A very nice story, well told. True to the time period and location, the Missouri Ozarks in the mid 1800s. Read by the author with a pure, Southern Ozarks accent. This can take some getting used to, even for a Missouri native like myself, but don't give up on it, the story is worth the listening effort. My one criticism would be that Mr. Jaynes seems to be a little rushed in his reading, which makes interpretion of his accent that much more difficult.

Clearing out my mother's house last month, I came across this old paperback. It had my sister's name in it, so I brought it home to mail to her, as she is out of state. I decided to go ahead and read it beforehand. From the first chapter, I was hooked. It is a story of redemption such as you rarely get to read. It had some truly admirable characters, and built up enough suspense that it was hard to put it down and sleep.

OMB it was hilarious seeing jonathan's review as i go to the same school and everything! i had mrs. wolferman last year in 7th grade, and she really is awesome! Also, I've read the book and it's very helpful if you want to learn about the Osage. Mrs. Wolferman rox loL!

I hate to brag, but I am lucky enough to have Kristie C. Wolferman as my 7th grade History teacher! Yuo may think I am eriting this review just becuase I personally know the author...and you're right, but I kow from experience that she is one of the best writers in the wolrd today! Today and yesterday I had two writing worksho classes with her and she taught me so much it's unbelieveable. This is so cool that I am writing a review about my own teacher. Mrs. Wolferman if you are reading this....YOU ROCK!!! Although I have never had the chance to read this book, I know that Mrs. Wolferman has written a great book, and I will read it! I bet you wish that Kristie C. Wolferman was your history teacher don't you? I know, it's not everyday you get a fomous author as your history teacher. If yuo want me to get her autograph for you, E-mail me. I will only charge $2.75. You may think that's a lot but for Kristie Wolferman's autograph? It;s totally worth it. You should definitaly read The Osage in Missouri. It's a great book, and you'll learn a lot!

I loved the book, read it at one sitting. I am not usually so interested in poetry, in anthology form anyway, until I found this Taproot Review. I didn't have to work too hard at reading it - not the usual looking for hidden meaning in words, linebreaks, etc. With Taproot Review, I just laid back and enjoyed the writing. The writers are from all over and are in all walks of life. What a joy to read. I at first thought of giving the book four stars, but changed it to five to be fair. This is the best collection of poetry and short fiction I have read in a long time and I feel that it deserves the best rating. The stories are wonderful. A lot of men would like this book, women also. Nothing in it the kids couldn't read. Life as we know it. The writing speaks in a variety of voices, all so clearly. This is what literature should be.

I just discovered Taproot with this 11th Edition. Was I sleeping? The poems are real, powerful and interesting. Whoever edits this collection knows great writing. The short stories are awesome and unforgetable. This is a collection of poetry and short fiction that has to become classic. I loved it. It deserves to be - as it is - on the shelves of the finest libraries and universities and also in the hands of readers everywhere. It's the link between readers and writers and all of their lives. I can't wait for the next Edition.

Revard is a wonderful storyteller, yet his poems are lyrical and beautifully wrought. His range is impressive--whether he's writing about the Oklahoma of his childhood, his years in England, or medieval monsters, the poems are always compelling, the voice in them engaging. I would recommend this book not only to avid poetry readers but to anyone who likes a good story.

This book is essential in the library of all Native Americans and Non-Native Americans alike. Forget the old stereotypes, this work based on the intense research of Francis LaFlesche, an anthropologist and Native himself, blows all pre-conceived notions of Native thought and society. The intense and complex cosmological musings harken back to the Greek philosophers and Eastern Taoism and Confucianism. Finally something that truly shows the complexity and diversity of the original peoples of this continent.

Being raised not 5 miles from the location of the book in Osage County and only 13 years latter I felt I was reading a story of my life. This is a great book for young and old who love to hear stories like those told by your Grandparents on the front porch sipping tea in the cool Oklahoma evening. A must have for anyone who loves books of life and the realities that come with it.

I first read Talking to the Moon when living in Oklahoma's Osage County, only a few miles from where it was written. John Joseph Mathews, the author, was a native of that beautiful, rugged, still sparsely populated country. The scion of a locally prominent part-Osage family, he attended the University of Oklahoma and Oxford University, fought in WWI, and then came home to live alone for 10 years in a house he had built on his father's ranch. This book is the fruit of that time; it recounts his experiences and observations of the people, wildlife, and flora of that unique place. I found most of his observations to be accurate and pertinent 45 years later, except that if anything there are fewer people and better environmental conditions than there were in the 1930s and 40s, when Oklahoma's oil fever was still in full swing, and the Osage country was a hotbed of petroleum exploration and exploitation.

The book's structure is based on the Osage's concept of the moon's cycles as the basis of their year. The opening sentence of the third chapter, "Just-Doing-That Moon", says: "The Osage say that the moon is a woman and that she makes her appearance twelve times a year." Each of the moon's appearances has a name and, in the book, a corresponding chapter.

Mathews was deeply involved in Osage tribal politics, attempting to safeguard their lands and mineral rights from encroachment by state and federal government, and also attempting to preserve tribal history. He founded the Osage Tribal Museum in Pawhuska, and one chapter of the book is mostly devoted to his successful effort to have portraits painted for the museum of the leading elders of the tribe. This was in the summer of 1936, which still stands as the hottest on record in this area. His tales of dealing with the proud, recalcitrant elders and the somewhat clueless portraitist are both humorous and moving.

Mathews was a sophisticated, cosmopolitan intellectual, but he loved his people and his land, was always concerned with their welfare, and in writing this book, gave us an affectionate and clear-eyed account of the beauties and terrors to be found among the blackjacks and canyons of the land that Woody Guthrie called "the great Osage."

As a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan and researcher, I found this book fascinating. Whether you agree or not with the author's findings, the book is definitely food for thought. The "Little House" books are wonderful reading but, do pose some discrepancies and Ms. Vavra does an excellent job of attempting to clear up one of them. This is a good read and a worthwhile additon to the library of any true Laura Ingalls Wilder fan.

Mean Spirit is a wonderful work showing the Indian's view on life and nature. The novel, based on true story, really touch me and makes me feel for the Indians. The Indian seems unlikely to win the 'confrontation' against the white government. It gives my sympathy for the white man and the U.S government for they were (are?)not ashame in annexing the land of the native people of American since the early colonialization. It just too bad that the story does not end in a happy ending on the Indian side.

"Mean Spirit" is a fictionalized, but very vivid portrayal of the hardships faced by Native Americans in the former "Indian Country" (Oklahoma) during the 1920s. Most of the main characters are members of the Osage people, who were and to some extent still are better off than many other native peoples because the land alloted to them in Oklahoma sits atop a pool of oil and they retained the mineral rights. However, as Hogan points out, this material wealth was a very mixed blessing in many ways. First and foremost, the Osage became the objects of the manipulations and schemes of various oil barons and others (very likely with the tacit support of the local and even federal authorities) often with fatal consequences - and this is the main theme of the book. Although written in the engrossing style of a thriller, "Mean Spirit" is not a whodunnit novel. It is rather an exploration of the consequences of the U.S. government's policies consistently (either directly or indirectly) aimed against the interests of Native Americans, aided and abetted by society in general. It also shows that even after active fighting and expulsion ended, the war against the Native Americans continued by other means. These messages are skillfully incorporated in a very believable and realistic story (indeed, many characters and situations are based on actual people and events), which is frequently interspersed with some refreshing, very dry humor. "Mean Spirit" is a fantastic novel and a great work of contemporary fiction.

Very Emotional, Moving and Captivating

I really enjoyed this book and just thinking about it makes me want to read it again...the story is about the abuse of the land by people who want power, and the attempt to stop it. Native American characters with their world view are sympathetically portrayed. The characters have to battle not only modern evil but old evil. Child abuse, a subject dear to Mercedes Lackey's heart, appears here too.
I found the characters well drawn and interesting and I find it difficult to put down until I've finished it.

I found this book incredibly stimulating and interesting. It's mix of aincent magic and old-time evil combined with a modern-day villian backed by a force from the past was marvellous. topped of with a heroine with all the attributes possible it was a wonderful read. Not only was it enjoyable, but I also learned a good deal about native american heritage. Impossible to put down, a well written book.

It has been several years since I read "Sacred Ground" but it is still on my mind. I really enjoyed the lead character of Jennifer Talldeer. I enjoy reading books with strong female leads. The additional ingredients of Native American lore and psychic abilities makes for a brilliant combination. I just wish there was a follow-up story ! If there is, I haven't found it yet. But it would be the next book on my reading list. Cindy