Fantastic book - the discovery of the paw print language, the patience, intelligence and wisdom of the pandas, the ancient story of survival 80,000 years ago, the incredible journey of Jake. Incredibly real characters, from the wolf Daniel to the villian "Real". The partnership between the great Buffalo Jake and panda Kim Ha moved me to tears. I had a hard time remembering that this is fiction....or is it??!!

This is amazing first novel by Joe Trojan. Just a darn good book and hard to put down. If your looking for a good read, this is it.

A wonderful original story that entertains, educates and enlightens all at the same time. Rich with noble themes of justice, self-sacrifice and respect for the natural order.

While I found the comparison to "Animal Farm" interesting, I think it is inapposite. Buffalo Jake is far more interesting and emotionally uplifting than "Animal Farm," since Trojan's book teaches us that even the worst (and most incorrigible of species) can learn from the best, while Orwell in AF oppositely teaches us to expect the worst from even the best.

In any event, a "Real" (check out the main villain!) wake up call to any would-be Chakeedas to re-think their disruptive behavior and disregard for the many other diverse and precious creatures co-habiting this planet.

The characters are great. The dialogue is exceptional. The story is incredible. Bob Lupo has done an outstanding writing job of bringing the Vietnam War and its soldiers to life. Convincing, gripping, riveting, absorbing-this war novel is a masterpiece. Bravo! to Bob Lupo for an exciting, intelligent, and thoughtful book. This, indeed, would be an award-winning movie, right up there with "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Thin Red Line." --Diana Dell, author, "A Saigon Party: And Other Vietnam War Short Stories"

This fast-paced, turbulent novel focuses on passionate men and women, both American and Vietnamese, caught in a seemingly surrealistic web spun by the war in Vietnam during its intensity of the late sixties. From the author's own firsthand experiences, Lupo skillfully captures in the characters and plot that unparalleled ferocity of close combat---the dread, fear, and doubt---the despair and depravity---that creates a special camaraderie making the horror almost bearable for mortals thrown like coal into the very bowels of a burning hell on earth.

Ominous events unfold in War Zone C (Tay Ninh Province) just miles northeast of Saigon near the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Three young 25th Infantry Division soldiers befriend some local brothel girls in Tay Ninh City; the hometown of the Buddhist 'Cao Dai' militant sect and prime strategic target for local 'Charlies' and their NVA comrades, infiltrating like ants to honey through the infamous 'Dog's Head' border crossing tributary of the Ho Chi Minh trail. The GI's are told by the commie-hating girls of a plan to attack the 'Holy See' Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh when South Vietnamese President Thieu is scheduled to give a political speech. This bit of round-the-bout intelligence sets the stage for the decimation of the crack NVA 350th Regiment in a monumental battle with few US loses.

Great stuff for starters, as Lupo leapfrogs events into an intriguing, page-turning story. The three GI's: Doc Luane, James Jaggers, and Pee Wee Anson, are promoted for outstanding 'undercover' work (no pun intended), and, as things often work in the 'Green-machine,' their boss and guardian-angel, Colonel Anson, is promoted to general and assigned to Saigon. Under the circumstances, this couldn't have happened at a more convenient time it seems with Luane, Jaggers, and Pee Wee fighting for their lives against the VC while managing to get married to their Vietnamese heartthrobs. The good general has them transferred to the relative safety of Saigon, just before Tet of 68'. We all know what erupted then.

During all this melee, the girls become pregnant, and Lupo explores the unique personalities of Luane, Jaggers, and Pee Wee Anson now rubbed raw with primeval instincts bared. This is staged against a testy background of racial tensions and negative feelings surfacing against the war, coupled with the bitter catalysts of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy's assassinations back in 'The World'. Doc Luane with his death-wish, Jaggers killer-instinct, and Pee Wee's hatred must somehow be resolved for good to prevail over evil. They bond together in a common goal of somehow getting their expectant brides out of harms way by whatever means possible---even if it means working in the rather shady backdrop of CIA vagabond, Bill Jenkins. Without giving the poignant ending away, I just might say that the author makes the adamant point of America being at war thirty-five years ago while still rattling its sabers in 2003 against an evasive enemy in which there can never be a clear-cut victory---a 'Buffalo's Revenge,' so to speak.

From both a literary and editorial perspective, the book is well organized in placement and sequence of characters and events. Diction, idiomatic construction, and maintaining a proper tone with difficult subject matter deserves special mention. The dialogue is excellent! Mr. Lupo has a talented ability to reproduce everyday speech---both American and Vietnamese---especially the half-humorous and half-hostile exchanges of men who live and work together in constant fear. Conversion of the text to that of a screenplay would give full justice to the author's literary finesse of brilliantly creating a catharsis out of the dismal abyss created by all wars. A 'dang' good Vietnam war era read---highly recommended!

I found Bob Lupo's novel about the Vietnam War to be a real page turner. I couldn't put it down and read half the book at frist sitting. The descriptive images that the author used, made me feel like I was back in the jungles 35 year's ago, when I was a just a young man there myself.

Bob Lupo's novel is a good study in human relationships - in the most trying of situations. Although it deals with race relations - I found it was more about emotional and personal spiritual issues that at are basic to all men. I found myself thinking much deeper about the whole experience after putting down his book.

I highly recomend this book to veterans of any war - or to those who want to get a feel for what it might have been like. Although the story line is not one comon to anyone's experience that I have ever meet - it uses the situation as a way to reveal the inner warrior, that those who fought there might relate to.

This book would make a great movie, if it was ever discovered by the media. This book is well worth spending some time with. I rate it 5 Stars!

If his Atlanta read is going to be as good a book as this one, I only hope he will commit a full chapter on where to find the best Southern Fried Chicken in Atlanta!

I latched on to Mr. Lewyn's fine volume while looking up some reference material on Buffalo. For those of who are familar with that material, you know how incredibly sparse the topic is. Car-Free in Buffalo goes beyond its immediate subject, and does a good job of depicting how urban-dwellers in the late 20th and the early 21st Century strive to exist without the dreaded automobile. Mr. Lewyn has done Buffalo and the rest of us a fine service by writing producing this work and I look forward to his companion work on Atlanta!

As Mr. Lewyn's former Southern bartender I can attest without having read the book that Michael can suck up more facts and figures than a Hoover Upright! If he has cast his eye on Buffalo then nothing will be missing from this book. The man doesn't miss a thing! Though it will do me little good in Arkansas I will be purchasing this book in the near future to show off to Michael's former friends and associates. Keep up the good work Michael!

Terrific resource for small groups! Helps students to express themselves creatively and honestly. Fosters relationship development.

Ihave seen what the poetry in this book has done to get students to think and write creatively. They are havinf fun anf learning more, it is highly recommended.

I have used this book for three years (I bought an earlier edition). I found it to be most useful, especially in getting students to write who have never written sucessfully before. A great classroom resource! Highly recommend it as a gift for teachers of all age levels.

This book ranks among my top five personal favorite novels of all time. Mr. Kelton weaves a tapestry of West Texas culture and history and storytelling that will envelop a reader. The story of two men, Gideon Ledbetter, a former slave who becomes a US Cavalry soldier (or Buffalo soldier, as they were historically known), and Gray Horse Running, an American Indian fighting for his way of life, is an absolute must-read. His description of weary solidiers travelling through the West Texas desert will have you reaching for a glass of water!! I first read this book as a college assignment and have happily recommended it to friends and family for years. I consider it to be Mr. Kelton's masterpiece, even better than "The Good Old Boys" or "The Time It Never Rained" which are also outstanding. Some smart person is going to make a great movie out of this book one day.

Luther Butler THE WOLF AND THE BUFFALO BY ELMER KELTON Elmer Kelton skillfully takes the rugged geography of West Texas, accounts of the Texas Comanche wars, mixes in the Buffalo soldiers with their hair the Indians thought looked like the curly buffalo, and adds white officers, Comanches, buffalo hunters, and makes an epic struggle of two cultures that will be enjoyed by many generations of readers. And to add spice to the story, he stirs in the women of San Angelo, Texas who washes not only clothes but who provide sexual relief for the men who chase dusty savages into a world unknown to them. The story centers around two strong characters. The Buffalo is Private Gideon Ledbetter, a recently released Louisiana slave who is now a member of the Tenth U.S. Calvary stationed at Fort Concho, Texas. Hated by most of the white settlers, Ledbetter has two jobs. When he is not chasing Comanches, he spends his time building adobe buildings and shoveling horse manure at the fort, but. he prefers to be on patrol trying to make the savage Comanches go to a reservation in Oklahoma Territory. He goes out with Lieutenant Hollander under Black Sergeant Nettles. Ledbetter grows stronger in his position until he eventually takes over Nettles job. The wolf is Gray Horse, a young Comanche warrior who tries to keep the invading settlers after the Civil War from killing his people's source of food, the buffalo. In constant visions, the wolf and the raven seek to lead the developing warrior to new buffalo herds. Symbolically, Gray Horse sees visions of a red buffalo calf. Unlike Ledbetter, Gray Horse declines in prestige until he is forced to make a suicidal attack before his people go into servitude on the Oklahoma reservation. Ledbetter almost loses his focus because of the beautiful mulatto, Hannah York, who gives a purpose for him to not only live, but to advance so he can earn enough money to marry and start a family. The old woman who controls the desirable young maiden saves her charge so she can sell sexual favors to the white officers. After the young soldier has enjoyed Hannah's body numerous times, he finds her with his commanding officer, Lieutenant Hollander. Hannah is forced to leave. Sergeant Nettles saves Ledbetter's career by talking sense to the betrayed young man who planned to marry his beloved. Hollander's subsequent marriage to a proper young lady and his attempt to repair the damaged relation with Ledbetter forms a hinge that much of the latter action pivots on. Gray Horse leads Ledbetter's unit on a wild chase into a land where there is no water. The chief thinks he has destroyed the enemy only to find the new enemy is invincible Even after the white government turns white hunters loose to slaughter the buffalo for their hides, does Gray Horse fail to acknowledge that the only hope for his people lies in going to Oklahoma Reservation where the Quakers will rule them. At Adobe Walls, the Comanche leader begins to glimpse the truth when a few buffalo hunters with their rifles that can kill at over a mile, turns back a gathering of the Indian nation. General Mackenzie's rout of Comanches at their winter quarters in Palo Duro Canyon makes Gray Horse realize the end is near. Gray Horse goes to the hated reservation a wounded and beaten warrior to shed his buffalo robes and become a cattle raiser. He realizes he must make one last try to find the red buffalo calf after he finds his wife with their son who is dying because of poor living conditions. Taking a band of warriors, he goes in search of the mystical calf. After he and his men brutally slaughter a group of buffalo killers, Gray Horse realizes his dreams of being free are over. After finding the red buffalo calf, the warriors kill it and eat it! To him, a way of life ends. Out numbered by the buffalo soldiers who come to punish the Comanche band for slaughtering the buffalo hunters, Gray Horse makes a suicidal attack on Sergeant Ledbetter's unit. Even though the Indian's arrow goes through Ledbetter's shoulder, he is able to fire the final shot that brings an end to his enemy. Like the end of a Greek epic, the defeated Indian is carried off on a symbolic shield to be given a hero's funeral. Ledbetter recovers from his wound so he can fight a new enemy, the Apaches. And I hope he eventually finds Hannah, nurses her back to health, and goes into retirement to live on a small farm and raise a family. END

A buffalo soldier fresh out of slavery tries to enslave the free Indians of West Texas. While you read this book try to find out why. It doesn't make sense, but it makes a good story. Try my novel by searching butler, luthe

Blues for the Buffalo and the Manuel Ramos series of detective novels featuring Luis Montez is worth a second, third, and fourth look. Readers who enjoy outstanding mysteries will reward themselves by picking up Manuel Ramos' Blues for the Buffalo. When I recommend a novel to friends, I want them to read it, and it helps that the novel is in print. Until recently, Ramos' novels have been out of print, so the publication of his "last" Luis Montez novel is great news, for a number of reasons.

first, Ramos writes arrestingly interesting and rewarding fiction. His stories include not only the crime stuff but a reputable character. Montez, when he's not dueling bandits, avoiding seductresses, or getting shot in downtown Denver, enjoys a warm relationship with his aging father that any middle aged reader will find personally involving. Luis Montez is one of the most interesting characters mystery readers will meet.

More, Ramos' chicano character and milieu informs readers of a world few have intimate familiarity. The chicano point of view at once enlarges a reader's experience with unitedstatesian culture as well as leads the reader to discover other chicana and chicano writers in the genre. Multiculturalism has not been this rewarding since Walter Mosley came on the scene.

The novel of the moment, Blues for the Buffalo, alludes to Oscar Zeta Acosta. Readers know Zeta as the "samoan" attorney in the Hunter S. Thompson works, e.g. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but, unless they've also read Acosta's The Brown Buffalo, won't recognize him. Ramos plays a trick of sorts, Zeta is not in the book but the events surround his mystery. One needn't know the Acosta legend to enjoy Ramos' novel, but reading _Blues_ makes for a rosy future if the reader were to pick up Acosta's two books, as well as find the entire Ramos oeuvre.

Ramos introduces a Mexican American character in this novel who could become his next character in a series of the character's own stories. The contrasts between the 60s chicano, Montez, and the 80s chicanesque detective, inform a perspective on chicano and mexican cultures that readers will not find in the news nor in the popular media. For this alone, Blues offers worthwhile reading.

Fun, though is the singular reason anyone might pick up Ramos' stories. Reading Blues, plain and simple, is fun.

Ramos' work has gone out of print, and it is with gratitude that Blues for the Buffalo has come back onto the market. Read it, then encourage your friends to do likewise. An insightful publisher might notice the enthusiasm of Ramos' readers and bring back the entire series. Better, the publisher might commission Ramos to get back to work and give us more Montez, and, hopefully, that new character, and in the process, provide unitedstatesian readers with insights into a people and culture rarely met in US fiction.

Readers everywhere deserve the opportunity.

That Manuel Ramos' chicano mysteries have gone out of print gave me the blues as I enjoyed reading the entire series and longed for more. When I recommend a writer / title to friends I like it when the book's in print. Blues for the Buffalo is back in print and I hope it won't be too much longer before all of the Luis Montez series becomes available again. The Denver attorney enjoys an interesting relationship with his father, as a worthwhile sidenote to a series of interesting and exciting mysteries. Blues plays against the legend of the Brown Buffalo, Oscar Zeta Acosta, who plays a central role in the novel, even in Zeta's absence. More interesting is Ramos' introduction of a Mexican American...who offers an interesting contrast to the older Montez. I looked forward to having Ramos spin off the new character, but then the books disappeared. Hopefully readers will discover Blues and create demand for the other titles, inspiring a clever publisher to commission Ramos to get back to work and meeting his obligation to readers who enjoy a good mystery with the added bonus of adding to a body of chicano literature that brings some of the freshest perspectives to literature written in the US.

Too bad more people have not paid attention to Manuel Ramos' books. He writes "mystery" novels featuring the Chicano lawyer Luis Montez, but don't let the genre tag lead you to diminish his books. BLUES FOR THE BUFFALO is an excellent crime story but it's more about the search for Chicano identity -- and forsaken cultural identities. The "Buffalo" in question here is, of course, the legendary lawyer and author Oscar Zeta Acosta. A fun reading experience would be to read Acosta's THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A BROWN BUFFALO then zip straight into BLUES FOR THE BUFFALO. Good stuff.

Bridger, decendent of the reknown Mountain man, Jim Bridger, has written an outstanding book on two of history's most colorful and enduring icons of the American west and the dynamic process that each dealt with during the late 19th century America. Bridger is one the best entertainers in American today and this book only shows a small example of his profound abilities. Years of research and documentation of historical events pays tribute to truth, justice, and injustices, of the American West. This book should be a standard fare for all collegiate history classes and for the general public at large. History is always multi-sided and Bridger illustrates that to perfection. This is a must read. It will impress both scholars and the general public. BRAVO MR. BRIDGER! We look forward to the next! Sing on Great Spirit!

For years, Bobby Bridger has been entertaining audiences musically with his Ballad of the West. One of the hour sets, Pahaska, tells the story of Buffalo Bill in what Bridger describes as Homeric ballads. Now, Bridger puts aside the guitar and period garb to show his serious academic side. "Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull: Inventing the Wild West" is the history behind his music. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the old west and is an intriguing look into how the popular vision of it was created.

For years, Bobby Bridger has been presenting the story of Buffalo Bill in a one-hour musical act that tells the story of Bill Cody in a series of enthralling songs. Now, with this historical tome, Bridger has completed the circle. This is the history behind Bobby Bridger's art. Bridger puts down the guitar and period garb used in his musical drama to show readers the serious academic side of his personality. If you want some intriguing inquiry and suggestion about how the modern vision of the romantic west was created, this book is a must read.

Kenner's book is an excellent narrative which chronicles the actual experiences of the buffalo soldiers and the white officers who served with them. The book is a pleasure to read because it goes beyond the dates and battles, opting instead to recreate their foibles and shortcomings as well as their valor and heroism. It takes a true historian to give the rest of us glimpses into such humanity.

Kenner's book is an excellent narrative which chronicles the actual experiences of the buffalo soldiers and the white officers who served with them. The book is a pleasure to read because it goes beyond the dates and battles, opting instead to recreate their foibles and shortcomings as well as their valor and heroism. It takes a true historian to give the rest of us glimpses into such humanity.

This is an incredible social history placed on the backdrop of the west. When most people think of racial issues in the American west, they think about White settlers vs. Indians on the warpath. Dr. Kenner's book presents a different picture of the West. His book focuses on the world of white calvary officers and their "colored" soldiers. Dr. Kenner talks about issues from the fighting skill of these often forgotten African-American soldiers to interracial dating to homosexuality. This is an incredible story, that no serious historian of the west should ignore.

Buffalo Wagons had a grabbing attention getter in the first chapter. It had a GREAT plot and I felt involved with the characters quickly. The story had substance. I read the last four chapters by candlelight because our lights went out and I couldn't wait to read more! This is the first Elmer Kelton book I have read, but I guarantee, I will find more of his books.

I'm not normally a lover of Westerns, but I have Mr. Kelton's granddaughter in a class I teach and she talked a lot about her author grandfather, so I finally gave in and purchased a copy of one of his books. I guess I owe the granddaughter a big "Thank you," as "Buffalo Wagons" is terrific! Gage Jameson is an unusually well-rounded character for the genre. A veteran buffalo hunter, he has seen the northern herd wiped out. While he mourns the loss of the old ways, he also acknowledges his own role in that loss. Furthermore, even as he heads south into Comanche country, he agonizes that he is contributing to more destruction of the world he loves. This does not stop him, though, for buffalo hunting is all he knows. The antagonists include the Comanches desperate to save their way of life, although they are certainly not romanticized, and some of the white men Jameson trusts to travel south with him. Kelton's vivid descriptions of the llano estacado take the reader to that inhospitable land, with all of its beauty and danger. The plot contains enough twists--always credible and logical--to keep the most particular reader satisfied. I am eager to read more of Kelton's Westerns and am highly recommending them to my students and friends.

I couldn't believe when I opened this up that no one else had reviewed the book! You folks are missing out. This is the book that introduced me to Elmer Kelton, which is perhaps why it's my favorite. But everything about it is SO GOOD. The guns, the buffalo hunting, the Indians, the characters. Kelton is supreme. He is far better than Louis L'AMour in his authenticity and believablility, and everyone ought to see that in this book. The only writer I know of who is neck and neck with Kelton is Kirby Jonas, whom critics call the New Louis L'Amour. That's actually a disservice though, because he's far better. He rounds out his characters. Between Kelton and Jonas, the western field is filled!

I'm a female who has no interest in sports, so you wouldn't think this book would appeal to me. However, I love a good yarn about a group of memorable, loveable people pulling together to save their team and their town, and searching for love in its many forms along the way, and this book was that. But baseball fans would love it, too. I hear the author has written a sequel. I will be among the first in line to read about the ongoing lives of Tommy Lee, Dutch, the Chief, Billie Jo, and my personal favorite, Bruce Kelly, the wise and caring newspaperman.

In this delightful tale Cook takes us deep into the heart and soul of small-town U.S.A., its residents and its minor league baseball team, the Buffalo. "The Year of the Buffalo" is a wonderful read--and not just for baseball fans. Cooks tremendous insight into people, love of baseball and mastery of the written word will grab your attention and keep you turning the pages! You will find yourself walking the streets of Beymer, having breakfast at the diner and rooting in the stands.

This small volume grabs you from the opening (a minor leaguer's unexpected entry into Beymer) and holds you till the exciting conclusion (I'll never tell!). It is a very warm and human tale set against the backdrop of America's Game in a small town that could be anywhere. I would truthfully recommend this read (and do) even if Marshall were not my younger brother