No comments about An American Critic in Canada: The Literary Memoirs of Morton L. Ross.

5 comments about Murdered by Capitalism: A Memoir of 150 Years of Life and Death on the American Left (Nation Books).

1. ...who had written the brilliant novel *Unintended Consequences*, and whose political morality is diametrically opposed to that of "...the American Left."
   
   Amazon.com had better correct this mistaken impression ASAP.



2. The most frustrating charachteristic of this book is its likeability. It reads like tour-guide patter on a comfortable bus trip through the landscape of the American far left over the last century and change. Superficial, but damned entertaining. There's no attempt to explore the distinctions between the violent and non-violent, or to justify in a meaningful way the rejection of the electoral process. It seems to lump non-violent champions of social justice with those who responded to monstrous injustice by resorting to terror tactics and killing. Ultimately, Ross fails to clarify his own sympathy or lack thereof for leftist terrorists. Is he saying that the Haymarket bomber was justified because he was aiming at cops? Does he really bestow victim status on the Weathermen who blew themselves up, on a par with the kids shot at Kent State? Ross seems determined not to judge. His dedication to historical accuracy is also suspect, and he seems to lack resistance to leftist legends and conspiracy theories (McKinley blew up the USS Maine; LBJ killed JFK, etc.). Nevertheless, it reads well, and if you don't crave moral clarity you can give it another star.



3. An outstandingly outrageous autobiography intertwined with truthfully tragic American history as seen from the left.
   
   I give this book a shining five stars and rate it a recommended read.
   
   KABOOM!



4. The great contribution of this popularly written history of American radicalism is the joyful abandonment John Ross brings to slamming the annoying pacifism and political correctness of today's anemic Left movement. Yes folks, fighting imperialism and blowing it to bits can be fun! It's supposed to be fun. This bold idea is the premise of Murdered by Capitalism. Ross captures the spirit of the working class heroes who slugged it out, toe to toe, with the capitalist villains of American history. (Not the "corporate" villains PLEASE!) In addition to enjoying lives of adventure and freedom, people like Lucy Parsons, Eugene Debs and Big Bill Haywood kicked butt and made breakthroughs that bettered the lives of all working people for decades to come. This is partisan writing. Pacifism and political correctness are middle-class ideologies that have infected the Left. The working class must break out of these limits if it is to ever mount a fight for human liberation, for freedom, and for political power. Ross wants to blow these middle-class prejudices away. And his book succeeds in doing so. The book presents the entire history of the American left since the Eight Hour Day movement of the 1880s. That's a lot of history-and a lot of contending ideologies-to cover well. Ross tries to represent the disputes fairly, and this book can serve as an introduction to the disputations that roil the adherents of anarchism, syndicalism and Leninism down to the present day. But Ross's own untamed anarcho-communist ideology comes through, in all its poetic fury, on every page. This book never descends into mere analysis of the contending trends. Explaining our past mistakes and finding the way forward is, of course, absolutely necessary if we are going to win. But a winning movement needs more than analysis. It needs to unlock all the latent creativity and combativeness of the American working class. John Ross's book is a long needed wake-up call to the Left. It is a life-affirming manifesto for working class rebellion and for revolution. "MBC" is, at the same time, a hilarious indictment of the politically-correct liberalism that is dragging our movement down.



5. Digs into the soul of resistance in a way no cut and paste history of the American Left can. Though excessive at times, the narrative occasionally snaps and crackles like a firestream of defiance, taking one voice then another, but always returning to its source: the echo of struggles past and those to come. Also along the way are the laughs, with adventures-misadventures ranging far and wide, unable to resist any siren call from the Left. Too bad, Ross couldn't raise the shade of Earl Browder to explain the progressive potential of the Party of Roosevelt in an era of Clinton-Kerry. I don't know how many of the vintage facts he has right, but the poetics of affirmation are there in abundance and speak loud and clear to all who will listen. Worth the trip.

1 comments about Diary of a Union Lady, 1861-1865.

1. Maria Lydig Daly seems to have had an opinion about just about anything and did not hold back from sharing them in her diary. Sometimes she's just dead wrong, other times she issues a telling observation. We need all we can get about Northern women, and this diary testifies to their diversity of voices. However, as for the introduction, what's got Jean Berlin in a snit? The introduction is preachy and sanctimonious, and that's the good part. Maybe she had better go to Tiffany's and mingle with the people she mocks.

1 comments about Fumblefinger: A Life Out of Line.

1. This wonderful intimate account of America in those great unwashed years between WWII and Vietnam is simply a fantastic account of a rambling 'damn the torpedoes' lifestyle set in New England and Europe among other places. Any lover of Americana will enjoy this fun memoir that pulls no punches in its description of real life, as it is and as it was.

   Here we see a wonderful memoir of a large family living on one of the most beautiful vacation spots in the world, of one mans experiences with life and his connections to many fascinating characters both famous and obscured.

   Seth J. Frantzman

No comments about When You & I Were Young, Whitefish.

1 comments about Ulysses S. Grant and the Strategy of Victory (History of the Civil War Series).

1. This is one of the better books written about Ulysses S. Grant that are intended for children. Actually, in this case the term "young adults" is more appropriate because the text would be a bit complicated for children.

   Rickarby writes quite well and like many women authors, seems to understand Grant, who had a plethora of female characteristics, such as kindness, gentleness and compassion. The military chapters are not especially good and there are a number of basic mistakes in describing various battles. Rickarby is stronger in the domestic realm, and she describes Grant's happy marriage and his life as a father very well.

   The most outstanding part of the book are the paintings. In particular, there is a fabulous color depiction of Grant standing on the corner in St. Louis, selling firewood in the late 1850's. If you're a fan of General Grant, this painting alone makes the book a necessary purchase. Rarely has his mood, stance and demenenor been so well captured.

3 comments about Harry Agganis, " the Golden Greek": An All-American Story.

1. The Greek-American community owe Dabilis and Tsiotis a great debt of gratitude for the service they have provided by publishing the stories of Agganis and Kyriakides.



2. Arguably New England's finest all-around athlete, Harry Agganis' life represents the ultimate greek tragedy. Blessed with unprecedented athletic talent, Agganis was struck down in the prime of his life. His love of sports was equalled only by his love of family. Nick Tsiotos and Andy Dabilis capture the true essence of Agganis. This is must read for all sports fans.



3. A great look at the life of an exceptional young man who's legacy should be passed on.

No comments about Namedropping: Mostly Literary Memoirs.

1 comments about Gouverneur Morris: Author, Statesman, and Man of the World.

1. A solid biography of one of the best of the second tier of Founding Fathers. A most interesting life, with feet (given one was a peg leg) in the two most important revolutions of the late 1700s. Gouverneur Morris was at the deathbeds of John Paul Jones (in Paris) and Alexander Hamilton (in New York). George Washington admired his talents.
   
   I enjoyed most Professor Kirschke's tracing of Morris' direct influence on the final drafting of sections of the U.S. Constitution.
   
   While the author, in closing, compares his subject's career to that of Adlai Stevenson, I disagree. This comparison does not do full justice to Gouverneur Morris' many and varied contributions to our country's early history.

1 comments about They Rode with Forrest and Wheeler: A Chronicle of Five Tennessee Brothers' Service in the Confederate Western Cavalry.

1. I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend, as Thomas Burr Fisher was his great-grandfather. That being said, I am a bit partial regarding the subject matter. I will say, however, that the account provides a very personal, detailed view into the lives (pre & post war) of the Fisher family; a family that was mirrored by many others in the South during this time period. I appreciated the overall picture the author painted - from the major events such as battles to the mundane - describing the first car T. B. Fisher purchased, for example. The story provides insight into a family that was very close-knit but quite modern in their thinking and ideas regarding progression. This is a gem for all Civil War buffs and for those interested in true Southern culture both before and after the War.