Illinois Books

This book gripped me from start to finish. Melson draws you in to this suspenseful story using the voices of his mother and father to narrate this unbelievable tale of a young couple, baby in tow, outwitting the Nazis and surviving the holocaust while posing as a Count and Countess! I can't believe it's true. A must for anyone interested in WWII, or in a great love story for that matter...

Many books have been written about the holocaust both by impartial observers and intimate survivors. False Papers: Deception and Survival in the Holocaust by Robert Melson will stand out among them because it is more than observation and personal reflection-it is a psychological study of a young man's search for identity and meaning in a world that keeps changing the rules.

False Papers tells the story of the Melson (Mendelsohn) family's escape from the Nazi ovens by posing as Polish royalty, a feat they are able to accomplish because Nina Melson, the author's mother, was able to buy false papers. What is unique about their life during the war was that they not only lived openly among the Gestapo, but also became quite friendly with their neighbors. The story of their deception and survival as told through the eyes of Nina, Willy (the author's father) and Bobi (the author's reflections through his own youthful memory) is compelling enough to keep the reader involved in the book. This is only one dimension of the book-an incredibly true adventure story.

Bt there is another important dimension to the book that cannot, and must not, be overlooked: the search on the part of the author-first as young Bobi and later as American Bob-for his true identity in a world that is constantly changing for him. First he knows himself as Count Boguslaw Zamojski the Catholic; after the war as Bobi Melson the Jew until he is enrolled in Le Rosey, an exclusive Swiss prep school, when he must again become Catholic; next to America where he settles in New York as a young Jewish immigrant; then against his deepest wishes he is dragged to Japan where his father has set up a sewing machine factory. Each time young Melson must learn to survive and question "Who am I this time?". Fortunately, he is clever enough to pick up environmental clues to guide his behavior and survival, but the reader feels his sense of pain as he struggles to find his true self.

What makes this a deeply probing psychological exploration of one's search for identity is Melson's ability to step back from the action to view his family dynamics-his father's struggle with his compulsive need for adoration, his mother's deepening depression and her inappropriate use of the young Bobi as her personal confidant, and the parent's obsession with appearances.

It is in the Epilogue that everything comes together. We are told about the deaths of Willy and Nina, how Bobi becomes Robert the MIT PhD, and how Robert finally realizes who he is. The reader feels at peace at the end of the journey.

Of all the writers on the holocaust, his writing style is closest to that of Primo Levi. However, there is a difference: Levi always keeps the cool distance of a scientist in his descriptions of behavior and events while Melson uses warm, personal description of the behavioral scientist that he is. It is a must reading for those who want to know more about the holocaust, family dynamics or a young man's search for self. No matter what your reason is, False Papers: Deception and Survival in the Holocaust is a book you will read, reread, and pass on to others.

This book gripped me from start to finish. Melson draws you in to this suspenseful story using the voices of his mother and father to narrate this unbelievable tale of a young couple, baby in tow, outwitting the Nazis and surviving the holocaust while posing as a Count and Countess! I can't believe it's true. A must for anyone interested in WWII, or in a great love story for that matter...

Highly relevant, stimulating reading recommended for anyone (and everyone) involved in higher education. The Family Track articulates many unspoken concerns of American academics through autobiographical pieces, interviews, and critical essays. From eldercare to parental leave, commuter marriages to children with special needs, the topics are as pertinent as they are undiscussed among faculties. Challenging and engaging, with practical strategies for developing family-friendly campuses.

I bought this book at the suggestion of Ms. Mentor (a.k.a. Emily Toth) who touted it in one of her wise and witty columns in "The Chronicle of Higher Education". As usual, Ms. Mentor provided "Impeccable Advice for Women in Academia".

Graduate students thinking about making careers as professors should read this book carefully, especially if they have or would like to have children. Each author in the edited volume describes her valiant attempt to have a family life and an academic job at the same time. It's not a pretty picture. The narratives are personal and powerful. Several are horror stories about the inhumane treatment of new professors who are also new mothers.

Although this book is most relevant as a cautionary tale for women entering academia, it is also a "must read" for anyone interested in the history of feminism. The memoirs of some of the senior female academics, pioneers in their fields, reveal awesome courage. This is the printed mentor that I've seen other books purport to be.

My one concern is that the book's bleak honesty may discourage some graduate students, or create the impression that it is better to wait until after tenure to start a family. I'm a clinical psychologist whose specialty is counseling doctoral students and junior faculty, and I don't condone waiting until after the tenure review to begin living. The average path from grad student to tenured associate prof now takes more than 17 years (gulp). Putting essential goals on hold for that long shrivels the ovaries. If you want both the baby and the job, go for it!

I really felt that I learned a lot from this book. It is important that those considering a tenure track job/career read this as others have mentioned. I think it's even more important that administrators read it.

I had a slightly better experience, with lots of support from both colleagues and family so I'm more optimistic about my chances for tenure. Either way, it is important that we understand how it was for women even 10 years ago before they could stop the tenure clock to have children. No wonder so few women are full professors now. It's sad. The main lesson I took from this is that w/o a good support network and a husband/partner who significantly helps out, tenure is unlikely. Also, it's unlikely if anyone gets sick or has any disability. It is sad that this is the reality, but important that we know this.

In the days following the 9/11 tragedy, I lost interest in my usual pursuits, lacking the energy and concentration to read fiction, much less write about it. I spent hours gazing mindlessly at the television screen, watching the media work itself into a frenzy, desperately trying to make some sense of it all. There was a certain emptiness, a sense of going through the motions, merely to get through each successive day.

Such was my mood when I picked up Tracy Knight's The Astonished Eye, which, to cite Ray Bradbury, turned out to be the perfect medicine for melancholy, a welcome diversion from awful reality. It's the story of tabloid reporter Ben Savitch, who despite his innate cynicism desperately wants to believe there is wonder in the world. After having been badly duped by charlatans in he past, however, Ben is in danger of losing his ability to suspend his disbelief. Thus, sent to cover a reported UFO landing near rural Elderton, Illinois, Ben is understandably skeptical. But Ben finds that miracles, running the gamut from reanimated corpses to superheros to communing with the dead, are a part of daily life in Elderton. Those wonders slowly work their magic on the disheartened reporter, breaking down barriers built over many years, moving him toward his own unique destiny.

Shamelessly derivative and maudlin, The Astonished Eye recalls some of Bradbury's more saccharine work (one wonders whether Greentown is right down the road from Elderton). I liked it anyway. It's a simple, straightforward tale, precisely told, with strong characters and an atmosphere so tangible you can smell apple pies cooling on the windowsills. Charming and well written, unapologetically upbeat, Knight's slim book worked the same magic on me as Elderton did on Ben Savitch, helping to lift my spirits in a moment of despair. If you are ever feeling down, I suspect it might do the same for you.

I bought this book because I collect Philip Jose Farmer and Phil Farmer wrote an introduction to it. I read the book in two sittings, staying up too late and losing sleep, because I just couldn't put it down.

I say the book is somewhere between Ray Bradbury and Stephen King because it has a sort of eerie small town weirdness to it. You know that something odd is going on but you can't imagine what. In 2002 the original British limited edition of this book was nominated by the International Horror Guild in the category Best First Novel. This was surprising because it is not a scary book.

The highest praise I can give to this book is the fact the for weeks after I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

An UFO crash lands in Elderton, Illinois and the alien inside doesn't know where he is or who he is. He just understands that he will bring change to this small town. The Astonished Eye tabloid hears the rumors of the flying saucer crash landing and sends Ben Savitch to report. Ben, who lived in Elderton until he was six, hopes that the rumors are true so that he can finally make it into the big leagues of journalism.

The town is nothing like Ben expects. It is filled with magic that allows people to live after they die. The heart of the town is Almo Parish the last munchkin from the wizard of Oz who is still alive. Each Fall there is a small ceremony in which Almo points out the first leaf that will drop from the trees signifying that the season has arrived. Jeffrey Sprague has run away from the last of a long line of foster homes and winds up in Elderton where the adults subtly take care of him. He might make a home for himself there if can get used to the magic that engulfs him. Cynical Ben finally believes in the magic after he realizes he can not stay in the place of his birth.

THE ASTONISHED EYE will make readers understand how Alice felt when she fell down the looking glass and entered a world in which nonsense makes perfect sense. This satirical fantasy makes readers want to believe in magic and in people who are kind and gentle like the population of Elderton. Tracy Knight's first novel is a refreshingly original, light-hearted urban legend satire.

Harriet Klausner

Fannie Lou Hamer was a remarkable person who may not have received the publicity and accolades of other Civil Rights personalities, but she certainly accomplished as much as anyone in the movement. Lee does a very solid job of taking the reader through Hamer's life. The only criticism I have is that Lee on occasion editorializes about contradictory things that Hamer said, as well as speculates as to what motivated Hamer in certain instances. It would have been more effective to simply let the reader think about such things and make up their own mind. This is a minor quibble, however, because Lee has contributed to the small body of work on Hamer in a substantive manner. I had a hard time putting this book down even though I already knew all the details of Hamer's life from reading other books. Lee synthesizes her information nicely which makes this book a coherent read. The reader gets a vivid picture of the ups and downs Mrs. Hamer encountered in her brilliant life. Fannie Lou Hamer's life was a testament to the human spirit and will to fight for justice. The Civil Rights Movement cannot be fully understood without knowing about the contributions of Hamer. You need to read this book.

I have read and heard so much about men in the Civil Rights Movement, and I have read so little about women. This book for me filled a gap.It told an exciting story with great eloquence. It portrayed the life of a heroine of the Civil Rights Movement, and described the times. And it was at the same time rich and intellectually sophisticated. I cannot recommend this book enough to all readers, and I hope these comments motivate others to get this wonderful book and read it.

Chana Kai Lee makes a crucial contribution to our understanding of the civil rights movement with this stirring and important biography of Fanny Lou Hamer. Mrs. Hamer, an icon in the movement and a force unto herself, was one of the strongest and most influential voices in the African American struggle for freedom. Thanks to Professor Lee, that voice echoes for the ages in the pages of For Freedom's Sake. This is a book that all Americans should read and that students and general readers alike will enjoy. Like its subject, this well-crafted book will be a beacon for freedom for many years to come.

I have enjoyed all of Cozzens' works very much, but I think that this is Cozzens' best written book. This book isn't really a reassessment of Pope. Rather Cozzens takes the traditional view of Pope's generalship at Second Bull Run and places it within the context of Pope's entire career. Cozzens doesn't pull any punches on Pope's performance in Virginia in 1862. He was a liar and a braggart, he needlessly antagonized his own men, and he was severely overtaxed as an army commander.

Still, Cozzens shows that Pope had probably the toughest assignment of any Union army commander in the war. He had to take three beaten and demoralized commands from the valley under three very poor commanders (Banks, Sigel, and McDowell). With that force he was to screen Washington AND attack Lee, coordinate with George McClellan, who was in full heel-dragging mode, obey Halleck's confused and contradictory directives, and do it all in unfamiliar country with almost no cavalry. His opponent was the best general of the war, and the ANV was flush with victory from the Seven Days. It was Pope's first experience commanding troops in combat. It's no wonder that Lee beat him.

But Cozzens also shows that Pope was a skilled administrator, an aggressive general, and, in time, a good strategist. The "exile" to Minnesota turned out to be an important command, and Pope played a huge role in defeating the plains Indians. He was an effective military governor during reconstruction. He retired a major general in the regular army, a successful and influential servant of his nation.

After reading this book, I have a whole new opinion of Pope, or rather my opinion is more complex. I still think he bears the brunt of the blame for Second Bull Run, but I can see more reasons for his defeat than just "Pope was an obnoxious jerk." I think it's a shame that Lincoln and Halleck didn't send him back to the west as a corps commander. Both Grant and Sherman had high opinions of Pope throughout the war (and, really, for the rest of their lives), and they could have used an aggressive general in an important command. I still see Pope's flaws, but I can also see some of his good qualities too.

This is just the sort of Civil War book I love. It takes a subject that I thought I knew very well and adds layers of complexity. As always, Cozzens displays thorough familiarity with the sources, and his opinions are backed by historical fact. He avoids the common downfall of the biographer, who often becomes too enamored of his subject. Cozzens keeps enough emotional distance between himself and Pope that he can show Pope's flaws as well as merits.

When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I asked my Mother if we were Yankees or Confederates. Without hesitation, she stated in no uncertain terms that we were Yankees, always had been and always would be. So at that age, already starting my lifelong study of the Civil War, I was very much disposed towards liking all Yankees without regard. Even still, warming to John Pope seemed to be a task far beyond the call of human nature. It seemed almost everything I read about John Pope (and I read a great deal about the Civil War), painted the picture of a pompous, incredibly incompetent, self-centered man; very root of the Union defeat at 2nd Manassas. I read Cozzens' book not because I wanted to learn about John Pope so much as wanting more depth in my understanding what really did happen at 2nd Manassas. I was quite willing to write John Pope off as the "miscreant" in the characterization of Robert E. Lee.
John Pope in Mr. Cozzens' book is all the human frailties ever attributed to him. Cozzens is not a Pope apologist. However, what does emerge is a man much more complex than simply the bombastic, huff and puff blow-hard John Pope most often detailed in our history books. That he made fatal errors in the 2nd Manassas campaign; that he did not rise to the occasion; that he was a relentless self-promoter; all of these faults are not disguised nor dismissed. They are treated fairly and truthfully without a hidden agenda, as only a part of the picture Cozzens paints of John Pope's whole life of service in the United States Army.
Peter Cozzens is one of the best historical writers publishing today and this book is the product of a skilled craftsman. His writing is warm and engaging. I read the whole book, cover to cover, even though I only intended to read the section on Pope's defeat at 2nd Manassas. Cozzens moves easily and swiftly from minutely examining the daily life of John Pope to covering the span of years in a few pages. Knowing when to "go deep" marks a good writer and Cozzens comes through for the reader every time.
If he were just a good writer, it would be enough for fiction, but writing about history requires the author to be good at research and Cozzens is no slouch there either. This book is well-documented and uses a lot of primary source material - a hallmark by which research is judged today. Having the combination of good research and lively writing puts Cozzens in mighty rare company.
I now see a different John Pope. I still wouldn't have him in command at 2nd Manassas, if I had my say. But I no longer despise him. In fact, I am inclined to see him as good man, limited, as we all are, by the frailties attendant to humanity. If you are a serious student of this time in United States history, or just want a good non-fiction read, you will find General John Pope; A Life for the Nation a worthy investment of your time.

An excellent biography of a truely misunderstood Union Civil War General. Pope is most famous for losing the Battle of 2nd Manasses (called 2nd Bull Run also). He was whipped by Robert E. Lee and ended up being placed in command of the Department of the Northwest (Minnesota, the Dakota's), to fight Indians. He served the military honorably though for over 40 years, and was a good general, simply suffered from having to face Lee, having to deal with McClellan, Halleck, Washington, and being totally unprepared to command an army. Had this man stayed out west he probably would have done some truely great things. It is a shame Lincoln never sent him out west as a Corps commander right after 2nd Manassas, he would have been a huge asset for men like Grant and Sherman, who both liked Pope.

Before reading this book I always had the opinion that Pope was a fool, I was wrong. He was definitely nowhere near Lee or Jackson, but he was one of the best fighting generals the Union had, as his capture of Island # 10 and drive on Corinth proves. He did great things after the war as a department commander as well. He really did live a life for his nation.

Cozzens writes an outstanding biography of this man. He remains very level headed, not showing hatred for Pope or explaining away his mistakes. He makes clear that Pope made huge mistakes at 2nd Manassas, but also shows the reader throughout that Pope was a good man and a loyal soldier who did great things. He was one of the men who actually wanted to help the Indians out West, unlike men such as Sheridan who wanted them exterminated.

Only negative would be that we don't get that much detail on Pope before the Civil War, but you find that with every Civil War biography usually.

My wife and I read this book when we were expecting our first child. It was easy to read and very entertaining. It actually inspired me to write my own diary of our son's first year. I highly recommend it!

This book is terrific! My husband and I read it before we had our first child. Bob Greene got us super excited about the baby's birth! We tried to read it slowly, so we wouldn't finish much before we had out child. We give this book to all of our friends who are expecting a baby and they agree it's a must-read!

There are plenty of books that tell you what to do when a baby comes, but this is the only that I found that gave me an idea of what I could expect to feel like as a new father. As a husband, as a father, as a person inhabiting the planet, Bob Greene very simply describes how his life and outlook are changing during the first year of his daughter's life. He is surprised by what he can and can't do, remarks how his wife's focus has changed. As a reporter, he is surprised to find how his view of the world is different now that he has a small life in his charge.
Some of it is very funny: the helplessness he feels when his daughter first arrives home and how woefully unprepared they are (versus what they thought the instant before). Other parts of it are coldly chilling: Bob Greene's feelings about the mysterious Tylenol Killer anonymously killing people in the Chicagoland area mirrored my own concerns when I heard about the shootings at Columbine High School. Fatherly concern can only go so far and what happens when it's not enough?
My son is almost three years old now and my memories of the first year of his life are melting together into some generic feelings and a handful of anecdotes. However, I have a journal of my son's first year to look back on. That was the most wonderful thing about this book. Bob Greene is a professional writer, but this book made me feel like I could do something similar for my son and - surprisingly - it wasn't all that hard to jot down a little bit here and there as time permitted.
I like to think Bob Greene looks back at this book the same way I look back at my journal.

This exquisite volume would make a wonderful gift for any Chicagoan or nostalgic ex-Chicagoan, and its neighborhood-by-neighborhood scheme of organization makes it an excellent take-along for visitors to the city interested in Chicago's architectural heritage. Even longtime residents of the city will find photographs and histories of artworks whose existence they never suspected; the photos are beautifully executed and printed, and the intelligent commentary is based on thorough research.

If you love Chicago, and/or went to a Chicago Public School, you will love this book.

Not only is this catalog of Chicago's murals enormously useful for the casual reader/visitor, but its style is elegant and restrained, its color illustrations clear and gorgeous, its scholarship impeccable and useful, and quite simply a pleasure to study and own. We are fortunate to have such a comprehensive book.

Dr. Harker describes in detail and with back up how you can work for an institution for so many years and get thrown out after assuming tenure counts for something. And in most universities it does.
What disappoints me about the book is that his fellow professors did not stand up for him like they should have. This too could happen to them. Perhaps they thought their tenures would be threatened by taking his side. Or perhaps due to their lack of contributions to the department, felt threatened by him and his publications.
With his documentation, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND how all the different jurisdictions, hearings and proceedings, along with union representation, did not take care of him.
He should SUE, SUE, SUE all the bastards! Surely there is justice with the right representation somewhere. Listen up fellow professors and help him to help yourselves.
Last question, does President Wagoner and Dr. DiGrino have tenure? If so, all Professors should be alerted that they could be next.
BUY THE BOOK AND HELP YOURSELF..

Dr. Harker describes in detail and with back up how you can work for an institution for so many years and get thrown out after assuming tenure counts for something. And in most universities it does.
What disappoints me about the book is that his fellow professors did not stand up for him like they should have. This too could happen to them. Perhaps they thought their tenures would be threatened by taking his side. Or perhaps due to their lack of contributions to the department, felt threatened by him and his publications.
With his documentation, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND how all the different jurisdictions, hearings and proceedings, along with union representation, did not take care of him.
He should SUE, SUE, SUE all the bastards! Surely there is justice with the right representation somewhere. Listen up fellow professors and help him to help yourselves.
Last question, does President Wagoner and Dr. DiGrino have tenure? If so, all Professors should be alerted that they could be next.
BUY THE BOOK AND HELP YOURSELF..

Harker goes into great detail about how Western Illinois University, a very Conservative institution, (I know...I graduated from there), railroaded a man they didn't like. A great read for nudists, students, and anyone interested in the politics of academia.

In the preface to his "Life of Lincoln", William Herndon expounded that when writing the history of Lincoln's early life "the whole truth concerning him should be known" and there should be "nothing colored or suppressed." Having set the standard Herndon failed to follow it, for there were something's even Herndon must have felt should not be put into print. Scholars wishing to explore Lincoln's early life beyond the insights offered by Herndon's biography had to turn to examining the letters and notes collected for over a twenty year period by himself and his collaborator Jesse Weik. This often proved to be a daunting task. As the editor's in their introduction noted even though available on Micro roll film specific documents are "very hard to locate" and even if located are "very hard to read." To further complicate matters the index to the Herndon collection prepared by the Library of Congress is "neither accurate nor complete." What Editors Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney O. Davis have done in their "Herndon's Informants" is to transcribe all of the known Herndon, Weik letters and notes into a readable and properly indexed Documentary Edition. What they have also done is create a masterpiece of scholarship that will be used by students of Lincoln for decades to come. "Herndon's Informants" offers the student the complete Herndon collection, unabridged and un-editorialized. To anyone who has a strong interest in learning more about Lincoln's early life this is just about all that is available and it simply must become a part of your personal library.

With Herndon's Informants Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney O. Davis have made a tremendous contribution to Lincoln scholarship. Much of what we know of Lincoln's pre-presidential years, especially, was compiled through interviews and correspondence by Lincoln's last law partner William H. Herndon. Although many of these items were published decades ago in Emanuel Hertz's anthology The Hidden Lincoln, that collection's limitations have long frustrated Lincoln students. The only alternative was the expensive and awkward-to-use microfilm verison of Herndon's papers available from the Library of Congress.

Now, however, Wilson and Davis have made this treasure trove of firsthand information available in an affordable and convenient format. Moreover, they have carefully tried to reproduce texts exactly, retaining oddities of spelling and punctuation, a feature entertaining to ordinary readers and valuable to scholars. The book's presentation of documents in chronological order is welcome. Scholars will probably be the main consumers using this product.

This volume is a major contribution to Lincoln studies.

Forget authors, historians with agendas. Read what the people who actually knew Abraham Lincoln said about him.

Before Lincoln's body was cold, William Herndon, Lincoln's law partner for 17 years and friend for longer, began interviewing Lincoln's friends, family members, enemies, acquaintances, neighbors, etc. His goal was to collect as much information as possible about his friend, so he could write a completely truthful biography. "Warts and all" Herndon said. Unfortunately, Herndon soon realized he could not use some of the information he collected because it was very personal and Lincoln's image would be tarnished. Fortunately, some of this information he could not use you will find in this book. While 98% of this book contains very interesting information about all aspects of Lincoln's life. It is the remaining 2%, the unsavory stuff, that is so fascinating! For instance, I was surprised to read about the number of Lincoln's friends who told stories about Lincoln's involvement with prostitutes (before his marriage). Some friends even speculate about Lincoln maybe having one or two illegitimate children. This book contains information I never learned in school about Lincoln!

This was a great read! I enjoyed following Elsa and her family through the many different aspects of her life. I actually felt as though I was experiencing the trials and successes with Elsa and couldn't wait to experience more. You will love this lady and all the facets this book takes you through! Get the book, you won't be sorry!

This is a really-feel-good story about success. It is definitely not a ROOTS retread.
Instead of several generations, this novel is about eight short years of spectacular success -- before, during and after the Civil War itself. It is about a black lady who was born a slave on Spring Island in South Carolina and gains her freedom in 1859 when her owner dies. Elsa and her husband outsmart white overseers and appraisers and make a fortune selling a couple of King Cotton crops while the deceased's plantation languishes in limbo awaiting new owners. When the war breaks out, Elsa moves her family to Chicago, where she makes another fortune. An upbeat, enlightened book!

This novel, set in the period just before and after the Civil War, relates historical events of the time -- the Union occupation of Beaufort and Port Royal, the battle of Honey Hill -- accurately and interestingly, but these serve merely as a shifting background for the rise of Elsa, born a slave on Spring Island (SC), whose wit, resourcefulness, and grit are the real story. Elsa sees opportunity on every side (finding the ideal husband is one such opportunity), and outwits her sharp white competitors in the booming cotton business. She then returns to Spring Island (a real place described with love by the author, who lives there) and celebrates her final triumph -- to say more would give the story away! Humorous, instructive, this is a page turner.