Texas Books

This book was a good introduction for me to read more about women who lived in Paris, but like so many, they went there to live a life ahead of their time.

Not really a biography, tho it is very biographic. Not really a study of Feminism, tho most of the women were early pioneers. Not really a study of Lesbians, tho most of the women were, at least, bisexual. What this book does, and it does it extremely well, is illustrate how these women struggled to 'define' themselves, as artists, as authors, as sexual beings, as individuals at a time when women were generally perceived as little better then simple minded children factories. From Gertrude Stein to Djuna Barnes to Natalie Barney (Rene Vivian...'a life spent looking for death')such different people but sharing a common thread of struggle (and cost). I've read a lot about this period and these women, and no book has given me a better understanding of them and emotional empathy with them, then this book.

I picked up this book out of interest in expatriate Americans in the early part of the 20th century. I was immediately drawn into the worlds of these writers and artists and ultimately learned about incredible characters like Sylvia Beach, who was the first person to publish James Joyce's Ulysses, and Margaret Anderson, publisher of the modernist The Little Review.

As a feminist scholar, Benstock analyzes the places these women occupied in the Paris scene as well as in a world in transition. She admirably examines the literary works of the writers, but the book never feels solely like a book of criticism. Biographical information abounds and gives each chapter something of a story arc.

For readers who enjoy biographies of literary personalities but often miss the lack of detailed discussion of a writer's works, this book will not disappoint. And if you are at all interested Paris in the early part of the last century, modernism, or any of the many women discussed in the book (Edith Wharton, Djuna Barnes, Gertrude Stein & Alice Toklas, HD, Mina Loy, etc.) this book will be an invaluable source of information.

The author did a wonderful job with the stories. His research about the early dwellings was superb and the illustrations brought it very much to life. Not only will school children enjoy this book, it will also appeal to adults.

As an Architect, I am always on the lookout for quality books that help my children understand the beauty of Architecture through the ages. This book does just that, but does quite a bit more in the process. Through the use of interesting fiction and beautiful illustrations, the reader is exposed to indigenous Texas Architecture in a way that leaves him with a renewed appreciation for the history of Texas and Texans. I'm eagerly awaiting Mr. Arbuckle's next book!

Delightful stories of early Texans and the homes they built and inhabited from the days of Comanche Indians to the dust bowl and depression days of the 1930s. The reader is involved through the excellent story telling and gains an understanding of why the buildings were made out of the materials used. There is good explanation of the logic behind the type of construction and materials used to build a Tipi out of buffalo hides, a sod house and dugout made of mud, a dog-trot cabin, and a planter's antebellum mansion. The detailed drawings and informative descriptions also contribute to the total enjoyment of these stories. The author is an architect and parent who presents his stories with love and understanding of people and buildings. Grades 3-6.

This is an outstanding work that should be on the shelf of everyone interested in the history of flight. Here are my reasons for recommending the work.

First, there has not been any genuine attempt to write a comprehensive overview of the history of air power since Robin Higham published his book, "Air Power: A Concise History" in 1972. This work, of course, is an expansion and updating of that earlier book. I believe it fulfills a real need in the historical literature because of its broad perspective, sweeping conclusions, and multinational character. Higham is at his best in synthesizing the interrelationships of air power from nation to nation and conflict to conflict. He is equally at home with American, European, and Asian aspects of the story.

Second, I believe that the author has effectively explored the evolution of the doctrine of air power and incorporated the seven major ingredients of air power into his discussion:

1. Strategic bombardment of enemy production facilities and marshalling yards (with both land- and sea-based aircraft and missiles). Strategic bombing took on enormous importance because it was the most spectacular mission an air component could accomplish without assistance from ground forces.

2. Aerial interdiction, a close relative to strategic bombardment, but not exactly the same, for its purpose is to stop the flow of enemy assets to the battlefield.

3. Air superiority, control of the airspace over the battlefield and the classic dogfighting of fighters.

4. Air interception, fighter defense of friendly territory.

5. Ground attack and close air support, aircraft used in direct support of ground forces for victory in a battle. This is the classic case of infantry calling in air strikes seen in many Hollywood war films. In reality, it is a very important and difficult skill to master, especially in hitting a target while missing the friendly troops nearby. Another component came into this after World War II with the rise of helicopters that have a special place in accomplishing this mission but are owned, at least in the U.S., by the Army rather than the Air Force.

6. Airlift, an especially important aspect of air power usually ignored or taken for granted. It was the measure of victory in certain aspects of World War II (e.g. keeping China in the war through the Hump airlift and in airborne operations), in the Berlin Airlift, in the siege of Khe Sanh, in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, and perhaps in the deployment for the Gulf War.

7. Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (CI) has been critical to the successful use of air power. These include such things as reconnaissance, AWACs, DEW Line, navigation, radar, fire control, and the Global Positioning System.

Third, the author every effectively explores two themes--continuity and change--to give unity to the book and make the past useful for understanding recent events. Providing a suggestive description of air power in recent conflicts, Higham demonstrates how tactics and strategy sometimes paralleled those employed by air commanders of much earlier eras.

Fourth, the author's most interesting chapter is his last one, in which he offers some lessons for those involved in air power strategy and doctrine today. That suggestive chapter will find use in a variety of settings.

This is a must read book, and I would go further to add that it should be re-read, annotated, and referred to repeatedly.

100 Years Of Air Power & Aviation By Robin Higham (a former R.A.F. pilot and Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University) deftly weaves together theory and historical examples of the evolution of aviation during the past century, ranging from the Wright brothers and World War I, to modern day commercial airlines and aviation innovations. An extensive and "reader friendly" text is enhanced with a sprinkling of black-and-white photographs which combine to informatively trace the an on-going, world-altering saga of human invention and ingenuity as reflected through the courage of pilots and dedication of aviation pioneers. 100 Years Of Air Power & Aviation is clearly recommended as a core addition to any academic or community library Aviation History collection.

I used this book last year when I visited Dallas/Fort Worth and I plan on using it again this year. Since I only make one week trips to see my family, I'm sure that I'll be using this book for several years to come! (Or until the next edition comes out!)

Have used book to find unique attractions in the DFW area. Has help find places we never would have uncovered without the aid of the book. Great resource!

I have cycled only a few of the book's listed road rides in the Hill Country but I am familiar with portions of several other roads in the Hill Country and West Texas via automobile. These are truly great rides with well-thought directions and information. It's so good that when Mr. Ford says you will have to "shoo" sheep and livestock from the road, it really must be done! I eagerly await even more rides with the next edition of the book.

Our Texas Hill Country is indeed a little-known source of beauty to outsiders. Because of its depressed condition for decades in the past it was overlook even by Texans. Today, however, we are able to see this area for what it is: rolling hills, tumbling streams and rivers, and a great view around so many curves in its small secondary roads. Though West Texas is well-known for Big Bend, the sheer area of this part of our State, combined with sparse population, means all of us can enjoy peace and solitude--this is where the South turns into the Southwest.

Mr. Ford's book reflects a love of the area, combined with excellent directions and documentation of sights. The book is divided into geographic areas, and within those areas, into tours of a day or longer. He has also done an excellent job of rating the difficulty of the tours, and why he has come to those conclusions.

Though I have only cycled a small amount of this area, I would also recommend this book for those who would like to tour by car. I've traveled almost this entire area by car and wish I'd had this guide then. Additionally, I found the photography very well-done--particularly in view of the price of the book.

This book is a valuable resource, and a terrific buy for the price!

Finally a book by an attorney who really knows the perils that accident victims face! A traffic accident can be so devastating to the victim and their families. They face critical decisions as to the medical care. Then they are forced to face the reality of insurance company greed. Knowing your rights is the first step to protecting those rights! Robert Kraft has created an essential tool for every driver in Texas. I am so glad I was lucky enough to order his book!

As a former insurance adjuster, I have read Mr. Kraft's book with interest. He provides insight and information that everyone in Texas should have. Buy this book before you are in an accident so you do not make one of these 7 mistakes. Give them to your friends and make sure they do not let the insurance companies take advantage of them. I strongly recommend this book to everyone in Texas!

I bought and read this book many years ago when the local bookstore, Black Images, still had copies available. I had only lived in Dallas 10 years or so at that time but as a social worker in the city had come to know it well over the years. This book was amazing! By everything I knew it was very accurate and true and frightening that this could happen. I was thankful that such truths could be documented and put into print in our wonderful nation.

Then I loaned my copy of the book to a friend, forgot who it was over the years, and could not find a copy when I searched for it years later. I finally found a copy of it online complete with Jim's signature and message giving it to a leading editorial writer of a major newspaper in Dallas.

It is a powerful book but sadly I think many in Dallas want what it says to be hidden. As I recall I could not even find it in the Dallas Library, but that appears to have been due to my faulty searching, or else people have given enough copies of it to the Library that there are now many copies of it available throughout the Dallas Library System.

Mr. Schutze is a very talented columnist for the Dallas Observer. He writes this insightful look at the beguiling nature of Dallas Racial politics, adn how a group of oligarchs made a deal for desegregation, but left years of seething rage in place.

This is one of those theses that comes along every few generations and redefines how man looks at himself. I read this thesis dozens of times and every time I discovered something new about myself and the fate of man.

The pictures are phenomenal, too.

If you think you knew everything about muscle modeling, think again. The author deals with the subject in a unique way that forces a paradigm shift in the way that we think about, feel about, and look at muscles. In many ways this is the completion of Leonardo Da Vinci's long forgotten dream, to accurately model not just the bones of man, not just the blood vessels, but the very muscular structure on which all motion and strength depends.

The illustrations are tops, by the way.

The battle of Adobe Walls is a little known incident that set the "gold standard" for long range shooting. This book is an excellent reference; I really liked it but it may be a little too much in the "scholarly" style for some readers. If you are interested in shooting or the American West this is a great book for reference and background.

The most in-depth look at the 1874 Adobe Walls post I have found, if you are interested in archaeology, and history of the buffalo hunters site, this is the book for you. The last 3/4 of the book deals with the arch. of the site. First quarter deals with the historical information. Photos of Billy Dixon, J. Wright Mooar, F. J. Leonard, and James N. Hanrahan (operator of the saloon at adobe walls) are included. Photos of many artifacts recovered during arch. excavations, include iron arrow points, grinding stones, iron tools, plate shards, buttons, etc. Great illustrations of the plan layout of the adobe walls site as it was in 1874, as determined by the arch. evidence, including perspective sketches of buildings, and the way each building was constructed. I have nothing but the highest praise for this book and commend the two authors for their publishing the book, as well as A&M press.

Like so many of Appelfeld's novels this book is filled with characters who find their own Jewish identity problematic. His characters do not as far as I know ever have a positive Jewish religious identity. And the religious Jews from Eastern Europe are looked on often with repulsion. This is the case with one of the central characters of the work, the father of the narrator. The father is a well- known Austrian writer whose great success is undermined by those who claim he is a decadent Jew, not a real Austrian. The father is extremely conflicted about his own Jewishness and makes continual criticisms of the Jews he meets. He is a strange character whose hero is Kafka and whose career is at the end broken by anti- Semitic rejections of Austrian publishers.
The narrator of the story the adolescent Bruno tells of his own adventures in this assimilating world. He describes the way it falls apart in the first half of the work. In the second half of the work Bruno returns after the Shoah to the town of his youth. He meets many different characters including half- Jews with a positive if somewhat fantastic relation to their own Jewishness. He also meets one reprehensible convert who has stayed alive by repudiating the Jewish people. He again meets Austrian or half- Jewish women who regret that they have spent their lives with Austrians, and not made lives with kinder, more considerate)(according to them)Jewish husbands.
As is often the case in the novels of Appelfeld there is no decisive conclusive end. The hero by returning has no major revelation or insight or overall philosophical position to develop in relation to what has happened.
The strange silence of the main character, the failure of him really to meditate in depth on those lost gives a puzzling, detached character to this work.
The reader senses Appelfeld is giving us insight into the worlds of these assimilated and assimilating Jews But before the unspeakable he is silent , disturbed and disturbing.

Mr. Appelfeld writes of life before and after the Holocaust had swept through Austria. "The Age Of Wonders", is the second of his works that appeared in this country following his first, "Badenheim 1939". This work like many that have followed appear to contain elements of Mr. Appelfeld's own remarkable story of survival, when he managed to survive as an 8 year old child his deportation to the labor camp in Transnistria.

The conflict is again explored amongst Jews prior to the war as to those Jews who were, "petit bourgeoisie", non-practicing, "intellectuals", and even a close friend that takes the dramatic step of circumcision as a man well into the middle of his years. The Father of the boy who's story we read is a writer of some renown that believes his Austrian Birth, education, and books published in German separate him from the other Jews he has so much contempt for. His friend that embarks on the mentioned operation is at once both ridiculed by the Father, and then is the object of a frantic effort to prevent him from allowing this act of, "disfigurement", to his person.

The primary Family all have their own issues with their religion, or what it, "should be". The Family deals not only with friends that choose their own way, but even the boys Aunt who he lives with as a child, eventually dies within the walls of a Catholic Monastery.

As he has in his other books the actual Holocaust itself is not written of. There is a single event when they are locked in a Synagogue, are packed onto a train, and then it is 30 years later and the protagonist is now a middle-aged man. Like the Author he has immigrated to Israel but comes home for reasons of his own. This final part of the work is fascinating as the Author brings the man home and it feels as though what he sees and does is real, and also that it may not be happening at all. The last comment is too extreme, for it does happen, it is just that the Author seems to give a transparency, to place a haze between his character and those he encounters, either from his life as a boy, or strangers who have inherited old ideas.

I have read many of Mr. Appelfeld's works and have found them to be some of the best literature on both the pre and post Holocaust experience. His survival was remarkable, it is little less than astonishing that he can not only write of this terrible era in History, but he can share it with all who are interested.