Texas Books

Child of Many Rivers: Journeys to and from the Rio Grande. By Lucy Fischer-West, Foreword by Denise Chavez . Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2005. xvi, 190 pages. 32 b/w photos, index. ISBN 0896725561.

This Child won the 2005 Southwest Book Award and was a 2006 WILLA Literary Award Finalist. Lucy Fischer-West teaches English at El Paso's Cathedral High School, and her students are lucky that she does. You are lucky if you read the volume. It started with contributions on her father and mother to the Texas Folklore Society. In the "Epilogue" she summarizes that "Rivers for me are a continuum, linking not only each other but also past and present and most importantly all the people who belong to them and have touched my life."
Her father was a German sailor, her mother was the "youngest and most beautiful girl in a family of twelve" in Camargo, Chihuahua. As young girl, Lucy patted tortilla balls beside the Conchos River, and as a mature woman she washed her hands in the Ganges and received a blessing from Sister Teresa. Her autobiographical essays lure the reader through the gifts of cultures. Whether she's sharing the aroma of the El Paso market, the horrible auto accident near the River Clyde, French rocks with Paulette, touring India and Nepal on the Rotary trip "to improve international understanding," Lucy's waters mingle in a beautiful human stream. Un millon de gracias, Lucy.

Lucy Fischer-West's memoir, Child of Many Rivers, recounts the story of people whose lives predate the author's, Fischer-West's own herstory, and the story of life that will outlive hers (by way of her son and those whose lives have intersected with hers). In this story, Fischer-West introduces us to her father and mother, one with roots in Germany, the other in Juarez, Mexico, respectively; she describes their meeting, their courtship, and eventual marriage, quite unorthodox, considering the two are very much set in their ways, being older like they are. They move from one place to another, the author using rivers, both literal and metaphorical, to document the course of their lives. Fischer-West weaves in her own life from early on to very recent, and that of her son's. As much as a book of this length and nature can be, it is pure poetry.

It is such a pleasure to read a Mexican American memoir that does not stop simply at the cusp of adulthood or at the edge of the barrio. The author's love for El Paso and Juarez shines through these pages, which are rich in detail and dedicated to demonstrating how people cope with, manage and accept "difference" on a daily basis; Child of Many Rivers made me think how such books are sorely needed in this age of conflict and suspicion across borders and cultures.

As a member of The Texas Folklore Society I received this book as a bonus from TFS. I read it in its entirety over one weekend--slowly, taking time with Ms. West's rich detailing of what it means to straddle two cultures from birth to adulthood. Lucy F. West's ability to recall in almost photograph detail her unique childhood wherein she literally had a foot in Mexico and a foot in Texas makes this book a good read.

The child of a Mexican teacher and a German immigrant father, her cultural influences were too many to catalogue in this small space, but they resulted in a unique perspective on what it means to be Mexican and American.

Her writing style is lucid and not the least pretentious. When plain language makes plain the meaning and intent of her ideas, she uses plain language. When using Spanish terms or Mexican folk expressions that may be foreign to Americans, she takes pains to explain them, which serves to enrich her stories.

She switches style or voice occassionally as she moves between childhood and adult episodes. This vareity in tone is welcomed since it has the effect of refreshing our interest in the levels of her story.

Ms. West has published other articles and several chapters in anthologies which I have found to be instructive and enlightening. I am really pleased to hear her "voice" in the longer book format.

Straightforward, without pretension, lucid and thought-provoking. Ms. West's book reminds us that this nation has eternally struggled with the issues of diversity and assimilation. Some, Ms. West for one, manage the assimilation beautifully while preserving the diversity. Bravo!

This is a book about a bit of history I had never knew about.

It is a great read, very interesting.

I went to school on Galveston Island and the disaster was discussed during the anniversary of the horrific event, so I was pleased to get a very readable account. Short chapters make it easy for even the busiest reader to get through. It has intrigue,politics,race relations,corporate greed and human interest antedotes. The author is from Texas so he is able to add some of the regional seasoning to the story. Was glad to see there was some follow up of the main characters years after the event. A must read!!!

As a fan of disaster books, I was surprised to find that I had never read about the Texas City explosion. Apparently it was soon forgotten and I am dismayed, but not surprised, at the outcome for the survivors.
This book clearly outlines the explosion and aftermath. However,it would certainly have been helpful to have some maps as the photographs were taken afterwards and it is sometimes difficult to get oriented.
I am actually rating this a 4.5, mainly because the writing style is very composed and almost flat. While I am not a fan of exclamation points and screaming capital letters, the author is a bit too detatched. I would like to have had a bit more emotion in the telling of what was certainly a major tragedy.

Mr. Minutaglio's City on Fire was very hard to put down after the first few pages. A priest foreshadows his own death in the Texas City Disaster. You feel like you really get to know the people in the story, which is amazing since it covers the whole town's experience leading up to and following the ammonium-nitrate explosions. It wasn't too long ago this explosion happened in sight of known history. However, little do we learn from the past as we watch big goverment, big business, greed and human ignorance take us down similar paths that we are helpless to control collectively, whereas individuals find grace by doing what they believe to be right.

Jack Bell's "Civil War Heavy Explosive Ordnance" is a superb black and white photographic catalog of ammunition for heavy artillery (4" and larger.) It is the natural companion to Olmstead, Stark and Tucker's "The Big Guns." The book is geared more toward the collector than as a technical historical reference, but still can fill the latter role in many ways. While a picture might not be worth a full thousand words, it certainly helps.

The first 470 pages contain introductory text, a glossary, and the catalog of heavy ordnance. The next 26 pages contain a photographic catalog of torpedoes (mines.) Thirty pages of appendices follow, and the book ends with a bibliography and index.

The heavy ordnance is divided into two sections: large smoothbore projectiles, and rifled projectiles. The smoothbore section is subdivided into: shot, shell and case shot; canister; and grape. Rifled projectiles are then subdivided into twenty-seven major types and one miscellaneous group.

The general form of each entry is a brief introduction of a page or several pages about the type (Archer, Hotchkiss, Dyer, etc.) and then the following pages contain one to three images of each size and type of projectile of that type. When three images of a given projectile are provided they are viewed straight on from top, bottom, and side. Some images of shell or case are half sections. Entries below each set of photographs provide diameter, length, weight, gun, sabot, fuze, rifling, rarity, provenance, and comments.

My quibbles with this work are minor. Some of the recessed spaces and contour relief are difficult or impossible to interpret with a 90-degree angle view and no shadows. Case shot appears to have been under represented. Projectile counts and burst charges (known or estimated) are largely omitted.

Although the text introductory sections for each type are short, they provide some answers to long standing puzzles. For example the Archer projectiles are finally attributed to the correct Archer, Dr. Robert Archer. The Mullane has been renamed the "Tennessee" and attributed to the correct actual designer, Capt. Lardner Gibbon.

The appendices are also particularly useful. There is a list of missing and unaccounted for rounds in Appendix A, a list of rifling types by caliber in Appendix B, as well as the detailed review of rifled sabot systems in Appendix C.

Lamentably, this book (like "The Big Guns") is not on many Civil War site bookstore shelves, although I did see one at the naval museum in Columbus, Georgia.

It has been a long awaited moment in my 40+ years of experience in dealing with artillery projectiles of the American Civil War to see a book of this caliber in print. It is the most comprehensive guide or research tool for those with an interest in this field. It is appropriate for the novice and the more proficient.

Mr. Bell, along with a multitude of hours doing research and the aide of his peers, was able to compile an impressive array of photographs (350+) and information for the reader.

The book references shells from 4" and up; including round balls, projectiles, torpedoes, land mines, and a chapter on sabot designs.

I highly recommend Mr. Bell's book to those who want to expand their knowledge of Civil War heavy artillery.

Civil War Heavy Explosive Ordnance: A Guide To Large Artillery Projectiles, Torpedoes, And Mines by Civil War expert Jack Bell is a straightforward, highly specialized, exhaustively detailed, 537-page reference to the large munitions employed in the Civil War. A brief introduction and glossary enhance this unique volume, yet the bulk its pages are devoted to specific ammunitions with each shell accompanied by a black-and-white photograph as well as scale measurements, brief commentary, dimensions, and a listing of where they were most often used. Civil War Heavy Explosive Ordnance is a truly impressive and invaluable resource for Civil War historians and military history buffs.

CIVIL WAR HEAVY EXPLOSIVE ORDANCE, by well-known collector JACK BELL, presents an in-depth study of Civil War heavy artillery projectiles, mines and torpedoes. His lifelong association with the CW artillery fraternity provided access to public and private collections containing heretofore-unknown examples of heavy munitions. The author's meticulous research uncovered buried and previously overlooked information and provided important technical and geographic information vital for the in-depth study of the use of heavy explosive ordnance in the war. The result is a highly documented reference source that closes a thirty-year information gap, and significantly advances the state of knowledge about the development and deployment during the war.

CIVIL WAR HEAVY EXPLOSIVE ORDANCE is a necessary tool for the serious artillery collector yet provides interesting reading for the student of general Civil War history. The book contains over 1000 clear photographs and multiple views of the 360 projectiles and 22 torpedoes and mines. Jack Bell's presentation is lucid and while professionally technical is delivered in an extremely readable style.

Very good book and worth the reading. I think anyone can enjoy this one.
Gig'em Aggies!
Stormy Kimrey '58

Many of the stories I've heard. Many were much less detailed than what I lived. Overall, a wonderful book about business and life. Clayton is a better than average man. In all areas of his being.

Holy Cow. This man has made more and lost more than most people will ever have! He started with $2,000, built the first DIGITAL long distance network in America, ran for Texas Governor and still loves to raise cattle - where he started.
I loved the Book. Mike Cochran says he wrote the story "painfully honest." I think it is painfully funny and is full of lessons a young person really needs to read.
Good job - great book. I'm buying more for Christmas Gifts.

Clayton Williams has let Mike Cochran tell all in this interesting, humorous and sometimes sad book about his life. Williams is equally candid about his successes and failures.

Clayton Williams has taught in the classroom at Texas A&M University and any young entrepreneur or student would benefit from the lessons lived on the pages of this book. This man has made millions from nothing...over and over again!

If you enjoy reading about Texas politics, self-made millionaires or just an interesting non-fiction read about a real-life character, this story is for you.

Coffee, Pie and a Place to Die was great. The author writes in a very conversational style making the book an easy, enjoyable read. This compulation of short stories reminds me of sitting on the front porch and talking to my neighbors about the "goings on" for the day! While reading each story, I found myself trying to anticipate what the characters would do next only to be surprised by a creative twist.

As a reader from a town just as small as the one described in May Mathis' book, I can identify with the desire to hear "juicy" gossip to mark the time while you wave at passersby.

This book is full of mystery and suspense. Just the type of book I like to read. I always had a feeling that more goes on in small towns than usually meets the eye. And seeing all this through the eyes of Sophie gives the stories something extra!
I believe everyone knows someone like Sophie, I know I do.

I found this book to be a very interesting book. It deals very well with regional issues. I especially liked the way the author allows the character, Sophie, to be the voice of the community, thus allowing the reader to view the town through her eyes. She is believeable. The author is a great writer and storyteller.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author makes the readers feel as if they are right there experiencing the action.
I felt as if I had been transported to the small town of Bethlehem with Mrs. Sophie in the story.

The book Crazy Loco by David Rice is short stories about children growing up near the border of Mexico and the United States as Mexican Americans. Most of the stories are funny, but a few of them are serious and sad. I felt the serious stories, such as Her Other Son and She Flies, were much stronger than some of the funny stories, such as The California Cousins and Proud to be an American. I liked the stronger stories more because I could really feel for some of the characters and what they were going through. I also felt they were better because they had more description. My favorite story of all of them was Her Other Son. This story was about a young boy's close connection to his family's maid. I enjoyed this story the most because the reader can really understand what the character is going through and it was very descriptive and touching.
When reading this book, it reminded me of the book Crossing the Wire because in a lot of the stories the characters had to cross the border between the United States and Mexico. They also spoke a little bit of Spanish in Crazy Loco (that the readers can understand) as they also did in the book Crossing the Wire. In each story in this book, the author, David Rice, always had great description. Also at the end of every story he kind of leaves you at a cliffhanger. You are left wondering questions about what will happen next in the characters life, or why did the character do that? I like how the author did this because it really gets you to think deeper about the story. It also helps you get a better understanding of the story when you think so much about it. Even though some stories weren't as strong as the others, I still think Crazy Loco was a very good book.

I've heard David Rice read a few of the stories in this collection back in South Texas at different venues and was amazed at how much his writing had matured since his first book (Give the Pig a Chance--another fine book in its own right). A side note to anyone with an opportunity to experience Rice's presentations--take the chance, go out of your way if you have to, but do listen to him. Back to the book: I was so looking forward to Crazy Loco, and when I got my copy, I got right to it. Dropped Moby Dick, and slowed down on To the Lighthouse to finish Crazy Loco. The stories, most of which are told in the first person, the narrators varying from story to story, are humorous and fun to read. But I feel the strongest pieces are the ones in which Rice cuts out the humor, and gets down to some serious business, like in "Last Mass" and "Her Other Son." These stories are emotional without being sentimental. These stories bring to mind others of his works, namely "Tina La Tinaca" from his first collection, and they show exactly why Rice is being published today.

I just recently finished reading both of Rice's books: Give The Pig A Chance, and Crazy Loco.
I have comments on several of his short stories, but overall, I'd like to say that his writing is very inspiring to me - I didn't expect for stories this short to be full with such great symbolism.
In his short story, Papa Lalo, Henry was given a compass from his grandfather, as a gift.
A compass always faces North. The Earth has it's own magnetic polarity that magnifies the pull of a compass to face due North. The compass could have symbolized the unbearable "magnetic pull": that Harry had with his grandfather. Even though Harry didn't realize he shared any common ground, or any connection with his grandfather - He always had that "magnetic pull" a "bond" that we sometimes are unfamiliar with until we try to face another direction in life - or until life points us in a new direction.

This was a very well written, carefully thought out story.

David Rice's second book Crazy Loco is a collection of short stories that kicks off the new wave of young adult Chicano literature. As an English teacher I've sought quality Chicano literature for my kids and aside from Gary Soto, there isn't much out there. I'm glad to see that's changing. Rice's stories are hilarious and even though they're set in South Texas with mostly Chicano characters, they will appeal to all kids. I shared stories from his previous book, Give the Pig a Chance, with my students and they loved them. Since his style has improved and these stories are funnier, I know my students will love Crazy Loco even more. My favorites of the bunch were "Crazy Loco" and "Proud to be an American." They are about two things most kids are experts about: dogs and fireworks. Other stories are heartfelt. "Papa Lalo" will strike a chord with children who have lived through divorce or have lost their grandparents. "Valentine" is about the pain and power of first love. David Rice writes the Rio Grande Valley of Texas like few other authors can. He is a great new voice in Chicano fiction and one to watch in the future.

"Crooked Cross Factor" is a well-written fascinating
novel about the efforts to raise a sunken German World
War II submarine that has been lying in cold waters
off the coast of Iceland for more than 25 years. Not
only has this U-boat been there for all that time, but
it contains an undisturbed load of gold bullion. Into
this scene comes a U.S Embassy security chief, thrust
there by a spiraling sequence of events that have been
spearheaded by a mutinous crew of a Russian submarine.
Looking for lots of action, intrigue, even a gorgeous
female Minister of Icelandic Roads? You've got it with
this very entertaining and thrilling plot line.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very suspenseful and so interesting to read all about Iceland. I was totally enthralled with the country and would like to visit it one day. But until then, I can picture it in my mind. Derek Hart did a fabulous job with descriptions.

Great book! It was a fun and easy read. Derek has a wonderful gift of story telling that takes me out of reality and makes me feel part of the adventure. It is very easy to get wrapped up and totally into the story. I also enjoy when I can read about strong female characters who can be more than just a pretty face. Two thumbs up and keep up the good work.

I finished Crooked Cross Factor within days after my arrival in Ireland. The more Guiness I drank the more I enjoyed the novel. It was easy and "FUN" to read, shades of John Grisham. I am most anxious to move on to another Derek Hart novel!

I suggest reading this book before reading "Ride the Wind". It serves as a chronicalled historical foundation before reading the novel "Ride the Wind" that will definitely prepare you for an unimaginable journey into the world of the American Indian of 150 years ago.

This is a compact history ... but it does just what you want - gives what history is known of Cynthia Ann Parker. This is an excellent resource if you are wanting to know about Cynthia Ann Parker from the settler's perspective - the people she left behind, the family she had come from, and the search for her that continued throughout her 'captivity'. The author seems to steer clear of any area of conjecture, such as why Cynthia Ann got shuttled between family members after her return or what may have happened to her pension, and sticks only to documentable history. She also avoided sidetracking into the history of Cynthia Ann's famous son or the other people in her life except for as far as they pertain to Cynthia Ann's life. Focus is very tight, very informative.

On May 19th, 1836 nine-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker, a member of a group of religious families occupying Fort Parker in Texas, witnessed the massacre of friends and relatives by combined bands of Caddos, Kiowas and Comanche warriors. Abducted by the Comanches, Cynthia was raised for the next 25 years as a tribal member and became "fully" Comanche, giving birth to Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief and one of the most influential intermediaries of his time, a representative of both the Native American and White cultures. Abducted a second time as an adult by a well-meaning Texas Ranger, Cynthia Ann was forced to return to White society, but mourned deeply for her Comanche family, ultimately starving herself to death out of grief.

Much lore and legend has grown around the story of Cynthia Ann Parker over the years, and it has often been difficult to separate the myth from the reality of her dramatic story. However, Margaret Schmidt Hacker has done just that. Over a period of five years, Ms. Hacker painstakingly researched the archives in Texas, Oklahoma, California and Washington, D.C. and objectively weighed all the accounts of Cynthia Ann's life. The result of her efforts is what is considered the most authoritative book on the subject. Although scholarly, it is at the same time, a gripping drama of the Texas prairies, and very readable by anyone with an interest in the Old West. Highly recommended reading.

Countless folk tales and sagas have focused on the story of Miss Parker, a captive of the Comanches for more than 15 years. Many of them deal only with her years as the mother of the famous Quanah Parker. Author Margaret Schmidt Hacker devoted five years to researching the life of the Cynthia Ann to reveal the history behind the myth. This is the tragic story of the abduction of a nine year old girl who returned reluctantly to white society when she was 24. A fascinating portrait of her life among the Comanches on the Texas frontier.

Well written and entertaining biography of one-time(late 19th century) El Paso Marshall Dallas Stoudenmire. Metz does a nice job of fleshing out just who Stoudenmire was, and the mammoth job responsibilities he faced, as well, as the numerous contraversies surrounding the man. It is a thrilling tale of a gun-slinger of the "old west", who is really lost to history. A virtual unknown compared to Hickock, Earp, Masterson, etc... Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the history of the 19th century west, history of gunfighters of the same era, or Texas or frontier history. Fun, informative, and worth your time.

lots of new information. Very well written and researched. very entertaining.

This book was well written and easy to understand. Mr. Metz has managed to make this book easy to understand and fun to read, but with much interest. His wordings were excellent; he used adjectives and even described persons or things with vivid colors. He has added some humors to it and it always kept my full attention.

The "4 Deads in 5 seconds" gunfight was the most thrilling. I felt as if I actually witnessed it all and witnessed folks scattered at the very sight of Marshal.

Hollywood should make a movie on Marshal Stoudenmire. I think he's worthy a movie such as it is for Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday in "Tombstone" and "Wyatt Earp".

Leon C. Metz was a great author and storyteller with unique writing humor. This book was based on true events. It was well researched and written. I have absolutely no doubts that Mr. Metz attempts to bring out favorable traits of Stoudenmire in order to help him gain much deserved respect and nationwide recognition. Stoudenmire enforced the laws no differently than Wyatt Earp, Pat Garrett and Elfego Baca. Stoudenmire deserves the same honor. Stoudenmire's period in this town was awfully short, but very colorful. Stoudenmire had no fear, not even guns or death. He was able to outdraw every opponent. He sent his wild bullets to harvest souls and sent men on their last jolting rides to the cemetery. His large structure and deadly reputation were all El Paso needed to send hard-cored violent outlaws whining and putting their tails between their shaking legs into hiding or digging their own graves. Stoudenmire's toughness and courage was no match for the outlaws combined together.

. . .

This book is highly recommended for folks who seek excitement in Wild West justice and a wild marshal to match!

If you're looking for a good teen historical romance(perhaps for a young teen who hates history or reading, or both), then Darcy is a winner. The characters are very well done, the plot is tight, and the description is excellent. I particularly liked Michael, an intelligent engineer with an incredible sense of humor. I wish more teen romances had this kind of smart, witty hero. Actually, I wish more BOOKS had this kind of hero. Darcy really grows and changes in the course of the book, also. The Sunfire series is long out of print, so enjoy this one if you're lucky enough to find it!

I liked reading this book, I'm sure not too many people have, it couldn't be a best seller or anything like that, but it was fun to read, with all that romance thrown in. If you're looking for just a light book to read, not too heavy but fun, interesting, and well written, this is a good one to read.

Darcy is a rebelious teen that get's everything she wants until a terrible hurricane srikes homes, families, and the people she loves. Is the man Darcy loves o.k?

Darcy is a Southern belle in 1900 Galveston, Texas. Wealthy and well-mannered, Darcy has never had to work hard in her whole life. Yet suddenly, a terrible hurricane strikes Galveston. Separated from her family, Darcy must fight for her life, and find her way back to those that she loves.