Few have had the pleasure of reading any of Richard Huffstodt's poetry. That's because Richard has allowed very little to be published. He has filled boxes upon boxes of leaf literary genious and hidden them in a dark contemporary treasure trove. Just as much of Heminghway's Cuban work is now being uncovered and shared for the first time, Huffstodt's is about to suface and spark. I, for one, have had the rare opportunity to peruse some of this hidden master's work. His revelations of nature, the American West, and true being rank among the eloquent, down to earth, reaches of a coalesced Walt Whitman/ Gary Snyder. Keep your eyes out for Richard Huffstodt's poetry. A rare master's work is about to enter the world conscoiusness.

Dan Flynn has captured the true essence of one of California's least appreciated and most misunderstood of California cities. His guide is really packed with some hidden gems about the capitol city. I think any visitor or resident who be advised to get a copy of Flynn's book before setting out to see the Camellia City. As a staffer at the capitol, I think he is privvy to all of those secret spots politicians of any state capitol discover. Can't wait until he reviews the state buildings' cafeterias.

Author Richard Grimes speaks truth in a way that so very few dare. He touches on the much under-documented Rockefeller Administration during the 70s and 80s in poverty stricken West Virginia. In this feeble age where family dynasties permeate our American landscape, the Rockefeller name is no small player in the game. One could never know just how powerful, and yet decievingly humble the now Senator Jay Rockefeller was during those dusty days of Mountain State politics. Grimes shows what those in West Virginia must have known for decades: Rockefeller played savior to a needy state, but only got as far as his family dollar would allow. Grimes' evenhanded, yet painfully honest writing represents last from a rare breed of 'old school' journalists. The writing in this book is some of the best that this generation has to offer. His work continues to serve as an inspiration to me. Kudos Grimes!!!

Richard "Dutch" Hardorff is one of the most thorough and objective students of General Custer's "last stand". His love of the truth and respect for the Indian tribes and their homeland is inspiring. His writing is captivating and fresh, especially considering the extensive treatment of the subject. Mr. Hardorff provides a lively and thought-provoking perspective that one would never get from the 'history' books. Truly an exceptional book and consistent with his fine other writings.

Basically well written and excellently researched , this book offers insights on the critical battles of the Civil War in western Virginia during the Spring of 1864, a subject usually not covered in detail. The details provided and the sequence presented on military operations give a very useful overview of strategy and tactics in this area in 1864. Richard Duncan, the author, details the unsuccessful attempts by General Hunter's army to live off the land which contrasts with Sherman's success in Georgia. While Sherman's effect on the civilian population is well known, the harsh treatment of civilians in the Shenandoah Valley is not as widely covered in print; and Richard Duncan's account provides much useful information and references on the subject of the Union Army's relationship with the area's civilians. The importance of the campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley during the Spring of 1894 should not be ignored. Had General Hunter been successful, the Civil War

may have ended six months earlier. This book well describes Grant's strategy, Lee and Davis responses and the numerous mistakes made by both armies. Making this account enjoyable, is the inclusion of brief biographical sketches of the field officers involved before discussing each operation.

The book suffers from a lack of good and sufficient maps. The maps provided do little to support the text. Critically needed are maps on individual battles. This is especially true of Chapter 2, The Dublin Raid, where maps are provided only on Crook's and Averell's routes to and from Dublin; however, maps on some of the raid's engagements/battles would greatly enhance the text. In addition, maps are badly needed for the engagements fought near Lynchburg. However, both the professional historian and the Civil War buff, would do well to read this work.

I had to use this book for a storytelling class and it was a great resource and a fun read. Mr. Erdoes does a wonderful job of bringing these stories to life; ranging from the famous outlaws of the Wild West to more obscure trickster tales. A definitive book for the beginning or experienced storyteller alike!

There is a great bonanza of material on the history of
mining in the American and Canadian West. The purpose
of this work is to concentrate and partially assay this
ore, as an aid both to those seeking the pure metal refined
from it and to those delving for rich ore not yet worked.

This vast ore sample is divided into a general western mining
section and a mining and metallurgical technology section,
followed by regional sections for each state, province and
territory. Each section opens with a brief assay that
highlights some of the larger works that have uncovered
or enriched various phases of western mining and mining life,
but this sampling is offered only as a starting point and
much more awaits the thorough prospector. Within each regional
section the ore is subdivided into refined historical studies,
raw materials of all sorts, fictional and poetic treatments,
and bibliographical guides to further materials.

Included here are over 25,000 works on various aspects
of western mining, from prospecting, mining rushes and
mining camps, through mining finance, labor and technology,
to mining law, literature and lore. There are books,
pamphlets, broadsides, maps, music, directories, laws,
state and federal publications, dissertations, theses
and articles in scholarly journals.

It is hoped that this work will both stimulate and
facilitate new research by revealing not only what
has been done, but what has yet to be done, and some
of the potential sources that may be used to do it.

A great preview of "The Bob". Very good, concise information in a very readable format. I especially liked the sections on wildlife and history. Makes you want to go to Montana tomorrow and see the country, even if it is January and you hate snow. I can hardly wait for the summer and a visit to the wild country of "The Bob".

College-level or reference collections strong in Western lore and American history will want to consider The Mythical West: An Encyclopedia Of Legend, Lore, And Popular Culture, a basic and comprehensive reference to the popular myths about the West, from cultural concerns to images of famous figures, Native Americans, and favorite notions about Western culture. Each entry receives a good amount of reference information, with biographies holding many insights.

In the mid 1980s I bought the first edition of this book. It was a much smaller yet still beautiful edition. When the new edition came out in '94 I was quick to pick that one up. This new version is much expanded and elaborated. So what is this book? It is a combination of a travel guide, an ethno-historical book and a book on local botany, Indians and geology sprinkled heavily with gorgeous photographs. Richard Fisher has put decades of his life into making this flawless account of the area. Whether you are visiting the national parks of Mexico by road, off-road or railroad, you will need this book. I have used this book many times to research an area before going there. The book will take you to lost mission churches, huge waterfalls, off-world looking landscapes and everywhere in between.