3 comments about Let Truth Be the Prejudice: W. Eugene Smith, His Life and Photographs.

1. In the fall of 1985 I drove down from Northern New Jersey to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the retrospective show of W. Eugene Smith's work for which this book was the catalog. I walked through the rooms and people stood in front of his Minamata photographs, weeping. Smith paid for those pictures with his eyesight, probably the better part of his sanity. If he drank before, the stories are that after his return from Japan he plunged into the bottle full-bore. If one can talk of a man's life and work in religious terms, W. Eugene Smith's career was a prolonged and self-willed crucifixion, a sacrifice in the name of a Truth that I'm not sure we're ready for yet.

   I haven't photographed seriously in quite a few years, but whenever I made a print, there in the darkroom I could feel Smith's presence saying two things to me: "You're lousy at this" and "Don't ever stop."




2. The life of W. Eugene Smith is none the less; inspiring yet depressingly so... A reflection of the truth in life, man and society.



3. In the mid-70's, I attended a slide lecture by Smith at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. I didn't know a thing about him, but the presentation haunts me still. He was helped onto the stage, a very old man, and quietly, he narrated the Minimata work in a slide show. The audience, a bunch of party school undergrads and townspeople, were completely silent the entire time. It was almost as if Smith knew that if the slightest emotion showed in his voice, his audience would be lost in sobs. He didn't editorialize, he just spoke, simply and quietly. At the end of the show, he put up one last slide. It was of a blackboard with the words in chalk, "Thank you, all you lovely people." It brings tears to my eyes almost 20 years later.

1 comments about Margaret Bourke-white: The Early Work, 1922-1930 (Pocket Paragon Series).

1. Margaret Bourke-White was a leading photojournalist whose work for Fortune, among others, celebrated the machine age and whose later work for Life featured more of an interest in humanitarian concerns. MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE: THE EARLY WORK, 1992-1930 provides a new gathering with a focus on her earliest work, when she was an amateur. Her first photos were still lifes and images more characteristic of her times rather than her talents: one can see the transitions to her personal style in the photos made from 1928-30, and it's also notable that the some eighty photos reproduced here have seldom been seen outside their archives. A 'must' for any in-depth art library.

5 comments about Nothing to Fall Back On: The Life and Times of a Perpetual Optimist.

1. While her resume sparkles, Betsy Carter does not live up to the promise of her editorial credits. The facts of her story are certainly interesting, but Carter's observations of her own fate are removed and somewhat clinical, rather than compelling and empathetic. Her story weaves back and forth between her childhood, young adulthood and careerhood in a poorly structured manner that is confusing to the reader and does the story no favors. My hopes were so high for this book and I was sorely disappointed. Readers are tired of the "woman overcoming adversity story." This one could have stood out with more emotion and less antisepticism.



2. I haven't finished this book yet, but I am very hesitant in doing so. I'm about a quarter of the way into it and am totally bored. I saw the ad in a magazine and it sounded interesting. The details she gives in some parts are just not needed as someone else stated. I hope it gets more interesting. She definitely makes me want to write a book about my life because it is way more interesting than hers. I figure if she can publish an autobiography than I definitely could get a deal in a second. Sorry I just find this book not worth reading anymore.



3. I didn't realize that this was an autobiography. It reads like fiction. I know very little about the magazine world, but I have a distinct feeling that Carter really showed us an inside peek into it. I had a little trouble keeping up with all the friends, colleagues, loves, etc., so I just concentrated & listened beyond that. I really enjoyed reading Carter's upbeat attitude on life. Yes, she's definitely an optimist and no, that doesn't automatically classify you as silly or stupid. All the curves that life has thrown this woman, it'd be easy to let them all blanket her in despair. Yet, Carter only gained strength & wisdom at each point.
   A few people have mentioned they had a hard time following b/c of the way she moves from past to present so frequently. If you can relax & really immerse yourself in the book, you won't even notice that. Obviously, she did that for affect & wanted readers to get the "full circle" feel of her story.
   I liked the book very much. A real slice of life. I love the way she has handled everything. I wish Ms. Carter much happiness & hope readers pick this book up & are inspired by her as I've been.



4. Betsy Carter's autobiography is truly interesting and a joy to read. You'll laugh and sometimes you'll cry, but you will never be bored. If you want to know what it's like to live and work the high-paced New York life in a unique and personal way, this book will give you the feeling.
   
   Betsy shows us what it was like to grow up in the 50s and 60s, from New York to Miami and then on to being "a journalist in New York." She blithely details the trials and tribulations she's been through without wallowing in them, showing her true optimism and connectedness to life.
   
   I fell in love with Betsy's sister, Miriam, and Betsy's amazing mother. Don't miss Betsy's mother's comment upon learning Betsy had been secretly going to Bible school. Even with tough times, Betsy Carter is a truly blessed person.
   
   The book is extremely well written and edited, in fact, this may be the best edited book of its type I've ever read. She manages to convey whole chapters of converesation with just a line or two of dialog.
   
   I will immediately, if not sooner, pick up the two fiction books Betsy has written since this autobiography. She's just that good a writer
   
   Rading this book made me feel like I was reading something written by a good friend. Highly recommended, especially to women.



5. At first , I almost put this book down , because the first chapter did not grab me. Im glad i read this though because it is an excellent account of makiing it in the business while failing in the buisiness at the same time, confronting internal politics, office nemises, and personal crises. A good book and especially relevant to anyine who works int eh publishing industry.

2 comments about Alexey Brodovitch.

1. This book represents one of the very few studies of one of the masters of American advertising and graphic design. Brodovitch served as mentor to such photographic luminaries as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, and his distinctive and very modernistic style of layout and use of the grid are exemplary. He was integral to magazine design in the middle of this century, and yet has fallen into relative unknown. Unreasonably so. Any student of graphic design, its design or current practice, would do well to own this book. In this age of busy, frantic graphic pages, Brodovitch's work reflects a serene, yet knife-edged clarity.



2. Alexy Brodovitch is one of the best art directors of the 20th Century. This book is worth every penny because it really allows you to see his work in the same scale that he created it at. Thus when you are looking at a magazine spread from the master, you are seeing it full size - and not as a little pretty icon that decorates too many design annuals. In addition there are examples of his raw layouts, which really let you see a genius at work. This book is a must for any fan of graphic design, photography and fashion.

No comments about Asking for Trouble: Autobiography of a Banned Journalist.

2 comments about Intimate Lies: F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sheilah Graham Her Son's Story.

1. I didn't really expect to like this book. I have always enjoyed F. Scott Fitzgerald's works and that was what drew me to this book. I had heard about Sheilah Graham and i think i had read somewhere of there relationship. Bored one day with my usual 'type' of books i picked this one up amd began to read. What struck me immendiatly was the honesty, brutal at times being displayed by the Miss Graham's own son Robert Westbrook. His writing is presise and detailed recreating the golden age of Hollywood. He presents Fitzgerald honestly showing other aspects of the doomed author. His mother is shown as a master of the 'makeover' recreating herself from a very humble beginning. Take a chance with this book i think you'll be pleasently surprised..



2. I love it when nonfiction keeps me up late at night, turning pages. "Intimate Lies" may well be the definitive source on the last years of Fitzgerald's life, during which he tried (and failed) to be a Hollywood screenwriter. Westbrook's evenhanded, well-researched treatment of the romance between Fitzgerald and columnist Sheilah Graham (Westbrook's mother)is a snapshot of Hollywood just before World War II, a mixture of glamor, socialism and absurd censorship.

3 comments about A Native's Return, 1945-1988 (Twentieth-Century Journey).

1. I rate this a 9 because it isn't quite The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, or The Collapse of the Third Republic. For any other author, this final volume of memoirs would be a 10. Academic historians hate the man, because he has outdone them at every turn and has made modern history readable. This final volume of memoirs is fascinating, because it recounts Shirer's view of his departure from CBS -- a view far different than that expressed by Ann Sperber in her biography of Edward R. Murrow. It is fascinating because it sets the reader down, and explains what it was like to be a world class author and intellectual unable to ply his craft due to the inclusion of his name in the notorious "Red Channels". In the final analysis, it is fascinating because it is William L. Shirer writing about William L. Shirer surviving ouster from CBS, McCarthyism, and going on to write two of the most important works of contemporary history the western world has ever been privilaged to read. This work cannot be commended too highly to the intellectually aware. Conservatives and other knotheads ought best to look elsewhere, for these are fools that Shirer does not suffer gladly, indeed at all.



2. Shirer's historical narrative suffers somewhat when he turns the spotlight on himself. The first two books in the series, where his focus is growing up in early 20th century America and his years as a foriegn correspondent, are outstanding. In this voulme, his focus is on his blacklisting, struggling as an author, and his vindication in writing the definitive history of Nazi Germany. Instead of the candor he displayed in the earlier works, at a few points he leaves me feeling he is holding back. His description of his firing by CBS leaves me wanting more, some feeling of why there was such pressure to remove him. Instead, he just gives us his criticism of how he was wronged. I felt this same reluctance to be totally honest with the reader when he described his visit to the Soviet Union in 1982. He seems to have a stong admiration for Russia, but he just won't lay his cards on the table.

   In summary, William Shirer seems a man I would disagree with on most subjects, but one whom I could admire and respect. He is mostly candid and honest about his liberalism, but I wish he would have not left some blanks in the record.




3. The author's third and final memoir volume is very moving, but falls just short of its outstanding predecessors (THE START & NIGHTMARE YEARS) due to lighter sprinkling of contemporary history. William L. Shirer (1904-1993) lived a remarkably full life, and at age 85 retained the immense talents that ranked him among our top journalist/historians. Here he recounts returning to a defeated Berlin in 1945, his firing by CBS News (told quite differently elsewhere), and his struggle to write RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH while semi-blacklisted and half-broke in the late 1950's. Shirer also takes a limited look at the events of the 1970's and 1980's, describes his prolific seniority, and pays tribute to friends lost to advancing years. The author's bittersweet account of his final visit to Paris 60 years after having first lived there in the 1920's speaks volumes. This journalist-turned-author was a perceptive realist, somewhat headstrong and pessimistic, and well seasoned by wine, women and song. Writing that wonderfully readable prose of old newspapermen, Shirer certainly left his mark - as had been predicted in his college days by a long-forgotten editor back in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (see THE START).
   
   This final memoir is perhaps best once you've gotten a sense of the man from his earlier memoirs and other stellar books. Not knowing that he'd live to finish another book (on Tolstoy), Shirer's final passages are a moving farewell. As he states, "...it was an interesting fate to be an American in the Twentieth Century...I am glad it was mine."

2 comments about Celestine Sibley, Reporter.

1. A wonderful collection of one of the South's most beloved journalists and columnists. A wide variety of news reporting which has just as much personality, poignancy, and humor as her columns. Eldredge's commnents are well-researched and strike the right tone.



2. ...but True South, in a way that the New York Times could never understand. Sibley fans were appalled at the Times' obituary, which inaccurately described her as "the last of the white glove, tea-and-apple blossom set that had not a sharp edge on it." The Times just didn't get it, but then they have a habit of dissing female Southern writers, as they did when they fired Molly Ivins for describing a chicken de-feathering as a "gang pluck." Eldredge (full disclosure: a good friend and colleague at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) gets it right, displaying the kind of seasoned journalism Sibley would have liked. He shows rather than tells, allowing us to spend just a few more hours with the sound of her voice, relating stories of murder, fame, love, betrayal, and most of all, high comedy. For those of us who began our days with her columns, a kind of Atlanta touchstone in the midst of constant change, these stories are a revelation. Most satisfying of all is the final chapter, in which an AJC colleague calls Bill Kovach (former Timesman and AJC editor) and takes him to task for his clueless quote in her obit. If you loved 'Tine, you're going to want this book.

1 comments about Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens (California Legacy Book).

1. This book holds the premier position in my book collection. It is a book that looks at how a man's environment and passion for life forces him to separate the right from the wrong, sometimes at personal peril. From the quintessential muckraker to one of the original socialists, Steffens was an independent thinker who shares his mistakes, his disappointments, and his fundamental beliefs in rich and passionate prose. Thought by many to be the greatest autobiography ever written this book, as well as his famous "Shame of the Cities", are considered two of the New York Times' greatest 100 books of the 20th century. And rightfully so. Don't expect dry historical narrative. Rather, be ready to be given insight into turn of the twentieth century life and to be inspired by a man's struggles while exposing and understanding truth and power in every form.

5 comments about Best Seat in the House: A Father, a Daughter, a Journey Through Sports.

1. In a world where male dominance in most sports is generally welcome and accepted, stories of women who defy the odds, dodge the criticism, and rise to success are indeed a rarity. The story of Christine Brennan is no exception. A successful writer for USA Today and The Washington Post, Brennan's ascension to a career in sports journalism and broadcasting, which was usually only reserved for men, serves as a role model for those who wish to follow their dreams despite the obstacles. However, the focal message in the book is a tribute to her father, the man who brought her up to love and cherish sports, and the man who continued to encourage her when things seemed impossible. Rather than the typical father-son journey through sports, the tide shifts, in essence, to reveal that daughters too can share that same passion.
   
   Brennan's journey begins in Toledo, home to the Triple AAA Mud Hens and the University of Toledo. The stories of catching a ball game at the Lucas Country Rec Center (aka Ned Skeldon Stadium) or the occasional drive to Tiger Stadium were heart warming and a bit shocking as Brennan was probably the woman in the 1970's that knew how to fill out a scorecard. Baseball brings families together and nothing in the world beats a trip to the ball park to catch a game with your old man. But baseball is one of several sports that the Brennan family endures throughout Christine's childhood. Tennis, swimming, golf, football, and basketball consumed much of their daily lives and it appeared that the father, Jim, was merely along for the ride for it seemed that he was not the one doing the pushing.
   
   On a personal note, Brennan's account of the University of Toledo's Chuck Ealey's thirty-five consecutive victories and Steve Mix's stellar basketball career were nearly tear-jerking. As a Toledo alum and fan, it was about time that both of these remarkable men receive some extra attention for their amazing feats as collegiate athletes. From a university which sees very few of their athletes go on to the professional level, the celebration of perhaps their best two athletes in a nationally acclaimed book puts the icing on the cake.
   
   Brennan admits that the idea to be a sports journalist began at those Toledo football games where Ealey and his teammates rang up win after win. Indeed, watching Chuck Ealey on a weekly basis from 1969-1971 must have been a privilege, an honor, and certainly a launching point for a prospective sports writer. From there Brennan begins the formal training as a journalist at the campus of Northwestern University, and with the summer internships at the Toledo Blade. Northwestern's journalism program was one of the best in the country, and alums Peter McCleery, Brennan, and Michael Wilbon backed up that recognition.
   
   But Brennan's story of becoming a sports journalist is just a fraction of the larger picture. Title IX, the law that essentially gave women an opportunity to play competitive sports, is mentioned throughout the book. However, Brennan's argument on Title IX is not necessarily a cry for women to take over these heavily male-influenced games. Rather, it is advocating for equal opportunity. As evident in her debates with the controversial Hootie Johnson of Augusta National, Brennan refuses to back down to the opposite sex, and chooses to stand up for women's rights. After all, to get to her position in her field, Brennan has always had to fight an uphill battle. Hopefully this serves as a message to young women seeking a career in sports that even though the trail may be bumpy along the way, the end result is certainly attainable.



2. As Christine Brennan states in the book, writing the story was a "labor of love". She stated this in reference to her father and family. Of course, this comes through eloquently clear from such a talented writer. In reading the book, however, it's obvious she loves so much more in life. Sports, yes, but that's over-simplistic. How she ties sports into the context of history, into how our society has changed and not changed (for women, minorities, etc.) is truly insightful while, at the same time, beautiful. You can feel -- truly sense -- how Christine feels about these challenges, about the people confronting them, and about the leaders addressing them (or not). Her values show through. Many a writer, I think, would be all-too-shy about putting such personal points-of-view out there. I, for one, am very glad she did, for her values and points-of-view are truly admirable. They are all the more so because she, like her father, has acted upon and held true to them throughout her life while still making room to experience and learn.
   
   Now, I don't know Christine. I met her once, yes. She was uncommonly attentive and made me feel like I was the gold medal winner being interviewed (not that it felt like an interview at all; although, after reading this book, I wouldn't be surprised if she packed away some notes somewhere, dated them, and spelled my name right...).
   
   Why is this such an important book? In addition to what I've shared I'll add this: Moving forward my wife and I will document the events of our kids' childhood even more diligently. Not only will this benefit our family with more memorabilia, but it will hopefully serve as an example for our kids so they, too, will log the experiences of their lives. Doing so, I believe, will help sustain their peace of mind (respect for whence they came), build confidence, as well as provide skills that will help them academically, professionally, and personally. And, no, I don't expect to rear little Christine Brennans. I do hope, however, my kids have a similar love for their father, their family, and for life that Christine Brennan does. This book has made me even more excited about being a parent and it's also allowed me to travel back in time with my father. Christine, thank you!



3. I was in tears at the first chapter, as my father too introduced me to sports. Much of what Ms. Brennan has written brings me back to the wonderful memories of my Dad and our love for the Detroit Tigers. I gave the book to my Dad for Fathers Day. I only wish I had the talent to have written such a wonderful memorial to my father. Thank you, Christine.



4. When I saw this book, I knew immediately that I'd be interested in it. I mean, Christine Brennan was the Washington Post beat writer for the Redskins in the mid-80s when I lived in DC as well, and as she jokingly puts it, being the Redskins beat writer was the second most important beat, after the White House beat, unless the Redskins played the Cowboys. So I remember well her byline in the Post Sports section from those days.
   
   In "Best Seat in the House: A Father, A Daughter, A Journey through Sports" (283 pages), the author reflects back on how she got into sports writing, and not unsurprisingly, her dad played a major role in it. In fact, the initial third of the book, in which Brennan recounts her days growing up in Toledo, is the most intruiging and touching part of the book. Brennan's dad never pushed her into sports, but definitely supported and encouraged it, taking her to see their beloved Mud Hens AA basebal and the University of Toldedo football teams, and then later when Christine started playing high school sports (in the pre-Title IX days). The love and warmth for her dad shines throughout this book.
   
   After graduating from Northwestern, Brennan went on to cover college football for the Miami Herald in the early 80s and then the Redskins. Brennan has plentyful of memorable anecdotes of what is was like to be a female sportsreporter in that male-dominated world. The latter part of the book drifts a bit, even though Brennan's love for the Olympics, her next big thing, comes through very clearly. But the book finishes on a high, recounting the hard times when first her mom, then her dad pass away, while providing a very moving tribute. If you like sports, and have a heart, this book will move you.



5. A cover blurb on Christine Brennan's new book uses the word "heartfelt." I'm very surprised that all of the reviewers didn't include "heart" somewhere in their comments. This is the most magical book. Not only for Brennan's wonderful relationship with her father. I was moved equally by the sense of Christine Brennan that emerges from her writing. This is a valuable book, a blessing for the world. It glows with the magic of the heart - for sports, child-raising, and life. In a world that perversely tries to discount the heart's feelings, her book provides overwhelming evidence of the need for love.