When the Rangers Were Young


Book Description




If I Were a Park Ranger


Book Description

Imagine serving as a park ranger for our U.S. National Parks! If you were a national park ranger, you'd spend every day in one of the most treasured places in America. You'd wear a special uniform, a hat, and a badge—but sometimes you might also need snowshoes or a life jacket. Maybe you'd track the movements of wild animals. You could help scientists make discoveries. You might even be part of a search and rescue team! You'd have an amazing job protecting animals, the environment, and our country's natural and historical heritage, from the wilds of Denali to the Statue of Liberty.




The Ranger's Apprentice Collection (3 Books)


Book Description

When fifteen-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt, and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger.




Halt's Peril


Book Description

The international bestselling series with over 5 million copies sold in the U.S. alone! The renegade outlaw group known as the Outsiders may have been chased from Clonmel, but not before killing Halt's only brother. Now Rangers Halt and Will, along with the young warrior Horace, are in pursuit. The Outsiders have done an effective job of dividing the kingdom into factions and are looking to overtake Araluen. It will take every bit of skill and cunning for the Rangers to survive. Some may not be so lucky. The international bestselling Ranger's Apprentice series turns up the tension in John Flanagan's latest epic of battles and bravery. Perfect for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, T.H. White’s The Sword in the Stone, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series.




We Did Everything But Win


Book Description

We Did Everything But Win: An Oral History of the Emile Francis Era New York Rangers (1964–1976) is an entertaining account of one of the most exciting and unforgettable periods in the history of the Broadway Blueshirts as told by Francis as well as several of his players. George Grimm chronicles each season of the Francis era when “The Cat” transformed them from perennial league doormats to a team that made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, including a Finals appearance in 1972. There are also chapters detailing Emile’s playing career and his hiring as general manager as well as the aftermath of his dismissal and an analysis of his tenure behind the bench and as GM. It was during those years that the National Hockey League doubled in size and the Rangers moved into a brand-new Madison Square Garden. As the popularity of the National Hockey League skyrocketed, who could forget the Rangers’ battles on the ice with Boston’s Big Bad Bruins and Philadelphia’s Broad Street Bullies and showdowns with the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Black Hawks? All the great moments are here including a heart-stopping, triple-overtime victory in the 1971 playoffs and Vic Hadfield’s 50th goal the following season. We Did Everything But Win is a tribute to the Rangers of that era; Jacques Plante and Marcel Paille, Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure, Harry Howell and Jim “The Chief” Neilson, “The Old Smoothies,” the “G-A-G Line,” and the “Bulldog Line.” It’s the story of colorful players with nicknames like “Boomer,” “Stemmer,” and “Sarge” and fan favorites such as Brad Park, Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Walt Tkaczuk. It’s all here—the highs and the lows, the inspiring victories, the devastating losses, and the funny moments along the way.




Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time #1)


Book Description

Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day! Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!




Texas Rangers


Book Description

An action-packed picture book brings to life the colorful history of the legendary lawmen who fought in the Revolutionary War, defended the Alamo, and crossed enemy lines, by tracing their very first skirmish to their role in modern-day Texas.




Ranger Hank


Book Description

Hank Schatz One of my toughest decisions was to join the Army after graduating high school. My second toughest was to decide it was time to get out. I wanted more than that life had to offer-namely the return of my humanity and a life beyond the pain that had leached into my soul during my deployments. Without a hint at what to do next, I said goodbye to my Army life and headed home to Missouri.There were things I'd been hiding from my family for too many years-a secret that had nothing to do with my career as an Army Ranger. It was time I began to live my truth, but how to start, I didn't know. I was aware of one thing for sure-I didn't want to be lonely anymore.##Reed Bayless I had a job I loved as a Special Education teacher at Carver Middle School in central Missouri. The kids were amazing, and their parents were supportive, unlike my last school where the parents believed their expensive tuition relieved them of their obligations to actually participate in their children's education. Sadly, I was still alone, and I was getting a little long in the tooth to play the one-night game. Unexpectedly, my diamond brought her brother to the Christmas Eve service at the local Lutheran church, and I found myself off-balance by the gorgeous man. I felt there was a sadness about him that made me want to hold him in my arms until his hurts healed. Of course, he was an Army Ranger, the toughest of the tough and the straightest of the straight. Between Ranger Hank, and his dog, Cosmo, I wanted things I couldn't imagine were possible. Or were they? This work of fiction is approximately 142,000 words in length and doesn't end in a cliffhanger. It is the first book in the series entitled, "The Lonely Heroes Series."




Cult of Glory


Book Description

“Swanson has done a crucial public service by exposing the barbarous side of the Rangers.” —The New York Times Book Review A twenty-first century reckoning with the legendary Texas Rangers that does justice to their heroic moments while also documenting atrocities, brutality, oppression, and corruption The Texas Rangers came to life in 1823, when Texas was still part of Mexico. Nearly 200 years later, the Rangers are still going--one of the most famous of all law enforcement agencies. In Cult of Glory, Doug J. Swanson has written a sweeping account of the Rangers that chronicles their epic, daring escapades while showing how the white and propertied power structures of Texas used them as enforcers, protectors and officially sanctioned killers. Cult of Glory begins with the Rangers' emergence as conquerors of the wild and violent Texas frontier. They fought the fierce Comanches, chased outlaws, and served in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War. As Texas developed, the Rangers were called upon to catch rustlers, tame oil boomtowns, and patrol the perilous Texas-Mexico border. In the 1930s they began their transformation into a professionally trained police force. Countless movies, television shows, and pulp novels have celebrated the Rangers as Wild West supermen. In many cases, they deserve their plaudits. But often the truth has been obliterated. Swanson demonstrates how the Rangers and their supporters have operated a propaganda machine that turned agency disasters and misdeeds into fables of triumph, transformed murderous rampages--including the killing of scores of Mexican civilians--into valorous feats, and elevated scoundrels to sainthood. Cult of Glory sets the record straight. Beginning with the Texas Indian wars, Cult of Glory embraces the great, majestic arc of Lone Star history. It tells of border battles, range disputes, gunslingers, massacres, slavery, political intrigue, race riots, labor strife, and the dangerous lure of celebrity. And it reveals how legends of the American West--the real and the false--are truly made.




While They Were Young-A History of St .Charles and Her Service Personnel 1940-1945


Book Description

Kevin Gaffney of St. Charles, is pleased to announce his book entitled, While They Were Young-A History of St. Charles and Her Service Personnel 1940-1945. After more than two years of research and writing, Kevin is pleased with the final product that includes 2 DVDs of additional photos. The book includes a history of St. Charles from 1940 including contributions of the citizenry prior and during WWII, the personal accounts of many soldiers and service personnel, letters from the front, and information pertaining to those wounded in action and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The book will be available for sale at the St. Charles Heritage Center (630-584-6967) starting January 23, 2010 with a portion of the sales being donated to the Center by the author. The author will be conducting book signings and donating a copy of the book and DVD to the St. Charles Heritage Center, St. Charles Library and to at least two families of veterans. The price of the book is as follows: hardcover $32.95, soft cover $22.95, e-book $6.00. The DVDs are $10.00 per DVD. Kevin currently works as an adjunct professor of criminology at Judson University and for the Office of Regional Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His government experience also included work for the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Unit in Chicago and the CFTC, Enforcement Division, in Washington, DC. He has taught U.S. History at two Christian high schools. He received his BA in political science from Stetson University and his MPA in public administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Kevin also has recorded professionally two CDs of trumpet music. Sony Music has included his version of the Star Spangled Banner in its recording selection, "Bonds Listen to This". Kevin serves on the St. Charles Heritage Board of Directors as Vice-President and also with the St. Charles Park Foundation. He has a passion to tell the stories of service personnel from not only WWII, but of other wars as they relate to St. Charles. Kevin currently resides with his family in St. Charles, Illinois, where he was born. His next book, to be published in the near distant future, will tell the story of St. Charles and her service personnel during WWI. He is also compiling additional material of WWII letters that will compliment the current title in another book also to be available next year. Requests for book signings and presentations pertaining to the book may be made by calling Kevin at 630-584-4797.