"LOOT OF A DESERT RAT"

THIS, gentle and patient readers, purports to be a book view-a review of a book of Arizona pictorial photo-graphy issued a short time ago by Photo-grapher Max Kegley.

"Loot of a Desert Rat" presents 140 pictures in 80 pages, portraying beautiful Arizona-but also Arizona the unique and picturesque. The four pictorials fol lowing this page are examples taken from the book and show the wide range of subject matter photographically dis-played.

Max Kegley, in an editorial notation, describes himself and his book in this manner: I am a desert rat, which, by definition, is "one who habitually and of his own free will frequents the desert."

Arizona became my adopted state in November of 1926 when having forsaken the chill of a snowbound country, I stepped off the train into the land of sunshine. Palm trees silhouetted an early dawn sky and a mocking bird's cheery song sounded a royal welcome. I felt sure that I had found a spot that I should enjoy always, and a decade has confirmed that belief.

Being a lover of out-of-doors, I have taken full advantage of my opportunity to be with nature. (A borrowed camera, and later my own photographic equipment, have added to my en-joyment of her wonders.) Encouraged by my friends, I proposed making a pictorial study of Arizona. Seven years of gypsy wandering, from the southern desert to the pine clad mountains of the north, have resulted in this book my first attempt to achieve that purpose.

It is my hope that this work may influence others to leave the beaten paths and to seek the beauty found by the by-ways that wind through this picturesque state.

Kegley divides his book into sections, and gives complete photographic cover-ing of each section. Rodeo-Round-Up -Sheep Drive-Desert Life-Cacti-In-dians-Scenic-FunHas there been anything that he has missed?

This is Arizona, photographically well done. It is Arizona close by the road and also the Arizona of hidden places.

Max Kegley lived his book. He came to this state from Illinois after the war, a very sick man. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he had been with the U. S. Gypsum company and served in the armed forces of the United States before a doctor headed him west. He found his health on the desert and in the mountains of Arizona. His rever-ence for his adopted state can easily be seen in thoughtful pictorials of the Ari-zona scene. We recommend it for your further consideration.

"Loot of the Desert" was produced by Phoenix Arizona Engraving and Litho-graphy company. Art layout was done by Bob King. The book is available at book stores and stands for the price of one dollar.-R. C..