Texas Books

My name is Woodrow and I'm in this dang book. Let me tell you it's all a pack of lies. Most of the stuff Reavis wrote about me NEVER EVEN HAPPENED! Well, SOME of it may have happened, but I don't think he needs to be airing all of our dirty longjohns out in public. Doc, Wrong Willie, Jerry Wayne and all the rest of us agree Reavis needs some kind of therapy... and fast. And I don't mean the kind of therapy he's been getting from Charlie Daniels' brother, Jack, if you know what I mean.

Eat Gas Now by R. Wortham brings two things together that makes me giggle: first, a group of hunting buddies who enjoy each other's company probably more than hunting (it's a male bonding thing); and second, the diner that grace's any small town where local's sip coffee and trade yarns. This group reminds me of my 'lunch bunch' who just have a funny way of looking at things. I highly recommend this book.

Set aside a couple of hours and read this book non-stop. You won't have a choice because you cannot put it down until you have finished. One story just makes you hungry for another. Caution: do not attempt to read one of the stories to another person, because you will be unable to speak, having fallen into uncontrollable spasms of laughter. I tried to read one to my wife and we both fell on the floor howling.

This book appeals to outdoor persons of course, but the humor will not be lost on anyone.

Double Shift is a wonderful story about Katy, a teenager faced with the same problems many teens face today. Ms. Hergenrader does an excellent job of portraying a sympathetic heroine, who wants to follow God's will, but who must first learn to be humble. The devotionals at the end of each chapter are thought provoking, and I think this book would make an excellent teaching tool for preteens and teenagers who are struggling to maintain their Christian beliefs in a secular world.

I honestly started reading the book as a daily devotional, but at about day 7 I couldn't stop reading and just finished it. I appreciate the value of serving so much more and am very excited about finding news ways in my life to serve others and let God work in my life. A great read for all ages and backgrounds, with an even better message.

Christina Hergenrader's DOUBLE SHIFT has one of the most refreshing heroines I've read in years. Katy is a vegetarian, has her eyebrow pierced, wears thrift-store clothing, and wants to serve God. In DOUBLE SHIFT, Katy is stuck working at a restaurant for the summer, serving grumpy patrons and putting up with the boss's cocky son. Katy has a lot of growing up to do and, in the process, she might just find what God wants of her too.

The third in Ms. Hergenrader's series, Katy's book can be read alone or with the other novels. After reading the first two books, I wanted to know more about Katy, and I'm thrilled she has her own story. Katy struggles with questions we all face: whether the work we do is what God wants or we want. This is an excellent book for any age group, any faith.

Mr Krebs's elucidation in re: diplomatic paradigms twixt Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and Eastern European/Soviet Bloc countries circa 1952 was truly edifying in its analyses and exegeses. His utilization of lucid rhetoric facillitated exemplary cognizance of the subject material.

This is not the type of book I would normally pick up and read. I chanced upon it at this site and eagerly awaited it's release. I was not disappointed. The arguments were well thought out and ideas presented in a clear, concise manner. I would like to thank the author for the experience and look forward to reading his next published material.

An erudite yet readable, scholarly yet lively, account of the Eisenhower administration's Cold War strategy, focusing on Eastern Europe. Krebs writes fluidly, and he succeeds in bringing alive the struggles between two contending visions of the region's future--Finlandization and rollback. Like other scholars in recent years, Krebs argues that John Foster Dulles was a far more subtle thinker on international affairs than his public pronouncements would have led one to believe, and Dulles comes across here as the chief proponent of a vision for Eastern Europe modeled along the lines of Finland--that is, domestic autonomy combined with a highly constrained foreign policy. The Cold War began with the Truman administration's Eastern European "litmus test," in Melvyn Leffler's phrase, and the dissolution of the Soviet empire in the region was the Cold War's denouement. In many respects, Eastern Europe has served as the Cold War in microcosm, and Krebs' history of strategy toward Eastern Europe under Eisenhower is an important and impressive contribution to our understanding of the early Cold War. With its last chapter on the implications of the study for international relations theory, this is a book with interest for political scientists as well as historians.

I've lived in Austin for about 6 years and honestly didn't think I'd find too many new gems in this book. I was wrong!!!! I found a few of my favorite restaurants and stores, but now have a new list of places to hit. So far I haven't been disappointed and can't wait to try the guides for other cities.

This book is witty, informative & right on target. It lists all the best places to eat & shop in Austin in an appealing one-page format with tantalizing photographs. Makes you want to get out there & visit each & every place!

I love, love, love this book. As a new resident of Austin, I have no idea where to shop, eat or do anything else. And this book gives you such great ideas about what to do, where to go and what you'll find when you get there. There are so many great-looking restaurants and shops in this book. I can't wait to start exploring them. The style of writing and the photos add a lot to this great book. I highly recommend it!

This book won a book design award by the Association of American University Presses (AAUP) in 1999 in the trade book illustrated category. Book designer: Heidi Haeuser; Publisher: University of Texas Press.

Superb black and white photographs by a premier photographer, displaying the lives of ordinary people and the native customs of various parts of Mexico. A real bargain at the price.

This book contains some of the most extraordinary photographs taken in Mexico. The camera travels through the country capturing images of people, their art, and their environment.

I feel as if I have known Dave Parsons for most of my life. His poignant and moving revelations of his life stories paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a poet who is grounded in the real world. Parsons creates an ambience that invites the reader into the poets living room to share the triumphs and tragedies of lifes moments that most of us neglect. Parsons has defined poetry for us through his revelations. The world awaits the next installment of wonderment.

I found many of Mr. Parson's poems very moving. "They" is one of my favorites.

Editing Sky is a poignant collection of intimate poems that also seem universal in their appeal. They describe powerful experiences of an Austin childhood, handball, conoeing, marriage, alzheimers, the marines, historic houses, and much more. The poems draw you in and move you with their straightforward, vivid style. When you combine the intimate images, the direct style, and the pleasing eloquence and ease of the words and their arrangement, it makes for a truly satisfying poetry reading experience! I enjoy reading the book over and over and I would highly recommend it.

[Review by Larry Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld & Aswsociates, Post Office Box 2831, 660 Circulo Nomada, Tubac, AZ 85646-2831, (520) 398-3371, published in COUNCIL FIRES, The Publication for Western Americana Enthusiasts, Vol. 8, Issue #1, January, 1998, p. 16-17.] E1 Llano Estacado: Exploration and Imagination on the High Plains of Texas and New Mexico, 1536-1860. Written by John Miller Morris. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, First Edition ($39.95). El Llano Estacado is an extremely well written new work of Southwestern History, brilliantly revealing the historical core and heart of one of America's most history-packed regions--the mesaland of the Southern High Plains in Texas and New Mexico. From the Canadian River in the north to the Edwards Plateau in the south, from the Pecos River in the west to the awesome canyonlands of the Red, Pease, Brazos, and Colorado Rivers in the east, these 50,000-square miles of what is commonly referred to as "the Llano" are here chronicled over a period of 300 years, revealing the history, cultural grandeur, and mythic wonders of this special ruggedly beautiful land. A knockout read for both historians and buffs alike, Morris's new book is his song to this unique environment, revealing, melding, and analyzing a diversified series of Spanish, French, Mexican, and Anglo-American explorers and adventurers and how they made their mark on this remarkable land. The book opens with an examination of what is known as the Lost Coronado Trail, pursuing the question of where did the Coronado Expedition go in 1541. What follows is nothing short of a breakthrough analysis of what they saw and how they remembered it as revealed through their personal accounts and journals. The second part of the book, which deals with the Llano Frontier, continues its unique approach to the study of the three centuries of Spanish exploration and imagination following Coronado. Here we revisit this extraordinary land through the eyes and imaginations of the conqueror, Juan de Onate, the accounts of the French explorers, Pierre Mallet and Paul Mallet, and the travel diaries of trailblazers Pedro Vial, Jose Mares, and Francisco Amangual. Part Three then explores and analyzes "the invention or discovery of the Llano through the Anglo imagination," including the "prose of the poet Albert Pike, the grand deceits of Alexander Le Grand, the reasoning of Josiah Gregg, and the legendary collapse of the Texan-Santa Fe Expedition" as chronicled by George Wilkins Kendall and Thomas Falconer. Together the author analyzes what he calls the "American rhetoric of romantic discovery." The Great Zahara, the last of four parts, deliciously delves into the "perceptual approaches of classic U. S. Explorers James W. Abert, Randolph B. Marcy, A. W. Whipple, Andrew Gray, and John Pope...." Powerful, unusual, stimulating, and nothing short of brilliant, El Llano Estacado is one of the finest works of cultural and mythic history of a region I have ever read. Morris has penned a great work of both history and imagination, pushing the boundaries on historical scholarship to limits that I would have never thought possible. This book should change the way history is not only written but perceived. You must read this mmagnificent book!!

Using historical writings of early explorers, the author captures the mystery and magic of the great Llano Estacado or "Staked Plains" that begin in West Texas and extend north and west. Particularly amusing is the efforts of early railroad surveyors to find underground water at the edge of the Llano (aka the caprock) only to miss one of North America's largest aquifers (the Ogalla) by a matter of miles and in some cases yards.

We were going on a trip to see the Llano Estacado and the canyon in west Texas.This book gave the trip so much dimension and understanding at how hard the life was for the explorers and the pioneers in this harsh land.Very cleverly written,holds one attention. Wonderful

Eldercare in Texas presents the basic information family caregivers need to know to care for their aging spouse, parent or relative. Davis covers legal & financial concerns, housing options and end-of-life issues in a no nonsense way. The glossary is particularly helpful. Her personal anecdotes show the reader she doesn't just write about eldercare, she has lived it. A must read for any family caregiver in Texas.

I am a social worker and work just with Texans. This book is the most resourceful book I have had in years. The elderly in Texas did not know that half of these resources are available to them. I encourage family caregivers to purchase this book.

This is by far the best reference book for eldercare in Texas I've ever read. Thorough, informative, easy to read & understand. Covers everything a caregiver for the elderly could need. A++

I had heard Dr. Dawson for speak sometime and each week he told true stories about how God provided for people he had met long before their need was even known, even by 100 years. The book tells of the wonderful provision that only God can provide. I highly recommend this book.

Jerry Dawson is a master story teller and has more than ample experiences to fill this book with laughter, sometimes tears, and wonderment at every turn of the page. The book gets its title from one of those experiences that taught Dawson, then a young preacher, the true meaning of "grace." Many of the stories are about answers to prayer. Others observe the field of higher education where Dawson served as distinguished teacher, dean and college president. Most of the anecdotes are about two pages long, making it a book that is easy to start and stop -- but I found it almost impossible to put down. It's not advertise as such, but "Elmer and the Peas" is a treasure of good stories for the public speaker. Read it to be entertained and uplifted at the same time.

Jerry Dawson is a master story teller and has had more "experiences" than anyone I've run across. He has a true gift of being able to laugh at himself, and he leads his readers to do likewise. The anecdotes -- usually about two pages long -- bring side-splitting laughter one moment, tears the next, and wonderment at almost every turn of the page. The book gets its title from one of those stories, a story that taught Dawson a lesson of grace when he was a young preacher. Many of the stories tell of remarkable answers to prayer. Others deal with the world of higher education, where Dawson spent distinguished years as teacher, dean and college president. Not only will this book entertain, it will uplift the reader. It is not advertised as such, but it is a treasure chest full of stories "with a point" for public speakers.

Houston is the perfect subject for a book of this kind, it lends itself so well to current trends in urban planning and what a lack of zoning can facilitate. The text is scholarly and well researched, uh that should be an oxymoron, but alas it is not always. The authors really nailed Houston and I recognized the city completely. If you have any interest in urban planning or Houston in general, or frankly just well realized books, then I highly recommend this book to you. Well done indeed.

Great compiliation of Cite articles masterfully edited by Scardino & Co.

The best book on Houston that I know. This collection of articles on the architecture of the city captures its aesthetic history (or lack thereof) wonderfully. The book's production quality is clean and beautifully done, and the narratives reveal Houston's vicissitudes - its humble origins, its disinterest in history, its deification of power, and the origins of its sprawl. Excellent.