Wilson Books

The Bud Wilson Dream Book was one of those novels you can't put down! The characters were lively and all-too human; their flaws were familiar as well as being engaging. I particularly loved the way that each character grew and matured through the story, coming to crises, revelations, changes, and then subsequent challenges in a realistic way. I already bought all the copies at my local bookstore and I hope this book stays in print for ages! It was the mainstay of my shopping list for Christmas!

The Bud Wilson Dream Book is a must read for anyone who has, and almost everyone has, watched the network night time TV talk show host (whether Jack, Johnny, Dave or Jay) and wondered....

An engaging "could happen" tale compellingly woven from the threads of the modern American "stay up late" television viewing experience.

I stayed up late 'cause I couldn't put it down. A great read. A must read!

There have been additional revews of this book in Maine, the Maine Times, etc. There is praise from all the reviewers for the good prose style and the sheer fun of the plot. Although the central figures are mature women, there is the ever outrageous Bud Wilson, the host of the most popular nighttime television show. An enjoyable encounter between the host and the central figure, a mature woman recently widowed who becomes independent and spunky. There are many suprises and personalities that will stay with the reader long after the book ends.

I found that I was unable to put this book down. The characters seemed real although the situation is somewhat fantastic. I found the hypothesis that dreams are the poetry of ordinary people fascinating. The prose was enjoyable. Give me more books by this author!

Originally published in 1917, reissued in 1987, now released again with a new introduction by Jeffrey R. Hansen, Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden presents an agricultural calendar year's activities as remembered by Buffalo Bird Woman, an accomplished Hidatsa gardener born around 1839. Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden was a doctoral dissertation by a man who believed "It is of no importance that an Indian's war costume struck the Puritan as the Devil's scheme to frighten the heart out of the Lord's annointed. What we want to know is why the Indian donned the costume, and his reasons for doing it (p.xix)." Wilson also went on to write Goodbird the Indian His Story and Waheenee: An Indian Girl's Story (biography of Buffalo Bird Woman, 1839-1921). Using biography to study a culture was effective because it highlighted the variety of traumatic cultural shifts, changes, and transmutations painfully experienced by Buffalo Bird Woman and her family. The use of empathy informs the dated, 'superior' dominant culture outlook. Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden has been called a classic anthropological document. It certainly is that and more. As a model of respectful viewing and learning, as a mirror of the complex lifeway of ;the agricultural Plains Indians, as a chronicle of human adaptation, survival and ingenuity in the face of cultural disenfranchisement, Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden sets the bar for the standard. In addition, it gives eloquent testimony to one of the enduring gifts of the Hidatsa - their varieties of corn, squash, beans, and sunflowers. Even more enduring, perhaps, is the contribution highlighted by Jeffrey Hanson: "buffalo Bird Woman's Garden is not the end, but the beginning. It is a foundation, a viewpoint, and it presents a cultural relationship with nature that we can all appreciate and from which we can all derive benefit. (p.xxiii). Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden describes planting, preparation, cultivating, harvesting and storing practices, as well as traditional songs and prayers sung to honor and encourage the garden's yield. Beautifully detailed drawings by her son Edward Goodbird illustrate Buffalo Bird Woman's descriptions of gardening and storing produce and other activities. It is easy to see that modern ethnologists and authors such as W. Michael and Kathleen O'Neal Gear drew fairly heavily from the information presented in Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden. This is an enduring testament to a lifeway revalued today perhaps more as it should be.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

This is a Minnesota Historical Society reprint of the anthropological study done by Gilbert Wilson in 1917, originally published as "Agriculture of the Hidatsa Indians: An Indian Interpretation." Wilson was among the first of a new school of American anthropologists that felt Indian cultures should speak for themselves, and not be spoken for by "white man's" interpretations. Consequently, the book really is, as the subtitle says, "an Indian interpretation." Most of the text is translated directly from Buffalo Bird Woman's own words, complete with stories, jokes, and personal anecdotes about village life. By the time you are done reading it, you will feel as if you met her personally.

I bought it because I am a Minnesota gardener, so I wanted to see what tips I might pick up from the ways of the indigenous people. The book is rich with useful gardening lore, including diagrams of various tools and structures, along with detailed descriptions of the different kinds of beans, corn, and squash that the Indians grew. Plus, there are native recipes you can try.

I was surprised to learn that, when the Indians dried squash, they didn't use mature fruits with hard skins like we do today, but preferred to cut them when they were 4 days old -- at about 3 1/2 inches diameter. They were more tender that way, easier to slice, and they dried better. The best squashes were marked in the field and allowed to mature for seed.

I also found it interesting that the Indians kept the different colors of corn separate, not like the multi-colored "Indian corn" we buy today for fall decorations. Although Buffalo Bird Woman did not understand the science behind genetics, she and her fellow Hidatsa gardeners did notice that corn varieties will "travel" (her word) from one patch to another if different colors are planted too closely together. So, women with adjoining fields would agree to plant the same varieties side-by-side, to help prevent this "traveling."

The Hidatsa women also understood the principles of good seed-saving techniques, and carefully chose seed from the very best squashes and corn ears in the crop, thereby improving their strains from year to year. Composting, however, was apparently unknown. Leaves and brush were burned, not composted, and they regarded manure as a dirty substance to be removed from the garden. But the Hidatsa did know the value of fallowing, and would allow a less-productive field rest a minimum of two years to renew itself.

Some of the techniques in this book are still quite useful today. I have begun pre-spouting my squash seeds, and planting them in the SIDES of the hills instead of on top, to help prevent the heavy rains from damaging the seedlings. Some of the fencing designs have found their way into my rustic Minnesota garden, too.

This book is also a priceless resource for "living history" re-enactors or "back to the land" homesteaders who might want to know how to build a traditional corn-drying platform, a food-storage cache, a homemade rake, or any of the other tools used successfully for many centuries before the Europeans came here. Simply a delightful book!

This is a unique and irreplaceable book. In the early 20th century, the author interviewed Buffalo Bird, an old Hidasta Indian woman about Indian farming methods in the mid 19th century. The result is a primer on how the Indians grew corn and other crops on the Great Plains. Interspaced with the explanation of agricultural techniques are charming stories, songs, recipes, and ancedotes told by Buffalo Bird. She also describes how the Indians preserved their crop.

The Hidasta lived in North Dakota and this book is a primer on how to garden in the State without recourse to chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or motor powered equipment. The Hidasta grew five crops: corn, beans, squash, sunflower seeds, and tobacco. Their methods of cultivation, storage, and usage of each crop is described, usually with enough detail to be copied by the modern low-impact sustainable agriculturalist. A large number of illustrations and photographs supplement the text and show how the Indians built fences, dug storage pits, dried squash, and laid out their fields.

A good introductory essay introduces the Hidasta, Bird Woman, and the author to the reader. The whole book is only about 150 pages, but there's a wealth of cultural and agricultural information here presented in a charming and easy-to-digest format.

Smallchief

A "must have" for anyone who is interested in doing a garden using authentic Native American practices, as used in the tribes in the Missouri Valley area. Details on laying out the garden, maintaining it, food storage, construction of tools, etc. are all included with sufficient clarity for reproduction.

This was the first Lanford Wilson play I had read, so I didn't quite know what to expect. Though in the end I certainly wasn't disappointed. Without over-simplifying, "Burn This" is the story of the emotional turmoil associated with the death of a friend and an unlikely romantic pairing.

"Burn This" is a well-written play with both fleshed-out and believable characters. Wilson is able to convey meaning in subtle ways and does not bog-down the play with overly-verbose dialogue or obvious statements. He wonderfully weaves a story centered around a character we never even meet.

Moreover, Wilson deals with the issues and themes in the play appropriately -- not over- or under-playing their importance. For example, the entire focus of the play is not on homosexuality, nor should it be. But it is still a key part of the play, and receives the attention and focus it deserves without becoming overly-inflated.

I was lucky enough to see a production of this in New York in the fall of 2002, which was absolutely phenomenal. There was even a post-performance Q&A session with Lanford Wilson and the cast, which while brief, was very interesting. Nonetheless, seeing a live performance made the play even more powerful. (Of course, this was helped by having an excellent cast.) Even so, if you get the chance to see a production of "Burn This", don't hesitate to.

What I like about Burn This is it's mystery. There were many instances when I wasn't clear what people were talking about or why they were saying it. That ambiguity fuels the whirlwind nature of what ends up being a kind of hard luck love story.

Anna is a dancer, and the focal point of the story. She is surrounded by three men, Burton, a born-wealthy and successful writer, who may or may not be her boyfriend, Larry, her gay roommate and confidant, and Pale, the volatile brother of Robbie, whose death inspires the action.

As Anna struggles with the death of her best friend and dancing partner, all three men, who were also connected to Robbie must deal too with where they are in life, and why.

Eventually though, it comes to Anna and Pale....

And there the heart of Burn This lies. In the mystery of attraction.

Good play. Good characters. It goes into the ether areas, and made me wonder about passion, life's work, the force of personality, and tactics to winning and overwhelming hearts.

Every play Lanford Wilson writes is intelligent as well as passionate and dramatic. It is almost beyond belief how hard it is to combine all of these qualities in the same play. In "Burn This", Wilson is in top form. Pale (the male lead) is such a clearly written and deeply felt part that an actor does not have to fill in any gaps; if an actor can read well, he is assured of at least an above average performance. The dialogue is spicy, funny, sad, bitter and more. In movie terms, it is a Nicholas Cage part (although Malkovich originated it).

Pale's love interest and foil (the Joan Allen part) is not secondary to Pale because she has the power to heal him. A magnificent love story.

This play is a meaningful, and yet almost simple, masterpiece. The story unfolds with the death of a gay man, which ultimately brings an unlikely match closer together. Wilson's use of homosexual issues is the perfect sprinkling: it is not the main focus of the play, but gives it just the extra touch. This is how homosexuality should be written about in the theatre (or any form of entertainment). It isn't over-played or under-played, but just right.

¡§Calm at Work¡¨ is a book which suggests many useful ways for keeping calm and reducing stress. It mentioned seven main causes of stress in workplace, including time, control, self, social, change, physical and lifestyle habits, and the author advised a series of solutions for each cause of stress. In order to help the readers to find the solutions in a more efficient way, author used a special method. At the end of each section, an ¡§index card¡¨ would be inserted, which contains information that guides the readers to find out the solutions. As some of the solutions are useful for different causes of stress, this book organized in such a way is concise and precise.

Breathing calm is very important. The author used a lot of effort in explaining how to breathe in a right way. It is because the calm breathing method is useful in many other calm keeping solutions. Besides, author suggests readers to write down their plans and prioritize their working schedules. Those methods are very practical for busy people; it can help them to complete their work on schedule. Other solutions like tools of subconscious and some simple exercises are all very useful and easy to carry out in our daily life.

There are some parts in this book which impressed me most. Those include the causes and solutions of time and social. For time, as we cannot control the time to pass, the things that we can control are the things we need to do and the time we need to do the things. Therefore, we must have a good time management. Besides, author suggested the readers to take off their watches, so as to make them more relax. It is because people will refer to their watches frequently, and it increases their pressure. If we can work without that pressure, we would be more relaxed. On the other hand, for social, author suggested the readers to develop a new relationship with those trouble colleagues. If those colleagues are helpful and constructive to our plan, we can build up good relationship with them, for those who will obstruct our plan, we have to avoid frequent contact with them. But in my opinion, in the real life workplace, we are not able to control who are my work partners, therefore, this method would be good, but not very practical.

In short, this book gives me lots of ideas to relax under stressful environment. Although, the author emphasize on the pressure from workplace, most of the solutions are helpful and practical for everyone. The book reminds me procrastination will increase the pressure level, so a well planning for myself is important. Moreover, the attitude of me is also critical. It is because building up a positive attitude would make me become optimistic and I understand that a happy person can live with less stress.

This book is good to everyone, if you are under great pressure, and seeking ways for relax, ¡§Calm at work¡¨ would be a book suitable for you.

I just wanted to write a quick review to let readers know that I recommend this book highly! At the end of 1999, I was working in a very stressful environment. Five people were working in a very small space manning an online retail store during holiday season! Yikes!

Withink two days of reading the book, I not only was able to cut my own stress down substantially, but some of the techniques I used (the positive contribution cup) changed the entire office environment for the better.

I cannot recommend this book enough, especially for people working in the highly stressful high tech field.

Read, enjoy and relax!

~c:)

Do you think you have so many things to do but do not have enough time? Do you feel stressful in meeting lots of deadlines? Do the changes make you feel anxious? If yes, you must read this book ¡§Calm at Work¡¨ since these are parts of stress, and this book can help you to deal with these stress. This book offers some simple and straightforward techniques for overcoming stress on the job and keeping people relax and calm at work.

The author stated what stress is first, and he mentioned the seven steps to be calm, including 1) take this first step, 2) life-changing choices, 3) employers to choose from, 4) sanity-saving understandings, 5) life-enriching pieces of advice, 6) areas where you can make a difference, and 7) causes of stress in the workplace. The seven main causes of stress in workplace are time, control, self, social, change, physical and lifestyle habits. After mentioning the causes of stress, the author suggested a series of solutions for each cause. Therefore, when people know their causes of stress, they can read that solutions accordingly. For me, most of my stresses come from time and self since I always think that I do not have enough time to do my things. For time, the author suggested some solutions such as control time, depressurize deadlines and end procrastination. For self, the author suggested planning to be calm, a positive change, dealing with worries and drive control. These advices and solutions are practical and useful for me to reduce stress.

Apart from specific solutions for each cause, the author also mentioned some general suggestions for dealing any type of stress, including deep breath, use of subconscious, doing exercises, taking a rest, planning, thinking positively and to be more get involved and enthusiastic when doing something. These techniques are really useful for everyone to overcome the stress especially for those who are working.

After reading this book, I have tried some of the techniques for dealing the stress and they really help. Whenever I feel stressful, I would have a deep breath for calming down myself first, and I breathed deeply and slowly. Sometimes, I would also do some simple exercises for instant relief from stress. I have learned to write down my plan, I wrote down all of the works, prioritized them and end procrastination, so I could finish the work more efficiently and also make sure that the most important things are done. I have changed my attitude, I think more positively than before and be more optimistic and enthusiastic. This makes me live more happily and do things more efficiently with less stress. I would try to take a rest which is about 30 minutes in a day even it is a busy day, in the rest time, I would stop doing anything. I think most of these techniques are practical and can reduce my stress level and also make me to be more relaxed.

In facing this challenging and highly competitive world, I think everyone would be under stress, therefore, I strongly recommend this book to all people. After reading this book, you¡¦ll feel relaxed, positive and fulfilled. I believe that everyone can benefit from reading this book.

You have to read this book after having read the book on meditation of the same author. The combination of these two books really makes you relaxed at work. The content is very practical and easy applicable in real life. I have read many books on the subject of handling emotions and the techniques the author mentions are familiar. However he is able to add something extra what makes the technicques easier to use. His words are well chosen and full of clear images. It's a very good book in my opinion.

Common Birds of North America (Midwest edition) is an excellent resource for identifying all the birds I see in my Wisconsin home yard. One page per bird provides a good and simple overview to identify the birds and how to attract them to my back yard. It explains the differences between male and female coloring, nesting habits, food preferences, migration, etc. My book is all dog eared now from use. I bought one for mom for Christmas along with a birdhouse and feeder.

After you locate the bird you see using the Peterson Flash Guide, then you will want to utilize this book so that you can find out all the specifics about the bird, like what they eat, nesting and what time of year they are likely to be observed in your area.

Filled with exquisite full-color illustrations, Common Birds Of North America: Midwest Edition by James Wilson (Missouri Department of Conservation State Ornithologist) is an excellent guidebook for birdwatchers of all experience levels. Each species features a fine full-page portrait showing male and female specimens if the plumage is very different, and a one-page summary of the bird's habitat, call, typical behavior, and more. A concise, elegant guide, Common Birds Of North America: Midwest Edition is an invaluable resource for birdwatchers.

Wow. Having watched Jim doodle birds and landscapes in pen and ink during staff meetings at the conservation department, I should not have been surprised at the accuracy and quality of his illustrations in this book. Aside from the gorgeous images of the birds and their settings, Jim also manages to capture elements of the birds' songs and behavior in easy-to-read text. It's a great book for people who are interested in learning how bird species make their livings as well as how to identify them. I bought one for my Mom (who loves to watch her bird feeder visitors), and she loved it.

I have a house under construction and I need information on windows types, heating and cooling appliance options as well as insulations. This book is over 5 stars. I borrowed a copy from a library and am planning to buy one for reference collections.

If you want to replace your appliances in your home this is your book to find the most energy efficient products on the market. It rates the products as well as explaining how they work. Tons of information for the everyday consumer. We have used it to help us decide upon which kind of washer & dryer to buy as well as the installation of a heat pump, which replaced the 30 year old forced air furnace. It covers all the types of heating systems as well as cooling systems.
For the washer it compares vertical axis with horizonal axis right down to cost per load, electric and gas, wash and rinse cycle options and even laundry tips.
There is a whole chapter on lighting, both incandescent and compact florescent bulbs.
Hot water heaters are covered: gas or electric, storage types, demand, water pump, tankless, indirect and even solar. It discusses replacing & sizing water heaters for your home and how you use hot water, insulation and how to lower the water temperture. We went as far as to put a timer on our hot water heater so that it only heats water when we need it most, early morning for showers and evening for cooking and dishes.
It even covers windows, home insulation, energy audits and how to read the Energy Guide labels on all products.
We have found this book both informative and a keeper. We have had friends borrow it and some have even gone and purchased their own. This is our 2nd one, we almost wore out the first one which was the 7th edition. The new 8th edition brings us up to date. We gave the old one to friends who were happy to have it.

This book covers both the house itself (insulation, windows, etc.) as well as appliances, furnaces, and lightbulbs. Written in 1999, it lists major appliances, windows, furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners by brand name and model number in table format showing the energy ratings of each one. This saves you the time of running around town or making dozens of phone calls to collect this info.

It also explains all the information contained on energy labels when you go shopping. In particular, I found the section on windows most beneficial. It details what tests are done to obtain the ratings, which tests are most relevant and which ratings you should pay particular attention to, as there are several ratings on each window.

It also was bold enough to say which things you should be spending your money on and which things are nice to have but not absolutely necessary.

I bought this book from amazon for research into healthy houses and I skimmed it for my deadline. I'm reading it closely now. Well written, easy to read, detailed, comprehensive. Even if you haven't a speck of money for new appliances, much less a new heating system, you can save money on energy. It's small--you can fit in your bag to take to the appliance store, but it's packed with stuff. Well worth the price.

Karen Wilson has written a masterful mystery. She picks you up and plants you in middle of the far suburbs, somewhere between Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Flint, Mi. A place where folks are city sophisticated, but live on sprawling country farms with their horses, dogs and cats. Of course, a murder mystery is the central plot but the story keeps you turning pages with real world character development of her neighbors, BFF, and local officials. Add to that her strained relationship with her husband and handsome new neighbor and you've got everything the makings of a great book.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (2/08)

A good mystery is the perfect way to pass a rainy afternoon and they do not come much better than Karen R. Wilson's "Coyote Kill." Showcasing Carol Ward, a rather involuntary amateur sleuth, this fast-paced and thrilling story will take you for a roller-coaster ride you won't forget quickly.

Carol Ward happens upon a grave and the killer's calling card nearby - a tree decorated with the personal items stolen from the victim. After she starts to investigate the crime, she quickly realizes that the killer is watching her and definitely does not want her to discover his true identity. From a message written on her mirror to a boxed snake delivered to her, Carol is more and more aware that she's in danger. She does not have many clues to help her in her quest, but she believes that the killer is wearing a long, waxed Australian coat and she also suspects that the crimes are somehow linked to rain. The trouble is that at least five people in her community wear such coats, and the rain is not an uncommon occurrence either.

When the weather forecast predicts rain again, Carol is alarmed about it, realizing that the killer is likely to strike again. And he does, this time much closer to Carol... Can she stop him on time or will she become his next victim?

Tightly written, with complex and believable characters, "Coyote Kill" is a riveting read. From the female bonding to the interesting and quite surprising profile of the killer, this book provides enough food for thought to make it interesting beyond the simple mystery level. There are touches of well-placed comic relief as well as some minor romance, which stays as an undercurrent throughout the story. I found the variety of very strong female characters particularly engaging. I would highly recommend this book to the mystery lovers of just about any age, particularly those who enjoy female sleuths and their adventures.

Ya gotta just love the spunky Carol Ward in this, the second, in a series of hopefully more to come mysteries. I laughed out loud a few times and it kept me guessing right up til the end. I look forward to the next!

I thought the book was very thrilling and kept me guessing until almost the very end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery. Once I started it I couldn't seem to put it down.

I went with my sister to a quilt shop. A gorgeous guilt was hanging on the wall that had just been machine quilted. The quilt top had been done by a man. I told my sister, I can do that. Each block is made up of only 8 pieces. I bought the book with the pattern in it. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow. Can't wait to see what my sister's little brother can do.

Very nice example of the block combinations that can be made with her templets.

However, the instructions are not very clear, you must have an understandign of quilting to calculate the amount of fabrics needed.

I have lots of quilting books, but I love this one, if you like something a little different, buy this book, its great for the beginner or experienced quilter, really well explained techniques. The pictures are great too.
Highly recommended.

This is an enjoyable book that is full of easily understood, worthwhile information.

This book is excellent. The pictures have before, after and some close-ups. The instructions are simple and percise. These finishes are truly inspirational. We just purchased our first house and I can't wait to give my rooms that special pop with the techniques shown in this book. If you can't afford to purchase new cabinets this book shows you have to achieve that brand new look for a fraction of the cost. Additionaly, she has instructions to give your stairs and ballast that special touch. I have to say this is one of the best books I've ever purchased. Truly a keeper!!!

I love this book and look through it over and over again for inspiration. My husband and I refinished our cherry dining room set using the techniques described in this book. We have gotten tons of compliments on the finished set and best of all, we spent about $300.00 on supplies, a fraction of the cost of buying a set like the one we created. Step-by-step instructions using many photographs as well as what color paints to buy to achieve the results pictured in the book. The reason I am looking again on Amazon was to find any other books published by this author as we have some projects in the works. No other books, but reviewing this book for anyone intersted was worth my time.

I have always wanted to learn how to create beautiful furniture using different finishing techniques and this book provides exactly that! There are step by step instructions, before and after photos, and numerous ideas throughout. If you want to give your furniture new life or an elegant look and be able to say that you did it on your own, then this book will provide you with all the tools you'll need.

I love this book for inspiration and how to techniques. All in my van pppol lked this book too. Well worth the money and I own many many craft and paint books and this is one of my favorites. I am an artist and crafter and make furniture.

Dances with wolves is one of my favourite movies ever. Once you see the movie as many times as I've seen it :) you try to find something else to continue the story. The ilustrated story of the epic brings you back to the movie and has very nice photos and comments of several scenes. I reccomend it to any fan of the movie.

I got this book at Waldens ages ago and have enjoyed looking it over repeatedly. Dances With Wolves is truly a masterpiece and brilliant work. Kevin Costner is simply the best in acting, directing, and entertaining us.
Penni Weston
Author of Accidental Outlaw a novel written for Kevin Costner.

If you liked the movie then this book is a must! Not only was Kevin Costner make one of the best films in history but he followed it up with this great book! My daughter picked this one up for me at a library sale. I didn't even know it existed to be honest or I would have purchased it myself. The book is a bit tattered so I checked out the local bookstore and although they didn't have it on the shelf, it can be ordered. If you liked the movie then consider this book for your collection. I fully recommend this great work of art by Mister Costner and friend.

I wonder if Kevin Costner even realizes the artistic and historic contribution he has made with this film. As an artist I found this book to satisfy my graphic appetite and as a romantic I have, once again, been allowed to travel back in time. Mr. Costner has shown us his artistic brilliance in so many ways and I thank him for his efforts. Enjoy the book; it is a treasure.