Scouting Books

Chip Carlson has established himself as the most prolific and knowledgeable Tom Horn buff since Dean Krakel, and his work is extraordinarily readable. To understand a true American (choose your own term) outlaw, rogue, bounty hunter, lawman, Westerner ... whatever ... pick up Carlson's work, which is full of the grittiness that haunts the legend of Horn.

Introduced to the epic of Tom Horn by the excellent western movie starring Steve McQueen, I wanted to find a book and read more about the history of a man who, on the one hand, seemed a ruthless killer and on the other seemed the unfortunate dupe of the big business of the day--the cattle barons.

Tom Horn: Blood on the Moon: The Dark History of the Murderous Cattle Detective fit the bill marvelously. I came away with what I believe is an accurate history of the hapless Tom Horn and, more interestingly, names of several interesting characters who contributed to the demise of arguably a great American hero.

Key among these characters was Joe LeFors, the very same detective and lawman who made life miserable for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Named Joe Bell in the movie, LeFors methods were, shall we say, "creative."

We are tempted to believe that political scandals, scapegoats and other applicable cloak and dagger are primarily of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Read Tom Horn: Blood on the Moon... and find out the rest of the story.

Although this book seems to contain a well documented, and at times, interesting account of Tom Horn and the Nickell murder, its about as much fun to read as a treatise on the history of linear-regression analysis. Mr. Carlson's poorly constructed syntax and meandering story lines makes this book a "plodding" experience.

An exceptional documentary dealing with one of Wyoming's most notorious citizens, one that reads like a novel. Although much has been written about Tom Horn, Chip Carlson has done an excellent job of presenting new facts and information furthing adding to the controversey over Horn's guilt in the murder of young Willie Nickell.

The best word I can think of to describe this book is FANTASTIC.Chip Carlson has written another masterpiece on the subject.
To me just about every chapter leaves you craving more information, and thats what a good book should do.His indepth research is amazing on how he has put it into a format for persons interested in this period of western history.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants more insight into the times trials and tribulations of 1890's Wyoming.

This is a funny Berenstain Bears adventure book, in which the kids go camping and follow their Bear Scout Guidebook while Papa Bear tries to do everything his way and ends up making a big mess. My 3 y.o. likes this story very much, and asks for it frequently.

Like with many other Berenstain Bears books, I like that it teaches the importance of reading to learn stuff, but I find the dad's kluziness a bit annoying as I believe it undermines the respect for parents, cause it's not that it shows that parents can make mistakes too, but that they're totally incapable of doing something right.

However, it's a funny story, the adventure has a nice pace to it, and my kid enjoys reading it.

This was one of my favorite books when I was a child. My copy was getting a little ragged, to say the least, and I had to pick up a new copy for my own child to enjoy. I can't recommend this book enough!

It has beautiful illustrations and a fun story for those of us who enjoy the outdoors, scouting, spending time with Dad, or just a good Berenstain Bears book!

I still have my copy from when I was a kid. It brings back memories of having my father along as a chaparone for Girl Scout trips. The moral of the story is that well meaning parents don't always know the right way to do things and should they should learn to listen better to their children.

Like other Berenstein books, Dad's a doofus, while the kids are wise in this camping-out adventure.

This is a fun story with nice artwork that I've ready many times to my kids (now 3 1/2 and 2). Frankly, I've gotten kind of tired of it -- the dad-bashing routine gets repetitive after a few dozen readings.

But the kids like it, and I think it will be a good one when they start reading on their own, too. There's even some good camping tips ("Put up your tents before it's late").

This tale of Papa Bear's prideful camping advice that ALWAYS turns out wrong is a classic. I LOVED this book when I was young, and indeed I still do! I never mind reading it to my 3 year old daughter. We quote the line "Your stew is stewing well, but doesn't it have a funny smell?" to each other as an inside joke.

The Bear Scouts leave on a camping adventure, but at the last minute Papa Bear insists on going to "help out". His son and the other scouts always use their Bear Scout Guide, and always have success. But Dad ties his own knot which fails, makes stew of roots that tastes awful but then gladly devours the fish the scouts catch, and so forth. The rhyme is fun and memorable, the illustrations are captivating, and I would recommend it to anyone!

This is an interesting read for a history buff.
Written by a friend from Carson's oral reminiscenses.

Excellent read Milo Milton Quaife did a nice job on filling many facts, the only problem I had was with Mr. Carson wish he would of writtn more. Good read on airline flight.

Disclaimer: Kit Carson is my first cousin, five times removed! And that's why I read this book.

It took a while to sink in, but the compelling feature about Kit's autobiography is the editing. There are extensive footnotes throughout that put Kit's text in historical perspective, point out errors in his memory, and round out the story.

He describes his 16-year life as a Mountain Man in almost monosyllabic terms. In other words, he compresses a whole year into a single paragraph. A short paragraph!

But it gets better when he has something to say about his scouting and Indian relations roles.

Why does it explain it all? Because I have this wanderlust locked up inside me, and I've always wondered where it came from!

Kit Carson was a man of few words in life and in his own autobiography. It is unfortunate that such a dynamic individual didn't write down more! Quaife does a terrific job with the notes. Explaining everything that Carson failed to include. This is a common problem as, for example, Kit Carson will say something to the effect: Fought indians today, and Quaife will fill in all of the details about what tribe, how many, who was killed or wounded in both parties, etc. I am fascinated by how much detail is known of Carson's time. Very readable, my only complaint was that it was too short! The editor has included a nicely laid out index. I found the book well worth the purchase price! BTW, for those of you looking for information on William F. Drannon, he is not mentioned anywhere in Carson's autobiography.

Kit Carson was everywhere and did just about everything. I must agree with other reviewers and Milo Milton Quaife in his introduction, that because of Carson's nature, the book seems somewhat curtailed of descriptive events. What may have taken a few months to happen, Kit says it all in a paragraph. That aside, he came out west at the age of sixteen to become a mountain man. As time went by he was involved with trapping adventures, expeditions with Fremont, the Mexican War and as an Indian agent. Maybe it was a sign of the times, but Carson certainly does not hesitate to boast about how many Indians he killed during his day to day adventures. This may have been brought about by his upbringing as a young child. The settlers in his part of Missouri where he was living at the time had to "fort" themselves against the activities of hostile Indians. This may have carried on into adulthood. Nevertheless, this was a good book on an extraordinary and remarkable man of the early American west.

This is a well written book covering the early days of Tom Horn's life. Tom Horn lead a very interesting and exciting life and he conveys that to the reader very well. Although the book does not cover his exploits as a stock detective, this book still raises doubts about whether Tom Horn was guilty of the offense for which he was hanged.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone having an interest in the old west. This book was definitly a great addition to my library

As with all autobiographies this book provides us with a fascinating picture of the adventurous life of Tom Horn. Yet it is the death of Tom Horn that has been the subject of great controversy to the present day; hanged for the murder of a fourteen year old boy, on evidence that was highly questionable.

This book is refered to as a vindication, and though many have disputed this, in some subtle ways it is. Whilst reading this narrative of Tom Horn's years as a scout and interpreter, at no point could I envisage him being the kind of man to kill a boy from ambush. He portrays himself in his autobiography as hard working, fearless, trustworthy, and as a man who served his country well. Though with any autobiography the reader has to accept an elemant of bias, it appears at times as if Tom Horn tries to minimize his own heroics and exploits. To this end the book serves its purpose.

What is most astounding about the book is where it finishes. Tom Horn makes no attempt to explain the events leading upto his conviction and execution. This is both surprising and baffling. Surly most men in his position would have taken the opportunity to plead their innocence. Not so with Tom Horn. He seems content to let the readers make their own decision, by things reported in the newspapers at that time. Maybe he was just confident that people would believe him to be innocent despite much of what was being written.

This edition of the book was supplemented with letters written to and from Tom Horn whilst he was imprisoned. These are valuable as they offer an insight into Tom's state of mind during this period. In a couple of these letters he does choose to explain a little of the events leading up to his arrest, to certain associates

Tom Horn's personal narrative is just as fascinating for what it excludes, as for what it includes. It also provides an excellent look at other celebrated and infamous characters such as Al Seiber, Geronimo and the Apache Kid. For those interested in the life of Tom Horn, or the role of government scouts/interpreters, the book will hold much interest. It is also recommended that readers have some basic knowledge of Tom Horn - particularly his latter life - for a greater understanding.

This is an exceptional autobiography that details the life of Tom Horn prior to the tragic incident in Wyoming. The book is NOT a vindication. The material added by John Coble is clearly identified, and were his personal attempts to vindicate Tom Horn. Written in jail and on his way to the gallows, Tom Horn wrote only about his life as Indian Scout and Intepretor, because this is how he wished to be remembered! "Life of Tom Horn" reflects upon his childhood, and the early adult events that shaped the most glorious and enjoyable years in the prime of his life. He probably deserved the Medal of Honor for the Apache Wars. Details of his life as a miner, Pinkerton detective, rodeo champion and mule skinner for the Spanish American War were left out, probably intentionally. His reputation in Wyoming was so thoroughly distorted and trashed by journalistic sensationalism fueled by ongoing range fueds, that it probably wasn't worth addressing. (He is still hated today by many.) I feel he believed that good would prevail and find him innocent. Time wasn't on his side when he wrote this...

The book is a fabulous historical accout of life in the southwestern frontier. The details of his life as indian scout are easy to put into perspective and supported by many factual historical accounts of the time. If one has a map and photographs of the southwestern United States and Mexico, it becomes even easier to put into perspective. The book is also a great resource for anyone researching Geronomo and the Apache wars.

To this day, Tom Horn's innocence or guilt is embroiled in controversy. Some family members still carry a burning hatred for the man, others admiration and love. Visit the Historical sections of the Denver or Cheyenne Library's, so you can read newspaper accounts of the politics of the range fueds and wars in Wyoming during Tom Horn's time, and come to your own conclusions. After the Apache Wars, Tom Horn became a drifter of various jobs or "careers," typical of many cowboys of that era. He always tried to do the right thing and worked, for the law, not against it. At over 6 feet tall, muscular and lean, he was imposing, but soft spoken, and a loner. When he went to Wyoming, he "walked softly and carried a big stick." The big stick being his reputation as indian fighter and killer, although there's no proof he murdered anyone. He always maintained his innocence, and remained defiantly brave to the very end.

this book was a pleasant surprise written by tom horn himself it reads like a good movie horn although he had only a rudimentary education is a very good writer the book is full of his adventures and colorful characters of the apache wars with GERONIMO he explains the nuts and bolts of tracking indians in the southwest usa it is ajohn wayne movie in print

This book was written by Tom Horn while waiting in a Cheyenne, Wyoming Jail to be hanged. It is a very colorful account of the Government Scout, Arizona Territory Lawman, and "foster son" of Geronimo himself. While it is a very one sided story that almost pleads with you to believe that Tom was blameless, it gives a VERY unique look into the solitary life of a scout and hired gun in the real old west. "A Must Read"

Here is that rare kind of book that's equally rewarding to two kinds of readers -- people looking for a ripping good yarn, and serious students of the Old West. It's beautifully written in clear plain language that captures the epic sweep of the period, its tragedies, and even its bawdily comic moments. The text is tastefully sprinkled with excellent photos and illustrations. Thorough source notes are also included -- at the end, where they don't get in the way of your reading, along with a bibliography and useful index.

"Buffalo Bill Cody, the Man Behind the Legend" is the first complete biography of this marvelous old cuss in more than 30 years, and far and away the most accurate one ever written. It traces the life and many careers of Buffalo Bill from ox-driver, prospector, and Pony Express rider barely out of his childhood to adult adventures as Army scout, Medal of Honor winner, and finally as the boozy myth-making old showman whose geniality could accommodate both Sitting Bull and Annie Oakley under the same tent.

Buffalo Bill Cody knew virtually everyone worth knowing in the Old West, and most of those people make guest appearances in this book -- Wild Bill Hickock, Bat Masterson, George Armstrong Custer, and many others.

Robert A. Carter manages to tell the vivid story of his subject while also treating the reader to insights into the sights, sounds, smells, and ethos of the period in general, and he does it in a writing style remarkable for its wit and charm. I intend to keep this book in my personal library, both as a reference and to read again.

This is an edit of my original review. I was chastised in a kindly manner by the author for some of my original statements, and as I reread my review I belive with good reason. Though I am entitled to my opinion I don't have the right to presume that which I do not know for a fact. Based on Mr. Carters comments I will remove the those which he has refuted or corrected. Mr. Carter, my humble apologies. The boys of my generation have a firm tribal memory of Cody. His career as a pony express rider, the "first scalp for Custer", the Wild West show performance before Queen Victoria is the kind of knowledge one just seems to "know". Perhaps the generations that have followed my own have forgotten and this book will redeem his reputation as well as rescue him from the haze of the 19th Century. It is a "good read" and is full of facts and anecdotes. Mr. Carter often presents the evidence and leaves it up to the reader to decide the verity of the story. This is a great technique and it leaves the reader with the feeling he has uncovered the truth. It might be called the multiple choice method of biography. However, it is the use of this technique that detracts from a well researched study. That said and in spite of some barbs on my part I do think this is among the finest and possibly best researched treatment of the man.

Robert Carter has brought Buffalo Bill back from near oblivion, and presses his case that Cody was a major American figure in graceful and masterfully written prose.

I read this whole book and was suprised at the accuracy that it possesed. I enjoyed finding info including weaknesses and streangths, stats, and predictions on all my favorite players. This is a definite must buy if you love hockey, which i do. There is no chance that i will pass up the next edition of this.

After getting into hockey I found this book to be a great addition to my television viewing. The reports on players are great and the player predictions are also well researched and accurate. I look forward to every new seasons addition and have found this to add to my enjoyment of this wonderful game. This book is highly recommended.

Good concept and well written book. The author has an excellent overall understanding of both the game and the players. The layout of each player's analysis is simple to follow and easy to read. Why only three stars, then? Because a lot of the material was written some time ago. Some of the comments about the player's teamates were when they were with another team and didn't get caught in the editing. The author needs to completely re-write the book instead of writing what appears to be an edit of last year's version which appeared to be an edit of the prior year's version, etc.

Once upon a time it was valentines this boy liked this girl and this girl like this boy they was trying to make a valentine card for each other. But it was to messy and gooey. They got in trouble and they didn't care. So they started off dating each other.

We read this chapter book as a fiction read aloud in our homeschool. My son who is 7 really enjoys these books. Try one today and see what you think.

I read this book when I was in fourth grade and I still adore this book. We all had "puppy love" crushes and the petite scouts in this story our not contrary. All the Valentnes send all the delightful PeeWee's guessing who sent them the heart shaped card. You and your childeren will enjoy yet another of the peewee stories thoroughly!

This book, in my opinion, is basically a gift from Sherry Ross to the diehard hockey fans of the world.

I read and re-read mine all the time during the NHL season, to
keep up on the many players as they appear in the games I watch or listen to.

Thank you, Ms. Ross, for this wonderful handbook on the ever-changing group of men whose talents are truly the main attraction to the great game of NHL Hockey.

Who knows if there will be hockey in 2004-05 with a lockout looming and a work stoppage nearly certain? If there is hockey, this or the next version of Sherry Ross's book will be the best guide available to fans that want to know something about the players on their team.

Over the years there have been a lot of these kinds of books but Sherry's has lasted longer than most. I haven't found a preorder ticket for a 2004-05 version, so maybe she's burned out and not going to do another. Pity if so, for her book brings insights into player profiles other books lacked.

An example: her projection for center-left wing Ray Whitney prior to last season: "Whitney has the ability to be a consistent 20-goal 45-assist scorer in the right circumstances." Whitney signed with the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings prior to the season and finished with 43 points in 67 games, which extrapolates to 53 points in 82 games.

This isn't Ross's 65 point projection, but she had him on the roster of Columbus, where he'd have been a second line center with power play time. In Detroit he was a part-time player with little power play time and still piled up more than 50 points.

The book also proves that Ross, like other "experts", can pitch the occasional lemon. Her projection for Brad Richards, the No. 2 center on champion Tampa Bay that was the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs:

"Richards scored 12 points more (74 total) than he did during his breakout season of 2001-902. This is about his ceiling." Apparently not, since Richards piled up 79 in 2003-04 and topped it off with an incredible playoff where he scored another 26 points including scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal.

Even when she missteps, Ross is exciting and brings an edge to player profiles that isn't available anywhere else. Her book is a compendium for fans that want inside information on players in other cities. I hope there is hockey again this winter and I hope Sherry Ross publishes a new version of this valuable book.

Im reading the book Pee Wee Scouts,Pedal Power by Judy Delton,it is a realistic -fiction book.I was reading the book and it wasn't that interesting at first but then it started geting queer.I highly reccomend this book to readers because its funny but kind of simple.This book is mostly about some scouts helping,doing,or saving people,but it gets monotonous some times. I'm enjoying this book because its about theese scouts savig people and its fantastic for me because it tells people from good and bad. And there wasn't nothig that I disliked.

My 7 year old loved this book and the others we have read in this series. He can relate to many of the characters and likes that the kids which all have different interests can still play together even if they don't always agree. We used this book as a group bedtime story for my 3 kids: 3, 5, & 7 and it held all of their attention while provoking questions about saftey that we could talk about. We loved it!

Zane Grey's second novel about life along the early American western frontier. Drawn from personal family history, he captures the brutality and the compassion of the early pioneers and the Indian nations that they were dispossessing.

Lewis Wetzel "Le vent de la mort", (Death Wind) is a prominent figure in this book. Wetzel is a genuine historical personage and is accurately portrayed as both a guardian to the border settlements and the Indian hater and killer he was known to be.

The book follows the life and adventures of two brothers Jim and Joe, Jim a Christian missionary and Joe a gregarious newcomer to frontier life. Wetzel always known as a loner, develops a friendship with the young man Joe and trains him in the ways of forest woodcraft. All the while Jim struggles to strengthen and protect the already established Morvian Indian mission. All of this set against the intrigue of Indian politics,war and the rampaging murders and kidnappings of the white renegades Simon and Jim Girty.

Although an historical novel, Zane Grey uses the various characters and happenings as a vehicle to give us a clear picture of the sentiment surrounding the precarious daily life for both the defenders of the Indian nations and those who acted as the American border rangers.

Read this book almost twenty years ago and this is one novel that made its greatest impact on me. Made me a Zane Grey fan. Lost my first copy so I ordered another one. Still find it a great read.