Southwest Books

I read this book when my local library did not have Javelinas (Look West Series), and I found this book more rewarding than other entries in the Look West Series. (I cannot compare it to the Look West Javelinas book directly as I have not read that one.)

For those who don't know, javelinas, also known as collared peccaries, are pig-like animals native to the Southwest of the United States (and into Mexico). They have been viewed as animals to fear, as hunters' quarry, as suburban nuisances, and as gentle animals worthy of respect. This book serves as an excellent introduction, especially for anyone planning to take a trip to a place where encounters with javelinas are possible.

Author Jane Manaster does a wonderful job of mixing old with new, including first-hand accounts from centuries past as well as a four-page chapter about the animal's status as the mascot of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. There is even a poem about the animal. All in all, I found this book to be an eminently readable and even enjoyable introduction to an animal about which I previously knew next to nothing.

Chapters:
Introduction, History, Range, Habitat and Diet, Biology, Behavior, Hunting and Harvesting, Human Relations, Epilogue, Further Reading, Selected Sources

Includes 8 pages of color photographs

Great book - an easy read and very informative. Being a new resident I wanted to learn all about my new place and this gave me a great historical perspective of the area.

This story takes place in Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon. It's a great story about anceint Anasazi and Aztec people and acient spirits. The Anasazi had to travel to th Center Place because of a great drought. There they traded with the Aztecs for seeds and clothing. You should read this book to see if they find a new home and other interesting events. If you read this book, you'll want to mention it to your friends!

As a genealogist, I found this book to be a treasure...as a history buff, I found this book to be very informative and interesting...leaned a great deal. I am mystified that Juan Baustista de Anza is never given more credit than he deserved in the history books...I highly recommend this book, it is well written and very insightful into not only the man, but the times and locations as well.

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.

The new Bradt Mini Guide to Kabul is a well written insider's view of Kabul. It offers the traveller everything he/she needs to know to survive and enjoy Kabul and its environs, from security concerns to the best espresso cafe. The content is informative and well-organized. The lively prose and diversity of subject matter makes the book a good read, even for the armchair traveller curious about life in this war torn city.
Excellent!

Marvelous book, gives a clear understanding of what happened in New Mexico during the 17th century. A must read!

Robert Ricklis' "The Karankawa Indians of Texas" (1996) presents an informative and technical study for the Native Americans living along the Texas Coastal Bend prior to the 16th century Europeans' arrival. This 222-page paperback "ecological study" is well documented with two lengthy appendixes and 21 pages of bibliography. Multiple graphs, charts, maps, and figures attest to the books considerable research.

Ricklis reviews several archaeological sites along the Texas Gulf Coast, from Matagorda Bay to Corpus Christi Bay, for evidence of the Karankawa culture. As a Research Fellow at University of Texas and the President of a private archaeological firm he personally attended many of the locations through the 1980s. Studying the remains of everything from animal bones to pottery chards at each site, he assembles an informative look at this ancient (and now extinct) Native American group.

From his research Ricklis concludes that the Karankawas were much taller than most other Native Americans of their era (p.9), that they were indeed cannibalistic (but probably only for ritual purposes, p. 147), and their initial encounter with Europeans- 16th century Spaniards- was friendly (only later did these fierce warriors attempt to rescue themselves from Spanish encroachment, see chapter 9).

One learns of the Karankawa adaptation efforts to Spanish ways (chapter 7), the terrible devastation from European sicknesses in the native population (chapter 8), and later Spanish desire to eradicate the Karankawas (p. 152). Ricklis also introduces readers to several archaeological components and suggestions: "B.P." as "before present" (p.44) for much of his site dating, Story's "lag effect theory" (p. 58) at various Rockport Phase locations, and that prehistoric people (who presumably matured into the Karankawas) inhabited the Coastal Bend region "as far back as 4,500 year ago" (p. 70).

Although "The Karankawa Indians of Texas" is somewhat technical in presentation the non technical reader will also be interested in its learning. It is recommended to all archaeologists, students of Native American history, Texas historians, Texas Coastal Bend buffs, and history students.

Many people probably would think this book dosen't make sense because of the name. I mean think about it 101 Little known facts about Karl Malone. This book is probably one of the best book about a Star ever. 101 Little known facts about Karl Malone is one of the best little known facts books ever written, it covers facts about a superstar who is becoming one of the greatest basketball player. One of the best books about a star ever written. Covers things you will definitely want to read

This book is a fine study of the Katy's Northwestern District. The extensive rare photographs, many by the author, are a wonderful complement to the well organized text. The detailed coverage of the last days on the District is particularly poignant.