Kansas Books

Definitive look at Kansas land policy in the nineteenth century. Paul Gates examines the selling of Indian lands (the Osage reserve alone consisted of almost 9 million acres), trust lands, and public lands (which were subject to different laws than the Indian lands). He also investigates the virtual land grab conducted by the railroads (Congress's generosity helped); some railroads were "given" up to 50 miles of land on either side of their tracks. Finally he reviews the Homestead Act, "one of the most important land acts in the history of the world," which, by offering free land in 160-acre sections under certain conditions and responsibilities, was supposed to eliminate the land speculators and grand estate builders. Unfortunately, much of the land made available under this act was far from desirable and was distant from main transportation routes and just about all the railroads.

Because of the nature of the book it is filled with policy decisions, economic details, tables of available acreage and prices, etc. But Gates writes with authority and flair, and the book is far from dull. A classic of its kind, and a must-read for anyone interested in how land policies effected settlement in Kansas and all the West.

The sheer scope and importance of Irene Bennett Brown's series, the Women of Paragon Springs culminates with her fourth book, Reap the South Wind. The aviation industry was born in Kansas! The first helicopter is displayed in a museum in Goodland, Kansas. Brown brings history to life with these superb books and one's awareness of the centrality of Kansas to American history grows exponentially with each volume. One of the marks of excellence in any novelist is the ability to see stories and the importance of struggles where others cannot. Brown vividly demonstrates that her inner vision is second to none. The panorama of the Great Plains is realized with Reap the South Wind. The story turns to Lucy Ann Walsh, and the rough and tumble period of Kansas Populist politics. Mud-slinging was developed to a fine art and there is plenty to expose in Lucy Ann and her brother Lad's past. Opponents do not hesitate to sabotage Lad's run for governor. Having lost her husband in the famous Run to the Cherokee Strip, Lucy Ann had planned to spend the rest of her life living quietly on her little parcel of land. She changes when she attempts to shield her new neighbor and his ridiculous flying machine from constant ridicule. She gains further notoriety as a suffragette and avid advocate for health and sanitation. The triumph of a town and the indomitable spirits of the courageous women who founded the durable community is Americana at it's finest. Well done!

This is an exquisitely beautiful book. It is a very well written and fascinating view into the histories of India, China, and Japan through the lens of people's love of colors, fabrics, and beautiful clothing. It will be a treasure for museums, curious minds, and coffee tables alike.

I bought this as a gift for someone who had spent a few years working in Kansas but is now leaving. I wanted her to remember our state, and the book beautifully accomplishes this.

Fran's story is a delightful reading experience. I enjoyed the homey, relaxing pieces of the past brought to life in Fran's descriptions. I now understand the dust bowl, the trials of the depression and the fears brought on by the drought. And yet the family found time to make the best of these challenges by friendship, fun and quilting.

I had the pleasure of knowing Fran and enjoying her last birthday with her family. She had the endearing quality of making you feel extra special just because you were you and you were with her.

This book will leave you inspired by the simple things each of us can do to make a difference in the lives of others. With Fran is was a smile that brightened every room she entered.


-- Sue Schwartz

Professor Myers' book is an equal to Professor Jaffa's book on the Lincoln-Stephen Douglas debates which helped catapault Lincoln to the White House. It seems as though Professor Myers read everything that Frederick Douglass wrote. With a keen eye and an engaging style, Professor Myers shows the core of Frederick Douglass' political philosophy which is as relevant today as it was more than 160 years ago when Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom and began to demand equal rights for both African Americans and women in a liberal democracy. One sees how thoughtful and comprehensive Frederick Douglass' thought is.

This is another interesting biography by R. Alton Lee. A few years ago I had enjoyed reading his book about another, not so admired, Kansan, Dr. John R. Brinkley (The bizarre careers of John R. Brinkley. Lexington, Ky.: University Press of Kentucky; 2002.) The current book by Lee is about a much revered Kansan, Dr. Samuel Crumbine (1862-1954).

During much of the early twentieth century Dr. Crumbine safeguarded public health through his pioneering work on control of infectious diseases and prevention of food and medicinal adulteration. He served as the Secretary of Kansas Board of Health from 1904 to 1924. Public health concepts and practices, now well-established and taken for granted, were novel and even daring then. As in contemporary times, the measures he took to ensure public health and welfare sometimes challenged corporate interests. Popular and beloved as he was, Crumbine nonetheless gathered a few political foes. Unperturbed he forged ahead with his plans towards prevention and control of epidemics such as the flu pandemic. His campaign against the fly ("swat the Fly"), against public spitting ("Don't Spit on the Sidewalk") and sharing of water cups were models for universal adoption.

All of these facets of Crumbine's Kansas days are thoroughly documented in this well-referenced and highly readable volume. It starts with accounts of his spicy experiences from late 19th century frontier Dodge City practice and concludes with his work in New York City from 1920s to mid-20th century. His years in Topeka, Kansas take up goodly portions of the volume. Lee's detailing of Crumbine's relations with Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover is fascinating. There are many period illustrations that liven up the text. Public health was an unfamiliar concept then. Its practitioners were few and their salaries meager. Clinical epidemiology, a later off-shoot and currently a respected academic pursuit, was an unknown construct. Crumbine was far ahead of his times and a nationally respected figure. The ambience of the times is brought out well by Lee.

Crumbine's struggles and successes are very relevant to our own times. We also face similar bifid junctures often. Does public good overtake individual preferences; are corporate goals in conflict with individual citizen's health? We miss the steering influence of Crumbine as we deliberate even today trying to bridge these enduring opposites.

What I would have liked to see is a bit more of what Crumbine had personally felt during his struggles and triumphs. How did he cope with his stresses, what did he discuss with his wife and trusted friends, did he harbor doubts? This paucity of personal interpretation - I suppose a psychobiography - is a bit disappointing. Lee would have been an ideal person to render such an analysis. Would it have angered, or just annoyed, him to see his name repeatedly misspelled in an otherwise excellent recent (October 2007) review of this book in a respected medical journal?

This is an admirable biographic account. It will surely fascinate those with an interest and pride in Kansas history. It gives an exceptional view of the early decades of public health both in Kansas and the nation. It could even inspire those facing decision making dilemmas between public good and private interests.

This audiobook brings to light a contemporary of Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Nation. Clarina Nichols (1810 - 1885) wasn't content with a woman's lot in her era. She couldn't vote, speak in public, have a say in the custody of her children, or own property. Other evils of the day such as slavery and the effects of alcoholism on families also gave her concern.
In this CD, Eickhoff brings this unknown heroine to life. Clarina lived in Vermont and came to Kansas during the struggle for it to become a free state before the Civil War. Having grown up in Kansas, I found that part particularly interesting. The narrator, who also wrote the book, presents Clarina's life in pleasant tone and some sections are enhanced with pioneer tunes and voices raised in a spiritual.
The events of her life fall into sections which would be easy to use in a classroom setting. Clarina's experiences give a personal feel to such topics as the abolition of slavery, Kansas frontier days, the temperance movement, women's roles in the 1800s, and women's suffrage.
The phrasing is lively and the description of early Kansas was almost poetic.
The book, that the CD is based on, is listed as a young adult title, but I expect that few teens would voluntarily select this from a bookshelf. Hearing a selection from the CD might intrigue them into reading the book. A more likely audience is anyone interested in Vermont or Kansas history or women's studies. I could see a book group having a lively discussion after hearing this CD or reading the book.

There is a pattern here for everyone,and any skill level. Baby booties,grown up booties,silly sox, comfortable crochet,and kozy knitted. Your sense of humor will be warmed as much as your toes.

I own several books about the Kansas City Chiefs. This one is by far my favorite. It will be yours too - even though the Chiefs suck. Heh.