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Running: Politics, Power, and the Press
Published in Hardcover by 1stBooks Library (May, 2002)
Author: Harry Lonsdale
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Why the best man doesn't always win in American politics
Running: Politics, Power, And The Press by Harry Lonsdale is a "tell-all" account of what it is really like to run for political office in America today. From the difficulties of fund raising; to proposals for campaign finance reform; to simply having to try again when one's first run for office doesn't work, Running: Politics, Power, And The Press studies why the best man doesn't always win in American-style politics, and what it takes to truly handle the complex process of surviving an election. If you are considering a run for elected office (or are a supporter of someone who is) then give a close and careful reading to Harry Lonsdale's Running: Politics, Power, And The Press!

Behind Political Scenes
Regardless of your political affiliation, if you're interested in what goes on behind the scenes in a contemporary political campaign, this is the book to read. Having read it, I believe you will, like me, become deeply concerned about the future of our country and thus your future and that of your family.

Interesting campaign memoir
It is the 7th game of the world series. The pitcher walks to the umpire and hands him ten thousand dollars. The batter hands the ump five thousand dollars. The ump says "Play Ball". Throughout the game the umpire makes close calls and gets handed money by the players. Throughout, the ump says that he was not influenced in his calls by the money.

Welcome to American politics. Harry Lonsdale is a well known figure from Oregon's recent political past--a three time candidate for U.S. Senator. This book describes the process of running for high office, and losing, from the mellowed perspective of seven to twelve years' time.

The book is a must-read for anyone running, or helping someone run, for high political office, especially in Oregon. And it will give the much wider audience of the tens of thousands of people who receive fundraising calls from candidates some sense of the anguish on the other end of the line. It gives a detailed view of the process of running: his motivation to run, the setting up a campaign staff, speechmaking, handshaking, meeting-going, and especially of the numbing process of dialing for dollars from individual contributors. It was most detailed in its view of the 1990 election between Mark Hatfield and Harry Lonsdale, Hatfield's only close brush with electoral defeat.

The book isn't a tell-all. No great secrets are finally told. And it isn't particularly a book of score-settling. A number of people disappointed Harry over the years (particularly senior Democrats who thought they would 'back a winner' and supported Hatfield) but Harry is quite kind to those people. The news media angered Harry, but the anger has mellowed into disappointment and resignation that the news media are simply businesses, in it for the money, not the opportunity to create a better democracy. Mssrs. Goldschmidt, AuCoin, Hatfield, and Packwood are all described negatively, as is most of the news media, but the comments aren't meanspirited, and are positively fairminded when compared to the 30-second attack ads that marked the campaign wars.

Harry describes the power of money in politics, from the unique vantage point of someone who had some (which allowed him to be the candidate to take on Hatfield in 1990) and of someone who didn't have enough (when he lost to the even richer Tom Bruggere in 1996).

Harry learned at first hand the close relation between money and political power and he suggests some solutions: campaign finance reform, greater access by candidates to the public airways. This book confirms that Harry is still an idealist, still a liberal, still an environmentalist, and still an outsider trying to change the system.


Sex: Real People Talk About What They Really Do
Published in Paperback by Penguin USA (Paper) (February, 1995)
Author: Harry Maurer
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A book for those who wonder, "Am I the only one?"
I came across this book while conducting research into sexual intamcy for Biological Psychology class. While at first I believed that this book was nothing more than an academic version of the Penthouse forum, I soon began to grasp the true intent behind this work.
Not only can one find detailed sexual histories from a veritable plethora of demographic groups, you can find in the discussion between the interviewer and interviewee, the human side of sexual desire and the decisions of sexual practices.
The amount of biographical detail and candid anecdotes alone make this an enjoyable read, but the aformentioned insight and the comfort derived from knowing that someone else's view of sex could be as convulted as your own make it a book that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

The Real Side of Sex
Contrary to what it seems, this book has little to do with the sexy side of sex. It's all about the feelings and motivations that are behind all the different things people do. Each interview is filled with insights that are as original and interesting as the preferences that are practiced. Plus, the book satisfies the curiosities we all have when it comes to finding out what everyone else is up to!

Fantastic, absolutely facinating
This book is a wonderfull exploration of what people do in their sex lives. It is facinating, stimulating, and eye opening.


Shakespeare's Politics
Published in Paperback by University of Chicago Press (December, 1996)
Authors: Allan Bloom and Harry V. Jaffa
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See Shakespeare In Another Light
It should be obvious that Shakespeare wrote great literature. That fact is assumed by the authors of this book. However, Allan Bloom and Harry Jaffa demonstrate a deeper awareness of Shakespeare than one will find in literature departments. Shakespeare combined poetry with an acute knowledge of politics, and these excellent scholars have written a clear and convincing account of some of those facets of political wisdom. Read this fine book and help rescue Shakespeare from political irrelevance.

Shakespeare as Political Philosopher
I am admittedly not too familiar with much of Shakespeare scholarship out there, but I would venture to suggest that (considering the elgance of Bloom's prose as well as the depth of his insights) this work should rank among the finest in Shakespeare scholarship. Such a statement would surely offend the academic snobbery of the Shakespeare scholarship cabal who would reflexively question the authority of one who is not a Shakepeare specialist, in particular, the authority of one who has specialized in expounding the thoughts of Plato and Rosseau. However, I would argue that this is precisely the very reason that elevates Bloom the political philosopher in a privileged position in understanding Shakespeare. The rationale is supplied in the beginning of Bloom's study itself: the great classical dramatists or poets were not proponents of the art for art's sake or creating art for purely aesthetic reasons. Instead, through their art, the great dramatists and poets sought to convey certain timeless truths about human existence, in particular, about political existence, for man is a zoon politikon according to Aristotle. Hence, Bloom's account is a necessary corrective to those language nabobs who would rather prattle about the meters and stanzas and in so doing lose sight of Shakespeares account of the Whole.

Powerful. Pungent. Political and philosophical too.
It is difficult to convey how wonderful I found this thin little book to be. It is no larger than a slice of rye bread, but the food for thought contained therein could feed a soul for a thousand days. It took me two mesermizing hours to get through the Introduction and Bloom's essay on 'The Merchant of Venice'. At first, I mistrusted my recollection- was there really so much there? Had the dry old play decayed so completely in my estimation, or had Bloom inserted his own opinions? No, after more blissful consternation, I relived what I had long taken for dead. Allan Bloom really sees things. His deft insight makes Shakespeare seem real and urgent again, despite how unfashionable and out of vogue the debate may seem to contemporary minds. The Jewish and the Christian come to light, the entire legacy of each Faith revealed keenly, sharply, and decisively in favour of one higher power. The authority of thought, the power of unaided reason brought to bear nakedly on an eternal, ever-so tender, sore. Bloom's essay on 'Othello' and 'Julius Cesear' prove out this reviewer's intial wonder at the work. To readers familiar with Bloom's other works, I include myself, this book was additionally worthy because it showed that the issue Allan Bloom later became famous for, the decay of education, was already at the forefront of his mind in the early 1960's. He states in the book's introduction and claims it as his motivation for publishing the essay. This was 1964, several years before the signifigant events of the 1960s took full shape and bore full weight on American society. The introduction includes Bloom's stark assessment of Poetry and Philosophy. He quotes Napolean (one of very few direct quotes, the footnotes are rich, but few) to argue for the superiority of poetry over politics and then slyly demostrates the superiority of philosophy, or the philosopher, true and proper, over poetry. This is a book you could own and keep and reread often, even secrete it undercover and carry it across hostile borders, real and imagined.


Shortwave Listening Guidebook: The Complete Guide to Hearing the World
Published in Paperback by Universal Radio Research (August, 1993)
Author: Harry L. Helms
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A superbly-written, thoughtful, and comprehensive guide
This is the ultimate hybrid of reference book and page-turner, thanks to Harry Helms' superb writing style. Prose is liquid, even in the sections that have a lot of reference information. Absolutely recommended.

Great introduction to Shortwave listening
As a newcomer to Shortwave listening, I found that Harry Helms' "Shortwave Listening Guidebook" has been the perfect introduction. It covers the technical aspects (such as the different parts of a shortwave receiver and how to use them, radio wave propagation, and antennas) in enough (but not too much) detail to be of use to the casual listener. There's an overview of the various shortwave bands, as well as what you may find between the bands. The many aspects of shortwave listening are covered, from listening to major broadcasters such as the BBC to such specialities as trying to hear distant stations, "pirate" broadcasters, and so on.

All in all, armed with both this book and "Passport to Worldband Radio", anyone should be able to enjoy shortwave listening.

A terrific introduction to the shortwave hobby.
I picked up the first edition of this book when I first became interested in shortwave radio about five years ago. Even now I still love going back to it. Harry Helms writes in such a clear and readable style, it's easy to find yourself breezing through chapter after chapter. Harry presents just enough technical information to give you a good understanding of the principles, without putting you to sleep with lots of equations and theory. This book is a great resource for those casually interested in short wave as a hobby and are looking for a book that will just "tell it like it is"...in a no-nonsense fashion. If you're interested in ham radio at all...I can also highly recommend All About Ham Radio by the same author...written in the same informal and easily readable style. Thanks for getting me on my way Harry!


Star Grazing
Published in Paperback by Bonus Books (23 July, 2000)
Author: Harry Schwartz
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Fantastic Book!
Not only is this a book filled with great tasting recipes, it makes cooking easy and fun! I would recommend this book to all chefs, no matter how advanced.

the chef has done it again...
as i liked his last book, chef harry has shown us how to make regular food and turn it into somthing great. the book shows everything very nice and easy, along with watching his show, no one should have any problem making thease dishes! thank you chef harry for another great book and cooking session!!! MS.

Beautifully illustrated, unique, fun and informative!
In Star Grazing, Harry Schwartz draws upon his popular television series "Chef Harry & Friends" to assembly a unique cookbook that treats us to intimate views of the lifestyles and personalities of his celebrity guests and their favorite creative recipes for fine eating and elegant dining. From Gingered Crab Puffs, Portuguese Mussel Pot, and Orange Sesame Yam Pudding, to Shredded Beef and Brie Tostadas, Salmon Cakes with Caviar Cucumber Chutney, and Cheese Souffle in a Pan, the beautifully illustrated Star Grazing will become an often referred to favorite for the family cook.


Strange Ground: An Oral History of Americans in Vietnam 1945-1975
Published in Paperback by Avon Books (Pap Trd) (October, 1990)
Author: Harry Maurer
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Many Intriguing Interviews
I thought this was a well conceived selection of interviews with people who brought perspectives on Vietnam from lots of different angles. Other books I've read do a better and more thorough job of covering combat aspects, but this one excels by covering the experiences of other participants - particularly the agriculture/education/medical volunteers and the diplomatic/intelligence people.

If you don't read the whole book, at least read the interviews with John Ameroso (the International Voluntary Services agricultural advisor) and Alan Carter (the U.S. Information Service officer in the embassy). Ameroso's story is inspiring in terms of how much grass roots good could be done with a practical approach to aid. Carter's story is maddening in terms of how bad things were in the embassy.

I notice that another reviewer of this book takes the author to task for including an interview by a reported fraud. If that's true, the author deserves strong criticism. If you're only compiling interviews to construct a book, you owe it to the readers to at least do a little checking up on those you include. Still, there is enough excellent material in this book for me to give it highest marks.

Fascinating
Widely varying views of the conflict from ordinary people who lived through it. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Strange Ground
This book is a compilation of fascinating accounts of Vietnam from the people who experienced it. Maurer covers it all-from the grunt in the jungle to the men making policy, the civilians, families, medics, sailors, pilots, and government workers. The accounts of government workers and policy makers are a refreshing change from the usual RAMBO-type accounts that seem to fill the movie screens and popular fiction. Maurer doesn't interfere with their stories and admits upfront his role in Vietnam-- none whatsoever! This does not detract from the feeling of authenticity of this book. One feels pride for the Americans who fought, but also helplessness, sadness, and anger- the "strange ground" of the Vietnam conflict


Strindberg: Five Plays
Published in Paperback by University of California Press (January, 1996)
Authors: August Strindberg and Harry G. Carlson
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"Since dreams are more often painful than happy..."
In the author's introduction to "A Dream Play", Strindberg focuses on what he sees as the real nature of dreams-- disconnected and painful, with their own strange logic. I think he captures something of that feeling in all of the five plays in this collection, even given that some of his plays come more explicitly from his symbolic works.

In this collection, the reader is presented with the classic Strindberg themes-- the emancipated woman, rebellion, religious symbolism, and always in every way the search for meaning.

_The Father_ pits a man and woman against each other in a destructive effort to control their daughter's destiny.

_Miss Julie_ depicts the seduction and discard of a silly young girl who is harshly confronted with the basic coldness of life.

_Dance of Death_ is a grim look at a marriage based on hatred, as an ex-actress and an army captain are stuck together on an isolated island.

In _A Dream Play_ Indra's daughter is sent to earth to live as best as she can among mortals.

_The Ghost Sonata_ explores dream logic in three movements. A meditation on the difference between just and proper.

A decent translation, at least I didn't trip over it as awkward. A sad and dislocating book to read, and rare in that it's worth reading as literature without needing to consider its staging to see its value.

the best introduction to Strindberg's world
This is a pretty decent translation and an outstanding point of departure for Strindberg's strange, strange dramatic world. I speak and read Swedish and have studied Strindberg in some depth, but I still find this an evocative and stimulating collection.

Ghost Sonata: beautiful and haunting
The Ghost Sonata is one of the most beautiful and haunting works I have ever experienced.


Tales of the Heart: Dreams and Memories of a Lifetime
Published in Hardcover by Ivan R Dee, Inc. (May, 1999)
Author: Harry Mark Petrakis
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What Defines a Great Storyteller?
Anyone can tell (or write) a story. The real trick is all about engaging the listener or the reader...grabbing hold of them in such a way that they set aside the hustle and bustle of their lives and become engrossed in the story. This is the storytelling skill Petrakis has demonstrated throughout his long and illustrious career. Tales of the Heart exhibits all of Petrakis' power as a storyteller, but it goes much farther. When I was young, my dad, an educator, used to stop every once and a while, in the midst of some thankless task, glance sideways at me, and say: "This counts." He wanted me to understand that we were engaged in something bigger. Tales of the Heart points us all toward something bigger.

Petrakis, whether writing fiction or essays, or whether delivering a public address, is one of my favorite storytellers. Tales of the Heart provides an inspiring look into the heart of a superb writer, the likes of which may never pass this way again.

Good Book
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Petrakis at my school just a short while ago. He is a very unique man and weaves humor in with some of the most nostalgic of memories. His books are great, personally, i had dreaded reading someone's memoirs, but even though there is a considerable gap of decades in between our ages, i can still identify with some things he experienced and grew stronger by.

"Tales of the Heart" is a lyrical journey into the past
Harry Mark Petrakis' new book, "Tales of the Heart: Dreams and Memories of a lifetime," is an amazing piece of autobiography that speaks with the force of lyrical poetry. Although prose that is either fiction, nonfiction, or both, the book immediately brings to mind the poetry of Yannis Ritsos, or Pablo Neruda. The book, like almost all of the work by Petrakis, is so tightly constructed that the reader can feel and hear the words alliteratively exploding off the page. What makes this book so unique in the world of contemporary literature is that it is impossible to define by genre. It is not a novel even though it reads like one. Although it looks like a collection of essays it is not that at all; instead, what we haveis a powerfully packed series of highly emotional and poetically told tales by a master storyteller in memory. Finally, "Tales of the Heart: Dreams and Memories of a Lifetime," is the type of book that may change the readers life. The world in which it presents is so moving, emotional, and poetically told that the reader is forever drawing back to personal memories of their own,and as strange as it may seem, simultaneously laughing and crying. Don't miss this one!


Thee, Hannah!
Published in Hardcover by Herald Press (PA) (January, 2002)
Authors: Marguerite de Angeli and Harry de Angeli
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Lasting Power and Imagery for a Lifetime
One of my favorite childhood books, I didn't even understand the runaway slave aspect until much later. What did always resonate, however, was the struggle that Hannah goes through to balance her desire for material possessions and beautiful things, with her parents' and her faith's wishes that teach her to be simple and rely on what is in her heart for her self worth. Her inner battles with envy over her more worldly friends is something every young girl can relate to. Hannah has weaknesses and she fails but she is always forgiven and her conscience is always at work - an excellent, thoughtful role model without being preachy. The reader struggles with Hannah to do the right thing and make the right choices. Plus the illustrations will stay with the reader a lifetime - Margeurite D'Angeli is a two time Caldecott honoree so words and pictures synthesize in a beautiful rhythm. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it is a delight.

A stubborn Quaker heroine...
Hannah -- Nanny to her family -- is an 8 year old Quaker girl, living in Pennsylvania in the days of the the Underground Railroad. She loves pretty things -- ribbons or flowers on bonnets; pantaloons with lacy edges; colorful sashes wrapped around dresses. Of course, as plain folks, her family doesn't approve of these non-functional, showy things.

The language is old fashioned -- the family speaks in the old Friends way of using "thee" when addressing family members. Hannah gets into numerous mishaps, and after every one, her parents gently explain to her why she need not have frills to be valuable.

Hannah's mother says,"'Thee must wait till thee has learned that the color of the dress doesn't matter, and that pantalettes and sashes do not matter. Thee must learn what thy bonnet stands for. Thee must learn Quaker ways.' Mother patted Hannah's shoulder and told her to sit and think about it.

"Hannah thought and thought, but she couldn't quite understand what it all meant. 'Why can't Sally and I wear things the big girls wear? And what does my plain, ugly bonnet stand for?' she wondered. But she was unhappy to have made Mother sad, and when she went downstairs, she hoped she could remember to do everything just as Father wished."

But of course, there is still another temptation or two to surrender to, and the consequences to deal with. Hannah doesn't really understand until the very end of the book, when she is called upon by a runaway slave, whose little boy is sick, to get help. Hannah does this, and much later the woman explains to her how she knew Hannah could be trusted (having to do with the wearing of a plain bonnet.)

The story, written in the 1940's, is based on stories the young Marguerite de Angeli (b. 1889, d. 1987) heard from an 80-year-old Friend of hers, Hannah Severn. Illustrations are quaint, as is the dialogue. A very nice book for Quaker adults or children (kids who today may have some similar contemporary questions about clothing, computers, and other longed for things.) I'm not sure we have as good an answer for simplicity as Hannah found.

We Are Not Alone
Hannah was a little Quaker girl who admired something that was considered taboo according to Quaker beliefs. That something was vanity, which was symbolized by a bonnet that her neighbor wore. It had pretty ribbons unlike the plain bonnets that the Quakers wore. The plot of the story does not become clear until near the end of the book. She realizes why it is so important for Quakers to put aside vanity. Hannah learns the true meaning of being a Quaker when she gets to assist runaway slaves who have become disconnected from the Underground Railroad trail. The slaves are a woman and her baby. The woman sees Hannah and beckons her to come to her hiding place in an alley. Hannah then tells her parents about the woman who is in the alley. That night, her parents and the other Friends find the woman and take her to the place where she is supposed to make her connection and join her husband. At the end of the story, this slave tells Hannah that she knew Hannah would help her because of the bonnet she was wearing. Quakers were known for their plain bonnets. This is how Hannah learned the true meaning of helping, which is what the Quaker religion is based on. I found this story to be as relevant today as it was when it was first written. As we still struggle in this country for freedoms, we must not forget that people are placed in positions to help us. The struggle for freedom does not belong to one single race. We accomplish this act by working together. Further, I found the book to be very sensitive, touching, and beautiful. Through the simplicity of the characters, their ideologies, and the author's surprising ending, the book stands out as an extraordinary and artistic literary work. MayfromOK@webtv.net


Throw a Kiss, Harry
Published in Hardcover by Harpercollins Juvenile Books (September, 1990)
Author: Mary Chalmers
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delightful!
I grew up with this book. It was fantastic then, and is still fantastic today. It is such a loss that it is out of print. The illustrations are simple, wonderful black and white drawings of a little cat and his mother. Harry has the perfect mannerisms and expressions of a child, and the stories are simple, sweet and comforting to a child (I own a book that has all three stories). A must for every child and parent.

Throw a Kiss Harry
Wonderful book, sweet and warm. I read these books as a child growing up and remember them now, 25+ years later. I am desperately trying to find Throw a Kiss and take a Nap, harry.

a real keeper!!
My mother bought me this book 25 years ago, and I still read it to my children today. My original copy is tattered and dogeared. A timeless classic that I enjoy reading to my children ( and for myself) over and over again!


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