Wildmen, Wobblies & Whistle Punks: Stewart Holbrook's Lowbrow Northwest (Northwest Reprints) [Paperback]

Brian Booth (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oregon State University Press (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870713833
• ISBN-13: 978-0870713835
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pull on your cartharts, cork boots and flannel shirt, March 22, 2004

By 

Robert Wynkoop (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wildmen, Wobblies & Whistle Punks: Stewart Holbrook's Lowbrow Northwest (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

I found this book in my youth ministers office after he moved out. Evidently, it was a gift and obviously it was never read. Ready to give it the heave-ho into the trashcan, I paused and looked at it again. Am I glad it did- it is a delightful book.

It is a collection of short stories about the history of the Pacific Northwest up to the early twentieth century. A third generation Oregonian, thought I knew Northwest history, but this book filled me in a side of history never taught in school. For instance, Holbrooks tells us of outlaw Jim Turnow who he describes as the most crafty and dangerous man ever to roam the timbered reaches of the Pacific Northwest- a cold blooded killer who had a reign of terror in Grays Harbor. Compare this killer to the story of Miss Fern Hobbs, a twenty-five year old, 104-pound secretary to Governor West, who single handily disarmed and brought peace to lawless mining town of Copperfield Oregon. By far, my favorite story is about The Death and Times of Joshua the Prophet. A charismatic leader who lead astray the women of Corvallis Oregon, the ending of this story is both surprising and tragic.

Holbrook takes us to another time and to another culture. His prose is beautiful; it is a work of art. So put on your cartharts and cork boots and flannel shirt and tin hat, this is a great read. Even if you are not from the Pacific Northwest, you will be captivated by these stories. Buy this book and place it in your guest room. Your guests will thank you for a great read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Logging, Hell-raising and other Northwest Stuff, June 10, 2002

By 

gfweb "gfweb" (pa USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wildmen, Wobblies & Whistle Punks: Stewart Holbrook's Lowbrow Northwest (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

This is an anthology of some of Holbrook's mid-1900's articles about the development of the NW around the turn of the last century. Holbrook's prose is easy-reading but carries well-researched along with humor and style. Each chapter is a treat!

If you haven't read Holbrook before, who should I compare him to?..... Well, if Ken Burns was primarily a writer, I think that he might produce similar stuff.

There is a bonus in the introduction. The editor's lengthy piece fills us in on who Stewart H Holbrook was and is fascinating reading in itself.

This writer's work deserves further resurrection.

5.0 out of 5 stars best real history book ever, December 15, 2011

By 

Carollee - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wildmen, Wobblies & Whistle Punks: Stewart Holbrook's Lowbrow Northwest (Northwest Reprints) (Paperback)

Stewart Holbrook worked his way across America from Back east to the west coast. He picked up stories and adventures along the way and thankfully wrote about it later on in his life. The history in this book is not what you will find in school but more what you would hear if you sat and listened to grampa telling about his youth in a wild and uncertain time. He wrote about history that is usually only told by the natives of an area. I had a copy of this many years ago but stupidly loaned it to a friend. He kept it and I had to buy a replacement that I could afford. Not as easy as you would think. Now I pick through the book, reading a story here or there, or rereading a favorite. Endlessly entertaining as long as you don't let your friends borrow it.