Oklahoma Books

It's still there, Labor Omnia Vincit(Labor Conquers All), in Article 6, Section 35 of the Oklahoma Constitution. It's the official state motto and there was a time when working men and women in Oklahoma tried to convert the motto into reality. The Industrial Workers of the World(Wobblies) was formed on June 27, 1905, in Chicago. It was to be the working peoples answer to the ever-increasing tension arising out of the emerging urban industrial society in America at the turn of the century. The tension was perhaps best exemplified by the escalating confrontation between capital and labor. The Wobblies were born out of desperation, fear and self-preservation. They preached violence, revolution, sabotage and Socialism. They rejected politics as a racket and urged the organization of a new society by the oppressed. They were poor, radical, lacking in formal education working men and women who saw no commonalty of interest between employer and employee. They refused to sign labor contracts or affiliate with any political party. The movement was crushed in Oklahoma by means more violent than they had ever practiced. The perpetrators were, you guessed it, the business community, the judiciary, the police, religious groups, the news media, and a multitude of elected officials. Thanks to Sellars, an instructor of History at the University of Oklahoma, this little known history of Oklahoma is available in a well written, well researched, highly readable book. It's all here, the founding of the Wobblies and their efforts to organize migratory harvest workers and oil field hands and their relationship with the AFL and the Socialist Party, all placed in context with the political and social events of the time. The authorities efforts to suppress the Wobblies is described in a chilling scene from Tulsa which was repeated in varying degrees throughout Oklahoma. Just before midnight on November 9, 1917, a black-robed and hooded mob accosted 16 prisoners, almost all of whom were members of the Wobblies. They were being escorted by Tulsa police officers from City Hall to the county jail. The mob, called the Knights of Liberty and comprised of police officials, local businessmen, and oil company executives, took the prisioners at gunpoint to a secluded location on the outskirts of Tulsa. What followed was a vicious ritual in which the vigilantes beat, whipped, and tarred and feathered their captives. "It was a party, a real American party," one newspaper reported. The impact of World War One on the efforts of the Wobblies to organize and the reaction of the state and federal government is examined as is the decline of both the Wobblies and the labor movement after the war. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the social history of labor in Oklahoma, the Wobblies, or political events from the early 20th century. It is an important event in Oklahoma that has, until now, been neglected.

Wonderful photo collage of Oklahoma City. This book is jam packed with great historical photos of Oklahoma City. As a lifelong resident of 54 years I was pleased to see pictures of many places I remember from my childhood. My parents are in their 80's now and they were so thrilled with this book they couldn't put it down. So many pictures of the places they knew and loved! Each photo is accompanied by an informative summary. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in knowing the history of Oklahoma City and to longtime residents like myself. Jill Winkler Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Despite the fact that Oklahoma has one of the richest aviation histories in the country little has been written about it. Aviators like Wiley Post, the Hazlips, astronaut Tom Stafford, Clyde Cessna, and many others came out of Oklahoma. Oklahoma's aviation heritage is as rich if not richer than many states who get far more credit for doing less. The book is an excellent look into that history. It was a finalist in the 2006 Oklahoma book awards by the Oklahoma Center for the Book; it is also a 2005 American Library Association Notable Document and received an Oklahoma Governor's Commendation. It covers the period from ballooning during the late 1800's to the space age and the many astronauts who have come from the state. It is highly recommended and a good read for the professional historian or just someone just interested in aviation.

Oklahoma Bird Life is a delightful reference. Whenever a pair of birds begins nesting in the yard, I head straight for this book. Oklahoma Bird Life provides info on the birds' range, migration, habitat, # of eggs in a brood, incubation periods, fledge times, and what the birds eat. The narrative stories make reading about the birds a pleasure. For example, the authors tell a wonderful story about Carolina Chickadees in their own yard. The color plates and numerous photos bring the book to life and help with identification. While I live in Georgia, Oklahoma Bird Life includes most species of birds, and I am never disappointed.

The information in Oklahoma Bird Life enabled us to postpone a roofing job for 2 weeks to allow robins to fledge. I highly recommend Oklahoma Bird Life to people who enjoy learning about birds. It is much better than a list of facts, as the stories make it so delightful.

I enjoy Terry Griffith books about Oklahoma City. His books are primarily photographs but sometimes a picture can tell a story more than words. I wish there were more books by him on the rest of Oklahoma.

After hundreds of calls, Arcadia Publishing has decided to re-print Oklahoma City:Statehood to 1930.

Everybody loves animals and stories and picture books, so what's not to like about Oklahoma City Zoo: 1902--1959? Zoo naturalist educator, Amy Dee Stephens, has put together a delightful collection of stories and pictures about some of the zoo's most colorful creatures. Her project began as an attempt to uncover information about the zoo's past for use in publicizing the zoo's centennial. Soon a dozen or more docents were involved in searching old newspapers, the archives of the Oklahoma Historical Society and antique stores.

The research began to reveal a quaint and colorful array of unlikely stories of animals gone AWOL, animals purchased with pennies, and animals given as gifts. Children and other animal lovers were an important part of the menagerie, participating in the rescue, selection, purchase, and naming of some of the zoo's most famous citizens.

Selected as an Oklahoma Centennial Project, Oklahoma City Zoo: 1902--1959, will take you back to those years when a trip to the zoo was considered wildly exciting entertainment.

This is probably the best, and certainly the most accurate, book ever written about the oil patch. It is set early in the 20th century during the oil boom in the Oklahoma "channel sands." Yet, this story could just as easily been set just about anywhere oil fever hit- and the Rockefellers got there claws into it.

Firstly, this is a novel about the indomitable will of one woman who refuses to keep anyone and anything from keeping her from bringing in her wildcat well: not a nere-do-well father, not romance, not sexist oil men and bankers, not Rockfeller thugs.

Yet, it is the secondary theme of what the oil patch was really like that steals the show. The technical details are all correct, as are the labor conditions and political climate (Rockefeller WAS the government.) Indeed the shere ruthlessness of the times is perfectly captured- you get one chance to do "business" with Standard Oil, after that your rights, and your life, weren't worth a plug nickel.

The author, also wrote the excellent screenplay for the movie that starred George C. Scott and Jack Palance. Strangely that film is impossible to find these days. In fact, this excellent book didn't even go to paperback. It was written around the time of the great "oil crisis" of 1973. It is almost like someone doesn't want the true story of the American oil industry brought to light....

This book gives you a game by game account, with stats, of every game the Oklahoma Sooners played from 1970 all the way through 1979!! A MUST have book for the true Sooner fan!
I GUARANTEE YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I DO!!
By the way when amazon asked me too rate this book in either 1 to five stars..I LIED!!! THIS BOOK IS 10 STARS!!

This really is a great book, it really goes farther than many depression era historical books to put you into the situations faced by those living "below the standard".

If you want to feel the depression Grapes of Wrath style first hand, I know of no better book