Book Review- "Starvation Heights" by Gregg Olsen

"Starvation Heights" by Gregg Olsen is a fascinating piece of history from the tiny town of Olalla, Washington  which is across the Puget Sound from Seattle.

Doctor Linda Burfield Hazzard created the Wilderness Heights Sanitarium in Olalla in the early 1900s. Doctor Hazzard believed that extreme fasting was the cure to most if not all ailments. 

After Dr. Hazzard's fasting treatment led to the death of one her patients, she was charged with murder. Starvation Heights is a well-written and well-researched account of  what was a nearly forgotten piece of Washington State history.

Book Review- "Eve" by Anna Carey

"Eve"  by Anna Carey is another dystopian teen romance  similar to The Hunger Games novels.


The first Eve novel takes place several years after a terrible plague has wiped out most of humanity. The title character is an orphan in an all girls school who believes that she and her classmates are being prepared to help re-build civilization.

Just before graduation, Eve learns the truth. Instead of going to the new "City of Sand" Eve and the other girls are going to be used as forced breeders apparently for the rest of their lives.

After escaping the school, Eve finds out that the new King had chosen her to bear his children. In the untamed wilderness outside of the school, Eve becomes friends with Caleb a boy living in a type of tribe with other boys his age.

A romance with Caleb soon develops, but as with all love there are complications.

I really enjoyed the first book of the Eve trilogy. The story is exciting. and there are plenty of good heroes and nasty villains.

Short Story- "Sand Trap"

Bill was working outside his cabin when the object came down about 50 feet away. Bill walked over to investigate. Whatever it was landed with such force that it left a small crater.

Bill looked at the bottom of the hole. An object about the size of a softball lay at the bottom. Bill reached down and picked it up. The object was metallic and looked manufactured. Possibly from an airplane or a satellite he thought.

Bill left the thing on his porch and went to bed. Sometime during the night he was awakened by an extremely bright light. Bill put on some clothes ad walked outside. An immense craft of some kind hovered over his cabin.

As he was watching, a creature descended from the craft and walked up to him. The creature was somewhat humanoid in appearance but was dressed in a wild assortment of colors. Somehow the creature began to communicate to him.

The creature pointed at himself and said something that must have been a name. Bill pointed at himself and said his name. For some reason Bill was not at all afraid. Maybe it was shock taking over he thought.

The creature began talking about a game. The rules of the game   made no sense at all until the alien pointed to the ground and said "sand trap". Bill began to understand. The creature was playing a cosmic version of golf and Earth was some kind of obstacle.

Bill retrieved the object that had fallen earlier and gave it to the alien. The creature bowed and smacked the ball with some type of high-tech club. The ball sailed into the sky and presumably out of the atmosphere.

Before leaving, the alien handed Bill something and then ascended to his ship. The next morning, Bill decided the whole incident must have been a wild dream until he noticed the hundred dollar bill still in his hand.

Book Review- "Comes The Hunter" by George W. Proctor

Sometime after the Civil War, Clay Thorton is a rancher in South Texas.When Clay's wife and children are slaughtered by a renegade Indian, he goes on a two year quest to find and kill the Indian.

Unfortunately, Clay never even gets close to the renegade and realizes that his thirst for vengeance has been a futile waste of time and a betrayal of the dreams he and his wife had for their ranch.

"Comes The Hunter" is not only a trip back to the frontier, but also a fascinating examination of the prominent, Native American, Mexican, and White settlers culture of the time. Mr. Proctor also gives a detailed description of the unique geology and landscape of Texas and surrounding regions.

Comes The Hunter is a better than average Western that fans of the genre will very much enjoy.

Love's Endless Ecstasy

Julia was in love.The object of her affection was
"Ted" the local mail man. Ted was so handsome in his post office uniform that Julia often waited by her mail box just so she could talk to him when he delivered her mail.

Julia had a feeling that Ted liked her too. Sometimes, he even asked to use her bathroom. Like most men, Ted made a horrific mess, but Julia didn't mind.

One day, Ted ran over her flower bed with his cute little mail truck. Julia was sure it was because he was looking at her instead of the road.

One day, Ted asked Julia out for a date. Julia spent hours getting ready and bounced up when Ted honked from outside. After Ted finished delivering the mail. They went to a terrific biker bar a few miles out of town.

After a delicious dinner of buffalo wings and beer. Ted took Julia to a local scenic area. Kissing Ted was everything Julia dreamed of even though he smelled a little like onions and she had to recline on a mail bag.

After several months, Julia found out she was expecting. Ted was so happy when he heard that he offered to pay for a DNA test.

When the baby was born, Ted announced that he was transferring to the east coast and would send for her when he could. Julia could hardly wait. She knew that they were going to have a long, happy life together.

Book Review- "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

First published in 1843, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is one of the great works in the history of literature. A Christmas Carol has been made into theatrical plays, musicals, and numerous films.

 The characters of A Christmas Carol have become embedded into our culture. Everyone knows what a "Scrooge" is. In addition to Mr. Scrooge, there are plenty of other unforgettable people in the book, including, deceased Jacob Marley who spends eternity lamenting his life on earth, Mr. Fezziwig ( love that name) who throws a great Christmas party, Bob Cratchit, and of course Tiny Tim.

A Christmas Carol is easily read in a day and is a good reminder that Christmas and life is about helping others and not spending all of our moments accumulating stuff.

               "God Bless Us, Every One"- Tiny Tim

Book Review- "Run Sheep Run" by Bob and Jan Young

The young adult novel "Run Sheep Run" by Bob and Jan Young was first published in 1959 but still retains a surprising relevance to the present.

Sixteen year old Judy Cannon's life changes drastically when her mother takes ill and Judy is forced to move to an old house on the beach with an uncle she barely knows.

The move away from old friends and habits helps Judy to develop  new interests including: Oceanography, art, and  even business when she helps her Uncle Mort start a bait shop.

 It is a little unusual for a novel written so long ago to encourage young women to pursue interests in science and business.

Christmas Pasts

Like something out of a "Christmas Carol" I have been thinking about past Christmases. The Puget Sound region has an unfortunate habit of raining on Christmas which I always hated when I was growing up in the town of Federal Way, Washington.

Snow usually came later in January. Ours was a middle class family. We were not rich, but I never went without anything growing up and there were always a few toys for Christmas. Around the holidays, I think about those times when the family was all together. Now my parents and most of the older relatives are gone.

There is a feeling of emptiness as I try to recall the memories of those years.

Book Review- "Voyage To Santa Fe" by Janice Holt Giles

For whatever reason, few women write Westerns. Sure there are plenty of women that write romance type books in a Western setting, but almost none write Westerns in the Max Brand mold. Janice Holt Giles is an exception to that unfortunate trend.

"Voyage To Santa Fe" by Ms. Giles is a terrific Western in every sense of the genre.The story takes place in 1823. Young Johnny Fowler along with his bride Judith and twenty or so hired men take a wagon train from Arkansas to the New Mexico territory which at the time was under the control of a newly independent Mexico.

Along the way, there is plenty of action including battles with Indians, wild animals, and among the wagon crew. Judging from Ms. Giles fine writing, more women should give Westerns a try.

Short Story- "The Pet" by Craig Zimmerman

Deena hated job interviews, but they were part of the process of getting employed and she needed money.

Deena's potential employer lived in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. It took Deena hours to find the place as she drove down a dirt road that took her far off the main road.

A magnificent gothic mansion stood at the end of the road. Deena was amazed that someone would build such a structure far out in the wilderness. Deena parked and walked up to a massive wooden door. Ugly gargoyles stared down at her from the roof several stories above. Deena used the old-fashioned knocker and waited. Somehow she expected a butler to answer the door, but it was an ordinary man in in jeans and flannel.

 The man smiled, and held out his hand "I'm Mike Hessler and you must be Deena" Deena shook the man's hand and nodded. "Quite a house you have here" Deena commented. "My Grandfather built it. He wanted it to look like a castle from the old country."Mike said as he ushered her in. The house even more amazing inside. Antiques and old paintings lined the walls. Eventually, Mike led her into an office. Stuffed hunting trophies covered the walls. "Grandfather was quite the hunter as well" he said noticing her stare. "Anyway, enough about the past." Mike said abruptly changing the subject. "I am looking for an office professional that can manage all the paperwork for a modern logging operation."

"I have checked your references, and I am prepared to offer you the job right now." Deena had never expected it to be this easy. "I accept" she said. "When can you move in?" Mike asked "Move in?" Deena said surprised. "Because of the weather, my previous office mangers were often unable to get up here, so the only way this could work is if you lived in the house." Deena wasn't crazy about living in the old, strange house, but there was no other way. "I can move in a few days" she said. "Good, I will show you your room." Mike said.

Deena's room overlooked the forest to the west. It was a beautiful view. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad she thought looking at the silent mountains. A week later she was settled in her room and already performing the day to day tasks of office management. 

One night after work, Deena sat at her window watching the sun set when she heard what sounded like two animals fighting to the death. Eventually, there was silence and Deena was shocked to watch a massive animal emerge from the forest and head towards the house. Deena rushed downstairs and knocked on Mike's bedroom door. A few moments later, Mike answered looking annoyed. "There is some kind of animal outside!" Deena said urgently. "It was probably just a bear." Mike said. Deena wasn't convinced. "No, I have seen bears, this was huge." Deena insisted. "Well, whatever it was, it can't get in the house, so just go back to bed." Mike said as he closed his door.

Deena felt silly as she headed back to her room. Maybe it was just a bear she thought. The next day, Deena went for a walk and in the nearby woods she found the remains of an animal that had been violently killed. Deena realized that this was the loser of last nights battle.  Deena told Mike about what she had found, but he didn't seem terribly concerned about it.



 A few mornings later, at breakfast, Deena was reading the local newspaper when she noticed an article about a missing hiker. The  woman had disappeared not far from the old house. Deena showed Mike the article and all he said was that hikers get lost all the time and the woman would turn up eventually.

Mike's unconcerned attitude made Deena suspicious. She noticed that he spent a great deal of time in the cellar of the old house and one night she followed him down there and after he had gone inside, she listened at the door. Mike was talking to someone, but it was hard to understand the words through the thick door. Suddenly, the door swung open and Mike pulled her inside.

Deena was shocked to see a massive animal inside of a cage that took up most of the room. The beast stood on two legs, was covered by brown hair and must have been seven feet in height. At the bottom of the cage was the bones of several different creatures, including at least one human skull.

Mike pointed to the beast in the cage. "This is William."  Deena laughed at the idea of such a noble sounding name being attached to this monster. The beast growled at her showing inch long fangs. "You probably have a few questions." Mike stated blandly. "I found William in the forest, when he was just a baby and he has been with me ever since."

Deena pointed at the massive animal. "That thing is a killer. You can't just keep him here like a pet dog." "William has a right to live and he needs to hunt to survive." Mike said calmly. "You are insane, and I am calling the police." Deena said as she ran out the cellar door. 

Behind her, she heard something huge pursuing her. Deena ran out the front door and to her car, but by the time she got her key out, William was there. Deena looked into the animal's eyes and saw no pity.

Book Review-" Heart of the Wilderness" by Janette Oke

Janette Oke  is known for her "Love Comes Softly" series of novels, but she has other works including "Heart of the Wilderness." The story begins with young Kendra being orphaned when her parents are killed in an accident. Kendra goes to live with her Grandfather "Papa Mac" who makes his living as a trapper in the Canadian wilderness.

Kendra is also raised by Papa Mac's native friend Nonie. Janette Oke is a fine writer and in the context of the story she skillfully explores weighty themes such as mythology, prejudice, death, and the ways of nature and man. There is also a little romance thrown in.

All of the characters in the novel resemble real people  complete with  weaknesses and strengths. Heart of the Wilderness is well worth reading.

Short Story- The Zoo

Bobby was so excited when the instructor told the class that they were going to the zoo, he couldn't think of anything else.

Bobby had never seen a real live animal before. He had learned that there were once creatures called birds that could actually fly in the air. More than anything, Bobby hoped there were birds at the zoo.

The next day, the school's vehicle took the class to the main city. Bobby had never seen so many different types of independents. Some were doing heavy labor while others worked in offices in some of the tall buildings.

Eventually, they passed through a gate and stopped. The instructor told the class that they must all be very quiet so that they don't scare any of the animals. A curator met them as the class stepped off the vehicle.

"My name is  Michael" said the tall, rugged-looking independent."Once the earth was home to millions of different life-forms, but most are extinct now as a result of human wars and pollution. When the independents took over, we tried to save what was left, but only a few species remain."

The curator led them to the first cage. A  small creature with brown fur looked at them through the bars. The curator pointed to the animal. "This is called a dog. Once wild, they were domesticated and kept as pets by the humans." Bobby felt sorry for the dog. He seemed so sad and alone.

 The next cage contained a brightly colored animal that was perched on a tree branch. "This is a bird" the curator said. "The skies were once filled with birds, now only a few remain" Bobby was hoping the bird would fly, but it remained on the branch.

The next cage was filled with a very old creature that stared at the ground. The curator spoke: "This is a human. Humans dominated the earth for thousands of years, but were quickly rendered obsolete by the first independents." Bobby looked away from the human and hoped there was enough time to go back to the bird.

Short story- Outsourced

Tom got the notice by e-mail that he was being replaced by one of the new artificial intelligence workers and that his last duty as an employee of Terracon industries would be to train his replacement. 

Tom knew that he wasn't the only one being replaced by a machine, but it still hurt. Ten years he had given the company and now he was being discarded for something that didn't need to pay a mortgage or feed its children.

Later in the morning, his still human supervisor brought down his replacement. The machine held out its hand "I am w-43"  The voice emanating from the machine was almost human-sounding. Tom ignored the hand and wondered why they bothered to program human customs into a robot.

Tom looked closely at his replacement. "Are you supposed to be a male or a female" he asked the device. "My designer gave me an androgynous appearance so that I could function in a variety of positions." the machine answered.

Tome was not in the least surprised that w-43 understood his duties much faster than he ever did. By the end of the week, Tom's replacement had learned everything necessary to perform his job. "You are a good teacher" the machine commented. "Are you programmed to care too?" Tom asked The machines face looked puzzled. "I'm not sure what you mean."  "When I go to work, I care about doing a good job so the company will do well and I can continue to support my family with my wages." The machine nodded in understanding. "Yes, a concern for doing quality work has been inserted into my central processor"

 What Tom had considered to be the last human advantage had already been taken away in a lab somewhere.

Book Review- "The Creek" by Jennifer L. Holm.

 The young adult novel "The Creek" by Jennifer L. Holm  is the dark side of suburbia through the eyes of thirteen year old Penny Carson.

Bad boy Caleb Devlin is back after a stay in juvenile hall and suddenly awful things start happening in the neighborhood including murder. Penny and her friends are convinced that Caleb is behind the crimes, but everyone has a secret on Mockingbird Lane including Penny.

Unlike most young teen heroines, Penny has a sinister side. (at one point, she attempts to cut the brake lines of Caleb's car.)  Penny also develops a wild attraction to the older Caleb.

The Creek may be a little tame compared to some of the popular media aimed at teens, but elements of the novel are more adult than adolescent.

 

The Fisherman

With his home-made pole, The Fisherman seemed slightly out of place among the expensive fiberglass poles that most of the other anglers held at the dock. Still The Fisherman's bucket was usually full of fish. This was a man who knew what he was doing.

 In my early teens, I developed an obsession with fishing and I would often ride my bike down to Dash Point to try my luck off the dock. The Fisherman was usually there when I arrived, his wooden pole dangling over the railing. Sometimes, I would choose a place close by so I could watch him at his craft. 

The Fisherman was old and appeared to be from the south Pacific region. I suspected that for him fishing was a part of life rather than a hobby like it was for me. At that time, I was only beginning to understand that being successful at getting food is a matter of survival for many people.

A couple of years later, I began to drive and the dock and other places were left behind. But I still think about The Fisherman and the lessons I learned from him. 

     
                   Craig  Zimmerman

      
                             

Book Review- "The Thinking Machine" by Jacques Futrelle

"The Thinking Machine" AKA Professor Augustus  S.F.X  Van Deusen is a  collection of stories featuring  The Thinking Machine character created by author Jacques Futrelle. Professor Van Deusen somewhat resembles Sherlock Holmes, but the stories are still enjoyable.

In the story "The Problem of Cell 13" The Thinking Machine is challenged to escape from an escape-proof cell. The reader wonders along with the prison warden if the Professor can pull it off.

Sadly, The Thinking Machine stories ended when Mr. Futrelle was killed in the Titanic disaster.

Book Review'- "The Peculiar Institution" by Kenneth M. Stampp

I have always been curious as to how slavery worked from day to day in America and the non-fiction book "The Peculiar Institution" by Kenneth M. Stampp  supplies the answers. From the beginning slavery in America was driven by the profits it produced. Slave labor was obviously cheaper than paid labor so planters and other business owners took advantage of its legality at the time.

 There were of course many rationalizations that slave holders used to justify owning another human being. All of them have proved to be nonsense, but at the time some of the justifications for slavery were widely believed. 

 Although slavery was somewhat successful as a labor system, the author makes a good case that the cruelty of owning another human being was in the end more destructive to slave owners and to the South then any economic benefits from "The Peculiar Institution"

Book Review- Farewell To Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston.

When I was a kid, I loved to read about the history of World War Two and I was aware of the internment of Americans of Japanese descent but I never thought much about what it must have been like. "Farewell To Manzanar" is an account of how the internment affected one Japanese-American family.

 After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 which eventually resulted in the internment of 110 thousand Americans of Japanese ancestry. Manzanar in Owens Valley, California was one of ten camps scattered throughout the west.

 The Manzanar camp was hastily constructed and not always functional.Although according to the author, there was plenty of food, schooling for the children, and some medical care. Still, Manzanar was basically a prison camp for people whose only crime was being of Japanese descent.

The Manzanar camp was closed Nov. 21, 1945

 In 1988, the US Senate voted to provide compensation for the victims of the internment.

Whiteout- Something hungry is coming down from the hills.

Julie Erickson looked out her kitchen window and marveled at the beauty of the Cascade Mountains. After years of saving and careful investing, Julie had finally been able to afford a cabin in the tiny community of Greenwater, Washington state.

  It was a long commute to her teaching job in the town of Enumclaw, but she never regretted it. Julie looked up at a sky filled with dark clouds. A bad storm had been forecast. Julie had lived in Washington state her entire life, but the fierce mountain weather could be frightening.

 After correcting  some papers, Julie settled in front of the fireplace with a good book. The warm fire lulled Julie into a deep sleep until a loud crash woke her several hours later. A terrible windstorm was tearing the branches from trees.

 Julie tried to see outside, but the wind and snow made visibility impossible. The power was also out. From past experience, Julie knew that the best thing to do  was just  relax and wait it out. She had plenty of food and the fireplace kept the cabin warm.

 Julie went back to her book. About an hour later, she became aware of a strange shuffling noise outside the cabin. Probably just an Elk she thought. Sometime later, there was a scratching on her door.

Julie got up and went to her landline phone. Cell phones were pretty much useless in the mountains. The phone was dead too. The scratching at the door grew louder. Her nearest neighbor was about a quarter of a mile away, but finding him in this storm would be difficult. A heavy thump on the door convinced Julie to put on her winter coat and boots.

 The next blow shook the door. Julie started for the back door as something smashed in her front door. Outside, the snow was so heavy that Julie wasn't sure which direction to go. Behind her,something growled and Julie ran blindly through the storm.

 The next morning, the only trace of Julie that could be found was one of her boots lying next to huge bloody footprints that led up into the hills.

   
      

Book Review "The Fires of Jubilee" By Stephen B. Oates

In 1831, a young slave by the name of Nat Turner led the largest slave rebellion in U.S. history.

  Over the years, I have read short histories of the uprising,  but I have never come across a full account of the rebellion until now.

 "The Fires of Jubilee" by Stephen B. Oates is a well-researched and balanced biographical history of Nat Turner and the conditions that led to the bloodshed.

                      Craig  Zimmerman