Oklahoma Books

Uncomfortable Wars Revisited, John T. Fishel and Max G. Manwaring, foreword and afterword by Edwin G. Corr, University of Oklahoma Press: Norman

When the time came to take a stand, I stood to Bob Dylan's Masters of War. I was twenty-one. My closest friend in the earliest years of my life, John Fishel, had heard a different music and had fallen into formation and marched off, or so it seemed to me. We lost contact and forty years passed before nostalgia set in. And back through the speakers came Dylan's 1963 album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, not Master's of War this time, but Bob Dylan's Dream -- "As easy it was to tell black from white, it was all that easy to tell wrong from right" - "How many a year has passed and gone, and many a gamble has been lost and won, and many a road taken by many a friend, and each one I've never seen again." Steps can be retraced, and I have connected with John Fishel again, and I've just finished reading the new book Uncomfortable Wars Revisited, which John has co-authored with Max G. Manwaring.

This prelude to a review is intended to serve two purposes - the first a disclosure - I know the author personally - and the second to announce a prejudice. The music has not faded and so I come to a book like this with skepticism, with preconceptions.

Uncomfortable Wars Revisited, at a glance, seems perfect for the bookstore shelves at the National Defense University or at the U.S. Army War College. Indeed, the reader will occasionally struggle with "archeo-Trotskyite groupescules" and other obscurities, and it may be appropriate to keep a dictionary handy, but with just as few occasional exceptions, Uncomfortable Wars Revisited is, for the interested layman, an eminently readable book. More than that, it is an important book, written in a perilous time, a time when opinions are slow to change in a world where the pace of change is extraordinarily rapid.

The authors trace the back story of war over the last forty years, the story of the conflicts that don't make the front pages of the newspaper, the insurgencies, rebellions, border wars, terrorist strikes around the world. This is not a new effort for these authors, but the product of long and thoughtful analysis, of long careers. And from this analysis comes the conclusion that conflict resolution cannot obtain from firepower alone, but must be based upon moral legitimacy, and must deal with issues of political, economic and social justice -- nuanced thinking in a time of slogans and platitudes.

There is no reference to George W. Bush in this book. Don Rumsfeld appears in note 50 on page 304 and nowhere else. There are six references to Carl Von Clausewitz, who has been dead for one hundred and seventy-five years and seven references to Sun Tzu, who predates us by more than two thousand years. So readers who are looking to arm up for the near-term U.S. elections may want to look elsewhere. But for those who want historical context, a framework for understanding the environment in which we find ourselves and a considered, conscionable basis for U.S. actions in a changed world, Uncomfortable Wars Revisited is a very good place to start.

Charles M. Spear, Venice, California

Max Manwaring is one of my heroes, and it upsets me to see the publisher do such a lousy job of posting information about this book, which is a gem. This book was a classic when it was first published, and it is even better now that it has been updated and the SWORD model slightly refined. Along with The Search for Security: A U.S. Grand Strategy for the Twenty-First Century and Max's other edited work, which I cannot find on Amazon, "Environmental Security & Global Security," this book is about all any professional needs for a good clear appreciation of how to address low intensity conflicts, complex emergencies, and operations other than war.

The authors understand what Will and Ariel Durant emphasized in their summative The Lessons of History when they said that morality is a strategic value. The heart of this book is about the non-negotiable value of moral legitimacy to govern as the precursor to addressing root problems and preventing terrorism and instability. Winning uncomfortable wars is an IO/psychological and sociological challenge, but you cannot win them, regardless of how much might, money, or message you put on target, if you are not moral in the first place (and if your supported government is not moral).

The other two core messages in this book focus on the urgency of unity of effort across all agencies and the coalition, and the desperate need for LONG-TERM operations with LONG-TERM funding and LONG-TERM commitments from the leaderships of the nations as well as the United Nations and other NGOs. The authors are damning of both the US Congress and the UN for failing to be serious about budgeting for long-term stabilization and reconstruction operations.

The SWORD model has seven parts: unity of effort; legitimacy of the coalition and the supported government; interdiction of support to the belligerents; effective supporting actions by the coalition; military actions by the coalition; interactions between the coalition and the belligerents; and finally, actions tailored to ending the conflict.

Ambassador Corr could easily be credited with being the third author. His forward provides a sweeping review of history while his conclusion emphasizes that we cannot win without first having "a deep understanding of the cultures and languages..."

A few case studies round out the book. Colombia, where my mother was born, has long been one of Max's special interests. His identification of the three wars (narcos, insurgents, and paramilitaries) reminds me of Tony Zinni's elegant distinctions among the six Viet-Nam wars a) Swamp War, b) Paddy War, c) Jungle War, d) Plains War, e) Saigon War, and f) DMZ War.

Max is far more polite and diplomatic than I am, but his message is clear: US policy is in la-la land when it comes to crop eradication. On pages 197-198 he points out that farmers make four times more from narcotics than from the next available legal crop, and that they are trapped in circumstances where even if they had a profitable legal crop, there is no credit, there are no roads, there is no market, there is no security, for them to evolve legally. Credit, roads, market, security--for the LONG TERM.

Another book that really drives home the ineptitude of our short-term interventions is the one by William Shawcross, Deliver Us from Evil: Peacekeepers, Warlords and a World of Endless Conflict Two other nuanced books I recommend with this one are Robert McNamara and James Blight's Wilson's Ghost: Reducing the Risk of Conflict, Killing, and Catastrophe in the 21st Century and Jonathan Schell's The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence, and the Will of the People.

This set is even more grand than Dr. McChristian's previous work on the earlier (1870's) Indian War army. This time he literally doubled the size of the work and went into even greater detail on the subject. He includes plenty of examples of my favorite part of this type of research, that is, soldier modified and soldier fabricated items. There are numerous photos that I had never seen before, and I have studied this subject as an enthusiastic amateur for over three decades. See also the links below:

The U. S. Army In The West 1870-1880 Uniforms, Weapons, and Equipment

The U.s. Army in the West, 1870-1880: Uniforms, Weapons, And Equipment

ARMING & EQUIPPING THE UNITED STATES CAVALRY 1865-1902

The Horse Soldier, 1776-1943, Volume II The Frontier, The Mexican War, The Civil War, The Indian Wars 1851-1880

The Horse Soldier, 1776-1943: The United States Cavalryman : His Uniforms, Arms, Accoutrements, and Equipments : The Last of the Indian Wars, the Sp

Doug McChristian's magnificent new two-volume history of the uniforms, arms and equipment of America's army in the West is another brilliant example of how comfortably the mantle of the late Don Rickey as our foremost authority on that subject fits McChristian's shoulders. This two-volume follow up to his outstanding 1995 book, The U. S. Army in the West, 1870-1880: Uniforms, Arms and Equipment, expands McChristian's detailed coverage of the subject from where that book left off. At over 600 pages in two well-organized, beautifully-produced, over-sized volumes, the latter era of the frontier army (1880-92) is exceptionally well covered. Eight full color images and 433 black & white photographs provide historians, collectors and just about anyone interested in the frontier army with a wealth of highly-detailed and valuable information. McChristian's narrative is superb, and goes well beyond merely describing in depth the uniforms, arms and accoutrements of the troops. He sets the stage for his coverage of the era and propels his narrative by explaining the problems that faced military and civilian decision-makers who were desperately trying to come to grips with a "frontier constabulary" force that would soon be forced to emerge on the world stage as the guardians of America's global interests. McChristian's book describes an army on the eve of the War with Spain, the conflict that made the United States a world power.
Divided into 15 chapters and 5 appendices, McChristian's book is an outstanding reference for collectors and museum curators, as well as being a fascinating account for anyone interested in the history of America's frontier army. My recommendation: Buy this new 2-volume set and McChristian's earlier The U. S. Army in the West, 1870-1880. They represent the "must have" references on America's frontier army and deserve a place in any military history enthusiast's library. And while you're at it, pick up a copy of McChristian's outstanding book, Fort Bowie, Arizona: Combat Post of the Southwest, 1858-1894 (all available on amazon).

Dr. Leeds has completed a work that has long been missing. Her book is scholarly and insightful. I highly recommend it. Let's hope we see more books from Dr. Leeds.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of the Cherokee Nation. Dr. Leed's love and understanding of the Cherokee's is obvious upon reading this book. I found this book interesting and well written.

If you are a sports aficionado, especially in college football, you will find the trove of statistics, standings, trophies earned and undying loyalty for those record achieving teams of the University of Oklahoma football.
Those teams and players have the honor and glory of holding the longest winning streak in college football. Outstanding players, top notch coaching, highly supportive student bodies and committed fans make up the full picture.
Yes, they certainly have bragging rights truly earned season after season, year after year.
Their supporters even number thousands who didn't attend Oklahoma University but who vicarious yelled their lungs hoarse each game.
Year by year the authors list the teams' accomplishments, highlighting individual statistics along with the names of the players who earned high honors on "that demanding field of combat."
The support provided by these three authors is truly remarkable; all is based on recorded accomplishments.

This is a very interesting, well-written, fact-driven book with so many incredible stories that football fans across the country will be interested in reading. It is very unique how it interacts with the Sports by the Numbers website. This book is a great read!

As a former deputy sheriff in the nowood valley, Ten Sleep, Wyoming, I found Mr. Davis' research and presentation outstanding. His descriptions and evaluations were right on the money. As a critical history buff, I was pleasantly surprised to find no faults or criticisms of Mr. Davis' work. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in historical jurisprudence. Things might have changed in "crime detection/investigation" but in the courtroom? not so much.

Wyoming looms large for me, and I've alluded to a recent film about Wyoming "cowboys" in other reviews. Attorney John Davis, from somewhere in the Big Horn Basin, discusses events of 2 April 1909 that put the cowboy canard in its place. Those movie cowboys aren't cowboys because they're all hat and no cattle. They're sheepherders. So were Joe Allemand, shot to death on 2 April 1909, and Joe Enge, murdered and burned in his sheep wagon on Spring Creek.

Spring Creek was the last big battle of the western sheep wars, writes Mr. Davis, and was the first (only) Wyoming raid in which killers of sheepherders were convicted of murder. The murderers of Allemand, Emge, and another herder, burned to death with Emge in his wagon, were real cowboys acting out a drama that was a tragedy of the commons. Much of Wyoming even in 1909 was unfenced open range to which cattlemen claimed rights of preemption. Sheep and their crazy herders (cowboys debated overwhelming questions: Were men already crazy before they herded sheep, or were they made crazy by the sheep they herded?) were latecomers who competed for grass and water in a dry state. Sheep wrecked the range for cattle, eating grass down to the ground and then eating the ground. Then they'd bleat and excrete, wrecking water holes. In the Big Horn Basin commons, cattlemen and cowboys tolerated sheep and sheepherders as long as they knew their place. Where there were no fences, cattlemen helpfully drew deadlines, invisible lines in the sand beyond which sheep were not allowed to cross. Allemand and Emge crossed the line.

Allemand was foreign. Some accounts say he was Baszue; Davis writes that he was French. Allemand was an alien in an occupation dominated by Mexicans and Basques whose lives had been cheap. Mr. Allemand, though, was liked and respected by his neighbors despite being from somewhere else and despite sheep. Nobody wrote that he was crazy. Emge was foreign, but had been respected because he had been a cattleman before going to the dark side, sheep. He did not know his place. He kept his bovine arrogance despite turning to a disreputable occupation, sheep, and he openly disrespected his old cowboy cronies and their deadline. Emge, of course, represented something new under the hot Wyoming sun: old certitudes were dying. Wyoming, as territory and state, had run cattle and had been run by cattle. But Wyoming in the new 20th Century was born again; by 1909 Wyoming sheep were worth more than Wyoming cattle, and even founding fathers like cattle kings F.E. Warren & J.M. Carey were changing with the times. By 1909 cattle kings were running sheep.

That's the context of the story Mr. Davis tells. It's the story of an insular area, almost inbred, that was almost ripped apart by the aftermath of an atavistic raid. Davis excerpts Grand Jury transcripts that show communities and neighbors being pushed and pulled by the old and the new. He tells a story far more interesting than the fey fable that was nominated today for eight Academy Awards.

Carolyn Brown's second installment in this historical romance series is captivating with an interesting plot and memorable characters. Continuing the tale of lives she has created, Brown intertwines historical facts with the drama of situations we like to immerse ourselves in as we read. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a little "vacation" from the daily grind and step back into a world filled with romance and adventure.

If you haven't read Violet's Wish, I urge you to go to your local library and check it out. Even better go out and buy it. You will not be disappointed. The second book, after Emma's Folly, and one that will hold your attention from the first page to the last is a delightful book read. From the moment that the wounded man falls on Violet's front porch to the last page where your heart leaps for joy because of a happy ending, you are on the edge of your seat with this book. And when an unmarried woman, even a widow woman allows, an injured man to enter her house, you know there is going to be talk abounding everywhere. There's always that roaring gossip that some people can't wait to spread like a wildfire. You're right, the woman that we wanted to stomp to put those flames out is back. Can anyone forget Anna Marie from the first book when she tried to keep our Emma and Jed apart? She is back creating mischief again.

The characters in this book will have you laughing and crying. When Jim finds out about the person staying with Violet, naturally he has to head straight over and voice his opinion, being a man and all. I couldn't help but to laugh out loud with some of his comments he directed to Violet. This is truly a wonderful book to read.

When Violet soon discovers who the injured man is, she realizes she knows him. The memories all come flying back even thicker than before. A love that has been burning inside the two people, all these years, still consuming them as they banter with each over the littlest things. Even the little episode with the puppies was heartfelt. Puppies and children have a way of bringing grown-ups to their senses. You couldn't help but feel no matter how hurt the two had been; their loving hearts was like the coals of a dying fire still lingering. And nothing, not even drowning water poured over that little flicker of flame was going to put that fire out. At times, I wondered whom did I want to pull off to the side and give a sharp tongue lashing to first, Violet or Orrin.

This book is fabulous. Ten plus again for Carolyn Brown!!! She indeed has done it again!!! I have never been disappointed in a Carolyn Brown book. And I know for a fact, I never will. If the tornado from the first book had you on the edge of your seat, the fire will practically consume you. The emotions afterwards when Orrin couldn't find his Violet, the caring, every word that Carolyn Brown instills during this time leaves you mesmerized. If that doesn't have you hooked then the thoughts rushing through Violet's head when the evil men once again return to finish their dastardly deeds will have your heart slam into your chest. When the thoughts of Violet willing to risk death over rejecting Orrin at the altar troubled her mind, I couldn't help but feel emotion during this moment. The thought of him having to live with rejection, to her, was much worse than her death for her beloved Orrin. That was an emotional moment right then.

This book not only is fabulous but incredible. They indeed did make beautiful music together but it wasn't just for hours. It turned into a lifetime. What turned into years of being separated, ended up in music that brought them back together after all the odds that had been before them. A love that would last throughout all ages and reap many bountiful rewards. I loved this book. I loved these characters. Carolyn Brown once again brought us new family members to place in our home, right alongside, Emma, Jed and their family. I am getting weepy eyed now thinking about them. And just like Emma's Folly, after reading it, I had to read it again. I will have to read Violet's Wish again. It is one of those books that stays with you forever. Just like a loving family should be. And a loving man and woman when they say I do. Go out and get this book. You will enjoy it!!! Carolyn Brown fans will not be disappointed.

Having read numerous books and articles about Wyatt Earp, Tombstone and the Gunfight behind the O.K. Corral, I agree with the author that Virgil Earp deserves much more historical recognition than he has been given. This book is an easy read and provides an excellent biographical history of the Earp family leading up to the Tombstone years. It also presents strong evidence that Virgil, not Wyatt, was viewed by his contemporaries as the chief law enforcement officer during those turbulant times. His life did not end after Tombstone and the book provides a much needed glimpse into the final years of this often forgotten lawman.

Coupled with great writing and actual documentation of facts, I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to learn and understand this well-written book, "Virgil Earp: Western Peace Officer."

For anyone who is curious about Cherokee history, but just can't bring yourself to read non-fiction, this series of novels is for you. Conley weaves a page-turning tale that makes the Reader anxious to know what happens next. Each installment is just as intriguing as the one before. The characters are so realistic you start wondering if maybe things really did happen the way he writes them. Historical fiction at its best.

I was looking for something to read along the lines of The Last Of The Mohicans. The War Trail North certainly delivered! It also opened up for me a whole new literary area.

In this story the reader views the life of a warrior as he attempts to prove his manhood. I found particularly interesting the clashes between rival tribes. But I have to say that I also enjoyed the passages where the young man seeks to gain the young woman he has fallen in love with.

This novel farthered my facination of Native America and gave me an appreciation for Robert J. Conley's talent. I'm hoping he continues the Real People series. I've since gone back and picked up one of the earlier books!

As wards of the state of Oklahoma, Linda Lakoe (Okee-Chee) and her sister Jackie arrive at the predominately indian Murrow orphanage. As Apaches, they are met with suspicion, fear, and aggression from the other children. Linda struggles to become respected by the others, while Jackie, the younger of the two focuses on finding the adoptive family she has never known.

The book depicts their year together at the orphanage, and the challenges that they endure as orphans, and as sisters with different goals. Linda finds comfort and meaning as an aspiring artist, while her younger sister can only find such comfort with the prospect of having a mother.

This is one of the most tear-jerking, thought provoking books I have read in recent years. It depicts a journey of self realization and discovery. Linda's self discovery, brought on by her prospective adoptive mother, is thrilling and uplifting - provoking anyone who reads it to believe that no matter what, there is always a mother figure in life who can make right, teach, nurture and provide a basis to understand one's own culture.

The entire book consists of chapters that begin with dream like narrations - An excellent method of recalling what should be, and probably are shady memories of a past that is understandably blurry.

Still, this is one of the best books I've read so far... I would highly recommend it to anyone - especially those who have interest in learning about native american identity in the 20th century.

This book helped bring back my inner child and rediscover the relationship I had with the earth as a child. Remarkable insight was present in the author when she described her past.

Katz was the first White person (or certainly one of the very first) to show and discuss racism as a White problem and issue.

This is an important book that needs to be read by all professionals.

Allen Ivey, EdD, ABPP
Distinguished Univ. Professor
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

While this book is 20+ years old, Katz offers a useful resource to examine various aspects of racism. I use this book with college students in an introductory course on "race, class, and gender" and the students find the exercises useful in beginning to explore many issues.