The Complete Letters of Henry James, 1855–1872, Vols. 1 & 2 Edited by Pierre A. Walker and Greg W. Zacharias  “[James’s] letters have never before appeared in their entirety. The University of Nebraska Press is attempting, slowly, to make up for that fact in a scholarly edition that obviates the need for any other.”—Benjamin Markovits, Times Literary Supplement Read earlier praise for The Complete Letters of Henry James, Vols. 1 & 2 Continue reading More Praise for The Complete Letters of Henry James

On the Cutting Edge by Dr. Robert F. Brodsky (Gordian Knot Books) “An engaging chronicle of deadly weapons, technological marvels, and the quirky human personalities behind the military and space age science that transformed the modern world, accessible to readers of all backgrounds and highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review Continue reading Praise for On the Cutting Edge

‘ve read very few memoirs in my not-so-short lifetime (Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Wharton’s A Backward Glance, I can’t think of any others, but I’m sure there are more I’ve read) because, as a rule, I stay as far away from nonfiction as possible. But I recently read a book called Pieces from Life’s Crazy Quilt by a woman named Marvin V. Arnett. A woman named Marvin? She explains that it is a namesake of a beautiful friend of her mother’s, another woman named Marvin.

The memoir traces Arnett’s life during her elementary school years, circa the Depression. It gives a
perspective into a black community salted with other races (for instance, Polish immigrants and descendants play roles in Arnett’s life) in Detroit during this era.  And there is a sense of community that is lost today in Detroit-sized cities; I bet one would be hard pressed to find a community like Arnett’s, where everyone knew everyone and took care of everyone.

Continue reading “On reading memoirs”

Miracle Collapse: The 1969 Chicago CubsBy Doug Feldmann Foreword by Don Kessinger 25% Off in May, 2007 Twilight of the Long-ball Gods: Dispatches from the Disappearing Heart of BaseballBy John Schulian 25% Off in May, 2007 Tris Speaker: The Rough-and-Tumble Life of a Baseball LegendBy Timothy M. Gay 25% Off in May, 2007 See more Deals from the Diamond taking place during May, 2007 during our Spring Baseball Sale! Continue reading Baseball Books on Sale

The Enigma Woman by Kathleen A. Cairns “A new book out this month finally tells us the entire tale of Nellie Madison for the first time, and it is so terrifically researched, so well put together, you might forget the story took place in 1934. . . . [I]t’s a physically lovely, beautifully produced book. . . . The Enigma Woman is top-shelf stuff for votaries of high quality historic crime stories. Professor Cairns will keep you mesmerized in contemplation of a most curious murder case, one in which our recalcitrant heroine could not speak until she was within the … Continue reading More Praise for The Enigma Woman

Starred Review Africa on Six Wheels: A Semester on Safari by Betty Levitov “Levitov’s unique, lyrical memoir . . . deserves a wide audience. Levitov, a seasoned traveler, doesn’t simply know Africa well, she knows how to write about it. . . . Just as keen is her genius for capturing the personalities of her traveling companions and those they meet. . . . How pleasurable for readers that Levitov has managed to capture that beautiful African spirit in this fine travelogue.”—Publishers Weekly Annex Read previous praise for Africa on Six Wheels Continue reading More Praise for Africa on Six Wheels

Because a Fire Was in My Head by Lynn Stegner “[S]tunning . . . . The poetic detail of Stegner’s sentences—not to mention her wanton protagonist—is reminiscent of the novels of John Updike. . . . Because a Fire Was in My Head, her most ambitious novel so far, ought to attract for Stegner the wider audience she so richly deserves.” —Julia Scheeres, New York Times Book Review, “Editor’s Choice” Previous praise for Because a Fire Was in My Head Continue reading More Praise for Because a Fire Was in My Head

Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman by Lee Lowenfish “[O]ur heartiest recommendation: Branch Rickey – Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman by Lee Lowenfish. A fitting and admirable tribute to the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color line. Lowenfish, a respected baseball scholar, reportedly spent 10 years researching and writing this book that, at 600 pages, is chock full of revelations and great anecdotes on Rickey’s life.”—Bill Madden, NY Daily News “Lowenfish weaves the American trifecta of God, family and baseball into Rickey’s fascinating life. The significant moments that forever changed the landscape of baseball are all well documented, researched and … Continue reading More Praise for Branch Rickey