Crow Killer

After finishing The Real Wild West, and knowing that I was getting Massacre at Mountain Meadows for Christmas, I needed a quick read in between. I picked up Raymond W. Thorp and Robert Bunker's Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson a few weeks back at the local used bookstore (COAS in Las Cruces; one of the best bookstores I have ever set foot in...) Both my dad and my brother had read it and told me a few things about it. The movie Jeremiah Johnson was loosely based on John Johnson (or Johnston), the character in this book. The book paints a much more gruesome tale than the movie does, however. Of course, it's hard to separate the myth from the reality in this book. It's more fiction than history, but at the same time it provides a romanticized version of the American West that people crave. It paints the mountain man as the last hurrah of the frontier, and the rest involved with the making of the west as mere "tenderfoots." Johnson is a larger-than-life character, not afraid of a fight, even with a grizzly bear. His nickname, Liver-Eating, stems from his call sign, that of eating the liver of Crow Indians he has killed in avenging his wife and unborn baby's death. It's a fantastic read, and of course has to be taken with a grain of salt, but what it is not disputed is that the Mountain Men were an essential piece in the making of the West, both real and mythical, and John "Liver-Eating" Johnson is not a man I would want to have on my bad side.

The Real Wild West

In between required reading for my classes, I was able to read The Real Wild West: The 101 Ranch and the Creation of the American West by Michael Wallis. This is the second book I have read by Wallis, the other being Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride. While not a professional historian, Wallis is a fantastic writer and his research is on par with that of a trained historian. He is best known for his work on Route 66, which he affectionately calls "The Mother Road." He lends his voice to the hit movie Cars, doing the voice-over for the sheriff of Radiator Springs. He is an amazing storyteller, and that is what he does best in The Real Wild West. Wallis examines the history of the 101 Ranch, a working cattle ranch in northern Oklahoma that would eventually bring the west to the world via a wild west show along the lines of Buffalo Bill. To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of the 101 Ranch prior to reading this book. I had not realized that there were so many wild west shows touring the nation and the world back in those days. Buffalo Bill had quite a bit of competition, as Wallis points out that many more besides the 101 Ranch show were also in action. The book focuses heavily on the line between the West of reality and the West of mythology. Wallis, while weaving his narrative of the 101 Ranch's history, examines many different characters in Western history and their connections to the ranch, which provides for some very interesting reading. He writes about a certain topic after each chapter, and honestly, I looked forward to reading them more than reading the actual chapters. I learned some very interesting things that I had not known before. While at times Wallis seems to exaggerate some things, he does provide good evidence for his claims, and for this he is commended. I plan to read some of his other works, and if they are as entertaining as this one, I will not be disappointed.

Yankee Stadium

Last night, and Monday night, for that matter, provided some moments that will be forever remembered in sports history. Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, is in its final season. Yes, this shrine to baseball, sports, and America will be torn down at the end of the season, and the new Yankee Stadium will open across the street. Fortunately, Major League Baseball put together a great All-Star Break at the House that Ruth Built. This was the fourth All-Star game to be played at this historic ballpark, and will arguably be the most remembered. Fans at the stadium and in living rooms and bars around the country were mesmerized Monday night by a former heroin addict who several years ago was kicked out of baseball and living on the streets. Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, with a new lease on life, free of drugs and having a spectacular season, hit 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby. That set a new record. Unfortunately Josh did not win the derby because the slates are wiped clean in the third round. But we all know he really did win it, and he definitely won the hearts of the fans. Tuesday night brought the game itself. Before the game, a good number of Hall of Famers were on hand to be honored. There were guys there who are legends of the game, that I only heard stories of growing up, like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks. There were legends of the game that I grew up watching, like Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Perhaps the most touching to see, however, was Yogi Berra. He was the last name to be read as they went through the Hall of Famers, and the former Yankee great was welcomed to a huge ovation. He is perhaps one of the last links to the Yankee legends like Mickey Mantle and Joe Dimaggio. As I watched these moments and the game, I could only wonder if Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle, and countless other Yankee greats were smiling down on this evening from above. The game itself was a classic as well. 15 innings of good baseball. As much as it saddens me to see this great building torn down, at least the MLB is bidding it farewell in the right way. It's unlikely the Yankees will make the playoffs, but maybe there is still some magic in that old stadium and we will see a few more postseason games. Whatever happens, the stadium and the countless memories it contains will never be forgotten.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Ok, so I know this isn't really a historical movie, but it is Indiana Jones and deals with historical things. At least, it should. Unfortunately, this movie has no history to speak of, at least not of Earth. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but honestly I advise not seeing it anyway, but there are aliens and stuff, and a spaceship at the end. Lame. Seriously, has George Lucas lost his mind? He should have just left this franchise alone. And Harrison Ford, I love him as an actor, but he was just boring in this one. Where are all the good one-liners and quips that makes Indiana Jones great? Parts of this movie made me laugh, and not because they were supposed to be funny. They were just cheesy and fake. Honestly, Star Wars is more realistic and believable than this piece of crap. And I really hate to say that, because I had hoped it would equal the original three movies. I had a feeling it might be bad, though, and unfortunately I was right. Maybe Lucas and Spielberg should just give up, because lately their movies have kind of sucked. (War of the Worlds come to mind?). And the way the Russians were depicted..... I thought the Cold War was over. I realize that we had harsh feelings towards them during this time, but they are portrayed as mindless, drunken idiots. In one scene they are dancing around the fire like a bunch of morons. I really felt like I was watching a movie from the 50s, and I don't necessarily mean that in a good way. The movie did somewhat portray the communist witch hunt that was going on at the time and how dumb it could be, but beyond that the movie really lent nothing. Let's hope they put the Indiana Jones franchise back to bed, where it should have stayed in the first place. However, knowing George Lucas and his desire to market anything he can (by the way, I don't remember Indiana Jones toys from the original movies), he'll probably make like six more. Maybe Indy will go to Mars or another dimension this time. Obviously Lucas's head is out there somewhere.

Band of Brothers Part Two

So after finishing the miniseries, I of course had to get the book it was based off and read it. I have read a little of Ambrose's work in the past, and I really like his stripped down, personal style of writing history. It's interesting to read about just one company in the entire U.S. Army. Sometimes reading WWII histories gets too complicated trying to keep everything straight, but since this book follows only one company it was easy to follow and easy to relate to the soldiers. The book offers much deeper insight into what the soldiers were feeling and thinking than the miniseries, which is usually true of any book. I will have to read more of Ambrose's work later, as I really enjoy his style and analysis. This book read like a narrative, but he does a great job of inserting his own analysis as well as the analysis of the soldiers themselves, and also uses outside sources well to back up some of his points. Excellent book.

The Journals of Lewis and Clark

The Journals of Lewis and Clark, ed. by Bernard DeVoto

In his foreword to the book, Stephen E. Ambrose notes that "these journals are a national literary treasure...." I think I would be inclined to agree with that statement. While at times the journals can be difficult to read, as well as somewhat monotonous (and keep in mind that DeVoto's edition does not contain the entire journals by any means), they provide an amazing description of one of the greatest journeys in history, and perhaps the greatest in the short history of the United States. The most fascinating parts to me are their accounts while in the Rocky Mountains. It is interesting to imagine these men being the first whites to see many of these areas that I have grown up around and take for granted. Their physical descriptions of Native Americans as well as their accounts of their interactions with them are also priceless. They provide a detailed look at many different tribes, some of which have likely nearly disappeared. There is an innocence in the air, both of the explorers and the natives, that lends a glimmer of hope that the white men and the natives will co-exist peacefully. Unfortunately, we know this was not to be the case, but at this point in time it seems that both sides sincerely believed it could and would happen. While the journals are primarily kept as scientific records, etc., occasionally the explorers would convey their own personal feelings. One entry that really impressed me was from Lewis, dated August 18, 1805, where he writes: "This day I completed my thirty first year, and conceived that I had in all human probability now existed about half the period which I am to remain in this Sublunary world. I reflected that I had as yet done but little, very little, indeed, to further the hapiness of the human race or to advance the information of the succeeding generation. I viewed with regret the many hours I have spent in indolence, and now soarly feel the want of that information which those hours would have given me had they been judiciously expended. but since they are past and cannot be recalled, I dash from me the gloomy thought, and resolved in future, to redouble my exertions and at least indeavour to promote those two primary objects of human existence, by giving them the aid of that portion of talents which nature and fortune have bestoed on me; or in future, to live for mankind, as I have heretofore lived for myself." This passage really stuck out to me, especially coming from a man leading one of history's great expeditions. Perhaps he did not realize at the time the significance? However, it also seems he is not only referring to great things, but also to the little things he could do to better other people's lives. In this day and age, where it seems like everyone is so self-absorbed, this passage could teach us a valuable lesson. I'm glad I took the time to read this book, it has broadened my understanding of the expedition and given me insight into the thoughts and feelings of these men.

The entire journals can be viewed online through the University of Nebraska: http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/index.html

San Albino Church - Mesilla, New Mexico

Barn near Heise, Idaho

Some Family History

I just thought I would share this photo, it's a little bit of my family history mixed in with a famous American's history. I've heard this is a picture of a hunting party with William F. Cody, aka "Buffalo Bill." The significance of this photo for my family is that the man on the far right, in the lighter clothing, is my great-grandfather, Eben Brown. It's been said that Eben was one of the best cowboys around, which is probably why he was associated with the famous "Wild West" showman. I just find this picture very cool and would someday like to research it and find out more about it. (Click on it to get a full-screen look.)

Band of Brothers

"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered, -
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile..."
- William Shakespeare, Henry V

I was on my mission when this series ran, and although I had seen bits and pieces of it on the History Channel, I had not seen the whole series; the amount of time one needs to watch the whole thing also restrained me. This past Christmas, however, I decided it was time and I purchased the set. Well worth the money. It has taken me four months, watching an episode when I get a free hour or so, but I finally finished it. In my opinion, this is some of the finest filmmaking in existence. It is an absolute masterpiece, from start to finish. It puts you in the action. You go through the same ups and downs as the soldiers. We've been a country that has glorified war; that can be seen in war movies through the years. It is refreshing to watch a movie that reflects the realities of war. William Tecumseh Sherman once said that "war is hell," and this movie portrays that hell. It's hard for me to imagine how they made it through. I think the main thing that kept them going was their brotherhood. I've read and heard many times that war is not about fighting for your country; it's about fighting for the guy next to you. It's about surviving. Not just you, but all of your buddies around you; and this movie shows the anguish these guys go through every time they lose one of their own. I imagine some become numb to all the death and destruction, I don't know, but when it comes down to it, we're all still human and losing our friends takes its toll. That was seen with one of the soldiers, who simply loses it after seeing two of his best friends, and men he felt responsible for, have their legs blown off. In some war movies, he might be depicted as a coward. This man was no coward, he is simply a human being, and sometimes a man can only take so much. That's the reality of war. Some portions of this series literally brought tears to my eyes. One part I had a particularly hard time with was when Easy Company entered the concentration camp. It's beyond my comprehension how human beings can be so cruel to each other. And not just Nazis, everyone has their dark sides, including the United States. But what Hitler and his cronies devised for the "Final Solution" to the Jewish Question (as well as any other ethnic minority the Fuhrer deemed impure), absolutely blows my mind. And they went about it with such a businesslike manner, which is the real creepy part of it. Their business was destroying lives; destroying entire races of people. But what I also liked about the movie was in the final episode, where it shows a German general addressing his men before they surrender. These were men just like the Americans, and the British, and all others that fought in the war. They weren't all Jew-hating Nazis; they were just doing what they felt was their duty, just like the rest of them. Many times we forget that the ones fighting on the other side are humans too, with the same feelings and emotions. All in all, this is quite possibly the best miniseries ever made, although Lonesome Dove definitely ranks up there in my opinion. Either way, it's an absolute masterpiece and one that I'm sure I will have to watch again and again to truly appreciate it and what those men did.

There Will Be Blood

"I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!"

I had been wanting to see this movie for some time, especially with all the critical acclaim and awards it has been nominated for (and won). The movie starts out with no speaking for the first 14:30, but the music does a great job of setting the mood for the movie. (The score continued to be good throughout the movie). The movie was somewhat slow, but still enjoyable. If you're looking for an action-packed, "bloody" movie, you will be disappointed. However, if you're looking for a great piece of film-making that exposes a dark part of our past (and perhaps present), then this a good movie to watch. The movie is based on Upton Sinclair's book Oil (which I will have to read now), and does a great job of showing how the love of money can corrupt a human's soul (although in this case Daniel Plainview's soul may have already been corrupted). I don't know which character is creepier in this movie; Plainview (played by Daniel Day-Lewis), or the preacher, Eli Sunday (played by Paul Dano). Dano's "sermons" were just downright scary; Day-Lewis's performance bordered on the maniacal as well. Of course, Day-Lewis won an Oscar for this role, which was well deserved; he was amazing. The scene near the end with Plainview and his adopted son H.W. shows just how corrupted and twisted he has become. I did enjoy this movie, but I probably wouldn't watch it again. However, it does make one think about what is important in life, and which path one's life is headed down. I would recommend it to anyone who likes movies that show the realities of human nature and who also likes movies that make them think.

Marie and I have a blog for the whole family, but I thought I would start up my own. I think I will mainly use this to review movies, books, and music, and maybe post my thoughts on different subjects, namely history, as I prepare to go to grad school this fall.....