Texas Books

[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.

Evil among the saints is a haunting tale that enriches your senses with everything from drama, intrigue and deception. I enjoyed the spinning web of on going deception between the Reverend Paul Stone and his predecessors, Don Jacobs who you love to hate, Nova Powers determined to find out the truth about her murdered friend, The Miller sister were delightful and the devil himself, was depicted exceptionally. The many characters in the story line were always rich and the writer moved the story effortlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed this first debut by Jade Alex's and can't wait to read more! Pick up your copy today.
Shayla McClellon author of "Hypnotic" [...]

Jade Alex begins her story with an intense excitement from the beginning. I was riveted to my sofa; book in hand. This author has effectively combined her intimate knowledge of Dallas' Highland Park Society along with her familiarity of the mean streets of South Oak Cliff in this simple, but thought-provoking and well-written tale of murder, faith and redemption.

This book provided a great escape for a night. I did not put the book down once I had started because I was interested in how the author would develop the characters and resolve the issues thrust upon the reader from the beginning of the story. I really enjoyed the story line.

If you like Michael Connelly, you'll enjoy Raymond Benson's Evil Hours. Unresolved questions about her mother's murder lead Shannon Reece to explore the seamy secrets of her home town. Along the way, Shannon must come to terms with her personal demons as she questions just how much she really needs to know.

Raymond Benson is known for writing the continuation James Bond novels, so when I picked up this, his first non-Bond book, I expected a tightly crafted fast moving mystery thriller. I wasn't disappointed. But what did surprise me was how darkly moving EVIL HOURS was as a neo-noir crime drama. I've heard other reviewers liken this book to Twin Peaks, and while I do see similarities, I think that's selling this book a bit short. I was reminded more of intense real-life crime dramas like The Onion Field and The Thin Blue Line. Benson's masterful use of detail makes the book so believable that, by the end, it has evolved from a mystery thriller into something that's very tragic and profound. And darn right creepy in a "this-only-happens-in-real-life" sort of way. The emotional reality of the book is what sets it apart from other thrillers by better-known authors, and what makes it surpasses even Benson's Bond books as a work of fiction (suggesting a bright future for Benson after Bond). By the end of this book -- with the ultimate revelation and CHILLING reenactment of the crime -- I found myself creeped-out and moved at the same time. Wild. This book was a real experience and one I would recommend highly, especially if you're a fan of character driven true-life crime. It would also make a terrific film.

Raymond Benson, author of the recent James Bond novels, has given us something completely different: a novel that reminds me of that movie "Lone Star" or similar-- it takes place in a small Texas town and is the story about a murder, or a mystery of a murder, and how one woman searches for the truth about what happened. The narrative is interesting, moving back and forth from the present to the past, and slowly revelations are unravelled. I found it to be haunting, moody, and compelling.

I'm the proud owner of the entire Eyebeam series. They are constantly out on loan. This book shows that humor can be brilliant, but not vulgar or cynical. Adults get it on a certain level and kids on another. Rare in that it has the nationally syndicated chracters from the Universal Features "Peaches" strip, as well as the ones that were too "grown up" for that strip, interacting together. Rod and Ratliff are developed in this book. I sure miss the old "Eyebeam" Strip..... This reminds me why.

This book of Eyebeam cartoons contains some classics--Ratliff leading the cops to the mall parking lot because a windshield sunshade says "Help! Call Police!"; the one about the Night Pedestals for cats (cars parked along the curb); the sequence in which Three-Initial Corporation is taken over by Brand X.

Direct, clear humor. Unusual drawing style. Characters include lawyers, children, pompous yuppies, hapless students, and the all-time favorite--"Hank the Hallucination." Captures Austin's surreal reality perfectly.

It is absolutely outrageous that the Eyebeam series is out of print. Example: Ratliff is in the tub singing Michelle Ma Belle, Eyebeam enters and says " is that ABSOLUTELY necessary?" and Ratliff innocently replies, "well no, but it sure makes me smell better." This was bar none the funniest comic ever done. OUT OF PRINT? Criminal.

I have become a Harvey Girl re-enactor with the El Paso Railroad Museum since January 2006, giving presentations & doing research. FAR FROM HOME is the main resource for Harvey Girl uniforms. Our number of re-enactors is increasing, so we now have begun monthly meetings to discuss scripts for presentations, costumes for the span of time periods that the Harvey Girls existed, along with participation in historical events with other groups covering a similar time period. In addition, we are collecting & exhibiting Fred Harvey dinnerware & Santa Fe Railway dinnerware & preparing/serving food samples from the HARVEY HOUSE COOKBOOK. Since I am a retired school teacher as of May 2005 & a nutritionist, this is a perfect retirement activity for me. Thank you Lesley for all that you have published on the Harvey Girls ! !

A story/paperdoll book that even adults love

I've been collecting paper dolls for years, and this is one of the best books I've found. There are 6 dolls (4 women and 2 men) with a nice variety of costumes. The clothes are beautifully drawn and obviously well-researched (but kind of tricky to cut out). As an easterner, I know almost nothing about western history, and the diary entries that tell the stories of two sisters who become Harvey Girls are very interesting and definitely made me want to learn more about them.

The book was very interesting. I am in disaster cordination for our funeral directors Assn. I fond it elpful in knowing there procedures used and agencies involved.

Funeral director Byron Starr presents Finding Heroes: The Search for Columbia's Astronauts, the true story of his participation in mass volunteer search to find and catalogue the debris and human remains from the tragic space shuttle Columbia explosion that happened in 2003. Part memoir, part firsthand chronicle of sad history, Finding Heroes narrates not only the difficult hunt through the pinewoods of East Texas, but also the coming together of a community, and compassion amid fellow human beings in the wake of national loss. A touching and inspirational chronicle.

Having worked with Mr. Starr as he completed this book, I found myself fascinated by his account of his personal participation in the search for the astronauts from the Columbia shuttle. He introduces the widely varied searchers and support people involved, who outnumbered the entire population of the tiny town that was the center of the search. Old and young, from many areas, from organizations and alone, volunteers came. Local people worked endlessly to offer them food, housing (mostly tents) and all kinds of support. Starr manages to make everyone come to life, so that the reader feels he knows them personally. I am proud to have worked as his mentor as he produced this work. I think anyone will find i interesting and enjoyable.
Ardath Mayhar

In the first lines of Rex Anderson's fourth and latest novel we meet the main character, Private Investigator Tony Aapt-- a clever and, well, apt name considering that anything is apt to happen in this fresh and funny story about a David-Duchovny-ish gumshoe who finds himself suddenly reunited with an aging bartender pal, 30 years a widow now and recently come into BIG money, who throws the goofy, charming Tony, teller of tall detective tales, a BIG job-- to prove her husband's alleged suicide was actually cold-blooded murder. It's questionable at first if Tony has the, uh, aptitude to investigate this long-dead case-- thus far his forays into solving crimes and misdemeanors have earned him only an apartment full of shabby furniture, a refrigerator full of low-end domestic beer, and an ancient auto. But off goes Tony through a labyrinth of crossing paths-- from esteemed professors at Rice University to gay bars and their sometimes surprising patrons, from a high schoo! l football star turned big-bellied baseball fanatic to the richest of Houston's rich to the pinnacles of political power. And, in the midst of it all-- the seemingly clear-cut autopsy photos, the clear-eyed newly rich widow who KNOWS who killed her husband and why-- stands the forlorn and baffling lawnmower...

Lawnmower Blues captures your attention like rapid gunfire-- and I promise you will not stop reading this book until Anderson's done with you. If you like murder mysteries heavily peppered with hilarity and the shrewd weaving of people's strange lives and (mis)deeds, this is a must read. If you only treat yourself to one private dick this summer, make it Anderson's Tony Aapt.

Rex Anderson did a great job on this book! It reads like a classic private detective story, but in a modern day setting. The plot moves along nicely and there is the right amount of history provided to fully understand the characters. The book kept me guessing right until the last page! A perfect 3-4 hour book for a trip on the airplane!

In 1999 Houston private investigator Tony Aapt inherited a ton of debt when his grandfather died and left him the family sleuthing business. Fiftyish former bartender Maggie Hawk recently won a sweepstakes that guarantees her 500K per year for twenty years. She wants Tony, who frequented her bar with exaggerated tales of his work, to look into the death of her husband George W. Hawk in 1966. Tony looks at the detailed information she provides him and agrees with the official ruling of suicide until she begins to make a case that her spouse did not kill himself; he was murdered to steal his invention, a safe lawnmower blade.

Needing the money but feeling guilty as the clues will be cold and he has no experience with this type of inquiry Tony begins his investigation. He soon becomes convinced that people were paid off by the legendary lawnmower king Jason Woods to hide a homicide and a stolen invention, but how to prove it proves difficult especially when the target of his case offers him a job he cannot afford to refuse.

Tony makes the case fun to follow as he fumbles and bumbles the investigation, but perhaps it is in the DNA because he keeps moving forward one clue at a time. The hero is apt to fail not only due to his lack of experience, but also he is going up against a highly regarded superheavyweight who has much more power than when he seemingly bribed the world three decades ago. Fans will enjoy the twists to LAWNMOWER BLUES as Rex Anderson provides a fine mystery starring a wannabe hard boiled detective who is undercooked and truly a softy.

Harriet Klausner