Utah Books

The blurb on the back (perhaps lacking our British self-depreciation) describes the book as an "exemplary grammar" and I must say this is a fair description.

The book is admirably clear and physically well laid out.
It really, really needs an index though.(my only serious carp)

My ancestor, Jacob Hamblin, wrote this book. Originally title "My Life with the Indians" it was edited in the late 1800s. Elders in the Morman Church removed the references to his only Indian wife, a Paiute woman, my great grandmother. They were married in Utah, and moved to New Mexico, where my grandmother was born.

Other than some things that were edited out, this is one of the most accurate
accounts of life in the Southwest that I know of. They also edited how
how Jacob testified after finding an entire tribe slaughtered on a horseback ride he made back from Arizona. A valley full of woman and children who had been killed. Later, as a result of Hamblin's testimony,
three Caucasian men were hung in Utah, the ones who led the massacre on their own accord, not under any military instructions.

Jacob Hamblin was a hero in American History and for that reason, this book is important. He negotiated the first peace treaty between the Ute and Navajo tribes successfully. He is probably best known for that accomplishment.

This is one of the absolute best, most fascinating books ever written on the rhythm of daily Aztec ritual life; its massive (bloodthirsty) pantheon of gods; how the Aztec religion and its built-in fatalism maintained unwavering and absolute control over ALL of Aztec society -- from the emperor to the lowest slave: top to bottom, no exceptions.

In the book, Dr. Brundage also does an excellent job of illustrating all primary aspects and motivations in Aztec life. He goes into some detail regarding how Aztec class structure worked; how one could rise or sink in terms of status in the Aztec world, and why social ranking for nearly all was valued over absolutely everything -- even wealth.

Quite importantly, the author draws an unvarnished picture of Aztec life (without needless grizzly details) and avoids completely, irksome or politically correct intellectual gymnastics inorder to sugarcoat what was an utterly enigmatic civilization which ran on dread and fear; was completely obsessed with death -- one's own death and of others: The ritual murder of tens of thousands of men, women and small children each year -- all in a desperate, vain attempt to placate the gods -- who were insatiably hungry for mountains of human hearts and rivers of blood. Beyond this, Brundage goes into some detail regarding the importance of cannibalism in Aztec society, enjoyed particularly among the elite warriors, the nobility, and the Emperor. In contrast, the hoi polloi quite rarely (if ever) feasted on human flesh. Thankfully, the author never attempts to insult our intelligence by lamely excusing evil, inexcusable behavior, such as cannibalism and ritual murder -- of vast numbers of people -- including even small children.

Anyone serious about understanding the Aztec mind and social order should *ALSO READ* -- "Time and Sacrifice in the Aztec Cosmos" by K. A. Read.

Another truly *EXCELLENT* book on Aztecs -- that should be on everyone's MUST-READ LIST -- is, "Burning Water: Thought and Religion in Ancient Mexico" by Laurette Sejourne: This is, hands down, one of the **VERY BEST** books ever written about Aztec civilization and their "peculiar religion."

FYI, Dr. Brundage has authored nearly a dozen most extraordinarily well written and researched books on Aztec life and civilization; most are (sadly) out-of-print for some time and thus, can be tough to find; try searching Amazon.

No more questions, no more boredom, and definitely no more closed window shades on the flight between Helena and Salt Lake City. This conveniently sized booklet is brimming with engrossing vignettes to enrich your flight. The stories are well selected, artfully told, and amply illustrated. The best part: the book is packed so full that after 6 legs between Helena and Salt Lake, I still have more stories to look forward to. A great way to entertain and educate kids in flight, too.

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Rating: "A-" -- beautiful photos, interesting history and people.
Not to mention a great place to visit.

Josef Muench smacked Adolf Hitler with a well-aimed tomato back
in 1927; prudently, he moved to the US the following year. He got a
job with the Ford Motor Co., kept it until he could afford a new
Model A ($535), and headed West. His big break came when he met
Raymond Carlson, the editor who turned "Arizona Highways" from
an obscure highway-promotion magazine into a world-famous
showcase for landscape photography. Muench made his first trip to
Monument Valley in 1935, and by 1992 had made 355 trips there,
while becoming one of the world's leading landscape photographers
(his son David may be even better). Josef took the cover photo of this
little book in 1937, the year they started selling Kodachrome color
film. You'll recognize many of the classic views here, taken over the
next 60 years.

Harry Goulding moved to Monument Valley in 1923 to open a
trading post, which is still "the place" to stay when you visit. Times
were tough in the Depression -- no money, no business, no jobs. But
Hollywood was making Westerns, so Harry decided he'd sell the
studios on making movies in Monument Valley. Muench made up
a portfolio of photos for Goulding to bring to Hollywood, still
considered by some to be his best work. By pure persistence, Harry
worked his way up to John Ford, and layed out Muench's pictures.
Ford decided that Monument Valley was *the* location to shoot his
next big picture, "Stagecoach" (1938). He had to import cowboys, but
Indians came with the package. The rest, as they say, was history -- if
you've watched western movies, you've had a preview of
Monument Valley.

Monument Valley, a Navajo Tribal Park, straddles the Utah-Arizona
border in the vast Navajo Reservation. It's still pretty much in the
middle of nowhere. Gets a little busy in the summer, now. but it's
still otherwordly. And don't miss Betatakin ruin at Navajo NM!

This is one of the "Story Behind the Scenery" booklets, of about the
size and heft of an"Arizona Highways" magazine, that are ubiquitous
at national-park visitor centers and souvenir shops. I'd always kinda
looked down my nose at them ("booklike objects for tourists" --
I know, hopeless snobbery), but the recent ones have truly gorgeous
photos, so I'm catching up on them. Their website is at
www.kcpublications.com , or email them for their very
attractive catalog: kcp@kcpublications.com. A nice feature for
visitors from abroad is foreign-language editions: most titles are
available in German, many in French & Japanese, and some in
Spanish, Italian, Chinese & Korean.

Happy reading!
Pete Tillman

What I loved most about this book was that it was more than a love story and more than a "journey of self discovery". The characters in this novel delve into history, their own as well as their country's and come up with hard answers to the questions how are we shaped by our culture and by the events that have come before us? So many of the scenes that stayed with me - Deirdre going into labour at the wake, the exumation of the bog body and Dermot throwing his boots at the church wall while being watched by Abbey - resonated because of their authenticity.
The villagers,a colourful Greek chorus, were both hilarious and genuinely moving.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading a beautifully written novel about relationships or Ireland and it's complex history.

Addison Pratt's journal has the sweep of a great mini-series! This son of an organ builder runs away to sea, is almost murdered in Hawaii, falls in love a remarkably independent woman and follows her to Canada and proposes, settles down and becomes a captain on the Erie Canal. Then he hears about Joseph Smith and the Mormons and after careful study, he and his wife join and move to Nauvoo. Almost immediately he is sent on a mission to the South Pacific where he labors for 5 years unaware of the murder of Joseph Smith or of his family's expulsion from Nauvoo. At last he returns by way fo the gold fields and reaches Salt Lake City where the Mormons have gathered, but within a year is sent back to Tahiti crossing the Nevada desert to California. In a few months his wife and daughters follow but when they reach Tahiti they find Addison imprisoned by the French government which is suspicious of Americans.
Pratt writes well and is honest, and George Ellsworth has done a thoroughly professional job of editing this massive journal.
Read his wife's journal as well. Louisa Barnes Pratt is equally gifted as a writer and equally courageous and committed to what she believes is true.

I gave this book 5 stars, because I thought is was all that. It's a shame about Joseph Janis' daughter's suicide and murder of his two sons, but there is little he could've done. Even though I don't agree with his leaving of Christianity, the fact that he chose to stay with his wife and share the fate of her people is truely commendable and admired. I always have respected the American Indian and I always will. It is a shame what was done to them. I wish there were more men, especially white men who were ahead of there time during this great Nations darkest years. Mr. Janis' marriage to First Elk Woman is truly a love story. It reminds me of Into The West, with Jacob Wheeler and Thunder Heart Woman.

Marvelous book, gives a clear understanding of what happened in New Mexico during the 17th century. A must read!

Many people probably would think this book dosen't make sense because of the name. I mean think about it 101 Little known facts about Karl Malone. This book is probably one of the best book about a Star ever. 101 Little known facts about Karl Malone is one of the best little known facts books ever written, it covers facts about a superstar who is becoming one of the greatest basketball player. One of the best books about a star ever written. Covers things you will definitely want to read