The cover of this tenth volume in The Drama of American History series by Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier is a bit deceptive. First, the title "Hispanic America, Texas, and the Mexican War: 1835-1850" really covers only the first two-thirds of the book. The final third deals with the settling of California and the political situation under which it was admitted to the Union. Second, the cover illustration shows how the Indians of the Great Plains built a culture around horses after acquiring them from the Spanish, an interesting fact but really but a footnote given the focus of this particular volume.

The period 1835-1850 begins with the establishment of Texan Independence and the Missouri Compromise. However, the first two chapters of the book go back much farther. (1) The Coming of the Europeans to the Southwest deals with the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Central America, and South America, albeit in abbreviated form. This chapter provides a southwestern counterpart to earlier volumes in the series devoted to the settlement of Virginia ("The Paradox of Jamestown") and New England ("Pilgrims and Puritans"). (2) The Creation of the Southwest Hispanic Culture, looks at the mixing of Spanish and Indian cultures and take the reader up to the siege of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jancinto. The key chapter in the book covers the concept of (3) Manifest Destiny, which becomes the justification for expanding America from the Mississippi river west to the Pacific. Within that context the first major acquisition of land results from (4) The War with Mexico, which offers one of the better explanations of the war's campaigns that I have seen in a juvenile history book. (5) California, Here I Come actually looks at the history of the west coast up to the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill. Similarly, (6) California Compromise deals with the whole western migration, covering not only the 49ers but also the Mormon trek to Utah.

Reading this volume I recalled the idea that when the United States won the Mexican War it basically took all of the "best" parts of Mexico. This made me wonder if America would have taken a similar approach if it had succeeded in conquering Canada: i.e., just take the southern parts and leave the frozen wastelands alone. Just a passing curiosity. Anyhow, I am really appreciative of the approach taken in this series, of focusing on the "core content" rather than a deluge of names and dates. This book is quite representative of what the Colliers are doing in this series, providing a historical context for key parts of American history that have resulted in the country we live in today. The book is illustrated with historic illustrations, including early photographs and political cartoons, all of which are presented with detailed captions making them more footnotes to the main text than mere pictures.

"History of Texas" Vol. 1, by H. Yoakum, esq., published by the Steck Co., Austin. Texas, 1935, is for the serious student of Texas history. It gives details that are seldom, if ever, found in later Texas History books. Having been written in the 1850's, it is not tainted by revisionist historians (I use the term "historian" very loosely there). Although it may sometimes appear boring, the one who truly wants to grasp what happened in the years from 1685 to 1846 in Texas can find no better place to go than to this publication. I have not been able to obtain Vol. 2 and would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to purchase that volume as I am sure it is also an excellent edition. I would like to add it to my library if possible.

In his first full length collection, Michael Lieberman has produced a volume of sweeping breadth. His pages are populated by poems that explore faith, death, identity (especially Jewishness), and the nature of human existence. Each poem is both lament and celebration of life and love and loss. Poems like "Hobart Street" touch the reader with images human frailty and desire. Other poems such as "Loss," "Without Allusion," and "Extraction" are virtually prayers. Amazing line follows amazing line as Lieberman shapes the words into verse that writhes with life. Though occasionally the medical and scientific terminology (Lieberman is also a research pathologist) can be challenging for the layman, it added a rich texture to the copious detail. These poems are proof that Michael Lieberman is paying attention to the wonder of existence. It is a book I am glad to own.

Chuck Carlock has produced an excellent resource for genealogical research on the men who served in the Tenth Texas Cavalry. Mr. Carlock has included information from letters, casualty reports, and other sources in addition to the information available in the National Archives.
The book contains a detailed account, frequently described in letters from the actual participants, of each battle. Perhaps more interesting are the descriptions of conditions between engagements, and of the travels to various localities.
I recommend the book to anyone with an interest in Civil War history and/or an interest in the men who served.

The author opens his study by examining the primitive transport conditions that existed before the admission of Texas to statehood in 1846, and then proceeds to discuss the construction and rationalization of the railway system. There are chapters devoted to every major aspect of railroads in operation in Texas: urban, interurban and industrial lines, railroad land grants, the bureaucratization of railroads, the formation of pools designed to restrict competition, and the development of government regulatory boards such as the Texas Railroad Commission and the Interstate Commerce Commission. Reed's pioneering work is based on a thorough examination of government and corporate reports, manuscripts, newspapers, and interviews with leading railroad men. It is indispensable for anyone interested in understanding the history of Texas railroading. It includes tables on railway mileage, charters, and commodities shipped by rail.

Readers of this collection of personal essays have a real treat in store. Leon Hale writes with humor and warmth about situations and people most of us either overlook or take for granted. He makes us appreciate the little things in life. A true Texas treasure.

Typically, historical reviews can be dry and humorless. However, this one is filled with the author's dry humor. It is a side of historical law you never saw before. You must read this one.

Congratulations to Stanley S. MacGowen for this excellent book. I most enjoyed reading it. It gives the most complete and detailed overview on the history, the leaders, and the horsemen of the 1st Confedarate Texas Cavalry Regiment (also known as the First Texas Mounted Rifles). The book covers the regimental history from the time the regiment was raised by Colonel Henry McCulloch to defend Texas frontiers against indian warriors over the time the regiment was part of the Confederate Armee under the Colonels Augustus Carl Buchel and William Overall Yager until the end of the Civil War. Even being not correct at some details such as the origin of Colonel William O. Yager (Yager was not a German immigrant. He was born in Viriginia and graduated at the Virginia Miliraty Institute) the book has a high value to all interested in the History of Texas and the War between the States.

Karl-J. Schmeink, Kiel, Germany EMail: Karl-Josef.Schmeink@1st-Texas-Cavalry.de

More easy reading autobiographical stories by Ben K. Green. This second edition combines in one volume three sets of tales previously published separately as "When I Was Just A Colt", "Up Fool's Hill Ahorseback", and "Beauty." Like most of Ben K. Green's books, these are groups of short stories that can be enjoyed a little at a time and don't need to be read in any particular order. The original volumes have been out of print for many years and are virtually impossible to find. They all have the flavor of real old-time cowboy wit and humor. Horse Tales is a must-have book for anyone who has enjoyed Ben K. Green's other stories.

"When I Was Just a Colt" relates revealing episodes from when the author was a small boy. The first is how he helped in the round up of his family's cattle. Among the others is how he bought his first horse from an itinerant preacher.

Up Fool's Hill Ahorseback" relates several tales from his teenage years. Among them are a mule drive with his friend Trouble, and the sale of two palomino horses to a blonde and her husband.

:Beauty" is a collection of stories about Ben K. Green's favorite horse. It relates how they grew up together and reads as a tribute to a dearly beloved friend.

Scattered throughout are true to life illustrations drawn by fine western artists. These will be familiar to readers of Ben K Green's other books.

If you have ever been to the Kerville Folk Festival, "Hot Jams & Cold Showers will take you back. If you have never had the experience of Kerville, it will give you a glimpse of what you are missing. Dyanne Fry Cortez has taken her years of Kerville experience and put it a book to be read by all. The Main Stage, Ballad Tree on Chapel Hill, camp fires, love and loss are all to be found in "Hot Jams & Cold Showers".

The heart touching story of Antler Dave, how Kerville was blessed with him for a very short time and the legend he left behind, which still lives today each time the festival anthem "Heal in the Wisdom" is sung. The story of Eric and Peggy, and and how Dyanne met her husband Javier, all make this book to be read for pure enjoyment.