The Hard Stuff centers itself squarely in New York City and has a tough, visceral, feel for the people and the places he describes. Belt Buckles and Bibles is an ode to the Midwest which is a whole different animal than NYC as the selection of color photos that are, literally, central to the book, show. Both collections are vivid, strong, evocations of their subjects well worth the bargain price of five bucks (as are all these chapbooks).