Finally, a book that captures stories in the from of "treasures" to be passed down for generations to come. I have yet to see a book like this in which writers, some well known and others not, share their grandmother story. It is a window to days past, filled with life instructions and wisdom that we can use in our lives today to nuture our own soul. The editor, Jane Austin Bruckner, shows us how influenced we are by our grandmothers, even after they are long gone. What I found personally inspiring is the section on how to write your own grandmother story. I hadn't considered that before. Thank you!

GRASSROOTS WOMEN is primarily about Texas and Texans but also has something for all Americans in love with politics. For example, Republican women interviewed by the author tell of supporting through doubts and disappointments Senator John Tower, Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon and other politicians. Campaign strategists of any party can harvest winning tips about fund raising, telephone polling, selecting great candidates and running campaigns from women who were there and did these things, including Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Ambassador Ann Armstrong.

--Sociologists will find raw material about the struggle for equal status with men. For decades the most Republican women could hope for was to be invited to serve as the sometimes barely tolerated Deputy Chairmen of long entrenched males. Winning Co-Chairman status was not easy. Feminists will note little signs of emerging personal identities not derivative from one's husband. Thus, one and the same person served as G.O. P. National Committeewoman for Texas from 1982 to 1999. She is recorded in 82-83 as Mrs. H. E. Chiles, Mrs. Fran Chiles in 84-85, and just plain Fran Chiles in 86-87. (See list, p. 506.)

--Texas women could not even sit on juries before 1954. Glass ceilings were everywhere. Republicans first empowered themselves through political clubs for women before they moved up to party positions like precinct chairmen. They campaigned for favored candidates with their babies in their arms. Without active Republican women, GRASSROOTS WOMEN suggests, Texas might still be a majority Democratic Party state, though notably more conservative than the national Democratic party of Senator Ted Kennedy.

A Southern gothic novel if you ever read one, this book features two aging sisters who live together -- and live for the annual "graveyard working" (cleaning the cemetery), which is their small town's best time. A memorable, moving and horrifying scene that involves bees (I won't spoil it for you) will stick with you, believe me. Gerald Duff has a keen ear for the southern drawl and renders characters so real you'll think about them later, as you would dear old friends. This book might be getting far off the new releases list, but it's well worth a fresh look.

I just returned from a weekend trip through the Hill Country and found this book indispensable. I have long been a resident of this region but learned about many hidden treasures in this area thanks to Eleanor Morris. I'm buying a second copy as a gift for my new neighbors!

In perusing the library for books on Texas gardening, I came across this title. I almost didn't include it in my stash. Upon flipping through the pages, there weren't any "purdy" pictures. Boy am I glad I brought it home! I started putting a sticky note on the pages I wanted to photocopy and ended up putting one on every other page--that's a lot of sticky notes! So I had to buy it! This book is not only an up to date resource list for Texas by region or city, but has an information header in each category. This is invaluable. Sounds like a "resource" book would be pretty dry--but it's not. It's fun and well written and will go with me in my car always here in San Antonio and thru out Texas. My only regret is that it is a special order with 4-6 week delivery. Don't know why since it was published in 1999.

Nancy Wiley's loving look at the State Fair Of Texas, America's largest fair, gives the reader a year by year account of it's history. From humble beginnings as an agricultural fair through the 1936 Centenial Exhibition to the mid 1980's the book is rich with stories and photos of this Texas tradition. A good read and a good resource for historians.

This book is beautifully illustrated, designed and written. It is a perfect book for anyone who likes birds and an equally perfect book for those who love beautiful things. The latter might find that they love birds after reading the book. Overall, a very well done book.

It's about time we have a great "Southern" Christmas story book! Many people in the South read traditions Christmas stories with northern aura's to them, but this book offers something special for the entire family and a Christmas without SNOW! I was talking to some school teachers in Texas who said that there is also a CD coming out on this book with music sung by children, and is published by a recording company in Austin. I was told it was BSW records. Maybe you can find out and offer the CD along with the book. Again...it's as fabulous book and needs to be shared by all.

This book is ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! As an out of towner, I arrived at the Texas Medical Center and was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. It is true what they say, "everything really is bigger in Texas."

When I told my friend in Houston, that I felt like a fish out of water at the Medical Center, she suggested that I pick up, Guide Dog to the Texas Medical Center.

This book was truly a LIFESAVER! Not only is it a wealth of much needed information, it is easy to read, has lots of pictures, and fit easily in my pocketbook of the day.

Guide Dog showed me where to park my car, where to eat, where to get money, where to stay, but most importantly, how to get around the medical center with out losing my mind.

My family could not have survived our 7 week stay without the book, Guide Dog to the Texas Medical Center. It truly saved our sanity. I take my hat off to the author!!!

Deb Ralston mysteries are very addictive, and this one is no exception. I didn't get to read them in order, which would have been preferable since developments in the lives of the characters then make a lot more sense. In this one, Deb is almost nine months pregnant with Cameron at the beginning and is the only one who can go to New Mexico to find her errant son Hal and his girlfriend Lorie, who hitched a ride there together without permission during spring break. Of course, Hal is eventually found in a sleeping bag next to the murdered body of a young woman, and Lorie turns up missing. So Deb ends up helping the police chief of this very small town in investigating the murder (and finding Lorie) so that Hal can be cleared of the whole thing and they can go home. Although there is a lot of tragedy and sadness in this book, much humor is evident throughout...I have read this book over and over, laughing at how funny/difficult it is for adults to get through to Hal, who lives seemingly in a world of his own logic. :)