Ford Books

Richard Ford is my favorite writer of fiction today. Whatever else you can say about his books and stories, he tries to be honest about life, observant, gentle, respectful, and is able to show the hard realities of life, and doesn't dote too much on the sweet, the easy, or the sentimental. His books tend to be more like memories of life lived by a friend, rather than stories. He never attempts to be catchy, self aggrandizing, or entertaining, apart from telling the truths he can find in stories and novels.

I have read everything here including his great memoir of his mom. It is tempting to buy this book again just because I like it so much. I really loved Ford's Rock Springs so much that I have two copies so I don't have to take the autographed copy out of the house.

This book is an excellent introduction to Ford. Of course once you read him, you are going to need to buy everything else he has ever written. I recommend first reading Rock Springs, one of the great collections of short fiction in the English language, and Wildlife, a novella that Ford tolm me was really the culmination of what Rock Springs talked about. After that read The Sports Writer and Independence Day, two great novels about the same character.

I have been reading Ford seriously since 1985, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s when I was writing fiction. One thing that hits me is how rereadable he is. Even as I type these worls, I am thinking of when I can get home, pull down one of my copies of Rock Springs and pack it for the trip I am going on this weekend, if I can wait that long to read it!

I've never even heard of this guy. I was at the bookstore and I started reading this edition for no reason. Immediately, he became one of my top five favorite writers. Each story I completed, I was just that more amazed. Amazed with his work and the fact I had never heard of him. I feel it's very sensitive, down-to-earth work. He is an ace at describing the outer scene while also gouging out the the inside. And it is so gouged out, that you can't help but find pieces of your own despair and failings there. Maybe the stories will mirror some similar experiences in your life. I've read writers who could do this. It's hard to find those who can do it so well. This book has introduced me to a lesser-known writer (to me at least) who is greatly capable of this craft.

I admit, of all 12 Vintage Readers, this is the one I was most adamant about--for no other reason than I'd tried reading Ford a few years ago (Independence Day...didn't care for it at all). However, this collection is a mix of small masterpieces!

"The Womanizer" might possibly be the best novella/short story I've ever read. All the pieces contain a certain amount of nervous tension with the narrator/main character to the others in their lives. The Womanizer capitalizes on this tension best and I'm convinced now that Ford is a master at creating it. It's that kind of nervousness that we get when in awkward situations and aren't sure how to boldly handle it. Remarkable.

If any piece was dry, it would have to be the selection from Independence Day. For some reason, it just doesn't sit well with me. But, that segment was only 10 pages, so, no biggie.

Check this book out if, for no other reason, for The Womanizer. It's 70 pages--so makes up a good 1/3 of the book.

Remarkable!

I thought the book was very well written and a favorable portrait of the Ford Family

This book really helps the reader to understand who Henry Ford was and how is life took place. Very nice illustrations to help intepret the book even easier

This book is very well written and would be of interest to kids from 4 to 14! I love the design - large photographs, and the little interesting details of Henry's life. For any child who prefers machines to marbles...

I have cycled only a few of the book's listed road rides in the Hill Country but I am familiar with portions of several other roads in the Hill Country and West Texas via automobile. These are truly great rides with well-thought directions and information. It's so good that when Mr. Ford says you will have to "shoo" sheep and livestock from the road, it really must be done! I eagerly await even more rides with the next edition of the book.

Our Texas Hill Country is indeed a little-known source of beauty to outsiders. Because of its depressed condition for decades in the past it was overlook even by Texans. Today, however, we are able to see this area for what it is: rolling hills, tumbling streams and rivers, and a great view around so many curves in its small secondary roads. Though West Texas is well-known for Big Bend, the sheer area of this part of our State, combined with sparse population, means all of us can enjoy peace and solitude--this is where the South turns into the Southwest.

Mr. Ford's book reflects a love of the area, combined with excellent directions and documentation of sights. The book is divided into geographic areas, and within those areas, into tours of a day or longer. He has also done an excellent job of rating the difficulty of the tours, and why he has come to those conclusions.

Though I have only cycled a small amount of this area, I would also recommend this book for those who would like to tour by car. I've traveled almost this entire area by car and wish I'd had this guide then. Additionally, I found the photography very well-done--particularly in view of the price of the book.

This book is a valuable resource, and a terrific buy for the price!

This book is fantastic for those who love FOLK ART,
good overview of American variety. Enjoy!

Folk art is of ongoing interest, and American Folk accompanies a major ongoing exhibition of folk art at the Museum of Fine Arts, gathering over 50 objects from across the country and adding background history and enough biography for even newcomers to appreciate their significance. A gorgeous presentation.

The short stories are wonderfully written, and, because they are from the last fifty years, no archaic words or phrases get in the way of good story-telling. As most of these stories aren't included in the "typical" anthology (though many of the authors are), the reading experience is like spring rain, encouraging a fresh joy in the written word. The price is excellent, really inexpensive for an anthology.

A collection that clearly defines America's lasting contribution to the form. Richard Ford carefully canvasses the past fifty or so years of great, and often overlooked, writers. Missing, but not missed, are the staple short story writers like Hemingway, Faulkner, and Fitzgerald. But, the brilliance of this collection is that it traces the trajectory of what these pillars of the form initiated. From Baldwin's jazzy, layered "Sonny's Blues" to the raw and devestating "What They Carried" by Tim O'Brien this is a must have for writers and lovers of great writing.

I heard of the book through the film adaptation, and was amazed of the story that Hansen brought to readers. He does a fantastic job bring the old days of the American Wild West . Hansen shows the live of Jesse and his nature and the jealousy of Robert Ford. Hansen makes Ford appear timid at first but has him evolve into a dangerous mastermind.

This book is great for western readers and those who enloy novels that have been turned into feature films.

PARTY ON, DUDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look, I don't know how much of the "novel" THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD is true; I don't know how much of the dialogue and interaction and actions of the characters actually took place, or were embellished by a very gifted Ron Hansen.

But does it matter? The account of the final days of infamous outlaw Jesse James (and the subsequent final days of his killer) is "historical fiction", in any case (the definitive oxymoron, if you ask me). What does matter is this tightly written tale is as fun a read as I've come across in years. Hansen has vividly captured the flavor and pysche--and grit--of post-Civil War Americana. His prose recreates the flare and panache of the 19th Century dime novel; his book is heavily (and delightfully) populated by descriptive passages such as this:

'Zerelda gazed at Bob and mushed vegetables with zig-zag motions of her gums, her lips protruding like the clasp of a purse. She looked to Jesse and said, "I don't know what it is about him, but that boy can aggravate me more by just sitting still than most boys can by pitching rocks." '

Depicting the final train robbery of the notorious James Gang, followed by the band's break-up (and some of its members exited stage left involuntarily), THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD is a fascinating look inside the head of Jesse Woodson James--a calculating, diabolical killer, yet devoted and cherished family man. As a bonus, we get to climb around inside the head of Robert Newton Ford, an undistinguished nobody who yearned for attention. Surrounded by a cast of very colorful characters--most of whom die prematurely--this is a fabulous novel, an absorbing, entertaining read. Any truth, as they say, is somewhere in between.
--D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning

This is a great collection of Angel Gonzalez' work. He is truly one of the greatest Spanish poets of the 20th century. This bilingual edition has incredible translations that are very close to the original spirit of his poetry. Friends that were previously intimidated by poetry found his poetry and especially this collection very accessible.

Now, I'm quite biassed here. Ángel González is one of my favourite poets, so how I should not give this antology 5 stars? So let me give a few reasons why this book is worth reading:
a) The poem "Before I could call myself Ángel González". Just for it, the book would be already worth buying. And if you are not convinced, read "Birthday", too.
b) Because Ángel González is such a different voice to everything else going on in Spanish poetry presently
c) González's detached lyricsm is neither sentimental nor cold, striking a middle chord hard to find.
Mr. González has quite an intimate voice, which comes across quite well in this antology's translation.

If you are contemplating adopting or purchasing a race horse, this is the book for you. It covers every topic of transitioning a race horse into a dependable riding partner. It's a step by step training manual that will ease the process for you and your horse. Off the track horses are wonderful mounts; you just need to know how to treat them. This book explains it all. It is written by the expert in the field. Pick it up today!

Anyone who owns, rides, trains, vets, plans to own, or shoes an off-track thoroughbred (OTTB) simply must read and own this book. It is potentially the best thing that has ever happened to the retired race horse in the U.S. and Canada.

Here we get all the information that we so much need: What's different about the OTTB's training needs? What has the horse experienced in the past, from weaning to racing? How do this horse's metabolism, temperament, physiology, emotional psychology, and work ethic differ from those of the non-race breeds? How can we help an OTTB transition into new careers? What feed and turnout routine is optimal, and what are the tolerances for variation? Which types of conformation in OTTB's lend themselves to which riding disciplines?

I so wish I'd had access to this book when I purchased my OTTB 8 years ago. It would have saved us both many hours of mutual confusion and fright. Every single sentence of this book rings true to my own experience and all the best literature I've read on the subject of retraining a retired race horse. They are different! Emotionally sensitive, eager to please, often having been deprived of true herd membership by their previous lifestyles, the OTTB's are a conundrum to many ordinary training regimens including natural horsemanship techniques.

This book lays out the entire life of the average TB racehorse, from birth to retirement to rehab to new beginnings. Written by a racehorse trainer who is the daughter of a racehorse trainer, it is not critical of the racing industry but it is knowledgeable of the special needs these horses develop. A true love of the OTTB informs every page, and author Anna Morgan Ford now operates a retraining facility called New Vocations, so she knows both sides of the racehorse's life, from track training to second career choice. You will find answers to every important question here, and references to further reading and resources are generally provided.

The photos are gorgeous and you'll get to see OTTB's in all kinds of activities from dressage, eventing, and show-jumping to pole-bending and cutting. I got teary-eyed many times at the actually inspirational content: yes, the OTTB does every post-racing equine job imaginable, and yes, these wonderful horses will make willing partners in whatever job you give them, if you approach them with sensitivity and engage their willing and enormous hearts.

I'm so happy this book appeared. I really believe that the OTTB is going to benefit from it: more knowledge, more good sense, more successful adoptions and purchases, more great training and health advice, equals a lot of horses saved from slaughter and a lot of joy. If you have ever dreamed of owning a retired race-horse, this is the one book you must read: your lovely future horse will thank you many times with his whole great big heart and soul.

This book provided a wonderful way to reflect on being pregnant and the many ways it impacts your life. While many books are available to discuss the physical changes and how to best care for your body, this one talked about the emotional, mental, and spiritual changes and how to care for your soul. Written in short "devotionals," the topics range from the silly (why you should feel ok in a bathing suit) to deep (handling fears of miscarriage). Since being given this book in my own pregnancy, I have purchased it for each of my friends who are expecting. Many first time mothers told me it also helped keep themselves focused on the miracle they were experiencing.

"Blessed Expectations," is a book that resonates with a woman during her pregnancy. The words are alive and have deep meaning. It is a joyful book filled with spirit and love. It is a beautiful gift for a mother-to-be, and a wonderful reminder for those who have given birth.

Who is Bridget Biddy Mason? Biddy is an African American female legend that grew up a slave and died a philanthropist. During her life is endured harsh treatment from slave owners, the journey of walking from Mississippi to Los Angeles without shoes, and building an empire that would serve thousands. Bridget Biddy Mason is someone that everyone in the country needs to learn about in order to appreciate her struggle. BRIDGET BIDDY MASON: A WALKING SENSATION is a remarkable tale of endurance, persistence, and Christian service.

Williams and Ford have a God given talent for writing that is sure to inspire children for many years to come. The illustrations are brilliant and will certainly promote discussions between parents and their children. The characters are vividly depicted according to the time period while the facial expressions speak volumes. I'm ready for the next installment in the "We Were Always There" series.

Reviewed by: M. Bruner, 2005 Marguerite Reviewer of the Year
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Biddy Mason takes you on a historic journey through the eyes of a curious child. My daughter absolutely loved this book. The illustrations kept us both cozy and delightful. I would recommend that every child from pre-k through second grade read this book. Biddy Mason was quite a driven woman...I just visited the publishers website to hear the sing along song. Spread the word!!!! Sing- Biddy Biddy- OH Biddy Biddy- Biddy Mason...