Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC,
Contributing Editor
BIOGRAPHY/ POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
Kyle Longley
LBJ’s 1968: Power, Politics, and the Presidency in America’s Year of Upheaval
Cambridge University Press
Hardcover, 978-1-1071-9303-1, (also available as an e-book), 374 pgs., $29.99; February 22, 2018
Reviewed by Dr. Chris Manno
Longley’s narrative LBJ’s 1968 is so compelling from page one that by chapter three the reader has to stop to remember that it’s not actually about President Lyndon B. Johnson. Rather, the text is a riveting and, in many places horrifying, account of the year 1968 as Johnson wrestled with, in his own words, “that bitch of a war on the other side of the world” while struggling to lead a nation torn apart by antiwar and civil-rights protests and riots.
This tumultuous history plays across Johnson’s face in the reader’s mind like an old newsreel, sad but relentless. The president’s anguish along with the nation’s torment are visceral and, owing to Longley’s comprehensive research, direct quotes and firsthand accounts, seamlessly woven into a claustrophobic portent of inescapable disaster, which Johnson most surely felt. >>READ MORE
Texas ReadsGlenn Dromgoole
>> archive
Historians debate Chisholm Trail in Texas
Did the famous Chisholm Trail ever really exist in Texas, or was that name just applied generically to the various cattle trails that led from Texas to Kansas?
Evidently historians have been debating the question for the last hundred years or so, and Fort Worth historian Wayne Ludwig plunges into the controversy in his new book, The Old Chisholm Trail: From Cow Path to Tourist Stop (Texas A&M University Press, $37 hardcover).
Ludwig relies heavily on the accounts from the Old Time Trail Drivers’ Association, which unanimously passed a resolution in 1931 — “to insure uniformity as well as to keep history straight” — that the Chisholm Trail started north of the Red River and never extended into Texas. What prompted the resolution was a movement, encouraged by the Good Roads Association, to increase tourism traffic by designating Chisholm Trail markers throughout the state, and eventually the notion carried the day. Various cities from south Texas to north Texas now claim to be part of the Chisholm Trail, which made its way into American folklore through the popular poem and subsequent cowboy song, “The Old Chisholm Trail.”
“Come along boys and listen to my tale,” the 1870s ditty begins, “I’ll tell you of my troubles on the Old Chisholm Trail.” One man claimed he could sing 149 stanzas of the song, Ludwig reports.
Beyond the questions and confusion concerning the Chisholm Trail name itself, Ludwig’s account offers insights into life on the cattle trails, the significance of the longhorn in Texas history, and the end of the cattle drive era. If you’re interested in Texas and western history, The Old Chisholm Trail: From Cow Path to Tourist Stop is a thoroughly-researched and well-written narrative.
Ranger guns: Retired U.S. Army Captain Robert Moser’s book Texas Iron: Guns of the Texas Rangers (Wild Horse Press, $19.95 paperback) is being touted by the publisher as “the most comprehensive book to date on weapons of the Texas Rangers.”
Moser, an avid firearms collector and Texas Ranger supporter, said that in reading historical accounts about the Rangers, “I wondered what weapons were used.” So he wrote his book “to help bring light to this seldom mentioned area of historical significance.”
Each of the eighteen chapters of text in this updated edition — from the early years of the Rangers to the modern era — is followed by a companion chapter of weapon photos, well over one hundred in all, most from his own personal collection.
Readers who study Texas Ranger history, or just like to read about guns, will find plenty of good material in Texas Irons.
* * * * *
Glenn Dromgoole writes about Texas books and authors. Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.
>> Check out his previous Texas Reads columns in Lone Star Literary Life
4th Annual Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop set for Oct. 13-14
Now in its fourth year, the Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop annual event will feature writing coaches, agents, and publishers from around the country, October 13-14, 2018.
The two-day workshop event will be held in Midland, at the Marie Hall Academic Building at Midland College.
The workshop will feature ten speakers, including Margie Lawson, Christie Craig, Manning Wolfe, David Farland, Reavis Z. Wortham, Kristen Marten, Stephen Graham Jones, Donna M. Johnson, B. Alan Bourgeois and Arlene Gale. >>READ MORE
Twig’s Top Ten Bestsellers
September 2018
What are Texans reading these days, you ask? Lone Star Lit’s newest regular feature is a monthly list of trending titles at the Twig Book Shop, a leading independent bookseller in San Antonio. Click on any title for the Buy link. And we’ll also include a hotlink to related content in Lone Star Literary Life.
Bob Woodward,Fear: Trump in the White House, 978-1-501175513
Mimi Swartz,Ticker: The Quest to Create an Artificial Heart, 978-0-804138001
Sarah Bird,Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen, 978-1-250193168
Phil Knight,Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, 978-1-501135929
Chip Dameron,Mornings with Dobie’s Ghost, 978-1-609405773
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Mental Toughness 978-1-633694364
Andrew Sean Greer,Less,978-0-31631613X
Margaret Atwood,The Handmaid’s Tale, 978-0-38549081X
Yuval Noah Harari,Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, 978-0-062316117
Kevin Kwan,China Rich Girlfriend, 978-0-804172064
LONE STAR CLASSIFIED LISTINGS
FEATURED: CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
8.19.18 Fort Worth Poetry Society seeks submissions from poets and visual artists for an anthology on classical music, proceeds from which will benefit the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. No cost to enter; accepted submitters receive a free copy of the anthology. This link to the FWPS website provides complete details: https://fortworthpoetrysociety.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/call-for-submissions/.
>>READ MORE CLASSIFIED LISTINGS
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StoreyBook Reviews, Leslie Storey
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Tangled in Text, Kelli Quintos
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CURRENTLY ON TOUR: FICTION
Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills Visit with DiAnn October 9–18, 2018
10/9/18 Excerpt Hall Ways Blog
10/9/18 Author Video Kelly Well Read
10/10/18 Review That’s What She’s Reading
10/11/18 Top List The Page Unbound
10/11/18 Top List Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
10/12/18 Character Interview Chapter Break Book Blog
10/13/18 Review Missus Gonzo
10/13/18 Excerpt All the Ups and Downs
10/14/18 Playlist StoreyBook Reviews
10/15/18 Review Momma on the Rocks
10/16/18 Review Reading by Moonlight
10/16/18 Excerpt Books and Broomsticks
10/17/18 Video Guest Post The Book Review
10/18/18 Review The Clueless Gent
10/18/18 Review Forgotten Winds
CURRENTLY ON TOUR: FICTION
The Encouragement Letters by Shawna Spence Visit with Shawna Oct. 10–19, 2018
10/10/18 Notable Quotable Momma on the Rocks
10/11/18 Review Hall Ways Blog
10/12/18 Excerpt Max Knight
10/13/18 Review StoreyBook Reviews
10/14/18 Notable Quotable The Page Unbound
10/15/18 Excerpt Chapter Break Book Blog
10/16/18 Review All the Ups and Downs
10/17/18 Author Interview That’s What She’s Reading
10/18/18 Character Interview Reading by Moonlight
10/19/18 Review Missus Gonzo
CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION
OLD BUILDINGS IN NORTH TEXAS by Jen Waldo Visit with Jen through Oct. 11, 2018
10/8/18 Notable Quotable StoreyBook Reviews
10/9/18 Review Reading by Moonlight
10/9/18 Guest Post The Page Unbound
10/10/18 Sequel Spotlight All the Ups and Downs
10/11/18 Review The Clueless Gent
10/11/18 Review Forgotten Winds
RECENTLY ON TOUR: FICTION
Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas
Lone Star Literary Life Facts and FAQs
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WHAT TEXANS ARE READING
LONE STAR LISTENS interviews >> archive
10.7.2018 Poet and professor Carmona now novelist with South Texas superhero saga
Poet and professor Christopher Carmona’s newest work is a novel, El Rinche: The Ghost Ranger of the Rio Grande. The book creates a Chicano superhero to share the undertold story of the history of the violence toward Mexican Americans in the early twentieth century by law enforcement, corporations, and ranches. Lone Star Lit caught up with Carmona via email to learn about his latest work.
Ben Montgomery’s new book of narrative nonfiction, The Man Who Walked Backward: An American Dreamer’s Search for Meaning in the Great Depression, lands on shelves September 18. Montgomery spoke with Lone Star Literary Life about how an interest in agriculture became a career in journalism, the sources of inspiration, amazing women, the Chautauqua tradition, and the swagger of Texas.
LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE: Mr. Carmona, You refer to yourself as a Chicanx Beat writer. What does that descriptor mean to you, and what does it signify?
CHRISTOPHER CARMONA: I am Chicanx in that I am a Mexican American that is deeply invested in claiming a political and social identity that signifies pride in my culture as well as a responsibility to advocating for positive change for my community and fighting for a more equitable world, while at the same time acknowledging the gendered restrictions of an “o” and “a” by using the “x”. As a Beat writer, I am influenced by the Beat writers like Jack Kerouac, Bob Kaufman, and Raul Salinas.
You are an editor, a teacher, poet, short-story writer, and now a novelist. Which is your first love, and why? Or is that a question impossible to answer?
I believe my first love is writing fiction, but I have always written poetry and throughout my life have gained the skills of editing and also gained a love for teaching. Telling stories have always been a deep part of me, but I have always loved aesthetics of writing, so I believe I am a poet that writes in prose. >>READ MORE
Texas’s only statewide, weekly calendar of book events
Bookish Texas event highlights 10.7.2018>> GO this weekMichelle Newby, Contributing Editor
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
- Lone Star Storytelling Festival, Frisco, October 12-13
- Houston Poetry Fest 2018, October 12-14
- Indie Author Day 2018, Dallas, October 13
- Tweens Read 2018, South Houston, October 13
- North Texas Book & Map Show, Fort Worth, October 13-14
- Permian Basin Writer’s Workshop, Midland, October 13-14
- Writers in the Field: Chapter Two, Mansfield, October 13-14
ONGOING EVENTS
- Literary Frontiers: Historical Fiction & the Creative Imagination, San Marcos, August 1-December 14
- “Dawoud Bey: Forty Years in Harlem” photography exhibition (from the book Dawoud Bey: Seeing Deeply), Austin, August 29-December 8
- The Texas Liberator: Witness to the Holocaust exhibition (from the book The Texas Liberators: Veteran Narratives from World War II), Houston, September 7-October 28
- Texas Writers exhibition, Fort Stockton, October 1-22
- Traversing Dimensions: An Exploration of Diversity in Science Fiction, Austin, October 1-31
- Finding Sophie Blackall Exhibition, Abilene, October 11-February 1
AUSTIN Mon., Oct. 8 BookPeople, ERIN GIBSON speaking & signing Feminasty: The Complicated Woman’s Guide to Surviving the Patriarchy Without Drinking Herself to Death, 7PM
ALSO SIGNING IN DALLAS Tues., Oct. 9 Interabang Books, 7PM
HOUSTON Mon., Oct. 8 Blue Willow Bookshop, Lauren Oliver will appear in conversation with author Liara Tamani to discuss and sign BROKEN THINGS, 7PM
DALLAS Tues., Oct. 9 Aaron Family JCC, Dallas Jewish Bookfest presents Alexandra Zapruder, author Twenty-six Seconds: A Personal History of the Zapruder Film, 7PM
HOUSTON Tues., Oct. 9 lue Willow Bookstore, Marjorie Herrera Lewis will discuss and sign her novel WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE, 7PM
ABILENE Thurs., Oct. 11 NCCIL, “Finding Sophie Blackall” Exhibition Opening and Gallery Talk: Take a stroll through the NCCIL gallery with Sophie Blackall as she shares exclusive personal stories and insights about her artwork, 6:30PM
ABILENE Fri., Oct. 12 NCCIL, Luncheon with Sophie Blackall: Enjoy a meal with Sophie while surrounded by her artwork in the NCCIL gallery, 11:30AM [ticketed event]
AUSTIN Thurs., Oct. 11 BookWoman, Second Thursday Open Mic featuring Laura Van Prooyen, 7:15PM
MIDLAND Thurs., Oct. 11 Centennial Library, Project Literacy author visit with Katherine Applegate and The One and Only Ivan, 4:30PM
AUSTIN Fri., Oct. 12BookPeople, CAROL J. ADAMS speaking & signing Protest Kitchen: Fight Injustice, Save the Planet, and Fuel Your Resistance One Meal at a Time, 7PM
GALVESTON Sat, Oct. 13Galveston Bookshop, Jan Johnson signing Unforgettable Galveston Characters, 3PM
IRVING Sat., Oct. 13 South Irving Library, Unexpected Texas Historic Cemeteries and Bucket List Day Trips of North Texas with author and travel blogger Tui Snider, 2PM
DALLAS Sun., Oct. 14 Dallas Museum of Art, Arts & Letters Live hosts Caroline Fraser, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning historical biography Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, 3PM
EL PASO Sun., Oct. 14 Literarity Book Shop, The Women of Smeltertown – A Presentation, Discussion & Signing, 3PM
SAN ANTONIO Sun., Oct. 14 Landa Library, Author Visit: Martha Miller discussing and signing Times New Roman: How We Quit Our Jobs, Gave Away Our Stuff, and Moved to Italy, 3PM
News Briefs 10.7.18
Writers in the Field returns with chapter two Oct. 13–14
MANSFIELD — Writers in the Field returns October 13–14, 2018, with more experts, demonstrations, and activities on the thirteen-acre Amber Inn Academy of Arts in Mansfield, Texas, a.k.a. the Richmond family farm. Writers in the Field “started with a simple idea,” according to the website: “What if there were a fun, affordable way for modern writers to see, smell, hold, and experience some of their more exotic and obscure subjects, all while picking the brains of world-class experts?”
At chapter two of Writers in the Field, those experts include Jo Smith (Live Forge and Bladesmithing), Brittney Volker (Herbalism), Nathan Cofield (Lockpicking), Dave Huss (Law Enforcement and Ballistics), John Stout (Archery), Shane Richmond (Swords and Stage Combat), and John Hemmert (Shipwrecks and Maritime Salvage). Instruction includes weapons and self-defense, period clothing, military life, medicine and herbalism, horse handling, crime scene investigation, and more. >>READ MORE
West Texas Book Festival honors Dromgoole with A. C. Greene Award, brings a full slate of programming to Abilene Oct. 18–20
ABILENE — The long-running West Texas Book Festival returns to Abilene in 2018 with a robust lineup of activities October 18–20. One perennial festival highlight, the Books & Boots Luncheon, will honor journalist, author, bookseller, and publisher Glenn Dromgoole with the festival’s prestigious A. C. Greene Award.
The full festival lineup is as follows.
Texas Cookbook Gala
Thursday, October 18, Abilene Country Club Dinner begins, 6 p.m.
The gala features incredible vintners and featured cookbook author Sarah Penrod. Penrod is an award-winning 7th-generation Texan, professional chef, and TV personality who charmed audiences as the vivacious and warm-hearted Texpert on The Next Food Network Star! Penrod’s cookbook, Urban Cowgirl, celebrates modern Southern culture with decadent Texas recipes.
Boots & Books Luncheon
Saturday, October 20, Abilene Woman’s Club
Doors open, 11:30 a.m. | Lunch, 12 p.m. | Book signing, 1:15 p.m.
The A.C. Greene Award is presented annually to a distinguished Texas author for a lifetime achievement. The A.C. Greene Award is named for author, columnist, and Abilene native, A.C. Greene.
This year, the West Texas Book Festival is proud to honor Glenn Dromgoole as the 2018 A.C. Greene Award recipient. As a tribute to his literary memoirs, Glenn has written a new book called Book Guy: One Author’s Adventures in Publishing. “You’ve probably heard me say that every book tells at least two stories — the story inside the covers of the book, and the story outside the covers,” says Dromgoole. “In Book Guy, I focus on the stories outside the covers of my thirty (now thirty-one) books and some others that I’ve helped publish.” >>READ MORE
Women’s Storybook Project of Texas awarded Texas Center for the Book 2018 Literacy Award
Readers 2 Leaders and Literacy First both awarded honorable mentions
AUSTIN — The Women’s Storybook Project of Texas has been selected as the 2018 Texas Center for the Book Literacy Award winner. The nonprofit organization will receive $1,000 to use in its future work. Texas Center for the Book also gave honorable mentions to two additional literacy nonprofits, Readers 2 Leaders and Literacy First. Each honorable mention winner will receive a $500 prize.
The Women’s Storybook Project of Texas connects incarcerated mothers with their children through the power of reading. The organization’s volunteers visit women’s prisons in Texas once a month to record eligible mothers reading books aloud to their children, as well as short, personalized messages. The volunteers then mail a copy of the book with the recording to the children. >>READ MORE
————— A D V E R T I S E M E N T —————
Lone Star Listens compilation available summer 2018, for readers, fans, and writers everywhere
The present generation of Texas authors is the most diverse ever in gender, age, and ethnicity, and in subject matter as well.
Week in, week out, Lone Star Literary has interviewed a range of Texas-related authors with a cross-section of genre and geography. To capture this era in Texas letters, we’re pleased to bring you
Lone Star Listens:
Texas Authors on Writing and Publishing
edited by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon; introduction by Clay Reynolds
Available in trade paper, library hardcover, and ebook Summer 2018
360 pages, with b/w illustrations and index
Featuring novelists, poets, memoirists, editors, and publishers, including:
Rachel Caine • Chris Cander • Katherine Center • Chad S. Conine • Sarah Cortez • Elizabeth Crook • Nan Cuba • Carol Dawson • Patrick Dearen • Jim Donovan • Mac Engel • Sanderia Faye • Carlos Nicolás Flores • Ben Fountain • Jeff Guinn • Stephen Harrigan • Cliff Hudder • Stephen Graham Jones • Kathleen Kent • Joe R. Lansdale • Melissa Lenhardt • Attica Locke • Nikki Loftin • Thomas McNeely • Leila Meacham • John Pipkin • Joyce Gibson Roach • Antonio Ruiz-Camacho • Lisa Sandlin • Donna Snyder • Mary Helen Specht • Jodi Thomas • Amanda Eyre Ward • Ann Weisgarber • Donald Mace Williams
As a collection of insights into the writing and publishing life, the book will be useful in creative writing classes (not just in Texas alone) and other teaching settings, as well as for solo reading and study—and a great Texas reference volume.
- Examination and review copies will be available fall 2017 in watermarked pdf format.
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