{"product_id":"true-tales-of-kansas-forgotten-tales-state-history","title":"True Tales of Kansas (Forgotten Tales) - State History","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of True Tales of Kansas (Forgotten Tales) the reviewer finds a compact, well-told collection for readers who want local color and historical anecdotes rather than exhaustive scholarship. Roger Ringer compiles stories that bring Kansas personalities and small moments to life, making it a satisfying pick for history fans who enjoy readable narrative and surprising origin stories. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its focus on memorable, human-scale episodes - from a farm-to-industry family to a Medal of Honor recipient and a courtroom victory over Jim Crow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise storytelling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Short, focused accounts make each episode easy to read in a single sitting and keep attention on the characters and events.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocal anecdotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book highlights little-known origin stories such as the inventive telephone exchange and the tractor company's early roots, which illuminate everyday life in Kansas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHuman-centered history:\u003c\/strong\u003e Profiles of figures like Captain Donald K. Ross and Nannie Jones put a personal face on larger historical themes and civil rights struggles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ringer writes for a general audience, making the material suitable for nonacademic readers and casual history fans.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVaried topics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coverage ranges from industry and invention to military service and social justice, giving readers a varied sampling of Kansas history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for readers who enjoy state and local history, museum visitors looking for context, and residents who want to learn anecdotes about their communities. It works well as a gift for someone with Kansas roots or interest in American regional stories, since each tale reads like a short essay and is easy to share aloud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking exhaustive archival research, primary-source citation, or a comprehensive statewide chronicle should look elsewhere; this volume favors vivid episodes and narrative sketches over full scholarly apparatus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngaging human stories that connect readers to Kansas people and events.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVariety of topics keeps the book lively from one tale to the next.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReadable prose that suits general audiences and makes history approachable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a deep academic treatment; readers wanting exhaustive detail may find it light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrue Tales of Kansas (Forgotten Tales)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoger Ringer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoauthor \/ Contributor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmy Bickle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKansas state and local history\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnecdotes on invention, industry, military service, and civil rights\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExamples included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJohn Deere origins, Captain Donald K. Ross, telephone exchange story, Nannie Jones case\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue Tales of Kansas is a well-paced collection for readers who want lively, human-scale history rather than academic depth. It offers good value as an accessible introduction to regional stories and is recommended for anyone curious about the quirky origins and courageous figures that shaped Kansas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover prominent Kansas institutions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book touches on industrial origins such as the early company that became part of John Deere, presented through personal stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the stories suitable for casual readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The narrative tone and short chapters make the book easy to read for nonacademic audiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it address social history topics?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt includes social justice episodes, for example the Nannie Jones case and its local memorialization at Highland Cemetery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Roger Ringer, Amy Bickle","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48204973113563,"sku":"1540245993","price":31.03,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71iLV4yLy7L._SL1360.jpg?v=1770372467","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/true-tales-of-kansas-forgotten-tales-state-history","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}