Reading Recommendations: David Crockett, The Lion of the West, Michael WallisHis name was David Crockett. He never signed his name any other way, but popular culture transformed his memory into "Davy " Crockett, while Hollywood gave him a coonskin hat that he hardly ever wore. So wildly popular was his colorful out-doorsman-turned-politician that he become a legendary figure even in his own liftime.Born into a poor family in 1786 on the eastern Tennessee frontier, Crockett had a Huck Finn-like childhood that could have been something out of the dime store novels his legend later spawned.As befits his myth, Crockett did indeed display a preternatural talent for hunting, but he never "killed himself a b'ar" when he was only three, as one ditty proclaims. While Crockett's boyhood exploits are truly remarkable, even by frontier standards, it was his parents dire financial circumstances that instilled in him an outsider's sensibility. Masterfully framing Crocketts life against the volatile history of the frontier, Michael Wallis recounts the story of the young hunter who would disappear alone into the unexplored canebrakes, returning months later with harrowing tales of death traps and murderous natives.So extraordinary was Crock-ett's exploits, so remarkable his story telling gifts, that he distinguished himself first as a wildly popular soldier and then as a budding politician. Elected to Congress in 1826, he achieved great prominence in the new capital yet Crockett was too much for Washington to handle. Eventually breaking with Andrew Jackson, he considered running for President, however his career quickly faltered, his folksy charm no match for Jackson's venom.No part of Crockett's life remains as controversial as his death in Texas in 1836 where he had migrated, hoping to build a new life. Wallis, using recently discovered sources, conclusively demonstrates that Crockett neither surrendered to the Mexicans nor was taken hostage in the battle of the Alamo.A true American hero and the rough and tumble times in which he lived.From the texas BookshelvesAnd, Sailor, a novel, Tom EppersonGina fell for the wrong guy. Joey came into her life, promising her everything, and he gave it to her, along with a world of hell.But Gina was stronger than Joey realized. After years of suffering the terror of being married to a criminal, she took the one thing he ever gave her that she wanted, her son, Luke. Then she turned the bastard in.With her husband behind bars, her father-in-law will stop at nothing for revenge.He wants his grandson back, the heir to his criminal empire. With a vast network that stretches across the country, every favor is called in to kill Gina and return Luke to his grand father.Gina can trust no one. Even the U.S. Marshal assigned to keep Gina and Luke safe is on the pay roll. So with a gun and stolen diamonds in her purse, and derelicts, the law, and hit men on her tail, Gina takes Luke and runs.Los Angeles was only supposed to be a quick stop; eat, sleep, and continue running, but then they meet Gray. He says he's a sailor, but he seems to be hiding a lot. And when the time comes, he's the only thing standing between her and the grave."By turns frightening and darkly raw, the reader will be a hostage to the end."And, one other book I want to mention-Few of us will be raising chickens or will ever be in the chicken business-It is fun to read the Chicken Encyclopedia, an Illustrated Reference, Gail Damerow319 pages, colored photos of the many breeds, how to's: cage, feed, hatch, treat, care for chicks, laying, anything you want to know about chickens-See you at Rylander!