Last Old Bear: Journey through Central Texas history
By PHOENIX CARLISLE | Cover courtesy of J. ARTHUR EIDSON
The year COVID shut down my schooling, I was in seventh grade. This was the first year of Texas history I had been exposed to and my teacher shaped my ability to absorb history for years after. Unfortunately, my learning about the history of our own state was cut short, but now that I am in college I have the privilege of learning about Texas once again.
While I’m writing notes and remembering the Alamo, I had a Tex Appeal reader reach out to recommend an author that was perfect considering my class and the timing of this issue. S. Summers introduced me to J. Arthur Eidson, Jim to his close friends, and his dedication to sharing Texas history through his novel, Last Old Bear, which I loved.
Before talking about the book, I want to take a moment to talk about the author. Most of the time when I’m reading, I have an idea that I will never meet the author and they probably wouldn’t care much to be personal outside of their public character, which is fair. Learning about local authors and sharing their story is so inspiring that truly anyone can explore their passions even in our busy world. James Arthur Eidson is a descendant of Texas pioneers and prides himself on sharing their experience. Eidson has worked as an ecologist and conservationist for almost 30 years.
Last Old Bear is his first novel, and combines knowledge of history, the people and the land, each how each shapes the others.
In the early 1900s on Texas soil, Sam Wood feels the loss of the frontier and is a witness to change. A certain type of harshness is beginning to burn the sweet Texas fields of life.
Raised by his Uncle Gus and a Comanche renegade named Charlie Buck, he finds the land, though changed, is constant. The book encompasses the first half of the 20th century, making readers feel what has been gained and the price paid for progress.
Now just like any history book, I love testing and expanding my own knowledge of the specific time period. This novel was great for me to apply the historical context of politics and lifestyle during this time for Texas residents. It was a beautiful recognition of a massive shift in everyone’s lifestyle and the adaptiveness of community statewide.
Eidson does a fantastic job of establishing the environment we are set in and the character of the protagonist is a wonderful representation of the author’s appreciation for Central Texas and its history. I particularly liked the descriptions of surviving in the wild, when the young hero is taught the practices of Native Americans. Many of the stories we hear in school feel so grand but far away, so having it actually happen where I grew up means more.
Eidson puts Sam through so many tragic real events that affected hundreds of people and places. It is a perspective that everyone can understand.
Although geographically separated from events in the rest of the country, small town Texas and its inhabitants feel their extensive ripple event of the turn of the century while Sam grows into manhood, makes one true friend, falls in love and redeems himself to establish his presence on the wild lands of Texas.
This book is fantastic for anyone who enjoyed the show 1883 or has the desire to be an old-time cowboy. As a born and raised Texan, I mourn the life I could have had on the frontier but the closest I can get to this life is through the dedication to history as Eidson as showed through his novel.
A true debut novel that establishes himself in the world of historical writing. An author that should be in mind for your next read about Texas and its vastness, the history as deep as the soil. Last Old Bear by J. Arthur Eidson should be the next western read on your shelf.
