Oklahoma Books

INVENTING LOS ALAMOS: THE GROWTH OF AN ATOMIC COMMUNITY provides a powerful social history of Los Alamos, the birthplace of the Atomic Age. It began as an 'instant city' created in 1943 for this purpose but came to accommodate scientists and over 6,000 residents brought in to achieve a goal. Most books focus on science: this provides urban studies collections with more: an in-depth survey of the community which grew from a political and scientific objective.

This is a great book for anyone remotely interested in the development of America's nuclear program and especially the city known as the birthplace of the Atomic Age. What makes the book unique is both the reader friendly narrative style of the writing and the author's focusing on the establishment of the town and men and women that created a livable community out of wartime chaos while confronting the myriad of social and cultural issues of the Atomic Age prior to the rest of the country...or world. A fresh look at the development of the Atomic Age culture.

I was at Los Alamos in 1988, 31 years after the period covered by the book. Yet there were still clearly common attributes of the town's culture, than spanned those intervening years. The scientific elite of the town in both 1988 and in the book's period, had an insularity. Bred in part perhaps by the sheer intellectual fascination of the problems they were working on. And which they could not explain to outsiders.

But the book also explores the working class sections of the town. A group often overlooked in other "official" histories. It explains informal demarcations of the time, in the social mixing.

A further nuance was not just class but ethnicity. New Mexico was and is a relatively poor, rural American state. Many of the locals were Hispanics, trying to scratch out a living on poor soils. So the lab was always able to find a plentiful labour force. Which had some resentments against the elite, often Anglo scientists. In 1988, this was perhaps not as pronounced. But still present.

From a remote, very remote ranch in the mountains of New Mexico, Los Alamos became an instant city in 1943 as it grew to six thousand people, among them the best physical scientists from around the world. With them came thousands of other workers, and their families. Los Alamos became the birthplace of the Atomic Age as it revolutionized modern weaponry and science.

Rather than being exclusively scientific - as are a number of other books -- Inventing Los Alamos concentrates on the people. It uses the oral history point of view to create a social history of the people and the culture that developed.

The book covers not only the early World War II days of developing the Atomic bomb, but also the Cold War Era, and even a short section on the work being conducted at the site now.

This is a most interesting account of the side effects of the scientific work done there.

KICK THE CAN is the first of a series of novels by Lehrer, and the book is the beginning of a wonderful tour through middle American politics. It is a great treat for people who take their politics with a grain of humor. It is hard to believe that this series is known about only by word of mouth. It should be seen in great books reviews and mentioned in the media.

I don't know what I expected when I picked up this book, but I definitely did not expect to read one of the funniest and most memorable books I have ever read. I found myself laughing out loud several times during this book (loudest perhaps at the scene where Mack walks, reluctantly, down the Holy Road).

Much like in "White Widow", the author does a wonderful job of taking you to another time and place.

Soon after I finished this book (years after it was written) I was thrilled to learn that there is a continuation of the life of The One Eyed Mack, in "Crown Oklahoma". I can't wait to start it.

Who would ever suspect that veteran newsman, Jim Lehrer, would be one of the most delightful comic writers ever. Kick the Can is one of those rare laugh aloud books that keep the reader chuckling from beginning to end. In addition to the "One Eyed Mack" the hero of the story, he introduces us to other such unforgettable characters as "Pepper" Bowen and Brother Walt. This book is just as funny the second or third time you read it - a real treat. Read it! You'll like it!

My brother gave me a beat up copy of this book when I was about 12 years old. I haven't seen a copy in years! I read this book countless times and found it to be a very interesting and humerous read. I'd recommend this book to anyone that comes across it anywhere. I don't know what compelled me to like this book so much. Maybe it was the reasoning the the lead character "The One Eyed Mack" exhibited throughout the book. I can tell you that I am definately going to get another copy to add to my collection

This is a good overview of the Oklahoma City bombing that points out the multitudes of holes in the governments official version of what happened. The only fault this book has is that so much more has come out that even further debunks the "official" story since OKBOMB! was published. Even in the past few months new facts have surfaced that point in the direction of OKC being an "inside job" and its already been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the "offical" story is bunk.

thank you keith for shedding light on what really goes on out in the world..I know people in the military who tell me secretly about all of this and understand what you are saying and they dont like the government, secret societies or deceit either..thank you!

Jim Keith poses many important questions that are not asked in any other publications: Were more than McVeigh and Nichols involved? What role did any right-wing patriot groups play in the Oklahoma City bombing? Where did the federal government come up with their version of events? What really took place on April 19, 1995? Keith illustrates that there are simply more questions than true answers for this issue and there is always more than one set of facts and interpretations. It is understood by law enforcement personnel that eyewitnesses most often don't make particularly good witnesses. However, Keith puts together a pretty convincing argument that there is more to the federal story than meets the eye. Regardless of that premise, and even if every witness and person that was quoted or interviewed in this book was completely wrong, these are still very crucial and important questions that need to be asked. Readers may want to supplement this work with other relevant pieces such as Stephen Jones' "Others Unknown" or "American Terrorist" by Lou Michel and Dan Herbeck.

Mr.Keith made only one error. He failed to contrast the amount of explosives used & the number of fatalities to similar atrocities. The 1996 city centre Manchester, England IRA bomb. 3.300 lbs of explosives. No fatalities COMPARISON BETWEEN McVEIGH & THE IRA

What was the length of time it took the Provos to kill 168 folk via bombings.

From June 1970 to October 1993, the Provos killed 615 folk in their terrorist bombings.

The average time it took them to kill 168 people:

SIX YEARS FOUR MONTHS

So it was fortunate for the good folk of Northern Ireland that Mr. McVeigh failed to offer his "services".

This action-packed read is very pleasing. I found it unique that the author wrote a historical with modern dialog/semantics. Very enjoyable.

Yup! a fiesty red-head - a promised commandant at Fort Reno - a very ingaging sidekick - and a really neat horse.

I may be wrong but Sergeant, Major Rafe Hunter's gelding starts out as a roan and I think changes to a black? Sergeant plays a roll in the Land Run.

Micah Whitfield, Rafe's second in command, turns out to be just as intrigueing as Rafe, himself. And a very good friend.

Major Rafe Hunter is a great follower of the rules and Karissa Baxter believes in breaking them to survive.
She has had the raising of her brother and now is determined to claim a free 160 acre parcel of land for Clint and Amanda [who is pregnant].

Karissa leads Rafe a merry chase in her determined effort to claim ranch land.
Ah, but Harlan Billings is set on throwing a monkey wrench into the mix. Expecially after the absent fiance, Vanessa shows up. Except he has plans of his own.

Intrigue, adventure, a bit of history [fact or not], a couple of villians, and enough humor lace this story of the opening up of the Indian territory to the hords of settlers. Touching on the greed and corruption of man, and the heroics of others who settled this country with a great romance thrown in, what a story.

Desire, lust and passion kept under strict control until Karissa [the hussy] decides to give into hormones. There goes my respect, out the window. Ah well!

Definitely recommended --M - a book you will really enjoy if you like Historicals.

I liked this book but there wasn't enough personality. Karissa was a "spitfire" which really stood out but other then that there wasn't much to them. I only laughed once (if that) in this book. Everything was very predictable. If you are looking for a "steamy" romance this is not the right book. Overall it's a good read but I think it just needed a little more personality, romance & mystery.

In 1889 Indian Territory, military Commander Rafe Hunter and his troops try to keep law and order just before the first Land Run is to begin. He knows that he must warily watch the nearby Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation to insure troublemakers do not disrupt the land distribution race that will start very shortly. He also keeps an eye out for "Sooners", cheaters trying to grab land too soon by sneaking out before the contest starts.

Rafe arrests Karissa Baxter for jumping the gun on the Land Run. He fears for her safety so he keeps her in his room, but wonders who will keep her protected from him as he desires her like no one before. Unable to resist Rafe decides to help Karissa obtain the land she wants, but as they fall in love, a rogue covets that claim (and others) and his fiancée arrives from the east to claim him.

OKLAHOMA BRIDE is an action packed western romance that never slows down from the moment the protagonists meet. The story line is fast-paced, filled with adventure, but also provides a deep look at an intriguing moment in American history. Though the antagonists are too obvious to compete against the heroes, fans will enjoy joining the Sooners, soldiers, and others, but especially the lead couple during the first Land Run.

Harriet Klausner

I found Louis Owens' book after I wrote Inherit the Tide. Funny I didn't think to look for something like this before. Maybe it was because Inherit The Tide poured forth so spontaneously. With hindsight I would say Owens is right on the mark, alarmingly so. His overarching theme of revealing the main thread of Native American novels as one of self awareness and self identity nails the issue. His familiarity with works of great Native American works and writers links his presentation of examples straight to the reader.

I would describe the author as a scholar. I reached this conclusion bsed on the content of "Destiny", not a biography. It is well done, perhaps a bit stilted but this takes it into more believeable territory. It is an admirable work. Good Job.

Other Destinies: Understanding the American Indian Novel stands alone in its completelook at the history of fiction written by Native American writers. Though(fortunately) there are now so many Indian writers that this book could not include them all, Owens give a good account of many who broke new ground in their relatively recent day of producing literary fiction. Including N.Scott Momaday, Louise Erdrich, Michael Dorris, Gerald Vizenor, Leslie Marmon Silko and others, this text, written by Dr. Owens, himself Native American of Choctaw, Cherokee and Irish descent, holds Indian texts to the same literary standards as other modern literature and finds them of equal quality. Though authoritative, this is a very readable text which received a good review in the New York Times Review of Books. Owens also writes good fiction, and could have included his own works in here, but didn't. See Wolfsong, Sharpest Sight, Bone Game and Nightland.

Other Destinies: Understanding the American Indian Novel is solid, a real powerhouse of thoughtful readings and appropriate critical theory applied to highlight the diverse stories analyzed in this text. Owens examines the novels of Mourning Dove, Ridge, McNickle, Momaday, Dorris, Erdrich, Silko, and Vizenor while using an accessible voice and with generous notes, index, and bibliography. In his analysis he visits many of the social and political struggles each writer has encountered in their lives and represented in their writing. Other Destinies is not intended to serve the political ends of issues such as sovereignty, though it does examine the complex political climates in which these works were written. The biographical information on the political circumstances influencing Mourning Dove and John Rollin Ridge are particularly interesting for this reason. There are a few critics, both Indian and non-Indian, who wish that Owens had chosen different baseline issues, (their own political issues), to highlight in his critical examination of these novels. Owens chose, however, what he knows best and what was important to these particular texts.

For decades, centuries, the will of white America has largely expressed the desire of the politically powerful to erase American Indians from the North American landscape. Today even, if one views the efforts of such as Slade Gorton, the senator from Washington State, the effort continues. And in many ways, they have been successful. More than 50 percent of those who identify as American Indians do not live on what is today considered "Indian land," and too many have lost all contact with the land and cultures and stories of their people. But many still do retain at least vestigial and often much larger pieces of the old stories and traditions, and are working to place them back into a communal whole. For them, the mere prospect of identity must come before they would even consider the land to which their people were moved decades or centuries earlier. For everything there is a season.

In Other Destinies Owens analyzes the writings of a number of full and mixedblood Indians authors whose collective voice is growing louder with each passing year. These writers illustrate issues important to themselves; some authors are strongly rooted in place, others are only just discovering their places following the disastrous relocation Diaspora. Owens has built a sound historical and critical framework from which to examine all of these stories. These authors, like Owens, all write of their family stories and belief systems, and of the importance of place, when they know that place or adopt a new one. They are working to graft those connections into their modern lives through the power of their words.

I've been struggling with this book since it was first published. I've seen it influence dozens of other scholars who, for the most part, rave about its merits. When I read this book for the first time I was deeply immersed in study of many of the books Owens writes about. My initial experince in reading the book was quite mixed. I would find myself saying "right on" in one paragraph, followed by "nonsense" in the next.

Louis Owens writes well and communicates a perspective regarding the creative work of Native American Indian writers that is widely shared by many who study these writers professionally. His own novels are worth reading, and he seemed like a warm and friendly person when I've met him at conferences.

With all these positive attributes, why does this book deserve three stars? I disagree with Owens critical emphasis; his argument has been influential. He claims that "identity" is the central theme of Native writing. He argues that all Native writers must come to terms with their own mixedblood identity, and with consequent marginalization in two worlds. There is no question that identity is an important issue, but it is far from the central one. For many Native writers it is insignificant. For some, it is central. For others, it is an issue subordinated under other more significant issues. Identity is part of a complex of issues (land, resources, spirituality, images, and stereotypes) that are ultimately concerned with issues of self-control by individuals and communities. For tribal peoples in the United States the central issue, if there is one, is sovereignty. Because of the results of histories of denationalization (a word employed by Cherokee writers in the 1830s) many Native American Indian people are trying to find their way home (as some writers have put it). But, many others have never left home and have never suffered a crisis of self-identity. The academy, by and large, finds issues of identity a quite palatable way to accept literatures of difference because doing so does not require recognizing systemic problems in some of the fundamental assumptions of American colonization.

I was suprised at the quick delivery of the book with it's peasurable anchient writings.

Anyone wishing to aquire a higher understanding of the Quiche` Maya and a most accurate interpretation of their Creation stories will Love this Book. While there are several interpretations of "Popol Vuh" in print, this is by far the definitive. Written as accurate to the original manuscripts as intended by the Mayan People. Highly recommend for any student of Antrhopology and/or Old-World Religion's.

A common misconception is that the Native Americans did not have a written language. While it is true most Nations didn't, the fact is that the Zapotecs, Mayans and others in Mesoamerica did in fact have a great many books, though most of their sacred texts were lost to the fires of the Spanish conquistadors and missionaries. The Popol Vuh is a creation story and mythical history of the Quiche Maya, and one of their few books to survive. This first English translation of the book is still one of the best and certainly a great source for gaining an understanding of Mayan religion and belief.

The book opens with a wonderful introduction that gives a background both of Mayan literature and of this book in particular, mentioning different authors, translators and copies through time. Its a wonderful introduction for a history of the Popol Vuh. It then goes to the translation itself, which includes the Mayan Creation story (which includes the Creators, and several creations and subsequent destructions of the world and mankind, a theme repeated amongst many other Native American Nations of Mexico and Central America) as well as the hero twins Hunahpu and Xblanque and their exploits against the Lords of Xibala (again, the theme of hero twins being repeated amongst many Nations in North and South America) and the kings of the Quiche Maya. Here we see divine right used as a justification for monarchy, a theme common the world over.

This is a wonderful book, detailing Native American religions and one of the few such books that is not taken from the notes of outsiders. It gives terrific insights into Mayan culture both today and in pre-contact and colonial times. Its also pretty nice to learn about the early literary traditions of the Americas. I strongly recommend anyone with an interest in Native American cultures and history check out both this and other books in the Civilization of the American Indians series from the University of Oklahoma.

This "translation" of the K'iche' Mayan sacred book was not made from the original K'iche' Mayan text but rather it is a weak translation from an early Spanish version based on an even weaker French version. There are many many mistakes. Reader beware!

Wow...what a book and story by Josh Heupel. He is truly an outstanding young man with his head on straight. A must read for all, even if you are not from Oklahoma. I don't live in Oklahoma and just heard about the book.

This book will be treasured by Sooner Fans forever. We are very lucky to have had such a great guy lead our team to the NC. Josh is such a wonderful guy and a great leader. Seeing the pictures in the book brought back great memories. This book is a MUST HAVE for any Sooner fan.

Josh Heupel shares his most inner thoughts as he retraces the long road from South Dakota to the hallowed ground of Owen Field at OU. You'll discover a very humble man who wasn't always close to God, but in time turned his life around and achieved the pinnacle of college football. No Sooner fan should miss this book filled with great trivia as well. Thanks for the excitement you gave us Josh and may the road continue to be straight and narrow for you...

Josh Heupel is a cut above your average athlete, not in terms of physical ability, but in hard work, dedication, and faith. He was the biggest key (along with Coach Bob Stoops and his staff) to the resurrection of the Oklahoma Sooner football program to national glory. As a diehard Sooner fan, I found this a very enjoyable read. As a Christian, I found it inspirational. Although Josh is listed as the author, it's clear that most of this book was written by his collaborator, who interviewed friends and family to get the full picture of this remarkable young man. There are a few chapters penned by Heupel, including a message he gave at church the Sunday morning following the Big 12 Championship game. The last section details each game of the Sooners championship run, which admittedly will probably only be of interest to Sooner fans (me!) I would like to have seen Josh talk more about the day-to-day experiences, the interaction with teammates and coaches, that type of thing. Maybe it will be up to someone else to write that book. I recommend this book for young people, Oklahoma Sooner fans, and Miami Dolphin fans (the Dolphins drafted him in the sixth round, and if they read this, they'll have no doubt that Heupel will be a great player for them in the NFL). Josh Heupel will be a success in whatever he does, and this book shows you why.

Wonderful read, got for a gift and he has loved reading all about the history, says it is very neat to learn where it all began!

Don't get misled by that nasty orange dustcover, this is a fun and rowdy read for both Sooner and Horn fans as well as for anyone who wants to get a taste of the most colorful sports rivalry in America. Shropshire's witty essays give insight into the culture of both locker rooms and include some stories that even diehard fans will not have heard. Don't read this book in bed--my wife finally got tired of being awakened by my laughter and took refuge in the guestroom. Two corrections for the author: 1)it was OU President George Lynn Cross, not President Bill Banowsky, who first told the regents that "he wanted to build a university that the football team could be proud of" and 2)it is the Oklahoma-Texas rivalry, not the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry.

As an OU Alumni, who "was there" at more Sooner Red River victories in the "Switzer and Stoops Eras" than covered in the book, my recommendation is that "Runnin with the Big Dogs" should be renamed "Fightin with the Gladiators"! Shropshire numerous attempts at home spun humor often fall incomplete(not up to par with Dan Rather and certainly not Will Rogers). The book has the same familar style of Texan "truthiness" to it that we're use to hearing from another Longhorn Fan who lives in the White House. The author is clearly biased toward the Longhorn side of the barbed wire fence (otherwise he would have mentioned Oklahoma's victory in a real "Red River War" in a long standing border dispute between Oklahoma and Texas in 1931 with Oklahoma National Guardsmen standing down the Texas Rangers). The one subject covered extensively that I enjoyed was on former OU Player Joe Don Looney. It brought back memories attending football games with my Dad in the early 60s when Looney was star halfback at the UCLA of the Southwest (University of Cameron Lawton Area).

Dallas, TEXAS, denizen Mike Shropshire, former drinkin' buddy of Joe Don Looney, claims to have written a balanced look at "the True, Unvarnished story of the Texas-Oklahoma Football wars." Bevo poop! Although the cover resembles a myopic blimpbasket view of the Cotton Bowl 50 yard line on gameday (1/2 crimson, ½ burnt orange,) the book starts with a long, lugubrious re-celebration of the 2005 Longhorn National Championship in Pasedena. Their first in 35 years. [Hoopla. Hoopla. yawn. yawn.] Shropshire forgets to mention that during this long Longhorn dry spell, the Sooners cruised the Sooner schooner to 4 more (1974, 1975, 1985, 2000.)
At times wallowing in egregious generalizations - like the hallucination that all Sooners were cheering FOR the Longhorns in the Rose Bowl (Dude! My favorite football teams are the Sooners, Da Bears, whoever is playing UT at the time and whoever is playing Oregon (Duckin' corrupt cheatin' - karma gotta get `em!) once the book settles into its purpose, it does live up to its titular hype. Shropshire's premise, supported with aplomb and humour, is that both program's goal is to beat the other in the annual contest - that they frequently happen to have to amass enough talent to beat everybody else in the country in the process is just gravy on the grits.
There are some photos in the middle - more would be better, and color (to see the beautiful crimson and cream) would be best. And it has an index - how else to locate the shy, quiet, blushing Boz?
/TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer, former annual Adolphus resident, Commerce & Cotton Bowl Survivor, urging everyone to watch TV's bright "Friday Night Lights" before the dullards at NBC prematurely end its season.

The Shaman was a very helpful and personal description on what it means to be a shaman, historically and in later Ojibway culture. The first hand accounts are concise and direct. I found the pictures of the midewiwin and petroglyphs particularly helpful when I was wrting my own novel, Neitherworld Book One Akiiwan. If the casual reader has trouble understanding the ancient Ojibway (or Ojibwe) culture after reading the shaman it is not the author's fault - it is instead because paleo-American culture is really so foreign to later Euro-American culture. Remember while reading the Shaman, that the Shaman's power derived in large part from the belief of his audience in him/her. Without that, the stories are detached and even unsatisfying. It is thus in every culture, of course, including ours.

I compliment the author for the amount of work put into this book and the attempt to represent shamanism. However, it is rather patronizing in its presentation.

The author wisely places the practices of shamanism within the cultural context. At no point does the author make the mistake of reducing the shamanic practices to deities and such but correctly emphasizes the "forces" and movements of nature of which the shaman is an "expression." Excellent read for anyone generally interested in shamanism or specifically in the Ojibwe practices of the Mide society.

Thourough account of shamanism in the Ojibwe society, but applicable to the phenomenon as a whole. A great researcher, Mr. Grim provides perspectives from other areas of the world such as Siberia to exhibit similarities of human experience both in the shamanic realm and in the human psyche.

Written in 1937, Thieves Like Us--while not the first hardboiled novel (that honor goes to the work of Dashiell Hammett, hands down)--is nevertheless one of the great hardboiled classics. Basis for two films--Nicholas Ray's 1948 They Live By Night and Robert Altman's 1974 film of the same name--it tells of working class joes during the Depression who make a living by robbing banks, talking about it as white-collar slobs would a day at the office. Only with a lot more slang, spice, and color.

The writing is brisk, fresh, and succinct. Anderson is great at capturing the feel of the time, through the terrific dialogue and his clean punchy prose. Thieves Like Us is a real joy to read because it's a no BS book; you can really feel the characters when you're reading it like they were right next to you.

That violence is a natural part of that life goes without saying. The violence portrayed is done so without gore or sensationalism--it's beautifully integrated into the story, adding that much more to the power and resonance of this work.

Who should read this? Those who want to know where hardboiled came from. Those who want a strong sense of American literature--i.e., what America contributed to world literature. Those who are students of the Depression, adding to their understanding of that period. And those who love a great story.

A true classic. Don't miss!

Thieves Like Us is a thoroughly downbeat, noirish tale about a trio of career criminals who escape from an Oklahoma prison and proceed to commit a series of bank robberies. The one nicknamed Bowie finds love with a poor country girl. As the two lovers set up housekeeping despite the ever present threat of discovery hanging over their heads, the reader is acutely aware that the phrase "happily ever after" is not likely to play much of a role here.

The plot of this dark Depression era work takes a relentlessly downward spiral as the characters inevitably become trapped in a spider web of their own making. Author Edward Anderson did a great job in bringing to life the rural small town settings against which the majority of the narrative takes place. Especially noteworthy is the plentiful dialogue featuring a distinctive vernacular that lends authenticity to the proceedings.

Written in the 1930s, Thieves Like Us is very much a product of its time. Its palpable sense of desperation and disillusionment fits right in with the mood of a nation struggling against hard economic conditions.

You've got to feel sorry for the guy who originates a genre. When he creates his work it's so original and exciting that it spawns a legion of imitators, but decades down the road, when folks pick up that seminal work, it feels dated and derivative. This seems to be the case with Thieves Like Us. When it was published, Anderson was compared to Faulkner and Hemingway. Then it looks like the book experienced lengthy periods when it was out of print, experienced revivals when it was twice adapted for the movies and currently enjoys a fairly strong reputation as a representative noir crime story from the Depression, along the lines of Hammett or Chandler. Now those are some pretty weighty comparisons to be throwing around, and I don't know that they are fair, but the book will stand quite nicely on it's own.

Anderson tells the story of three convicts: Elmo "Chicamaw" Mobley, T.W. "T-Dub" Masefield and Bowie Bowers, who escape from an Alcatona, OK prison in 1935 and return to the only jobs they are any good at--robbing banks. The three quickly pile up a tidy sum of cash and start living high on the hog, at which point the story focusses on Bowers and his courtship of a young girl named Keechie. The plot elements are familiar: folks don't mind the boys robbing banks because so many lost their bank deposits in the Crash that they figure bankers are thieves, alcohol and gambling eat away at the money pretty quickly, everyone dreams of going straight and just needs a little sum of ready cash to do so but that cash always seems to disappear, young lovers go on the lam, there's sensationalistic press coverage and when the boys set out to commit one last robbery, we're fairly sure there's trouble ahead. But it's all deftly handled, in spare, punchy prose and, except for some brief sermonizing about evil capitalists, it's reasonably free of working class cant; a seminal work of crime fiction.

GRADE: B+

Noir fans sniffing around for something good enough to follow Cain, Chandler & Hammett shouldn't skim past this one if they like their noir fast, tough, and rocketing towards an unavoidable finale. Plenty of gunplay, dames with real sizzle, and a crisp delivery that has nothing fake or forced. You can tell the writer ran with 'thieves like us', and is giving us an ringside seat at an imaginary slugfest across Texas. First released in 1937, the plot delivers the goods, but it's the period details that help make this one a keeper. Let me recommend a bargain hunters tip. Rather than buy this novel 'alone', look here on Amazon for "American Crime Novels of the 1930's and 1940s' edited by Horace McCoy. It includes unabridged versions of 'Thieves Like Us' as well as 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' and 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' and 3 other classics. A great buy when you consider the number of novels in one hardbound volume. Don't be a chump, Ixnay on the olitairesay, go for the whole enchilada.