What I'm Reading This Week...

A good friend of mine, Tom Alex, just got published and I'm reading his book - hot off the press.

Tom is the park archeologist at Big Bend National Park, http://www.nps.gov/bibe in far West Texas. Tom is also a distinguished alumnus from my alma marter Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas. www.sfasu.edu His wife Betty is the park botanist.

Here's a pic of Tom and his lovely bride Betty at a friends wedding I attended several years ago in the shadow of Casa Grande at Big Bend National Park. I'm actually one of the very few that have made it to the top of Casa Grande. A few years ago, a park ranger buddy of mine and I made it to the top. Talk about a magnificent view. At Synchro32, we climb the highest mountains to provide our customers with outstanding - legendary - industry leading - the benchmark by which all others are measured against - customer support BEFORE AND AFTER the sale!




Big Bend National Park and Vicinity Author(s): Thomas C. Alex
http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9780738578538

Book Description:
The Rio Grande makes a large bend into Mexico and forms the “boot heel” of Texas that is the Big Bend. Big Bend National Park nestles inside this meander, and its history is as much a part of Mexico as it is of Texas. The remote border location is historically replete with rich cultural diversity, including nomadic bands of Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Mexican and Anglo farmers, ranchers, miners, military men, and entrepreneurs. In the 1930s, a handful of people saw the Big Bend’s majestic ruggedness as a place where all Americans could touch the Creator in nature and appreciate the alien qualities that both test and console the human spirit. This remote frontier still draws the souls of those seeking wide-open vistas and crystal-clear night skies.

Author Bio: Thomas C. Alex has lived and worked in the area for almost 30 years during which he has collected stories of the Big Bend. Images found in this volume were provided by families who settled the area, the National Park Service, and visitors who found the enchantment of the Big Bend irresistible. The Archives of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, also holds an immense treasure trove of images and documents detailing the rich human history of this area.

Reviews of the book

Destined for the top spot on the New York Times Best Seller List, soon to be named Pulitzer Prize winning
author Tom Alex has crafted a literal masterpeice in his acclaimed work "Big Bend National Park and Vicinity". The Postcard book of this area is also a must have. Crafted in legend and lore, Tom Alex brings to life the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region and the people that lived, worked, worshiped, and died here.

Accolades and reviews keep pouring in...

Roberta Roberts from the Stillwell Sentinel writes, "A literary masterpiece ranking up there with Hemmingway"

Sam Slade from the Redford Reporter writes "If I had three thumbs, they would all be up!"

Becky Slidell from the Shafter Chronicle writes "Bravo Tom Alex"

Sally Simmons from the Candellera Light writes "A new light on Big Bend"

Homer Hopfe of the La Linda Review writes "Wow! A literary classic!"

Raymondo Ruez of the Boquillias Post writes "Tom Alex has done it again!"

Sister Sue of the Santa Elena Harold writes "Everyone who loves Big Bend should read this!"

Another review...
http://www.bigbendgazette.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/6/4422948.html

First impressions, it arrived by pony express today...

Postcards - magnificent gift for the Big Bend aficionado - first impression - gotta get these framed...

Book - lotso pictures with maps and drawings...

and it just keeps getting better...

Our copy arrived yesterday and was up all night reading it...could not put it down. Understand every book store in Dallas is on backorder....nothin g like it has been seen since Confederacy of Dunces. The question on everybody's lips: When will see his next book? With this type of notoriety, it may be hard for Betty and Tom to continue their reclusive lifestyle in Terlingua Ranch....it may have to be turned into a gated community.

Tom and Betty are unique. They live totally off the grid, sans a phone land line, and generate their own electricity using wind and solar power. There house is constructed of straw bales and is very nice. They capture water through water catchments. The toilet facilities are composting. They do have all the comforts of home, sans an air conditioning unit - too much juice to when living off the grid. Summers in the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region are brutal too - 115f is not uncommon. But, with the home construction and fans it is not too bad.

If you ever want to know more about the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region, check out http://www.bigbendchat.com where I am a frequent contributor and one of the founding members.

BTW - I personally receive no special considerations or enumerations or monetary incentives from this promotion campaign. I have had the pleasure on many occasions of breaking bread and having some good libations with Tom and Betty Alex - fine people.