Somewhere between west Texas and Montana, Guy Jarrett's herd of 2,000 cattle and trail crew disappeared. But as he rode north on the trail of the bloodthirsty cow thieves, all the varmints he'd been tracking kept turning up dead. Someone was trying to cover his tracks and had the weight of every crooked lawman behind him. But all the weight Jarrett needed was the .44 Colt he carried on his hip.

"Cactus and Rattlers" by H. Bedford-Jones unfolds as a gripping story set towards the backdrop of the American Southwest, blending elements of adventure, suspense, and the untamed barren region. Known for his prolific output and mastery of pulp fiction, H. Bedford-Jones crafts a story that immerses readers inside the harsh and unforgiving landscapes wherein cacti and rattlesnakes emerge as symbolic of the challenges confronted via the characters. In this captivating work, Bedford-Jones weaves a tale that captures the essence of the rugged frontier, populated with the aid of characters navigating the complexities of survival and human nature. The name, "Cactus and Rattlers," indicates a narrative wealthy with the risks and struggles inherent in the desolate tract terrain. The author's skillful storytelling unfolds as an exploration of the human spirit towards the tough backdrop of nature. With bright prose and an eager understanding of the vicinity, Bedford-Jones introduces readers to a world in which the resilience of each people and the environment is tested. The intertwining of human drama with the stark splendor and risks of the barren region creates a narrative this is each compelling and evocative. "Cactus and Rattlers" stands as a testomony to H. Bedford-Jones's ability to transport readers to the heart of an untamed desert, in which survival is as plenty a battle in opposition to the elements as it's far in opposition to one's very own demons.

Covered by Wide World of Sports, National Public Radio, and National Geographic, Texas rattlesnake roundups like those in Sweetwater, Texas, draw both fascinated tourists and irate protesters. Begun as an organized form of predator control in the 1920s, for many years rattlesnake roundups have been promoted as community events and civic fundraisers. The western diamond-backed rattlesnake is the main attraction, with pits full of thousands of writhing rattlesnakes serving as the featured spectacle. Often taking advantage of the animals' denning behavior to capture large numbers at a time, hunters deliver live snakes to commercial dealers who are contracted by event organizers to supply the animals as a source of entertainment: from snake handling and snake races to snake sacking, snake skinning, snake milking, and snake education activities. Rattlesnake products of various types are also sold and consumed at the events. In this close-up look at rattlesnake roundups in Texas, Clark E. Adams and John K. Thomas present perhaps the first full description of this social and environmental phenomenon, tracking its popularity, its participants, its opponents, its impact on the communities where it occurs, and, as much as is possible, its effects on the rattlesnake itself. In recent years, the commercial trade in Texas animals has emerged as a serious and controversial issue, and the number of roundups has declined sharply. Texas Rattlesnake Roundups promises to provide a balanced starting point for all those interested in knowing more about this curious custom.

This book considers the writer's full body of work, placing it in the contexts of southern literature, Mississippi writing, and literary work about the working class. Collectively, the essays explore such subjects as Brown's treatment of class politics, race and racism, the aftereffects of the Vietnam War on American culture, the evolution of the South from a plantation-based economy to a post-industrial one, and male-female relations.--[book cover].

A hundred and fifty years ago, naval warfare entered a new phase with the introduction of ironclad vessels. On March 9, 1862, the USS Monitor, prototype of this new class of warships, fought the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads, Virginia, after the Virginia had ravaged the Union fleet blockading the James River, sinking larger, seemingly more powerful wooden warships in a potent demonstration of the power of an armored, heavily-gunned, steam-powered warship. In the world’s first clash between iron-armored warships, Monitor and Virginia exchanged gunfire at close range for nearly four hours. Neither inflicted serious damage on the other. While a technical stalemate, the events at Hampton Roads changed naval warfare forever. In the United States and abroad, iron and steam would soon replace wood and sail for warship construction. Less than nine months later, the now-famous Monitor was under tow, heading south to Beaufort, North Carolina, when she sank in heavy seas, with substantial loss of life. Monitor was a total and irretrievable loss; even the location of her final resting place became a mystery. Not until 1973 was the inverted hull located, and in 1974 excavation of the wreck began, under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in partnership with the US Navy. The decision to place the Monitor in a protected zone—a national marine sanctuary—marked another historic first for the vessel. The story of this decision, the raising of the turret, and the subsequent management of the historic resource adds another layer of history to the Monitor’s fascinating story. Sidebars in the book flesh out details and add anecdotal color to the story of Monitor and of the efforts to preserve and interpret the site. Lavish illustrations (photographs, site drawings, and artifact sketches) complement the informative and highly readable account by the archaeologist who planned and directed the major expeditions that resulted in recovery of many of the Monitor’s most significant objects, as well as the remains of two Union soldiers who were only recently interred in Arlington National Cemetery, more than 150 years after their deaths.