The Nobbie Stories for Children and Adults by C. L. R. James, edited by Constance Webb “An insightful foreword by Anna Grimshaw supplies important background for readers unfamiliar with James’s work. . . . The stories have a charming Aesop-like quality and carry an unstated moral that is apparent in the narration. . . . This collection offers a powerful glimpse into an interesting man and a historical time period and also a timeless lesson about the importance of doing what is right.”—CHOICE Continue reading Praise for The Nobbie Stories for Children and Adults

Fascism and Democracy in the Human Mind: A Bridge between Mind and Society by I. W. Charny “[B]ehavioral scientists need to confront this innovative thesis. By adding to the pressing discussion of how human civilization is to survive its frightening technological capabilities, Charny performs a valuable service. [T]his is a pathbreaking endeavor.”—CHOICE Continue reading Praise for Fascism and Democracy in the Human Mind

 California Polytechnic State University history lecturer and UNP author Kathleen A. Cairns was interviewed for the L.A. Times weekly column "L.A. Then and Now."  The article, "Unwitting Pioneer of the Battered-woman Defense," briefly outlines Nellie May Madison’s life.  Madison, an unconventional woman in many ways, shot her fifth husband in the back because he abused her.  She was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.  Cairns states in the article, "They really wanted to nail her… .  They didn’t like her lifestyle [nor] the fact that she didn’t break down and cry."  Read an excerpt of Kathleen A. Cairns’ The … Continue reading Enigma Woman in L.A. Times

Scoring from Second: Writers on Baseball edited by Philip F. Deaver. “The pieces, often memoirs-in-brief, show the hold that baseball retains upon such writers as Rick Bass, Michael Chabon, Andre Dubus, and (thank you!) four women. Another winner from the Univ. of Nebraska Press.”—Library Journal “Baseball fans who yearn for the days of Ring Lardner will find in this collection ample evidence that gifted writers still celebrate America’s national pastime. Readers will recognize the satisfying fusion of literature and sport when, for instance, itinerant storyteller William Least Heat-Moon reflects on the resonant vocabulary of bygone sports commentators. There are numerous … Continue reading Praise for Scoring from Second

Level Playing Fields: How the Groundskeeping Murphy Brothers Shaped Baseball by Peter Morris “Maverick baseball historian Morris here gets down to fundamentals that most histories overlook: the dirt and the grass. We learn how significant aspects of the game’s evolution can be traced far back to practical decisions made by Irish immigrants Tom and Jack Murphy. These men knew the likes of Connie Mack, Honus Wagner, and Ty Cobb, and their own contributions (which included pitching mounds and spring training camps) were just as influential. Morris’s research and insights rescue these pioneer men from obscurity.”—Library Journal “Peter Morris’s short but … Continue reading Praise for Level Playing Fields

Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman by Lee Lowenfish “Lowenfish is firmly in the pro-Rickey camp on the question of the man’s motives in signing black ball players but gives equal attention to every phase of an extensive career.”—Library Journal “Given the high-stakes nature of contemporary baseball, it’s fascinating to get a glimpse of the game’s roots, and Lowenfish deftly etches the frustrations and difficulties of small-market life. . . . Lowenfish’s take is detailed and nuanced, balancing the issue of integration with the economic and competitive imperatives of running a professional baseball team. . . . Where Lowenfish is at … Continue reading Praise for Branch Rickey

Paper Tiger: A NovelBy Olivier Rolin, Translated by William Cloonan “[S]uperbly translated by Cloonan.”—Publishers Weekly “Martin, an aging French radical from the 60s, wonders where it all went and why. One night in 2000, when this rushing stream of a book is set, he broods out loud while driving around (and around and around) Paris with Marie, the 24-year-old daughter of his best friend from ‘the Cause.’ . . . [T]here are also treats that make the car ride worth taking, some serious (like Rolin’s observations—often pessimistic—about the human condition) and others delightfully comic (like the young revolutionaries’ many botched … Continue reading Praise for Paper Tiger