot, we have snakes, coyotes, bobcats, an owl, and numerous other wild creatures. I love it here, and this book's eloquent descriptions of the snakes were fascinating.

I selected this book because it was one of the One Book Arizona selections. I probably wouldn't have found it otherwise, so I thank the Group for adding this book to it's possible selections.

There's apparently nothing like a good snake bite to get a wise man thinking. And Erec Toso is a wise man.

I most enjoyed Toso's writing about the place he lives and life (and wildlife) in that region. It was also great fun to read about his father. Even when the Arizona landscape feels foreign to me I can relate to some of those family experiences .

I was wanting just a little more from the book, however. Toso makes the case that the land and wild things near Tucson are threatened by encroachment from human development. I'm left wondering what is being done to save those things? Are there positive means that could accommodate growth and preserve the wild things? Without knowing more I'm just left with a bleak feeling about Tucson's future.

I chose Zero at the Bone for a future book club discussion and, after reading it, am not disappointed in that choice. Erec Toso's language goes from being very vivid to being extremely provocative and frustrating. I think that's an outcome of reading someone's stream of consciousness. But, it's well worth the read. He hits home with me and brings all his stories into context, though sometimes slowly. Also, I love the medical stuff but doubt that everyone would. Finally, I like Erec's interpretation of the importance of snakes in our environment.

There is much to learn from Zero at the Bone -- I highly recommend it!

The book is a trip to preserve the wilderness of the great American Southwest. As a foreigner living in Arizona, I felt this couldn't be a better present to folks at home that are curious about my experiences in the Southwest. Be prepared to be swept of your feet enjoying the smells, the adrenaline, the somber colors of sharing life with the Sonoran desert.

Great book to use in the classroom!

This book should be bound with yarn and decorated with macaroni. Ridiculous reviews abound in this space. Everyone gives it 5 stars?! Really? Are you afraid Jesus is going to give you crabs if you only give it 4 stars?

For the casual observer of geologic formations, this book is a masterpiece! I have lived many years in the Colorado Plateau area and this book really helps the average person be able to understand how the Grand Canyon was formed. I recommend this book to many people I meet when they come to visit and want to know more about the area's formation.

Yeah, I thought that title would get your attention (!)
What a remarkable gem of a book. I have to second the 9 rave reviews for this title.
The author is a local boy who studied geology through a MS in AZ and put it to good use in his own backyard. I appreciated the way he covered both the geochronology of GC geologic events and the chronology of geologists who took a stab at unraveling the remarkable geologic history. That timescale appears to end with the participants who wrote Colorado River: Origins and Evolution (2000). Another must read.

Creationists would do well to take a look at the geoscience, and, the unsolved mystery in this book that Noah and a christian god had no part in. Unfortunately Vail's GRAND CANYON: A DIFFERENT VIEW appears to be the rock on which they're willing to stand: superficial and supernatural.

The only negative comment I have is not finding GRAND CANYON GEOLOGY by Beus and Morales in the bibliography. Available at the GC bookstore where this title certainly deserves to be.

Well done with good graphics, pictures and dialog that is not too technical. Visited the Grand Canyon after reading this book and found it to be quite adequate for beginner or one who may want more detailed evidence of the happenings millions of years ago. The writer has lived there, led hikes and has spent much time researching the latest theories.

If geology had a face, it would probably be Grand Canyon. No other landscape on Earth offers such a familiar and powerful image of time, rock formation, and erosion. Grand Canyon has been a magnet not just for tourists but for many of America's most brilliant geologists. It may come as a surprise, then, to learn that geologists are still trying to figure out how the canyon got there. It's like our understanding of the origins of the Moon: Apollo was supposed to solve the mystery, but instead it left geologists more puzzled than ever. At least for awhile. It turns out that it was easier to understand the moon than Grand Canyon, for erosion on Earth has removed much of the evidence geologists need.

"Carving Grand Canyon" is the first book to explore the 150-year-long sluething into the formation of Grand Canyon. It stars the geological dectectives who've pursued this puzzle and lets them speak in their own (often eloquent) words. It shows how new evidence has been discovered, and how theories have emerged and been modified and sometimes eroded away. It brings us right up to date with today's cutting edge theories.

The author, Wayne Ranney, has the advantage of having led geology tours of Grand Canyon for years, and thus he knows how to communicate potentially confusing concepts to the public. This book is also well-endowed with illustrations and charts and maps that make it easier to visualize these concepts. In the end Ranney leaves us with a large sense of mystery, but then maybe this will inspire some young reader to become the geologist who will finally put all the puzzle pieces together.

Gary T. Lowenthal, a law professor in Arizona, spent his sabbatical as a prosecutor in the Phoenix (Maricopa County) prosecutor's office, the office of County Attorney Rick Romley, who, according to his web site, has held office since 1989. Surprisingly naïve for a law professor who says he has taught criminal law and criminal procedure, Lowenthal tells a tawdry tale of expediency and laziness that permeates that office.

The book is thus a must-read because it exposes a plea-bargaining-based expediency that not only encourages crime by failing to adequately punish and deter criminals, but also extorts guilty pleas from persons who may not be guilty. The excuse is that plea bargaining saves money and resources. There are two main reasons why that is not true: (1) criminals who plea-bargain their way out of prison are free to continue to prey on their communities; and (2) revolving-door "justice" means that the same criminal has to be processed over and over again.

As Lowenthal admits time and time again, however, it is just plain easier to plea-bargain a case with an offer of often unjustified leniency than to try the case and get the justice the defendant, the victim, and society deserves. For most defense lawyers, of course, plea bargaining is the only way they can make a buck-it just doesn't pay for them to spend the time and effort defending their clients in a trial.

Although the book's main focus is a case that Lowenthal did try, the real story he tells is about the lame excuses he and his fellow prosecutors marshal to justify either not charging crimes (including one Lowenthal declined to charge even though the police arrested the defendant red-handed in a stolen truck) or to justify probation for folks whose crimes warrant lengthy prison terms. "Down and Dirty Justice" paints an ugly picture of how justice is bartered in Phoenix. If accurate, Phoenix should get itself a new chief prosecutor.

Knowledgeably written by Gary T. Lowenthal (a law professor who dared to venture from the ivory towers and work for the Arizona County Attorney's Office), Down And Dirty Justice: A Chilling Journey Into The Dark World Of Crime And The Criminal Courts is an all-too-real presentation of an American judicial system which is chronically riddled with failures, brutality, the ruthless prosecution of the innocent, and the slap on the wrist to the guilty. Forced to conclude that it is the plea bargaining prosecutors, not the judges nor the juries, that rule the criminal justice system Down And Dirty Justice is a chilling and much needed expose and warning of just how bad the system is now -- before it gets any worse within the context and pressures arising from the current "War on Terrorism" and "Patriot Act" legislation.

This book provides insight into the way the criminal justice system really works. It's format is like Law and Order's in that it follows a case from the investigation stages to sentencing. It also features a gripping case. But, unlike Law and Order, this is the real thing. Resources and relationships -- between police and prosecutors, prosecutors and defenders, defenders and clients -- are strained. People are overworked and underpaid. Rigid policies and harsh mandatory sentencing laws prevent judges and prosecutors from fashioning punishments that truly fit the crime. Lowenthal has written a compelling, true account of our criminal justice system. I recommend it for those who want to learn more about the criminal justice system or those who just want to read an interesting true crime story.

This book is an entertaining, compelling, and somewhat grim look at American jurispudence today. Down and Dirty Justice is the riveting experiences of an experienced, ivory tower law professor thrust into the realities of today's legal system as a novice prosecutor. Early in the book, the author makes the point that his view of our legal system, though more informed than most, was still heavily colored by television. Like most Americans today, that was how I viewed our legal system, but as the author shows, TV shows such as Law and Order and The Practice, though supposedly true to life, give a far from true picture of the court system.
Mr. Lowenthal focuses on one particular case, an assault/kidnapping case. It is not glamourous; it is not high-profile. It is, however, fascinating. In his erudiate, well-written account, Professor Lowenthal details and highlights the often convulted and somewhat strange route to a kind of justice and resolution, which at times during this book were unlikely.
This book is not only well-written, but Mr. Lowenthal's insights into the legal system of today are deft and knowledgable. It is a book that anybody who has contact - or might have contact - with our legal system should read.

This is an excellent read and an informative book. I knew our criminal justice system was flawed but I did not realize the breadth of the problems. Though neither the victim nor the defendant is a particularly sympathetic individual, the system abused each of them. Any thoughts I had that justice usually occurs were eliminated. The author writes clearly and intelligently about a bureaucratic, political and often arbitrary legal system.

I worked in law enforcement in Arizona and was directly involved in this case. The book was very well researched and written.

Being from Phoenix I knew the story well. This is a good read, but prepare to meet evil as close to face to face as one can get without actually being there. I couldn't put this book down. I couldn't believe such evil and lack of conscious could reside in one person. Any man who can kill a toddler and involve his own sons in it is really beyond evil. Insane maybe? But, I don't think so. I think that Tison was so full of himself that he thought he'd always get away with the things he had done. And having that IDIOT Cardwell as the warden was Tison's ticket to the outside.... and the multiple murders of innocent people. Unbelievable, but true.

Tison, Greenawalt and his misguided idiot kids were without a doubt stains in this world. Killing without regard to life is one thing, but the way they murdered innocent people, including a 22 month old child, speaks for itself. To suggest that the Tison boys were "scared" of their dad is rediculous to me. They are just as guilty, just as deranged and just as degenerate as their father. The girl who was found in the desert some distance from the scene was my girlfriend, Theresa Tyson. No relation to the murderers thank god. Theresa was a wonderful young woman with her whole future ahead of her. It's easy for these men to kill people who couldnt defend themselves. I call them cowards. I smiled the day I heard that Gary Gene Tison died. I wished that I was there to watch Randy Greenawalt be put to death in prison. Hell, I would have done it. I thought that his death was far far better than the one he deserved. I don't remember the name of the Author who interviewed me in Las Vegas all those years ago, if it was this Author, I think that his portrayal of the Tison boys showed them to be far too innocent. Truth is, they could have said anything about what happened because they killed everyone else. I hope they burn.

I read this book in August/September 1991 while traveling through the area where it all happened. The trip was kind of a premarital honeymoon vacation and our first trip to the US (I live in The Netherlands). I bought the book so I could read while off duty from driving the van and I guess it turned out to be a 'lucky' choice. From the first page on I was sucked into the story. I just could not put it away. As the story developed we came nearer to the place where it actually happened. I will never forget the day we passed Flagstaff. The book gave me the creeps. Still does.
This book screams to be put into a movie. Gary Tison makes Hannibal Lecter look like a school kid.
One of the most chilling books I've ever read!

I think Clarke is pretty close to the money. Randy Greenwalt took me fishing when I was a kid and did yard work for our family, his Dad was a bricklayer in my Dad's construction company. I still have a beautiful display cabinet that he built in his senior year woods class at Palmyra MO high school. Didn't know much about abnormal psych then, but in retrospect there was a lot about Randy (and his younger brother James 'Doc' Greenwalt) that I now realize was a short fuse waiting to go off. Dad often said that their father was too rough on them and it was just a matter of time before their pent-up anger blew in one direction or another. Randy was not a leader, but he was a dedicated follower, which meshed well with Tison's warped sense of purpose. Randy probably would have been a good Marine--his sister Darlene did have a successful Army career.

Most interesting study.

Great book...some of everything and not too big/heavy to bring along. Excellent to use with kids too because of all the good color pictures!

Just returned from a tour of the Southwest. The field guide was easy to use. I liked the fact that it covered so many aspects of the Southwest and eliminated having to tote five or six field guides to cover most of the subject matter.

This field guide is really usefull. It has a basic description of hte animals, plants, geology, insects, and weather of the Southwest.

I initially found this book in the library and enjoyed it so much I wanted my own copy to carry with me when out hiking in the Tucson, AZ area. Informative, accurate, and easy to access information. For such a small field book it packs complete info regarding plants, trees, birds, reptiles and general info on geology and natural history in the southwest. If you want to learn more about the southwest desert - this is a must have field book

This is a good book to have along as you explore the beauty of the region. It is not very comprehensive, but then if it was it would not be small enough to carry with you in the field, which would defeat its purpose. I feel it is well worth the price and will use it on my upcoming venture into the Southwest this October. I will also take several other books on the Southwest because each provides additional information for this region. It's not possible to get all the reference information in one volume, but this is a great book if you can only have one, and it is small enough to carry along on hikes or explorations. It is also bound properly for field use, an important feature.