University of Nebraska Books

This novella has many things going for it. The author's sense of melancholy is superb and his spare, uncluttered writing wastes no space. Yet, while his simple, clean language moves you forward quickly, it leaves you holding souvenirs of every character you meet. And then there are the witty one-liners, such as this one about the change from times of affluence and ennui to austerity ("The good times when we wanted to die were already over.") The only downside to the piece is an aloof style that (reminiscent of Vidal's The Golden Age) keeps you from getting too close to anyone. It isn't haughtiness, just self-protection, but still.

Another November seems like it might be short and simple. But its unembellished prose carefully and powerfully conjures up images and memories of a troubled history. It is a serious story narrated by a man looking back on his childhood and young adulthood in a small town in southwestern France, and reflecting on the indelible mark left by the German Occupation on young lives. The author masterfully captures the complexity of political reality intersecting with childhood friendships and relationships -- political reality that includes class differences at first and extends to the clash between collaborators and the resistance, signaling the end of childhood. Though the narrator's style, on one level, seemed to keep me at a distance from the characters, seemingly uninvested in their personal struggles, ultimately I was left haunted by them and their choices and by the unsettling combination of normal everyday-ness and profound evil of the Occupation. Grenier makes us feel the way the war would change things forever; yet, he reminds us how some things remained business-as-usual. Eschewing detailed descriptions, he makes us feel the characters' pain and sense the reality of the war. The book is so effective and rewarding, I think, because of the sparse tone and careful turns-of-phrase that stayed with me even after I finished reading, and because of the subtlety of its cues as to what it meant to resist and what it meant to collaborate. It refuses to speak of the war in grandiose, familiar ways; instead, it focuses delicately on its effect on people who were neither its overt victims nor its villains. It makes the reader ponder the ambiguity between how the war changed the life of this small town forever and how life seemd to go on as before. It is a rich memoir of childhood and of war, where much of what was so disturbing about the period remains below the surface for the reader to uncover.

Opler's book is the result of lengthy interviews with informants during the early part of the Twentieth century .He has quoted many of these Apaches verbatum without editorializing thereby providing an authentic picture of the tribal lifeway during the 19th century. The reader learns not only the ethnological facts but senses the feelings, values and emotions of these people. "An Apache Lifeway" remains the most definitive source of material cited in later publications on the subject. The book is easily readable because anthropological jargon is avoided.

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Apache culture. It may not have the flow of novel but that is not the intention. This book is a glimpse into the lives of the fiercest and most honorable Native Americans that ever lived...the Apache.

Authentic Alaska is a collection of narratives about late twentieth century life in northwestern Alaska. Rather than a single voice, the book employs a multitude of authentic voices to offer commentary on a wide variety of topics ranging from autobiography to every day life in rural Alaska to school experiences to the incorporation of western cultures into traditional Native culture. This collection began as a student writing project during the 1987-1988 school years at the University of Alaska. The anthology comes from nontraditional, generally older students who are Inupiaq, Yup'ikm or Siberian Yup'ik Eskimos or Athabascan Indians who grew up in the larger hub communities of Kotzebue or Nome, or from smaller villages such as Emmonak in Southwest Alaska or Northway on the Canadian border. Susan B. Andrews is an associate professor of humanities at the College of Rural Alaska, a division of the University of Alaska. John Creed, her husband, is also an associate professor of humanities at the same college. Together they have won several regional and national media awards including the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Outstanding Coverage of the Problems of the Disadvantaged.
The editors explain the majority of these writings fit into what is known as "`cultural journalism,' where the ordinary way of life receives the attention, not the unusual or extraordinary events covered in straight news pieces, and where this reflection of the ordinary fabric of life also can instruct and offer profound insight. (xxvi)" Most of the authors are first or second year college students with no extensive writing training. The editors believe this is the anthology's strength, which creates an authentic voice that truly reflects "real people-that is, mature adults with extensive experience in the real world. (xxvii)."
The purpose of the book is to showcase the survival of culture and tradition, despite the turmoil of the past century. Many of the selections focus on how Natives were able to retain strong ties to their traditional cultures while adapting to western changes that came with statehood. For example, the discovery of oil in 1968 had a massive economic impact on Alaska, which only accelerated the rate of cultural and technological change. One writer discusses the policy of legal segregation that existed until the 1940s, and the denial of citizenship for Natives until 1924. Boarding schools, western religions, and technological advances all had an effect on traditional culture. Many of the selections discuss not how the culture was weakened, but rather how Natives were able to strengthen their identity and continue their traditional way of life in the face of great obstacles. For instance, in 1961, Natives started their own newspaper, the Tundra Times, which helped spawn Native unity as well as political activism that helped pressure the U.S. Congress to pass the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. This land claims act granted Natives title to 44 million acres of land, and for lands lost in the settlement, Natives received $962.5 million to establish 13 Native regional corporations and 206 village corporations. Finding a safe balance between the western world and their traditional life is a focus of several narratives. One elder explained this balance as being able to "walk in two worlds with one spirit. (xxiv)"
The most valuable part of this book is the personal touch given to each story. Activities such as skinning a polar bear, gathering food for the winter, learning to dog sled, family gatherings, incorporating traditional values into modern businesses truly show how these individuals view the world and themselves. Adaptability and continuance come together in this short collection of essays, and the individual writers offer a glimpse at what it means to be a Native in Alaska in the late 20th century. The editors offer a glossary that lists common "Alaskanisms" which is followed by a brief biographical section about each of the contributors.

So mucb has been written ABOUT Alaska Natives, and finally I was refreshed to see a book of incredibly insightful pieces written BY Alaska Natives. Offers a strong sense of ties to family and the land and waterways from which Alaska's aboriginal peoples have subsisted for centuries. This is truly an "authentic" account of contemporary Native people trying to live in the modern world while retaining a sense of their cultural identity. Full of stunning historical and contemporary photographs as well! This is the kind of book that should be climbing to the top of the New Times Bestseller list! An extremely readable text full of unassuming voices expressing the joys and challenges of life in some of the most remote reaches of Alaska. These writers live in small communities in Alaska, most of which are not connected by road to the outside world. Fascinating!

T. H. Baughman's Before the Heroes Came (Antartica in the 1890's) is an important look at the era before the Heroic Age of Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton. This very slim volume shows the build-up of interest in the Antartic and the politican and scientific forces coming together to propel both the noble and the foolish onto the triumph and tragedy that was the Antarctic after the turn of the century. This book is essential for those with a passion for this frozen land but will leave those looking for another arctic adventure story a little cold. The writing can be a little dry at times and the procession of scientists and sailors whirl by a little too quickly. But for those who want to fully understand man's need to explore the Antarctic, this book will prove essential.

This is a great book, trust me. The Kirkus review is right in giving Baughman praise for his work. Baughman's reasearch is exact and through. The writing style is informative, but is done in a enjoyable narrative that makes the book easy to read. Having studied under Dr. Baughman ( I already got my degree so this ain't puffery) and taken an Antarctic history class from him, I can honestly say that this book is a useful tome for all interested in exploration and students of history alike.

Prior to the coming of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, the stagecoach was the primary means of transportation for goods as well as people across the vastness of the West. Ben Holladay established and owned many of the stagecoach lines that stretched from Kansas to California, and this valuable book, long in print (it was first published in 1940), tells the story of Holladay and the stagecoach business over which he dominated.

Holladay was born in Kentucky in 1819 and went to Weston, MO, as a boy (one rumor says he ran away from home). He worked different jobs there for a number of years, married and had seven children, and then got a job freighting supplies for Kearny's Army of the West during the Mexican War. After the war he took a supply train to Salt Lake City which brought him a handsome profit. He worked with the Russell, Majors, and Waddell transportation company, learning the business and making deals for them, even aiding in the establishment of the Pony Express.

In 1862 he bought out Russell, Majors, and Waddell and created the Overland Stage Line, which ran eventually from Omaha to Salt Lake City. Soon branch lines were added to Montana and Oregon, and he had as many as 15,000 men employed driving stages and tending stations and livestock. In 1865 he sold the business to Wells Fargo because of Indian deprivations and got into the steamship business in California. This he sold in 1868 and became chief owner of the Oregon Central Railroad, which he held until the Panic of 1873 wiped him out and he retired.

As a businessman, Holladay had a lot to be desired. Machiavellian in his approach where the end always justified the means, he often cooked the books and lied to investors. He spent a great deal of time in Washington, DC, currying influence. Also in his personal life he was crude and overbearing. He died in Portland, Oregon, in 1887.

Frederick's account of Holladay and the Overland Stage operations is scholarly and thorough. Reprinted from the original A.H. Clark edition, the book contains all the peculiar printing practices unique to that company (certain proper nouns - months and book titles, for example, are never capitalized). More important than that is that Frederick tells his story with authority and elan. Numerous appendices appear that further detail the business side of the Overland Stage Line; one I found especially useful: a complete listing, with intervening distances, of all the stage stations along the Line. This is a fascinating book about an important phase in the growth of the West.

So often we see in westerns the stagecoach roaring into town and well-dressed easterners get out--not even dusty. This book shows the real and extremely difficult days of the stagecoach mail delivery and does it in a very factual, well-documented way. The end of the book should have been put at the first so we could know Ben Holladay before we learned all about the difficulties of getting the people and the mail to the western cities. It was especially interesting to me since my father and brother have the same name--Ben Holladay. He may be a distant relative and we would be proud to claim him.

The book should read to "Letters by Theo. Goldin" to and from various different people, E.A. Brinistool, Albert Johnson, Phillip Cole, Fred Dustin and eventually Capt Frederick Benteen. Most of the letters were written when Goldin was very old and blind. Interesting insight into Benteen and a scathing by Benteen of Custer and his preported "conduct". Worth the reading if you truely "understand" what happened on June 25th 1876. Not for the first time reader... you'll be lost within a matter of pages unless you understand the "who, what and where" of different people.

This book is the printing with minimal commentary of letters between Goldin and Benteen. Frederick Benteen was an officer and Goldin an enlisted man in the Seventh Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Correspondence between officer and enlisted man is unique in itself. In the case of first hand participants their direct insights into events is always fascinating. This book does not answer any outstanding questions but it does add insights especially relative to Benteen. Anyone interested in the history of the Seventh Cavalry and the personality of Frederick Benteen, a major participant in the Little Big Horn scenario will be interested in this book.

I have not been on a bicycle since I was thirteen, but no matter. This book was an enjoyable and enlightening tale of one man's second journey through the American West (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Utah) over the course of a summer in 2005. He made the same journey 20 years earlier. Great armchair traveling!

Bicycling beyond the Divide: Two Journeys into the West (Outdoor Lives)

This is an adventure story that is as much about how people in all the small rural towns and parks have changed from 1985 to 2005 as it is about bicycling through the Western United Sates. This book is made up of many portraits of people met and images of the American landscape as described by a shy traveler who is a great listener and neutral absorber of everyplace he peddles through (as well as the places he doesn't make it via bicycle) as this country is no easy ride. Making this book a really interesting read.

This book lets the reader into the mind of one of America's most fascinating military men, George A. Custer. He shows his talent for writing and vividly paints a picture of what life was like on the Western Plains. This book is a MUST for any student of the Old West or military historian.

Called by Frederick Benteen, "My Lie on the Plains" this is Custer's personal description of his adventures on the Plains. Of necessity it minimizes his Court Martial and other acts of ommission and commission because of Custer's self-view. Notwithstanding this the book gives insights into the psychology of a man who wished to become a legend and did. Any student of Plains History and Custer's part in it, must certainly read the man's own words.

Though I am not finished yet I have to say that it is a very informative book on the indian way of life. If thats what you buy this book for then you wont be disappointed. By the title you would think it was all about the Little Big Horn battle and though I'm sure it will come to that, so far (one third though the book)it has only mentioned life of the plains indians and how they built their tee pees, how they war'd against each other and also fought together. As I said I haven't finished yet but I like what I've read so far.

About five months ago I became a father to a beautiful and wonderful little boy. Every time I look at him and hold him I think of him as a gift. I don't mean that in a religious way, because that is not my belief. I am currently reading Wooden Leg for the second time in about 10 years. In reading this book, I realized that it too is a gift. Thomas Marquis, Wooden Leg and his Cheyenne compatriots who gave of their time and memories accomplished a tremendous service to the literature and history of a time that we will never see again. It was a beautiful life, though, to be sure, it had its share of horrors. In this book you will learn about nineteenth century Cheyenne culture and religion. You will read and be enthralled at Wooden Leg's recounting of Custer's Last Stand. Marquis, who acted as his own interpreter through sign language, did a wonderful job at arranging and organizing all of the stories related to him to make it into a cohesive read. I am very surprised that I am the first to review this book. Other "gift" books include Plenty Coups, Two Leggings and Memoirs of a White Crow Indian (the story of Thomas Leforge). I could go on, but this is a wonderful start. Enjoy these gifts and share them with someone special.

This is the kind of book you can read by opening to a page and reading or cover to cover.. little jewels shaped like words everywhere.

The type of literature that recreates in the symbolic, exploring the unconscious in an extremely poetic manner, this book, opened on any page at random, will undoubtedly widen your understanding of love and take you where you dream to have lived it. Source of inspiration for thorough introspection in the most awe-inspiring landscapes of the soul, the material mingles with the word to carry you where the body alone cannot take you. An exercise of the feminist language. Some might have got bored by reading it in a conventional way. But, using it with that ethereal wisdom that comes from the debris of unbridled passion, it might prove to be your most precious pillow-book.