What a lovely story of such beautiful times in American culture. Paul you must feel especially blessed that your grandmother captured this portion of your heritage for you to share with your grandchildren. I was fortunate to have a kind neighbor here in Cypress Village, my Florida retirement community, that let me borrow this book. I look forward to vacationing in Tulsa so that I may feel some of the true magic of Oklahoma. This author took me in from page one as if she yelled out "Come in This House right now, its where you belong." Do yourself a favor and read this book. Thank you Helen.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I've passed it all around the nursing home and it has become a favorite among me and my girlfriends. We sometimes have weekly meetings discussing the pro's and con's of living among a rural community in Northern Oklahoma, and this very book is usually the center of our attention. I've both laughed and cried when reading and the unusual scenerios really hit home. Way to go Helen!

My Grandmother wrote this book and it is great. A true
story of the hardships in Oklahoma- Paul

I really like the way this book is organized. There are sections such as "Desserts" and "Canyons". When I went to Arizona the last time, I wanted to visit desserts, and I wanted to hike some Canyons, so I could simply read these sections and learn pretty much everything I wanted to know, rather than piece this information together as other travel books make you do (since they are usually organized by area). The organization also allows you to skip information such as "Art" and "History". Of course in the end I ended up being interested in these sections after all, so I read them in the care while I was there. And once again, I could focus on these sections rather than finding this information organized by area.

Long story short: I really like reading about an area by topic of interest, rather than by location. It makes travel planning much easier. Of course, your need may be different (you may be in a certain town and want to figure out what to do for instance...). In that case, this book still is useful (it DOES have short sections on individual locations), but there are other books I use for that type of research.

Overall, I can highly recommend this book. In fact, I will order some of the other books from this series for different states.

Compass Guides are the best series I have ever read. They are literate and beautifully illustrated, laid out well and very logical to use. Of the Compass Guides I've read, Cheek's Arizona is the best (followed closely by his Santa Fe Guide).

He writes with wit and style. He's not afraid to share his opinion, but never takes for granted that his is the only viewpoint. He also adds a human element that few other guides offer. Frequently you'll find sidebar articles that introduce you to a person whose story particularly illustrates the idea or place in question.

I lived in Arizona for 4 1/2 years. This is the guide that I used to learn the state. I would recommend it to anyone. When my wife and I married in Sedona, Arizona we sent copies of this book to our relatives to acquaint them with the wonderful place they'd be visiting. All who read it were delighted. You'll be, too.

This book is incredible. It gives all kinds of details ranging from local interest and lore to general information about the state. It reads like a novel and yet is very informative. Even if you have no intention of ever visiting Arizona, this is still a wonderful book to read and the photographs are breath-taking.

A very helpful guide for driving up or down my favorite coast in the world! Doerper takes you almost mile by mile - was particularly helpful as I drove from Sebastopol up to Menocino, heretofore undiscovered country for me. Galen Rowell's photographs have always been a treat. His death was a real loss, but at least you can tour the CA coast through his eyes in this book.

I liked this book enough to buy Doerper's corollary for the Pacific Northwest to use this year:)!

I bought this book before traveling from San Francisco down Big Sur (about halfway), and it has great coverage of the Big Sur coast, the Santa Cruz area, and San Francisco.

Costal California is more than just a guide book to the California coast. A first glance, Galen Rowell's spectacular photography, 25 full-color maps, wine labels, and historical photographs tell you that there can't be a better illustrated guide for this local. When you start to read this book, you find that it is more than just travel data. John Doerper writes, "The California coast is as much a state of mind as it is a place. Its people, and the stories and myths they have woven around this magic coast, are as captivating as the spectacular scenery." He obviously kept this thought in mind as he wrote this inspirational , entertaining, and expert guide.

How good is this book? Another guidebook recomedns reading it! This book gives great insight into the history of Las Vegas as well as the individual hotels. While it is a little short on specific information, this guide more than makes up for it with specacular color photography and well written articles. A must read for those who want to know more than what the Chamer of Commerce or the Convention and Visitors Bureau will admit.

This is not your typical tour book. The author acutally suceeds in being entertaining as well as informative. Las Vegas is made tangible and not just rated in terms of good or bad.

The typical tour book stuff is here including hotel rates and restaurant reviews. However, if you want to know more, it's there. It provides the description of a hotel as well as detailing its history. In Vegas, even the hotels have personality. Every subject is handled in a like manner. This has the added bonus of making the book feel more like a narative.

There are small excerpts from popular authors for even more perspective. Perhaps, perspective is the right word for this book. The reader is treated to a point of view and not just a vague recollection of facts and figures. This is the first tour book I ever read cover to cover.

Though it has some slow parts, over all it is a great quick history / guide of Las Vegas. Even if you've been there, you'll find amusement in some of the tales or info included. I did.

I work in tourism, so I'm required to know all I can about Vegas. Castleman's Las Vegas is more than another guide. It can be read like an exciting novel that you don't want to put down. Or it's index makes it a quick reference tool. It's all here. History, the characters, the gaming, the hotels, weddings, maps, side trips, bargains - everything in a good size to carry and read on the plane.

By the time you land, you will feel like a Vegas veteran and save time and money.

Besides a great read, this book is worth the price simply for the fantastic photography.

The Conch That Roared is a must-read book if you're traveling to the Florida Keys or are just an armchair reader! Why? This is the only book available which gives the visitor/reader a taste of the real flavor of Key West...and I'm not talking just key lime pie and conch fritters (both recipes and more are included in the back of the book).

Author Gregory King must have visited every bar up and down the the scenic area... from Key West, past Key Largo and to the Last Chance Saloon as well as the politico's to write with such flair and flavor. He captured the essence...the soul and spirits of those citizens who declared war on the United States.

This is a great gift to give to someone visiting the Key West. Include a bottle of Cuban rum (which presently is illegal), two cheap glasses, and Coke, as well as Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice. 1/2 pund of minced conch, or an equal amount of clams. This will make a great going-away gift as well as provide ingredients for wonderful Key West entertaining when your friends return.

Put on your favorite Jimmy Buffett album and read the book.The characters in King's book are delightful and colorful enough to make a movie. King did a wonderful writing job of introducing them all to the rest of us! Thanks for taking a bit of history and bringing it to life for the rest of us conch-heads!

I was getting so tired of stories on Miami. I had almost decided that Florida was now permanently off my personal "place to visit" list. That was before this delightful story, TRUE story, THE CONCH THAT ROARED arrived at my place. The well researched (and well illustrated) book took me on a magical if not bizarre journey to the end of Highway 1 in an explanation of how Key West became the Conch Republic and proceeded to seceed from the Union. Obviously author Gregory King is not only well verse with the place but also a most erudite interpretor of its story. He has made me want to drive (at least once) to Key West and experience what makes these folks so special. A word of warning though: you might have to use the recipe in the back of the book for Key Lime Pie to munch while reading this story. Or maybe drinking the Cuba Libre would be more appropriate?

Key West secedes from the Union, declares its independence -- and it's not fiction, it's history. King captures the quirky heart and spirit of Key West and reports from the insider's view the events that led to revolution. I was in Key West to celebrate the secession anniversary a few years ago. This book brings the story to life with a lot grins along the way. It is fun to learn the strategic thinking and ingenuity that went into the battle with the US government -- a credit to Key West islanders and a tribute to the American way! Pick it up, put on Jimmy Buffet and enjoy the ride.

This exciting and well illustrated read traces the incredible expeditions of some of the most famous Spainish Conquistadors. Michael Woods travels along the tropical Amazon and to Everglades of Florida in search of the original route of the likes of Cortez and Pizarro. But this is not just an adventure story but also an accurate conveyance of history and the personalities of the time. He also manages to discuss the history on a thematic level - approaching issues such as human rights and colonialism. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the sense of wonder first experienced when viewed for the first time from European eyes.

5 stars - thoroughly worth purchasing for any history buff!

I fully expected this to be another dry, somnolent history book. Was I ever wrong! Michael Wood has written a conversational account of some of the most gripping yet unreported events in this hemisphere. Trust me on this: you will love his style and his expertise. Wood puts you in the mind of Cortes, Pizarro, and de Vaca and passionately paints the history created by these men. This book will make you want to walk in their footsteps.

This book is awesome! It has countless pictures of where the Conquistadors explored, conqured, and changed the course of history. It has everything from Cortes and the conquest of Mexico and the Aztec Empire, to Francisco Pizarro exploring the Inca Empire. Best book out about the Conquistadors!

This is a beautiful book containing some of the best poems ever written. Cowboys have a simple way of getting their point across, yet they write so tenderly and sometimes even a bit shyly. I highly recommend this book to cowboys and cowgirls everywhere who are hopeless romantics. What makes this book even nicer, is that it's broken into chapters, by subject. Whether it be heartbreak, courting, or just simply lovesick; this book is awesome!

This is such a tender view of America's favorite guy. I really enjoyed the range of time spanned by this book. I bought it originally in hardcover and then lent it to someone and never got it back. But the paperback is very high quality. You'll read "Lasca" and two of Waddie Mitchell's poems and lots of Omar Barker. It is a classic sure to please anyone. I read it aloud to my wife and she cried. I read it to my buddy at work and he laughed out loud at some of the poems. It's a great book.

As an English teacher, I plan on using this book in class when I teach about the American West and the literature associated with it. Having known some REAL cowboys, I can truly relate to the poetry in the book. More books like this please!!

The book is the next best thing to actually visiting a working ranch and smelling leather, sweat or burning hair -- or visiting Willie's gallery on a fine December evening for a showing of new works.

This is a BEAUTIFUL book!! I've had it for several years and I never put it away. I keep it out within easy reach so I can look again and again at the stunning watercolors within. In fact, the reason I was looking at Amazon for this book was to send it to friends for a Christmas present.

Willie Matthews does wonderful work depicting the lives of cowboys today. Much of my family have been in the cattle ranch business for generations. Being a cowboy is hard work and generally low pay. They work so hard day in and day out, with little vacation time. It's people like Matthews who appreciate this profession and record it for the world to see. My brother also happens to be one of the cowboys in this book. This is a great book of selected paintings of a dying trade

Baxter Black's poetry and commentary on the ordinary life of cowboys, farmers, ranchers and rural vets is an entertaining look at a slice of disappearing American life. It is Americana at it's best. Baxter is a true original and a treasure.

Baxter Black proves himself to be one who truly understands the way of life of the american cowboy past and present. This collection is sure to intrigue country and city folk alike.

This book is an excellent collection of poems and stories that give a unique insight into a cowboys life and rural ways.

I purchased Jim West's first book THE ESSENTIAL LITTLE CRUISE BOOK and found it to be more helpful than what my travel agent could provide for me. Then I was planning my second cruise, only this time I was traveling with my brothers and sisters and their families--34 people in all. We purchased CRUISE CONTROL and not only found a fantastic cassette tape of helpful tips, but the package contained a copy of THE ESSENTIAL LITTLE CRUISE BOOK. Such a deal!!

I called him on his toll free number (800-708-0880) and he planned our entire cruise. He actually flew to Pittsburgh from Chicago and talked with our entire family before we left. He is AWESOME. You would be very foolish not to use his cruise expertise and have him personally plan your cruise!

By the way, don't confuse his book with the other CRUISE CONTROL book, his offers a lot more than just an outsiders view of cruising. He actually worked as a cruise director for 10 years on cruise ships, so he knows the information first hand.

Before you spend even $1.00 toward any cruise, invest in this fantastic guide book. Jim West's vast knowledge of the Cruise Ship Industry is revealed in his books. Jim has been on over 650 cruises all over the world and his helpful insights will provide even the seasoned traveler with inside information to make any cruise the cruise of a lifetime. I took the time to contact Jim at his toll-free number ... and he even answered the phone himself! He provided me with unsurpassed customer service like you used to receive in the good'ol days. He also provided me with an unbeatable price for a Mediteranean Cruise. You just can't beat it...Knowledge, customer service and an unbeatable price from a true cruise expert! What else do you need! BUY THE BOOK. YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO!

The best investment I could have made for planning my cruise is a copy of this book and audio tape. Jim West was a cruise director who worked onboard cruise ships for 10 years, and he tells it like it is! It is worth 10 times the price! He is now a cruise travel agent who personally plans cruises. I called him, and he was very helpful in finding my family a fantastic price on our vacation cruise. You can reach him at 800-708-0880. And for the record, I don't get any kick-back for endorsing him or this package! He really is great!