Despite the Depression, James Bruce Frazier spent the best years 
of his childhood on the Cross Ell Ranch just west of Big Spring. 
Years later, as he reflected on those days, he began writing down
the experiences he had, the people he met, and the lessons he
learned.

    The stories were passed along to his children and then to his
grandchildren and then his great-grandchildren. Frazier died in
1989 at the age of sixty-five, but his stories are as vivid and fresh
and colorful as the day he wrote them. His stories touch all the
emotions, making the reader laugh out loud one moment as
Frazier recalls his first haircut and fight back tears as Frazier tells
about his pet riding calf.

    The author proves himself to be more than just a good 
storyteller. He finds in the experiences important truths, morals,
and meanings that are as valid today as they were then.
 
    We asked the great Western author Elmer Kelton to look over 
this volume, and he was exuberant in his praise. "I thoroughly 
enjoyed the Frazier book," he said. "I read it all the way through
yesterday afternoon and evening, something I don't always do with
manuscripts people send me. I found many parallels with my own
experience."

_________________________________________________________

Number Two: Texas Heritage Series


What people are saying about this book

". . . a delightful collection . . . Frazier has created a compilation of 
narratives that are both endearing and humorous for the reader. . . . 
For those interested in pursuing research of children in the West, 
this book offers up interesting tidbits of information from the types 
of games they played, to their daily routines, to the roles that each 
child had within the family as well as within the ranching and farming 
community. Frazier pulls the reader in from the first mention of the 
Cross Ell Ranch to the final page."—West Texas Historical 
Association Year Book

". . . enchanting."—East Texas Historical Journal

Look for a review of this book in the May 2004 issue of Texas 
Illustrated Magazine.

"Occasionally a book comes along that is hard to put down. . . . If
you want a charming little book to enjoy over and over, get a copy. 
It would make a great book for a young reader or for someone who 
wants to read a good story."—Jerry Turner, Mexia Daily News

". . . simply wonderful reading from start to finish, from first page 
to last."—Midwest Book Review

". . . not only heartwarming, but . . . enjoyable."—Southwest BookViews


Other Texas Heritage Series Titles



BACK THEN

1-880510-81-2 CLOTH

$17.95
BISCUITS O'BRYAN

1-880510-91-X CLOTH

$18.95


OH BROTHER

978-1-933337-13-5 CLOTH

$14.95
A SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS

1-880510-86-3 CLOTH

$17.95



For a complete list of the books in the Texas Heritage Series