In Oklahoma Unforgettable, Kim Baker and John Jernigan capture Oklahoma’s allure in 143 outstanding color photographs. The beautiful images are accompanied by an insightful foreword by Donald W. Reeves, the McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Baker and Jernigan’s travels have taken the two photographers from the swirls of activity in Oklahoma City and Tulsa to the charming towns that make up America’s heartland. The images reveal a land of contrasts—wild prairies and thick forests, soaring mesas and mountain trails, sandy deserts and numerous lakes—that inspires the imagination. Take a drive with Baker and Jernigan down Route 66 and beyond and discover the Sooner State all over again. Whether lifelong Oklahomans or visitors to the state, readers will treasure Oklahoma Unforgettable for years to come.

The only book on the legendary band that included Lester Young, Count Basie, and Ralph Ellison The Blue Devils have received very little attention from jazz historians, though the band members and the writer Ralph Ellison (who sometimes sat in with them) spoke with conviction about their sterling musicianship and their legendary ability to defeat all competitors in battles of the bands. In a literal sense, the band survived for ten years, from its founding in 1923 to its demise in 1933. In a figurative sense, the band continued for more than half a century because, as members Jimmy Rushing, Lester "Prez" Young, Oran "Hot Lips" Page, and Count Basie became jazz legends, their "apprenticeship" in the Blue Devils authenticated them as genuine jazzmen, real troupers ready to play for any and all occasions. Even as their fame grew, they always remained true to the group, believing, "Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil." Chronicling the ten years the band was officially together, with a peek at what the Devils became after they disbanded, Douglas H. Daniels provides a corrective to most accounts of musical groups. He delves into the potent social and cultural history of the Depression to show its influence on the group"s founding as well as on the players" careers. This meticulously researched history of an iconic jazz band rescues them from undeserved obscurity and clears away the fog of neglect. Praise for Douglas H. Daniels"s Lester Leaps In: "A groundbreaking account of one of the great figures of twentieth-century music and the rich cultural heritage that made a Lester Young and this wonderful art possible." --Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Freedom Dreams and Yo" Mama"sDisfunktional!

There is probably not an Oklahoman or a visitor to Oklahoma who hasn't wondered about the meaning or origin of the names of many of the cities and towns and other landmarks. Those names mirror the 46th state's diverse culture and unique history. They sing with the beauty of American Indian languages, reflect the hope or earthy humor of early settlers, or ring with the energy of entrepreneurs. In some instances, the record documenting the birth of an Oklahoma place name no longer exists - if it ever did. In others, the "official" version varies from local legend - or is greatly enlivened by it! Respected Oklahoma author Jim Etter examines both history and folklore - and that intriguing blend of both - in this work that results from his years as a journalist whose work has taken him to hundreds of Oklahoma communities where he talked with - and listened to - thousands of Oklahomans. The result is a book that is both informative and entertaining and quintessentially Oklahoman - part fact, part fiction and bigger and better than either.

A rare collection of accounts of incidents and legends throughout the state - intriguing bits of the past generally not found in conventional works of history. Used in some schools as a teaching aid. Included in the 26 chapters are descriptions of a crucial battle between Indians and Spaniards in 1759; a place where "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was composed; the wild and woolly past of a town called Navajoe; a whiskey-smuggling scheme that set a train depot on fire; a young man who left the oil fields for Hollywood; a scary light that has haunted a lonely road for years; and where once a strange but lively party took place in a moonlit cemetery.

From a city that was founded in the Land Run of 1889, to becoming the state's largest city and capitol, Historic Photos of Oklahoma City is a photographic history collected from the areas top archives. With around 200 photographs, many of which have never been published, this beautiful coffee table book shows the historical growth from the mid 1800's to the late 1900's of this scenic city in stunning black and white photography. The book follows life, government, events and people important to Oklahoma City history and the building of this unique city. Spanning over two centuries and two hundred photographs, this is a must have for any long-time resident or history lover of Oklahoma City!

“100 percent unforgettable.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Part mystery, part study of the human heart, and one pierced with rays of hope.” —Booklist (starred review) “A big-hearted adventure about coming home.” —Publishers Weekly A ten-year-old girl is determined to find her missing neighbor, but the answers lead her to places and people she never expected—and maybe even one she’s been running away from—in this gorgeous debut novel that’s perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish. Guinevere St. Clair is going to be a lawyer. She was the fastest girl in New York City. She knows everything there is to know about the brain. And now that she’s living in Crow, Iowa, she wants to ride into her first day of school on a cow named Willowdale Princess Deon Dawn. But Gwyn isn’t in Crow, Iowa, just for royal cows. Her family has moved there, where her parents grew up, in the hopes of jogging her mother Vienna’s memory. Vienna can no longer remember anything past the age of thirteen, not even that she has two young daughters. Gwyn’s father is obsessed with finding out everything he can to help his wife, but Gwyn’s focused on problems that seem a little more within her reach. Like proving that the very strange Gaysie Cutter who lives next door is behind the disappearance of her only friend, Wilbur Truesdale. Gwyn is sure she can crack the case, but when she does she finds that not all of her investigations lead her to the places she would have expected. In fact they might just lead her to learn about the mother she’s been doing her best to forget…