Missouri Books

Indian Life on the Upper Missouri consists of fifteen articles written by John Ewers brings to life the culture of the Native American culture in the Upper Missouri region. He covers everything from remembrances of the days before horses were introduced into the region to the artistic depiction of this culture in the twentieth century. His prose is clear and non-academic, although his subject matter is treated in a very organized and concise manner, similar to academic writing. This book would be useful both for the academic and the casual reader. The use of graphics ties well to the writing and is used to enlighten rather than just to illustrate.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in a study of the Indians on the northern reaches of the Great Plains.

Harry Brown is the most intelligent human being I have ever witnessed in my entire life. He exudes pure wisdom. Read this book, or else. It's probably the greatest piece of literature since THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Absolutely stunning.

This is a fantasic story of survival, love and a nation changed by war. Steinman takes the reader inside the war, and, even more; inside a culture. With an intimate look at the Vietnamese people, the author touches on emotions and aspects of life in the war-torn country that have been overlooked by so many other works written about this hard time in world history. This is not so much a story about the war, as it is about the people and how the war and the coverage of that war changed everything; for Vietnam and the world. I highly recommend this book.

There are about five other critical studies of Agee, and Prof. Spiegel's is by far the best. The others approach hagiography; Spiegel is balanced, and although he clearly adores Agee, he does not view him through rose-colored glasses. To top it off, Spiegel's writing is elegant and stylish, while the other studies would make good Encyclopedia Britannica entries.

Product was as described, well packed, very fast on shipment, will most definitly order from again! A+++++

Elinor Wilson renders honorable credit to legendary frontiersman Jim Beckwourth. Always recognized in early western history literature, the general consensus is that Beckwourth's word was worthless. The author justifiably debates this issue by including many other documented reports of the times to support and verify his accounts for the most part. One can almost agree that early western tales were, well, tales with twists to them. Events did get exaggerated by everyone at one time or another, still do.
A member of Ashley's 1824 fur trapping brigade, living with and becoming a Crow Indian chief for several years, exploring many parts of the west, locating a pass into California for emigrants, trading endeavors, shopkeeper in several western locations, etc.
An energetic and entertaining glimpse into a forgotten hero of the west.

This book is best read in conjunction with Larpenteur's FORTY YEARS A FUR TRADER,and Denig's FIVE INDIAN TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI,& ASSINABOINE to fully appreciate the cultural specifics & interrelationships between white traders,Indians,& Metis peoples in mid 19th century Dakota & Montana territories.Unlike present day politically correct/"sensitive" accounts, Kurz was a Swiss artist who lived with & sketched the Indian tribes of the upper & lower Missouri River from 1846-1852 as he found them. Dispite overall sympathy for the plight of their rapidly changing cultures,he depicts various tribes in brutally accurate & often unflattering accounts. History with all its bumps & warts is a phenomena sadly lacking today particularly with regard to Native American/White relations on the frontier. It's a humanizing account-acknowledging the endemic savage violence Indians were capable of directing toward each other. The lethal depridations of Smallpox,Influenza, & Cholera, on native populations are also described with disturbing directness. I would recommend this & the other titles mentioned for any reader who is interested in historical accuracy with often upsetting bluntness.

Journeys To The Edge: In The Footsteps Of An Anthropologist by Peter M. Gardner (Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Missouri-Columbia) is the story of the author's years of field trip based anthropological researches in his chosen field of study. Readers will learn of the collective findings and studies of Gardner in his endeavors involving medical and travel emergencies, magical fights, natural dangers, playful friends, and scientific discoveries as he focuses his research whence among the many hunter-gatherer tribes of Canada's Northwest Territories, Japan, India, and many more. Journeys To The Edge is a scholarly and informative collective observational studies of anthropological explorations, enhanced with intimate personal content. Very strongly recommended reading for all students of indigenous peoples of the world, anthropology, Taoism, nature, homeopathic or natural medication, and travel for its vivid and intriguing stories and observations. Journeys To The Edge is appropriate for both aspiring students of anthropology as well as the non-specialist general reader with an interest in this particular area of scientific advances and discoveries.

This paperback anthology was published in 1983 by the Southwest Missouri State University English department in Springfield. It features a poem by Miller Williams that I believe has never been published in any of his collections, "Looking for Johnny Cash." Well-known Arkansas novelist Donald Harington and poets David Baker and Donald Finkel also appear here. Regional interest, Williams's poem, and obscurity make this book a real collector's item.

This book is a collection of personal stories about life on a Missouri farm. David Schafer and his wife Alice decided to take up farming on his grandparents' Missouri farm after they were given a relocation ultimatum by the company they were working for at the time. Before this, the Schafers had no farm experience but figured they could put their college educations and love for the land to good use. Fortunately, they had a number of friendly and patient neighbors willing to help them learn the ropes. The Schafers discovered they had many untapped practical skills and they were keen observers, open to learning from others. In this book, David Schafer relates some of their adventures and misadventures on the farm, and conveys some of the country wisdom they learned from their neighbors and farm animals. Although they are now quite successful organic farmers and leaders in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in their community, the book is written in a humble, unassuming style. It makes great light reading for those interested in rural lifestyles, and may provide some interesting ideas or points to ponder for homesteaders.