Muleshoe & More by Bill & Clare Bradfield, remarkable stories behind the naming of Texas towns (original) (raw)

Here's a book that's essential for your Texana library. Why? I can't believe you, of all people, asked me that! Because it's entertaining and it's a reference book, that's why. You don't often find this combination.

Here's the answer to all those pent-up questions you've had about Texas place names. In Texas you can hardly get groceries without passing a mysterious place name. Until a book comes out on street names (The Bradfields are probably working on one now) this book will satisfy the most curious Texan, native or naturalized, about the land beyond the city limits.

Think of a strange town name. Any strange town name. Yep, it's in there. Alphabetically too. The margin on the right displays the letter so that you can flip through the pages with your right thumb if you happen to be traveling alone. Do not do this while driving. You can do this with your left hand too, although there are fewer letters on the left hand margins.

This thoughtful aid can also be employed to teach your grandchild the alphabet. Cradle the grandchild in your left arm and line up the postmark on the cover with that sweet little face. Flip through the book with your thumb and read the letters aloud as they appear. If you don't have a grandchild, you might substitute a cooperative kitten. If the kitten is not cooperative be sure you have on a long-sleeved shirt before flipping the pages.

The explanations are short, but complete. Each one is a little nugget of knowledge; a jellybean of geography. Illustrations have been carefully chosen and postmarks from appropriate Texas post offices are sprinkled throughout the book.

Turn off that millionaire program on TV and spend a quiet evening quizzing your spouse on Texas place names. Men love to be quizzed, unless it's about their whereabouts.

Not only is this book a great gift for a relative, it's a great book to donate to your local library. Buy one for yourself and one for the library (so you don't have to embarrass yourself checking out a book you donated).

Although it's a reference book, we've included it in our TE Traveling Library. Maybe you read about Ben Bolt, Texas six months before, but here you are driving through Ben Bolt now. You can buy a cold drink and satisfy your thirst, but what are you going to do about your curiosity?

June 2000 � John Troesser