Texas History Reading Group

Subject: Texas History Reading Group Sat 21 Jul 2007, 10:13 pm

Would anyone like to begin an informal reading circle focused on titles related to Texas history? It could be fun, and might prod a few of us (like myself Surprised

) to pull down a few of those volumes that have been gathering dust on the shelf and give them the life they were put in print for.

Any and all could suggest a book to be read, and our thoughts and impressions concerning them could be shared via e-mail. We could do non-fiction or historical novels. Folks could read along as they like or sit out on a book they don't fancy.

If a group like this is something of interest, let me know! I think we all have e-mail addresses posted here, but mine is pre1836girl@yahoo.com

Thanks! study

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Sun 22 Jul 2007, 12:52 pm

I'll do it ! alien

I'll wait and see what book it is though.
Mari

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Mon 23 Jul 2007, 12:09 pm

I'm in. Like Mari says I'll wait and see what book it is.

I have a surprise for you Holly. I oredered a copy of Calico Chornicle
Madelyn

Trailblazer Joined : 29 May 2007 Posts : 88

Might be wothwile. I'll suggest a book worth reading and thinking of is Stephen Hardin's TEXIAN ILIAD: A MILITARY HISTORY OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION.

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Mon 23 Jul 2007, 9:12 pm

I would be willing to (try to) tackle 'Texian Iliad.'

Another book I've been wanting to read is, 'Sentinel of the Southern Plains: Fort Richardson and the Northwest Texas Frontier, 1866-1878.' Here is a link to 'Sentinel' as sol on amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Sentinel-Southern-Plains-Richardson-Northwest/dp/0875650732/ref=sr_1_2/002-7022731-6215242?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185241928&sr=1-2

A few other titles which seem to be readily available over the Internet, and just plain good reads might be:

James A. Michener's, 'The Eagle and the Raven' (short and quick-moving, this reflection covers the personal parallels and contrasts between Sam Houston and Santa Anna)

'Lily: A Love Story,' by Cindy Bonner (fiction set in McDade, ca. 1883; a teenaged girl takes her chances on a young outlaw; a 'chick' read? Wink

)

Shirley Seifert's, 'Destiny in Dallas,' the novel of Sarah Horton and Alexander Cockrell, and of Dallas during its formation years.

Any other suggestions?
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Mon 23 Jul 2007, 10:01 pm

John Graves' 'Goodbye to a River' Smile

Miss Madelyn ... do you have your copy of 'Calico' yet?
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Sat 28 Jul 2007, 3:14 pm

Why don't we just list all the books and then the one that gets the most votes gets read first ?

Wrangler Joined : 01 Jul 2007 Posts : 30

Wonderful idea. I'll check back to see what's decided.

Anne

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Wed 01 Aug 2007, 11:43 pm

Some time back on the Dallas Historical Society message board, a gentleman recommended, 'Love is a Wild Assault,' by Elithe Hamilton Kirkland. It is a novel based on the life and memoirs of Harriet Potter Ames, and I still have yet to read it. The 'Handbook of Texas' articles about the author of this novel and her subject mat be found here:

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/KK/fkinw.html

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/AA/fam3.html

Walter Lord's, 'A Time to Stand: The Epic of the Alamo!' might also be a good choice.

AND ... there are these titles .... novels both, and probably not suitable for group-reading in mixed company:

'Hell's Half Acre,' by Frederick Bean ("An epic story of the most dangerous town in American history" -- that would be Fort Worth)

and ...

Martha Hix's 'Mail-Order Man' ("A STEAMY STORY OF DECEPTION AND DESIRE ... AS TWO LOVERS DISCOVER THAT AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE CAN SIZZLE WITH MORE HEAT THAN A TEXAS NIGHT!" lol Wink

)

Of course, there always is 'True Women,' by Janice Woods Windle.

Did receive on e-mail 'vote' for 'Lily: A Love Story,' by Cindy Bonner. I have yet to cast mine Wink

And Clyde put forth 'A Texian Illiad.'

Any other suggestions??
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Walter Lord's, 'A Time to Stand' Thu 02 Aug 2007, 12:44 pm

I began reading Walter Lord's 'A Time to Stand' last night and am finding that it is just what the doctor ordered to treat my ignorance of the dedication and commitment exemplified by the heroes of the Alamo. Several 'why's?' are beginning to be replaced by answers. Walter Lord, also, is excellent carryier of the historical narritive.

But I am still game for just about anything else that rests between hard or soft covers Wink

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Fri 03 Aug 2007, 9:15 am

I still want to read Lilly.....

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Mon 13 Aug 2007, 1:14 am

'Lily' it is! Going once, going twice, going three times ... Wink

_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Texas History Reading Group Wed 24 Oct 2007, 4:33 pm

yeperooni ~ here's what I wanted to tell you. It's fall, reading time for me, I have me book, I'm ready to go! Smile

It's a small little critter isn't it?

Madelyn