University of Nebraska Books

I read this book while I was in high school. I loved it so much that I wrote a term paper on it. That was 10 years ago. I recently picked it up again and rediscovered every description of the prairie, every breathless detail. It still remains my favorite book of all time. I was so endeared to it again that I am searching for all titles written by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It is amazing how she writes such timeless words that touch your heart and senses.

In my family, this is a favorite of three generations-my grandma, in her 80s, my mother, in her 50s, and me, in my 20s. We all find the characters to be believeable, and they stay with us long after we have finished the story. This book appeals to readers on many different levels. First of all, there is the historical aspect of the struggle of life on the prairie when Iowa was just becoming state. Added to that is the impact of the Civil War. Second, there is the story of a young girl, unsure of herself, growing to womanhood and finding out who she really is as she faces events that are out of her control. We witness Suzanne's first infatuation, her crushing disappointment when she realizes her feelings are not returned, and, eventually, a true love that will outlast anything, even war. The reader realizes that though the times may change, the emotions of growing up do stay the same. Lastly, this book is a wonderful break from the stories of today that feel they must contain some sex, violence and profanity. At times, we just need a good, old-fashoined story where that stuff doesn't get in the way. I can't begin to describe the well-worn condition of my grandma's original book. It just shows that it has been a close, personal friend to three women who love it dearly.

Read this in high school. Loved it. My mom loved it. Then found it later as an adult and realized I now lived by "Suzanne". It was awesome.

If you like unprocessed, uninterpreted real history, you can't do better than reading original journals of people who experienced it. This treasure of a journal, discovered in an attic just a few decades ago, tells the day-by-day adventures of Jedediah Strong Smith, one of the greatest American western explorers. His travels are second only to Lewis and Clark's in significance for the opening the West. This book is the journal of Smith's first trek to California from the Rockies and back. It is filled with both the excitement of discovery, and the perils of horse-and-foot travel among potential enemies in inhospitable lands. You will read first-hand accounts of near starvation and thirst, of Indian attacks, of mountain blizzards and waterless deserts, of near drownings in rivers, of weary travels over wastelands and mountains, and other accompaniments of exploration in a day without roads, maps, telephones, electricity and fast food.

What makes this account so valuable is Jedediah himself. Serious and unpretentious, devoutly Christian and a man of high integrity, Smith was not the stereotypical Mountain Man. In just eight years since joining William Ashley's band of trappers (1824), killed by Indians at age 32, he had traveled most of the Western United States, surviving herculean odds along the way. One unforgettable scene in this journal has Smith meditating to himself atop a peak in the Sierras, after having suffered severe hardships with his men against snow and Indians. He reminisces about the comforts and joys of his childhood home back East, but then in the spirit of true courage, faces the desperate reality of his situation and the fact his men are counting on his leadership. From there he faces several life-and-death struggles getting over the Sierra Nevada (first white man to make the crossing) and across the desolate Great Basin wastelands and back to the Rendezvous near Salt Lake. When he arrives, his friends, who thought him long dead, celebrate by firing a cannon they had carted over the Rockies from St. Louis. [Historical note: within days, Smith was off to California again, this time to suffer even more hardships all the way to Oregon, including two Indian massacres.]

This was one of Smith's most important journeys; known previously only by some letters and pieces of the journal, we now have the full account! I'm surprised this book doesn't get more attention; I found it captivating. The descriptions of Mission San Gabriel, early Pueblo Los Angeles and the Mexican-controlled early California culture are revealing. Having seen the mission today hemmed in by the city, I now have the eyes of Smith and his aide Harrison Rogers (who died the following year in the Umpqua Massacre in Oregon), to see how it must have appeared in 1827. George R. Brooks' helpful footnotes give background information and locations, so that you can follow the route on a map. I think it would make a terrific family vacation to retrace his journey. From your air-conditioned van, along I-40 in desolate eastern California, or along I-80 in Nevada, look out your window and imagine Smith and his weary men in a desperate search for water, as you cover in a half-hour what took them two days.

In an age where history is processed through Hollywood tall tale tellers, who don't hesitate to rewrite what happened according to their politically correct biases, we need to get the story straight from the source. (Hmmm, this journal would make a great film epic, though.) We also need to appreciate the courage and fortitude of our pioneers, who accomplished great things with much less. Get a map of the Western states, open this book, and discover America with Jedediah Strong Smith!

I don't think I'd be stretching things too much if I said these journals are almost as important as those kept by Lewis and Clark. Smith's expedition to California in 1826-27 had been known about, of course, but no written account ever appeared until the account presented here was discovered in 1967. (Later travel journals by Smith were discovered in the 1930s.) In Smith's eulogy in 1832, the fact that Smith had kept notes of all his travels was mentioned. Interestingly, in 1840 the "Missouri Saturday News" reported that it was about to publish all of Smith's travel accounts in the West for subscribers, as compiled by one Alphonzo Wetmore, but it never happened. The final coming to light of this missing portion of Smith's adventures is a major find in Western exploration.

Smith left the 1826 rendezvous on the Bear River in Idaho, heading to the southwest, to explore new territory and evaluate the country in terms of beaver productivity. He skirted the Great Salt Lake and headed toward Utah Lake. Here he turned to the southeast to the Price River, and then south to the Curtis. Turning west he struck the Sevier River and then crossed the Escalante Desert to the Virgin and the Colorado. He followed the Colorado to the Mohave Villages (near present-day Needles). Apparently his original plan was to return to the Bear Lake region, but believing the season too late to do so, decided to continue to California.

Crossing the Mojave Desert he made his way to San Gabriel, sidetracked to San Diego, got in trouble with the Spanish governor, and hitched a ride on a ship back to near San Gabriel. Heading back toward the Mojave to appease the Spanish, he diverted north up through the center of California to the San Joaquin and then the American River. Backtracking to the Stanislaus River he crossed the Sierra Nevadas via Ebbetts Pass. Passing south of Walker Lake he crossed the desert wastes of Nevada, suffering great hardship (the first white to do so), then northeast across Utah, reaching the Bear Lake rendezvous in July 1827. As soon as the rendezvous ended Smith went back to California taking pretty much the same route, but that journey is not included here.

As with the Lewis and Clark journals every mile traveled and described was new. But Smith wasn't just keeping an explorer's log, as important as that is. We also get his impressions - of the wealthy Spanish at San Gabriel, of the governor of San Diego, his description of a woodpecker south of the San Joaquin. Above all we get a strong sense of Smith's incredible bravery and perseverance, especially in crossing the Sierra Nevadas, when every passage he tried to get through was a dead end, and while crossing the Great Basin where he and his party almost died of thirst. It's a magnificent travel account. Also magnificent is the editing by George R. Brooks, which is very full and detailed. There are a couple of decent maps thrown in as well. This book is a major American document in the development of the country.

Few men parallel the exploratory achievements of Jedediah Smith in the western U.S. This journal, written by Smith, illustrates the many hardships and sacrifices one must overcome in order to accomplish those dreams of exploration. Extremes of desert heat, impenetrable mountain snow depths, thirst, hunger, fatigue, momentary disorientations, spatterings of Indian hostilities, indecisions of Mexican officials in Spanish California, etc. were all obstacles to conquer on the road to uncharted territories. He attempted peace treaties between the Utes and Shoshonies, spent time with the Mohave Indians along the Colorado River (one of the first written accounts of their culture), describes Spanish mission life in southern California, the trek northward encountering Indian animosity, the first crossing of the Sierra Nevadas by a U.S. citizen and finally, the Herculean journey across the Great Basin to the 1827 rendezvous at Bear Lake. We are very fortunate that this journal came to surface as it is of major historical significance. Mr. Brooks' editing is exceptional.

This book will transcend you to a time and place that makes you feel at peace with nature. Merrick's writing is like poetry in motion. You will wish you could have been there to experience the times when he is at one with the universe. The people and places he is writing about no longer exist, which is the greatest pity of all.

I read some of the previous reviews before getting this and some were positive and some negative...I have to say I was very much pleased with the book, excellent story and tale with local dialogue to add an element of adventure and flair. I just really enjoyed the story and to see the hardships people faced...

A fascinating book! A well written account by a man who traveled extensively in the Canadian North in the 1930s, just as the traditional remoteness that had characterized that world was ending with the introduction of planes and other technologies. Merrick was a keen and sympathetic friend of the North, its history and its Native peoples.

As a lover of poetry and literature, I have found this book to be at the very pinnacle of both. The first time that you read this book, you are going to be overwelmed. Different than other books that paint imagery and scenery into your mind, Ms. Arrondondo brings to us a world of experience and emotion that lies dormant until awakened. We then realize--these passions live in all of us.

La Sunamita, es un análisis profundo de las relaciones familiares tradiconales en México, combinado con la influencia religiosa de "lo que debe de ser", a costa de la dignidad humana. La protagonista termina con sentimientos de culpa, con su soberbia desecha y con el rencor perpetuo a la vida que la obligó a perder su pureza. Mariana enfrenta al lector con la "anormalidad" de la pasión-locura, y con todos los prejuicios de una sociedad provinciana, que nunca entiende a la protagonista por ser "diferente" de los demás. La Señal es quizás el mejor cuento que jamás escribió Inés. La señal de la humillación, en un episodio religioso, es genial. Año Nuevo es una de las joyas literarias, que en seis líneas narra toda la historia de una mujer que sufre. Río Subterráneo trata también de la locura como la "anormalidad" de un ser, y la fatalidad de enloquecer para entender a la locura. Las Palabras Silenciosas es un cuento en el que se resumen los problemas de incomunicación entre dos culturas muy alejadas entre sí, y la importancia de la palabra en esta comunicación. Orfandad es un cuento también dedicado a la incomunicación, a través de una anécdota espeluznante. Las Mariposas Nocturnas refleja, con singular maestría, no sólo las costumbres de una época, sino los problemas íntimos de la homosexualidad (Don Hernán)y de los valores de la satisfacción artística (Lía). Dos cuentos preciosos (Los Hermanos y De Amores), precisamente sobre el amor en su máxima expresión. Los Espejos, (el último cuento que escribió) es un retrato de familia llevado a sus últimas consecuencias literarias, proustianas, de una ternura inmensa, y, creo, es una joya del romanticismo. Por último, Sombra entre Sombras, es un verdadero ensayo sobre la pureza y la concupicencia, analizándolas desde varios puntos de vista, pero que tienen un fundamento único, que es el amor (otra vez) llevado a sus últimas consecuencias. Hay otros cuentos traducidos al inglés, en diversas revistas universitarias, que! es muy recomendable buscar, para disfrutar de la obra completa de esta escritora singular en las letras latinoamericanas. Gracias por leerla.

Let me first tell you that I have a hardcopy of this book (for posterity) and a paperback (for late night, bed-reading abuse). This book, which I found while browsing in my local library, is by far the most powerful book I have ever read. Now, that may sound so typical of reviews.."5 stars..really great!" and all of that. The depth of this book goes far beyond that of any "ratings" guide.

OK, now for the content. Women, we will certainly identify with this book more than our male counterparts. Not because this is a "woman's book" which it is not. I always thought that was an ignorant term to begin with, but because most of the characters (both antagonist and protagonist) are female. This book deals with very strong themes of erotic love, evil, loss of innocence, and religious hypocrisy. All of that may sound 'juicy' but Arredondo has a way with words. Her writing is halfway between poetic prose and contains an eloquency beyond anything I have ever read in my short, yet hopefully long and fufilling life. Worth every penny.

What a perfect baby gift in support of a particular school. The Auburn parents thought it was great!!!

For your little Auburn Tiger this is the perfect book. It is sturdy and captures the AU life that you want your little one to treasure!

What an awesome book! It's a fantastic start to get my son prepared for his first year at UCLA come Fall 2024! :-)

A nice idea for a shower or new baby gift for a fellow alumnus, and a great way to start brainwashing your own child from the beginning.

I bought this for my friend's two year old daughter - we are both UW-Madison alums living in Seattle. The book has lots of photographs of various things around campus, including lessons on colors and numbers using Wisconsin-related items. Her daughter carries it around constantly saying "Bucky Badger!" and also lobes the picture of the hockey team! It is a great book for us to share our memories of Madison with her, even though we live so far away. :)

As a student of the Overland experience and a resident near the original trail in Nevada County I was just fascinated by this wonderful account. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and have given it as a gift to other early West enthusiasts.

In his own words Bryant describes his life on a wagon train going to California from the East Coast. If Bryant had a fault, it was that he too descriptive of the trail and events on the trail! If this wasn't enough, he was a doctor of the day, well, in his words, "Almost a Doctor." He was going to California to complete his studies. Like any good intern, he kept notes of who he treated on the trail and how he treated them. Also, being a bachelor, he was invited by the father of an eligible daughter to travel with them, "to let nature run it's course." This book should be a text book on the high school or the collegiate level.

Edwin Bryant's work is a classic not only of overland travel in 1846 but also of life in early California during the same time period.
The Kentucky newspaperman's writing style approaches poetic composition. He was a keen observer of every minute detail on the trail and when in California:
Geography; Indians; weather; describing the many people along the route; river fordings; acting the part of doctor to the many ailing emigrants; traveling with the Donner party; he and a handful of men separating from the main wagon train in Fort Laramie to go it alone; the perils, mishaps, hazards and beauty of the trail; meeting several celebrated individuals including Joseph Walker, Fremont, Sublette, Hastings, Hudspeth and Kearney to mention a few.
When in California, Bryant walked right into the United States' conquest of California from Mexico. He was a volunteer in Fremont's army to thwart insurgents. These and other timely events are well depicted. Bryant's description of what happened in the horrific Donner party expedition are piercing.
This is an exceptional book and highly recommended for enthusiasts of the early west.

This outstanding book is filled with insights into Yoruba language that every teacher and student will benefit from. I hope you will find it a useful treasure. I highly recommend this book.

This book has quite a few proverbs. some i knew before, most i didn't. All are really interesting.
Some proverbs in the book have a dodgy origin (not quite sure they are Yoruba originated) but they are all very interesting. Great way to learn the language.

As a Yoruba person settled in the United States, I sometimes worry about the erosion of the little I know about richness of the Yoruba culture, especially as articulated in proverbs. This reality becomes more poignant when I reflect on how my children might never appreciate the richness of the Yoruba culture. Oyekan Owomoyela's fascinating work in YORUBA PROVERBS allayed that fear.

I highly recommend this work to anyone who seeks to understand the "demeanour" of the Yoruba culture. A comprehensive collection of more than five thousand Yoruba proverbs translated literally and figuratively as seen with the Yoruba eyes.

Simply put, a narrative of the Yoruba culture and the richness thereof; would be incomplete without reference to this book. Just think: The timeless wisdom of Yoruba sages down the ages, has been made available to us for the mere price of a book.

There is a widespread perception in Japan and the west that the Imperial Japanese Army fought to the last man, often making suicidal banzai charges when all was clearly lost. John Dower argued that this was a manifestation of the race war fought between Japan and the West. Allison B. Gilmore shows in this short study that such was hardly the case.

After a series of failures that often foundered on a lack of knowledge about Japanese culture and language, psychological warfare units under the command of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur developed an approach that emphasized despair. The most effective leaflets and radio broadcasts stressed issues that individual Japanese soldiers could confirm as being true and that did not offend cultural sensitivities. Drawing upon captured Japanese documents, Gilmore argues that U.S. psychological warfare operations were becoming an issue of concern to Imperial Army officers. There was a cumulative effective to the distribution of leaflets in the Philippines campaign. Between October-December 1944, the ratio of POWs to Japanese dead was 1:100 by July of 1945 the ratio was 1:7. MacArthur's command ended up taking 10,000 POWs. At the same time on Iwo Jima and Okinawa where Nimitz's command made only tepid efforts at psychological warfare, the Japanese did fight to the very end. There were few POWs taken on these islands.

Despite its dense topic, Gilmore writes well and easily--far better than your average academic. The book is less than 200 pages of text, so it is a quick read.

As a former US Psychological Operations (PSYOP) specialist, I found Allison Gilmore's study of the US PSYWAR efforts against the Imperial Japanese Army during the Pacific War not only historically interesting but also invaluable. Psychological Operations is often misunderstood as "mind-control" and evoke a dark image of disseminating lies through Tokyo Rose and Bagdad Betty. Although such kinds of "grey" or "black" PSYOP is practiced, it represents a small aspect of PSYOP. Especially in the US PSYOP, truth is held to be the most important weapon in persuading and convincing enemies to give-up resistence. A prime example is the Gulf War, in which the US PSYOP campaign was credited with contributing to the massive surrender of the Iraqi troops: US PSYOPers provided essential news and battle situations information to convince the Iraqi's of their inevitable defeat. Gilmore describes the evolution of Allied PSYOP efforts from the beginning to the end. Contrary to the widely-held view during the war in the US that the Japanese soldiers were impervious to any kind of persuation to give-up their fight because of their dedication to their Emporer, superiors, and their nation, Gilmore delineates, step-by-step, how the Allied PSYOPers analysed impact of battle conditions on the average Japanese soldiers, sorted-out psychological "weaknesses," and formulated proper messages to exploit those weaknesses and evetually defeat the Japanese "psychologically." In a sense, this book provides "how-to" knowledge and dispels myths surrounding PSYOP. As the saying goes, "honesty is the best policy," in PSYOP, verifiable truths, rather than lies, will win-over your enemies. Anyone interested in learning more about PSYOP or Pacific War, "You Can't Fight Tanks with Bayonets" should be an essential part of their reading.

The book follows the development of psychological warfare, at first with a little history and then getting into details about its use against the Japanese. The author points out that the use of propaganda was not very effective till the Japanese started to lose and till the Allies learned what did and did not work. Getting to know the enemy and finding his weak points is as important as selecting the right words to use and finding out if it's working. Truth is VERY important as you want the reader to trust you as a source of REAL information, information he/she can see as observable facts or can be checked on later.
The author breaks down the basics of GOOD psywar operations with a number of general conclusions near the end. A must for anybody interested in military history or the Pacific Theater during World War Two.

I could not put this book down. I started it this morning and literally grabbed every second that I could today to finish it. To watch Alice develop throughout the story is amazing.

Highly recommend this book...you will laugh and cry throughout.

Winner of the Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Fiction, The Alice Stories is an original novel by Jesse Lee Kercheval (Professor of English, University of Wisconsin-Madison) that observes the story of a girl raised in Florida who ends up as a woman living in Wisconsin. She, her husband, and her daughter experience the richness of family; the tolls of pain and loss; and the importance of friends to help one through the roughest parts of life. A thoughtful, community-driven narrative emphasizing the importance of connections and emotional outlook, highly recommended.

The book describes everything about the furtrade in the American west.It describes the hunters and trappers,the history of the furtrade west from 1807 to 1843,the Santa Fe trade,how the western country looked like and the indians.It was very interesting because it described so much.It should have described the hunters equipment better.

The book describes everything about the furtrade in the American west.It describes the hunters and trappers,the history of the furtrade west from 1807 to 1843,the Santa Fe trade,how the western country looked like and the indians.It was very interesting because it described so much.It should have described the hunters equipment better.