Mississippi Books

After reading many books about Buster Keaton, it's great to finally have a book consisting of Keaton's own words on his life and work. This collection contains interviews with Keaton from throughout his life - and is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the history of films and Hollywood.

I found Dr. Ancelet's collection and subsequent narrative very authentic and insightful into the Cajun experience. As an Acadienne myself, I have collected many items of this nature and have found his work to be particularly appealing. There are few ways to experience the genuineness and joie de vivre of the people of South Louisiana without being one of her own, and Dr. Ancelet's presentation is one of them.

Exceptional history and current description of Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music. Will be appreciated both by tourists new to Louisiana culture as well as by serious connoiseurs of folk music and traditions and of French language. Barry Jean Ancelet is both a distinguished professor at the University of Louisiana (Lafayette), as well as being a Cajun "Garrison Keillor" (of Prairie Home Companion fame).

Cajuns and Their Acadian Ancestors is an excellent first book for any young person interested in the history of the Cajun people. Nicely illustrated and very readable, the book draws on the broad range of academic Cajun studies to produce a overview of the Cajun & Acadian history from the groups origins in France to Nova Scotia to Louisiana. Cultural history is covered as well. This book should be in all public and school libraries in Louisiana and in many places outside so young people can explore the history of this unique group.

I read this book as a boy and have it still. The attitudes toward growing up in America, toward the North and South, toward African-Americans are all somewhat of a century ago, but not hostile nor judgemental. The story itself is still quite readable: young Bill, not doing well in school or on the farm, runs away and walks or boats through New England, Pennsylvania and down the Mississippi. He has adventures, but very realistic ones. He grows and finds himself, partly by connecting with the history of the US and by realizing both his own and the country's potential. Raymond Spears is a good storyteller and the book, for all its old-fashioned flavor is not merely quaint, but a decent read. Aimed (probably) at young male readers of some 90 years past, "Camping" offers some insight into the American character----like "The Virginian" or "The Rise of Silas Lapham". This is a pleasant read, a visit into a world long gone.

Wow! I have never been to the Canton Flea market, but yet after reading this book I feel like I have. This book made me want to drive to Canton and see these homes that were so beautifully described in the book - The priestly house, the Greene masion, etc. You felt like you were in Canton the whole time. Hardwick has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are right there. The story was very well written. I could not put the book down - it held my attention until I finished the book.

I'm originally from Indianola, Mississippi, the town Schweid writes about in this book. It's an unusual place--the home of B. B. King and the Citizen's Council, a town that is sixty-five percent black but one in which almost everything is owned and run by whites. Schweid sees and records all that is troubling about the place--and there's plenty that is--but at the same time he finds himself inexorably drawn to it. The people of the Delta, both black and white, come alive here, and it's also worth noting that Schweid writes like an angel. Buy the book--it's a gem.

THIS TERRIFIC BOOK RECAPTURES BLACK WOMEN'S EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF THE UNIQUE LIVES THEY LED. WE KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT FREE BLACK WOMEN IN THE SOUTH AND THESE LETTERS AND DIARIES BRING TO LIFE A NEGLECTED CHAPTER OF OUR HISTORY AND THEIR EXPERIENCE.....PLUS THE DIARY OF THIS YOUNG BLACK WOMAN DURING THE CIVIL WAR IS A COMPELLING HISTORICAL VOICE. THE EDITOR HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB SETTING THESE VOICES IN CONTEXT SO WE CAN ONCE AGAIN HEAR THEIR STORIES AND READ THE WORDS OF LOST BLACK WOMEN FROM THE PAST.

This study on Baker's Creek near Port Gibson, MS is a compelling analysis of slope stability and channel gradation at a bridge site in the loessial bluffs of SW Mississippi and in a tributary of the Bayou Pierre. Excellent read for those having trouble sleeping at night.

Once you're through reading Chaplin's memoirs and David Robinson's biography, you easily get the impression that's everything a Chaplin-fan needs to know about their hero. I assure you such is not the case; I can name several other books just as significant for any student of the comedian's life and work, and CHARLIE CHAPLIN: INTERVIEWS is certainly among them.

Kevin J. Hayes has done a wonderful job collecting some of the relatively few truly insightful interviews Chaplin ever did, beginning with "The Funniest Man on the Screen" by Victor Eubank (published 1915), in which Chaplin, who at that time had just signed his Essanay-contract, expressed some very reflected thoughts about comedy, being still just a newcomer in the movie-business. There are twenty-four interviews in all, other titles included are:

"Beneath the Mask: Witty, Wistful, Serious Is The Real Charlie Chaplin" (Grace Kingsley, 1916)
"Charlie Chaplin, Philosopher, Has Serious Side" (Frank Veeland, 1921)
"Shy Charlie Chaplin Opens His Heart" (Mordaunt Hall, 1925)
"Future of the Cinema: Mr. Charles Chaplin" (Robert Nichols, 1925)
"Chaplin Explains Chaplin" (Harry Carr, 1925)
"Chaplin Draws a Keen Weapon" (Robert van Gelder, 1940)
"Charlie Chaplin's MONSIEUR VERDOUX Press Conference" (George Wallach, 1947)
"Ageless Master's Anatomy of Comedy: Chaplin, An Interview" (Richard Meryman, 1967)
...etc.

The latter title is not really an interview, but rather an essay written by Chaplin where he covers both personal feelings and his view on the movie industry of today (which, of course, is the 1960's). Despite the fact that some interviews have nearly reached a century of age, they stand out as remarkably fresh and modern in their style and subjects. Naturally, some are better than others --the MONSIEUR VERDOUX press conference offers little except several attacks on Chaplin's politics and questions concerning Orson Welles' contributions to the screen-play-- but the very best are simply terrific.

The book includes no photos, but who needs that when all these great articles are available? CHARLIE CHAPLIN: INTERVIEWS is a unique sampling of some very sensitive and interesting interviews, which every admirer of the great comedian should read and own. I'll sure get Hayes' similar Buster Keaton-book one of these days.