Oklahoma Books

Readers purpose for examining the material was a search for more information into Egyptian use of Fibonacci sequences, specifically whether they used 1st. or 2nd. order, since it is known that the Italian was not the first. Readers questions in this regard were answered although not directly.Author of book makes case why astronomy did not evolve from astrology. Although author is not math intensive, author has incredible insight into the human subconsciousness role and direction into math as used by these early peoples. Reader was able to re-work, from the Astronomy section of MathCad, the base 60 calculator used by the Babylonians, (one was also constructed for the Eygptians in their base but is not nearly as interesting) and reflects how clearly the author had submitted the interpretations for the reader to follow. This book is gem.

The Babylonians were good guys. They had a sophisticated, table-based system of arithmetic, they could solve quadratic equations, etc. For all this we respect them, but for Plimpton 322 we love them--surely only true connoisseurs of numbers would produce a table of Pythagorean triples. The Egyptians on the other hand disappoint us. Their arithmetic "is probably best described as a retarding force" and their astronomy "remained through all its history on an exceedingly crude level" (p. 80). To be fair, their simple-mindedness did lead them to one great creation, namely "the only intelligent calendar which ever existed in human history", to be contrasted with e.g. "the chaotic Greek calendars, depending not only on the moon but also on local politics for its intercalations" (p. 81). Neugebauer's favourite topic is Babylonian astronomy. "The very backbone of Babylonian mathematical astronomy" (p. 102) is period relations, like 235 lunar months = 19 solar years. From here they build up a quite sophisticated, purely arithmetical system "excellently adapted to practical computation and to predicting new moons, eclipses, etc." (p. 114). "At no point of this theory are the traces of a specific geometrical model visible" (p. 110), so the Babylonian theory is completely different from the Ptolemaic theory. "Nevertheless, Babylonian influence is visible in two different ways in Greek astronomy: first, in contributing the basic empirical material ... second, in a direct continuation of arithmetical methods which were used simultaneously with and independently of the geometrical methods" (p. 156); apparently even the Greeks didn't want to pull out their trig tables for every little thing. Throughout the book there are also notes on various aspects of historical scholarship, including delightfully subjective remarks like "The much publicized 'progress' in the study of the history of science is difficult to reconcile with the shocking neglect of a great wealth of source material ... What we really need is not bibliographies and summaries, but competent publications of Islamic, Greek, and Latin treatises" (p. 55).

An `old fashioned' text where the notes are as important as the body. The `Method' is the `As it really was' school. The author was a German mathematician who was drawn to Mesopotamian mathematics and astronomy early in the 20th century. Where used Greek or Latin is translated. The more modern European languages of French and especially German are extensively referred to in the notes but NOT in the body.

The book is much more `Eurocentric' than is `politically correct' these days. By example the `zero symbol' is attributed to Greece, thence to Egypt then to the Orient. Others disagree. This author presents data, lists and writings from the original sources ... he has received `lifetime awards' form mathematical societies but the popular press has called other authors on zero, "ball buster's"

This book is a very deep investigation of the topic of the title. While not a `page turner' for most if one relishes tidbits of fascinating information on numbers, antique maths, astronomical methods and spends the time to read the notes as well as the text when they finish this book they will have a good grip of the breadth of Mesopotamian knowledge of these subjects.

This book explains the level of learning and advance of knowledge that was aquired by the ancient cultures in Bablyon, Sumer, and Egypt.

It gives a good overview of the mathematics, and astronomy that was aquired in these cultures, and the progression of this to the more modern Greek and Roman cultures.

This inordinately ambitious, often overreaching & self-contradictory, but nonetheless thought-provoking book takes as it's central thesis the following: "The dominant themes of the Frontier Myth are those that center on the conception of American history as a heroic-scale Indian war, pitting race against race; and the central concern of the mythmakers is with the problem of reaching the 'end of the Frontier'. Both of these themes are brought together in the "Last Stand" legend, which is the central fable of the industrial or 'revised' Myth of the Frontier." Slotkin proceeds to trace the impact and the changing understanding of the Frontier Myth from King Phillip's War to 1890, when Frederick Jackson Turner declared the Frontier closed. He maintains that over this period of time the hero of the myth evolved from an agrarian/frontiersman/hunter to a soldier-aristocrat, because that was what industrial capitalism required.

Of course, this thesis begs several questions: Does Custer as culmination of the myth of the industrial captain make any sense? He was, after all, suckered and slaughtered by a pack of illiterate barbarians, are we to believe that the overlords of Capitalism wanted to be seen as incompetent fops? Also, why does Sitting Bull emerge as an American legend too? Shouldn't we expect him to be remembered as some kind of monster, rather than as a noble savage?

The reason that Slotkin can not, or does not, answer these questions, is because his book is a work of ideology as much as of history. He wanted to vilify Capitalism and 19th century robber barons and so, he finds primary sources to support his view. But does the fact that a few novels or newspapers treated the Last stand in the manner that he hoped they had actually prove anything? How do we know what kind of influence these contemporary writings had & did they really outweigh the opposing presentations in other periodicals and novels? And what explains the image that comes down to us in films like She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, where Custer is portrayed as a blindly obstinate fanatic, largely responsible for his own death? Had Capitalism lost the need for it's own myths? It hardly seems likely.

In the end, Slotkin's book should be read for the panoramic sweep it offers of Frontier history and for the provocative, albeit inaccurate, theories that it offers up. His arguments are well worth wrestling with & refuting.

GRADE: B-

Richard Slotkin was educated in the New York City public schools and has a Ph.D.in American Civilization from Brown University (1967).

The essence of Slotkin's theory is that myths, stories drawn from history, are preserved in their narrative and become part of the language, as a deeply encoded set of metaphors that contain all of the lessons we have learned from our history, and all of the essential elements of our world view.

Slotkin's intention is to trace the historical development of a single major American myth, "Custer's Last Stand", and offer a critical interpretation of its meaning. The reader will judge the significance of this single myth, not simply by noting its recurrence and persistence, but by the waxing and waning of its hold on the marketplace in relation to other genres expressive of other myths. The focus of his study is myth as a set of narrative formulas that acquire, through specific historical action, a significant ideological change. To explain,a world defined by myth produces discontent. Ideology, however offsets this by generating a new narrative, or myth, that will account for and give value to reality. This creates the basis for a new cultural consensus or world view.

A good illustration of Slotkin's thesis is his chapter on regeneration through violence in the history of the Indian War 1675-1820. He focuses on the common elements of the literary mythology of Indian dispossession and the violent wars of conquest. The colonists acquired title to lands through this conquest and engaged in expansion. This is the system of belief that veiled the processes of economic development as a model for the rationalization of class subordination at home and imperialism abroad. This course reflects the social reality that the myth ideology of the Frontier was developed to conceal the processes of economic development.

You may never read a history book or enjoy an American historical novel again without testing Slotkin's "myth theory" for yourself. I was fascinated by the inevitable truth of Slotkin's theory, placed my "critical view-finders" aside, and simply enjoyed my reading discoveries.

I recommend this book as an enlightened examination of American perceptions, beliefs, stereotypes, and political policies.

Richard Slotkin was educated in the New York City public schools and has a Ph.D.in American Civilization from Brown University (1967).

The essence of Slotkins' theory is that myths, stories drawn from history, are preserved in their narrative and become part of the language, as a deeply encoded set of metaphors that contain all of the lessons we have learned from our history, and all of the essential elements of our world view.

Slotkin's intention is to trace the historical development of a single major American myth, "Custer's Last Stand", and offer a critical interpretation of its meaning. The reader will judge the significance of this single myth, not simply by noting its recurrence and persistence, but by the waxing and waning of its hold on the marketplace in relation to other genres expressive of other myths. The focus of his study is myth as a set of narrative formulas that acquire, through specific historical action, a significant ideological change. To explain,a world defined by myth produces discontent. Ideology, however offsets this by generating a new narrative, or myth, that will account for and give value to reality. This creates the basis for a new cultural consensus or world view.

A good illustration of Slotkin's thesis is his chapter on regeneration through violence in the history of the Indian War 1675-1820. He focuses on the common elements of the literary mythology of Indian dispossession and the violent wars of conquest. The colonists acquired title to lands through this conquest and engaged in expansion. This is the system of belief that veiled the processes of economic development as a model for the rationalization of class subordination at home and imperialism abroad. This course reflects the social reality that the myth ideology of the Frontier was developed to conceal the processes of economic development.

You may never read a history book or enjoy an American historical novel again without testing Slotkin's "myth theory" for yourself. I was fascinated by the inevitable truth of Slotkin's theory, placed my "critical view-finders" aside, to simply enjoy my reading discoveries. I recommend this book as an enlightened examination of American perceptions, beliefs, stereotypes, and political policies.

The professional editorials above do a fairly good job in summarizing the gist of this monumental work. What I want to draw attention towards is the absolute yeoman work Slotkin did in researching this the middle act of his trilogy. For example, pouring through miles of newspapers he makes startling observations of how editors placed their stories about Indian uprisings and unrest in the factories from non Anglo-Saxon workers in psychological and proximal juxtaposition in the many newspapers of the day. A mythos was created that was passed on to the subsequent generations of Americans. This mythos (which, I feel, as cultural learned behavior partly fuels all modern racism)is evidently examined further in the third book of the series, "Gunfighter Nation." I will be reading this next work soon. The myth and role of the "culture hero" such as Custer is also very interesting and could well serve as a case study for the psychological and anthropological needs constructs that people have for heroes as examined by Ernest Becker's Pulitzer Prize winning book "The Denial of Death." The book is sometimes hard going but is well worth it. It might also be very profitable to read Slotkins's first book of this trilogy, "Regeneration Through Violence" which covers the colonial period.

I have read several books about the Sioux Wars so i wasnt really sure i wanted to read another one, but Mr Robinson's book is fantastic.He writes taking in consideration that the reader doesnt know anything about the topic so he explains with good accuracy terms and places like no other author. The author is bold and right on the money when it comes to point a finger at somebody, like for example the stupidity of the Army officers.I found that the interviews and research the author made for this book are very good, especially from the indians perspective.The only thing i didnt like is the fact that Mr Robinson doesnt go into details when it comes to Crazy Horse.I would have loved to read more about Crazy Horse part in this Wars.Otherwise this is an excelente book!

This is by far the best book on the Army's conflict with Native Americans since "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee". It treats the material as a campaign rather than a series of seperate battles, so that Little Big Horn is treated as part of a whole. The author also describes the personalities and deeds of several Indian characters, not just Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. This is an eye-opening recounting of an important part of US history and a look at one of the greatest guerilla forces ever to wage war against the American Army.

Rather than concentrate on one battle or campaign, Robinson sets the stage for the reader to follow the movement of all the actors playing a role in the drama across the seasons of the war. I used this book as an orientation to the conflicts of 1876 prior to a trip to Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas to visit battle sites while on vacation. My trip was greatly enriched by reading this volume first. You can find more concentrated studies of particular engagements and the biographies of the participants that will offer deeper insights into the war, but for one overall narrative that provides the reader with the flavor of the contemporary army and Indian experience, here's my choice.

The depiction of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, especially that based on eye-witness accounts is riveting. It shows how different this battle was for the Lakota from the type of fighting they were used to, and what a feat it was for Crazy Horse to have pulled them together to fight in the manner of the white men, even if it was for one time only. The feeling I came away with was that Custet had learned the style in which indians fought, just in time for Crazy Horse to learn to fight like the Cavalry. Both were brilliant military minds.

As a volunteer fire fighter/EMT here in southwest Montana, and a wildland firefighter during the summer months, when things heat up in our fire district, I purchased the book for some wintertime reading to start thinking about the upcoming wildland fire season. As I said in my title "A book with an ending you already know.." it is both an interesting and hard book to read, from the standpoint of knowing/wondering what was going through the minds of those smokejumpers as they were trying to outrun an upsloping fire racing towards them. You already know how the book ends, and there is a sadness in reading the book- as a firefighter, we go out enthusiastically to fight these fires, like soldiers going off to fight a war, but in our case, nobody is supposed to get hurt or killed. Every paging tone and deployment is the start of another great adventure, and we never think of what could happen when things go terribly bad. I now understand why that when I go out on out of district deployments(under someone elses control), my local fire chief has us check in as often as we can, to let him know we are safe and sound, and that we not putting ourselves in any unneccesary danger.
When I finished the book, I promised myself to start packing a bottle of "hurricane matches" in the pants pocket of my wildland pants, just like Wag Dodge did, which saved his life that fateful day in August 1949.

All in all, a great book for those trying to understand the human side of the Mann Gulch Fire of 1949.

Dayle Flynn
Firefighter/EMT
Columbus, MT Fire-Rescue Department

As the son of the Range, Bob Jansson, this book had special meaning to me. Although there have been other books written about this fire, this is the only one that I know of that gives the reader a view from the men and families involved. I commend the author for his work and highly recommend this book.

Mark Matthews has written about the Mann Gulch fire before, and avid readers of firefighting literature may readily recognize both his style and the events. But what makes A GREAT DAY TO FIGHT FIRE memorable is its different focus on the people who fought the fire, rather than just strategies and events. Chapters in A GREAT DAY TO FIGHT FIRE focuses on the victim's families and the personal impact of the fire upon firefighters, family members, survivors, and community members: as such it's an essential piece of information key to any collection strong in firefighting literature - and any general-interest library interested in true-life heroism.

The Mann Gulch,MT. fire of 1949 was a seminal point in modern wildfires firefighting for the U.S. Forest Service. The deaths of 13 firefighters caused the Forest Service to implement training programs and develop safety equipment and protocols still being refined today.
Not since Norman MacLean's award winning book Young Men and Fire, published in 1992,has there been a real effort to revisit the fire and never has there been such an authoritative treatment of the personal dimensions of the tragedy as provided by the victim's families, close friends, and coworkers.
This is a heart stopping, minute-by-minute personal account of the men who fought, and died, in a wildfire that has forever remained in the nation's consciousness. The reader that has read both Young Men and Fire and this book will have as complete account of the tragedy as we are ever likely to get.

I bought this book as a memento of Oklahoma's centennial celebration for my adult daughter. She wants to be a children's book illustrator herself and has an art degree, so she is very selective about books like this. This book meets all her and my criteria for a beautiful children's book. It has artistically beautiful illustrations and a very positive message. It appeals to adults and children and to all races. The characters in this book are African-American, but the story is universal, and the values expressed are timeless and universal. For me it was very nostalgic when it talked of pioneer times and farm living, especially the brush arbor church services. It also spoke with reverence of a beautiful land, which I think Oklahoma is. This book might be a little advanced for pre-schoolers to listen to, but first grade and up will enjoy the story whether they can read it themselves or need someone to read it to them. I think the activities mentioned in the story would make a very good starting point for many more stories and activities for young children. It makes me, a native Oklahoman, proud of our state and people, especially knowing the auther and illustrator are both Oklahomans, too. So if the only pictures of Oklahoma you have ever seen are the old dust bowl days or the Oklahoma City bombing, you will be surprised by the beauty of our state. But it is the people who settled this state and who remained to make it a great state who earned us the title of The Heartland.

BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTIFUL POETRY, I THINK I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND IS EXCELLENT READING FOR YOUNG AND OLDER PEOPLE

Everyone should read this story.I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND is very informing and inspirational. I personally love the poetry along with the images.

I Have Heard of a Land presents a colorful lesson in American history, in such a way that readers of all ages can enjoy. With an eloquent tone and beautiful illustrations, I Have Heard of a Land is sure to be cherished for time to come. Ms.Thomas has done it again! She has created yet another timeless work of art.

The last thing anyone needs is a dry, textbook account of what it's like to face the big "C". People who have recently been diagnosed (or are undergoing treatment) are hungry for answers and hope, commodoties that are all too often elusive in today's cyber-saturated culture. Fortunatly, Jim Chastain decided to write a book.

Much like the 1966 movie "The Fantastic Voyage" - in which a submarine is shrunk and injected into another human body - Chastain's poignant and unflinchingly honest account of his battle with cancer takes the reader inside his world with astounding grace and ease. Each chapter is a story in itself, offering just the right mixture of confession, contemplation, and hilarity. In it you'll hear of the gut-wrenching decisions he faced, the fear that often dogged him, and evidence of a hell of a lot of courage. But perhaps the greatest beauty of this delightful little book is the over-arching canopy of humor that enfolds it. My coworker - who is also a two-time cancer survivor - laughed until he literally cried while reading a section I put in front of him.

Who was it who said that if we don't laugh, we'll cry? Chastain does some of both in this must-read book for anyone who cares about the plague of cancer in our society. Fortunately I've never had the disease, but found this book immensely helpful in understanding the plight of those who do. And as crazy as this may sound, I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book that essentially offers a front row seat to the hardest thing this man has ever faced. Guess that's some of what grace and redemption are all about.

A MUST READ for anyone who's either experiencing cancer themselves or has a loved one who is. This book is enlightening to a patient, a care giver, family member, or friend.

I gave a copy to a dear friend who is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer. I am absolutely sure this book will bring a chuckle, or two, or three, or four, etc.

It was THIS BOOK that EMPOWERED me to visit her and her husband (besides, I had a copy of this book to deliver!). We went ... to deliver the book (well, and maybe give a little moral support.) Subsequently, I have ordered another copy for my library. This book is filled with hope, humor, and inspiration.

I've also forwarded my recommendation as a "must read" to our Employee Assistant Professional at work.

A truly talented writer who deserves a standing ovation!
May his humor help you and yours through difficult times.

Jim Chastain's humor doesn't stop at the title of the readable, unsentimental, and personal account of what must have been a harrowing experience. I read it almost all in one sitting, and it held my attention throughout. Chastain isn't afraid to say he cried, or that certain body functions reacted to cancer treatment in absurd and hilarious ways. The book captures both the humor and the pathos of his experience, but most of all, it serves as a reminder that talking about cancer or any other life-threatening disease should not be taboo, and that the person does not become the disease.

"I Survived Cancer but Never Won the Tour de France" is author Jim Chastain's personal, funny, poignant, and enlightening; memoir offering a unique, entertaining and informative memoir of living with cancer and dealing with all of its seeming contradictions. Completely candid, illustrative stories of the emotional battles that every cancer patient and their loved ones must go through (including, in Jim's case, multiple cancer surgeries that included the amputation of an arm), "I Survived Cancer but Never Won the Tour de France" is ultimately encouraging in its story of a young man seeking to hold on to his dreams, his marriage, fatherhood, and personal spirituality throughout the life-altering ordeal that inevitable is a part of any cancer diagnosis. Highly recommended reading - especially for patients and their families who are having to copy with the diagnoses and treatment of cancer.

"Indian Views Of The Custer Fight: A Source Book" is a must-have if you have ever asked yourself what really happened that Sunday afternoon at Little Big Horn. A Custer library is incomplete without Richard Hardorff's works. "Indian Views" is another book in his line of great works that have been meticulously researched. Hardorff's writing style makes it very enjoyable to sit down with a favorite beverage and read from cover to cover. He states the facts without bias and tells the story from the perspective of the participants, both warrior and trooper. I highly recommend "Indian Views" and any other Hardorff book.

after reading "indian views of the custer fight", i have to wonder if custer slept thru his classes at west point. excellent book presented in a good idea format. indians that were there and participated tell the story of one of americas legendary battles. sitting bull, custer, crazy horse, and even buffalo bill shows up. think of the press reports and how this big news spread thru the country. what an event. i also recommend lakota noon, same format, just another slant on the same moment.

I found the book to be quite informative and inspirational to anyone desiring to know what happened on that fatal day.

The third and final volume of Indian testimony assembled by award-winning author Richard G. Hardorff, Indian Views Of The Custer Fight: A Source Book deftly presents thirty-five interviews and statements from Native Americans who were eyewitnesses to this historic battle. It was the last time there would be a major Native American success in a battlefield confrontation with American armed forces. Twenty-nine Sioux and nine Cheyenne detail events in their own words, from the point where soldiers were first detected in their march toward the Indian settlement to the end of the battle. Some of the interviews are in very straightforward question-and-answer format; others are more narrative. An absolutely compelling look into history itself, and a superb primary source worthy of American History reference shelves.

If you've read "To Kill A Mockingbird" and liked it, you will love this book. Mr. Cole has an interesting way of taking you from one chapter to the next. It was very hard for me to put the book down till finished. Sure hope to see more books by this man.

This was a wonderful book - loved the story line. This book could be read by young teens with no problem. I hated to see the story end - got so involved with the characters.
Recommend to anyone who loves a good story about life in rural America.
Betty Rhodes
"Keeper of the Celtic Secrets"

This tantalizing tale of youth set in 1957 rural Oklahoma is definitely one of the best books I've read in years. I liken it to such classic coming-of-age novels as Robert McGannon's A Boy's Life and Stephen King's The Body. The characters come alive on the page and the story itself is richly textured with the authentic atmosphere of a small town during a time when liquor was illegal and bootlegging threatened the moral standards of a small, God-fearing community. The story remains compelling from chapter to chapter, making the book difficult to put down. I eagerly await Jameson Cole's next masterpiece of excellent story-telling.

The book captures the reader's imagination from its opening sentence. The mystery, set in 1957 in a small Oklahoma, transports the reader back to a different era. You can smell and feel the dust rising off the unpaved streets in this town where no one locks their doors at night and everyone knows your business. This is also the coming-of-age story of fifteen-year-old Mark Stoddard, recently orphaned and living with his older brother, whom he desperately wants to impress. The story has the ring of truth and is hopefully not Mr. Cole's last novel.

Why does Mr. Benson pretend to be anything more just another person making conjecture about the "ghost", Bruce the Boss, has an album of words and music devoted to Tom Joad's ghost. Does Bruce need a Ph.D. to make up songs about Steinbeck's masterwork. Come on, I could just as well say I'm conducting investigative journalism on Huck Finn.

....especially during the first part of this book, and there seemed to be one misadventure after another, especially with his interviews, and I got tired of those too....and then it dawned on me (and I'm not at all certain the author would agree) that he was not only researching Steinbeck's life, but stumbling into parts of it.

Take his interview with Gwyn, Steinbeck's second wife. For me, what clearly emerged during the author's confrontation with her storytelling ability, her extraverted extravagance, and her occasional bullying, was that Benson was being made to feel exactly how Steinbeck would have felt, especially toward the end of the marriage. And the same with getting lost at times in New York, and feeling "out of touch" here and there, and worrying about bad reviews: I think the biographer actually became the subject of his biography a little, sharing from his own rather humble and introverted point of view what Steinbeck couldn't or wouldn't bring himself to write publicly about regarding his own private struggles, doubts, confusions. What a gift, all the way around.

For any reader remotely interested in the trials and tribulations so frequently associated with writing a book, in this case a biography, this book is a must.
Jackson Benson spent fifteen years writing the definitive biography of John Steinbeck that originally began as a scholarly critique of his works. He was a young professor of American literature at a provincial university in 1970 and felt it part of his job to write about American authors: "I had no idea of writing a biography or of spending a major portion of my life doing so. No one in his right mind sets out to spend fifteen years researching and writing a book-it just sneaks up on you." With this confession the reader is drawn into a wonderful account of his efforts to "save" Steinbeck from what he saw as unjust criticism and general academic denigration.
The book is unusual for a variety of reasons. First, it is highly readable which is rare given the authors scholarly and academic credentials. Benson has a marvelous sense of humor and doesn't hesitate to spell out his own shortcomings and lapses that many times resulted in dire consequences of his own making. His original naivete and ill defined writing plan led to a variety of incidents that are described in a humorous and candid manner.
Second, the author doesn't hesitate to candidly reveal the myriad fears, frustrations, doubts and ever-present economic problems that dogged him throughout the writing process. In reading of his countless setbacks I am amazed he completed the book. His dedication, perseverance, resourcefulness and integrity are both amazing and heartening.
Third, this is a rare instance in which a biographer writes about himself. It is actually an autobiography of the biographer and is done with such grace and candor and style that it is as artful as the biography. This book stands alone as a masteful literary accomplishment notwithstanding its sister biography.

The book is a must have for writers, wannabe writers, researchers, or readers interested in biography, authbiography or the art and craft of writing. It is a unique insight into the writing of the definitive biography of a world literary figure whose centennial birthday is being celebrated throughout this year. The Joads would have been proud.

This is a wonderful book, by a biographer of great heart and soul. Benson spent 15 years researching the life of one of America's most loved authors, and produced a monumental book about a man, a time, and his work. The biography, ``The True Adventures of John Steinbeck, Writer,'' is magnificent. ``Searching for Steinbeck's Ghost,'' also is full of delights -- an X-ray of how a biographer works, tracking down clues, weighing evidence, sorting through conflicting claims, and negotiating with guardians of the subject's legacy. Steinbeck may seem a bewildering figure in an era of endless confessions, because he was a reticent, private person devoted to his craft. He is also an unfashionable figure among many academics. Yet his work is enduring; so, too, is the biography and this How I Dunnit. Benson shunned academic trends, genuinely appreciated the works of his subject, and focused on the life that made those works. This odd little book about that pursuit is well worth finding and reading.

I just want to say that this book touched the very depth of my soul..... Even though it happen out of an innocent proposition it led to the most romantic and timeless conviction that LOVE is deep and can last a life time......

Love in the 90s is an inspiring document of a true-life love story. If you despair of ever finding real love, if your view of love in the new Millennium is jaded, if you think romantic love cannot last longer than one full cycle of the moon, you must read this book. The wonder of it is that these two passionate lovers became passionate genealogists, too. They recognized the importance of documenting significant thoughts and moments on paper and handing them down to their progeny. Without that sense of history, these wonderful love letters might never have touched loves in the year 2000. Do read them and glory in the wonderful photographs taken of the Blakeys by their devoted granddaughter, Keri Pickett.

In this day and age of one-night-stands/casual sex, disbelief in a sovereign God, and divorce rates at an all time high (wonder why?) it's refreshing to read a book that reflects two people who truly were in love and as commited to each other, as they were to their relationship with God. I found it very refreshing and instills my strongly held belief that maintaining a strong faith in God, holding onto a higher moral standard, and having faith there is someone special out there (don't settle for less!) will result in an unselfish and loving heart and the morals and values needed to maintain and truly have a rewarding, long and satisfying relationship beyond our wildest dreams.

This is a beautiful dedication to a photojournalist's grandparents and the story of their enduring love. I read this book two years ago while working at B.Dalton and was in a rocky marriage at the time. I was very touched and moved by the power this couple had; through wonderfully written love letters spanning their courtship years and into the fifty some years of marriage, it is evident that B.B. and Jo found the kind of love we all want. Now divorced, this book remains an inspiration to me in the hope of finding true love. It makes a great gift for anyone who has ever questioned whether such a thing exists.