I highly recommend this collection of stories and poems. It is unique and a great read.

I enjoyed the unique way the author successfully combines ancient adventures with issues and events of today in one book!The poetry has vivid accounts of the often harsh but romantic times of the middle ages.The short stories accomplish the same feature with present day subject matter.
Both the poetry and the short stories are well-written,intense and thought-provoking,which made me want to read the book more than once!

This book rates so high with me because it is so unique. It's a book you never finish because it contains poems as well as short stories. I read all the stories immediately and now I keep it by my bedside and review the poems at my leisure. Of course poetry can be read over and over. The stories were light, usually with a bit of a twist and very different from each other. Overall a good purchase worth the money.

Le Minh Khue writes: "To understand my stories, you need to understand the history of revolution, war and struggle that my country has gone through and out of which those stories grew."

Khue definately helps her readers to understand.

Le Minh Khue is an extraordinary woman who uses her personal experiences to enrich her stories. When she was very young, she lost her parents in the Land Reforms of the early fifties and in 1965, at age 16 she lied about her age so that she could join the People's Army. We get a first hand account of how it was to grow up in Vietnam prior to, during, and after the war. Khue details the influences of Western culture on the youth of Vietnam and shatters the sterotypes that others may have of the Vietnamese way of life.

Most of Khue's stories are very dark. In "Tony D", a story about the grief that an American soldier's skeletal remains bring to an old man and his son, the son forces his father to cut off his finger to prove that he is not lying. In other stories, the characters are driven to suicide, some are obsessed with the material world and would do anything for the "Almighty Dollar", and a great deal of the male characters are unfaithful, have overly cynical views on life, or knife their brother's pregnant wife in the stomach.

As Wayne Karlin (editor) says, "Le Minh Khue the writer continues to perform the task of Le Minh Khue the sapper: searching out and identifying the bombs that lay buried along the Trail along which we must move, bringing them out of the earth and sometimes identifying them, and sometimes defusing them, and sometimes exploding them, and sometimes smoothing over the scars they leave in the earth. She never lets us forget what is buried and where; in doing so, she gently suggests the directions we must continue to travel."

I greatly enjoyed The Stars, The Earth, The River, and find Le Minh Khue to be a very compelling and enjoyable writer.

This is a series of short stories of a girl's life in Vietnam during the 1970's. She was very involved in the war effort, at an age of about 20. For me this was pure communication and I could share her experiences easily. Short, easy sentences, on the point. With depth of feeling and honesty. Not political.

Curbstone Press, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing literature reflecting social issues (with strong emphasis on foreign cultures), has seen fit to translate a collection of stories that introduces to us another view of life in Vietnam, life as experienced from the nameless thousands who endured the war many of us knew only from nightly news reports.

The Stars, The Earth, The River is a compilation of fourteen stories written by Vietnamese journalist-turned-editor Le Minh Khue, and is a highly recommeded read for anyone interested in Oriental life and literature.

In these stories, Vietnam is a place where a woman turning forty is considered old and a person with only a thousand American dollars in his/her pocket is called a "millionaire." Khue's stories convey many themes with a touch of black humor: in "Scenes from an Alley," greed plays a major factor in the life of a married couple who learn of a woman receiving a grand payoff from an American when he accidentally kills the woman's daughter, then try to place their aging father in the American's path, hoping lightning will strike twice. "The Almighty Dollar" is a wonderfully satirical tale of a large dysfunctional family worthy of "The Ricki Lake Show." Competition for custody of a mentally disabled brother is triggered by love...of money.

"Tony D" mystifies as the alleged "ghost" of a dead American soldier comes to haunt the old man who intends to sell his bones for profit, and "A Small Tragedy" presents forbidden love at its most disturbing. The best story of the fourteen, however, would have to be Khue's first, "The Distant Stars," written when Khue was only nineteen. The stars in question are three young girls who comprise the Ground Reconnaissance Team. Their mission: to measure holes in the ground left by bombs and determine how much dirt is needed to replenish the earth. Amid exploding ammunition and the stench of death, these girls perform their tasks, all the while sharing their dreams of marrying rich and flirting carelessly with interested soldiers. You want to laugh at the antics of these girls, yet you cannot help but have pity. It is the most gripping of the stories in this book, and truly amazing that a mind so young could concoct such a tale.

The Stars, The Earth, The River is the first installment in Curbstone's Voices from Vietnam series of contemporary fiction edited by Le Minh Khue, Ho Anh Thai, and Wayne Karlin. If Khue's collection is any indication, this looks to be a very promising series of books.

The second in a projected three-volume series, this well-crafted tome brings together the early sources on Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), arguably one of the most popular saints among Christians and non-Christians alike, shedding light on his role as religious founder. The writings of Francis himself were collected in the first volume, as were the earliest lives of Francis and some liturgical documents. The editors represent the three branches of traditional Franciscanism, and together offer what are as far as I can tell all of the primary sources dealing with the first years of the Order, along with introductions and copious notes. While much of the material is repetitious, what emerges is a portrait of Francis from several different perspectives, not all of them flattering. The documents collected here represent that period of time in the life of the Order when the followers of Francis were trying to determine how to live the life that he had left them. They show various attempts to interpret his wishes for his followers. Even the different biographies were written with a view toward advancing one or another interpretation of the Franciscan Rule. Presented in roughly chronological order, the documents show the developing views on Francis and his legacy. The first, The Beginning or Founding of the Order, treats of the development from a group of companions informally gathered around him to the beginnings of what would become the Order of Saint Francis. The Assisi Compilation, dated 1244-1269, collects personal reminiscences of Francis, and offers a multi-faceted portrait. In introducing the legends and sermons by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the editors show how Bonaventure used the information at his disposal to a certain extent to his own ends. They note that Bonaventure's portrait of Francis became normative for a time, but was later contested. What results is a fascinating collection of documents illustrating the influence of this great man, and the struggles his followers went through in their attempts to interpret his rule in changing circumstances. Scripture quotations are put in italics, and the reference supplied in the margin. I did note one mistake: On p. 168, the reference is given as Rv. 4:12, a verse that does not exist. Surely the reference is to one of Paul's epistles. The editors have critically examined the documents, and indicate where one is dependent on another. The footnotes make reference to varying interpretations of certain passages, and relate the works to earlier Christian writings. An appendix has eleven maps, some showing the geographical or political features of the area, and two showing Assisi at the time of Francis. While the critical apparatus make this work especially valuable for scholars, all those interested in Francis of Assisi or the history of Christianity at the time will appreciate having all of these text gathered into a convenient volume.

No more bird bath type view of who Francis is. With the most up to date scholarship, Franciscan scholars have put together the best English translations with a commentary that can guide you through the medieval world in wich these early documents of Francis of Assisi were written. I find the commentary particularly useful in my own personal study as well as meditation so as to make Franciscan spirituality meaningful to today. The Volume Two focuses on Francis as the founder of the Franciscan movement of communities of lesser brothers (friars minor), poor ladies (poor Clares nuns) and the tertiaries (regulars and seculars). This is essential reading for Franciscans and franciscans-at-heart to find out what Francis has wanted his followers to do.

I agree with the previous review. Bill has a delightful comic voice and a deceptively easy prose style. I thought this book would naturally lead to more by this talented author. Forget Waldo, where's Bill?

Charming, goofy, brilliant first-person short stories. Two are among the best stories I've ever read. Bill Franzen - whatever became of him?! - captured the voices of ordinary eccentric Americans - or eccentric ordinary Americans. The one about the church organist is so cool and satisfying and hilarious and poignant that it's worth reading every few years just to remember how perfectly it is wrought. I only wish we could hear from Bill Franzen again.

This book is a great read for anyone interested in the life and times of one of the more colorful characters in the western expansion era. I enjoyed and learned of Luke Short and how his life interacted and effected some of the other well known characters of the time. I wish this author knew others of the same era as well, that he might write of them as well. Hated to see this book come to an end.

I loved this book! The author totally draws you in and fills this book with such anecdotes, facts, speculations, and often subtle humor that you cannot put it down. I was eager to read this book and learn more about a less-known famous figure from the Old West, and have also read Short's other books. I heartily reccomend all of them to anyone who enjoys humorous non-fiction as well as nondisputable facts. Short has the cunning wit of an intellectual and the story telling gift of a grandfather.

This first volume of a projected 3 volume edition of documents pertaining to the life and order of Saint Francis will easily become the source for all followers of Christ through the inspiration of this timeless saint. It provides the best translations and most recent scholarship on the life and times of the saint. In many way St. Francis is the most universal and beloved of Chirstian saints. Often called to second Christ as his life exemplifies the ideals of Christian service. Highly recommended.

This book is a wonderful find. These are stories about the cultural experiences of many characters on both sides of the border. There are many different stories that made me think and want to revisit later. They can also be read as time permits. Highly recommended.

So good to see such a fine collection of inspiring and insightful stories in one book.

Paints a very realistic picture of what it was like to be a fisherman in Alaska. Plenty of interesting stories about the people, and the adventures the Shorts had when they first arrived and started fishing for a living.
I bought it at a garage sale when I was 12, and I still enjoy re-reading it. I thought it had gone out of print, and wouldn't loan it to anyone for years for fear of losing it.
The only disturbing part is that wildlife (fish, mink, bears and seals) are something to be harvested and/or cleared away for the people. Loads of animals meet their maker in this book.

I have lived in Southeast Alaska for the past eight years and am still learning a great deal about this magnificient part of the world. One of the ways that I learn is by reading books about the area and particularly those of local writers who have experienced the lifestyle. The Cheechakoes and Wayne's second book, This Raw Land, are two of the best I have read. They truly give one a feeling of what it must have been like in those early years. Having grown up in rural East Texas during the same time period as the books, I found that the part I enjoyed most was comparing the experiences of Wayne and his family with those of myself and my family. While many things were similar, the books truly give one the feeling of the vastness of the area and of the frontier spirit of the people who settled it.

These are great reads. I highly recommend them for all ages.

I LIVED IN ALASKA FOR FORTY YEARS, AND THIS A VERY TRUE STORY OF THE FAMILY, I WAS AQUAINTED WITH THE SON MARK SHORT AND HIS WIFE LORENE, MOUSE TO HER FRIENDS, ALSO MET BARBRA AND WAYNE, LIVED IN PETERSBURG, WHERE WAYNE WAS MAYOR AT ONE TIME, I THINK BARBARA STILL WORKS THERE AT THE TIDES IN IN THE SUMMER. GREAT READ, DON'T MISS IT, ALSO THE SECOND BOOK, THIS RAW LAND, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT. THE FIRST BOOK IS WHEN WAYNE'S DAD TOOK THEM TO ALASKA AS CHEECHAKOE'S, GREEN HORNS, AND THE SECOND BOOK IS WHEN WAYNE WENT SOUTH AND MARRIED BARB AND TOOK HER BACK TO ALASKA, TO BUILD HIS OWN FAMILY AND HOLDINGS. DON'T MISS THIS.

Having been there to see Alaska only whets the appetite. Do you have imagination? Then, whether you've never been, only cruised thru, or passed thru via Anchorage, don't wait to purchase this the finest collection of stories of the true Alaska you will find. Feel what it's like to freeze to death, hunt the Great Whale, live the ways of the original Alaskans...without having to. Immerse yourself in poetry only a great land and great people could create. In short, enjoy this collection. Savor it. Send it to friends as I have. And, pick it up again and again and again.

This book is a delight. Well chosen and skillfully edited material covers all aspects of the Alaska experience -- from native myths to the burly Alaska of the wild. This is a perfect book to read before your first trip to Alaska. If you have visited Alaska, reading this book will help you savor the Alaska experience. There are also several short pieces which make great bedtime reading for young children. One of my best purchases in years.

Although many great literary minds have been inspired to write about Alaska, it is impossible to find a single work that can completely describe the "Alaskan Experience". This great land is simply too vast in size, and rich in history and cultures to be described by any one author at any one time. In his anthology, Wayne Mergler selected excerpts from classical stories of Alaska, along with modern works and Native lore. He transports the reader through time and culture to give a fuller view of what it is to be "Alaskan".