Arizona Books

This Book is Outta Sight! and Dy-No-Mite!

Someone recommended this book to me when I first moved to Tucson after living "up north" all my life. I had relocated to Arizona for a job and was in somewhat of a state of culture shock at the lack of green grass, no four seasons, etc. This book was a real god-send for me. It breaks the year into 12 months and describes what is happening in the environment in terms of climate, wildlife, plant life, and the constellations. It is filled with fun-facts and things to do and watch for, so adults and children alike will find this book fun and interesting to read. It is fascinating learning about the unique-ness of the Sonoran desert and it made me really appreciate how incredible and diverse it really is! I now recommend this book to everyone (native or newcomer) and buy it regularly as a "welcome" gift to my colleagues that relocate here from other parts of the country. I highly recommend it.

Focuses on early Anglo American views of the desert Southwest, and the destructiveness which threatens to destroy the landscape as it originally existed. Uses literature to show how attitudes have changed, have come to support the sustenance of the desert rather than its destructive transformation. But is there still time? Winner, Border Regional Library Association's 1998 Southwest Book Award.

He captured the beauty of that part of the country!

This small book is a wonderful combinaiton of beautiful photographs and historical information about the southwest. It is an outstanding book for any who want to read about the history and culture of the southwest prior to or after a trip through this gorgeous region. In addition to great photos it has writeups on the Spanish explorers, Anasasi history, pottey, historic ruins, points of interest, anglo settlements, etc. A well done book

All of the Smithsonian Guides to Natural America are excellent, and this one is no exception. It is one of the best guides available to the natural history of the Southwest, and is beautifully illustrated with color photographs. Not only visitors to this region but residents as well would find their understanding and appreciation of the natural environment enhanced by this attractive and informative book.

I use this dictionary alot. This dictionary will help the medical provider or interpreter understand the Spanish language form variations of Spanish speakers from North-Western Mexico and the South-West United States.

Anecdotal Story:

A mother told me her son had "las viruelas locas", the medical professional had attended Spanish medical vocabulary training, and understood the women's response, however he only understood "viruela" (small pox) and immediatly became concerned.

I had to step in and educate the medical professional that many Spanish speakers refer to chicken pox as "las viruelas locas", and I showed him in my handy pocket dictionary the difference between "Las viruelas locas" (chicken pox) vs. "La viruela negra" (small pox). He still asked secondary questions just to be safe, but we avoided a potential cultural barrier.

One more Story.

A patient told a medical professional that the she gave the baby hierba buena (mint) for the fever. A different medical professional comprehended the phrase and performed a self-interpretation based on Cheech and Chong movies that hierba buena was marijuana. He was brought back to reality when he saw in the dictionary that Hierba Buena ment mint, the cultural crisis was avoided.

The dictionary also has a list of local plants both edible and poisioness.

This dictionary is recommended for both the medical professional and Spanish Medical Interpreters.

This book is essential to all those teaching and learning about Native literature. It is currently the only critical collection devoted to contemporary Native poetry. My only hope is that editors Gould and Rader edit future anthologies like this, so that we can continue to have critical work regarding Native poets and poetic traditions.

This collection includes essays by Eric Gary Anderson, Paula Gunn Allen, Marilou Awiakta, Susan Berry Brill de Ramírez, Qwo-Li Driskill, Janice Gould, Elaine A. Jahner, Daniel Heath Justice, Janet McAdams, Robert M. Nelson, Simon J. Ortiz, Dean Rader, Carter Revard, and Patricia Clark Smith.

This is a rare collection of stories, songs, teachings of the Yuman tribes living near the lower Colorado River. What a find!! Includes brief review of the ancient language of these People.

St. Oswald Of Northumbria: Continental Metamorphoses studies the legend of St. Oswald, whose cult proliferated in medieval Germany. From the earliest German Oswald legend, to later renditions that were retold in the style of bride- quest romances in which Oswald no longer died as a martyr, St. Oswald Of Northumbria scrutinizes how a legend can change according to the needs and demands of those who tell it, as well as the passage of time. St. Oswald Of Northumbria contains both the legends themselves and contemplative reflections upon their mutability. The original legends offered are "Osvalds Saga", which is the oldest vernacular legend on the continent, and an edition of "Van Sunte Oswaldo Deme Konninghe", an abbreviated Low German legend deriving from the earliest version. Both legends are presented in their original tongue as well as in English translation. A scholarly work especially recommended for religious history and college library shelves.