Colorado Books

Omer Call Stewart was a man with many missions. He was among the first to study the use of the hallucinogen peyote in the Native American Church, and he was a stalwart defender of Native American religious freedom in many influential court cases. Omer Stewart was a student of Alfred Kroeber and produced important ethnographies of various Ute, Paiute, and other American Indians in the western U.S. He began his religious life as a Mormon and ended his life as an atheist who sincerely supported and respected people's religious commitments. He was a longtime teacher and practitioner of anthropology who embodied what it means to be a social scientist. Cannibalism is an Acquired Taste is his life's story.

Carol Howell's book on Stewart is a wonderful blend of family stories, good science, and the early history of American anthropology. Howell has compiled a series of interviews with Stewart and his family, pertinent letters from Margaret Mead, Ruth Bunzel, and other contemporaries of Stewart, and manuscripts that illustrate key points in an anthropologist's life. The book could have been a wild melange, but instead it wonderfully illustrates Stewart's many interests and wide range of involvement. This mix of views makes the book appropriate for a variety of audiences, ranging from people interested in anthropology to those simply interested in the life of one of the more interesting personalities of the twentieth century. Throughout, the blunt honesty and yet true humility of Stewart shines through.

For an anthropologist, Stewart's life is an alluring case study of how a professional comes into being. The passion and mistakes of a young anthropologist are clear in Stewart's early work with Julian Stewart and Alfred Kroeber. His journey from being a committed Mormon disciple to being a practicing scientist devoted to understanding the wide-ranging aspects of human culture is fascinating for anyone who has seen their own life change. From the 1930s to the 1970s Stewart constantly found himself in the midst of the key controversies and central areas of anthropological research. His life traces the change from Indians being non-citizens to their being active participants in national politics and issues. As an anthropologist, I can't think of a better or more fully described life of a student of culture.

For the curious lay-person, the honesty of this account of Omer Stewart's life is striking. He serves as a wonderful cursor tracing many of the changes of the twentieth century. From his travels as a Mormon missionary in the twenties to his discovery of anthropology in the thirties to his service to the Chief of Staff in the Pentagon in the forties, the first half of his life illustrates the radical shift in U.S. policy from isolation to world leader. The second half of his life cuts a course of social activism in racial integration, Indian religious freedom, and scientific debate. For Stewart, the practical consequences and rightness of an endeavor often weighed more heavily in his decisions than did anthropological theory or the opinions of his mentors. At times, we--the curious voyeurs--want to know more about issues such as Stewart's friendship with famous people such as Robert Redford--the Sundance resort is on the old Stewart ranch above Provo Canyon--but the focus on this biography is squarely on Stewart and the issues at hand, not on gossip.

I recommend the book highly to anyone who is interested in the practice of anthropology or in the active pursuit of Native American rights. Stewart was an anthropologist who did not shy away from a fight for people's rights. In this time when we often do not know what many individuals think or believe, Omer Call Stewart is a bright light illustrating how to live a life that is true to one's convictions. Carol Howell's book is a fascinating synthesis of sources that paints a picture of Stewart that is strikingly on target for those who knew him. Omer Stewart's wit was an acquired taste, but unlike cannibalism, it ultimately worked for the good of humankind.

Dewitt Jones is a master photographer. His pictures capture the glow in the rocks that is so frequently referred to in conversations about the Colorado Plateau. He seems to have just the right touch in bringing back memories of this wonderful region. I can almost feel the chill morning air at Bryce Canyon, the heat in Zion, and the dust in Canyonlands.

Stephen Trimble is one of the finest of the younger Western author/naturalists. As with Jones and his photographs, Trimble has a manner of expression that evokes nostalgia with every page.

The book is organized on the Navajo six directions: East, South, West, North, Zenith, and Nadir. A seventh direction; the heart or center, is also discussed. These reference are most appropriate, and it is fitting that the Navajo method of direction is used in discussing and photographing their home.

This beautiful book is one of the finest coffee table books I have ever seen. You will enjoy it for countless hours, again and again.

Note: Don't cheat yourself by buying the paperback. The hardbound version is infinitely better.

I am a Colorado Plateau freak, I must confess. As this book so excellently shows, every nook, every niche of that region is festooned with some new, arresting wonder, or so it seems.

Canyon Country Parklands is first remarkable for its photography. I have seldom seen the essence of this beautiful region captured so well. Indeed, many of the photos catch that magical light that seems to leap from the rock walls themselves. Even those parks long photographed, such as Zion National Park, attain a new height in beauty through the pictures in this book. A magnificent effort!!

The text is very readable and captures much of the magic of this region as well. I especially recommend the sections on Plateau wildlife and on the High Plateaus. The maps are also useful in reconnoitering one's position in this never-ending tableau of light and rock. You will enjoy this book to hilt, and its reasonable price makes it a remarkable bargain.

Deika, a young woman from the Ukraine, a high school boy friend, and several scientists, and a two doctors, as well as a truck driver, a computer repairman, are wisked through time on a journey that they never will forget. Very different people find out that they are not so different after all. They must depend upon each other for food, shelter, and protection along the Colorado Front Range and in the Rocky mountains as their journey takes them on a race against time and odds to get back home quickly and safely.

This is my mother's cookbook, and I'm a little embarassed to admit that I've been sitting with it, happily reading the recipes for hours. This book is a delightful celebration of Colorado, with recipes popular in the state, gorgeous landscape photography, and even quotes on some of the pages from history books relating certain turning points in the state's foundation. The recipes are organized according to the seasons and my mouth salivates just looking at them! The dishes recommended are delicious, sometimes unique, and wonderfully seasonal. I highly recommend this book; it is a treat!

Charles The Throwback by Ted Own is an inspired and intuitively humorous tale of a genetically flawed calf and his mother as their escape from slaughter brings them far greater adventure then expected. Engaging readers with such a unique and catching storytelling style, Charles The Throwback introduces the reader to the thought process of a cow and the very same everyday tediums which humans and cows alike endure. Charles The Throwback is recommended to all general fiction readers, particularly those enjoy farming related stories.

I admit it, I collect books and am a railroad junkie, especially interested in the 1930s through 1950s. This book came as a surprise, given the Colorado photos on front and back covers, and the subtitle reference to Colorado Railroad Museum.
In fact, Chasing Trains covers much more than Colorado - many other parts of the US, Mexico and Central America, and Iran, all places where the author traveled starting in the 1920s (he was born in 1910) and ending in the mid 1990s.
He describes his addiction to railroads, traveling to and on all types. The writing is excellent (though photo captions often repeat material already in the text). The photos are excellent, and for the most part unique: his photos on his unique travels.
I also enjoyed his Colorado materials, mostly about narrow gauge, that comprise perhaps 1/3 of the book.
Want to take a train ride "in the good old days?" Try this book, along with Burt Blanton, 400,000 Miles by Rail, and William Middleton, "Yet There Isn't A Train I Wouldn't Take." For great photos but narratives not always strictly wedded to fact, Lucius Beebee also must be included.

FIRST: Although this book is 4th in a series, the story can be appreciated without first reading the other three. (However, the others are excellent also.)

INTRO: Each chapter of "Child of Promise" opens with a scripture, then weaves the story to illustrate the depth of the words that appear simple. In the first chapters, Beth has two great desires - to practice medicine and to become the wife of Noah Starr, the pastor of the local Episcopal church. When Noah marries another, Beth pursues a degree in medicine. Her time studying to be a doctor leaves her bitter, hardened and emotionally scarred. Upon her return home, circumstances put Noah, now widowed, and his disabled daughter in constant contact with Beth.

ANYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK IS IN FOR A SPECIAL BLESSING! While the story line appears to be the typical romance genre, the story is far from shallow, typical, or traditional. Kathleen Morgan, the author, goes past "happy ever after" to the reality of human nature and the relationship of each of us to God, as well as each other.

THEMES: This amazing historical novel addresses "hot topics" such as women in non-traditional careers, dual career families, domestic abuse, disabilities, etc. At the same time, it deals with ageless themes such as love, loss, and anger with God.

This book could be read as a study of church relations for everyone who is a member of the clergy, married to a member of the clergy, a leader in the church, a lay person, avoids church due to the hypocrites who attend or knows someone who goes to church. In other words, this is a must read for all.

Thanks again, Kathleen Morgan, for allowing yourself to be used by God for my benefit.

As a student i found this book interesting from an introductory point of view. It give us a step by step knowledge in circuit theory. Very useful and easy to undersatnd. hardly recomendable. sorry it is out of print.

Having recently moved to Denver, I wanted a good book on Denver history and places/things to do, not only for myself but for visiting friends. I think the book is excellent and found my internet provider (listed as a Top 10 Denver bargain). I signed up immediately.