Texas Books

I never imagined that two subjects so seemingly dull could be brought to life with such incisive and telling limericks. Mr James' humor made this jaded golfer's wife want nothing more than to smack a few balls in Texas.

In all of his books, Joe James' astute powers of observation enable him to capture the ideosyncracies of the Texas psyche with intelligence and humor, and the illustrations are always priceless. This book is certainly no exception, it ranks as one of my favorites! Texans, golfers, and anyone familiar with both will be delighted; strangers to the Lone Star State will want to catch the next plane down to see for themselves. An absolute joy to read!

Don't be fooled into believing that this is just another golf book or another book about Texas. This book says so much more about the human condition than any other cartoon or limerick book I've ever read. James is an astute observer and a masterful artist and this may well be his greatest achievment yet.

This is one of the most gorgeous books you'll come across--every aspect is beautifully thought out. The bird paintings by the Gentlings are breathtaking--and often offer a little sly humor in their composition. Treat yourself or another bird lover.

When Of Birds and Texas was first published in 1986 it was quickly deemed the most magnificent book in the history of Texas publishing. Consisting of 40 exquisitely detailed bird portraits and ten Texas landscape scenes, the volume was enhanced with accompanying commentary by the Gentling brothers and a personal essay by John Graves.

Yet the 23" by 29 ½" outsize folio which weighed 46 pounds was beyond the reach and shelf space of many. Thus, it was printed as a limited edition. Now, for the first time, this unparalleled volume is available to a mass audience at an affordable price and manageable size while retaining the original 50 color plates as well as 28 remarques. Retaining the integrity of the original folio, this is truly a work of estimable quality and a collector's item.

In addition, the recent edition offers a new essay by Stuart Gentling, "Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us," in which he relates how the brothers' profound respect for the famed ornithologist/artist paved the way for them to create this book, which is inspired by Audubon's work.

The Gentlings are twin brothers, artists, authors, and lecturers based in Fort Worth. Having discovered at an early age the print edition of John James Audubon's Birds of America, they now share a passion for art, world culture and wildlife.

His keen interest in wildlife, particularly birds, led Stuart to learn taxidermy. Both brothers began a serious study of art when they were 14. Their awards are numerous; their paintings may be found in museums and libraries throughout Texas and the United States. This year Scott received a commission to paint a portrait of President George Bush for the Texas State Capitol dome.

Artwork in Of Birds and Texas is created collaboratively by the Gentlings. In the original folio are reproductions of watercolor paintings with the color, blend and atmosphere attributed to Stuart, while the line and small strokes were contributed by Scott.

Getting the first volume published proved to be a formidable task. Plans reached a standstill when it was discovered that the actual production of the folio would cost more than double the estimates. What rescued the project was a lucky find by Stuart in the Philadelphia Print Shop catalog: a listing of Audubon's "The Great Crow Blackbird." The brothers were able to purchase the Audubon for $18,000. After its authentication as an original Audubon, it was sold at Sotheby's for $253,000. Thus, the completion of the original Of Birds and Texas was made possible.

Our loss would be great had this not been so. More than just a work of incredible visual beauty Of Birds and Texas is a joy to read as each color plate is partnered with a bird tale by the Gentlings.

A treasure in itself, the essay by beloved Texas author John Graves is as gracefully written as the classic works for which he is known, From A Limestone Ledge: Some Essays and Other Ruminations About Country Life In Texas, and Goodbye To A River. Once again, Mr. Graves writes with trenchant luminosity.

This landmark volume is dedicated to John James Audubon. It is now recreated for all to enjoy.

- Gail Cooke

This book has received an Award of Excellence from the 2001 Southern Books Competition. "You could not find a lovelier title page spread than that in Of Birds and Texas. The sensitive calligraphy and the well-designed two-column text pages support the stunning bird prints." Congratulations to the authors, designer Ellen McKie and the University of Texas Press.

Wildlife managers, landowners, hunters and anyone else interested in ensuring bobwhites thrive on their property will find Dr. Fred Guthery's newest book, On Bobwhites, an invaluable resource.

The man known as "Mr. Bobwhite" has all the bases covered in his latest publishing endeavor. On Bobwhites provides a wealth of information in a single volume. If you could only have one book on the bobwhite quail, this should be that book. It is extremely well organized into four sections containing 55 short chapters, making it easy to check the table of contents and find reference to most any question on quail.

Wildlife managers, landowners, hunters and anyone else interested in ensuring bobwhites thrive on their property will find Dr. Fred Guthery's newest book, On Bobwhites, an invaluable resource.

The man known as "Mr. Bobwhite" has all the bases covered in his latest publishing endeavor. On Bobwhites provides a wealth of information in a single volume. If you could only have one book on the bobwhite quail, this should be that book. It is extremely well organized into four sections containing 55 short chapters, making it easy to check the table of contents and find reference to most any question on quail.

The book covers a variety of topics relating to bobwhites. Dr. Guthery does an excellent job of showing that many of the myths proposed about bobwhites are not backed up by any facts. The writing is not at a technical level, so the book is easily read and understood by a variety of audiences. A must for any quail enthusiest!

Not your typical "hook and bullet" writer, Kathy takes her reader deep into a search for her spiritual self. If you are looking for a more how-to, where-to approach to the wonderful waters of the Laguna Madre, you'll probably be happier with one of Phil Shook's excellent guidebooks. If, however, you would like to witness the growth of a fisherman, in terms of both technical prowess and spiritual awareness of the world around them, grab this little number and dive right in.
By the end of "the Spiritual Journey" you may find, as I did, that Kathy has vocalized much of what we feel when we wander in the wild places and talk to God.

I just finished this book and it is going to take a couple of days before a can finally put my finger on a suitable response. The eloquence and grace that have blessed my days this past week have been penned by a masterful artist. Kathy's passion and her yearnings are vividly reflected off the shimmering surface of the Mother Lagoon. A blessing for all to read, fly fishermen or not, and a must for all women. "on the Mother Lagoon" captures the essence of the spirit involved in life itself and with it Kathy has solicited my tears, laughter and many smiles.

I marvel at Kathy's ability in the kitchen, on the water, at her computer and beside Scott all of which I've come to know.

On The Mother Lagoon: Fly Fishing And The Spiritual Journey by Katy Sparrow combines her "one woman" adventure in learning how to fly fish on the Lower Laguna Madre of south Texas, with meditations on women's psychology and spirituality. With practical tips on how to choose the best rod, fly, and line, techniques for reading the water and wading stealthily, as well as thoughtful ponderings on embracing life and the joy of the catch, On The Mother Lagoon brings together a blended and highly recommended treatise on the love of fishing and the human desire to look beyond oneself.

To a 10-year-old Hispanic boy growing up poor in an El Paso barrio in the 1950s, life can seem idyllic: you come home from school and mom is always there, making tortillas for the evening meal; dad is the strongest man you know; and everything you could ever want in a best friend lives right next door. You seemingly have everything you need under your family's rented roof until the day your parents tell you you're moving out of the only place you've known as home for a "better" life in another part of town.

Arriving in the new neighborhood, everything isn't really what it seems. Yes, the beautiful house is there with its light brown brick walls, white wooden columns on a porch, and a swing hanging from two chains in the ceiling, but there's also an Anglo family living inside! Unbeknownst to everyone, "Pop" has made a deal to rent out the formal house to an Army family, and have his family live in the subterraneo (basement) while he strives to build an apartment that will one day house the clan--all in the name of economics.

Carlos Nicolas Flores has made this interestingly unique premise the foundation of his debut novel, "Our House on Hueco," a coming-of-age young adult fiction tale told through the voice of 10-year-old Junior, who must come to grips with a world he didn't know existed outside what he felt were the relatively safe confines of his barrio.

Junior quickly learns that the move has not only brought about a new home, but also a new way of looking at family members and friends, and causes him to question a belief system instilled in him by his Puerto Rican father that the United States is the land of opportunity if one is willing to work hard and make sacrifices.

Throughout the novel, Flores explores themes of racism, poverty, and the complexities of human nature in a family that is struggling to claim a part of the American dream while seemingly not wanting to let go of parental birth lands, customs and cultures, especially when mom, who hails from Mexico, comes into contact with "los gringos."

Flores, a co-founding director of the South Texas Writing Project and a winner of the Chicano/Latino Literary Prize, boldly lays bare his perception regarding the nuances of Hispanic patriarchy by making his father figure macho beyond what most non-Hispanics would deem acceptable or even realistic. Then he carefully peels back the layers of Latin male stereotypical behavior to reveal a man who ultimately only wants to do what's best for his family.

While "Our House on Hueco" is written for young adults, it tells a quintessential story that transcends generations and racial divides. It is gritty in substance, yet amusing and alluring when it needs to be, and nostalgically familiar to anyone who grew up in the `50s without losing readers who are living their teen-age years in the 21st century. Flores has expertly woven a tale that deserves a wide audience and a prominent place on your bookshelf, reserved for works you're proud to say you've read.

This book can touch readers at all ages. Carlos Flores captures the essence of Mexican-American and Puerto Rican culture beautifully. I laughed, cried, and grew along with all the characters in the book. Growing up, I shared a smiliar experience as my father built large two story house that we later split into three smaller apartments in order to afford living there. For fifteen years we were crammed into that tiny space and felt just as Rafa and Junior must've felt living in the subterráneo. I will most definetely use this book with my students as I know that they too can relate to many of the experiences the characters shared.I am confident that this book holds the ability to help young readers rekindle their love for literature. I highly recommend this book and hope to see it put on the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults list. Include this book in your personal library; you will not be disappointed.

Thank you Carlos Flores for making Laredo proud.

The childhood world of 1950's El Paso is opened, and the mystery of the adult world, brought to life in Our House on Hueco. Carlos Flores imbues his hero, Junior with a childhood full of joy, and wonder. Junior's childhood eyes begin to see the world of prejudice, racial tension, and the cross cultural marriage of his mother, from Mexico, and his father from Puerto Rico. Yet through it all, a tale of courage, of hope, of redemption, of healing between Junior's family, and the Anglo neighbors upstairs, unfolds. A must read to understand the glory and grace, and the tension and tragedy of the border of the United States and Mexico, the power of the Mexican American dream, and the transcendant hope the touches each of our lives. I highly recommed this book to any lover of family stories, and lovers of the southwest.

This is the kind of bio that should be written about every important film director. Simmons is just detached enough to be objective, but not cold and removed so as to miss the color and flavor of this remarkable man. Highly reccommended for all interested in films - not just Peckinpah geeks.

Someone should get this guy to do a series of books on directors.

This is one of the first and best Peckinpah's biographies. Written a few years before his death but with a new preface and postscript it is a superb account about the life and films of Sam Peckinpah. Garner Simmons talked to many friends, family, actors and producers to make this a wonderful readable experience.If you are in the films of Sam Peckinpah get this book!

Peckinpah, written by Garner Simmons and published by the Universtity of Texas Press in 1982,is a no-nonsense, non-opinionated look at the life and work of director Sam Peckinpah. The first few chapters are devoted to his early life: parents, childhood, growing up, early TV work, etc. The rest of the book is presented in a movie-by-movie format, with one chapter being devoted to each film. The chronological discussion of each film pays great attention to detail form pre to post production. Lots of good insight from cast and crew members help make this book really special! There is little info on Peckinpah's final film, "The Osterman Weekend", as it had not been released at the time of this book's publication. The book is dedicated to the memory of Jerry Fielding, the extremely talented composer who worked with Peckinpah on several films.

This is my favorite gardening book, and the one that gave me the courage to start ripping out the grass and planting ornamentals. I've referred to it so often, the binding is now loose. Welch's vast experience with plants that can stand up to sometimes-brutal Southern conditions is invaluable. Exceedingly helpful general and specific information on a large variety of plants to brighten your landscape.

One of the best book's on Texas gardening.

You will enjoy the many discoveries this book has to offer and it is beautifully illustrated with a color photograph and planting recommendations for every plant. I cannot recommend a better book for a Houston or Gulf Coast gardener, either expert or new comer, and I have read them all! It focuses on plants that truly do well HERE. It skips azaleas, hybrid roses, tulips and all the other fussy plants pushed by the local nurseries do great anywhere but here. Instead it offers beautiful and underused (and for the most part - EASY) alternatives.

The Performing Set: The Broadway Designs Of William And Jean Eckart by Andrew B. Harris (formerly Chair of the Theatre Departments of Columbia University, Texas Christian University, and Southern Methodist University) is an eclectic and intrinsically interesting interpretation and collection of the works and influence of two outstanding visionaries and the mutual understanding the two of them shared. Introducing the reader to the wonderful background worlds of Hollywood and New York's Broadway, The Performing Set creates an interesting and informative format for all readers. The Performing Set is most especially recommended to film and theatre students, as well as to those who appreciate behind the scenes perspectives of the big screen, and aspire to creating theatrical sets of their own.

If you are in any way interested in stage design,this is the BEST book I have.Informative,beautifully illustrated,with lots of interssting background on Broadway.I have already bought 2 as gifts and may buy more.
It's a Great book!

If you're thinking about this book you might want to go to [...], the Internet Broadway Data Base and look up the Eckart's. There's a list of thirty seven plays where they did the set design. They began in 1952 with the play 'Glad Tidings,' and for about twenty years it was a very rare year that they didn't do the sets on at least one major broadway play. It could be argued that they alone changed the basic concept of sets on the Broadway Stage. Before them the curtain went down and stagehands moved the furniture around. After them the sets moved themselves, automatically it seemed, and the set became part of the performance. And then in 1965 there was 'Mame.'

This book is a profusely illustrated tribute to their work showing how their sets changed the look of Broadway forever. It doesn't cover every play, but it begins with their work in college, shows the highlights of their Broadway careers, and takes them to Dallas where they concentrated on being parents, and in teaching.

A Masterful Book.

--our times. This book shows what he has seen all over the world in his "short" life.

He is most famous for being Gerald Ford's photographer during the aftermath of the Nixon insanity. When his Whitehouse pass was revoked after the lost election, he wasn't even 30 -- YET had a body of work that was the envy of many of his fellow Shooters, me included. I am honored that he is aware that I exist.

Follow this man for the rest of your life and you will be exposed to all the wonders of this world. He is not just a photographer; he is a driven "oracle" of the 20th century who must make images or die - much like a shark who must keep swimming or drown.

Having known David Kennerly since he was 24 on on his way to Viet Nam. I threw a party for him while passing through Chicago on his birthday.

I bought many copies for gifts as I thought that highly of the book and especially for anyone interested in photography.

I strongly recommend reading this for a statement in courage and tremedous enthusiasm and talent for his work. His Jonestown story, as one of the first on the scene, is breathtaking.

Stan Golomb

Photo-Op will take you on an unforgettable journey through the last 30 years. Through the commentary and photographs you will experience such events as the Ali-Fraiser fight, the Ford White House years and the Veitnam War. Every one needs a copy of this book to teach the next generation of Kids, the true History of the USA

I missed Ty Cashion's book "Pigskin Pulpit" when it was first released a few years ago but with the re-release in paper back this year (2006) I had the opportunity to read it. I think the reason I didn't read it the first time was the title. I thought it was another "Glory" of High School Football book. Had I just paid attention to the subtitle "A Social History of Texas High School Football Coaches" my history buff inclination would have made reading this book a no brainer.

Ty Cashion was ordained to write this book. A professor of history at Sam Houston State University and more importantly the son of a Texas High School football coach, Ty had the knowledge to tell the story and the access to interview, by my count, at least 82 different Texas High School football coaches, many of which are no longer with us.

Some 40+ years ago, when I was a kid, I would listen to Texas High School football play off games on the radio. The radio announcer start by saying something like this: "Broadcasting from P.E. Shotwell stadium in Abilene, Texas ...".

P. E. Shotwell, Darrell Tully, and Gordon Wood may just be the name of Texas High School football stadiums for football fans of the current generation but they are just three of the many coaches that made Texas High School football what it is today. Many young athletes dream of "going pro" and signing multimillion dollar contracts. School boy football players born into the depression era of the early twentieth century just dreamed of the chance to play college football, get an education and coach football. It was their ticket off the farm and a way to a better life.

Ty Cashion chronicles the path to their goal and how the experiences that they had impacted several generations of young men in Texas.

If you ever knew a coach, if you ever played for a coach, if you ever learned from a coach, if you ever cussed a coached, if you ever idolized a coach ..., you need to read this book.

This is a great book. It tells the story of how High School Football has become the number one event in Texas. I am glad someone put these stories into print because sadly many of these great men are leaving us but their stories and the impact they have had, and continue to have, will be passed on. This is a must read for any football fan.

Aren't history books supposed to be dull as dishwater? I gave this book to my 80+ year-old Father for Christmas. He really enjoyed it! So did I, for that matter. Dr. Cashion must have spend untold hours interviewing old-time Texas High School football coaches and those who played under them. This book is as close to listening to those old timers as the written word can be. Growing up in football crazy Garland, Texas (back-to-back state championships in the 1960's under Chuck Curtis), I remember as a child "high school football fever." This hits the mark, or should I say is a "two point conversion."