Arkansas Books

This book is about Tessa, a free-spirited 14 year old who grows up in the 1940's. As an impressionable teenager in that era, she learns to deal with many circumstances which are thrust upon her - the differences she faces at school with other students who don't understand her passion for archaeology, the issue of her best friend being a Black American boy and the slow and confusing disintegration of her parents marriage, particularly her mothers resentment toward Tessa's father. All this while learning to juggle her emotions and feelings with common sense. A beautiful book which is inspirational and captivating.

I read this book and it's truly wonderful. I felt closer to my great-great grandfather who joined the Third Arkansas for the duration. He was a remarkable man who felt himself unremarkable. I can only speculate but I'm sure he was about as anti-war in his thinking when he mustered out at Antietam and walked on home as a battle-hardened person could be. He had to be prodded to collect his Civil War pension and didn't even go to the reunion. They'll do to tie to is an understatement of the description of the South's finest foot soldier.

Ably edited by Brian K. Robertson, Things Grew Beautifully Worse: The Wartime Experiences Of Captain John O'Brien, 30th Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A. is the personal civil war diary of a Confederate officer who had a first-hand perspective of the battles, bloodshed, and gangrene of the Civil War, and who came to languish in Union Prisons with nothing to do save write down his experiences. Heavily annotated for the modern reader's benefit, this slim volume adds a very personal touch to a divisive era in America's history. Things Grew Beautifully Worse is a highly recommended and much appreciated addition to the growing library of Civil War memoirs and eye-witness accounts.

It's amazing that this book is now out-of-print. I read this book as a 12-year-old, re-read it at age 20, and was surprised that I would still find the matter interesting and relevant. I am now 31, and am searching for a copy since it has long been lost. Branscum is a very talented author; she is able to write in a conversational matter and paint a vivid picture. Her characters are real people with real quirks that beg you to fall in love with them. Toby is an acerbic young bride who talks tough but is actually extremely naive. Her husband is a kind-hearted soul with a truely masculine bent. Together, they make thier life in the Arkansas hills until war threatens to destroy them. Toby, being the sassy-young-thing she will always be, gets her husband back after they both face thier share of loss -- alone. Memorable characters also include the passed-away Granny who "talks" to Toby at the grave site. The new, young local minister is a very minor character (a wasted opportunity; Branscum's only downfall) and acts merely as a distraction to Toby's affections. This story is told in true Arkansas dialect; but realistic and amuzing to read. This book is actually a continuation of other stories about Toby, but I have never read the previous books -- there is no need to. I hope I can get a copy of this book somehow, somewhere. Now I realize why it may be out-of-print: while it was written for the young-adult crowd, it probably takes a mature young-adult reader to appreciate the context, and there are not many pre-teens and teens who qualify. Grown-ups will find the book an easy, but pleasureable read. I'd be interested in learning if Branscum has ever written adult books.

John S. Workman's third book proves him as one of the foremost spiritual essayists of our time. His life-affirming messages will have the most stubborn of the "glass half empty" crowd singing his praises. In a very non-confrontational yet profound style, Workman sets the grounds for faith in our modern era through examples from his life. He challenges his readers in such an unconcious manner that one becomes hypnotized by the works. This book is very hard to put down. Make sure you've gone to the bathroom and you have food and drink at hand because you will not want to leave this magnificent compilation!

Over all good book,Have used it for several years,covers the native trees and some introduced species.Works great for a school age person doing a leaf collection.

I love this book, I had the priviledge of meeting Carl G. Hunter a couple of years ago and am very proud that he has done such a great job on producing this book. If you are in Arkansas, this book is still available at most State Parks, though at the original sale price.

Wow -- these poems knocked me out! I heard Baker read his poems last year and had to buy the book, and I'm thrilled with it. This is his fifth book of poems. He keeps getting better and better. Nobody can write a love poem like he does. His poems are tough and beautiful, gorgeously crafted and passionate.

Rick Schaeffer wrote the text for this. A company that does this kind of things did the rest. It's wonderful. Filled with reproductions of game programs, tickets, a megaphone and a pennant there are pockets that little surprises are tucked into. This is not a book for someone that is a mild fan. I've had it for 3 weeks now and STILL not gotten through it all.

Schaeffer's text is just what was needed. Rick writes as a fan because he IS one. He's also smart enough to know when not to say too much.

The book starts at the beginning and ends with the hiring of Bobby Petrino. There are pictures that most of us never saw. One of a player from the 50's dressed as Santa with a cigar in one hand a stocking in the other and a coed in short shorts on his lap.
LOST OF FUN in this book. If you like the Razorbacks you'll love this book.

Do not let the cover fool you, behind that innocent smile and under that casual fedora lies a brain as sharp as a razor and a wicked sense of humour. If not a laugh on every page at least a wry smile. Enjoyed enormously. Frederick Covins