This is the story of a Danish immigrant who, with no knowledge of the English language, founded one of the first bookstores west of the Mississippi. Karn Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel began by building a bookshelf between two chinaberry trees on Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. As the venture grew, his reputation as a collector, publisher and bookseller spread across the state. He was best known for the series Gammel's Laws of Texas which he compiled and published, to the benefit of Texas lawyers past and present. the adventures of Gammel's life and his unique character are seen through the private diary which is the basis for this book. Furthermore, listings of his book publications and private collections have been reviewed and reprinted here. 19 Illustrations and B/W Photos. Dorothy Gammel Bohlender preserved his diary & records, and she kept alive amusing reminiscences of family life with her Sacndinavian-born parents. She and Frances Tarlton McCallum, together they present a narrative of Gammel’s life, his accomplishments, his failures , and his unforgettable personality. Mrs. McGallum has collaborated on other historical works concerning Texas, including the award-winning The Wire That Fenced The West, and a church history, as well as stories in "The Cattleman" and "Fence Magazine."