Book Review

A Strong West Wind

A Strong West Wind by Gail Caldwell, published by Random House

Reviewed by Mike Shea

February 2006

Buy it at BookPeople

Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic Gail Caldwell shines such a persistent light on her Texas family (especially colorful dad Wild Bill Caldwell) that she becomes nearly invisible in her own mem- oir, A Strong West Wind (Random House). When she does write herself into the spotlight, we see an immensely likable, if somewhat scattered, character who has clearly not forgotten the issues that shaped the liberals of her generation: women’s rights, civil rights, and questionable military adventurism. And we witness her own formative years, as she makes an escape to the liberal climes of Austin and the University of Texas, where her Vietnam War protests drive a wedge between herself and her WWII-vet father. Caldwell knows her way around the English language and even makes a dusty Amarillo upbringing sound remarkably appealing.

E-mail

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

X (close)

Registering gets you access to online content, allows you to comment on stories, add your own reviews of restaurants and events, and join in the discussions in our community areas such as the Recipe Swap and other forums.

In addition, current TEXAS MONTHLY magazine subscribers will get access to the feature stories from the two most recent issues. If you are a current subscriber, please enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your mailing label (except zip, 5 digits only). Not a subscriber? Subscribe online now.

E-mail

Re-enter your E-mail address

Choose a password

Re-enter your password

Name

  
 

Address

Address 2

City

State

Zip (5 digits only)

Country

What year were you born?

Are you...

Male Female

Remember me

X (close)