Michael Wallis on Jon Stewart
I just saw Michael Wallis on Jon Stewart and he did us proud, talking about his David Crockett book. He even mentioned he lives in Oklahoma. It was great. And remember Young Bill included him on one of the Library Youtube Breaks. You can tell Bill and I are big Michael Wallis fans, and the biggest reason I’m his fan is he appreciates the real history of Oklahoma and the West.
Perfect book for Dad
Ok so Dad’s Day was yesterday, but I’ve found a perfect book to share with your Dad. It’s Michael Wallis’ The Wild West 365. It’s a 6 1/2 by 9 1/2 inch book of everything Wild West. On one side of the Day Page is a vignette of fascinating western history and directly across is a photograph, or artist rendering of the event or person.
For example, on September 6th, is the tale of Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Ride to get even for the murder of his brother, Morgan (September 5th tells that story). Across from the story is a photograph of Johnny Ringo, legendary badman who according to Josie Earp, ended his criminal career at the hands of Wyatt and Doc Holliday.
October 14th, the story of Boomer Sooner, and Captain David L. Payne, with a sketch of wagons readying for the run. April 29, the story of Ned Buntline, the pen name of Edward Zane Carroll Judson, who introduced “Buffalo Bill” to the world.
The images are drawn from Robert G. McCubbins’ extensive collection of Western memorabilia which includes photographs, ephemera, rare books, artifacts and even Billy the Kid’s knife!
At the very top of the Day page is an actual event occurring on that Day. Significant gore to keep Dad’s attention. March 22, 1881 Murderer “Big Nose” George Parrott is lynched by a mob in Rawlins, Wyoming Territory. The skin from his chest is mad into a medicine bag and a pair of shoes.
What a fun way to read history, one snippet at a time. After a full year you’ll have plenty of knowledge of the Wild West one day at a time, written with historical accuracy by Oklahoma author, Michael Wallis.
New on the Okie Bookshelf, Crockett, Maitland
Oklahoma author Michael Wallis has penned a new book on the life and times of Davy Crockett. Dispelling myths, finding the truth and examing the remarkable life of an American giant, amid the backdrop of frontier expansion.
(Booklist.) Wallis’ examination of the man behind the myth is both well written and engrossing.
Of course, Oklahomans know Wallis is a born storyteller and a good one. So it’s no surprise he is able to masterfully tell the true story behind the legendary figure, David Crockett, American frontiersman and icon.
And since we’re on the subject of Tulsa authors, James Patrick Hunt has a new Evan Maitland book, Get Maitland. So right under our nose is a prolific mystery writer with three series characters and plenty of good summer reading.
George Hastings is a St. Louis (Missouri) Homicide Detective.
Evan Maitland is a former Chicago cop who owns an antique business.
Daniel Bridger is a thief who works high dollar scores.*Crime Novelists
Michael Wallis keynote speaker at the OK Historical Society Annual members meeting
Michael Wallis, who I hope you all know as a renowned Oklahoma author or if not, maybe the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Pixar Cars movie, will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon at the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Annual Meeting in Bartlesville. This meeting will be April 23rd, so you need to move along if you want to attend. How do you get asked to this yummy affair? To join OHS go to their membership pages and pick the one that’s right for you.
Michael Wallis is THE guy to make you proud to be an “Okie” and get over our inferiority complex. He has been the receipient of the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award, from the Oklahoma Center for the Book. We are happy to say this hasn’t stopped him from achieving many more lifetime achievements. 
If you want to get started on one of his books, go to Way Down Yonder in the Indian Nation. Then off to Route 66: The Mother Road. And of course don’t miss his award winning, The Real Wild West: The 101 Ranch and the making of the American West. All of his books are carefully researched. You can tell by the awards he racks in: Winner of the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame; Oklahoma Book Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book ; and the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.
It’s just down right un-Oklahoman to not read Mr. Wallis.
