Party The Books

If you are interested in the history of the American Left or are a militant trying to understand some of the past lessons of our history concerning the communist response to various social and labor questions this book is for you. This book is part of a continuing series of volumes of the writings of James P. Cannon that were published by the organization he founded, the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), in the 1970's and 1980's. Cannon died in 1974. Look in this space for other related reviews of this series of documents on and by an important American Communist.

In their introduction the editors motivate the purpose for the publication of the book by stating the Cannon was the finest Communist leader that America had ever produced. This an intriguing question that has underlined this reviewer's approach to these volumes. The editors trace their political lineage back to Cannon's leadership of the early Communist Party and later after his expulsion to the Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party so their perspective is obvious. What does the documentation provided here show? This certainly is the period of Cannon's political maturation, and the beginning of a long political collaboration working with Trotsky. The period under discussion- from the late 1920's when he was expelled as leader of the American Communist Party through the early 1930's with the start of the great labor upsurge which would bring wide spread unionization to the working class to 1938 and the formation of the SWP. Cannon won his spurs in this struggle to orient those organizations toward a revolutionary path. One thing is sure- in his prime, which includes this period- Cannon had the instincts to want to lead a revolution and had the evident capacity to do so. That he never had an opportunity to lead a revolution is his personal tragedy and ours as well.

This book is based on a series of lectures that Cannon gave in New York in 1943 before he, along with 17 other party leaders, went to prison for revolutionary opposition to World War II. Volumes of his writings, as noted above, published later have dealt much more fully with some of the subjects of these lectures. I note The History of American Communism on the origins of the Communist party; The Left Opposition, 1928-31 on the early "dog days" after his expulsion from the Communist Party; The Communist League of America, 1932-1934 on the fight to go to the masses with an upsurge in labor struggles; and, the separately published James P. Cannon and the Early American Communist Movement on the internal struggle in the early period. Thus, I want to take up for review and analysis here the last part of the present book the period and policies which have come down in the history of the international Trotskyist movement as the `French turn'. In America this policy meant that the Workers Party, predecessor of the SWP formed in 1934, dissolved and entered the Socialist Party (SP) as part of an international tactic of revolutionary regroupment in the process of forming a vanguard party.

This writer has long been interested in and a little uneasy about the implementation of the policy of the `French turn'. Since it is not immediately apparent why one political organization would enter another organization for such a purpose and because many of today's militants may not be familiar with the period a little pre-history is in order. After the rise of Hitler in Germany in 1933 and after the defeat of the heroic Austrian working class in 1934 there was great turmoil and leftward motion in the international labor movement. That movement, in reaction and disgust at the erroneous policies of the Communist International and its `third period' catastrophic theory of capitalist collapse, gravitated toward the international social democracy.

Trotsky, after declaring the Communist International and its parties dead as revolutionary organizations in the wake of Hitler's rise in Germany maintained that new parties internationally and a new International was on the political agenda. Thus, the question for the mainly small and somewhat poorly organized pro-Trotskyist propaganda groupings was to move away from acting as a faction of the Comintern in order to take advantage of this movement to break out of their isolation and create at least small vanguard parties. Trotsky responded by strongly suggesting that his followers, at first in France then later elsewhere, enter social democratic and labor organizations in order to take advantage of this leftward movement.

In America, under Cannon's leadership, the Communist League of America (CLA) after successfully leading labor strikes in Minneapolis and elsewhere, fused with other radical labor activists in 1934 into the American Workers Party headed by A.J. Muste to form the Workers Party (WP) in 1934. While the cadre of the CLA were politically well educated and theoretically grounded that was not as true of Muste's forces. In a sense this fusion represented on the American terrain an application of the Trotsky-inspired international entry policy. Nevertheless, Cannon led the drive for what amounted to a second use of the entry tactic into the Socialist Party in order to intersect the growing left wing there.

The implementation of this policy was the subject of two internal fights in the WP before the policy was finally approved. The first fight was led those who were opposed to such an entry on the principle that revolutionaries could not enter a party affiliated with the betrayers of the Second International (the Oehlerites). That policy leads to sectarianism and isolation. The second fight, led by Muste himself, was concerned with the separate organizational integrity of the WP. That policy leads to organizational fetishism and isolation. At the time, and in hindsight, no militant could or should have argued on either of these grounds. Nevertheless, this writer believes an argument could be made on tactical grounds against entry in the Socialist Party. Why? Because of the untested nature of the newly-formed and politically undereducated WP. A sophisicated maneuver such as entry against a hardened, opportunist Socialist left wing with such forces would cause later problems. As indeed they did. The reviewer's alternative. United front, that is march separately but fight together, the Socialist Party to death whenever and whenever common issues came up, especially on trade union policy in the rising CIO, the role of their Socialist Pary comrades in the Spanish Civil War and their response to the frame-up Moscow Trials.

Cannon, in defending the policy at the time mentions that, despite the onerous conditions of entry set by the left-wing leadership, he believed, and with him Trotsky also, that the results of entry were justified by the organizational wreckage of the Socialist Party after the expulsion of the Trotskyist forces. Additional factors included the accrual of new forces, the freezing out of the Stalinists from influence in the Socialist Party and the work of the Trotsky Defense Committee. Those results may be credit able but this writer believes that such results could have been obtained more easily from the outside.

The reviewer's position has always been colored by looking at the policy from the hindsight of the divisive and fundamental faction fight of the 1939-40 period which basically split the party in two over the question of defense of the Soviet Union when it became really operative. Not an inconsiderable section of the opposition to defense of the Soviet Union came from the forces, especially from the socialist youth group, recruited during the entry. Thus, I still remain troubled by the policy. In the future militants will once again have to face this problem of regroupment of revolutionary forces, if under different conditions. Read this section of the book and make up your own mind.

cCannon never explains numbers here. Yet, this is the history of a group of revolutionists who went from two or three leaders of the Communist party who learned of Trotsky's critique of Stalin, to a group of a few dozens--The Generals without an Army they were call. They went from only a few ideas to merging and mixing with new currents of workers who came forward as the CIO Upsurge came forward. Their principles helped spark the organization of revolutionary workers in the great strikes in Minneapolis in 1934 and aftewrwards, then to influence workers in the sit down strikes in Flint and Dearborn and Detroit. Then to find thousands of young workers, intellectuals, and student youth in the Socialist party and battle the reformists there, to build Found the Socialist Workers party, found with thousands of members before World War II. But this is not about those numbers. Through most of history, real revolutionists real communists have been forced to fight in small organizations like the movement Cannon built. What this is about is the principles, the ideas, the lessons, the history, how to do things theoretically, how to do them practically, and how to do them right.

For those who wonder whether the American working class is capable of revolution -- read this book and be convinced by an engaging scrapper and committed working class hero who was there at the very beginning. Millions placed their hopes for a new dawn on the young Russian revolution, only to be betrayed by Stalin. Cannon tells the story of how he found his way out of the impasse, stumbling on a document by Leon Trotsky at a Moscow convention in 1928. He smuggled it out (in the days before photocopies and computer discs, no mean feat) and spent the next ten years involved in political faction fights, world-changing strikes, mobilizations against fascism...all leading up to the founding of the Socialist Workers Party in the US in 1938. Descriptions of building a fledgeling revolutionary party without funds for a telephone or office rent, are woven in with discourse on the implications of international debate on whether to defend the USSR in the looming world war. He explains the tactical manoevres, gives acerbic thumbnail sketches of various characters -- and makes hard work and fighting for what's right look like a very realistic option.

Sufrimos una época de guerras y revolución porque el sistema actual, fundado en la avaricia individual, padece cada vez más de sus trastornos mortales. Ya que año con año se avecina la Tercera Guerra Mundial, la editorial Pathfinder nos aconseja aprender de las otras dos ocasiones en que nos llevó al borde de la barbarie.

Los libros de Cannon no son sobre el pasado, sino cómo sacar mayor ventaja de las aperturas y oportunidades que necesariamente se van a presentar en el camino para forjar partidos de los trabajadores de común acuerdo en aprender de las luchas de los explotados donde sea que surgen y unidos en la trayectoria de construir un mundo libre del capitalismo.

Cannon era miembro fundador del movimiento del Obrero Mundial (IWW), los antecedentes del Partido Comunista y el Partido mismo. En los 20 era dirigente de la Defensa Internacional del Obrero (ILD) y fue representante norteamericano en el presidio del Internacional Comunista con Lenin y Trotsky.

Dado que el estalinismo ya no trompea el camino para que los luchadores se reúnen, hoy en día el movimiento comunista no necesita valerse del nombre "trotskista" para diferenciarse de los estalinistas; con este simple cambio de nomenclatura el contenido de La historia del trotskismo estadounidense sigue en pie de lucha. Traza la continuidad ideológica y marca la pauta para que detengamos la marcha de los explotadores hacia su tercera guerra mundial, que ellos mismos no pueden parar debido a su permanente caída en la taza de ganancias.

This book relates an important chapter of American history. However, this book speaks so well to real problems real people face every day, that despite the title, I don't think of it as history, but as a guide about how to fight to win. . . I read and discussed this book with a handful of Young Socialists in Washington, DC in 1967 when I wasn't sure about what to do about my life. After I read this I was sure, and I am still sure. . . This book tells the story and mines the experiences of a small band of revolutionary workers who wouldn't succumb to Stalin, to Roosevelt, to anyone, but continued the fight for principled communist politics and built the Socialist Workers Party. I am not surprised that out of the four of five of us who studied this book then, most are still fighting to change the world, and several became nationally known figures in the antiwar, Black rights, and women's movements. . . . There are so many lessons of practical life, of political organization, and of how to wage struggles in the labor movement, against persecution, against fascism, and about internationalism and true solidarity here. Someday, when the struggles of working people will be more pronounced and the fight to build a movement against capitalism more massive, this will be a handbook that millions of fighters will cherish. Know it now!

While this book is not always available on Amazon, it is always available from BooksfromPathfinder, an Amazon Z store that you can get to by clicking on New and Used further up this page!

I have used other planned party products before, and found them very constrictive. This is nothing like those. It is much more fun. What is great about this book is that it gives you choices - you can lean on the fab ideas in the book, but you also gain the tools and the confidence to make your own party. A great book for everyone who loves throwing parties with a twist.

I found this book to be extremely entertaining reading. I will be having a Murder Mystery Party this year for sure. I am also thinking of buying a few for gifts for my closest friends and family. This is a original gift idea especially for the avid party throwers!

This is definitely the best book to read if you ever thought about throwing a Murder Mystery Party. And if you don't know what a Murder Mystery Party is, this is a must read. Joseph Franco has done an incredible job explaining this stuff.

I've gone to several Murder Mystery parties, and they're always a blast. Even if you've never hosted a party--or if you're not very good at it--Mr. Franco walks you through the process of creating a Murder Mystery step by step. If you're tired of the same ol' parties week after week, year after year, buy this book and shake things up. Your friends will thank you.

I've read Mr. Franco's book and I'm excited about hosting my first Murder Mystery Party. There are tons of ideas and suggestions and lots of help with getting started and personalizing your party. A must to own and a great gift.

Confessions of a Middle Childis a very good book. This book is about a girl named Julep O' Toole. Julep is an eleven yeat old, middle child who feels like she is invisible. In the book she often has conflicts with her older sister Harmony and her younger brother Cooper. In the book Julep is finally given a chance to come out of the shadows. But will she, you'll just have to find out. I really like this book and suggest it to 6th grade girls.

Julep is one of my favorite books! The author does a good job of writing how life really is in middle school with all the problems Julep faces with her friends. The journal and drawings are great, too. I've read two of the Julep books (Miss Independent is good) and hope to read the third soon. If you are a kid you will LOVE this book!

Julep makes you laugh from beginning to end! I love the part where Clavin reads from Julep's journal over the loudspeaker at school!! Read this book and you will really enjoy it. All of my friends are reading Julep now and we can't wait to read the other books in the series. Go Julep!! C.Y.L. (you will get this when you read the book).

Julep is a middle child and she is stuck between her older sister and younger brother. I like this book because it's very funny and has lots of action, too, like when Julep gets her journal read over the P.A. at school! It also tells a good story. Julep has to help her brother when he has a bad asthma attack and her sister doesn't know what to do. Julep will make you think and make you laugh, so read it!! There are more books in the series, which I plan to read. Julep O' Toole: Miss IndependentJulep O'Toole: What I Really Want To Do Is Direct (Julep O'Toole)

Julep is a middle child and she hates it. She wants to be popular like her older sister or the spoiled baby like her little brother. I love this book because Julep is very real. She gets into embarrassing situations, just like me and my friends do sometimes. My teacher read this book to our class and we all thought it was true and funny! It's serious, too, like when Julep has to help her little brother when he has an asthma attack. Read this book!

I even enjoyed listening to the funny antics of Junie B. She will never bore me or my kids.

My Son is in the 2nd Grade and is a good reader. They introduced Junie B. Jones in his reading class and he really thought the stories were funny. I bought some books and on a whim bought the audio cassettes, I let the boys listen to it at bedtime and it is so great to hear the laughter coming from their room. They have listened to the tapes about a hundred times and I highly recommend them for parents. I was pleased to see my 3 year old enjoys them as well. I am going to buy the whole collection. It does encourage them to read because I see them following along with the books they have from school.

Me and my sister listen to a Junie B. Jones story tape every night. I really like the one where Junie B. Jones is a party animal. And Junie B. Jones is not a crook. They're both a thousand percent five stars! I like how Lana Quintal reads it. She really sounds like a kindergarten girl.

These books are terrific for kids in a wide range of ages--mine are 3, 5, and 8, and they all love them (they are over the head of the 3-year-old, but he's still mesmerized). Amazingly, the audiobooks are even better than the print versions. Lana Quintal, whose child-like voice seems a little grating at first, stands up incredibly well to repeat (and repeat and repeat) listening. She gets the tone just right. My kids are happy listening to these tapes in the car even on those long journeys that are usually occasion for hours of complaining. Worth gold! We have a few of the cassette collections, and although they are all great, this one is probably the best.

My 4 year old and 6 year old want to listen to Junie B. Jones tapes every night and while on car trips. They started with an audiotape and soon were asking us to read all 16 books from the library. Very fun stories for kids and grownups alike. Barbara Parks has a wonderful sense of humor.

I have a lot of bar books but this one is most creative

What an outrageously FUNNY and imaginative way to deliver drink recipes....I have already tried several of Miss Charming's recipes and can't wait to try them all....I also enjoyed Miss Charming's book of bar tricks and can't wait to see what comes next...you can bet I will be first in line to get it.

Yes, there are other drink recipe books out there, but not with this style. Cheryl's spin on things is unique with everything from traditional cocktails as seen in the movies to college and university mascot favorites (Go Gators!) Before reading this book I never knew about the potential of blocks of ice with shooters, what a GREAT idea! Now, we just need to have a party and put Miss Charming's words into action. Can't wait to try apple pie using Cheryl's recipe instead of grandma's.

If you're throwing a party and want it to be unique, the drinks and presentation in this book will take you there!!

There's something for everyone.....like "How Now Brown Cow" to "Buttery Pierced Nipple".

And for the COLLEGE CROWD...you really need to check out the Totally Cool College Cocktail and Shooters section......your college colors in a refreshing drink may be there. But most of all, it is actually interesting reading to imagine what the mixes will taste like and to pick up some cool bar lingo along the way.

My friends always grab the book and read it while I'm trying to mix a drink because of its fun entertainment level.
So if you want a unique, interesting Restoration Hardware/IKEA/Martha Stewart with an edge type of bar book.......this is it.

Cheryl has a creative, as well as an obvious mischievous soul. First she mentally entertained us with her "Book Of Bar Amusements", and now she provides us with some liquid entertainment in order to lull us into complacency.

With such unique and individually named drinks as "Who Let The Salty Dogs Out", "Butter Me Up Scotty", and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", you know that things are going to get interesting. She breaks her drink recipes not by style, but by overall concepts involved with their names, with such categories as "Amazing Critter Cocktails" (Flying Pink Squirrel), "Famous Picture Show Cocktails" (Thunderball Rum Collins), and "Totally Cool College Cocktails And Shooters" (Husky Rooter Shooter). Even her approach to describing the recipes as well as the instructions for making (and drinking) these concoctions lets you know that Cheryl enjoys having fun with us on many different levels.

This game was very fun! We all played parts at all different ages and it made sense. The charades was the best part because it was very difficult. I highly reccomend this game to families!

Okay this is and game, not an book. It comes with 6 booklets telling each guest what to say and do. Also there is an host's guide, which shows you how to plan it. You might want to read each caricters booklet, so you know how your going to run the party. It is an very good game, PLAY IT!

We were not expecting much from this $5 version of the more detailed versions, however we were all surprised at how into the characters we all got. We had a great time and were throwing accusations left and right! The only requirement is a group who will really get involved(dressing the parts really helped)!!!

Played this on a Saturday night with my wife and 4 of our children- easy to follow- fit right in with dinner and didn't require much set up at all .
The anticipation created by the sequence of events laid-out for you in the game made it easy to enjoy; the game played within the game made it more fun say than Clue ( although my kids love to play Clue and Clue DVD version). Also,the role playing was interesting and if you give out the roles to the respective players several hours before the game starts , it should make it even more seamless as everyone will be a little more fluid/ at ease playing their part.

I ordered this party kit for my daughter's 12th birthday party. When it arrived in it's tiny little box, I thought we were sunk! After thumbing through the little booklets I was very impressed. It didn't take much to get things rolling and everyone had a great time! This party kit worked great with 12 yr olds but it would be successful with any age group!

What a great book. MaryLou Wilson helps you realize, if you read her book you'll be able to throw a fabulous party, touching on every detail, and actually having a good time yourself. A very helpful book, all I want to do now is party like a Pro!

Recently, my husband suggested that we host a party for his boss and about 20 of his colleagues in November. With reservation, I agreed. It wasn't that I didn't want to have people over; it was just that the only party planning my family did growing up was a clean house and chips on the table.

Knowing we didn't have a party planner budget, I decided to seek help from a book. Thankfully, I stumbled upon "Party Like a Pro" at Amazon. The book truly delivers real party ideas for real people. Mary Lou offers simple tips on how to improve the flow of traffic, encourage mingling, and decorate with items from your own home. Not to mention she includes an array of memorable party themes that can be tailored to fit your budget.


I would highly recommend this book. Not only is this book and excellent planning tool, Mary Lou sprinkles the book with funny personal anecdotes, which make the book an entertaining read. Thanks Mary Lou.... I can't wait for my upcoming party!

This book is esthetically pleasing, with good photos, so I enjoyed sitting down and spending time with it. It offers practical help to anyone wanting to jump into entertaining and have the result be fun as well as successful. Definitely worth the money.

I liked it. Easy to read and understand. Some different and unique ideas for parties. The lists toward the end of the book are most helpful. Definately worth it.

This is the first book I have read on parties that actually explains how to plan a party. Done in outline form with real parties, it is easy to follow.
The stories from the author about mistakes she has made planning and hosting parties gave me the courage to plan my party and not worry about anything happening.

So great. I just want to know ONE thing. When will Hollywood make this book into a movie? My kids are dying to see it on the big screen. They love the story.

Such a great book. I just want to know ONE thing. When will Hollywood make this book into a movie? My kids are dying to see it on the big screen. They love the story, and so do I (a parent).

so funny and suspenseful and my kids learned about history, to boot

Educational and scary. Kids and adults in our family liked it.

I have read others of G. G. Garth's books, but this one is great. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with terror and excitement!

Permission to Party is a continuous stream of clever ideas for nurturing and celebrating yourself and your loved ones. It's one of those books you can flip open to any page and find inspiration. Not only did I enjoy Jill's innovative suggestions, but I appreciated the creative thinking her book spawned for me.

Life is a party so it's time you celebrate with Jill Murphy Long's book, Permission to Party. I have become a huge fan of this author as she is authentic, generous with her recommendations, and offers all of us healthy, happy, enriching ideas. Pour yourself a cup of tea and indulge in the special moment. Party on!

Cynthia Brian
author, The Business of Show Business
www.star-style.com

I really enjoyed this book, there were so many fun and interesting facts about various celebrations around the world. I entertain a lot and I picked up many great ideas from the book. I am always looking for fresh ideas and this book is filled with them.

Thanks,
Mary Cox

All you party poopers out there no longer have an excuse for putting off that party you've been wanting to throw. This book is full of practical, inexpensive, and fun things that will keep you and your guests engaged. It's a bright, colorful book that is handy to just have around so when you get an energetic moment it's easy to get the ball rolling.

What a great book! Great, unusual ideas! Who ever thought to go ice block sledding on grass in the summer?! Jill Murphy Long gives all kinds of information: tidbits on history,culture, & nutrition. I'm turning 50 this year and have gotten all kinds of ideas for a blow-out party. I really enjoy the quotes and side blocks. Most ideas are simple & doable: move over Martha. I think this is the best book Long has written in the "Permission" series (including Permission to Nap & Permission to Play; and these are great too). I highly recommend this book; it would make a great gift for people who enjoy entertaining. Whether you are planning an informal small gathering of 2 or a large formal affair, you can glean all kinds of ideas to create an event to remember. Isn't that what life is about, remembering that life is meant to be savored. Life is a party, living in the moment and loving life. Buy it, share it, and enjoy it!

"Dr. Excitement" has produced a political opus, a symphony of warring factions and dueling backwoods politicians that pokes at the cerebrum and plucks at the heartstrings. Dr. Lamplugh has outdone himself yet again. Jolly, jolly good show.

Dr. George Lamplugh's use of language in this book is phenomenal. This man is by far the greatest book about Georgia politics ever written. Any true Southerner, in fact, will adore this book. The book is so fascinating that I couldn't stop reading it, even when I was driving. I had a long road trip to the beach, and I read it the entire way down, while driving. I unfortunately careened into a ditch and I lost my book. It was the worst day of my life. Much Love.

even though i'm ownlee a young school boy, i can appree-shee-ate good books when i read them. doctor lamploo is probubly the bestest author i've ever read or even heard about even bwetter then shakespeer or hemwingway , dr. zhivago or probably even ronald mcdonald. when i was sick in bed i asked my mum to read me "politics on the periphery". i couldn't fall asleep until i made her stop since its kept me on me toes and there was this one chapter on the yazoo crisis i thinks and it sounded like yahoo chocolate milk and it made me feel warm and safe, even tho i couldn't stop coffing. besides dr. seuss and the barenstein bears, dr. lamploo's book is my favurite i hope i never get better so i can listen to it every night. i am so sowy i lied and said i was thurteen but i had to let ever-wee-one kno how good this book is. i have to to to sleep now i go to braves game soon i hope we win. if you make one big hugest misstake yuore whoole life dontt let it bee not gettingg this book becuz it changes lives!

I cannot possible convey how much this book has changed my entire perception of Goergia Politics. I am stupified and would love for anyone else who thinks of themselves as knowledgeable in Georgia politics to read this book. I could not stop turning the pages. I could not wait to see what was going to be on the next page. Thanks, Dr. Lamplugh. Now I truly see why they pay you the big bucks. My eyes are open for the very first time!!!!!

A real "page-turner," Politics on the Periphery served as the sole source of enjoyment in my life. And it will for you too! You see, I was on the verge of dieing forom the rare diease, Kolioscosis (the doctors gave me a month at best), but this book gave me a reason to live. Live it said! Live! LIVE! Thank you George Lamplugh. Thank you so very much.