Robert Morgan's collection of eleven short stories spans over 200 years of American history. Each story is told in first-person point of view. Five of the stories are told by women, and the narrators range in age from about twelve to late eighties. Several of these stories are so well-written, they are sure to be included in short story anthologies. Morgan varies his style of writing throughout the collection, and he gives glimpses of life in the North Carolina mountains from pre-colonial days to the present. Along the way, he shows that though times may have changed, people remain pretty much the same. Two stories are especially powerful. "Watershed" and "Mack" were two of my favorites. "Watershed" gives a unique look at life in the mountains when settlers were still challenging the Indians over the land. "Mack" is set in the present and is narrated by an elderly man who suffers from a very weak heart. His story focuses on what he has learned from life and from his dog Mack. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has interest an in history, the South, and people in general.

If you liked The Mouse That Roared, you'll love this book, too. But it's not a children's book anymore than "Roared" was. This is grown-up comedy/farce.

In many Native American groups, animals are personified in traditional tales, often playing consistant roles which reflect that animal's characteristics. Coyote is most often seen as a trickster who makes a fool of himself so that child listeners may learn the lesson. This book contains an introduction and six coyote tales. The illustrations are black pen and the stories retain an authentic tone. The text is perfect for second graders and would be a great series of school skits, with dialog and narration already in the text. Although this simple book does not use colored illustrations or a rewritten literary text, it does a great job of focusing on the cultural integrity of the stories and delivering them to an audience of 4-8 year olds.

This started a little slow, but soon picked up after a few chapters. This is not really a mystery or detective novel, although it does have some of those elements. It will have a strong effect on the emotions of the reader.
I tried to find out something about the author, Morgan Lane, but he/she seems to be as elusive as the famous painter who makes a brief appearance in this story.

David Morgan does an excellent job with the history of the conflict within the SBC over the past 25 years. Clearly documented and well researched, Morgan takes you step by step through the transformation of the convention from liberal (or moderate) leadership to conservative management. Although he never suscintly states his position, he does offer clear clues along the way that he comes from a more "moderate" persuasion, but he does seem to present a quite unbiased reference work. He demonstrates clearly the attitudes and actions of both sides, neither of which is very complimentary in light of Christianity at times. An excellent, readable work - exciting, frustrating, and most of all, enlightening.

this book is realy very intresting,every plot is differently handled. i love to read this book.

Frederick Morgan's latest book is one of those books that you should have. It's a beautifully made book, one you expect from a publisher of fine arts books like Arena rather than a small press like Story Line. It contains fifteen new poems of Frederick Morgan's coupled with fifteen photographs from his daughter Gaylen Morgan. Now, I usually get worried when I see poems and photos mixed. Nine times out of ten it doesn't work. This is the tenth time. Gaylen's photographs are beautiful images that mesh well with the elder Morgan's poetry. Neither relies on the other to say what it has to say, but they work well together. Both the poems and the photographs are haunting, beautiful, and well crafted. Pick this book up. you won't be disappointed.

On a cold and windy October day in Tombstone, Arizona, Virgil Earp, his two brothers, and Doc Holliday shot and killed three local men. The Earp party was allegedly acting under color of office and within the loose constraints allowed 19th century peace officers in southwestern boom towns.

For the past 117 years partisans for both sides have argued over the O. K. Corral gunfight. With the publication of this book, editor Turner brushed away the mist of time to reveal the thoughts and actions of the participants and some witnesses on that violent day so revered by believers of the western myth.

Turner divided his book into four parts: (1)prologue; (2) verbatim reproduction of the coroner's inquest; (3) the Spicer hearing to determine if a murder charge against the Earp party was warranted; and (4) an appendix for miscellaneous papers and documents of special interest. The inquest testimony covers the statements of eight witnesses. Upon its conclusion, the jurors decided the deceased expired from gunshot wounds inflicted by the Earp party.

An evidentiary hearing was held before Justice of the Peace Wells Spicer. The impetus for the hearing was a filing of a criminal complaint by Joseph Clanton, brother of one of the deceased. During the 31 day hearing a large volume of testimony was taken and reduced to statements by the court reporter. Spicer then rendered a detailed decision which exonerated the Earps and Holliday. Clanton refused to accept the decision and subsequently filed three more murder complaints against the Earps and Holliday. All three of the complaints were ultimately dismissed. What Clanton, his cohorts, and a surviving McLaury did next is detailed in numerous other books written about Wyatt Earp.

Fault can be found with the pen and ink illustrations which accompany the text. The artist "imagined" the faces of some of the witnesses. These illustrations weren't necessary and are an annoyance - possibly wished on Turner by the publisher. The photographs by contrast are interesting and informative. Glenn Boyer's preface is very good and is based on sound reasoning as to the turmoil extant in Tombstone in the 1880s. Turner livened his text with chapter foornotes and they prove crucial to the understanding of the inquest/hearing and also provide a detailed and intriguing examination of the gunfight. I'm sure Mr. Boyer lent a helping hand with author Turner's analyses.

At first glance this is a dry and matter of fact book with little interest except for the most serious of readers. However, casual readers of Western Americana will be pleasantly surprised by the complexity of the times and the broad based corruption which permeated the activities occurring in and around Tombstone. This book doesn't detract from Wyatt Earp's reputation as a fearless fighter although it might dim the luster on his law enforcement badge. It's possible the gunfight could have been avoided but an educated guess is that a similar outcome would have taken place in 9 out of 10 instances.

Too much misinformation has been written about the O. K. Corral gunfight which at the time was of little importance beyond the environs of southern Arizona. The subsequent deification of Wyatt Earp elevated this fight to olympian proportions and assigned to it a cause and effect which had no relationship to reality.

Turner performed a valuable service in locating and collecting this material as it will assist in changing the lurid to the ordinary and the myth to the truth.

The problem with being american (for those who were born american) is that we are so immersed in american-ism that we can no longer see what it is. Someone who is born elsewhere and consciously decides to become "american" has a unique perspective - one that is useful for the rest of us americans to read.

Ted Morgan was born a noble french aristocrat, son of a Free French hero ("Ted Morgan" is an anagram of his french name, de Gramont). However, he found himself increasingly estranged from the closed world of the post-war french nobility, and increasingly drawn to the open culture of the United States. This book describes why, and how he came to make the break with his old life.

As Morgan says in his book: "All americans are either revolutionaries, or descended from revolutionaries." While his turn of phrase makes enjoyable reading (Morgan won a Pulitzer prize for news reporting under deadline), his insights go deeper. This book acts in some way as a mirror held so we can contemplate our own reflection. Those of us who were born here can get some unique insight from this insider/outsider view.

I will be encouraging those whom I sponsor into the direct sellong industry to read this book. I have been in the industry for 35 years. I have been at the field level where I have developed million dollar organizations as well as thre corporate level as first Director of Training and and also as VP of Sales and Marketing for companies in the Direct Selling Association (DSA). There has been a void in the training of independent contractors on this subject and this book has addressed that need. The content is presented in easy to understand language, with basic and practical information.