In 1892, Alexander Berkman burst into the office of Henry Frick, an overseer at Carnegie's steelworks, and attempted to gun him down to foment a revolutionary uprising. Frick survived. Berkman went to jail. Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist is Berkman's account, not only of the revolutionary ardor which drove him to assault Frick, but also of the horrors of incarceration and the transformation of his own thinking while behind bars.

We get plenty of revolutionary and anarchist theory from Berkman. He opens a door into the thoughts and feelings of people struggling for economic and social justice 100 years ago. More than that, he opens a door into the mindset of a fanatic, one which may help us understand the motivations of those who flew their planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 9/11/2001:

"Could anything be nobler than to die for a grand, a sublime Cause? Why, the very life of a true revolutionist has no other purpose, no significance whatever, save to sacrifice it on the altar of the beloved People." (p. 12)

"My own individuality is entirely in the background; aye, I am not conscious of any personality in matters pertaining to the Cause. I am simply a revolutionist; a terrorist by conviction, an instrument for furthering the cause of humanity." (p. 13)

"True, the Cause often calls upon the revolutionist to commit an unpleasant act; but it is the test of a true revolutionist-nay, more, his pride-to sacrifice all merely human feeling at the call of the People's Cause." (p. 12)

Berkman, the purist, disdains his fellow prisoners. He sees himself as better than they are, a Servant of Humanity, not a petty criminal, a predator on the poor. But, life in prison, although it does not shake his revolutionary and anarchist convictions, does bring him down from his ivory tower. Berkman begins to see that:

"The individual, in certain cases, is of more direct and immediate consequence than humanity. What is the latter but the aggregate of individual existences-and shall these, the best of them, forever be sacrificed for the metaphysical collectivity?" (p. 403)

His revolutionary understanding also shifts. He begins to differentiate between the autocratic despotism of Europe and the despotism of republican institutions:

"The despotism of republican institutions is far deeper, more insidious, because it rests on the popular delusion of self-government and independence. That is the subtle source of democratic tyranny, and, as such, it cannot be reached with a bullet. In modern capitalism, exploitation rather than oppression is the real enemy of the people ... the battle is to be waged in the economic rather than the political field." (p. 424)

This is not, however, a political manifesto (for that, one can read Berkman's ABCs of Anarchism). Berkman reveals his inner processes during fourteen years of incarceration. We discover, not only the horrors and corruption of the prison system, but also wander intimately through Berkman's mind. We visit his childhood, soften at unexpected gentlenesses behind bars, and begin to appreciate something as simple as the sunrise.

Although Berkman did not write the memoir until after he left prison, it has a sense of surreal immediacy. He wrote in the present tense, but that alone does not account for the way his text grips, and drags the reader into the maelstrom of his experience. We run with him through childhood memories, daily brutality, fantasies of escape and suicide, and the ideals that keep him sane. His longing for Emma Goldman shines through the text. He enthrones her almost as the guardian of his sanity through the years. Little can compare with the poignancy of his fantasy of mailing himself to his beloved Emma, escaping prison and finding himself with her again. (p. 135-137)

Five stars. Absolutely brilliant work, as relevant today as it was nearly 100 years ago. In her autobiography, Living my Life, Emma Goldman recounted how Berkman saved his sanity and his life by writing this memoir. The deep introspection, the flights of fancy, the accounting of prison life-all deeply illumine the best and the worst of human nature. This book is required reading for anybody who wishes to understand the fanatical, terrorist mindset, for Berkman describes that aptly. Far more importantly, he shares the experience of survival and transformation. He, who entered prison a fanatic, left those iron gates more committed than ever to his cause, but no longer a fanatic. His story tells of graduating from terrorist to humanist, from monomaniacal fanatic to a deeply committed human being. If you read nothing else this year, read this book.

(If you'd like to dialogue with me about this book or review, please click the "about me" link above and drop me an email. Thanks!)

"Is there anything higher in life than to be a true revolutionist...?" - From Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist

This is an incredibly moving and detailed account of an activist's experiences in early industrial America. As an Anarchist, Alexander Berkman recounts his observations of the era's struggle for decent living standards and fair treatment from fat cat industrialists. In prison for attempted assasination of a steel magnate who was responsible for firing and killing striking steel workers, Berkman eloquently describes his reasons for acting on behalf of the working poor and exploited. His experiences in prison are gut wrenching and very human. Not much fluffy language - very straighforward observations, which are emotionally piercing in their social significance and human truth. An exceptional read for anyone interested in the American history that is usually left out of school text books. Berkman's experiences are painful but very motivating and inspiring as they illustrate human love, the will to survive and continue to work for an ideal under the most horrendous conditions. This book is an extraordinary powerful testament to human goodness and strength.

This book was one of the most inspiring books on, not only Anarchism, but also on the human will to survive. Berkman's tale of the attempted assassination of one of this country's greatest scoundrels is awe inspiring, comical at times, and admirable. His triumph over the Pennsylvania Correctional system is also to be noted, especially in times of political struggles our modern day political prisoners, like Mumia Abu-Jamal. Prison memiors of an Anarchist is a glimpse into the hell of the prison system, and a reminder that things haven't changed that much. His book tells us that his message is still valid today. Berkman's message is just as true today as it was 100 years ago and I am glad this book is back in print.

This gracefully written book tells an adventure story. It's set in the late 60s and early 70s, the time of the Great Society when hopes were high for breaking down barriers of Class and Race. It's full of unforgettable characters : Parents who live in East Harlem, near the market under the train tracks, and teachers and other people who come from outside the community and soon are engaged in learning how to work within it. Very relevant to the present day challenges of teaching and parenting.

With the start of the school year approaching, there is no better time to learn from the men and women whose struggles are documented in this wonderfully written book. The account of their journey to create better schools and better futures for the children in their community is both engaging and inspiring.

This is an exceptional book. I'm not an educator and found it spell binding. What I found most extraordinary was that, against so many odds, there were so many successes and that the school continues. The efforts of the families and teachers is humbling. One of the outstanding aspects of the book is the description of the way in which issues of class were confronted and dealt with. This seems to be an issue over which many well-intentioned efforts to change "the system" stumble. This account offers valuable insight as to how such challenges must be met. This book is of great value to anyone concerned with social change. It's also well written, which is a treat.

One of the really funny aspects of John Grisham's novel The Firm to me was the idea that a law firm could be a Mafia front. In Unholy Order William Heffernan presents an even more diabolic relationship between a secretive Catholic order and a Columbia drug cartel.

Heffernan's novel falls short only by failing to fully exploit the oppotunities the cultish criminal enterprise offers. As he draws near the end of his tale, the focus becomes concentrated on one member of Opus Dei, rather than the order itself.

While this enables him to wrap up his novel, the reader wants more. In a sense Grisham had the same problem and reached for the same quick solution in The Firm with the "mail fraud" prosecution. But this book is, if anything, more artfully presented than Grisham's classic, and such a facile solution is a bigger loss to the reader.

I've been a fan of Heffernan since I read Ritual, which was the first novel to feature Paul Devlin. Unholy Order is the best one in years. I'm not going to give a plot blow by blow. That's what the book jacket is for. The story is very interesting, the characters are as real as they get. An outstanding edition to a great series!

My favorite kind of novel. I couldn't put it down. Devlin and co. always entertains as they try to solve the hardest of cases when road block after road block is thrown in their path. All the supporting cast were great, even the villains. Loved the ending. Highly recommend.

As a teacher, I have used Selden's " Cricket in Times Square" for years as a read aloud to my students. It was only recently that I began searching for more books by Mr. Selden. Harry Cat's Pet Puppy is delightful. I know my students are going to fall in love with Huppy the poor puppy that Harry found cast on a dark and dirty New York street. Needless to say Harry takes him home to the drainpipe that he shares with Tucker the mouse. Harry and Tucker find that having a growing dog can make life in Times Square Subway station a bit difficult. This book uses tender humor to show that pets can bring wonderful joy and loads of responsibility to our lives. As always, Selden threads all the grand and sometimes terrible emotions of friendship throughout the book. Read and enjoy!

My mom read us this book as part of our family reading night. We loved it and were extremely disappointed when she would stop each night. We liked the book so much that we named our dog "Huppy" after the puppy in the story!

This book was my favorite when I was a little girl; I used to read it over and over. It is a funny,heartwarming story of unlikely friendships. Harry cat, Tucker mouse, and Huppy (Harry's puppy)are delightful, memorable characters. A must-read for animal lovers, Harry Cat's Pet Puppy is unforgettable. I can't wait to read it again--for myself and for my future children!!

If your looking for a needle in a haystack, these volumes-"Italians to America" are a must for any Italian-American geneaology buff. Fortunately, I had a death certificate that had the place of birth of my grandfather. Using the index with variations of our last name, I recorded the information and proceeded to lookup every entry. On my second trip to the public library I found the entry and all information checked out. His age, city of departure and his place of birth. My only complaint was that the editors didn't have this information on CDs. It would be a marvelous reference tool. Here's hoping that they have second thoughts about updating their next volume and replace with CDs.

I am absolutely interested in the edition that pertains to the years between 1900 and 1925. Please keep me posted or send it to me when available

Did not read but am interested in a book on Italians arriving in the Port of New Orleans in early 1900 or late 1800. Anything available?

I had the good furtune to meet Michael York at a book signing for A Shakespearean Actor Prepares, while he was on tour in Vermont. He was open, very friendly and respectful of everyone, a gentleman in the best sense of the word.

In his book, he generously shares his early theater experiences and his love of the bard. He sensitively guides the reader through the delicate process of uncovering meaning and emotions in the text.

Michael's warm, resonant voice, a trademark, naturally results from his text-based approach to acting. In A Shakespearean Actor Prepares, he recommends studying for Richard II this way: "If you read the speech aloud, paying attention to the suggested breaks, and to the key words (the words that are important to Richard), and to the heavy stresses, you will probably find a patrician fury welling up inside you--almost of its own accord."

The emotions come through the words, not before them. That's how respect for the writer becomes high art. Careful preparation and passion naturally expressed keeps the actor open to experimentation. Openness, a fresh creative attitude, keeps the actor and person young and handsome.

We are lucky to have such teachers and artists.

This is really a wonderful and accessible and readable book about Shakesepeare and his work. Even if you're not interested in the craft of acting, but do have an interest in Shakespeare, I highly reccomend this book. And it is written without any pretension. Obviously the name "Shakespeare" in our culture can carry as much snob appeal as the name "Gucci" or "Hermes" and a fair amount of snobbery is often attached to Shakespeare because of it. But this book comes from a pure love of Shakespeare, so you don't feel you are reading something that is "good for you." He is made enjoyable. As the authors point out, Shakespeare ran the Globe Theater for profit, so had to appeal to the masses to get them to buy tickets. And so he was likely not a snob, and should be (I think!) approached as these authors approach him. This book is an absolute treat.

This book is well thought out, precise and one of the best, most informative books I have read regarding the performance of Shakespeare. I have studied with many acting teachers including Ada Brown Mather, formerly of RADA, and Patrick Tucker, the main proponent of the First Folio method. Without doubt, this common sense approach to Shakespearean performance is on the mark. The idea of making an argument with a speech, finding the points of a scene that move the story forward, not accepting that the script is a blueprint for performance, etc. are all important points. I also enjoyed the comparison of Shakespearian acting concepts with Stanislovski's approach. A book to keep and review periodically, as important as Granville-Barker's Prefaces to Shakespeare. And timely for me personally considering I am currently performing Macduff in a local theater.

Thank you for this practical guide.

"In 1916, when I was eight years old, there were almost no electric lights, cars or telephones-and definitely no TV. Even fire engines were pulled by horses. Kids went to LIBRARIES for books. There were lots of immigrants..." William Steig takes the reader back to the simpler times of his childhood when mother bought her meat at the butchers, boys didn't play with girls, a nickel could buy you a hot dog, a pound of fruit, or a day at the movies, you didn't go to the doctor's office, the doctor came to your house, everyone wanted to have his picture taken on a horse, and everybody wore a hat. "There was no such thing as a hatless human being." Written as if by an eight year old, Mr Steig's remembrances are sometimes poignant and always heartwarming and complemented by his marvelous, expressive childlike illustrations. Adults will revel in all the nostagia, and kids will be intrigued by how different life was at the beginning of the last century. When Everybody Wore A Hat is a charming slice of history, best read together and shared, that will whet the appetite, open interesting discussions, and send youngsters out looking for more.

When Everybody Wore A Hat, written and illustrated by William Steig, is an affectionate and touching tribute to the author's childhood in the Bronx. William Steig is in his nineties. He begins his reflections by writing, "This is the story of when I was a boy, almost 100 years ago, when fire engines were pulled by horses, boys did not play with girls, kids went to libraries for books, there was no TV, you could see a movie for a nickel, and everybody wore a hat." It dawned on me after reading this story that the children of today wouldn't have the slightest inkling of the world William Steig grew up in. Having had a 104 year old great grand father to tell me stories of what the world was once like I simply took the idea for granted. When Everybody Wore A Hat is a grand way to introduce children to what the world once was like. The illustrations are childlike and convey a sense of longing and nostalgia. William Steig has created out of his own memories a profoundly moving and beautiful tribute to his childhood and the world of once was.

Preston McClear,

The 95-year-old master behind Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Pete's a Pizza has created a quirky and charming history lesson using tidbits from his boyhood in the Bronx. Kids will be fascinated to learn that, when the author was a boy, horses were the main mode of transportation, there was no television, and, "A nickel was money." Steig has enlisted very talented artists to illustrate his last several books, but it's wonderful to see him back at the drawing board here. The pictures, softer and more fluid than in the past, capture the deep affection Steig has for his own childhood memories and for children in general.

Armed with my copy of this book and The RoMANtic's Guide, my wife and I were off to New York for a special romantic weekend. I couldn't have done it without these two books. My wife was amazed at the places we saw, slept and ate.

The photographs are breath-taking, the writing a pleasure in itself, a perfect coffee table book, a very well put together guide that provides a lot of intresting places to try out in NYC

This book revives a romantic vision of New York that has been forgotten. It offers intimate insight into wonderful corners of space in New York. The writing is clever and descriptive and the full-page bleed photographs are dramatic and stunning.

I just finished reading this book in order to gain more back ground information for a paper I am in the midst of writing. Stein has included an enormous amount of very detailed information about the fire, as well as many of its implications. This book proved to be a very useful tool for my paper--I highly recommend it for anyone who wishes to study the tragedy more in depth.

Once I opened this book, I was hooked. The author's writing style grips you by the throat and drags you along with the survivors and the victims of this horrific yet history-making catastrophe! Every time you go into an office building and see a glowing exit sign, idly note that the doors have crash bars and open into the stairwell, or brush up against a fire extinguisher or hose cabinet, you'll remember why they're now mandated to be there. This disaster should never have happened, and this book explains why and how steps were taken to keep it from happening again. But it is also a book about people--those who made it out alive and those who didn't, and the little choices that made the difference.

I teach fire history and I found the book to be an invaluable resource highlighting one of Americas worst tragedies. I would highly recommend it for both those with a passion for history and for fire buffs.

I have read Very Old Bones and thought that the theme is true to life. Many people look at their ancestors to discover something of themselves. I found the narration interesting using Orson Purcell, the illegimate child of Peter Phelan to portray the Phelan family. I have also read Ironweed and found that some of my questions about protagonist Francis Phelan (in Ironweed) answered or more informative anyway. Enjoyed both books. I love Kennedy's style.

One of my favorite books. Reads like an old friend. It is a thrill to read his Albany series, as the books relate to each other. Just like a family conversation, one sentance may relate to a person or event from a previous book in which you know the whole story. Read this one first, then any of the others.

William Kennedy is one of America's best living writers. This is far away his best book. Although it shares characters and events with other books in Kennedy's 'Albany Series', its not necessary to have read any of Kennedy's previous work to enjoy Very Old Bones. Kennedy's greatest skill is in his dialogue. He allows his characters to speak for themselves, rather than mouth his own intentions. As a result, his work gives wonderful insight into one family, one city, and one point in time. Despite the fact that his most recent work, The Flaming Corsage, was a waste of paper, Kennedy will one day be the deserving winner of a Nobel Prize. After reading Very Old Bones go back and read the jury's commentary on the Nobel Prize given to John Steinbeck. Their words could just as easily been written about Kennedy. His is a fine American voice.