Virginia Sorensen by L. L. Lee and Sylvia B. Lee, and: Alfred Henry Lewis by Abe C. Ravitz, and: Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa) by Marion W. Copeland, and: Ruth Suckow by Abigail Ann Hamblen, and: Don Berry by Glen A. Love (review)

Reviews 335 surprise, and charm the casual reader; for the specialist in American Studies, Western Americana, or Cinema Studies, the book is indispensable. THOMAS SOBCHACK, University of Utah Virginia Sorensen. By L. L. Lee and Sylvia B. Lee. (Boise: Western Writers Series No. 31, 1978. 50 pages, $2.00.) Alfred Henry Lewis. By Abe C. Ravitz. (Boise: Western Writers Series No. 32, 1978. 46 pages, $2.00.) Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa). By Marion W. Copeland. (Boise: Western Writers Series No. 33, 1978. 43 pages, $2.00.) Ruth Suckow. By Abigail Ann Hamblen. (Boise: Western Writers Series No. 34, 1978. 48 pages, $2.00.) Don Berry. By Glen A. Love. (Boise: Western Writers Series No. 35, 1978. 46 pages, $2.00.) In spite of the considerable amount of praise and welcome afforded it by most writers and scholars of Western American literature, Boise State’s Western Writers Series has met with some questioning criticism recently (most notably from certain Northern neighbors). Are the names included in the Series worth the 50 or so pages of attention? Or, is the format too confining, mechanical, and repetitious? Is enough explicity known about the credentials of those writing the booklets; their ethos obviously established? Is there really a need for this kind of Steck-Vaughn-baton publishing venture? And, as for the happy reception of the Series by some previous reviewers — namely authors who have contributed to the Series — well, how about the likelihood of “conflict of interest”? So it goes. Such questioning of assumptions and performances (editorial and authorial), although a bit old-maidish, are legitimate enough — and ulti­ mately welcome — for at least they evidence attention to the Series; a Series which taken in all of its “No. 35,” six-year, obstacle-endurance run, has not only survived the doubts and questions of a few fastidious folks (be they Northern or Eastern), but come into its own, thanks to the likes of the majority of the latest five pamphlets. Admittedly, it’s hard for a friend to be objectively clear eyed about what has from the beginning struck me (even before I contributed to it; even when I aspired to contribute to it) as a splendidly conceived and managed, much-needed idea that I wanted to ride along with into the sunset of the 80s and maybe beyond. Just, for one thing, to see what 336 Western American Literature happens. Who knows how many of the almost one-hundred titles, either in preparation or forthcoming, will make it to press. At the rate of four pamphlets per year, the Series’ “beyond” (and maybe mine) becomes the 21st century! That should be a West to behold. Despite the frustratingly short, no-surprises format; the no-doubt-aboutit minor status of many of the subjects; the uneven quality of contributors’ efforts; the cliquishness of its readership-reviewership — despite these weak­ nesses as some would view them — what just might (and deservedly should) keep the Series in the saddle toward such an outlandish time as back-cover advertising plans suggest, is what any responsible reader-rider worth his or her spurs should sense right off: dedication to and (dare I say it) affection for the word and the West. Of the five titles under consideration here, such an attitude (and ethos) is present with more strength and simple sophistication, more felicity of expression, in Love’s, Hamblen’s and the Lee’s products. In part, such a feeling is the result of reading these latest pamphlets as a group and judging Berry, Suckow, and Sorensen (being convinced, actually) more worthy of the time spent on them. With so many really great books to read (as Thoreau advised), Professors Ravitz and Copeland only convince me to avoid pur­ suing Alfred Henry Lewis (too racist and affected with silly, mimicy dialect for much of my time) and Charles Alexander Eastman (Copeland’s writing is at times confusing to the point of inviting too much rereading). Invidious comparisons aside, certainly it’s worth being introduced to the life and works of Alfred Lewis and Charles Eastman. Lewis typified and championed in his seven volumes of Wolfville portraits much of what was and still is bad about the West...