Texas Books

Ande writes with the close confessional voice of Sharon Olds, the ecstatic vision of Blake and the scientific pinpoint accuracy of Pattiann Rogers. Weaving through almost every poem is her quiet yet almost slap-stick sense of humor, if there is such a thing as spiritual slap-stick. Hopeful and wise, these poems are welcome in these troubled, self-absorbed times.

Jan Lee Ande's second full-length book of poems "Reliquary," solidly enriches what the reader encountered in the poet's first offering "Instructions for Walking on Water." Reliquary, defined as a receptacle, such as a coffer or shrine, for keeping or displaying relics is such an apt title because in "Reliquary" the poet invites the reader into a showroom where they find moments of consciousness where words push up against themselves and reveal new meaning. Words are given the sacred task to speak to worlds beyond and sometimes below. I was surprised as I engaged in the depth of the journey. If we think of books as sacred objects the poems of "Reliquary" must be thought of as sacred glimpses. Each poem opens a door. The poet provides the key. I have been involved in the medical field for twenty years so it isn't surprising that I was drawn to the poem "Learning Anatomy." Here a mother, as "study partner," is stationed next to her son and a human skeleton where they take on the task of learning the bones of the body and what each one means on many levels. What is surprising is what the poet finds in her dialogue with these bones and their articulations. The poem concludes, "After the soul has fled the body, after the organs / crumble into dust, bones pass time in the urn of the earth." This is what you'll find in reading Jan Lee Ande. Surprise! Regardless of background I'm convinced a door can open for anyone who is moved to read her. She pushes the reader beyond the ordinary and into realms where the familiar is new and fresh.

Ande's Reliquary is a superbly crafted collection of poetry that cracks through surfaces and reveals the sacredness and connected nature of underlying things: the celestial mix of physical and mystical that permeates rocks, trees, hearts, thoughts and which drives science, religion, and wonder.

Ande invites us:

If you are lost in this world, bewildered
in the middle ground
between heaven and earth, stand here.

And so begins the delicious ascent into the incredible world of Ande's language and imagery, for the very first thing one notices, before one even considers poetic form, is the sheer beauty of the language and the freshness of the imagery. In her poetry, words exceed their representational function - they sparkle, they shoot like stars through the soul - and, as one rereads each piece, the words emerge and reemerge in a metamorphosis that, for all its metaphysical qualities, is at the same time as grounded in realism as the texture of the page upon which the images are so craftfully arranged.

The title poem, "Reliquary," epitomizes the book's theme of sacredness-in-the-ordinary. Ande writes:

I do not have a theca issued by the pope
- the red wax seal and a length of thread -
to prove these relics are authentic.

My theca is the pollen sac of an anther,
spore case of a greeny moss,
outer layer of the pupa of the rose weevil.

However, it is the intangible collection of reliquaries that gives the poem a deeper import: questions (Do you believe in nature spirits, / can oak trees talk, have you walked on water?) and embellished remembrances (My sky blue traveling case. Sarcophagus / of the holy bones of my black dog who could fly.) remind the reader that relics are more than carefully preserved items - they are magical, they house our dreams, they hold incredible secrets.

Ande's gift for blending concrete and metaphysical images infuses her work. Yet, there is a fine balance between Ande's poetic gifts and the poems' forms, as well. Usually filling just one page, and usually written in couplets or triplets, the poems are easy on the eye; as a result, their framework provides just the right space for the reader to perfectly engage with the spirit of the poem.

I just finished reading Remnants of an Ancient Past and thoroughly enjoyed it! Only occasionally do I venture into reading a romance novel. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was so much more!

"Remnants of an Ancient Past" is an exhilarating new work from an exciting, talented new author. Crowley proves himself to be a gifted wordsmith that captures his readers' imaginations with his prose."

Sizzling romance, action, suspense, intriguing setting (an archaeological dig)--I found it all in this exciting novel! And anyone who has suffered from disillusionment in matters of the heart will find soulmates in Elisa Murchison and Dr. Blake Connor. I empathized with these characters in their agonizing attempts to regain their emotional balance, and I enjoyed numerous "I-couldn't-put-it-down" moments. A satisfying read!

There really are only a few books a parent needs to "do it right." Joan Beck's "How to Raise a Brighter Child" and Prudence MackIntosh's essays in her trilogy of books: "Thundering Sneakers," Retreads," and "Sneaking Out." The MackIntosh books are better than chocolate, whether you have a boy or a girl. And on those frequent occasions when I am at my wits' end and rapidly losing perspective, her books bring me right back. You'll laugh with a lump in your throat the whole way through.

Read Prudence McIntosh! If you have boys you must read this book. One of my favorites.

From the moment I discovered Prudence Mackintosh in Thundering Sneakers (first of the trilogy), I fell in love with her style of writing. She shares the joys of boys along with her own cherishing of the moments of parenting them. Retreads will make you laugh until you cry as you share her wonderful observations of her own 3 boys in those "tween years" where they are too big to hold and way too big to ignore. If you know a mother of all boys, I cannot think of a better gift -- the Mackintosh Trilogy (Sneaking Out is new in 2002 -- and helps to finish the chapter of raising children!) UT Press has done us all a favor by reissuing these gems! Thanks Prudence!

This book is the authority on where to raft/kayak/canoe - you get all the info you need about drop-off and pick-up points, plus mile-by-mile information. Great book - I wish the authors would revise their last edition (2000)! Still, the 2000 edition is very helpful. Highly recommended to Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas canoeists/kayakers!

This book is the perfect guide to Texas rivers. It gives a description of each river, including different runs on each. It provides information on camping in the area, where to rent a canoe, rapid class categories, phone numbers for flow information and myriad other details that give you the confidence to literally pick a trip from the book and do it! I'm buying my second copy.

This Essential Reference book opens with detailed local fish population info and photos. Statewide canoe/paddling clubs are listed next along with recommended equipment diagrams & checklists and a glossary of useful river/paddling terms.(worthy of purchase alone) THEN you get an alphebetically listed, turn by turn, comprehensive diagram and description of multiple rivers in 3 states. Enough said? Too bad this is getting so hard to find!

Scarbrough has written an impeccably researched, compelling book. I lived in Georgetown 1997-2007 and watched it change from a sweet little town, past the outskirts of Austin's development, into something almost indistinguishable from any other suburban city in America. It has happened in Mustang, OK...in Owasso, OK...in Universal City, TX...in Georgetown, TX...in Vancouver, WA, in Sherwood, OR. If one ignores the landscape, the towns are virtually indistinguishable from one another. The rich heritage of the Czechs, the Germans (e.g., German Corner in Owasso) has been drowned in a flood of one-size-fits-all development. Now, not to sound completely gloomy, I do think it is possible for a city in the path of development to resist the Goliath. I think it is possible for a city to choose its own path of development, one that builds on its unique characteristics. Leavenworth, WA, is one such town. And I think more cities should choose to preserve their communities, rather than selling out their birthrights for thirty pieces of silver, rather than sitting back apathetically while their homes are swept away in a tidal wave of materialism. It takes just one leader, with a vision, and a willingness to work really, REALLY hard. Those are pretty hard to find. Anyway, the book is definitely worth the read. I found myself in a state of suspense several times, which was surprising considering that I had gone fishing in Granger Lake myself, and my children were cared for as infants by some of those same elderly Czech folk. A very good read, even for a girl who usually prefers fiction. I have given copies to friends in my new town, including the city council president, who promised to pass it along to the mayor, and to the owner of the local bookshop, where the Democratic Party meets. The town is now facing a vote that will help determine the path of its future development, and I am very interested to see how it all turns out. I hope Linda's outstanding book will help to turn the tide.

Road, River, And Ol' Boy Politics: A Texas Country's Path From Farm To Supersuburb by Linda Scarbrough is an impressively researched, superbly written and quite original perspective of the complete history of the state Texas. Scarbrough's depiction of Texas' history is outstanding for its individuality and historical documentation in that its approach is of a philosophical outlook more oriented to the political reasoning for Texas' development. A highly notable and strongly recommended read, Road, River, And Ol' Boy Politics is an excellent read for historians of American history in general and students of Texas history in particular.

Some lines from the introduction to "Road, River, and Ol' Boy Politics" concisely relate author Scarbrough's thesis: " The story of Williamson County's metamorphosis from agrarian backwater to suburban juggernaut reveals a pattern of how several of America's most successful agricultural counties became supersuburbs over the last half of the twentieth century. The twin pillars of this growth surge, most notably in the Dry Sun Belt, were dams and interstate highways funded by the federal government.....Who decided where to put these massive projects and why?..."

While this is the story of the transformation of one American county, Williamson, County, Texas, it is indicative of what has occurred across our nation. Yes, times they are achangin', and to read about how some of it happened is fascinating.

The author identifies three essential ingredients which are necessary for dynamic growth: a new water source, a new major highway, and "a politically skillful and determined leader." In Texas, these men are simply called good ol' boys. If you wish to dispute Scarbrough's premise just take a look at the booming areas outside of Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City.

Scarbrough is publisher of the Williamson County Sun in Georgetown, Texas. With advanced degrees in American Civilization from the University of Texas, she knows her subject well. She was among the first to write about environmental issues for the New York Daily News, and when she returned to Texas in 1978 she continued to discuss that subject on the pages of her family newspaper.

"Road, River, and Ol' Boy Politics" is replete with illustrations, maps, bibliography, and index. It's an important addition to the archives of Texas history, and that of our country as well.

- Gail Cooke

Mary Lu Abbott rounds up Lone Star lodgings, restaurants and sightseeing with lovers in mind. Recommendations are organized regionally and introduced with a brief history of the locale. Among the romantic stays are rooms in a former stagecoach stop; among the memorable restaurants is the palatial Mansion on Turtle Creek Dining Room in Dallas. The book includes major festivals and strikes a nice balance of activities, sightseeing and recreation of interest to both genders.
Chicago Tribune

The updated second edition of Romantic Weekends: Texas covers places to get away for a romantic weekend in Texas, outlining both popular areas and hidden places which can be easily accessed in a long weekend. From central Texas and the Southeast to the Panhandle, the regional breakdowns make it easy to look up particular areas, while specifics on restaurants and accommodations make this a winning set of recommendations.

This book offers the best places for romance in and around Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley and the Mexican border. Only those lodgings with special appeal have been selected, and all have been visited by the author - former Houston Chronicle editor.Table For Two sections profile the most intimate places to eat, where ambiance and service are as important as the food. But this is more than a guide to the best places to stay and eat. Activities that a couple will remember forever are also covered - balloon rides over the desert, romantic strolls under a starry sky, horseback trails into the wilderness. Contact names, telephone numbers and website addresses are given.

This book offers the best places for romance in and around Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley and the Mexican border. Only those lodgings with special appeal have been selected, and all have been visited by the author - former Houston Chronicle editor.Table For Two sections profile the most intimate places to eat, where ambiance and service are as important as the food. But this is more than a guide to the best places to stay and eat. Activities that a couple will remember forever are also covered - balloon rides over the desert, romantic strolls under a starry sky, horseback trails into the wilderness. Contact names, telephone numbers and website addresses are given. Maps, index and photos, plus hand-drawn sketches.

After reading the Five-Star reviews of Ruling Pine Ridge I immediately ordered a copy anticipating a scholarly historical treatment of the political climate and governmental history of Pine Ridge. And I wasn't disappointed; it is a well-written narrative carefully explaining the cultural, social and political history of Pine Ridge vis-à-vis American colonialism in the period between the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) and the takeover and ransacking of Wounded Knee (WK II) in 1973. Although it is difficult not to indulge either side of the forces at play, Professor Reinhardt does an admirable job of finding the correct balance between both sides in the cultural struggle. He proves his point eloquently that the federal presence continued through not-so-subtle colonial authority.

There was only one area where Ruling Pine Ridge left a little doubt; by describing the "reign of terror" period between WK II, the murder of two FBI agents in 1975, and the subsequent conviction of Leonard Peltier where Professor Reinhardt sourced Ward Churchill and Peter Matthiessen. Although arguably inaccurate to use these two sources alone, in deference to Professor Reinhardt it was used only as an anecdotal reference to demonstrate there was ongoing tension after WK II.

Ruling Pine Ridge is a must-read and an important resource for anyone seeking an in-depth and intellectual understanding of the dynamics between federal authority and Indian affairs on the Reservations.

"Ruling Pine Ridge: Oglala Lakota Politics From The IRA To Wounded Knee" by "Akim D. Reinhardt (Associate Professor of History, Towson University, Maryland) draws upon oral histories, council records, and reservation newspapers to provide an historical survey and analysis of the Oglala Lakota reservation in South Dakota during the mid-twentieth century when it was evolving from being directly run by the federal government , to indirect colonialism under the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA), to the 1973 occupation and siege of Wounded Knee as the culmination of dissatisfaction with how reservation autonomy was being hampered by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. Professor Reinhardt amply supports his thesis that the siege was not simply a political stunt of the American Indian Movement, but a genuine grassroots protest that was developing over the previous forty years. A work of impeccable and detailed scholarly research (some of which had never been previously accessed by historians), that should be a part of every university library's Native American Studies reference collection, "Ruling Pine Ridge" is a seminal study that is an academically impressive, substantively informative, and thoughtfully insightful.

Quite a bit has been written about the Oglala Lakota and their history in the 1800s. How many more books about Crazy Horse do we need anyway?
After the Wounded Knee Tragedy of 1890, scholars and popular historians seem to lose interest in the Lakota.
They're still here, and the Pine Ridge Reservation, where the Oglala reside, has become infamous as one of the poorest places in the world's wealthiest nation.
Akim Reinhardt has written an in-depth look at the political history of the Oglala in the 20th Century.
As an outsidider looking in, one hates to judge the Oglala or dictate solutions to internal problems, but even the most casual observer can see that the current tribal government is dysfunctional and clearly in need of a new constitution.
Reinhardt provides valuable insight into how the reservation became what it is today. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in reforming the current government.

Robin Hardy is an awesome author with a way of spinning a story that draws you in and holds you. The characters of Sammy and Marnie are far from perfect, but oh so very real. What makes them real is that the issues they deal with don't get "fixed" magically at the end of the book, they undergo a process including the dawning of awareness and consciuous recognition of the effect of their actions and then they begin the road of growing into a better person, still flawed but obviously trying. Every Sammy story contains a mystery inside the main mystery that will keep the reader guessing.

Great book, Great author - I highly recommend all of her books in the Sammy Series.

While reading this book, I kept murmuring to myself, "Oh, Sammy! How do you find yourself in these predicaments time and again?" This book, number 5 in the series, continues the tale of the ongoing adventure of Sammy Kidman and his wife, Marni. I finished this book the day I started, and read it even while I should have been doing my coursework for college (whoops!) but I just couldn't put it down! It seemed that with every detective assignment completed, there was a new complication in his personal life. But by the grace of God, he carries on and presses onward, trusting that he will survive and that all will work out in God's timing. "Misunderstandings" is a book that tells of faith and trust, and to be perfectly honest and open, I learned a lot, and found some things in my own life that were in need of change. The Sammy series is great for any reader. Lots of mystery, some love, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. If you've read the other Sammy books, I don't know what's keeping you from getting this one! You already know what a great writer Robin is, and I'm sure you're itching to see what trouble Sammy's got himself into this time. And if you haven't read the other books, I have only one thing to say: In the wise words of Mike Masterson... "GET ON IT!"

Sammy is back and, as always, up to his big blue eyes in trouble. This time, some "little misunderstandings" threaten his friendships, his marriage and even his life. Fun and fast paced like the earlier books, "Little Misunderstandings" really is the best of the series. I can't wait for the next one.

After reading the first Sammy book, I knew I HAD to get the second one. Sammy: Women Troubles is the amusing, insightful, addictive second book in the Sammy series, by Robin Hardy. Like almost all the other books by Robin that I've read, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down! What's great about these books is that Robin never runs out of material--there's always soemthing more she can write about--always something going on. Not many writers can do that. The Sammy books surprised me again and again with one shocking event after another. And of course, this being the second book you just GOTTA read the first one... it's definitly worth it.

Many Christians think we should instanly become "perfect" after our conversion to Christ. No way. We still have struggles with life and "sin" habits. Sammy is no exception. BUT he is trying to live the life Christ would have him to. Sammy knows prayer is the answer to the help he needs with these struggles.
Sammy is real.
Since Sammy is a detective he lives in a real world were there is evil all around and he is dealing with it through Christ.
Excitment is part of Sammy's life as well as unexpected surprises.

I couldn't put it down.

I fell in love with Sammy from the very first of Book One, "Sammy: Dallas Detective," and have been eagerly awaiting Book Two in this series. "Women Troubles" is a fun, exciting adventure from Dallas to New York to LA and back to Dallas again. Lovable Sammy's "women troubles" get more and more complicated but, as always, he handles them with his abundant charm. I can't wait for Sammy III!

Robin Hardy's Sammy is as irresistible as always in his newest adventure, "Working for a Living." He's constantly in trouble, with only his wits and his guts and his charisma to get him out and, of course, his faith and his intrepid wife, Marni, to back him up. As a lifelong Dallas area resident, it's always fun for me to "recognize" the locations in a book. Even the merciless Dallas heat rings true in "Working for a Living." It's an A-Number One summer read! I can't wait for more books in the series.

Once a cop, always a cop... When Detective Sammy Kidman tries to get into a safer workplace and work at some "normal" jobs, he finds that working outside the force isn't as easy as it looks. Sure, he gets quite a few job offers, but very few "fit" him. The incredible circumstances he encounters, doubled with the smart, touching, humorous writing of Robin Hardy makes for a great read. Once you start reading the Sammy series (beginning with Sammy: Dallas Detective) you wont' be able to stop!!

This newest Sammy book is great!It is funny and I enjoyed it even more than the last one.
Everything is going great for Sammy, he has a loving wife, a child whom he considers a miracle, and he's considering finding a safer job. But when he's unexpectedly fired he finds that finding a better job is harder than he thought. Later in the book Sammy is rehired and thrown into a case that will test his courage and faith.
I think this is now one of my favorite Robin Hardy book and I eagerly await the next book in this series.