Stephen's first book, Shadows of the River, is a history of the Blanco River Valley beginning in prehistoric times and includes the Spaniard's 300 years, Western expansion of the United States, the colonists, The Texas Frontier, The Civil War period, pioneer settlers along the Blanco River and information about the Comanche, Apache, and Tonkawa Indians. This book also includes information about some of the original settlers, the Trainer's, Artzt, Elbel, and Smith families. This book is a must for those avid readers who love Texas history.