Nevada Books

Endearing illustrations of a tiny, white veiled Queen Victoria cavorting with courtiers the color of midnight accompany a tongue-in-cheek description of a monarch on a risque holiday adventure. This charming picture book is a wonderful addition for anyone who collects memorabilia from Jamaica.

"A Cup of Tea in Pamplona" actually has nothing to do with tea or Pamplona (the city famous for its running of the bulls) and frankly I think Laxalt could have found a better title. The book is a poignant novel about Basque smugglers, set in the 1960s. In his recent book, "The Land of My Fathers", Laxalt lamented the extinction of the "contrabandiers" (as they're known in France) when Spain entered the European Union, regretting that "something of the romantic past has been lost". In this slim and rapid-fire novel, though, Laxalt makes no bones about the ugly, desperate, and sometimes violent world of the "romantic past" of Basque smugglers.

The story revolves around Nikolas, an impoverished Basque with a wife and infant sons who, driven by financial despair and in spite of his wish to live a respectable life, takes on work as a "contrabandier" for Gregorio, the "patrón" of a small team of smugglers. As the narrator comments, Nikolas "[breaks] the pattern in a land where patterns were not made to be broken. If your father was a cobbler, then it followed that you were a cobbler. If your father was a peasant, then you had better remain a peasant, too. If you were born poor, then it was your duty to remain poor." Gregorio argues him out of tradition, though, reminding Nikolas (correctly) that a man cannot feed and clothe his family with "the substance of respectability" and, besides, smuggling "was not like stealing from a neighbor. The only victim was the government, and who had ever felt sorry for a government?"

Gregorio arranges to have Nikolas lead a team of other smugglers (including Luis, Nikolas' brother-in-law) in an effort to smuggle fifty horses over the frontier straddling the ridge of the Pyrenees between France and Spain. If they are caught by the French border guards, they'll spend time in jail, which can mean ruin for a poor man. Worse, if they struggle with the guards, it can mean death on the mountain.

Does the novel end in tragedy or does the team successfully make it over? Laxalt doesn't drop hints beforehand. Neither will I. However it ends, "A Cup of Tea in Pamplona" is a weighty indictment of the grinding poverty that led Basques into smuggling. It offers a good glimpse into social conditions in the Basque Country, and though it isn't an "ethnic" novel or "quaint" in any way, you'll come away knowing something about customs and social relations in the Basque Country forty years ago. Additionally, Laxalt has an ear for terse narration and realistic dialogue free of clichés, plus the ability to weave a intense, continually engrossing plot.

I'm thinking about travelling in the Pyrenees next spring and found this book a great way to get a feel for the place. And having read Laxalt before, I can also say that I'll definitely read him again. A+ and 5 stars.

I bought this book and am glad I did. It gives a VERY thorough
history of the "Wire Act"....which was set up in the 1960s -- by
Robert Kennedy -- a hero of mine -- of all people!

I had thought that the "Wire Act" was set up in the 1930s or 1940s
....so I learnt something by my preliminary perusal of this
book. However, so upset am I that the most recent enlargment of
the Wire Act....which now prohits internet gaming for real money,
to American citizens and residents....that I just can't read
through the entire book. I am too mad, and too sad....the newest
enlargement of the Wire Act was passed so sneakily, too -- tacked
on to another bill -- and many congresspeople voting for one bill
did not even know they were voting for the "anti-internet gaming
bill", tacked onto it.

This book is printed on exellent paper, with a nice large-sized
print. From my prelimary perusal, it appears to be a very thorough
history of how the "Wire Act" came about. I recommend it heartily
to anyone who has the stomach to read this book....through his or
her tears, and/or anger.

For myself, though, it brings to mind a
scene from the film, "Blue Denim", starring Carol Lynly and Brandon
de Wilde. It is an early 1960s film, about two likable, suburban
teens, who find themselves, "in trouble", after one night of
thoughtless, er...."togetherness". With the guy's best friend, they
try desperately to find a solution to their dilemma. In this scene,
Carol Lynly's character is looking through a book. After studying it,
she says, (paraphrased): "They tell you all about how it happens....
but they don't tell you how to stop it."

And so, "Cutting The Wire", also tells you "all about it", (in "Blue Denim, "it" is pregnancy. In "Cutting The Wire", 'it" is
a law which prevents American people from legally gaming online.) But,
sadly, and perphaps, at this point, inevitably, cannot tell us "how to stop it"....and allow Americans the right to game/gamble online, for
real money, legally once again. A practice allowed in the UK, Canada,
Australia, Lithuania, Sweden...and so many other countries, (where --
surprise? -- there has been NO upsurge of mob influence, and NO upsurge
in hedonism) -- is, at this writing, denied to those living in "the Land of the Free....and the Home of the Brave." (For those interested in
trying to change things, I recommend the website: www.pokerplayersalliance.org)

Perhaps I expected too much of this book....I searched and searched for
a way "to end it", (the Wire Act and its extentions)....but couldn't --
or perhaps am too upset and too angry to give the book the thorough
perusal that I should. If -- as my own plan would do -- taxing gaming
winnnings at twice that of other income, allowing losses to be deducted
at only half that of other income, making proficiency tests mandatory,
and allowing play only by 18 year olds and over, and only at interent
casinos based in the US, or in the countries of our allies, (Canada,
England, Turkey, Manilla, etc.).....what would be the harm? Earning
$100 a day is sure a lot easier than earning $36,500 over a weekend at
Las Vegas or Atlantic City. This could lead to more responsible gaming
== people earning a little bit every day -- a habit which could lead to
the shouldering of more responisbility in other aspects of life as well.

I truly wish that "Cutting The Wire" had delved into these matters. But
it is a thorough, well-researched history of "how the (gaming) Dark Ages
came upon us"....but not, sadly, (as I had so hoped for), some suggestions on how to end them.

Perhaps only time, (and our next President, who-ever he or she may be),
will tell.....

One of the most importants things about Death Mounatin was my connection to the main character, Erin. From the first paragraph I was engaged with her. I liked her seriousness and spunk. By the end of the first page Erin was stranded with only her grandmother's words of wisdom playing in her head. Great start! But soon I learned Erin had an even bigger problem. Her mother had left the family and Erin didn't know why. At one time I thought maybe the mother was ill and didn't want to burden her family. Then I wondered if the father had somehow driven her away. The author let me come to understanding when Erin did and I liked that. The secondary characters of Mae and Levi brought another depth to the story. Especially Mae, with her "city girl" silliness. Seeing May grow because of Erin's strengths was rewarding. And when Erin's will sagged, Mae was strong enough for them both. It was a wonderfully woven subplot.

Erin joins Mae and Levi for a Mt. Whitney hike. They get caught in a freak electrical storm. Mae panics and runs, and Erin tries to chases her down before she comes to harm. The girls end up lost but together. Now it's them against the mountain. I loved all the mountain education/information the author wrote into the story. It never felt forced. The realism of the storm scenes, the lightning strikes, the total chaos and scramble to stay alive in the midst of danger and death drew me in completely. The action and suspense kept the tension level high and each chapter ended in a way that pulled me on. Yet, the author let me "rest" when needed. The pacing was great.

I really enjoyed Erin's grandmother. She mainly came in the backstory and in Erin's knowledge of the wilds, but she gave a strength to the story. She was a comforting character, strong and steady. Her balance helped keep Erin levelheaded in her life and death struggle for survival on Mt. Whitney. I especially appreciated the parallels between surviving in the wilderness and surviving life.

The ending of the book was perfect. The author gave me enough resolution to made me smile. Yes, Erin still has some tough things to face, but she is going to be fine! I loved the symbolism--the tree healing over the carvings. The author did that well throughout the book.

This is definetly a book worth reading. A book worthy of being made into a movie!

This book was published to accompany the Nevada Museum of Arts retrospective of Oppenheim's sculptures, installations and photo montages held from October 18, 2003 to January 4, 2004. The exhibit illustrates the aritists fascination with the West and Western themes.

I have this book, but it was published in 1990. In other words, I do not have the revised and updated version.

However, if this one is anything like the copy I have, it is wonderful. The full color pictures are lovely and are used to enhance the text.

Although this book doesn't tell the history of these states, it visits historic places within each state. Much of the history of these four states (NM, AZ, NV, UT) is told through the landscape and historic buildings of each state.

I have enjoyed every place that I have visited and my visits have only been enhanced by using this book as a resource in my travels.

I really like all the fun thing to do. I am taking my dog to california and nevada this april

A memorable insight into a strange, but functional and fascinating, marriage with three children involved, and many mistresses. Dolly knew going in that Zane was a writer, traveller, adventurer, and a womanizer. From his early days as a dentist and then a struggling writer, to becoming one of the most successful American writers of all times, the letters take you along on their life together. I was not always happy with him, or her, but somehow they held it together. In modern times, I suppose we call it "giving him space" to do his hunting and fishing, finding sources and inspiration for his writing, and of course to get off with his ladies, at times two or three together. The couple had their rough spots, and I thought some of the humorous entries were where Zane was trying to keep his women separated and not bickering, and Dolly was trying to help him sort it out. Zane was good at philandering, wasting money, etc., but Dolly held it together. I liked them both, but being a father, I can only imagine the confusion and anxiety of the children. Good information about early publishing days and the film industry. Well edited with commentary by the author and mahalo to the Nevada University Press for getting the letters out for a more complete understanding of a great Western writer.

I have been looking on both Amazon and in bookstores for a comprehensive guide to camping in Nevada, Utah and Arizona (I live in Southern Nevada). Not only are there no great websites, but every book I have seen is either out of date or the series does not cover this area! Thankfully someone told me of this book (it NEVER came up on Amazon searches for camping in these states since the names are not directly in the title). The book is amazing and worth every penny. It covers everything you need to know and athough there are no pictures - I don't care. Now that I know the names of the campgrounds I am interested in, I can get pictures on-line. I would rather have the 100's of up-to-date extensive listings! Thank you so much for publishing this book!!!

This book has beautiful photos. It is an amazing river, considering its short run. I bought this for my Dad, but (secretly) I wanted it for myself.
I wish there was more info on the Truckee Meadows ditches;...