Sep 11, 201210:18 AMThe Telegraph
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Western Words: Sept. 11, 2012
The James T. Bialac Native American Art Collection: Selected Works, a publication of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
When he was a law student at the University of Arizona, James T. Bialac began collecting kachina dolls. After amassing more than 1,000, his interests expanded into other Native American artwork, from drawings and paintings to sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, baskets, and textiles.
Today, the collection — which includes more than 4,000 items — ranks among the most remarkable in existence. In 2010 Bialac bequeathed the collection to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma. The book features selected works from this treasure trove, representing a wide range of indigenous cultures including the Navajo, Hopi, Pueblo, and many of the tribes of the Great Plains.
San Miguel, by T.C. Boyle
T. Coraghessan Boyle has written 23 works of fiction, though he may be best known for The Women, a New York Times bestseller. His latest, San Miguel, is set on a tiny windswept island off the coast of Southern California. There, two families arrive 50 years apart, each with their own aspirations. A shadow of a great war looms over both, as they struggle to persevere in face of hardship. Boyle’s work is always remarkable for its period detail, and San Miguel is no exception.
Born on the Island: The Galveston We Remember, by Eugene Aubry and Stephen Fox
When you meet someone in Galveston, Texas, one of the first questions they may ask is, “Are you BOI?” That means “born on the island,” and it’s indicative of the native pride that Galvestonians share. One of their favorite sons, artist and architect Eugene Aubry, created a series of works that celebrate the unique architectural style of the island’s buildings.
Commissioned by the Galveston Historical Foundation, Aubry’s 67 watercolors and drawings have been collected in Born on the Island: The Galveston We Remember. Stephen Fox provides insightful descriptions and context for each image, which celebrate an uplifting history that will appeal to BOIs and non-BOIs alike.
A Fistful of Collars: A Chet and Bernie Mystery, by Spencer Quinn
Dog lovers and fans of detective stories have already discovered the whimsical world of Chet and Bernie, who return for their fifth adventure from the ever self-assured pen of Spencer Quinn. It’s not easy to write a book narrated by a dog, but Quinn pulls it off while avoiding all the easy dog jokes that a less skilled writer would be tempted to insert.
This time, the clever canine and his detective owner are hired by the mayor of Hollywood to protect movie star Thad Perry, who is about to play the lead in a big-budget western. What begins as basic bodyguard duty soon takes a sinister turn, complicated by Bernie’s troubled love life and Thad’s preference for cats.
Best Summit Hikes in Colorado: An Opinionated Guide to 50+ Ascents of Classic and Little-Known Peaks from 8,144 to 14,433 Feet, by James Dziezynski
Colorado can be a tough place to hike for novices, but the natural scenery is so stunning that it’s worth the altitude-induced oxygen deprivation. For those that love a great uphill walk, James Dziezynski has compiled more than 80 treks of varying length and difficulty, from Sangre De Cristo to Medicine Bow. He describes the sights along the way, what not to miss, and which hikes are best suited to which times of day.
For more recent book releases, check out last week's Western Words post.
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