Home / Schedule / Books / Magazine Credits / Links
Here
is a list of the books I've had published. Those marked like
this (*) are out of print. Use the contact link if you'd like
to order an autographed copy of any of the books still in
print. The list is in chronological order.
Ghost Railroads of Kansas, Revised 2009 (2009): This book has brief histories of all the railroads that operated in Kansas from 1860 to the present. Histories range from giants like the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; in-state ghost short lines like the Scott City Northern and the Marion Belt & Chingawassa Springs; interurbans like the Arkansas Valley Interuban and the Union Electric; and modern lines from Union Pacific to the Abilene & Smoky Valley. The book contains historic photographs & maps. I'm publishing it through Amazon.com's Create Space POD service. You can buy it from me in person, or get it at my Create Space e-store.
Create Space eStore
Lisa's Way (2009): Teenager Lisa Herbert lives in the small town of Mountain View on the planet Fairfield. The "Savage Rain" decades earlier shut down the hyperspace gate and isolated her world. A casual remark from her sister gets Lisa to ask a simple question: "If life was better before the 'Savage Rain,' why couldn’t it be better again?" That question starts Lisa on a journey. She re-activates Fairfield's "H-gate" and travels to three worlds. She finds that each planet offers her a chance to improve everyone's lives, by hard work, trade, or making friends. She relies on her brains, her compassion, and a little sneakiness to solve the problems she faces. "Lisa's Way" is available in print and e-book versions; contact the publisher to order.
eTreasures Publishing; Lisa's Way
The Sagas of Surgard the Traveler (2009): This is my collection of short fantasy stories that featured Surgard the Northerner. Stand alongside the heroic and witty Surgard as he faces down foolish giants, singing dwarves, duplicitous wizards, suspicious savages, and worst of all, a monster with an attorney! Each is a humorous fantasy, and most poke fun at some famous myth or fictional tale. Needless to say, the stories are for anyone looking for a few laughs with their magic and monsters. I'm publishing it through Amazon.com's Create Space POD service. You can buy it from me in person, or get it at my Create Space e-store.
Create Space e-store
Kansas Train Tales (2009): This is my collection of railroad articles that have been published over the last several years. It includes my piece on the Andover train robbery of 1898; on the Victoria Railroad Cemetary; and on the state's first railroad convention. Also included are histories of the Scott City Northern; the Marion Belt & Chingawassa Springs; and the St. Joseph & Topeka of Doniphan County. I'm publishing it through Amazon.com's Create Space POD service. You can buy it from me in person, or get it at my Create Space e-store.
Create Space e-store
Expert Assistance (2007): This is my first SF novel! Spacer Jake Bonner will lose his hot spaceship if he doesn’t get a good-paying job. He’s approached by a couple to help them overthrow their planet’s tyrannical ruler, and asked to be a glorified chauffeur to pop star Evangelyne “Evvie” Martini. Evvie finds out about Jake's other job, invites herself to the revolution, and hilarity ensues. Recently I cancelled my contract with Asylett. I have some copies left, but when they're gone they're gone. I will be trying to find a new publisher for the novel as soon as possible.
Jim Lane - Scoundrel, Statesman, Kansan (2007): Senator James H. Lane was a key leader in the Free-State movement during "Bleeding Kansas." He was one of the state's first two Senators, a close ally and friend of Abraham Lincoln, and survived the Lawrence Massacre of 1863.
Pelican
The Race to Indian Territory (2005): This self-published book covered the race between three railroads in eastern Kansas in 1869-70. It covers the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf; the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston; and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas. The three lines competed to be the first to the southern border of Kansas, for the first would be the only line allowed to enter Texas through the Indian Territory. The book is back in print thanks to KS Publishing, with a sturdier cover and trimmed edges.
General James G. Blunt - Tarnished Glory (2005): This is a biography of James Blunt, Kansas' highest ranking & most important Civil War General. It includes information on his life before he came to Kansas, his work during "Bleeding Kansas," his battles during the war, the controversies around his reputation, and what happened to Blunt after the war.
Pelican
Kansas Railroad Attractions (2004): An update of "The Railfan's Guide..." with new listings of railroad things to see & do in Kansas. It includes museums, excursion trains, depots converted into restaurants & shops, rail trails, & other places of interest.
South Platte Press
The Border Tier Road (2003): A history of the line best known as the Frisco line south from Kansas City to Baxter Springs. It covers the creation of the original company, through ownership by the Frisco (St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad) up to the present (Burlington Northern Santa Fe).
SPP
Arkansas Valley Interurban - The Electric Way (1999): A history of the AVI, an interurban trolley line that once connected Wichita, Newton, & Hutchison. Contains maps, new photos, new information, & an equipment list.
SPP
Kansas Pacific - An Illustrated History (1998)*: A history of the first railroad to be built across Kansas. The KP was the railroad that the cattle driven up to Abilene were headed for. Now that it's out of print, I hope to start work on a new, more in-depth history of the KP.
Ghost Railroads of Kansas (1997)*: Has brief histories of all the railroads that operated in Kansas from 1860 to 1996; contains many historic photographs & maps. If you can find a copy, it's pretty expensive. I have a new, updated edition now out.
A Railfan's Guide to Kansas Attractions (1996)*: Contains railroad things to see & do in Kansas. Replaced by Kansas Railroad Attractions in 2004.
Ghost Railroads of Kansas, Revised 2009 (2009): This book has brief histories of all the railroads that operated in Kansas from 1860 to the present. Histories range from giants like the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; in-state ghost short lines like the Scott City Northern and the Marion Belt & Chingawassa Springs; interurbans like the Arkansas Valley Interuban and the Union Electric; and modern lines from Union Pacific to the Abilene & Smoky Valley. The book contains historic photographs & maps. I'm publishing it through Amazon.com's Create Space POD service. You can buy it from me in person, or get it at my Create Space e-store.
Create Space eStore
Lisa's Way (2009): Teenager Lisa Herbert lives in the small town of Mountain View on the planet Fairfield. The "Savage Rain" decades earlier shut down the hyperspace gate and isolated her world. A casual remark from her sister gets Lisa to ask a simple question: "If life was better before the 'Savage Rain,' why couldn’t it be better again?" That question starts Lisa on a journey. She re-activates Fairfield's "H-gate" and travels to three worlds. She finds that each planet offers her a chance to improve everyone's lives, by hard work, trade, or making friends. She relies on her brains, her compassion, and a little sneakiness to solve the problems she faces. "Lisa's Way" is available in print and e-book versions; contact the publisher to order.
eTreasures Publishing; Lisa's Way
The Sagas of Surgard the Traveler (2009): This is my collection of short fantasy stories that featured Surgard the Northerner. Stand alongside the heroic and witty Surgard as he faces down foolish giants, singing dwarves, duplicitous wizards, suspicious savages, and worst of all, a monster with an attorney! Each is a humorous fantasy, and most poke fun at some famous myth or fictional tale. Needless to say, the stories are for anyone looking for a few laughs with their magic and monsters. I'm publishing it through Amazon.com's Create Space POD service. You can buy it from me in person, or get it at my Create Space e-store.
Create Space e-store
Kansas Train Tales (2009): This is my collection of railroad articles that have been published over the last several years. It includes my piece on the Andover train robbery of 1898; on the Victoria Railroad Cemetary; and on the state's first railroad convention. Also included are histories of the Scott City Northern; the Marion Belt & Chingawassa Springs; and the St. Joseph & Topeka of Doniphan County. I'm publishing it through Amazon.com's Create Space POD service. You can buy it from me in person, or get it at my Create Space e-store.
Create Space e-store
Expert Assistance (2007): This is my first SF novel! Spacer Jake Bonner will lose his hot spaceship if he doesn’t get a good-paying job. He’s approached by a couple to help them overthrow their planet’s tyrannical ruler, and asked to be a glorified chauffeur to pop star Evangelyne “Evvie” Martini. Evvie finds out about Jake's other job, invites herself to the revolution, and hilarity ensues. Recently I cancelled my contract with Asylett. I have some copies left, but when they're gone they're gone. I will be trying to find a new publisher for the novel as soon as possible.
Jim Lane - Scoundrel, Statesman, Kansan (2007): Senator James H. Lane was a key leader in the Free-State movement during "Bleeding Kansas." He was one of the state's first two Senators, a close ally and friend of Abraham Lincoln, and survived the Lawrence Massacre of 1863.
Pelican
The Race to Indian Territory (2005): This self-published book covered the race between three railroads in eastern Kansas in 1869-70. It covers the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf; the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston; and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas. The three lines competed to be the first to the southern border of Kansas, for the first would be the only line allowed to enter Texas through the Indian Territory. The book is back in print thanks to KS Publishing, with a sturdier cover and trimmed edges.
General James G. Blunt - Tarnished Glory (2005): This is a biography of James Blunt, Kansas' highest ranking & most important Civil War General. It includes information on his life before he came to Kansas, his work during "Bleeding Kansas," his battles during the war, the controversies around his reputation, and what happened to Blunt after the war.
Pelican
Kansas Railroad Attractions (2004): An update of "The Railfan's Guide..." with new listings of railroad things to see & do in Kansas. It includes museums, excursion trains, depots converted into restaurants & shops, rail trails, & other places of interest.
South Platte Press
The Border Tier Road (2003): A history of the line best known as the Frisco line south from Kansas City to Baxter Springs. It covers the creation of the original company, through ownership by the Frisco (St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad) up to the present (Burlington Northern Santa Fe).
SPP
Arkansas Valley Interurban - The Electric Way (1999): A history of the AVI, an interurban trolley line that once connected Wichita, Newton, & Hutchison. Contains maps, new photos, new information, & an equipment list.
SPP
Kansas Pacific - An Illustrated History (1998)*: A history of the first railroad to be built across Kansas. The KP was the railroad that the cattle driven up to Abilene were headed for. Now that it's out of print, I hope to start work on a new, more in-depth history of the KP.
Ghost Railroads of Kansas (1997)*: Has brief histories of all the railroads that operated in Kansas from 1860 to 1996; contains many historic photographs & maps. If you can find a copy, it's pretty expensive. I have a new, updated edition now out.
A Railfan's Guide to Kansas Attractions (1996)*: Contains railroad things to see & do in Kansas. Replaced by Kansas Railroad Attractions in 2004.
All content by Robert Collins
Copyright 2007-09