Monthly Archives: June 2009
IN MEMORY OF DON COLDSMITH
- Friday, 26 June 2009 07:19
Dear Readers,
Don Coldsmith passed away this morning. He was the author of over 40 books, including our favorite series, the “Spanish Bit Saga.” He was one of our heroes. It’s hard to imagine a world without Don’s kindness and sense of humor. The universe is less today. But he lived an amazing life. When it’s all said and done, how many of us will be able to say that we saved lives, brought new lives into the world, fought for this country’s freedom, and changed the face of Western writing? Few, we suspect. He had a rare kind of soft-spoken courage, the stuff legends are made of. We’re going to miss him very much.
If you’ve never read a Coldsmith novel, pick up “Runestone,” or “The Changing Wind.” You’ll enjoy them. We guarantee it.
And since today is June 25th, the anniversary of the battle of the Little Big Horn, we want to say definitively that Custer REALLY did have it coming.
Regards,
Michael and Kathleen
Children’s reviews of Children of the Dawnland
- Sunday, 21 June 2009 15:19
Hi Everybody!
We are getting in the initial reviews for our first children’s book, due out July 7, 2009. We want to thank the great young readers at Flamingnet.com for giving CHILDREN OF THE DAWNLAND the Flamingnet “Top Choice Award.” Adult reviews of the book are, of course, important, but it’s what young readers have to say that is really important to us. In our world today, and especially in our educational system, it’s very difficult to write about the spiritual beliefs of the native peoples without being accused of–no, really–preaching satanism. It’s nice to know that there are still young people who care about the beliefs and traditions of others.
Perhaps the greatest challenge for teachers in the future is to give children the multi-cultural education that is essential to the survival of our world. We believe it is primarily a lack of knowledge about other cultures that leads to hatred and aggression. We want to thank every teacher who has the courage to tell their students that the traditions of others are as important as our own. We know it’s not easy in today’s educational environment.
Cheers,
Mike and Kathy
Archaeological Field School Here…
- Wednesday, 03 June 2009 11:15
Hi Everybody,
We had a fun weekend. Dr. Laura Scheiber from the University of Indiana, and Dr. Judson Finley from Northwest Community College (soon to be from the University of Memphis), brought their field school to the ranch, and we had a chance to walk around and talk about the archaeological resources, as well as about writing fiction based on archaeological information. We’ve worked as professional archaeologists for 36 years now, so it’s always especially enjoyable for us to be around students. Their interests, after all, are the heart of the discipline, and chart its future.
One of the rarities in scientific education today is the understanding that art has a place. We’re grateful that Dr. Scheiber teaches a course called, “Archaeology through Fiction.” We started writing novels twenty-three years ago because we believed that allowing readers to see through the eyes of prehistoric peoples could educate at the same time that it created an emotional tie to archaeology itself. Archaeology is about people. When our readers visit Moundville, Alabama, we want them to see it through the eyes of Two Petals and Old White (from People of the Thunder) as a living, bustling community–not as quiet piles of dirt filled with stones, bones, and pot sherds. We genuinely believe that prehistoric peoples have a good deal to teach modern peoples.
We’d like to say a special thanks to Aaron and Eric for helping to flip burgers–you guys were great–and to Matt for stunning us with his question: “Is archaeological fiction the culmination of Post-Processualism?” We’re still ruminating on that one, Matt. And we’d like to send our best wishes to Maureen who is working on archaeological poetry, and may write a novel. Please, let us know if we can help. Also, Katie, the Nostrum Springs site is yours to dig if you want it.
Laura and Judson, it’s always a delight to spend time with you and your field schools. We’re already looking forward to the next one.
Mike and Kathy
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