The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969 Page: 515

Book Reviews

Southwesterner art-conscious than all the rest of us artists, whom I
sincerely believe are superior in technique and concept." Frantz's ac-
count of the life and development as an artist of Salinas is full of
interesting and diverse anecdotes. The story how Sam Rayburn came
into possession of one of Salinas' paintings is one of the most colorful.
The first short story in the book is a thoughtful selection by O.
Henry, "Art and the Bronco." It's a tale of art and politics and illus-
trates well why the two are not and should not be too friendly.
The reproductions of Salinas' paintings are scattered throughout
the short stories but are concentrated on the last thirty-seven pages.
The first painting in the book is from the collection of President and
Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson and the title is "Autumn in the Hill Coun-
try." The bit of cactus, the golden oaks, some fence, hills, and sky
could be not far from the LBJ Ranch.
The painting from the collection of Governor and Mrs. John B.
Connally includes an inviting road which is typical of the painters
work. "Texas Bluebonnet Time" is the Sam Rayburn painting and
now hangs in the Sam Rayburn Library in Bonham. It is quite large
and one of the best of the bluebonnet pictures.
Paintings of bullfights are included. They are painted with dash
and confirm Salinas' Mexican heritage, but the subject matter again
and again is Texas and not without variety. Even included are some
scenes of the Texas Gulf coast.
The other story tellers are: Charlie Siringo, Richard H. Davis, Emer-
son Hough, and Zane Grey with his "The Last Herd."
University of Texas at Arlington HOWARD W. JOYNER
Battles of Texas. By Seymour V. Connor, James M. Day, Joe B. Frantz,
Ben Procter, Rupert N. Richardson, Harold B. Simpson, Peck
Westmoreland, Jr., Dorman H. Winfrey. Introduction by Gov-
ernor John Connally. Oil Paintings by Donald M. Yena. Waco
(Texian Press), 1968. Pp. xvii+ 19o. Illustrations. $1o.oo.
Battles of Texas, published in the same handsome motif by the Tex-
ian Press as its previous volumes, Heroes of Texas, Six Missions of
Texas, and Frontier Forts of Texas, brings together the history of some
of the decisive battles of Texas and thus some of the highlights of its
history. The general reader will welcome history packaged so attrac-
tively and written so interestingly by an able group of writers.

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