This work was like a good conversation. A bit pithy and cliched at times, it raises many important issues within the black American diaspora yet does not present any specific solutions. The reader definitely gains the sense that he or she is actually engaged in conversation with Dr. West and the other individual; however, just when the reader is about to put his two cents in, the chapter ends. The conversations with Pat Williams was the most enlightening. I guess, one could perceive the levity of the this work as optimism, a quality that earns the four stars. Definitely, a nightstand piece that preps you for a solution-oriented mind.

In this book sociologist, Cornel West, decided to interview prominent figures in America in order to get their feelings on the future of black America. In this book West interviews Maya Angleou, Harry Belafonte, and Bill Bradley just to name a few. West deals with all aspects of black culture. He deals with the church, music, and literature all key in understanding black thought and history. Each person included the book has a unique perspective on what direction blacks are heading for in the future. This book's main thought is that even though black poverty is an American problem, blacks have risen up from hard times in the past and will continue to be a major part of this country.

The book has some pretty pictures and a very basic overview of the park in winter, but is geared very much toward SUV-travelers with plenty of cash and credit cards. Most of the information in this book can be learned from the free pamphlets you get at the park (or they'll send them to you). If you're looking for a more in-depth and personal experience, this book won't help you much.

This and a good map of Yellowstone are all you need for visiting Yellowstone in the winter. The photographs are really gorgeous, too!

I thought we were all trying very hard to be color blind! This is not for me!

MY HUSBAND HAS SERVICED IN THE ARMY FOR 23 YEARS...IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS BRAVE SOUL.

The life of Henry Miller really derves the talents of someone like Robert Caro, since it can be seen as the basis for a broader history of the American West in the 19th century. Miller himself was self-made, a dynamic, visionary, and fantastically successful land and cattle baron. He also seems to have been welll-liked by the men he hired, and (at least for a land baron) by his neighbors. The story as told by Treadwell is factual enough, but devoid of personal and cultural detail. Miller's business papers are mostly in the collection of the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley, raw data awaiting the talentrs of a more skilled biographer. An out-of-print but fairly easy to find book written by one of Miller's foremen, "California Gringos", is also informative

Burnham's book is a fine history of the slow degeneration of Congress as an institution, from it's beginnings as the heart of our gov't, to it's present state as an irritating side show that mainly serves to siphon public money off to various local interests. That, in fact, is one of the things Burnham defends, and this is the book's primary flaw. While it gives a fine account of the creeping imperialism of the executive branch, it offers nothing but jeremiads. The practical solutions to this problem, such as making Congress larger, are not seriously considered. Worse yet is the author's tendency to defend the more backward aspects of Congressional life, such as special interest politics. It is all well and good to say that Congress defends the rights of the few against the many and stands in the path of mob tyrannny, but it is undeniable that it is all to often a leech that exists only to expropriate the wealth of one segment of society and pass it on to another. Burnham's blind allegience to outworn gov't mechanisms is his great flaw. The first principles he adheres to are as valid as ever, but they need a new embodiement more suited to our own times and troubles. Romantic nostalgia for the days of Webster and Calhoun is counterproductive.

Stephen Aron's book depicts the two conflicting ideals of how Kentucky is to go down into history by pioneer Daniel Boone and then, the powerful Henry Clay. A very good book answering all the questions of historical Trans-Appalacha. I feel as if Aron could have shortened the book and still be able to get the point across of the two opposing sides.

According to the fly-leaf, the Chicago Tribune considers Mr. West "possibly our finest living stylist in English." Well, that may be but buddy he was way out of his genre with this book. The only reason I struggled through the entire book is that I finish what I start. Verbose, convuluted, complex and dry are some of the words I can muster up to describe this book. Reading one of the Greek tragedies that West continually refered to would be easier than getting through this horrid work of historical fiction.

West is a second-rate Faukner. At least Faukner lived in Mississippi. I got money that says West has never even BEEN to Arizona. I will say that this book had a LOT in common with Doc Holliday. Reading it was about as much fun as going to a dentist -- and did you about as much good as a dentist with a consumptive cough and a shaky hand.

Bottom Line: Don't waste your time.

I enjoyed this novel, as I have all of West's historical fictions. As a reader, you have to have a sense of humor, an inkling when someone is pulling your leg for dramatic effect. When reading West, this is doubly important. He's a master at this sort of thing. In other novels, he's made mention of Shakespeare during Milton's time, of Tourette's syndrome in WW2 China, and the conceit of having Lord Byron's doctor narrate his autobiography from the grave. Take it with a grain of salt, enjoy it. I suspect most readers prefer his spin on the fate of Big Nose Kate. It's fiction. It's wondeful.

Besides, West has moved on to bigger and better things. Can you imagine someone staking their whole lives, their entire imagination, their reputation and everything that consumes the soul on Doc Holliday? Life's too short, live a little.

The fact that Paul West, "with so little research" (?), could put together such a fascinating look into the life of Doc Holliday is extraordinary. With typical Westian flair he reconstructs Holliday as Holliday himself wishes he had been. This "fictional" account has permanently altered my idea of who Doc Holliday was. Bravo Mr. West. As for genre, I believe this is a literary book, rather than a pulpy one. It reminds me of Robert Kroetsch's The Studhorse Man and Coover's Ghost Town. For any generous reader, this book is sure to be a pleasure.

George Cassidy was the alias Butch was using when he was arrested for horse theft. His actual name was Robert LeRoy Parker.

How can one trust a book that can't even get the name of Butch Cassidy correct. Robert Leroy Parker is the real thing using George only perpetuates the untruths and casts doubt on the rest of the work.

The review written in April 1999 from Cleveland Utah, was confusing. Was the writer saying the Author was incorrect in stating that Butch did not use the name George? If that be the case then I would refer the reviewer to an indictment issued on July 4th 1894 in Laramie that lists one George Cassidy as a defendant in horse theft. Prison records also indicate that George "Butch" Cassidy was incarcerated at the Wyoming State Prison on 7-15-94. Did I mis-read the review, or did the reviewer mis-read history?