Texas Books

This book won a book design award by the Association of American University Presses (AAUP) in 1999 in the trade book illustrated category. Book designer: Heidi Haeuser; Publisher: University of Texas Press.

Superb black and white photographs by a premier photographer, displaying the lives of ordinary people and the native customs of various parts of Mexico. A real bargain at the price.

This book contains some of the most extraordinary photographs taken in Mexico. The camera travels through the country capturing images of people, their art, and their environment.

I feel as if I have known Dave Parsons for most of my life. His poignant and moving revelations of his life stories paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a poet who is grounded in the real world. Parsons creates an ambience that invites the reader into the poets living room to share the triumphs and tragedies of lifes moments that most of us neglect. Parsons has defined poetry for us through his revelations. The world awaits the next installment of wonderment.

I found many of Mr. Parson's poems very moving. "They" is one of my favorites.

Editing Sky is a poignant collection of intimate poems that also seem universal in their appeal. They describe powerful experiences of an Austin childhood, handball, conoeing, marriage, alzheimers, the marines, historic houses, and much more. The poems draw you in and move you with their straightforward, vivid style. When you combine the intimate images, the direct style, and the pleasing eloquence and ease of the words and their arrangement, it makes for a truly satisfying poetry reading experience! I enjoy reading the book over and over and I would highly recommend it.

[Review by Larry Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld & Aswsociates, Post Office Box 2831, 660 Circulo Nomada, Tubac, AZ 85646-2831, (520) 398-3371, published in COUNCIL FIRES, The Publication for Western Americana Enthusiasts, Vol. 8, Issue #1, January, 1998, p. 16-17.] E1 Llano Estacado: Exploration and Imagination on the High Plains of Texas and New Mexico, 1536-1860. Written by John Miller Morris. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, First Edition ($39.95). El Llano Estacado is an extremely well written new work of Southwestern History, brilliantly revealing the historical core and heart of one of America's most history-packed regions--the mesaland of the Southern High Plains in Texas and New Mexico. From the Canadian River in the north to the Edwards Plateau in the south, from the Pecos River in the west to the awesome canyonlands of the Red, Pease, Brazos, and Colorado Rivers in the east, these 50,000-square miles of what is commonly referred to as "the Llano" are here chronicled over a period of 300 years, revealing the history, cultural grandeur, and mythic wonders of this special ruggedly beautiful land. A knockout read for both historians and buffs alike, Morris's new book is his song to this unique environment, revealing, melding, and analyzing a diversified series of Spanish, French, Mexican, and Anglo-American explorers and adventurers and how they made their mark on this remarkable land. The book opens with an examination of what is known as the Lost Coronado Trail, pursuing the question of where did the Coronado Expedition go in 1541. What follows is nothing short of a breakthrough analysis of what they saw and how they remembered it as revealed through their personal accounts and journals. The second part of the book, which deals with the Llano Frontier, continues its unique approach to the study of the three centuries of Spanish exploration and imagination following Coronado. Here we revisit this extraordinary land through the eyes and imaginations of the conqueror, Juan de Onate, the accounts of the French explorers, Pierre Mallet and Paul Mallet, and the travel diaries of trailblazers Pedro Vial, Jose Mares, and Francisco Amangual. Part Three then explores and analyzes "the invention or discovery of the Llano through the Anglo imagination," including the "prose of the poet Albert Pike, the grand deceits of Alexander Le Grand, the reasoning of Josiah Gregg, and the legendary collapse of the Texan-Santa Fe Expedition" as chronicled by George Wilkins Kendall and Thomas Falconer. Together the author analyzes what he calls the "American rhetoric of romantic discovery." The Great Zahara, the last of four parts, deliciously delves into the "perceptual approaches of classic U. S. Explorers James W. Abert, Randolph B. Marcy, A. W. Whipple, Andrew Gray, and John Pope...." Powerful, unusual, stimulating, and nothing short of brilliant, El Llano Estacado is one of the finest works of cultural and mythic history of a region I have ever read. Morris has penned a great work of both history and imagination, pushing the boundaries on historical scholarship to limits that I would have never thought possible. This book should change the way history is not only written but perceived. You must read this mmagnificent book!!

Using historical writings of early explorers, the author captures the mystery and magic of the great Llano Estacado or "Staked Plains" that begin in West Texas and extend north and west. Particularly amusing is the efforts of early railroad surveyors to find underground water at the edge of the Llano (aka the caprock) only to miss one of North America's largest aquifers (the Ogalla) by a matter of miles and in some cases yards.

We were going on a trip to see the Llano Estacado and the canyon in west Texas.This book gave the trip so much dimension and understanding at how hard the life was for the explorers and the pioneers in this harsh land.Very cleverly written,holds one attention. Wonderful

Eldercare in Texas presents the basic information family caregivers need to know to care for their aging spouse, parent or relative. Davis covers legal & financial concerns, housing options and end-of-life issues in a no nonsense way. The glossary is particularly helpful. Her personal anecdotes show the reader she doesn't just write about eldercare, she has lived it. A must read for any family caregiver in Texas.

I am a social worker and work just with Texans. This book is the most resourceful book I have had in years. The elderly in Texas did not know that half of these resources are available to them. I encourage family caregivers to purchase this book.

This is by far the best reference book for eldercare in Texas I've ever read. Thorough, informative, easy to read & understand. Covers everything a caregiver for the elderly could need. A++

I had heard Dr. Dawson for speak sometime and each week he told true stories about how God provided for people he had met long before their need was even known, even by 100 years. The book tells of the wonderful provision that only God can provide. I highly recommend this book.

Jerry Dawson is a master story teller and has more than ample experiences to fill this book with laughter, sometimes tears, and wonderment at every turn of the page. The book gets its title from one of those experiences that taught Dawson, then a young preacher, the true meaning of "grace." Many of the stories are about answers to prayer. Others observe the field of higher education where Dawson served as distinguished teacher, dean and college president. Most of the anecdotes are about two pages long, making it a book that is easy to start and stop -- but I found it almost impossible to put down. It's not advertise as such, but "Elmer and the Peas" is a treasure of good stories for the public speaker. Read it to be entertained and uplifted at the same time.

Jerry Dawson is a master story teller and has had more "experiences" than anyone I've run across. He has a true gift of being able to laugh at himself, and he leads his readers to do likewise. The anecdotes -- usually about two pages long -- bring side-splitting laughter one moment, tears the next, and wonderment at almost every turn of the page. The book gets its title from one of those stories, a story that taught Dawson a lesson of grace when he was a young preacher. Many of the stories tell of remarkable answers to prayer. Others deal with the world of higher education, where Dawson spent distinguished years as teacher, dean and college president. Not only will this book entertain, it will uplift the reader. It is not advertised as such, but it is a treasure chest full of stories "with a point" for public speakers.

Houston is the perfect subject for a book of this kind, it lends itself so well to current trends in urban planning and what a lack of zoning can facilitate. The text is scholarly and well researched, uh that should be an oxymoron, but alas it is not always. The authors really nailed Houston and I recognized the city completely. If you have any interest in urban planning or Houston in general, or frankly just well realized books, then I highly recommend this book to you. Well done indeed.

Great compiliation of Cite articles masterfully edited by Scardino & Co.

The best book on Houston that I know. This collection of articles on the architecture of the city captures its aesthetic history (or lack thereof) wonderfully. The book's production quality is clean and beautifully done, and the narratives reveal Houston's vicissitudes - its humble origins, its disinterest in history, its deification of power, and the origins of its sprawl. Excellent.

Interesting insights from a couple of guys who have been there. Well written and certainly educational.

I have just finished reading Equipped to Lead and found it hard to put down between oportunities. I read the book in two afternoons sitting on my balcony on a beautiful Ohio summer afternoon. Having been in the world of senior management for some 45 years, it appears as if Galen Walters and Dan Sanders have opened the door for many who have struggled with the chaos that seems to prevail throughout industry today. I share many, if not all, the philosophical approaches outlined in this wonderful book.

If all of us in senior management responsibilities would implement, at least to some degree, the 4P system, I believe our worlds would be more acceptable and profitable. The profit would not only be financial but personally rewarding as well. I have tried to always put people first and it has not been an easy task. When you put the people, process, partners and performance altogether, then the result will equal success.

My personal compliments to the team of Walters and Sanders for a great piece of work.

As the Managing Partner of national consulting firm, I have the privilege of interacting with senior executives of Fortune 500 companies on a regular basis. Almost without exception, these leaders are always looking for a better way to manage their company and utilize the resources with which they are entrusted. I truly believe that Equipped to Lead provides one of the most innovative and practical management systems that I have ever seen. Whether you are managing a small family owned business or a multinational corporation, this management system will provide you with new ideas that can be immediately implemented.

One section of the book I found interesting in Equipped to Lead was that of the importance of sparking passion in employees so that the employees can identify with a higher purpose and thereby "become builders and not custodians". Another interesting and unique concept was the development of a "Prioritization Table". This should be used daily by anyone in a management capacity. And finally, the 4P's used to monitor and manage People, Processes, Partners and Performance is exceptional.

I have known one of the authors, Galen Walters for over 45 years. Galen started a graphics design and printing business, literally in a back room of his house. He grew that business to be one of the national powerhouses in the printing industry. During this time, Galen developed a magnificent management system and methodology that I believe, was in large part, responsible for his success. He named it the 4P's. In this book, Galen Walters and Dan Sanders clearly and concisely lay out for the reader this refreshing and unique approach to management. This is one of those rare management programs that is not just conceptual or theory but was developed and proven over and over again in the building of a very successful business. It is the type of program that should make a major impact on the bottom line of any organization.

I found Equipped to Lead to be outstanding and would consider it a must read for anyone in management, in business or for anyone contemplating going into business.

Evil among the saints is a haunting tale that enriches your senses with everything from drama, intrigue and deception. I enjoyed the spinning web of on going deception between the Reverend Paul Stone and his predecessors, Don Jacobs who you love to hate, Nova Powers determined to find out the truth about her murdered friend, The Miller sister were delightful and the devil himself, was depicted exceptionally. The many characters in the story line were always rich and the writer moved the story effortlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed this first debut by Jade Alex's and can't wait to read more! Pick up your copy today.
Shayla McClellon author of "Hypnotic" [...]

Jade Alex begins her story with an intense excitement from the beginning. I was riveted to my sofa; book in hand. This author has effectively combined her intimate knowledge of Dallas' Highland Park Society along with her familiarity of the mean streets of South Oak Cliff in this simple, but thought-provoking and well-written tale of murder, faith and redemption.

This book provided a great escape for a night. I did not put the book down once I had started because I was interested in how the author would develop the characters and resolve the issues thrust upon the reader from the beginning of the story. I really enjoyed the story line.

If you like Michael Connelly, you'll enjoy Raymond Benson's Evil Hours. Unresolved questions about her mother's murder lead Shannon Reece to explore the seamy secrets of her home town. Along the way, Shannon must come to terms with her personal demons as she questions just how much she really needs to know.

Raymond Benson is known for writing the continuation James Bond novels, so when I picked up this, his first non-Bond book, I expected a tightly crafted fast moving mystery thriller. I wasn't disappointed. But what did surprise me was how darkly moving EVIL HOURS was as a neo-noir crime drama. I've heard other reviewers liken this book to Twin Peaks, and while I do see similarities, I think that's selling this book a bit short. I was reminded more of intense real-life crime dramas like The Onion Field and The Thin Blue Line. Benson's masterful use of detail makes the book so believable that, by the end, it has evolved from a mystery thriller into something that's very tragic and profound. And darn right creepy in a "this-only-happens-in-real-life" sort of way. The emotional reality of the book is what sets it apart from other thrillers by better-known authors, and what makes it surpasses even Benson's Bond books as a work of fiction (suggesting a bright future for Benson after Bond). By the end of this book -- with the ultimate revelation and CHILLING reenactment of the crime -- I found myself creeped-out and moved at the same time. Wild. This book was a real experience and one I would recommend highly, especially if you're a fan of character driven true-life crime. It would also make a terrific film.

Raymond Benson, author of the recent James Bond novels, has given us something completely different: a novel that reminds me of that movie "Lone Star" or similar-- it takes place in a small Texas town and is the story about a murder, or a mystery of a murder, and how one woman searches for the truth about what happened. The narrative is interesting, moving back and forth from the present to the past, and slowly revelations are unravelled. I found it to be haunting, moody, and compelling.

I'm the proud owner of the entire Eyebeam series. They are constantly out on loan. This book shows that humor can be brilliant, but not vulgar or cynical. Adults get it on a certain level and kids on another. Rare in that it has the nationally syndicated chracters from the Universal Features "Peaches" strip, as well as the ones that were too "grown up" for that strip, interacting together. Rod and Ratliff are developed in this book. I sure miss the old "Eyebeam" Strip..... This reminds me why.

This book of Eyebeam cartoons contains some classics--Ratliff leading the cops to the mall parking lot because a windshield sunshade says "Help! Call Police!"; the one about the Night Pedestals for cats (cars parked along the curb); the sequence in which Three-Initial Corporation is taken over by Brand X.

Direct, clear humor. Unusual drawing style. Characters include lawyers, children, pompous yuppies, hapless students, and the all-time favorite--"Hank the Hallucination." Captures Austin's surreal reality perfectly.

It is absolutely outrageous that the Eyebeam series is out of print. Example: Ratliff is in the tub singing Michelle Ma Belle, Eyebeam enters and says " is that ABSOLUTELY necessary?" and Ratliff innocently replies, "well no, but it sure makes me smell better." This was bar none the funniest comic ever done. OUT OF PRINT? Criminal.