University of Nebraska Books

One of those books that just puts you in the time and place. A great perspective on labor in an important region of the country. A must for those interested in American expansion and our history.

Peters contends that much of philosophy in the twentieth century has had a decidedly non-metaphysical (or even anti-metaphysical) bent to it, and as a result, few students, even philosophy students, get a thorough grounding in the metaphysical ideas past or present. This slim volume sets forth the work of Charles Hartshorne, colleague of Alfred North Whitehead (whose 'Process and Reality' has become a standard for many theologians today) and metaphysical ideas of the past century. While this text was put together several decades ago, scholarly progress in this field tends to be rather slow and methodical, so the information is still valuable and fairly current.

Hartshorne's metaphysics is called neoclassical because it shares much with more classical constructs. The focus of his metaphysics is the same -- grand questions on a cosmic scale, including the nature of reality itself. The rationalist method is important, as Hartshorne searches for meaning that is consistent, making logical sense. Perhaps the most important departure from classic metaphysics is that Hartshorne looks as the process of becoming as more important than some notion of static, permanent being as the more fundamental piece. This is in keeping with the ideas of 'Process and Reality', and the more relational designs of theology and philosophy (not to mention the many other scientific disciplines in academia).

This is a metaphysics that strives to make sense of the world philosophically while being in concert with the methods, assumptions and discoveries of modern science, as well as other fields. Peters examines the methodological key, the ideas of reality and time, Hartshorne's neoclassical theism, and even ideas of aesthetics, which Hartshorne said presents basically the same problems as does metaphysic.

The final chapter looks at the basic axioms. Much in the way it is done with geometry, an examination of the axioms or first principles can help determine the value and structure of the rest of the system. Hartshorne read Emerson early in his career and became first convinced here that reason was key (I had a similar experience with Emerson). Another of Hartshorne's axioms is that 'to be is to be able to be known'. This follows up closely with the known gets contained in the knower. Other axioms are discussed briefly, but more development here would be most welcome.

Charles Hartshorne only recently passed away, over the age of 100, but the in thirty years or so he lived after the publication of Peters' book, his basic metaphysical framework remained the same This book remains a good introduction in many ways to Hartshorne's work. The bibliography is somewhat outdated and thin, but many of the references are still valuable. As this book is now relatively rare, if you have a chance to get one, do so.

Heart's Desire is an idyllic turn-of-the-century mountain village filled with eccentric characters who specialize in bizarrely comical events. The main romantic leads liberally share the stage with everyone in town as we find out why they moved to such an off-the-beaten-path location and how they scheme against railroad and mine operators to keep it that way. Infused with Mark Twain/Bret Harte style humor throughout.

Reads like a lot of short stories grouped together to make the book. Parker is a unique person, trying to clean up the west. No Rooster Cogburn in here, but a lot of other people who are just as interesting. Good read and great for a history buff.

This was a very interesting study of how the war affected everyday life of citizens. The high rate of dissertion was due to many reasons but the higher duty that pulled the men was to the safety of their own family. When conflicted between duty to "the cause" and reports of starvation on the homefront, or of thier women and children being at the mercy of vagabonds, many men opted to honor the higher duty of their familial commitments. Very interesting to read about the lack of governmental support for fighting men's families; the women's resourcefulness in severe hardship; and how the soldiers' minds were focused on their children and their safety. If you want a fuller picture of the Civil War than what is presented by history books generally, read this book.

Joseph McCoy was the founder of Abilene, Kansas, and chief promoter of the town as a railhead for the cattle trade. After building stockyards in the town and laying out a trail stretching south to Corpus Christi (later known as the Chisholm Trail), he convinced Texas cattlemen to drive their cattle to Abilene. In its first year of existence (1867), 35,000 head of cattle made their way to the new town. Within only a few years Abilene was a boomtown with hundreds of thousands of cattle being shipped from it yearly. Seven years later McCoy penned this comprehensive history of the western (mainly Texas, but including Colorado and New Mexico as well) cattle trade.

Although chiefly concerned with the business aspects, McCoy describes many components of the trade, from the life of the cowboy on the trail to the packing houses in Kansas City. There are chapters on the difficulties with the railroads (especially the Kansas Pacific, which reneged on its contract with McCoy in the 1870s), the "Spanish fever" which infected many of the Texas herds, the prejudice against longhorn cattle because they spread disease among the other cattle, the effect of the Panic of 1873, stock ranching, and the famous Drovers Cottage in Abilene, the hotel built for stock buyers and cattlemen. McCoy's account is authoritative and interesting. Just as good is the long introduction by editor Ralph Bieber, which expands on McCoy's treatment time-wise, and is a concise though thorough history of the cattle business from early Spanish days to 1867, and includes a detailed biographical sketch of McCoy. Highly recommended.

This book is not written in a particularly sprightly style and yet I found it a work fascinating in the extreme. It starts at the very beginning , and I am sorry it only goes up to 1966. The chapter on the Non-Partisan League (1915-1923) was the most interesting. And Bill Langer had a fascinating career, the account of which was made more attention-holding for me because I used to go to the Senate gallery when I was going to law school in Washington and listen to his orations. Unforgettable, since unique. This is a great and memorable book.

I found this book to be very informative. It gave great accounts from both sides (Indian and non-indian). It follows the Santee Sioux history starting with accounts from explorers who encountered these wonderful people, to the Sioux Uprising, to their exile from their land, to the present day. You will find yourself unable to put this book down.

The author challenges the reader to understand how environment and place shape who we are. After reading this book you will never again take the places in your life for granted. The author's poignant essays will touch your spirit and inspire you to explore the places which make you who you are.

How to Defend Humane Ideals is a powerful refutation of the amoral concept of nihilism, and shows that even if ethical objectivity is rejected, humane ideals are still supreme over anti-humane rationals, such as that of Nietzche. Flynn introduces the powerful tool of social-science to moral philosophy, and provides a thorough refutation of racism, even in the enlightened form of Jensen's thesis. A seminal work as well as an enjoyable read.