Going Back to Bisbee

by Richard Shelton

Book Overview

One of America's most distinguished poets now shares his fascination with a distinctive corner of our country. Richard Shelton first came to southeastern Arizona in the 1950s as a soldier stationed at Fort Huachuca. He soon fell in love with the region and upon his discharge found a job as a schoolteacher in nearby Bisbee. Now a university professor and respected poet living in Tucson, still in love with the Southwestern deserts, Shelton sets off...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816512892
• ISBN13: 9780816512898
• Release Date: May 1992
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A new Arizonian

Being a new to Arizona and visiting once, I loved this book. It made my recent trip to Bisbee wonderfully interesting. I searched for many of the points of interst mentioned in this book. Looked at the terrain and the people. All were true to the authors decribtion. I even experienced a few "that's Bisbee" moments. Thanks for a great book, I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Exquisite traveler's memoir of Bisbee, Tucson and Arizona

A DELIGHTFUL DIVERSION. WELL-WRITTEN AND WORTH IT TO BUY IT. A KIND OF VERBAL NATURALIST'S JOURNALING. This is an exceptionally well-written and engaging travel memoir describing in fluid, conversational, yet poetic language, the writer's travels in Arizona's Sonoran Desert and mountainous area. It uses the English language of the American style magnificantly. It conveys the moment to moment experiencing of Mr. Sheldon's drives and travels. YOu feel as if you are in Blue Boy (his van) with him. YOu can almost smell the greasewood right after a monsoon rain as if you were there. I'm reading this book to my 91-year old Mother who lived in Bisbee and Tucson as a child. It is a special treasure for her as it allows her to enjoy and reminisce about the special memories of her childhood. Thank you Mr. Sheldon for this delightful book. I am eternally grateful to you.

Dreaming of Bisbee

First I have to confess that I have only been to Bisbee twice. This book is one of my favorite books of all time. It manages to capture thje essence of the town covering its history and culture. A warning however: if you purchase this book you will find that you must also pay a visit to one of the most unique towns in the West....and in process leave a piece of your heart behind.

Earned a permanent place in my home

Two or three years ago, I borrowed the library's copy of this book, and I can't tell you how many times special parts of this book have come back to haunt me. There are events in it that I wish would have happened to me. But the next best thing is hearing Mr. Shelton describe them. He's funny and touching and entertaining and informative. It's a rich experience. Time to buy my own copy.

Excellent book, brings southeast Arizona to life.

A wonderful book that transports the reader into a little known corner of the American West. Mr. Shelton is a poet and a keen observer of the physical world. During the course of a one day drive from Tuscon to Bisbee, he crafts an extremely well-written look at the contrasting interests, people and natural forces which created this corner of the West. His writing makes one long for sun drenched days and miles of open, "range and basin" land.