Southwest Books

Dexter Cirillo's first book on Native American Indian Jewelry is a must for any collector. Includes many photographs of jewelry and artists, along with valuable information everyone can use to purchase beautiful Native jewelry.

I wanted this book for some time. I must say, I love it and don't know why I did not buy it sooner. An all time favorite of mine for sure.

As a collector of Indian art, jewelery, pottery and rugs, I had the wonderful good fortune to know and consider the Hopi Master jeweler Charles Loloma my friend.

Finding a book on American Indian jewelery was almost impossible to come by until this great book by Dexter came out in 1992. The artists, their work in magnificent color will move anyone to want to own some of this jewelry.

From it's beginings late in the 19th century jewelery was the Indian method of carrying their wealth around in the form of necklaces, braclets etc, Indian jewery was mainly of two schools. Most prominent was the Navajo and the other Zuni.

Then in the mid 1960's came a Hopi indian Charles Loloma. He was the Picasso that was going to revolutionize American Indian jewelery and he did. This book is a testament to Charlie's followers who now produce jewlery that is both modern and magnificant. Buy the book then go out to an Indian Art shop anywhere in CA, AZ, NM or even NJ and you will not be able to resist owning someting.

Hi I bouhgt Southwestern Indian Jewelry and it arrived with no plastic wrap and the jacket was damaged. Please let me know how to go about exchanging it for another in perfect condition. I am a collector and condition is important. Thank You, Joe Garcia.

Once again Dexter Cirillo has created an outstanding book on Native American Indian Jewelry. The jewelry throughout is photographed beautifully and includes pieces from established, as well as up and coming Native artists. This book is a definite must for any collector of Native jewelry.

This wonderful "sequel" to the earlier Cirillo book is even more comprehensive and the photographs are excellent...a "must have" for serious collectors and fans of silver from the American Southwest!

Many years ago, too many to mention, during visits to the national parks in the West, I purchased beautifully hand-crafted "pawn" Indian jewelry. Although, thankfully, "pawn" is no longer sold in our parks, I still treasure and wear what I own. So, you can imagine my surprise when I picked up Dexter Cirillo's wonderful and authoritative book on the new Southwestern jewelry being created by today's Indian artists - pieces totally different but none-the-less as creative, unique and expressive as mine. However, this is much more than a picture book. Although the photography is dazzling and certainly moves you easily through the book, it's the text that continues to hold my interest. The stories, anecdotes and explanations make me feel like I know these artists intimately and can relate to the historical references just as they have. My favorite piece? An equisite necklace, which has nine four-sided reversible beads inlaid with 36 distinct bird designs created by Jake H. Livingston. And, the delighful inlaid holiday turkey pin made by M. Dale Edaakie - I love it. As I continue to read about these 85 artists, I am already planning a trip to the Southwest and will use as my guide the jewelry and Indian market sources provided by Cirillo in the back of the book. While, arguably, I may not find many of the jewelry pieces pictured in the book affordable for the budget-conscious consumer, this book "Southwestern Indian Jewelry, Crafting New Traditions" is a bargain for anyone interested in the Southwest, Indian artists and their crafts, history of the New West, fashion, jewelry, stones and gems, and, just a good read. Congratulations to Cirillo and Doty for a fine and scholarly work.

This, her latest book on Southwestern Indian Jewelry by Dexter Cirillo, is a well written, finely illustrated and impressive volume that I would recommend to anyone interested in this beautiful art form. However, while the list of artists featured in the book is long and contain most of the big names in contemporary Native American jewelry, there is at least one glaring omission. It is inconceivable to me that any serious author on this subject would fail to include Ervin P. Tsosie who, in my and most collectors opinion, is without an equal in the art of mosaic inlays today. This omission, deliberate or not, is a blemish on an otherwise excellent book. Omissions, sadly, also marred her great first book, published in 1992, failing as it did to include two of the giants in early Southwestern Indian jewelry, Leo Poblano and Lambert Homer.Southwestern Indian Jewelry: Crafting New Traditions

I really loved Spooky Southwest! The stories were short, and some of them were really scary -- like the Death Waltz and Old Granny Tucker. There were also some good laughs -- for example, the story "The Ultimate Stakes" has two Comstock miners making it into Heaven, and they go a little crazy when they realize the streets are made out of gold!

I have read all three books by S.E. Schlosser, and they keep getting better and better. Can't wait to see what's next from this author.

Spooky Southwest was a great read. I love to read about Ghosts and strange things that happen. I want to visit the places I read about and see if these stories are true. I had to read this book during daylight hours only because I'm easily spooked, but that is half the fun anyway. I can't wait until S.E. Schlosser comes out with a new "Spooky" book.

My students have loved this book. It is a quick read of short stories that fill in for any down time we may have in the classroom.

The Southwest . . . land of cowboys, Indians, legends and folklore. Pecos Bill visits the most haunted house in the west, a slave prays for his freedom, gold miners head for Heaven's streets of gold, skeletons, ghosts, treasure and more. This book continues the tradition of exciting tales made famous in the Southwest. Both the well known and less well known tales are equally exciting. Anyone who finds the Southwest interesting will put this book on their definite read list.

This little book is the epitome of usefulness, to borrow one of the author's ideas. I can think of no higher praise. Artfully woven into a charming `story' are very powerful and essential skills for those with both the desire and courage to build their own lives and to chart their own courses. Something is what it does. Yes, indeed, Mr. Zink. I am in your debt.

It is only the rare find that I recommend, only the rarest of which I buy extra copies of in order to give as gifts. This is one of those `finds' given as a gift as occasion warrants.

I had the good fortune to hear some of Nelson's stories even before this fine little book was published the first time. With nary an explicit mention of "NLP" this book demonstrates many aspects of NLP in a particularly inviting way that lets folks experience positive change now. And besides that, there's lots of darn good stories!

Utilizing stories within stories, Zink spins an interesting (although at times hackneyed) tale of personal growth. A great way to package many different techniques in a lively format. Definitely a nice reprieve from "technique textbooks" and "seminar transcripts" that seem so common in the world of NLP. I found myself highlighting many useful quotes and stories, and have recommended the book to several close friends and associates. It's on my list of books to reread every so often.

Nelson Zink has put together a wonderfully winding roadmap for self discovery. I find myself returning to each one of the masterfully written stories at different times in my life to regain perspective. A perfect book for anyone who believes in defining themselves or gaining understanding of others without textbook labels.

One approach to history, the traditional approach, is the biography or linking the biographical sketches of the significant actors of a time to chronicle the time. Another approach, and the approach used by author Mike Cox in Texas Disasters:True Stories of Tragedy and Survival, is to develop a theme through telling the stories of the events over time.

In taking the second approach, Author Cox writes of disasters in Texas-both natural and man-made. He describes in detail 20 disasters beginning with the first recorded, the 1554 sinking of three gold and silver bearing Spanish ships off South Padre Island, through the deadly and destructive Hurricanes Katrina and Rita of 2005 hurricane season, and then lists in appendix sixty-nine others (tops in terms of loss of human life killing fourteen or more) that have occurred, or at least that have left some discoverable documented trail. As Cox notes, "disaster often becomes a catalyst for positive change." For instance, the 1900 Galveston hurricane, in man's promise to himself to never let it happen again, gave birth to the commissioner model of municipal government, in order to more efficiently meet the local needs of anticipating and responding to a natural emergency. The 1921 San Antonio flood gave rise to a flood control system that in the 1968 era of Hemisfairs and Urban Renewal provided a structure upon which the Riverwalk and the economic engine for the most popular international tourist destination in the state arose. The 1937 New London school natural gas leak explosion resulted in tighter regulation of architects and engineers and the addition of mercapitan to odorless natural gas to give it a chance for detection by humans before explosions occurred. The 1947 Texas City fertilizer plant explosion gave rise to federal regulations for the handling of hazardous materials. The 1953 Waco tornado prompted the use of World War II radar as a tool for local weather stations to predict and therefore to be able to alert the public of killer storms in enough advance to get out of harm's way. The 1979 Wichita Falls tornado inspired the development of storm-safe rooms in houses. And the 1985 Delta Airlines crash at DFW Airport heightened the need for more study of wind-shear and the resulting of better windshear detection systems and pilot training to avoid or to handle downdrafts in critical stages of flight for better safety of the air traveling public.

As Cox writes, "[w]hile some measure of good came out of several of Texas's worst tragedies, other disasters caused heartbreak and havoc in the short term ...." While their effects may not have lingered on the community as a whole, their effects on individuals changed lives forever.

For an interesting read, one that the reader can do in 15-minute increments, this book is worth the price of admission.

They say reporters write the first draft of history. Mike Cox, a seasoned journalist and public safety spokesperson, offers a lively and intensely human second draft on some of the worst disasters to strike Texas since Spanish colonization.

This book is an excellent read for those who prefer to learn about history through the poignant stories of people lived it, instead of through wordy, academic analysis. Cox's descriptions put you at the scene, often through the recollections of witnesses and survivors.

The featured stories bring to life twenty famous Texas disasters. In many cases, their lessons led to new inventions and protocols that help keep us safer today. The appendix, meanwhile, offers an exhaustive reference list of tornados, hurricanes, steamboat explosions and other calamities to strike the Lone Star State.

Hailing from Lamar County, I had to skip ahead and read about the 1916 Paris fire!

Captivating! After spending nearly 10 years in Texas emergency management, I mistakenly thought I had heard all the stories. Mike Cox has brought to light dramatic, real-life events that should hold the attention of anyone who knows that truth is more fascinating than fiction.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (10/06)

Mike Cox has written a gripping definitive account of twenty of the most devastating disasters in the history of the state of Texas. Cox, an acute observer, recounts theses stories of tragedy through the eyes of a news reporter. His accounts are readable, compelling and engaging.

Cox covers a period of over four hundred years of Texas history in the book. The account begins with the wreck of three Spanish ships off the coast of South Padre Island in 1554, and concludes with hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2006. Although Katrina came ashore in Louisiana the impact of Texas hospitality and the supreme effort to aid the 400,000 evacuees demonstrate that in adversity Americans unite in the effort to save lives and restore property.

The author provides an amazing number of prints and photographs that reflect the disasters, debris, and destruction of flash floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and explosions. Twisted houses, buildings leveled, smoke and fire damage are only a few of the results shown in these illustrations.

Dislocated families, lives lost, and mass graves of unidentified bodies, are among the horrors related in these true stories of tragedy. Fires subsequent to the initial disaster were often more devastating then the original cause.

The stories come from people who lived through those dreadful experiences. Mike has captured the essence of how the man of the street pitched in to reach out on a human level of compassion.

Cox gives specific examples of this in many of the stories. Men and women became heroes during the aftermath of the ravage, devastation, and destruction of nature's fury.

The following is typical of the action of civic leaders and hero's of the day: Following the Galveston hurricane in 1900, "Help began pouring in as fast as rescue and aid workers could reach Houston."

Mike Cox uses these accounts of disaster as a wake up call to civic leaders and citizens alike to focus on preparedness in the event of future similar catastrophes. The historical account and commentary in "Texas Disasters" is well researched and documented. The bibliography is comprehensive and impressive.

This is a collection of uplifting, heroic stories of survival in the face of overwhelming adversity.

I gave this as a gift, and it was enthusiastically received, but I am not able to review it.

This book is an excellent source for anyone wanting to start from scratch on gardening. I am a very visual person, and the pictures of plants and illustrations on how to plant make this book excellent! The book I got is hard-back so I know it will last a long time!

If you live in Texas and want to garden organically....this is THE book for you. I have been gardening (as organically as possible) for decades, and found tons of information in this very thorough tome. LOVED IT!

It's a great book as it covers subjects from planting, caring for, and choosing which plants will do well. The book also covers Texas' bugs (which we have plenty of) and pest control. Garrett is my gardening guru in Texas...but if you have his previous books, then this will look like a review.

This landscape guide is an excellent tool for your Texas landscape. One of the best items (other than full color renderings), is that the book show you what plants will look like from initial planting to full-grown plants. I would highly recommend it.

Having recently purchased my first home I picked up five different gardening books. I don't even know where the other four have gone, but now I have two of this one. It's a great guide which covers everything from plants that should thrive in the area (including care, size, and how to select), to various designs for commonly-found areas around your home.

It even covers various landscape construction projects such as fences, walks, and patios, and is well-written and illustrated throughout.

[...]

New edition is a wealth of knowledge for each area of Texas. Sections on walkways and paths and sections on specific plants for your area are the best I've read.

I'm a certified Master Gardener and I find this book so helpful and really good for Texas landscapes. It is clear and has great illustrations. This book should be in every Texas gardener's book collection!

I've known Tweed for over 30 years and if anyone could write this book it had to be him. This book is about growing up in Texas and what makes it so special. From Willie to Darrell Royal, you get to know how they felt about growing up in Texas and what it still means to them. I highly recommend this book, even though I might be just a little bias...and yes I'm in the book too. Great job, Tweed.

Enhanced with an informative foreword by Kinky Friedman, Texas In Her Own Words as told by Tweed Scott is a fascinating and informative study of the Texan. Compiling interviews with people drawn from all walks of Texas life, Texas In Her Own Words includes commentary and observations from stars such as Willie Nelson, Darrell Royal, and Liz Carpenter; a wealth of fun and interesting facts of the great state; illustrative pictures vividly capturing the pride of many Texans; the origin of the Texas image and attitude; and discussion points for diehard Texans or book groups study the history and culture of the Lone Star State. Texas In Her Own Words is very highly recommended for its concise analysis of Texas pride and its wonderful in-depth coverage of every given style and stereotype of Texan.

Anyone with a love for Texas or interest in its history will enjoy this book. Design is superb, as is the content. Loved it so much, I just ordered 2 for friends, and I'm sure I'll be back for more in the future.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (04/06)

"To me I'm not an American. I'm a Texan." These are the words of Reagan Patton from Nacogdoches, Texas. Those same words, in various versions, are said by the fifty some residents of Texas that Tweed Scott interviewed for his book "Texas in Her Own Words." As a resident of Texas since 1990, I also have taken on this attitude for many of the same reasons portrayed in Scott's book.

Mingled between the interviews of people such as Willy Nelson, Liz Carpenter, Darrel Royal and many others, are pictures, rules, and trivia. For example, "Texas has 4,959 square miles of inland water...this is the most of any state in the lower 48. Minnesota ranks second." And, "Texas has three of the ten most populous cities in America - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio."

Texas is known world wide because of the infamous TV series "Dallas" and the reruns that never seem to end. Texas born Waylon Jennings scored a number one hit in the late 70's with "Luckenbach, Texas." Yes, there really is a place called Luckenbach, Texas, and, "Everybody's somebody in Luckenbach." One would only understand that statement if they'd paid this infamous town a visit and met some of the locals. Scott interviewed long time Sherriff Marge Mueller shortly before her passing. She said "I think the nicest thing about Texas is the people who live here."

Scott's book certainly deserves a read. His countless hours of traipsing across the vastness of Texas to chat with people about his home state come through his writing with wonder and enchantment. Each personal portrayal gives another glance, and then another glance, into the deeper truths of Texas' residents. By the time the reader finishes "Texas in Her Own Words," whether a resident of Texas or a wannabe, he or she will fully understand why people living in Texas are Texans, not Americans.

I cannot exactly call my copy a coffee table book. I keep mine on the top shelf; because after reading it and looking at all of the beautifully photographed quilts, I think I would kill anyone who put a coffee ring on it. Excellent stories and descriptions from a well educated woman on the subject of quilts (and not only Texas ones!).

What a beautiful book about quilts and Texas! Kaylackie has done a wonderful job of weaving the stories of quilts into the history of Texas. The photos are gorgeous and the narrative is always interesting. This book should appeal to anyone who loves quilts and/or Texas. I'm buying several for Christmas gifts. Great job, ya'll!

What a wonderful legacy, Marcia Kaylakie has created a beautiful book capturing the Texas history and colour from all it's regions. The stories behind each carefully chosen quilt are well written and complimented with beautiful photography. Previous reviews of this work speak volumes, so it is was an easy decision to buy this book and I am not disappointed.This is a beautiful volume and to the author and her assistants, well done.
I enjoy the fascinating stories mixed with the historical content,history can often be a 'dry' subject, but definitely not, in this case. I would recommend this book to all the quilters who love diverse stories and rich pasts. Enjoy......

A very readable from cover to cover photo book of quilts of yesteryear to quilts of today and all in the Lone Star State. Marcia Kaylakie defintely did her homework and reserached each quilt front, back and between the designs. Each quilt tells an amazing chronicle of the quilter and the who took the time to make a piece of history. This book makes a wonderful gift for yourself and your quilting friends for Christmas. I plan to put one my quilt table in my studio and buy 2 more for my quilter friends. Happy Holidays!

I bought this book for my husband, who is an architect and actually knows Richard Payne. He was pleasantly
surprised when he opened the package. Excellent historical record of some buildings that are no longer in
existence.

Came across this book at Gonzales, Texas book fair in Dec. 2006. A great gift for friends and loved ones who have a sincere appreciation for small-town Texas. Very unique.

If you don't smile several times, feel nostalgic several times, and maybe even get a tear or two, while reading and studying the photos in this book, then you must be too young or just arrived from the former Soviet Union.

Page after page in this book called out to me, "You've got to go there," or "Haven't you been there?" Since the book is a compilation of work over a number of years, many of the subjects in these photos are gone. Many more will be gone. Small towns in Texas, and the Southwest in general, are being transformed.

Buy this book. Read it. Go to the places photographed in it while you still can.

"Texas Towns And The Art Of Architecture: A Photographer's Journey" by architectural photographer Richard Payne is a photographic survey of small Texas towns. Payne embarked on this project as a part-time activity -- something to do in his spare time out of nostalgia, curiosity, and taking pictures of places that reminded him of him own hometown. The 'golden age' of small town Texas architecture ran from 1880 to 1930 and reflected all of the early American architectural styles and influences including Greek, Roman, Italian, Egyptian revival, Spanish Colonial, Victorian, Art Deco, Moorish motifs, and a great many idiosyncratic oddities that defy classification. "Texas Towns And The Art Of Architecture" showcases architectural examples drawn from around two hundred towns throughout every region of Texas. Payne carefully documents his beautifully detailed images, many of which rise to the status of art as reflected through the lens of his camera. A unique addition to personal, professional, and academic library collections, "Texas Towns And The Art Of Architecture" is a very highly recommended reading for students of Photography, Architecture, and Texas History.