Nevada Books

This book is a must have if you were ever a part of this great little airline. If you are someone who just loves airline history then this book covers the entire history of Reno Air from inception to it's take over by American Airlines.

Sherman E. Easttom, the camp committee chairman at the Weedpatch Camp in the era around the first half of 1936, was introduced to John Steinbeck at The Arvin Sanitary Camp by Tom Collins.Numerous biographers have said Steinbeck used the family of Sherman E. Easttom as the model for the Joad Family as portrayed in the Steinbeck Novel THE GRAPES OF WRATH, 1939. What Ms.Loftis misrepresented in her book was that Sherman E. Easttom wrote a letter to Paul Taylor, in regards to the democratic camper goverment which was set up by either the Farm Security Administration or its predecessor agency which planned and built the first two Sanitary Units in 1935 the first in Marysville, CA and the second in Arvin, CA. Ms. Loftis, erroneously claims to have referenced a source she found somewhere in the National Archives, to the effect that Sherman E. Easttom wrote a letter to Paul Taylor, a higher up at the Farm Security Administration headquarters in San Fancisco,CA. Being the grandson of Sherman E. Easttom, it is common knowledge in the Easttom Family that Sherman E. Easttom could not read or write and was color blind.I do not slight Anne Loftis for using my grandfather's name, however I do mind the misinformation that is being disseminated by writers who have the occasion to run across Sherman E. Easttom's role in the writing by Steinbeck of THE GRAPES OF WRATH,1939. Ms. Loftis corroborated with the well known Steinbeck biographer, Jackson J. Benson in 1980 on a piece JOHN STEINBECK AND FARM LABOR UNIONIZATION; THE BACKGROUND OF IN DUIOUS BATTLE, by Benson and Anne Loftis, American Literature, 52 (May 1980): 194-223. Mr Benson also published his well reviewed book, THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF JOHN STEINBECK, WRITER (New York: Viking, 1984; London: Heinemann, 1984).In this book which which has been heralded as the definitive "authorized biography" of John Steinbeck as it was indeed cleared by the Steinbeck Family and thus offered Benson an entree into the secretive life of Steinbeck and his friends. Benson disseminated misinformation about Sherman E. Easttom and went further to name Easttom's son, namely, Sammie F. Eastton, (note there was variation in the family as to the exact spelling of the surname) as a "...fugitve from the law and hiding out in Lamont." Benson and Anne Loftis engaged in the same type of name dropping in the writing of ,THE BACKGROUND OF "IN DUBIOUS BATTLE". I would remind one that the use of the word "fugitive" connotes a fleeing from or flight from justice. My Uncle whom Benson claimed was the model for Tom Joad was only 17 years old in the summer of 1936 when the talks between Sherman E. Easttom and John Steinbeck took place. My Uncle could not have been a "fugitive" in any common understanding of the use of the word , because he was a juvenile at the time Benson claims he was a "...fugitive from the law". Again I bear no ill will to any of the Steinbeck researchers, but only wish to bring forward the factual account according to the Easttom Family.

Written by American West studies specialist Kristen M. McAndrews (Prof. of English, University of Hawai'i at Manoa), Wrangling Women: Humor and Gender in the American West is a unique look at a mountain community of women in Winthrop, Washington who run a western-theme town and work as ranchers, trail guides, horse trainers and packers. Caught in an unusual crux where they have to keep alive gender stereotypes for the sake of a tourist-based economy yet apply the same levels of authority and expertise as their male counterparts, these resourceful "wrangling women" apply humor and language as useful tools for accomplishing the precarious balancing act. A delightful exploration of gender studies, stereotypes, and human resourcefulness, Wrangling Women frequently quotes the women it studies, allowing the reader to partake in both scholarly observation and the visceral feel of being there. A lively and entertaining treatise.

There are few authors who continue to provide strong plots and great, long lasting characters after their first few novels. Fortunately for fans, Janet Evanovich knows how to deliver. Stephanie Plum, Jersey's wild and outrageous bounty hunter returns in the ninth novel of the series strong as ever. Once again Stephanie partners with Ranger, the secretive and sexual bounty hunter superstar to find Samuel Singh. Singh has disappeared and the chase to find him lands Stephanie in the middle of a dangerous and sinister game. With bodies piling up and startling e-mails appearing on her computer, Stephanie is caught between two protective men in her life. Ranger sends his mysteriously, muscle clad men to protect her while she seeks refuge in the home of Trenton cop Joe Morelli, also her current boyfriend. On top of everything crazy that makes up her life, her sister Valerie is ready to deliver a baby and Stephanie can not get her own biological clock to stop ticking. To the Nines take Stephanie, LuLu and Connie from Jersey to Vegas and back again in this spectacular book. Janet Evanovich's writing will leave your stomach muscles tightened from laughing out loud and you will find yourself panting and flushed from the sensual encounters between the two leading men. On top of that, you will enjoy a suspenseful mystery that will keep the pages turning and the night-light on. High praises for To the Nines.
Valerie Jones
mrsvaljones@netzero.net

This was another great book in the series. I read 1-10 in about 2 weeks. There are a great read w/action, mystery, comedy and a little romance. A great book.

I must first explain that this is my first Evanovich novel, so I had no expectations! I did like the fact that the book was a quick and easy read, and I didn't really have to think. The story was interesting and evolved into more than I initially anticipated. And there were frankly parts of the story where I laughed out loud (hint: dinner scene and conversation between future brother-in-law and grandmother).

Stepahnie Plum is a sassy bounty hunter who is trying desperately to locate Samuel Singh, a computer nerd who has skipped bail for her Boss, who fears that he will lose everything if he doesn't get him back. Following several clues and having many misadventures, a seemingly simple case has evolved into one that involved serial killings and a game, where Stephanie may be the ultimate prize. There are a host of very interesting characters, from Stephanie's pregnant sister Valarie (who refuses to marry the father of her baby); her elderly grandmother (who is overly concerned with her hair); her present boyfriend (Joe Morelli, who is a cop and who swears she will be the death of him); her partners, Ranger (ex-special forces/scary guy/hot ex-lover), and Lula (overweight ex-prostitute whose ultimate goal is to have the body of a supermodel by eating only meat); Vinnie (her cousin and Boss); and a very unstable killer.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and probably would read another installment so that I could find out what ever becomes of the love triangle between Plum, Morelli and Ranger.

I listened to Loralei King narrate the audio version of this story. I thought CJ Critt was the best narrator for the Plum stories, but King does an amazing job with the voices and accents too. Great story that moves along quickly. Some very funny scenes, especially with Lula on her diet. Also some good scenes with yummy Morelli and Ranger. You can't go wrong with this series - very entertaining!

another fantastic stephanie adventure. these books get funnier and funnier. i am totally in love with Ranger and this book doesn't damper the feeling

This is one of my most favorite books! Everytime I read it I feel like I have to go running..ASAP!!As a trainer I make all of my clients read this weather they are a runner or not! His story is amazing and extremely motivating.

Dean is amazing! He writes is a relaxed, conversational manner that makes you feel like he's talking to you directly. His experiences and the way he presents them make you never want to put the book down! Give us more, Dean!!! Your inspirational and we'll follow you anywhere.

This book is just as inspiring after reading it for the second time. Dean Karnazes shows the world that with hard work and determination you can accomplish what you want. It's a wonderful story.

As a fellow endurance athlete, I thoroughly enjoyed Dean's book. He has inspired me to further my journey and continually test my own limits.

At more than a few points in the book I wasn't sure if I should be laughing at the absurdity and the physical pain Dean would inflict on himself, but the truth be told, it was inspirational. The notion of pushing beyond any imaginable limits is a powerful message, and it rubbed off. I'm happy to say that Dean has transformed running, which I often used as a form of self-punishment, into an event I truly look forward to: "Competition with yourself is the ultimate test." For best effect, next time you go for a run, load "Ultramarathon Man" onto your player - you wont regret it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first half of this book. The reason I only rate it a three out of five is because the last half of the book was so incredibly boring and self-serving, as Lerner tries to justify the crime for which he was imprisoned.

What is most important in this book is the essence of the prison experience that Lerner writes about. Any informed reader can sort out the BS that Lerner weaves into the retelling of his prison experience. I actually found depth and meaning into his contrasting his prior life as a cubicle worker with the prison experience.

Some parts of the book had me laughing out loud. I also thought about the meaning and message of this book for a long time after I'd finished reading it. The book is worth reading and skipping over the self-serving part of the book when Lerner goes into the details of the murder that sent him to prison.

I loved this book. The author really has an ear for the lingo and an eye for a situation. I think that you will like this book as well.

Just read an account elsewhere that the author likely is far more guilty of outright murder than he makes out. In that, he is the typical "innocent" con.

But, that said, I read the book several times over the last year or so. He finds funny situations - made up or not.

For about the first chapter, I was impatient to learn about the author's crime. I guess I needed to know if I should sympathize with him or keep my emotional distance. Then I stopped caring, because his prison experiences were so fascinating, and I was kept busy laughing out loud at his sardonic asides. Lerner does tell the story of the murder at the book's conclusion, and I was grateful to discover that his actions seemed pretty darn justifable, because by then I thoroughly liked the guy.

The following is from "Reality Bites"
By Meghan O'Rourke
Posted Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006, at 12:52 PM ET

"In 2002, a man published a memoir chronicling his substance abuse and the months he spent in jail after committing a crime. When a reporter discovered that the memoir was built around a fabrication, the author defended his embellishments in the name of literary license: "What I was doing was a literary genre known as a memoir," he explained, and pointed to a disclaimer in his book noting that identifying details had been changed. The man was not James Frey. He was Jimmy A. Lerner, the author of You Got Nothing Coming: Notes From a Prison Fish, published by Broadway Books. The fabrication was a significant one. The book describes Lerner's murder of a thuggish 6-foot-3 maniac he calls "the Monster," in a drug-fueled fight to the death in a hotel room. In fact, as David Kirkpatrick later reported in the New York Times Magazine, Lerner had actually killed a 5-foot-4 former medical equipment salesman who may not have been armed."

I read this thinking it would be more of a "Prison Survival" type book, and I picked this up on a novelty. What I found was a very interesting page turner about how a seemingly regular 9-5 person let his bad choices lead him into a situation where he landed in prison for murder.

I don't want to say that Jimmy had it easy in prison, becuase nothing about jail is easy. However, he did get lucky in that he made friends with the right people. Jimmy seems like a likable, friendly and trustworthy guy, and it is what kept his head above water while doing time.

Most of this book is about Jimmy's time in prison. However, the last chapter deals with the events that led him there.

I really became engrossed in the story and was reading late into the nights to finish this. This book still leaves a few unanswered questions, and I would be interested in reading a "part II" to this to see how 'OG' finished out his time, and how his life is going now.

I liked this book, I don't know if it is entirely truthful, but I still enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book--I finished it in only a couple days. I don't really agree with a lot of the reviewers about how "it drags" and there was too much filler--I thought it was pretty hard to put down. Since I am probably moving down to Vegas soon (I live in Reno currently) I liked the parts where he wrote about locals and life outside of the Strip--but I also think this would be interesting to anyone in general. I also liked all the different descriptions of the casinos he stayed at--since the book was written before all the new casinos opened (Venetian, Wynn, etc) you read about some of the lesser-known or older ones, which I thought was pretty interesting. The book draws you in quickly--I would become genuinely anxious/excited during his gambling sprees and "nest egg" fluctuations. I will agree with another reviewer that said he should have talked more about actual gambling theory--which I find fascinating-- and the games he was playing. I found myself wondering if he even knew what he was doing most of the time...but overall a very fun read for anyone who likes gambling/casinos/Vegas, etc.

I just read this book after it being recommended by a dealer. I play pretty high stakes baccarat and BJ and when in Vegas live those crazy hours. I was extremely excited when I first bought the book and read the plot outline and the first few pages. However it begins to drag on far too long when he spends time with people like conventioneers. It is pretty surprising that he had such wild swings in his bankroll, at times he'd be down 10-20 grand and come back with a couple thousand dollars left. There wasn't enough about a "wild time" in Vegas in my opinion, it seems his stay while nice because his free bankroll, was fairly dull in many ways.

I read this when I need a Vegas fix. If you like Vegas or casino gambling you will love this book. This is the reality show of books. Martinez go head to head with the casinos and experiences the up and downs of a real gambler. Enjoying the high of winning and the despair of losing.

Its a cliche but the phrase "A great read" is applicable. Book is entertaining throughout, one that I reread a few years later and enjoyed equally the second time around. Mr Martinez is one of the few writers that captures the adrenaline of Las Vegas, the feeling of non-stop action.
You won't be disappointed.

24/7 sounds like an adrenaline and hormone ride, but it actually isn't. Andres Martinez is a middle class, stable guy who is given $50,000 by a publisher and told to go to Las Vegas and gamble it up or down. What he makes in profit he gets to keep. I won't ruin the plot for you, but Martinez plays a great deal of baccarat and blackjack along with some slots and a single game of poker. As a narrator, he seems like a kind man whose decency, unfortunately, detracts from the story's value. Everything's pretty tame here, and for those of us who read books as a way to vicariously escape our own moderation, it's more bourgeois than ideal. Martinez is strongest when talking about his own childhood in Mexico or about The World Cup. He's weakest and annoying when talking politics. He appears to have all the usual biases of the mainstream press. Indeed, he views "libertarian" as a pejorative even though a careful study of his former country would prove to him the extent in which socialism impoverishes the masses.

One problem that I should mention is that the book is now dated. Oh, it wouldn't be if it were written about any other city, but 1999, in Vegas years, was four decades ago. Many of his observations, such as those about the former mayor, have little application to the present. Much has changed since 2000 and the changes will continue ad infinitum. I do have to say though that the sections on baccarat were educational and very entertaining. It's a game of which most of us small timers know absolutely nothing. Another reason for my mild recommendation is that the role of casino host, such as the one he had at the Luxor, is really fleshed out. We see their tremendous dedication their clients here. The hosts, like the high stakes gaming areas, are another side to Vegas which most of us rarely see.

This is one of my very favorites of the Anna Pigeon series. How much scarier a setting than deep underground!! This is a very interesting, exciting book. I learned a tremendous amount about caves and caving in this one. You really begin to feel a little smothered at times as you read the harrowing adventure deep beneath the earth. Great book. Good read.

This is my 3rd, and my favorite Nevada Barr novel. Track Of the Cat was very good, Deep South was OK, but Blind Descent was great. Ms. Barr is top notch with her imagery, but I found early on I had to be more of an active reader, keeping up with the technical jargon to stay on top of it. There's lots of caving and climbing equipment and techniques mentioned, and lots of trekking through caves describing each move; if my mind wandered the slightest, I'd lose my mental image and get lost, having to backtrack to refresh myself with just how an ascender worked or where she was in the cave relative to the other person. She makes her subject material fascinating...I found myself googling Lechuguilla Cave, and discovered it's an actual cave just as she describes in the book. I learned a lot, and appreciate being educated while I'm enjoying a book. I love her writing: her humor, her wonderful similes and metaphors, the unpredictability of her plot. In the book the protaganist Anna is hiding in a cave, slips out of her hole and manages to grab a supply pack & return to her hiding place unseen. Ms Barr's description: "Scuttling backward with her prize, like an alligator with a Pekinese, Anna vanished into the trough." Danger sprinked with humor, I love it! Describing Anna's sighting of a rope she desperately needs to escape: "Daring one flick of her lamp, she sighted the ascension rope on the far side of the pit. Between the looming crusted tables, a red snakey tongue licked dead white stone". Tension loaded with vivid imagery; Ms. Barr does it so well.

I always enjoy Nevada Barr's novels. Once again Anna Pigeon finds herself in another dangerous situation, this one inside a vast underground cavern with some very tight spots. Great suspense!

Nevada Barr's BLIND DESCENT, the 6th Anna Pigeon mystery is not for the claustrophobic. New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns is one of the most beautiful and mysterious of the National Park System. I'm not a spelunker, but have managed to find myself in several along with my camera. Tight spaces don't particularly bother me, but I've watched people freeze even in a mock up of a cave in a natural history museum. If you're one of those ease back in your best chair and let Nevada's vivid prose give you a vicarious experience. BLIND DESCENT is well worth the trip and her masterful plotting, red herrings, and convoluted paths to the exciting conclusion might cure your fear of closed places.
Nash Black, author of WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

Blind Descent is my introduction to the Anna Pigeon series, and a very satisfactory one it has turned out to be. My first impression of author Barr as a writer is a favorable one. She's literate (I know, all published authors are supposed to be literate, but that's not the case), intelligent, and excels at description, dialogue, and creating palpable ambience. Anna is an attractive heroine, but while her personality is finely drawn, other characters aren't as deep. As for plot, Blind comes across as an adventure that requires courage, with a mystery thrown in to stimulate curiosity. Having visited other caves (as a tourist), I was struck by the immediacy and precision of Barr's ability to capture the qualities of utter darkness, other-worldliness, and isolation.

I haven't granted Blind Descent with a fifth star because Anna comes across as dogged and determined but makes some stupid decisions and choices. Her bravery and daring I can buy, but it's too hard to accept that someone with her training and knowledge would not be willing to seek out the proper parties for professional assistance in uncovering crimes.
That aside, Blind Darkness is a well-written, original, and most enjoyable novel.

This was an excellent book for giving the feel for the south and its unique natural environment. As usual for Barr, the blend of mystery,romance, nd community together with a special understanding of the environment made this a really fun novel to read. In addition, her understanding of the challenges of leadership makes the novel even more relevant to our times.

I'm a very fast reader, easily starting and finishing a book within a day or two. I bought this book, along with another Anna Pidgeon book, back in June, and have been trying since then to get any further than the third chapter in either book. I pick up the books, start them, plug through the first chapter, make myself get through the second, and by the third chapter both books are being laid back down. Over Christmas I found myself with no book to read, so out of desperate boredom, I picked up Deep South, again, and was determined to finish it.

I did finish the book, and I know I'll never read another book written by Nevada Barr. This is an author who literally writes her stories to death. Every sentence takes the long way around, and so often by the time I finished reading a paragraph I'd have to just go back and read it again, forcing myself to hold onto that long winding train of thought.

Descriptive writing is good, it's a talent, but there's a definite line at which you cross over into utter tediousness. There were also small inconsistencies, which immediately lowered my expectations of this writer, for example, when describing the hood over the body's head, Ms. Barr writes about only the nose and part of a cheek being visible. Then, a few paragraphs later she writes "...and she hoped there was a head under there!"...well, if the nose and a cheek were visible then it's obvious there WAS indeed a head under that hood! Slip ups like that, slight as they may be, cause me to lose respect for the writing.

Anyway...sometimes a sentence, or a paragraph, can be presented simply and directly and have far more effect than a sentence or paragraph that is overstocked, crammed jammed full of descriptions and qualifiers and adjectives and nouns and pronouns and verbs and adverbs and...well, you get the point.

As I said before, this author literally writes her stories to death.

Set in Mississippi, this is a great fun book. No, it's not going to pass as high art, but it is a page turner, especially when you get about half way through.

There's a love interest also, for those into that sort of thing, and then the "who dunnit" aspect which keeps you on your seat.

I was impressed that Barr has actually worked as a park ranger and it shows in the details in this book. Her plotting is also excellent and I'll look forward to reading more of her works.

I found this book in a discount bin and decided to give it a shot. Glad I did as it turned out to be so much better than the usual stuff "they" try to sell you. While it's not perfect, it is pretty darn good.

This was my second Nevada Barr book - the first I read was Hidden Truth, which I found entertaining and well written. I enjoyed this book up until the last 50 pages or so. I got the feeling that the writer was struggling with a suitable/plausible ending to an otherwise enjoyable story. It dragged on a bit and the final who-done-it & more so - why - felt weak and far fetched for such a big story.

I did enjoy the info and data on the NPS, racism and sexism in the south, and the strength of the character. But perhaps the end could have included more info about topics such as did the people behind the alligator incident ever get prosecuted?

I have not traveled the Natchez Trace since the parkway was build, but the old road is one from which not even Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark fame, returned. The Trace is steeped in mystery, death and kudzu, which covers everything if allowed free rein.
Anna Pigeon accepts a promotion and finds, a not unexpected wall of resentment, from male Park Service members under her supervision. What she didn't expect to find on her first watch was the murder of a popular high school coed, whose life had dredged up resentment.
DEEP SOUTH by Nevada Barr leads the reader alone with Anna to a fine conclusion. No guessing on this one, you will be surprised along with Anna when Barr tips her pen.
Nash Black, author of WRITING OF A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

Book arrived as described. Great condition, just one "eared" page. Quite satisfied. If your familiar with poker and it's famous players, this book is a very quick read.

I bought this book because I'm a poker fan and casual player. I love reading dramatic stories surrounding Las Vegas. However, I found myself more interested in Andy Beal throughout the book than any of the stories surrounding the games being played. Maybe it was my entrepreneur/business side coming out, but for pure poker alone this book wasn't that interesting. If there is a biography about Andy Beal, I'll be sure to read that next.

In some ways this could be considered a story about negotiating terms and conditions - these factors were key in determining the outcome of "the game". Very interesting backstories about some of the players that appear at so many final tables of big tournaments.

This is a great book, I believe for a poker player although someone who wants insights into the High Stakes world would also enjoy it. It was absolutely riveting and it was extremely difficult to lay it down. An exceptionally fast read. I would recommend the book wholeheartedly. The ending was a bit off with the author forcibly interjectedly himself into the story. I found that trivial and quite unnecessary.

This book was very interesting and hard to put down. It talks about a lot of the poker pros that live and play in Las Vegas and L.A. And is a good insight into some of the highest stakes poker games in the world. If you ever wanted to know what it would be like to be a high stakes poker player you should read this book. It is also very interesting to read about what goes on behind the scenes in the high stakes poker rooms in Las Vegas.