Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch by Jayme Blaschke

 Pardon me if I get unusually long-winded here. Everybody, all around, seemed to do a great job on this one. I could easily recommend Jayme Blaschke's non-fiction work, and the hard work was evident.

I had to look very hard to find any error, at all. I might have found a few fatigue sentence errors, which is exceedingly good by today's standards. It is also very much an extensive look at this former institution, its place in the local community, history, and sociological perspectives. A quality book worthy of sharing and discussion in many professional, academic, and governmental corners.

This book probed well beyond the deceptive surface of the oldest profession. It is said to have been established during the Texas Republic in 1844 when such businesses were a norm with the Central and Eastern Europeans who settled in the LaGrange-area. Times changed, and bets are that the 1973 closing led by Houston TV celebrity newsman Marvin Zindler might have been only a few years ahead of the eventualities. 

On the surface, any such institution is bad, and too often subject to mob control. Human trafficking is nowadays considered a usually connected side crime. Fortunately, there is a growing effort against that.  

Prostitution has probably been with us since prehistoric times, and will not likely ever completely go away. Numerous militaries around the world have their own bawdyhouses. Sooner or later those professional, academic, and governmental powers that be will likely have to convene in several places. 

My first job after getting my bachelor's degree was in LaGrange in 1978. The dust was still settling from the closing events in 1973, and I knew several of the local players still in the area. This is one book that anyone curious about these things really should read. Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch is a quality read. I recommend it.   

The Camera Never Blinks

 I read this when I was about to suddenly enter the throes of a divorce I didn't see coming. That can mess with your memory, and ability to write things down when you are quite distracted. I don't remember if Goodreads was around then. I don't think it was.

At that time I was still in radio and could identify with the younger Dan Rather. We were both from Houston, both did play-by-play sportscasting, covered news, familiar with the same high schools and universities. It went on. I followed him pretty well until the time of his undoing at CBS and then saw him again some in his TV interview program. He is usually interesting and informative.

The book was pretty good, and it should've with co-author Mickey Herskowitz, one of my favorite Houston journalists and writers. (less) [edit]

All Quiet On The Western Front

 Required reading in college English, and it might have also been in high school, too. Its acclaim speaks for itself. It is clearly against the horrors and wastes of war. I read it back in the '70s, but who can immediately remember everything?

Remarque wrote several other books, but this one stood out. I once found a collection of his books at a used bookstore just off Broadway in San Antonio, but had to pass for lack of funds and time. It was during my South Texas sportswriting days when I didn't have much energy once a workday ended, usually.

I think it was a good selection for required reading in those early 20s years. With a lot of people at that time, it is often a choice, or not, between the classroom or the parade ground. Remarque demonstrated a strong talent for proper words and timing.