Texas Books

Fans of the Return To East Texas series will enjoy this final segment, A MAN OF HIS WORD by Eva Gaddy. When Will McClain, the third foster child of Frannie Granger, returns to Uncertain, Texas, loose ends are tied up and the mystery of Frannie's death, as well as Emmy Monday's birth, are finally resolved.

Remembered more as the prodigal son than an admirable character, Texas Ranger Will McClain arranges to investigate his foster mother's murder twenty years after the fact when an archeologist unearths Frannie's bones. His foster brother stands accused of the murder and its up to Will to prove Jed's innocence, despite the circumstantial evidence. Questions of loyalty to family and to one's sworn career make Will's job even more challenging. And there's also the matter of the gorgeous red head with the temper to match that wants back on the archeological site.

Tessa curses the day she uncovered the old bones on her Caddo Indian burial mound dig. The project that was supposed to allow her to complete her degree and insure her career comes to a screeching halt while local law enforcement crawls over the site and refused to allow her to continue her work. As time slips away, so do her grant and her future. Then, on the day the sheriff finally agrees to let her back on site, the Texas Ranger had to arrive and put her on hold again.

However, Tessa gets her wish, in a round about way, when Will visits the site and realizes the devastation the sheriff's department has wrought. The site looks like a nuclear explosion rather than the scene of a crime, and valuable evidence could have been destroyed. Consequently, Will convinces Tessa to work for him, excavating the crime scene while her students return to the Indian Mounds. As their feelings draw them closer together, however, career and dreams prove to be a conflict of interest.

This intricate tangle of murder, lies and love creates a satisfying conclusion to the Return To East Texas series. As family ties and loyalties are questioned, Gaddy gracefully questions the meaning of family and arrives at rather unconventional conclusion, proving the bond of love strong than blood. The growth of the heroine as she learns to define her own values, based on her own desires rather than her family's values, also provides a sound lesson. And I must admit a soft spot for a hero not afraid to admit his emotions long before the heroine resolves her own feelings. A MAN OF HIS WORD is highly recommended.

Who is that cover guy? I have tracked him on more than several covers. Best part of the book [grin]

The murder mystery of Frannie Granger, "Mom Fran" rolls on - a bit light on clues and threats but nicely damaging.
Tessa comes across as a bit wishy, being under her mother's thumb a bit much and is willing to settle for an affair?

Will McClain came across as a stronger character, enough to tone down Sheriff Fielder. Logan Fielder tended to mellow out in this story. Got a bit of a chuckle on Amanda Jennings attempts to pick up again with Will. Did she think she was still back in high school?

Then there was Ray Jennings snobbish attempts to put down Will and others in his town. Joleen Berber finally got in her two cents worth and settled everyone's hash.

Loved the final tie-ins that brought together Jed Louis and his wife Gwyn, Emmy-M, Riley Gray Wolf and Alanna & Will and finally Tessa. They all had learned the value of the family circle.

The mystery was pretty decent, the action was good but the romances were kind of like wet noodles. I have found that denial and frustration lends to a more passionate build-up and makes you want more. These three "ladies"? just didn't promote very strong romantic feelings. [The characters not the writers]

The series is a good read and will recommend but not keep.

Fans of the Return To East Texas series will enjoy this final segment, A MAN OF HIS WORD by Eva Gaddy. When Will McClain, the third foster child of Frannie Granger, returns to Uncertain, Texas, loose ends are tied up and the mystery of Frannie's death, as well as Emmy Monday's birth, are finally resolved.

Remembered more as the prodigal son than an admirable character, Texas Ranger Will McClain arranges to investigate his foster mother's murder twenty years after the fact when an archeologist unearths Frannie's bones. His foster brother stands accused of the murder and its up to Will to prove Jed's innocence, despite the circumstantial evidence. Questions of loyalty to family and to one's sworn career make Will's job even more challenging. And there's also the matter of the gorgeous red head with the temper to match that wants back on the archeological site.

Tessa curses the day she uncovered the old bones on her Caddo Indian burial mound dig. The project that was supposed to allow her to complete her degree and insure her career comes to a screeching halt while local law enforcement crawls over the site and refused to allow her to continue her work. As time slips away, so do her grant and her future. Then, on the day the sheriff finally agrees to let her back on site, the Texas Ranger had to arrive and put her on hold again.

However, Tessa gets her wish, in a round about way, when Will visits the site and realizes the devastation the sheriff's department has wrought. The site looks like a nuclear explosion rather than the scene of a crime, and valuable evidence could have been destroyed. Consequently, Will convinces Tessa to work for him, excavating the crime scene while her students return to the Indian Mounds. As their feelings draw them closer together, however, career and dreams prove to be a conflict of interest.

This intricate tangle of murder, lies and love creates a satisfying conclusion to the Return To East Texas series. As family ties and loyalties are questioned, Gaddy gracefully questions the meaning of family and arrives at rather unconventional conclusion, proving the bond of love strong than blood. The growth of the heroine as she learns to define her own values, based on her own desires rather than her family's values, also provides a sound lesson. And I must admit a soft spot for a hero not afraid to admit his emotions long before the heroine resolves her own feelings. A MAN OF HIS WORD is highly recommended.

Texas Ranger Will McClain learns two months after the newspaper published the story that the bones of Frannie Granger were found near Uncertain, Texas. Unable to ignore what happened to his beloved foster mother, Will travels to Uncertain where he stops archeologist Tessa Lang, discoverer of the remains of Frannie,from continuing her dig.

The real shock to Will is to realize Sheriff Fielder believes his foster brother Jed Louis killed Frannie. Will refuses to believe that and plans to learn the truth about who killed Frannie. Still, Will admits all the evidence makes it seem as Jed is guilty, and though it alienates him from his foster sister Emma, he will do the job, even arresting his foster brother. However, to his and her amazement, Will and Tessa soon fall in love, but even that will not stop Will from his obsession to find out who killed Frannie.

The Third and final Tale in the "Return to East Texas" miniseries, A MAN OF HIS WORD, is a powerful climax to a strong romantic suspense mini-series. The story line combines a warm relationship drama with an engaging police procedural. Lead characters and other cast members return to round out a terrific book and trilogy.

Harriet Klausner

I was first introduced to Matt's family restaurant, El Rancho, in Austin 20 years ago during college and still make a point of going there when visiting. I grew up in TX and now live in the wilds of NJ with nary a Tex-Mex joint in sight - or within a days drive. I can make the very simple recipes from this book, close my eyes and feel like I'm home again. After making several of these dishes for a very Italian NY friend of mine she demanded I spend an afternoon showing her how to make her favorites from this book. Very high praise indeed.

If you are interested in Tex-Mex cooking, do yourself a favor and buy this book. You won't regret it.

I've owned this cookbook since around the time it was released and still use it. The recipes are generally easy and very delicious. I really like Matt's Big Time Eatin' Chili.

This is a simple to use, easy to read, enjoyable cook book that is not only a pleasure to work out of, but is intresting and fun to read.

The recepies are straight forward, Martha Stewart would hate this book.

For years I have been tring to make enchalidas for my family without them having the consistantly of tree bark. Matt has shown me how to share the recipies I enjoyed so much growing up in Texas to my family being raised in New York City.

Great recipes. Great stories. The #1 authority on Tex-Mex Cooking in America. A "Best Buy" book for yourself or gift.

One of the great architectural achievements of the second half of the 20th century is an exciting story in Ms. Shulman's well written book. This musicologist has been able to capture all of the fascinating nuances in this amazing project from its conception, political and economic issues, design, building, the grand opening and the Meyerson's very positive impact on the community.

A sumptuous read - Laurie Shulman's inimitable wit and style grace the pages of this handsome book. The details she shares are as fresh and lively as her trademark program notes. Like many others who worked in the Arts District, I watched the Meyerson being built - from crater to finished perfection. The knowledge Shulman imparts expands my appreciation and most certainly will enhance my enjoyment of another concert in this dream hall, the Meyerson.

This is a great book about a wonderful place for music. After reading the book, I purchased copies for my relatives who are professional musicians, and those who care about such music. One might ask how can you make a story about building a music hall interesting, but Laurie Shulman has done so.

Excellent and interesting book on a fantastic community effort.

Most college students and people in their twenties and thirties will enjoy Midnight Texas. It portrays a typical college experience in many ways, showing people balancing between school, relationships, and personal interests. The main character, Duke, is in the band Midnight Texas. He falls in love with a girl who has some serious emotional issues and is in a rather abusive relationship with another man, who is just using her for sex. (Readers should be forewarned that the book is a bit explicit, especially in the prologue). Duke must choose between being a member of the band and making it big and trying to be everything Kate wants him to be. His decision is logical and the way he comes to it is especially well-written and thoughtful.

The story is more than just a love story, however. It is an exploration of codependency, and Duke's attempt not to become codependent in his relationship with Kate, based on his own sense of who he is, what he wants, and what she wants; the novel asks questions about the fine line between loving someone and letting someone smother you because they are needy, and it warns against letting a depressed person make you depressed.

I could completely empathize with Duke. In fact, I imagine most of us in our college years have to make similarly difficult and life-changing decisions about our romantic lives, so I think all readers will enjoy this book and be able to relate to it.

Devin Dugan is also a successful stand-up comedian who has performed at NMU, where he went to school as well as all over the western states. He's a very funny guy. Check out his website for more information on his other works and his comedy at www.devindugan.com.

- Tyler R. Tichelaar, author of "Iron Pioneers: The Marquette Trilogy, Book One"

This book is a very good read. I recommend this to anyone.

I have had the priviledge of working alongside Devin Dugan, who is a very funny comedian. So when I got around to reading his book, I was stunned at how thoughtful the whole thing turned out to be. It's a story about a love so deep and yet never quite consumated. I thought it was remarkably intelligent and very mature about the relationship between the two main characters, and it is one of the more orinal love stories you will ever read in contemporary literature. This may sound like your typical romance novel with two models on the cover, looking like they spend 3 or 4 hours a day working out at the local health club (be it Ballys or 24 Hour Fitness), and in the throes of passion and unable to control their hormonal impulses regardless of their families wanting them to be kept apart. No, it's not like that at all. It is much more down to earth, and I really appreciated that.

For anyone that has a good understanding of mental health issues or who loves the local rock bands that play in their college, or for those who have been in a realtionship with a partner who was tremendously sensitive, this is a book worth reading. And if you're not one of the forementioned people, don't worry. It's still a book worth reading. It's sort of a cousin to Cameron Crowe's "Say Anything," which must have been a big influence on the writer.

Great work Devin! Look forward to the next one!

...Dugan gives us, in a modest, yet epic, volume, a veritable bildungsroman--an American picaresque for the 21st Century. The protagonist of this work (and I apologize, but I don't have the novel in front of me so I cannot remember his name) leaves an indelible mark on the reader. Dugan, in polishes prose, weaves a tapestry of adventure for this young man to journey forth on. Through college, into the legal system, and beyond. We are carried into a world which we know surrounds us, yet most of us know little about. It's quite a successful accomplishment on many levels. And a real quick read.

If Dugan has one failure, it's his over-reliance on traditional narrative discourse. His narrator rarely challenges us, or asks us to suspend our preconceived judgments about our expectations. Instead, he gives us a finely wrought yarn that is mainly traditional, yet solid...

Anyone who has read any of Frank Vandiver's books can be assured that a book by Vandiver is well worth having and reading. This book is no exception. The author presents a fleshed out, human, icon of the Confederacy.

Vandiver captures Jaskson; warts and all. His is a comprehensive book detailing all aspects of Jackson's life. Well worth the money and read.

After all that has been written about Jackson, Vandiver's treatment is still the best. Highly recommended.

This is an essential book for anyone's personal library. Smart, concise, well-illustrated, and comprehensive it tells the story of one of early America's greatest field commanders. Never engaging the question of North versus South and the issues that sculpted the Civil War, Vandiver focuses on the man, his legend, and the simple values he built his life around.

A friendly and enjoyable tale of success in the retail business and how success was accomplished. Stanley Marcus recounts the growth of his family business and the stories of customer demands and customer service that created a hugely profitable and customer orientated retail empire.

While customer service is the primary focus of the book, creating innovative and exclusive items for the very wealthy provides a glimpse into how the rich find ways to dispose of their money. Marcus was a master of imaginative packages.

I bought 4 copies of the original edition and gave them away to people in sales. There is no better book for a young, or old, sales person to read.

I've read two books by S. Marcus - "Quest for the Best" and "Minding the Store". Both are fascinating.
Without any doubt, Stanley Marcus is the most talented American retailer of the 20th century. You will find out from this lively narrative what made him the best - impeccable taste, discriminate merchandising, extensive knowledge of manufacturing, business vision, professional honesty and breadth of intellectual interests. If you aspire to be a specialty retailer, drop 99% of the books about selling, they will not show you a worthy real-life example of how to run a store that customers can not resist to visit. Marcus does not hold back any secrets how he did it.
Read, laugh and get inspired.

I guess it was my Business degree & marketing background I brought to the Architecture Masters program that made the Dean feel this might be my best contribution to the profession. Why else would he have presented me with this book upon defending my thesis project & graduating - was it really almost 30 years ago?

Now #2 of 4 kids is graduating college in advertising and I can't resist getting her this insightful, revealing history of a magic retail legacy that began in our home town. In fact, my mother grew up in the Adolphus - the marketing ally of Neimans - why else the memorable Thanksgiving parades? So this book certainly has roots to love for marketing majors, Dallasites, those in the fine arts, fashion. But it is more - much more.

The book teaches the rewards of quality, value and commitments to the good of the customer. It's not the mystique of the His & Hers fabulous Christmas catalogue gifts that make cash flow, its the quality of the $10 dresses. It's not the suit, it's the fitting; it's not the price, it's the value; it's not the steak, it's the sizzle. I hope the book passes on the value of ethics, its rewards, mystique and satisfaction, while proving the theory is all true and still alive & well today. Besides all that, it's a fun book to read.

This book, like "Quest for the Best" is an absolutely fascinating look into the world of high-end retailing. It should be in every business student's library.

This book is a very witty and entertaining read. Chris Wham has managed to create characters that invite both ridicule and empathy. It was refreshing to find a book that articulates many of my frustrations at our country's current climate of religious conservatism.

Mr. Wham's witty and astute discourse on the trials and tribulations of the search for spiritual meaning revolves around the sometimes surreal dreams of no less an Entity than God Himself. Or should I say Herself? Or Itself? It all depends on what day it is and what pancake you're looking at. But that's okay. After all, aren't we all a little confused sometimes about what God is and where that confusion takes us in our search for spiritual answers? While The Miracle Pancake of Delgado, Texas doesn't give any perfect formulas about where to find the answers to our spiritual questions, or what those answers might be, it does give us a number of entertaining choices to ponder and pokes some good fun at all of us in our search.

A quick read, incredibly funny...Wham manages to get in equal jabs at psycho-babblers, artistes, action flick heroes, football players, and everyone's favorite, the TV preacher. The story gets in close, juxtaposing true believers against the sleazy suits dying to make a dime off anything. Truly the best book I've read in a long time.

I devoured this book. One of the best works of fiction I have read in a long time. The characters are quirky and real-straight out of Texas. Chris has written a book that is funny and entertaining but it also has a great message. Read this book and pass it on.

I am related to General William L.Cazneau 1807-1876 and his wife Jane McManus Cazneau 1807-1878, the subject of this book. I met the author in November 1999 in Texas. A great amount of research has gone in to this book and it took years to collect it all. I am a direct descendent of General Thomas Nugent Cazneau 1812-1873 of California, brother of William. I am sending copies to libraries and friends. God Bless You !!

History is a passion of mine and this book is so very good. I can not imagine how long it took to do all this research. It gave me a different understanding of our government history. Just to think if our politions had had the foresight that Jane McManus and Aaron Burr had, Cuba, Doninican Republic, and Mexico just to name a few, could have been States today. I would love to have been Jane because she was so smart and brave. I found her one of the most fascinating persons in history. I loved this book.

History is a passion of mine and this book is so very good. I can not imagine how long it took to do all this research. It gave me a different understanding of our government history. Just to think if our politions had had the foresight that Jane McManus and Aaron Burr had, Cuba, Doninican Republic, and Mexico just to name a few, could have been States today. I would love to have been Jane because she was so smart and brave. I found her one of the most fascinating persons in history. I loved this book.

Linda Hudson has done a wonderful job of following the travels and trials of Jane McManus Storm Cazneau from her youth in New York to her involvement in Texas land deals in the 1830's and her mission to Mexico City in the midst of the Mexican War in the 1840's to her life in Eagle Pass, Texas, (which she somehow did not at first realize was literally the middle of no where) to her exploits in Cuba and her return to New York City to play a role in the presidential campaign of 1852.

She has shown the complexity of the politics of the times especially as they relate to the question of slavery and its expansion into Texas. She has also related the very complicated life of a woman who was liberated long before being a liberated woman was considered cool. In doing so, she has created a far more complex view of society in the United States in the middle of the 19th century than many historians have uncovered...or been willing to admit to having uncovered.

It is a wonderful trip into the history not only of the United States but also of Mexico and the Caribbean that she has taken with Jane Cazneau and that she allows the reader to share.

I am a screenwriter. And I find that Vladimir Propp's structure works great for my stories. Have a look at it and try to apply it to any modern movie:

1.. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced);
2.. An interdiction is addressed to the hero ('don't go there', 'go to this place');
3.. The interdiction is violated (villain enters the tale);
4.. The villain makes an attempt at reconnaissance (either villain tries to find the children/jewels etc; or intended victim questions the villain);
5.. The villain gains information about the victim;
6.. The villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or victim's belongings (trickery; villain disguised, tries to win confidence of victim);
7.. Victim taken in by deception, unwittingly helping the enemy;
8.. Villain causes harm/injury to family member (by abduction, theft of magical agent, spoiling crops, plunders in other forms, causes a disappearance, expels someone, casts spell on someone, substitutes child etc, comits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced marriage, provides nightly torments); Alternatively, a member of family lacks something or desires something (magical potion etc);
9.. Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched, hears call for help etc/ alternative is that victimised hero is sent away, freed from imprisonment);
10.. Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action;
11.. Hero leaves home;
12.. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her receiving magical agent or helper (donor);
13.. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's powers against them);
14.. Hero acquires use of a magical agent (directly transferred, located, purchased, prepared, spontaneously appears, eaten/drunk, help offered by other characters);
15.. Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the search;
16.. Hero and villain join in direct combat;
17.. Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf);
18.. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, killed while asleep, banished);
19.. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revivied, captive freed);
20.. Hero returns;
21.. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero);
22.. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden, hero transforms unrecognisably, hero saved from attempt on his/her life);
23.. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another country;
24.. False hero presents unfounded claims;
25.. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of strength/endurance, other tasks);
26.. Task is resolved;
27.. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);
28.. False hero or villain is exposed;
29.. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new garments etc);
30.. Villain is punished;
31.. Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted).

This structure works for many stories and films. I do recommed the book for any writer and screenwriter especially for those who write modern fairy tales. It's a must!

This is the first work to systematically characterize and describe a corpus of folktales. It includes a list of possible plot twists, in their correct chronological order for any story, and numerous examples from actual Russian fairy tales. This translation in particular reads well and makes a point of not departing from the text's literal meaning in any significant way. I would highly recommend this work for anyone interested in folktales or oral literature in general.

This seminal work is essential for an understanding of structuralist theory and the theory of folklore. It differs from the psychological view of the folktale in its descriptive ability. This theory is based on objective description and sytagmatic conjunction and complementation. Because of that, it is more applicable and flexible than any psychological dissection. Also, two people will reach roughly the same conclusions with this method- something impossible with a psychological approach. This is excellent for anyone interested in attacking the down and dirty working parts of a narrative.

This is an attempt to work out the underlying structural patterns (types of characters, what they do, how they are ordered) of Russian folktales, based on classic collections made in the nineteenth-century. If you are fortunate enough to have read a large collection of such stories -- preferably in translation, not "retold by ..." -- you will soon see the point of Propp's argument. Other European, and some non-European, traditions provide an almost equally good starting point, although the examples often are not so close as to be immediately convincing. Ideally, "Morphology of the Folktale" would be bound with at least a selection of the Russian folktales Propp analyzes, but this does not seem likely to happen.

Taken by itself, however, Propp's exploration is going to seem both dry and confusing. Try to imagine a book about the five-act structure of Shakespeare's tragedies being read by someone who had never seen or read a play before, and you may understand the problem.

Although Propp's exposition sometimes seems labored, he presents a convincing case that at least some oral prose narratives are built up of a stock of situations and events which can be slightly reordered, multiplied, and otherwise complicated, but amount to a "language" (a vocabulary, grammar, and syntax) of story-telling. This puts a new light on the problem of the distribution of folktales, and how they develop variants, two of the great issues of folklore studies in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Despite its origins in a single body of oral literature, Propp's methods have been applied to other literature with known or suspected oral roots, sometimes with slightly contradictory results. I know of at least two different Proppian analyses of "Beowulf," for example. This is due at least in part to Propp's attempt to introduce fine divisions between similar plot elements, which, again, seem to work better with his source material than with other groups of stories. (And "Beowulf" has long been recognized to include elements later found in European fairy tales, so the possibility of applying Propp's structures was more intriguing than revolutionary.)

In "Feud in the Icelandic Saga" (1983), Jesse Byock reviewed efforts to apply Propp's methods to the Sagas of the Icelanders, another body of prose literature supposed to be grounded in oral techniques. He argued that a different approach is needed to their formally realistic stories about personalities, and the functioning of society; which does not diminish the validity of Propp's approach to the wonder-tale.

Excellent map/manual for someone with stamina for mountain biking. Intresting geographiacal, geological, meteorological information with incredible personal touch and wonderful pictures. I recommend this book to any audience. This book is even good on rainy days to crawl in bed with-good reading. You'll love it! Besides, you want to see the baby picture of Chuck on a wooden horse, he is adorable! Those dimples and ray in the corners of his cutest eyes....

Reading Chuck Cypert's book is like sitting in a cozy living room talking with an old friend. His writing style tells the reader all they need to know about the trails, while at the same time providing lot of smiles. Anyone that is interested in mountain biking, from absolute beginner to thrillseeking pro will enjoy and benefit from this book.

Since I am the author I think this is the best trail guide book on the market for my two favorite states, Oklahoma and Texas. I worked my ...off on this project, it is the second guide book I have done about mountain biking in these two states, actually the second edition of the same book.

I had such a blast working on this project but was quite glad to see it finished. Now I have a blast going back and rereading it and remembering what fun I had while out on research trips. Most were a pleasure, I got to meet some great folks and do some very excellent riding, though there were a few trips that bordered on miserable due to bad weather or general fatigue on my part as I neared the end of traveling for research.

My hat is off to the many bike clubs and excellent shops I encountered along the way, and all the super people who helped me complete this project.

Thanx to you all, hope to see you and ride again soon.

Chuck in DAllas

This is a well written book,If you wanted to take the ultimate vacation,grab your bike,a bottle of gatoraid and this book,and head for the hills.
the author has taken the time to rate all aspects of the trails from length, to difficulty.He even decribes the scenery.
The maps are first rate and are a nice addition.For those who are new to mt biking the glossary in the back of the book will come in handy when you get around all the hardcore bike freaks and will enable you to hold your own with them!
To sum it all up,. I would recomend this book to anyone with the slightest interest in oklahoma or texas,or cycling in general.