Nebraska Books

This book, like James Mooney's studies of the Cherokee, is a critical starting point in understanding the social structures and belief systems of one of the Native American cultures of the Southeast.

Swanton's study of Creek beliefs, legends, myths, and history, as well as cultural custom and practice, provides a basis for understanding both historically and anthropologically the worldviews of the Creek people - as well as the ways in which these beliefs and practices affected the ways in which European settlers and Creeks interacted during the historic era. Though much work has been done in the field since Swanton's time, this work is an important starting point for anyone doing research in this field.

Crossroads On Nebraska Ave. is the autobiography of Keith Marr, a humble American whose pivotal life experiences arising from his job, his marriage, his religious experience, and his education in music, all took place at a special Tampa, Florida crossroad in the 1950s. That was the location of 60001 North Nebraska Avenue and the site of Publix Super Market #21. A warm, thoughtful, personable, engaging account of a life well lived, faith in Jesus Christ, and the joy of cowboy music, Crossroads On Nebraska Ave. is highly recommended reading.

J.W. Thomas's 1989 translation of Heinrich von dem Turlin's Arthurian romance, "Diu Crone", The Crown: A Tale of Sir Gawein and King Arthur's Court, is a surprisingly good and delightfully inexpensive out-of-print find to be had for under $10.00, in hardcover, from several of Amazon's used booksellers. I'm on a summer's read/re-read of a variety of Arthurian texts and after an enjoyable read of the Anonymous "The Quest of the Holy Grail" The Quest of the Holy Grail (Penguin Classics), I was a bit disappointed with the Robert de Boron trilogy. Reading up on-line in good ole Jessie Weston and in the comprehensive "The Holy Grail", by Richard Barber, The Holy Grail: Imagination and Belief, I came upon this little studied and only once translated volume. It has Gawein as the main character, the Grail is somewhat marginalized, as just another adventure, and, if anything, there is a definitely secular tone to the story. We hear more of Lady Fortune and Lady Love and their influence on the characters than on Christ and the big guy. It's good fun and, as in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A New Verse Translation, there is that interesting disparagement of the court of Arthur at the beginning, which I find intriguing. Weston claims that Gawain was the original Grail knight, or something of the sort, because of his roots in the Welsh, Scots, Irish or whatever sources. I'm no scholar, but I find this somewhat later, but still early 13th century, version of the tales a refreshing change from Chretien, de Boron and others. Heinrich can be quite funny. Some scholars reference this as the interminable "Diu Crone" but I find it long but delightful. Also, for the used price in hardback, it can't be beat.

I was cruising around, looking for all Wiltse material because he's such an astoundingly good writer of thrillers and came across A Dance Lesson which is actually a play and, wow!, it is sooo different and yet so very very good. The play is about families and prejudice and a lot of other things but I don't think it's fair to be too specifice because there are surprises that are important to the effectiveness, I think. Let me just say that it is very funny, very wise, very moving. Hey, and I don't even much like the theater, normally, but I'd go to see this one in a shot. Does anyone know where it's playing?

This collection of stories completely fascinated me. I was unaware of the cultural/ethical differences of the former GDR prior to reading this book. The tales told, brought me within a very real human existence. The feel of the book was very bare boned; even gritty. The women depicted within the stories were tough, open minded, believable characters. Through this book I was allowed to realize the daily routines of a society closed off to us. This was a fresh read compared to the dribble of modern american fiction.

Some have complained, over the years, that this book was more novel than biography. Okay, then... what a great NOVEL! This was in my elementary school library in Elgin, AZ, and if I'd studied my textbooks like I studied this, I might have been a MONSTER! Connie Roarke made a great book, and I bless her name for it!

BONUS: Read how Davy was a true Small-government conservative in the Jacksonian (read that "Proto-Clintonian") big-government epoch! It's the true hero tale of the book!

Al

It happened on "Black Friday," September 3, 1982.

On that day Cass County Sheriff Fred Tesch, acting on a bench warrant issued by Judge Raymond J. Case, drove out to Louisville, Nebraska, and arrested a man of God while ministering in the pulpit of his church.

They locked him in a jail with common criminals and later padlocked his church.

The man of God was Pastor Everett Sileven.

This is his story and the story of the valiant members of the Faith Baptist Church and the students of Faith Christian School.

It is the story of struggle and survival in the midst of a rising tide of state tyranny in America. -- from book's back cover

Once I started, I couldn't put it down! I enjoyed the characters and the many references to our Catholic faith. I was surprized by the "villian", which doesn't happen very often.

Well before, Bury my heart at Wounded Knee there was "Death on the prairie" Wellman tried to be more objective than Dee Brown without being a waxjob. Written at a time when to question American history was not so vogue.As I recollect Wellman was from OK.and was part NDN, back when a minority was good and quiet.Like my family except he never forgot, and we can't seem to remember. His writing is good and history as well.

This book is one of the many written by Delbruck. They are quite simply, required reading. Fortunately it is also that much rarer bird, a pleasure to read.