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Book reviews for "Tegethoff,_Wolf_W." sorted by average review score:

Keepers of the Wolves: The Early Years of Wolf Recovery in Wisconsin
Published in Hardcover by Univ of Wisconsin Pr (26 November, 2001)
Author: Richard P. Thiel
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Enthralling book about wilderness returning to your backdoor
I grew up in Wisconsin and can relate to Richard P Thiel's accurate and colorful descriptions of northern and central Wisconsin landscape. However, his experiences go far beyond those of most others, helped by being able to track wolves by light aircraft and radio telemetry thus getting a bird's eye view of the scene. A good example of the Scientific Method on the hoof, so to speak. The book does not glamorize the profession of wildlife biology; it tells it like it is, including the governmental bureaucracy, physical hardships, bad weather, and long hours, occasionally punctuated with incredible encounters with the wolves that refused to be excluded from Wisconsin. The book teaches people what to expect when wolves share your living space. And what a great ending ... it brings the reader right up to date and sets the stage for proper management decisions in the future. A great humorous book which will entertain you as well as educate. I couldn't put it down.

Recommended for Wisconsin environmental issues reading lists
Keepers Of The Wolves: The Early Years Of Wolf Recovery In Wisconsin by Richard Thiel (coordinator of the Wisconsin Department of natural Resources Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, Babcock, Wisconsin) is the true and fascinating story of the restoration of wild wolves to Wisconsin Forest, from 1978 when they had been gone for twenty years to the present day with an estimated 200 timber wolves in 54 packs. Black-and-white line drawings illustrate a story of political controversies, environmental struggles, and the enduring strength of the wolf itself. A conservationist success story, Keepers Of The Wolves is especially recommended for Wisconsin environmental issues reading lists and wildlife restoration studies reference collections.

The respect for life
Good friends presented us this book as a Christmas gift, knowing that we are very interested in all forms of appearance of the nature, inanimate and alive.
It is of great interest for us since just in this years the wolves also return to the forests of our Eastgerman country.
It is wonderful written, understandable also for the laymen and rich in nice figures.
Most important for us is however, that this book is written by a man who obviously feels responsible for the life on our so endangered earth, who understand that human life is tightly connected with all the other appearances of life and that the good evolution of one kind of life is the necessary precondition for the healthy existence of all another creatures.
Men like Richard Thiel give us the hope that life has a chance to survive at our planet.


Baree: The Story of a Wolf-Dog (Medallion)
Published in Paperback by Newmarket Press (1992)
Author: James Oliver Curwood
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A great book
This book is definitely one of my my favorite books. Even though it seems a bit long, if you get caught up in stories like I do, you'll wish this book is longer. This book is beautifully written and such a great book in so many ways. You have to read this book. The author of this book is a great writer and this book will not let you down for action, adventure, and many other emotions. READ THIS BOOK! IT'S GREAT!

A Wildlife Adventure
This book is fantastic!It follows the story of a young half wolf, half dog pup who is accidentally seperated from his mother. He learns to survive in the harsh Canadian wilderness and meets friends and foe. He eventually comes to trust humans. The author obviously has a great understanding of animals as he explains in words exactly what the animals feel. The way this book is written is almost unexplainable-right up there with other fine authors such as Jack London. A must-read for any one who loves animals or has an understanding for them!

This book was beautifully written.
I thought this book was wonderful. It should be up there with the best of them, like Jack London's "Call of the Wild". It tells the story of a wolf cub seperated from its mother, and the adventures in the wilderness it encounters. It has very descriptive details and shows us all the true meaning of love and devotion.


"It's Not Fair, Jeremy Spencer's Parents Let Him Stay Up All Night!": A Guide to the Tougher Parts of Parenting
Published in Paperback by Noonday Press (1996)
Author: Anthony E. Wolf
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This is a MUST READ Book
I have read a lot of parenting books, this one is the best by far. It was as if he stepped in my home and saw our day to day interactions with our kids, and he gave specifics on how to solve each problem. Great Book, I wished I had read this long before now, it would have more peaceful at home.

The best parenting book I ever read, and I've read a LOT
Without a doubt, this is the best book I have ever read on handling children. I've read all the classics, and each of them taught me little bits here and there, but this was the only book where every single chapter spoke to me. Not only is the advice terrific, but Wolf gives explanations for some behaviors that otherwise didn't make any sense.

Did you ever pick up the phone when your child was playing quietly? You know what happens, right? Your child suddenly needs your assistance THIS MINUTE and will make it impossible for you to have a conversation. The same thing happens if you get a visitor or run into someone when your child was otherwise perfectly happy. Anthony Wolf tells you why your child does this. And better yet, he tells you what you can do to STOP this!

While implementing his strategy takes some self-control, it is not difficult, and there isn't a lot to remember. The important thing is to be consistent and use his approach whenever you deal with tantrums or interruptions. He calls this approach Robo-Parent. When it's clear that the child is just trying to keep you hooked into an argument, you stop talking and remove the child to his room. At our house we just say "Goodbye." It's kind of like a time-out in that it resets everyone's mood, but there's no clock. The child can come back whenever he's ready to behave. Usually my kids just go to their room and come right back out. It's not a punishment.

In fact Wolf clearly disapproves of punishing children, because he says shaming and hurting is counter-productive. Think about an abusive boss you had and how eager you were to do your best with that behavior. That's how your kids feel too. This approach leads to better feelings for everyone.

Wolf has another book out called _Secrets of Parenting_ which is mostly taken from this book. Buy one or the other as there is a tremendous amount of overlap. Both are appropriate in handling children between 2 and 12; he has another book on dealing with teenagers.

This book changed my life
This book tought me how to parent better than any other book I have ever read. People always comment to me on how well behaved my kids are and its all due to Anthony Wolfe. Wolfe tells you in simple (and amusing) ways how to parent without punishment, bribes, or driving YOURSELF crazy! Now, if parenting without punishment sounds like being "soft", its not. I am a much tougher parent than most of the people I know. Wolfe has helped me learn to use my own "power" as a parent to get well behaved kids without threats or punishment. Everyone with kids under the age of 12 should read this book.


Lone Wolf & Cub
Published in Paperback by First Classics (1988)
Authors: Kazuo Koike, Rick Oliver, and David Lewis
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Yagyu Retsudo renews the quest to kill Ogami Itto & Daigoro
The Yagyu letter continues to gnaw at Yagyu Retsudo who gives ample proof in Volume 13 of the Lone Wolf & Cub saga, "The Moon in the East, the Sun in the West," that he will go to any length to get his revenge on Ogami Itto. In the five chapters of the manga epic included in this volume is the most shocking act of violence we have yet wetness in this bloody saga:

(64) "The Moon in the East, the Sun in the West" has Retsudo ruminating on how he has sent all of his legitimate sons to be slaughtered by Ogami Itto. But the old man has an illegitimate son and daughter, and horrible plans for them both.

(65) "'Marohoshi' Mamesho" is another one of the fascinating characters created by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. This time around the title character is an old policeman from the capital on the verge of retirement who stumbles across Ogami Itto being commissioned for his next act of assassination. "Marohoshi" has spent his life protecting people and he is not going to let this ronin continue on the assassin's road.

(66) "Spoiling Daigoro" is an offbeat story where the family that hires Ogami Itto persuades him to let Daigoro stay with them while he goes off to do his job. They have a son who is a coward and a weakling with no friends, and the boy's father thinks that having Daigoro around might be good for Suzunosuke. Ogami Itto agrees and thinks go well for a while, but Suzunosuke soon grows tired of hearing his parents praise Daigoro day and night.

(67) "The Hojiro Yaguy" finds Retsudo's illegitimate son planning on using poison darts that can stop a charging horse to slay Lone Wolf. It looks like there is no way on earth Ogami Itto can escape, but, of course, he always has something up his sleeve. Warning: The ending of this one is unexpectedly brutual and shocking.

(68) "The Bird Catchers," is another episode where Lone Wolf and Cub are spectators for the most part as they come across a group of female falconers preserving a dying way of life. But what makes this tale of some significance, especially as the last one in this volume, is that in the eyes of his son, it seems Ogami Itto might have finally gone too far.

"The Moon in the East, the Sun in the West" is another superb collection of stories in the Lone Wolf & Cub saga. Koike and Kojima still manage to provide a new twist and turn in every volume while stringing us out as long as possible with both the short term mystery of the Yagyu letter and the long term quest of Ogami Itto to get his vengeance on the entire Yagyu clan. I read one episode a night right before bed and am almost always surprised to see what new direction each night's story might take. This has to be one of the ten greatest comic epics of all time.

Ogami Itto is hired for several intriquing assassinations
The mystery of the Yagyu letter is apparently forgotten in the five Lone Wolf and Cub tales told in Volume 12, "Shattered Stones." However, one thing that really stood out in these stories is that since he was reunited with his father after they were separated by circumstances, Daigoro has been smiling a lot more:

(59) "Nameless, Penniless, Lifeless" is one of the most disturbing stories in the Lone Wolf and Cub saga. It begins with a woman putting on a sex show for peasants. But what is even more shocking is that the woman has lost her mind and that her husband, whose face is half scared by terrible burns, is the one who talks her into her displays. There is more here than meets the eye, as is often the case in these stories, and the way in which the truth is revealed might remind you of part of Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

(60) "Body Check" is another one of those tales in which Ogami Itto has to use his brains to put himself in a position to use his sword for his next assassination.

(61) "Shattered Stones" begins with one of the most different ways that Ogami Itto has met someone who wanted to hire him for an assassination. On top of that the rules of the assassination are quite different (again, I am reminded of a Western parallel in the novel "Sophie's Choice").

(62) "A Promise of Potatoes" is an amusing little change of pace story for this series. Daigoro is off by himself again, being beaten up by a group of kids, when he is rescued by a con artist who teaches the boy to sit by a bowl looking pitiful as a way of making money. But where there is Cub can Lone Wolf be far behind...

(63) "Wife Killer" is a wonderfully ironic title, which we learn is used to describe somebody who gives away the tricks of magicians, who are known as "hand wives." Noronji Hoya, the Princess of Magicians, who has been using a delighted Daigoro as her "assistant," is about the encounter the "wife killer," an old saki-sotted magician who travels with two thugs who extort money from magicians: pay up or have your secrets revealed. But Noronji Hoya has a better proposition: she will perform a trick and if the old man can reveal her secret she will kill herself; if not, then she will take the old man's eyes.

Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima are back to telling tales in which Ogami Itto is more often than not more of a spectator to the action in which other characters carry the stories. One of the testaments to the greatness of this manga epic is that the title character can be almost incidental to the story and it is still completely riveting. Here we are, not even halfway through this saga, and they are still coming up with new and intriguing variations on the basic themes they established early on. The fact that they can maintain this high level certainly justifies the exalted status Lone Wolf & Cub has in the international world of comics.

At long last, Ogami Itto gets emotional over Daigoro
"Talisman of Hades" is a nice title, but "Thirteen Strings" is the one you are not going to forget of the four stories collected in Volume 11 of the "Lone Wolf & Cub" magna epic. We had been confronted with a major development in the story as Ogami Itto stole the Yagyu letter. All pretenses were dropped as Reshido Yagyu declared open war on Ogami Itto, but Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima were showing the same sort of audacious subterfuge as their heroic creation, for as Ogami and Reshido crossed blades, Daigoro lost is hold on his father's shoulders and literally fell over a cliff. Suddenly the mystery of the Yagyu letter has become secondary because father and son have become separated. Their search for one another continues in these stories and for the first time we see Ogami Itto express emotion for his son:

(55) "Talisman of Hades" finds Ogami Itto is now putting up pictures of a baby cart where once he had pasted the talismans of meifunado to invite clients of death and assassination. A group of young students on their way to an academy stumble upon the mystery of the signs and when they see the strange ronin slay a "priest" (another Yagyu assassin in disguise of course), they decide they must intervene, forcing Lone Wolf to teach them a valuable lesson.

(56) "Ailing Star" has Daigoro finding a place to stay with an old granny who lives under a rotted bridge in danger of collapse. The locals keep trying to convince the old lady to leave, but she refuses. "Ailing Star" forms an interesting counterpart to "Talisman of Hades" as Daigoro has his own little lesson to impart.

(57) "Thirteen Strings" is an 118-page story where Koike and Kojima come up with their own version of a Kurosawa film experience (the rain during the last acts of the story is a clue). When we come to end of this epic tale, surely "Thirteen Strings" will be one of the most memorable episodes. A runaway horse is about to trample a child in the road when Ogami Itto intervenes. The horsewoman turns out to be the Lady Kanae, Daughter of the Go-Jodai of Odawara Han, and a spoiled brat who fancies herself a samurai. Ogami also learns of a larger conflict between the Go-Jodai and the farmers. Drought has blighted the harvest for four years and the Go-Jodai has tightened the screws on the farmers, who "hire" Ogami to attend a meeting between the two sides (because if anything happens to Chosuke, the leader of the farmers, Lone Wolf will bring word back to the farmers). Go-Jodai has his own agenda for implementing fundamental agricultural reform. Meanwhile, his headstrong daughter seeks revenge on the ronin who has insulted her. But then the rains bring a sudden flood that changes absolutely everything. This is a memorable story of surprising depth, showing that Koike and Kojima are absolute masters of their craft.

(58) "A Poem for the Grave" has Ogami Itto seeking help in finding the secret of the Yagyu letter. This turns into another assassination job, which results in an encounter with another honorable soul who seeks to turn Lone Wolf from the Assassin's Road. The question is whether things might be different this time because of Ogami Itto's separation from Diagoro.

I am in awe of Koike and Kojima maintain this level of excellence through a story that is not even halfway over by this point in the telling of the tale. I continue to savor one story each night at bedtime so that I can think about how it fits into the big picture and the ebb and flow of the story. An absolute masterpiece, not just as a comic book, but as an epic narrative.


Lone Wolf and Cub
Published in Paperback by Berkley Pub Group (1989)
Authors: Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima, and Kazuko Koike
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"If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha."
I have been reluctant to undertake the reviewing of this series for two reasons. For one thing, there are some 24 volumes, which mean a considerable commitment in reading and writing. Second, one of my favorite reviewers is also reading through the series, and it is no small effort to find ways to bring further insights to the reader.

Because I am also reading the Blade of the Immortal series, there is a natural tendency to compare these to manga, which are both similar, and quite different. Kazuo Koike is perhaps the more inventive writer. Since thus far the Lone Wolf series lacks the grand theme of revenge that knits Hiroaki Samura's work together, the Lone Wolf plots are limited to the individual stories. This is not a flaw at all, just an explanation of one of the key differences. Koike is a master of minimalist story telling, ironic devices, and plots that take surprising turns when least expected.

Both series have more than their fair share of violence, although Blade of the Immortal stands out for its depictions of fighting and dismemberment. Lone Wolf's violence is sudden and swift - less choreographed. Goseki Kojima, the artist also has a strong sense of the sweep and motion of a scene, while Samura's clean, balanced graphics produce a lighter, less congested style. Of course, the fact that Lone Wolf's page size is half that of Blade of the Immortal makes direct comparison more difficult.

There are several changes between the stories of volume one of this series and this second volume. For one thing, the tales are twice as long, allowing for better building of tension and plot, as well as more depictions of life in the world of Edo-period Japan. In addition, Daigoro, Lone Wolf's son (the cub of the series title) gets much better parts than he does in the first volume. He is no longer just a plot device, but a living character. Finally, there is an inner sense of the 'romance' and tragedy of a ronin seeking a life of honor.

That last two stories, 'The Gateless Barrier,' and 'Winter Flower' are perfect examples of the breadth of Koike's talent. Both are stories of murders that must be done, but one is a cautionary Buddhist tale, and the other is a finely honed recreation of the classic forms of Japanese tragic drama. Completely different from each other they are two strong arguments for pursuing this series.

Lone Wolf and Cub continue walking the Assassin's Road
There is an obvious shift in what is going on in "The Gateless Barrier," the second volume in the Lone Wolf and Cub epic. When I started this saga I decided I would read one story each night. In the first volume, "The Assassin's Road," there were nine stories, while "The Gateless Barrier" offers up only five tales as the stories take on more depth. You would think that the key story in this transition was "The Assassin's Road," the last story in the first volume and the one where we find out the backstory on Ogami Itto, the Kaishakunin executioner for the Shogun, who has turned Ronin. But there is nothing in this second volume that really follows up on that origin.

Instead, Lone Wolf continues to work as a hired assassin in four of these five stories. The change of pace tale is (12) "Tragic O-Sue," where it is actually young Diagoro who causes trouble; but even then everyone assumes this is just another one of those convoluted ploys used by Lone Wolf to assassin his impervious victim. Diagoro is certainly up to more in that episode in all the others to this point combined and I find some of it farfetched, but I also appreciate the twist on the standard story line.

There are subtler twists in the other stories from writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima as well as the Lone Wolf continues to earn his pay. In (10) "Red Cat" we see the familiar ploy of Ogami Itto allowing himself to be captured to gain access to his target, yet there is still a surprise ending. Then in (11) "The Coming of the Cold" finds the assassin acting in concert with others rather than going it alone to achieve his goal. I know (13) "The Gateless Barrier" is the key story in this volume, with its introspective look into the psyche of the main character, but once again the best story is the last one in the volume, (14) "Winter Flower."

Much is made of the cinematic artwork of Goseki Kojima, which makes a lot of sense because "Winter Flower" looks like an illustrated movie. In a brothel a samurai is killed while making love to a prostitute, while another prostitute commits seppuku immediately afterwards. The official investigating the deaths is troubled by what he finds, especially since it is clear the second prostitute was the daughter of a samurai, who allowed herself to live a degrading life and then killed herself. The reader knows who can make the connection between the two incidents, but the why remains the big mystery. I even appreciate the irony that this story, the best in the series to this point in the saga, is probably the one in which the Lone Wolf appears the least. It is tempting to read more than one story a night, but the road is long and patience is a necessity.

Following the Demon Road
Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima began their "Kozure Okami" (Lone Wolf & Cub) in 1970, serialized in Manga Action. The result is one of the bloodiest, most vicious series in history. The Lone Wolf is an assassin for hire, charging 500 gold per job, and taking assignments only after hearing the reason for the hit. He started out as the Shogun's personal assassin, but was betrayed by the powers behind the Shogun. This is an adult comic, and will not appeal to everyone. But, if you like detailed artwork, sweeping stories, intense acton, and plot twists at every corner, Lone Wolf is for you.


Make It a Winning Life: Success Strategies for Life, Love and Business
Published in Hardcover by Achievement Pub (1992)
Authors: Wolf J. Rinke and Anthony Robbins
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A great book for anyone who wants to "GROW."
I purchased WOLF'S book in 1993 and I have read it many times. Being a professional speaker in Canada I have used some of his great material in my motivational seminars. The book is easy to read and I recommend it for any person who wants to grow as an even better person.

Today I ordered another of his books: THE SIX SUCCESS STRATEGIES FOR WINNING AT LIFE, LOVE & BUSINESS.

Make It a Winning Life: Success Strategies for Life, Love an
I have read numerous motivational books, and this one is the best. It keeps the reader involved with exercises and suggestions. It's meaty; no irrelevant fluff. I have read it four times so far.

Passionate about Life...and Making it a Great Journey!
Dr. Wolf Rinke is skilled in teaching individuals and organizations how to have fun and then watch the work get done! His book is packed with practical instruction and tools to accomplish every daily objective with purpose and passion. Dr. Rinke's principles are applicable in all professions, sports, and activities of daily living. His writing is an art; well researched and inclusive of the input of numerous respected and highly successful people today! This book is truly a daily diary of action for success in every area in ones life.


Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies
Published in Paperback by For Dummies (10 May, 1999)
Author: Douglas J. Wolf
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Very nice book on Crystal Reports
This book was a welcome break from the manual that comes with version 7.0. Very easy to understand the basics and it also contains alot of other stuff. I needed to create some reports quickly and this book really helped.

Crystal reports 7 - made very easy
The best on the market you will find. The book is very easy to follow and chapters are very nicely arranged. Good work.

Seagate Crystal Reports 7 for Dummies
This book was an excellent start for Crystal. I can actually read the huge technical Crystal Report books and understand what they are reffering to. It helped open the door to a whole new world.


Secret of Parenting: How to Be in Charge of Today's Kids - From Toddlers to Preteens - Without Threats or Punishment
Published in Paperback by Farrar Straus & Giroux (Pap) (2000)
Author: Anthony E. Wolf
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Excellent advice, but borrows heavily from Jeremy
If you have not read any of Anthony Wolf's books, and you are looking for a great book on parenting, you've found it. Wolf's advice is straightforward, logical, and reasonably easy to implement. But if you bought _It's No Fair, Jeremy Spencer Gets to Stay Up All Night_, this one won't teach you much more. _Secrets of Parenting_ borrows heavily from _It's No Fair_, to the point that there's no need for both of them.

The kernel of Wolf's approach toward dealing with children is in handling the I Want You Now personality. His descriptions of typical childhood behavior ring true to anyone who has children. Ever have your child playing quietly in the same room until you pick up the phone, and then s/he needs you to help RIGHT AWAY? Wolf will explain why this happens. Better yet, he'll tell you how to handle this so it won't keep happening.

His advice on handling bad behavior is for you to become a Robo-parent. It completely disconnects the I Want You Now behavior, because it doesn't engage. Robo-parent deals with the child, no muss, ignore the fuss, and very soon your child learns that tantrums and stickiness don't succeed. While I can't always tamp down my emotions to turn into Robo-parent, it's good to have a strategy that WILL WORK.

I can't say enough good things about this book!
This book saved my life. Absolutely, hands-down, the best advice ever given. Dr. Wolfe dishes out logical and practical solutions to everyday problems and manages to keep the book funny. It's a quick read and very enlightening.

This book saved my life!
As the mother of an only child, I sought a lot of advice from parenting books. Many gave a list of do's and don'ts and had some good ideas,but this book has easy, practical advice.

Dr. Wolf's recommended approaches are in line with my personal values, which don't include harsh punishment and spanking.
I was able to decrease my stress in dealing with my child on a day to day basis and now spending time together is more enjoyable because there is practically no fussing.

It's funny to see him try his temper tantrums now, because I can see his frustration when they have no effect on me. As a result, he rarely has one.

I plan to give copies of this book to my friends for Christmas.


Wolf Medicine: A Native American Shamanic Journey into the Mind
Published in Paperback by Sterling Publications (30 June, 2001)
Authors: Wolf Moondance, Jim Sharpe, and Sky Starhawk
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This book is nicely put together
This book relays elegant little Shamanic journeys, the author has taken, and marks a few roadsigns for a beginner to follow.

I would categorize this book for beginners, and could easily be understood by young adults.

My ONLY complaint is her version of the medicine wheel. Of the 12-15 medicine wheel traditions I have seen; this one is by far the most complex.

Personaly; I prefer the medicine wheel tradition that is based on the vision of Oglala Sioux holy man Nick Black Elk.

If you want to learn this easier medicine wheel tradition; contact me by E-mail.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

I now can understand the Soul
I have always liked native american teachings. I love the works of Wolf Moondance they are thought prevoking. I found the Truth about the human soul in the teachings of Wolf Medicine. I thinkanyone wanting to know about the Brain, Mind or the soul will be pleases. Thanks Billy Cloud

I Love the teachings
I see the mind and I hear the Wolf. If you want to understand the soul read this one, the magic of the teachings will open your thoughts and clear your worry!GSw


Wolf Willow
Published in Paperback by Penguin USA (Paper) (1990)
Author: Wallace Earle Stegner
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wistful retrospective
Part history and part dreamy reminiscence, this book is an account of a boy growing up in Southwest Saskatchewan in the early part of the 20th Century. The central portion of the book is pure history, and the long chapters on cowboys are particularly challenging because they require an intimate knowledge of cowboy terminology. Stegner does not mince words about the difficulties of life on the plains--extremes of heat and cold, wind, hostile topography, lack of cultural amenities--the result of which is that most who grew up there moved elsewhere. But he also shows a passionate attachment for the country of his childhood. The narrative often seems rambling because, like James Michener, the author tries to incorporate so much besides history--including the biology and geology of the nearby Cypress Hills, the biologically diverse area nearby--and even his poetic musings have elements of fact, as when he describes the wind, or the gophers, or his swimming hole, or his school, or his family's homestead, or the problems involved in the town's incorporation.

Vividly told account of the Canadian frontier
This wonderful collection of essays and fiction about the last Western frontier is both romance and anti-romance. Writing in the 1950s, Stegner captures the breath-taking beauty of the unbroken plains of southwest Saskatchewan and the excitement of its settlment at the turn of the century. Part memoir, the book recounts the years of his boyhood in a small town along the Whitemud River in 1914-1919, the summers spent on the family's homestead 50 miles away along the Canadian-U.S border. His book is also an account of the loss of that Eden and the failed promise of agricultural development in this semi-arid region with thin top soil.

Stegner is a gifted, intelligent writer, able to turn the people and events of history into compelling reading. The opening section of the book describes the experience of being on the plains and specifically in the area where Stegner was a boy. And it lays out the geography of that land -- a distant range of hills, the river, the coulees, the town -- which the book will return to again and again.

The following section evokes the period of frontier Canada's early exploration, the emergence of the metis culture, the destruction of the buffalo herds, the introduction of rangeland cattle, and then wave upon wave of settlement pushing the last of the plains Indians westward and northward. A chapter is devoted to the surveying of the boundary along the Canada-U.S. border; another chapter describes the founding of the Mounted Police and its purely Canadian style of bringing law and order to the wild west.

The middle section of the book is a novella and a short story about the winter of 1906-1907. In the longer piece, eight men rounding up cattle are caught on the open plains in an early blizzard. Stegner builds the drama and the peril of their situation artfully and convincingly. The final section of the book returns to Stegner's memories of the town and the homestead, ending with his family's departure for Montana.

Stegner lived at a time and in a place where a person born in the 20th century could still experience something of the sweep of history that transformed the American plains. I've read many books about the West, and because of his depth of thought, his gifts as a writer, and his unflinching eye, Stegner's work ranks for me among the best. I heartily recommend this book.

Growing up on the northern plains.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Wallace Stegner grew up on the prairie frontiers of North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Montana, and in the mountains of Utah. As is indicated by the subtitle, this volume combines history, a memoir, and historical fiction. Readers who have spent significant time on the snow swept northern steppes may find a small part of themselves, and of this land, in Wolf Willow. ...
"On those miraculously beautiful and murderously cold nights glittering with the green and blue darts from a sky like polished dark metal, when the moon had gone down, leaving the hollow heavens to the stars and the overflowing cold light of the Aurora, he thought he had moments of the clearest vision ... In every direction ... the snow spread; here and there the implacable plain glinted back a spark - the beam of a cold star reflected in a crystal of ice." (The scene evokes in me a powerful memory, as I recall often standing alone on just such "murderously cold" snow blanketed prairies and gazing into those "miraculously beautiful" night skies.)


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