Ohio Books

If you had asked me a few years ago about Henrietta B. Seiberling of Akron, Ohio, I would have drawn a complete blank. I hadn't heard of the famous Seiberling rubber tycoons. I hadn't heard of Congressman John Seiberling. I hadn't been to Akron and seen the street name Seiberling. And I certainly didn't know about Henrietta. Yet she lived in the Gate Lodge at the foot of the huge Seiberling estate--the largest in Ohio. She lived there and raised her three kids alone. She persuaded Dr. Bob of A.A. to turn to prayer for help. She responded immediately when help arrived in the form of the "rum hound from New York" who said he was with the "Oxford Group." And she went to great effort to introduce the still-drinking and drunk Dr. Bob to Bill Wilson at her home. Six hours later, the two founders had hit it off. She put Bill Wilson up at the Portage Country Club, and then Bill went to live with Dr. Bob and his wife in the summer of 1935. From that point forward, Henrietta taught, counseled, loved and helped the early AAs and their Christian Fellowship. And this new book by Dick tells details I had never heard before; and they are a rich part of the early A.A. legacy of healing and victory. It's a fine piece of reading. Try it.

This little book (which is now the 4th edition)is one of the later additions by author Dick B. to the family of Akron A.A. founders about whom he has written. And it almost seemed as if Henrietta Seiberling had slipped through the cracks since you rarely if ever hear her name mentioned or hear anything about her A.A. role in fellowship meetings. Yet she played such an important part in getting our society under way. She had befriended Dr. Bob and his wife Anne. She had her own problems and knew what the Smiths were going through because of Dr. Bob's drinking situation. When the Oxford Group came to Akron in 1933 to attest to Russell Firestone's conversion and release from alcoholism, Henrietta jumped at the chance to hear the story. She persuaded Dr. Bob's wife Anne and two other ladies to go to the big meeting at the Mayflower Hotel. Hearing the deliverance that was available through Christ, she urged Anne and soon Dr. Bob to attend an Oxford Group meeting regularly. And soon Henrietta, Bob, Anne, and Oxford Groupers T. Henry Williams decided to form a "rump" meeting and hold it at the Williams home. It was unlike the Oxford Group meetings in several ways and certainly because it was a little group of OG people, alcoholics, and families who were meeting primarily to overcome their problems, and soon Dr. Bob's drinking problem. It was Henrietta's revelation from God that impelled her to caution Bob that God had told her by revelation that Bob must not take one drink. But Dr. Bob continued to drink--because he wanted to. Then Henrietta convened a special meeting to deal with Dr. Bob specifically. At the conclusion when Bob had admitted to his alcoholism, she asked him if he would like to join the group in prayer. And, on their knees, they prayed with Dr. Bob for his deliverance. Yet he continued to drink--because he wanted to. And then the miracle happened. Out of the blue, Henrietta received a call from Bill Wilson, an alcoholic and Oxford Grouper, who announced that he needed to talk to a drunk. Understanding the "pass it on" principle of witnessing, Henrietta exclaimed that Bill was "Manna from heaven." He was, to her, the real answer to the group's prayers. And she quickly brought Bob and Bill together at her Gate Lodge home. The men talked for six hours, hit it off well, and decided to start helping drunks. And this, of course, was not an Oxford Group agenda item; so they called the Akron meetings a "clandestine lodge" of the Oxford Group. Henrietta continued to particpate in leading the weekly meetings during the summer of 1935 and long thereafter. She counseled Bob and Bill in Bible matters. And she helped distribute biblical literature that Dr. Bob was reading and recommended. And it was the little band of three (Bob, Anne, and Henrietta)who, along with T. Henry and his wife, developed the program that worked. And they kept at it until Wilson and Smith counted 40 people who were maintaining complete sobriety and that they had developed a cure which could be passed along to others. I love the book, and I love Henrietta's special role as a non-alcoholic woman of compassion and love who helped to found our great society.

Henrietta Seiberling has been vilified in recent AA-related biographies as a sort of cancer to AA's history. One writer (Francis Hartigan) suggests that Seiberling was jealous of Bill Wilson because Bill "succeeded where she had failed." Others have relegated her legacy to being nothing more than a door greeter, the woman who "happened" to bring together Bill and Dr. Bob Smith. It seems that anyone who spoke out against certain facets of Bill W.'s style has been thrown under the revisionist bus. [Any doubts? Reference Clarence Snyder, Father Ralph Pfau, Jerome Ellison, and Hank Parkhurst.]

"Henrietta B. Seiberling: Ohio's Lady with a Cause" is a gem. Presented at the dedication of the opening of the Stan Hywet Hall's Gate Lodge, Henrietta's residence, this syllabus blends the efforts of Seiberling the teacher, supporter, and believer with the Akron laboratory as led by Dr. Bob. Henrietta was one of several non-alcoholic friends of early AA who were so vital to the movement's infancy. She helped with the first program's spritual structure and understanding. She counseled the alcoholics and helped them look to the cure: God Almighty. And she was weary of AA's eventual transformation into what she termed a "rotary club" conglomerate. Henrietta knew what worked for the early AAs. She was more than simply a witness to the successes of the Akron "alcoholic squad."

This work covers the main ingredients of the Akron legacy of Alcoholics Anonymous and adds key information as to the real Seiberling role. [Dare I say it, Dick's found a real niche with the syllabus format.] It is amazing to see the true picture develop when all agendas are swept aside. If nothing else, the reader will come away with the understanding that Henrietta was by no means a failure with Dr. Bob. Without her aid, we may not be studying the Alcoholics Anonymous story today. That fact in itself warrants a look into this intriguing piece of history.

-Richard K.
Author, Researcher
Haverhill, MA
February 2005

I found this to be a history book unlike many others, written in as much an unbiased manner as could be, yet with the passion for Ethiopia as can only be expressed by one who is Ethiopian. The details are excellent on how Ethiopia came about to have the geographical shape we are so familiar with. From 1855 to 1974, the when's and why's of all the wars, the who's and how's of all the kings, the gains and loses of the country each step of the way, and the involvement of Ethiopia with the rest of the world is covered scrupulously. If history has never been your thing, this book will most likely change your mind!

An excellent book about the history of Ethiopia during 1855-1971. Prof. Zewde has brougt to light many of the more important points of Ethiopia's recent history. He does an surperb job describing the cultural as well as political history of his time period. I have learned much from this book. It is an enjoyable experience to read a well written book about Ethiopia that was written by an Ethiopian.

This book is a MUST read for people interested in the unique and evolving history of Ethiopia. Professor Zewde has presented this book in an intellectually stimulating way yet very easy to understand. Easy smooth reading. But most impressive is the way he managed to tie each issue/event in Ethiopian History between the dates of (1855 - 1971) together by showing how one event led to another. It is also great reading for us - the new generation of Ethiopians who need to know the history of our country. Way to Go!!! Thank You.

Any one with newspaper experience will empathize with the autobiography of this author as he relates the rough and tumble life of a reporter moving around the country from one small town paper to another until he finally lands on the metrpolitan Buffalo News. With humor and appreciation, the author descrbes the foibles and characters of the editors who peopled his career. His career spanned the years that began the consolidation and demise of newspapers around the country. He was working for the Buffalo Courier Express when it closed in 1982. He describes his roll as a guild officer,and the frustration and bitterness felt by himself and associates at the demise. The author did not arrived at his career the easy way. His descriptions of a paranoid mother and father who often expressed himself with violence makes one wonder that he was able to achieve his goal of becoming a writer. His story of achieving a college education and his goal of writing deserve our admiration.

I Never Looked for My Mother
And Other Regrets of a Journalist
Joseph P. Ritz
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Autobiographical
ISBN: 1591138795, $14.95, 184 pp, 2006

This book is a memoir of short stories from the life of Joseph P. Ritz. He is an award-winning journalist, published author and playwright. He has a rich and varied background which adds to the interest, quality and humor in this book.

I think what impressed me the most about his life growing up was the impact the Catholic church had on his thinking and in particular on his ideas about sexuality and sinfulness. It's nice to know, judging from the number of children he sired, that he finally figured out the mystery for himself.

If you enjoy memoirs of interesting people who were involved in historical events, want to experience the challenges of growing up in another time with dysfunctional parents and are interested in knowing something about the newspaper business, I'm certain you will enjoy the author's story.

Other books by the author include The Despised Poor.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - May 8, 2006 - Copyright

Joseph Ritz describes with raw honesty how the external forces throughout our lives shape the person that we become. His painful accounts of being raised by an adoptive psychologically paranoid mother and abusive father during America's years of depression and wars are told with a generous sprinkling of humor to avoid being too dark, but with an openness that draws on the reader's emotions. His success as a journalist gives hope that we can all overcome life's adversities. I recommend that you read it.

The books of Eca De Queiros are not easy to find. I read about him a long time ago and then slowly began picking the books up as I found them one by one. Three so far but there are others. This is the most polished of the three but the other two I have, The Relic(now available)& The City and the Mountains(availability uncertain), are really good too. I have to say my favorite is The City and the Mountains because it so funny. This novelist is funny & not many 19th century novelists are. In The City and the Mountains those two locations are compared by the wealthy protaganist to see which one suits him better, neither location is spared this novelists eye for comedy which one can tell gave him a lot of pleasure, the laughs in this book make you glad to be human. The Illustrious House of Ramirez is a more serious work. It has some funny parts but the comedy is of a higher nature. Since HISTORY is one of its topics both national identity and personal identity are subjected to this fine writers sympathetic ridicule but you feel the tragedy of those topics too while you are laughing at how clever the whole plot is. It is a grander work, further reaching than the one I mentioned as my favorite, and will probably appeal to more readers who want significant, not just hilarious, fare. However, if you read Illustrious House and still want more find the others too. Eca De Queiroz writes as well as any other 19th century writer judging by the translations I've read. Of them I think he is most often compared to Flaubert, he certainly sees through all the passing fads and illusions of the day in the way that one did. As for the Relic it is a very clever plot which hinges on a find which draws into question our religious heritage. More HISTORY but unless you can enjoy the opulent prose for its own sake its kind of a one idea book. Clever idea though it is. I think it said above that this novelist was for people with large foreign lit. collections. I will agree with that. But if you've read all the big names at least once you will just appreciate this rare find all the more.

The books of Eca De Queiros are not easy to find. I read about him a long time ago and then slowly began picking the books up as I found them one by one. Three so far but there are others. This is the most polished of the three but the other two I have, The Relic(now available)& The City and the Mountains(availability uncertain), are really good too. I have to say my favorite is The City and the Mountains because it so funny. This novelist is funny & not many 19th century novelists are. In The City and the Mountains those two locations are compared by the wealthy protaganist to see which one suits him better, neither location is spared this novelists eye for comedy which one can tell gave him a lot of pleasure, the laughs in this book make you glad to be human. The Illustrious House of Ramirez is a more serious work. It has some funny parts but the comedy is of a higher nature. Since HISTORY is one of its topics both national identity and personal identity are subjected to this fine writers sympathetic ridicule but you feel the tragedy of those topics too while you are laughing at how clever the whole plot is. It is a grander work, further reaching than the one I mentioned as my favorite, and will probably appeal to more readers who want significant, not just hilarious, fare. However, if you read Illustrious House and still want more find the others too. Eca De Queiroz writes as well as any other 19th century writer judging by the translations I've read. Of them I think he is most often compared to Flaubert, he certainly sees through all the passing fads and illusions of the day in the way that one did. As for the Relic it is a very clever plot which hinges on a find which draws into question our religious heritage. More HISTORY but unless you can enjoy the opulent prose for its own sake its kind of a one idea book. Clever idea though it is. I think it said above that this novelist was for people with large foreign lit. collections. I will agree with that. But if you've read all the big names at least once you will just appreciate this rare find all the more.

This is a classical case of "anguish of influence" as Eça is attempting, above all,when portraying the chief character, to write an ersatz Mediaeval historical novel in the manner of his great predecessor and adversary, the great Romantic writer Alexandre Herculano. One could say that Eça had, late in life, made peace with something he had spend all his adult life refusing to admit as deserving of praise, and when he finally surrendered, to have done so by means of a kind of "fanfic". However, this fanfic was rendered by Eça in his costomary -and wonderful - ironic manner, as the glories of the Portuguese past portrayed in the short novel written by the hero are each moment contrasted to the pettiness and mediocrity of the present. Neverthless, Eça closes the novel by meking peace with the Portuguese bourgeois society of his day, ultimately proposing a kind of future Portuguese "Manifest Destiny", consisting in the making of a Portuguese African Empire (anyway, one can say that his support of such Portuguese colonial adventures is half-hearted, to say the least). Despite this obvious political blunder - even at the time - Eça as always excels in his usual ironic qualities, tempered in this late novel by a quality of kindness not to be found so easily in his previous novels. Deserves to be read and known in English grab.

This book, illustrated by charming line drawings, is chock full of the kind of fishing nuts-and-bolts that I enjoy. Not only the tale of a young guy growing up as a hunter and fisher, with plenty of poignancy and real-life insight into being alive on the planet, but also worthwhile as angler education. Zimmerman's voice is modest and self-deprecating, and wryly humorous. If you like John Gierach books, you will like this.

If there's a fisherman in your family who loves to read, give him a copy of Jay Zimmerman's In Neck Deep: Stories from a Fisherman. This is a coming-of-age memoir of a young man who retained a lifetime passion for fishing. First-person life encounters blend with fishing memories in a simple, let lively set of stories from a dedicated fellow angler.

Jay Zimmerman has given us a young man's story, much like Hemingway's "Big Two-Hearted River," that tells of crisis and growth. His memoir treats his Midwest childhood and his journey into adulthood...including time in the military, then returning home to Ohio, and on to Alaska. Throughout his joy and meditation on the process of fly-fishing brings him home. It's a remarkable book and a debut by a fine writer.
-Larry Smith, director of Bottom Dog Press

Wanda McGee uses beautiful prose to evoke images of nature. From these images she draws analogies to our daily lives, teaching us that our external world abounds with lessons for those willing to quietly observe. Her book has encouraged me to take notice of my surroundings -- of beautiful trees, birds, landscapes --which I otherwise would have rushed right past.

I find her poignant descriptions of nature relaxing to read. I have really enjoyed unwinding with this book at the end of the day.

In a world that most often pushes velocity, this book emphasizes the direction part of the velocity equation. It gently and effectively pulls us back into ourselves to look at where we're going.

Wanda McGee's little book with evocative illustrations by Cindy Mueller is like a spring that begins by nourishing you as an individual. When used with a group it joins other springs, creating a new flow, potentially moving the group to a new destination.

Composed of brief, simply illustrated descriptions of nature observed, and a provocative pattern of questions with each, the scenes evoke associations and spark light onto our own subterranean flows. The underground streams of our own lives get brought to the surface with the questions.

They all start with queries that tap into us at the individual, reflective level, appropriately since that's where the scenes evoke a reaction. Then they weave in questions about the meaning of our associations with the scene, flowing to questions that ask us to sense implications for our lives in groups and organizations. One is left, after flowing down this very gentle stream and around several bends in the river, with a clearer view of where to steer next, or what needs a closer look.

As an individual tool for reflection, the book gives one a wonderful view of the world. Used with a group it can work magic with creating a strong dialogue using inquiry and reflection. The secret is that they start with a place far away from the here-and-now and metaphorically work our spring of discovery towards the edge of a clear brook, running into other streams.

In a world that most often pushes velocity, this book emphasizes the direction part of the velocity equation. It gently and effectively pulls us back into ourselves to look at where we're going.

Wanda McGee's little book with evocative illustrations by Cindy Mueller is like a spring that begins by nourishing you as an individual. When used with a group it joins other springs, creating a new flow, potentially moving the group to a new destination.

Composed of brief, simply illustrated descriptions of nature observed, and a provocative pattern of questions with each, the scenes evoke associations and spark light onto our own subterranean flows. The underground streams of our own lives get brought to the surface with the questions.

They all start with queries that tap into us at the individual, reflective level, appropriately since that's where the scenes evoke a reaction. Then they weave in questions about the meaning of our associations with the scene, flowing to questions that ask us to sense implications for our lives in groups and organizations. One is left, after flowing down this very gentle stream and around several bends in the river, with a clearer view of where to steer next, or what needs a closer look.

As an individual tool for reflection, the book gives one a wonderful view of the world. Used with a group it can work magic with creating a strong dialogue using inquiry and reflection. The secret is that they start with a place far away from the here-and-now and metaphorically work our spring of discovery towards the edge of a clear brook, running into other streams.

After reading this very creditable biography I donated it to the local public library.

I recall many rather cryptic remarks made by my grandmother years ago during Sunday trips to Cleveland about the Public Square and the Terminal Tower. She remembered the Mall project and other aspects of Cleveland that were obscure even in the fifties. These rather hazy recollections have now been re-examined inder the considerable light that Mr. Harwood has brought to the Van Sweringen brothers who were averse to publicity, even though they figured so much in the development of Cleveland in the 20th century. And their reach went far beyond that--these facts were not widely known. Excellent source.

I read a lot of books on train history. Once I started this one I could not put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in railroad history during the glory days.

I grew up on the border of Cleveland Heights/Shaker Heights off Fairmount Blvd.A gradeschool classmate was Bernie Bernet. As a boy I rode my bicycle over to Shaker Blvd. to watch the Rapids go by. AtCWRU a colleague was Ian Haberman and my fellow members of NORM are Tolman and Wayne Hayes. I walked the East Cleveland Rapid line when it still stood empty. I was making notes for this history in about 1950. Except for the buying and selling of the various railroads, this book is a part of my life. I know every inch of it and except for a very few very tiny slips (in the maps mostly)it is a masterpiece. And the very book itself, without the contents, is a first class production.

In the contemporary professional world of academic writing current history professors have unfortunately succumbed to falling back on the traditional stereotypical role of pretentious writing, utilization of uncommon vocabulary, complicated imagery relating to their historical subject, and hard to understand primary evidence that the general public can not relate to in their own lives and era.
However, Jonathan Earle effectively demonstrates in his book with superlative ease how past U.S. politics, its parties, and the era in which they were at it's apex, can indeed be interesting to the general public again. Jonathan Earle counter poses the traditional stereotypical role by using interesting primary evidence through out his book, in which he makes you feel like you were actually participating in the events and conversations that took place almost 182 years ago.
Earle uses fascinating historical imagery that not only correlates to what he writes about, but makes you want to explore the images away from the fascinating and important emergence of the Free Soil Party, which defied the traditional system of U.S. politics up to that point in our brief history as a nation. With just a brief emergence of a new century this book shows that our young nation was already facing dire dilemmas that would eventually divide a nation into half for four bloody years. With more men, women, and children who were murdered on both the Union and Confederate sides, then both World Wars and contemporary wars that the U.S. has been involved in to this day.
This is an outstanding read that will take your imagination on a wild adventure back to a time period and political party that is too often negated in U.S. history. In my view Jonathan Earle's book and his writing has triumphantly pounced the traditional stereotypical role. That historical subjects and academic writing can not only appeal to the general public again, but more importantly Earle's book shows just how significant past key historical events and U.S. politics have shaped our lives to this very day.
Erica Hare

Jonathan Earle's deftly written, lively account of the Free Soil Democrats' role in the antislavery effort challenges traditional interpretations of the movement, showing these politicians played a critical role in this country's push toward equality. But more than that, Earle makes you feel like you were at the dinner table with these folks as they debated the central issue of the day, and that's worth the price of the book alone.

I picked up this pounder in hopes of gardening on the cheap, but little did I know what pleasure I would find delving into this well-written account of a fertile time in our nation's history that doesn't get much play in the schools. And, so informative for any one interested in history, and history of the US. Even the garderner in me was gratified: I never knew that hickory needed a split to thrive. What's the sequel?

I purchased this book on a whim years ago when I saw it on sale in a bookstore. It was the best cookbook purchase I have ever made! Every recipe I have tried has become a family favorite. Recipes are simple, healthy, and delicious! No fancy, obscure ingredients required, no lengthy preparation or complicated instructions! Recipes are reminiscent of traditional Southern cooking, but with twists that make them delightfully different and fresh. Mr. Hadamuscin's comments and tips are charming and helpful. The book is hard cover and has remained in great shape after MUCH use! Photos are beautiful and useful. Love this cookbook!

Simple, delicious, American and proud of it. Hadamuscin revels in his Ohio farm roots and shows gracious hospitality and creativity. I love this book and have used it repeatedly over the years. Especially the cookie recipies.

Great recipes. Easy. His cookbooks offer stories along with the recipes. Looking forward to new one. Own all of his!

An astoundingly good read. Visually entertaining. Something perfect for expanding the minds of ones' young whilst at the same time being rather entertaining. The Australian aboriginal tales speak of a time long since past, but strangely of the present. This is a book well worth the purchase, so good that I picked one up for my friends children. Cheers!

This collection of Aboriginal folk tales has been updated for today's readers and one can almost her the haunting notes of the traditional didgeridoo and see the red earth of the arid Australian landscape. Beautifully crafted, these stories of the "Dream Time", as the Aborigines called the beginnings of living things, remind the reader that all morality tales and legends are similar, no matter what civilization or religion. Though often described as primitive, the Aboriginal civilization establised an ecological life that enabled them to survive in their harsh land. This short and easyy-to-read volume will be a helpful addiition of students studies of diverse peoples.

Ancient Aboriginal Tales in New Retellings will nurture your dreams about ancient times. As we say in French, the result of this very professional work is 'merveilleux'.