No comments about Inside: The Biography of John Gunther.

5 comments about Mostly True: A Memoir of Family, Food, and Baseball.

1. This book was received in a very timely fashion,much faster than I expected.For a used book,it was in excellent condition.I also enjoyed this book very much.It was a heart warming story of a wonderful and some what eccentric family.



2. What a wonderful book of the American Family. Written from the perspective of the oldest sibling, who is also the only girl, it is just plain fun. Growing up without a lot of money doesn't mean life has to be boring or painful. Parents don't have to be perfect and neither do the kids.



3. For anyone who grew up around Columbus, OH in the 60s and 70s, this is a must. But, incredibly, O'Neill makes the book fascinating as well for her look at NY and its restaurant scene in the 80s and 90s. And the glue to the whole narrative is her and her family,including her famous little brother, Paul. Well done Molly.



4. Molly O'Neill has a very engaging writing style that pulls you into her world. It's a world peopled with the wildly obsessed, but go along as the ride is enjoyable. Molly O'Neill writes about a life that straddled midwest big city longings with utopian politics and food plays a big role at all stops. My only quibble is that the book has less to do about being Paul O'Neill's sister than the book jacket may lead you to believe.



5. After reading this book I ordered several copies as gifts. That probably says it all, but I can't just leave it there. Molly O'Neill and her family grew up in the neighborhood where I live and I was taken by her memories of family life where she was the only girl with five male siblings and a father whose main focus was baseball. The exploits of the boys had me laughing out loud while also being thankful I didn't live next door to them.
   I enjoyed reading how Molly's cooking expertise evolved and even included her brothers in this endeavor. Her writing, as always, was a delight.

No comments about News to Me: Remembrances of a Texas Newswoman.

No comments about Don't Look Back: A Memoir.

No comments about Spies Like Us (Uqp Paperbacks Memoir).

2 comments about It Wasn't Pretty, Folks, but Didn't We Have Fun?: Surviving the '60s With Esquire's Harold Hayes.

1. I'm torn between a four star and five star rating. If you are a writer and editor like me, you will definitely love this look behind the curtains at a major mag during its golden era. Super juicy if you know the territory. Otherwise, a nice enough read, but probably not your ticket.



2. After trying to find any book that could give me an in-depth look at what it's like to edit a great magazine, I finally found this. I can't reccomend this book to everyone, but if you LOVE magazines, or are just a fan of 60s Esquire, you'll be very happy with this book.

2 comments about Commie Girl in the O.C..

1. I bought this book because I liked the title and I wasn't disappointed! It's a diary of real life in the community of idle rich airheads and knee-jerk rightwingers made famous by the TV shows. Commie Girl just happened to end up in the thick of it and she's spitting mad! It's a brilliantly funny book, full of great stories and characters, and if you've got fed up with all the bragging and posturing amongst the presidentential hopefuls, this will put a smile back on your face for sure.



2. Nobody dishes like Commie Girl! She's the most, and that ain't the least! Roast Republickin, anyone?

3 comments about Sid!: The Sports Legends, the Inside Scoops, and the Close Personal Friends.

1. SID! THE SPORTS LEGENDS, THE INSIDE SCOOPS, AND THE CLOSE PERSONAL FRIENDS surveys one who has seen many changes to Minnesota sports for over sixty years. His memoir originally appeared in 1997: this newly update edition includes a new epilogue about the past 10 years in Minnesota sports and presents new audiences with sports commentary and insights which are a 'must' for any fan of Minnesota sports history and any collection catering to sports enthusiasts.



2. This book is mildly interesting as fiction but bears little or no resemblance to fact. One question: Why does someone who makes a living as a writer have to use a ghost writer for his "autobiography?" Don't waste your money on this.



3. Sid's book is a fantastic ride through Minnesota sports history. I picked up the book a true Sid Hartman sceptic. Come on, does he really know all these people? I won't give it all away, but Sid is the real-deal Minnesota sports fan. A true Minnesota legend. The many tales of Bud Grant, the Gophers, the Vikings, the Millers, his role in the Minneapolis Lakers, the Twins, and yes, Bob Knight keep you both entertained and laughing from start to finish. Read this book and you will know a true hometown fan. I only wish Sid liked hockey a little more. Love him or not, this book is a must read for any Minnesota sports fan, and makes a great gift to those no longer living in Minnesota, like me. Thanks Demps! Another must read for Twins fans is "Calvin: The Last Dinosaur," author unknown.

5 comments about Letters from the Editor: The New Yorker's Harold Ross (Modern Library Paperbacks).

1. Ross is clearly revealed in his letters, as is much of the history of The New Yorker during his time. Greatly enjoyed this.



2. An engaging look at the history of the New Yorker through the founder's own words. A peek into the process of publication of some of the most well-known writers. Famous writers' correspondance with a brutally honest Harold Ross. EXCELLENT!



3. Most of the text is Ross's; this is what makes the book worth 4 stars.

   Some of the explanatory comments are pretty clumsy:

   "Married to Fleischmann's ex-wife, Ruth, a major New Yorker stockholder, Vischer played a strong behind-the-scenes role at the magazine and was trying to keep Ross from quitting." (p. 271)

   Would a sentence like that have ever made the pages of the New Yorker?

   I can't comment on the selection of letters with any authority, but it's at least adequate: Truman Capote progresses from someone who, in September 1944, "wouldn't have been employed here [even] as [an office boy] probably, if it hadn't been for the man- and boy-power shortage" (Capote had insulted Robert Frost by walking out on poetry reading) to somone whose stories Ross would like to see more of, if they "aren't too psychopathic" in July 1949.




4. These letters were my companion as I read "Genius in Disguise", Kunkel's wonderful biography of Harold Ross. The biography tells the story of Ross and his founding and development of The New Yorker. These letters bring Ross to life and convey the personality that spotted and nurtured the talent that made the magazine great. Here's a quick letter to John Cheever in 1947, which gives a little flavor of the man:

   "Dear Cheever:
   I've just read "The Enormous Radio," having gone away for a spell and got behind, and I send my respects and admiration. The piece is worth coming back to work for. It will turn out to be a memorable one, or I am a fish. Very wonderful, indeed."
   As ever,
   Ross




5. I've long been a fan of The New Yorker altho the drawings and not the too lengthy articles are my favorites now.

   Have read most of the books about working at the magazine, but this is the best. Harold Ross had such a way with words. I particularly liked the letter of sympathy to E.B. White (page 97) upon death of White's father: "...after you get to be thirty people you know keep dropping off all the time and it's a hell of a note." And about Christmas: "...it always comes at the very worse moment in the year for me."

   Here is truly a genius at work. I thought it was ironic also that although he said don't waste time writing letters as you don't get paid for them, he wrote them so well. It is also interesting that the editor of this book finally found some recordings that Ross made and he was dictating letters!

   I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys The New Yorker and would like to know how it developed over the years.

1 comments about Anita Brenner: A Mind of Her Own.

1. A fascinating book for those interested in Mexican-American relationships. Anita's active role in the rich cultural life of Mexico in the twenties, and her friendship with such figures as Diego Rivera, Frida Khalo and Tina Modotti, provide a valuable insight into an also fascinating country. Her bright intelligence proved to be well ahead of times. A true and sincere fighter against stereotypes of Mexico in American minds, she was one of the very few to challenge them, contributing with her work to a better understanding among both countries. Such conscious research by Ms. Glusker deserves much praise. One wishes that she had included a much more deep insight into Anita's persona and emotions, as well as her work in the family's farm in her late years. Anita's wide variety of interests seemed to have no limits.But maybe that is material for another book.