Books with author David McCoy

In this short work of fiction, Rocky McCoy finds himself in a military school during the Vietnam years. As a senior, the tradition is to keep daily journal in his English class. In addition to the Thoreau-like tradition of examining his life, Rocky has a less than congenial relation with one of his instructors, a mystifying romance, and a sad discovery about a fellow student. David “Rocky” McCoy was a cadet at Carson Long Institute for five years. Upon graduation, he earned his history teaching degree from Ashland University and his graduate degree from Kent State University. After teaching thirty-two years, David retired to write short books on a wide variety of topics.

Topics covered: the roots of jazz; why jazz developed in New Orleans; musical influences on the development of jazz; the spread of jazz; sweet jazz; the Harlem Renaissance; the great migration; two schools of thought and three phases of the Harlem Renaissance; the “six midwives" of the Harlem Renaissance; patrons; legacy of the Harlem Renaissance; and 20 classic novels of the Harlem Renaissance.

This story, at its heart, is about a single event: Dolley Madison saving the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington from certain destruction by the British. But as happens so often in history, one salient event clouds our view of the past. In this short publication you will learn how Dolley, once a pious Quaker widow, set the standard by which First Ladies would be held to for more than a century; how Gilbert Stuart who, due to a lack of technical skill, developed a style of portrait painting that would reach high art; and how Stuart captured the essence of George Washington and the spirit of representative democracy in his Lansdowne painting.Age range: 9th grade and above. Royalties are donated to nonprofit organizations.

Topics covered: the roots of jazz; why jazz developed in New Orleans; musical influences on the development of jazz; the spread of jazz; sweet jazz; the Harlem Renaissance; the great migration; two schools of thought and three phases of the Harlem Renaissance; the “six midwives" of the Harlem Renaissance; patrons; legacy of the Harlem Renaissance; and 20 classic novels of the Harlem Renaissance.

This one is for the dads out there. It seems fashionable to pretend that dads don't matter. But we do matter. This is in no way is intended to take away from the specialness of the bond between a mother and her children. It is only to say that there is a special bond between a father and his children as well. It is different but it is equally as important. Dads are made fun of a lot. Sometimes they are vilified. “Experts” often seem to claim they aren't even important. To those who make those claims, I say, ask the children what they think. Who do they want to protect them when they are scared? Who do they want to wrestle with in the den? Who does a daughter want to walk her down the aisle? This story is about a dad who loves his son and more than anything, he wants to be the very best dad that his son could possibly have. When he goes searching for advice on how to do that, he finds that the very best advice he could find was already at home.

Texas: An Illustrated History covers a lot of history and a lot of ground. Everyone notices how different Texas is from other states. For one thing, it's bigger than all of them (except Alaska). For another, it's got so many different types of land in it that it seems like at least four states in one--mountains, gently sloping plains, three mighty rivers (and many lesser ones), prairies, wetlands, islands, not to mention miles and miles of highways passing through farm country and vast cities. And then there's the weather. It rains a lot in the eastern and central part but hardly at all in the west. Snow and sleet are unusual, but there can be blizzards on the Great Plains and in the Panhandle. There are also parts of Texas that experience droughts and other parts that are prone to flooding. Texas weather can include dust storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even "blue northers' that blow through, breaking tree limbs, shaking the windows, and lowering the temperature as much as 24 degrees in one hour. It should come as no surprise that a state so full of variety has a history as distinct and unpredictable as its weather and geography. In 9200 B.C. the first humans migrated into the Texas Panhandle. What followed--exploration and settlement by the Spaniards, Mexican rule, the years as an independent republic, statehood, secession, and the Civil War--and what is still unfolding today are fascinating stories. Distinguished Texas historian David G. McComb has gathered anecdotes, tall tales, and little-known facts to bring to life the drama, humor, and far-reaching consequences of Texas history. He writes of the Native Americans in Texas, of the armadillo (a whimsical folk symbol but not, as most suppose, the official state animal), the Alamo, barbed wire, longhorn cattle, the Texas Rangers, and the supreme importance of football to the average Texan. He profiles such Texans as Jim Bowie, Audie Murphy, Van Cliburn, Willie Nelson, Barbara Jordan, Michael DeBakey, and many others who have left a mark not only on Texas but on the world. The long and complex history of Texas falls into place in an entertaining text, brimming with facts and filled with fascinating photographs and illustrations from the past and present.It is safe to say that the United States could not survive without Texas if it had to. But after reading Texas: An Illustrated History, you will agree that Texas, has, over the years, added much to the history of our country and that is has a special brand of humor and style that enriches us all.