Canada Books

This book is by far the most important book ever written on modern-day Western collectivism, and it provides a startling analysis of the advanced degree of our cultural decay and loss of personal liberties.

I first purchased this book in 1994 and have found it to be enormously useful, well written and very cogent. It has not gotten stale with time only more accurate as the effects of family breakdown that he predicts become even more apparent. I use it as a reference and have referred several people to this book who have thanked me for that advice.

I will keep this short as I think that G.W. Thielman's opus review tells it like it is.

An excellent, well written book detailing many of the problems with our society. Written for Canadians, but will show Americans where they are headed if they follow in our intrusive, "Big Brother" government footsteps.

Be no more... carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ephesians 4:14

William D. Gairdner, a Canadian citizen and former professor at Stanford, has written a book warning the citizenry of the state-subsidized efforts by collectivists to destroy the nuclear family and atomize people into autonomous servants of the state. This opus is titled _The_War_Against_the_Family_ and should be read by all who are concerned about the policies behind the popular rhetoric labeled "family values" by public ofÞcials. Despite its 644-page length, the temptation to underline everything is compelling.

Dr. Gairdner begins his book outlining the efforts of the therapeutic state to subsidize and coerce the private lives of its citizens in exchange for votes, before launching a critique of popular illusions employed to justify this intrusion. The ten tenants eviscerated are listed as: Individualism--the dissolution of interdependence for state-imposed autonomy, Communalism--the exchange of voluntarism with the compulsory society, Freedom--the replacement of and moral obligation with license, Rationalism--"from a worship of the God-man (Jesus), the people... worship the Man-god (ourselves)", Relativism--the decline of critical assessment, Victimism--the guarantees demanded by self-serving professional victims, Tolerance--the new thought-control, Rights--indulgent desires that have been transformed into claims against society, Equality--the votary of universal mediocrity, and Determinism--the denial of free will.

Many critics of the traditional family claim that the nuclear family--father, mother and children with mutual love and division of labor among the members--is a rather recent development, born in the industrial age. The author shows this notion to be nonsense. He also disabuses the arguments alleging familial oppression--"It is not the individual who creates the family, but rather the family that creates individuals." He further emphasizes the importance of protection to private property and the dangers of excess taxation in injuring domestic tranquillity. The impersonal treatment of human beings can leave emotional scars on mature adults, but when waged against children, the results can be tragic indeed. Dr. Gairdner defends the family a "the only social institution ever invented to provide children... with a form of love that is unconditional"--in contrast to the impartiality of day care as espoused, among others, First Lady and NY Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Dr. Gairdner critiques the philosophies of the great collectivists, from Plato to Rousseau to Sartre and lays to shame their allegedly noble objectives. Then, the author contrasts the results of state intrusion by comparing nations with limited interference--Switzerland and Japan versus the most collectivist among democratic regimes--Sweden and Canada and those in between--United States and New Zealand. Statistics on these countries range from taxation burden to the illegitimate birth rate and much more besides.

The state-funded schools receive their share of criticism in four chapters. Intellectual, moral and physical education are evaluated and are found wanting. While the costs of public education have increased exorbitantly, objective measurements demonstrate failure to teach knowledge or skills to their students, and instead have focused on political agitation and sexual indulgence.

This is followed by scathing attacks on modern feminism with its emphasis on lesbian rights and abolition of the family instead of protecting children from outside forces, and radical homosexuality which has contributed to civic breakdown and spread of com-municable diseases. "The right to be treated equally by the State is transmuted into the right to have equal privileges from society--privileges formerly reserved for those who earned them." A few pages later he writes, "wise societies have always known that the general sexual energy of humanity, unconÞned by any hierarchial moral order, will always seek ap-proval for what is essentially narcissistic, masturbatory self-indulgence, and be loosed to maraud against the larger social order."

The context of Dr. Gairdner's argument is largely moral, so it is no surprise that the author turns to abortion and euthanasia as the moral perils of our times. He outlines the degradation clinically--"we seem to ignore... that only four crucial and very simple elements are necessary to fuel the Þres of barbarism, ancient or modern. The Þrst is... _progressive_ moral degradation..., the second is _ofÞcial_sanction_ of such behavior..., third is the idea that all potential victims of barbarism must be ofÞcially deÞned as _non-persons_, under the law..., and fourth comes the belief that designated classes of élites may be empowered to _substitute_ their judgment for that of the victims... [emphasis original]" His graphic descriptions of third-trimester abortion procedures (dilation & evacuation, saline amniocentesis, prostaglandin, and hysterectomy)--often for organ harvesting--make for disturbing reading. A brief summary of an article mentions a federal subsidy for medical experiments on live aborted babies purchased from Helsinki, Finland. Advocates of these procedures hold sway in government and the media on the basis of political expediency and in a vacuum of debate. We may seek solace in believing ourselves are exempt from such treatment, but as Dr. Gairdner writes, "nothing whatsoever can protect a single human soul from the ambitions of a group, except for the obedience of the group itself to some higher inviolable standard of behavior that declares each soul to be worthy of preservation and dignity." With public conÞdence in moral absolutes waning, the threat to each of ourselves, inside the womb or in the nursing home should serve as a warning that society has degenerated from the abstract principle of _eros_ or life to _thanatos_ or death.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gairdner asks why so many religious leaders have ignored the warnings--and instead, proclaim a social gospel of political advocacy, often in favor of leftist socialism and multiculturalism. This reintroduction of the church's Þrst heresy--Gnosticism (of which New Age is merely a sect) has transformed a portion of the clergy from promoting faith to endorsing élitism.

The author calls on families to familiarize themselves on the war against them that is waged ostensibly on their behalf. He condemns the Canadian ratiÞcation of various United Nation treaties advocating rights on this or that--"so-called `human rights' really amount to a set of obligations on a State only too happy to take everything you have in order to give you everything you want." Many of the policy suggestions pertain primarily to Canadian politics, but the basic message is universal--mothers and fathers must guard their families against encroachment by the governmental élite. A more timely and philosophically argued defense of the family could hardly be found.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (1/07)

Being professionally involved with the travel industry for years, I've met my share of travelers and my share of tourists. Same thing applies to travel writing - some writers are tourists, some are travelers. Thomas Swick is without a doubt a traveler. His "A Way to See the World" is subtitled "From Texas to Transylvania with a Maverick Traveler" which immediately gives you an inkling on the scope of his writing. What the title does not convey is how deeply Mr. Swick explored every place described within this marvelous book. He delves into the usual topics of history, landscape and culture; and while all of those are great reading, in my opinion he truly excels when describing the people and their everyday lives.

No matter where his travels take him, be it to Cuba on a cultural exchange, to the Croatian seaside, a carnival in Trinidad or the one in Mobile, Alabama, a dinner with cartoonists in Russia, a baseball game in Chicago, the last leg of Oregon trail or searching for Hungarians in Transylvania, Thomas Swicks discovers the people and talks to them. More importantly, he lets them talk when they so desire. And he listens real well. His explanations are brief and only added when necessary. He discovers real people everywhere he goes, even on board of a cruise ship and in a tennis tournament in Miami.

His observations are keen and detailed and he captures the spirit of each place wonderfully well. Take, for example, this brief scene during the carnival in Trinidad: "At nine the next morning - five hours after the soca stopped - eight middle-aged Germans sat eating fried eggs and tomatoes on the terrace. `Winston, what time is it?' one of them asked the manager. `Time? I don't know. It's carnival.' Then Winston went and put on some calypso."

Or this absolutely brilliant description of Americans: "Restlessness is in our genes. It shows itself in everything from our national literature - `Moby Dick,' `Huckleberry Finn,' `On the Road' - to the short life of the average address book. [...] It seems no coincidence that our largest export company is Boeing. From a historical perspective, no other country could have beaten us to the moon. If, as is said, England is people and France a civilization, the United States is an experiment in perpetual motion."

Each of his stories in "A Way to See the World" is different and every single one is wonderful reading. Take them with you on your next trip, keep them in your car for when you have to wait somewhere or devour a whole book in one sitting when you are too broke or too busy to get on the road yourself - in each and every case they will open your eyes to how life-changing, exhilarating and wonderful travel could and should be.

Thomas Swick's A Way To See The World: From Texas To Transylvania With A Maverick Traveler isn't your usual travelogue of wild and woolly adventures; for Swick chooses no ordinary path for his journeys. His accounts are unconventional at the least; from attending a hobo convention in Iowa to his search for James Thurber's spirit in Columbus, OH and his entry to the forbidden Cuba on a cultural exchange program. Colorful observations of counter-culture and local color provide a first-person journey which is stimulating, fun, and never too predictable. A fine armchair adventure awaits.

Tom Swick has written not just an exceptional travel book, but an exceptional book. Period. Horizon broadening, mind opening, amusing, pure pleasure.

Delightful! Thomas Swick's writing is elegant, his observations about the places I've been to are perfect, and his descriptions of places I haven't seen make me feel like I've just been there. Highly recommended.

... and see what life we can make for our children", a quote by Sitting Bull, embraces the philosophy and vision of outstanding educator, reformer, and leader Geoffrey Canada, creator of the Harlem Children's Zone. Part biography, part call to action, "Whatever it Takes" is a transformative book of the highest order, one that challenges, inspires, and calls people to do what's best for our children.

Author Paul Tough writes a compelling and highly readable story of Geoffrey Canada's struggle from social service agency manager to this hugely comprehensive program designed to hold students in a web of great education and accountability until they enter college. Frustrated by seeing too many students who were in need of help and not receiving it, Canada envisioned a dream in which the children would be taken care of, from womb to high school, so that they wouldn't be haggled the by overwhelming needs that often interfered with their development and hence, education. Canada dared to ask the hard what, "What if?", and now, years after asking it, the Harlem Children's Zone is proving it's results.

What's interesting about the book is that Tough doesn't sugar coat anything. The HCZ has had it's ups and down, its issues and celebrations. Canada's philosophical battle with the Promise Academy's first principal Terri Grey, shows the conflicts that arose; two people with the same intentions, disagreeing on the way to go about it. Often, in a book like this, there is a temptation to be upbeat and happy about something new and innovative, probably so as not to give potential critics ammunition to shoot it down. Tough paints its honesty. It's simply refreshing. Dealing with students in poverty comes with no easy answers. The work, however, is some of the most personally rewarding work that anyone can do, and that shines clear through every single page.

Another interesting focus of this book is the role that race plays in our society, and the issues of race that our society is still choosing to ignore. Through Canada's life story, which stems from an inner city urban upbringing, to an almost improbable life as a college student in Maine, Tough echoes challenges people of color have in our still majority white society. Canada lives in both worlds, and has raised kids in both worlds. His ability to see the benefits and challenges in each world makes him effective in his current job.

I devoured this book, and now I'm anxiously awaiting to watch the HCZ over the years, to see the ultimate benefit of their students. Canada and his team has put their minds together ... and now let's see what kind of world his students will have.

Anyone with any interest in education or fighting poverty should read this fantastic book.

Tough gives great background on thinking on poverty and education, and its evolution, over the past 50 or so years. HCZ and Geoffrey Canada challenge some traditional liberal views (mine included) about the dangers of charter schools and the importance of labor unions in all areas, including education. Definitely a thought-provoking read.

It's clear we have a truly daunting task ahead if we really want to give all kids an equal shot at academic success -- no amount of temporary programs, however well-intentioned and well-run, will keep the most at-risk kids on track. But, given the resources we are always able to scrape together for one misguided war abroad after another, we should be able to do it.

The book is an excellent narrative of an inspired yet incomplete effort to transform urban education in a way that seeks to transform a community. It's a thoughtful description of some of the contending philosophies on poverty and education. It dramatically describes the required flexibility and willingness to change course (sometimes effectively and sometimes not) in developing a new model. It reflects the inevitable tensions between the range of stakeholders that a visionary like Canada must manage. I bought 25 copies for the teaching and management staff at our school on the West Side of Chicago--Austin Polytechnical Academy--and eagerly await the discussion.

Dan Swinney, Center for Labor and Community Research

A superb, clearly and elegantly written and researched book about a fantastic educator whose interventions deserve wide application in all low-income communities.

This book is one of the Dear Canada series, which are historical novels, written in diary format, about fictional girls during different periods of Canadian history.

Susanna Merritt is a young girl living near Niagara, Canada in 1812, the youngest in a large family. Susanna fears for her family as the war begins, but she is also very worried about her best friend, Abbie Seabrook. Abbie's family are Americans, who are reluctant to go to war against their home country. In her diary, Susanna describes what happens to her family and friends during the first few months of the War of 1812, and during the battle that takes place near her home.

As an American, I really enjoyed getting a different view of the War of 1812 from Susanna's Canadian perspective. I really liked the setting and the characters came alive in Susanna's diary. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoyed any of the Dear America or Dear Canada books.

I read them all and this one is most exciting novel on the face of Earth! It is about Susanna Merritt's life during the war of 1812. Her father is the Sheriff of an army in Canada in Niagara, so she hardly ever sees her. With her father, brother and pregnant sister not living with her, Susanna only has her Mother, other sister Maria, and maid, Tabitha. One night, while in Niagara visiting, Susanna buckles on Governer Brock's sword before a very, very, very important battle, and if you read this novel, you will find out if the Canadians or Americans won this battle.

Susanna Meritt lives near Nigarra in Canada, 1812. A war is whispering around her, and soon troops of Canadians are leaving Canada to fight America, determined to end their war of 'who owns Canada' once and for all. Susanna constantly worries for her family and herself, but mostly for her friend- Abigail Seabrook and her family, who are Americans, and are against the idea of going to war against their home country.

Whispers of War was an amazing book that cleverly told the 'War of 1812' in an intelligent and innocent way, immitating the voice of an innocent young girl as she watches her beautiful home- Canada, die around her.

This is absolutly one of the best historical books i have EVER READ!
I have read this book about four times, and i never get bored of it. Heres my review - -

This book is about 11 - year - old Susanna Merritt, who lives in Upper Canada (around Ontario..) In 1812. Her family is constantly fearing about war, and talks about how many family members were killed in different wars.
Susanna Merritt lives a peaceful, safe life in the small town of St. Cathrines, with her sister Maria (15), mother, father, brother Hamilton Merritt (age 19) and her many pets. She goes to school, although the teacher is not very good at, well, ... Teaching.

When news comes that there IS going to be a war, Susanna and her family are devestated, as her brother and father must go off and fight.

Susanna also fears her friendship with Abby, who just moved to Canada from America two years ago, will not last.

But through everything, Susanna stays strong, and follows in her brother's footsteps by writting a diary.

Some interesting points in this book are:

- - When Susanna meets General Brock in Niagara.

Sad parts in this book are:

- - When General Brock dies.

- - When Susanna worries that her sister, Caroline, is going to die.


Overall, this is a fantastic book, and i recomend it to anyone that is looking for a fun book to read, that is also educational!

Very impressive coverage on the Wilk Silk Moths of Noth America. Most known species are shown in exellent photographs,some in the larval stages also. Good range maps and detailed text make this the laymans best friend when exploring and learning about the habitats and life histories of some of our most magnificent moth species. The best book I've seen on the subject period!

At last a book I can put on my bookshelf next to Holland's Moth Book.

Excellent book that not only deals in the taxonomy of Saturniidae moths but of collecting and rearing as well. Great illustrations and maps.

Previously much of this information was only available in bits and pieces on the Internet and in obscure publications and has never been previously compiled in one volume.

For those of you not familiar with Saturniidae they are the family of giant silk moths. Some species are the size of a small bird. Just about every location in America is home to at least one species of giant silk moth and they even live in our big cities.Why do most people not see them? Well one reason is they are nocturnal and high flying. If you look in wooded areas however you will often see their cocoons. One can purchase live silk moth cocoons and the females readily attract males by a phermone that can be detected by the male of the species for miles.



As a moth breeder I welcome this book.

For each moth there is a color picture of last instar caterpillar and one or more pictures of the moth. There is also a range map and detailed descriptions of each stage of the life cycle with notes on rearing.
This is a well-written, well-researched, easy to read book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in these largest and showiest of the U.S. moths.

I have been looking for a guide like this for years. This book shows great pictures of all the bigger moths of North America including their caterpillars. Loaded with maps and drawings of the cocoons this book is a must have. Don't let the price scare you away.

I truly loved this book. For once, because it's part of my own past, Paul Hertel was my mother's uncle. And second, I like Mrs. Falkenhagens style. It was great for me to learn about my ancestors. Now I understand much better my own urge to discover the world.

"Wilderness Beginnings" is truly an adventure story about two people facing seemingly insurmountable odds both in Pre-WWII Germany and in the wilderness of British Columbia during the 1930's. This true-life book is extremely well written and an easy read. The story draws you in from the start and holds your attention throughout the remarkable journey. There are times it is difficult to believe this is not fiction. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.

A true life adventure of a young German immigrant who migrates to the wilderness of British Columbia during the mid 1930's. The adventures and brushes with death from the natural elements remind me of Jack London's "Call of the Wild".

A wonderful true-life story of the adventures of a young German immigrant who becomes a 20th century pioneer in British Columbia. After falling in love with the BC landscape and learning to live in harmony with the forces of nature, he returns to his home in Germany to marry his sweetheart. They both return to BC to share the natural beauty of the country and indure the challenges of the Great Depression, which are intensified by the general distrust of Germans in Canada as Hitler invades Europe, and Canada and the United States are drawn into World War II. Inspite of these obstacles, Paul and Grete Hertel raise a family and eventually settle on a farm on Vancouver Island.

It was with a sense of sadness when I finished this story, knowing that I could no longer look forward to reading any further adventures of the Hertel family. I wish to thank the author for sharing this fasinating story of her father's early years in British Columbia.

I have alot of books on the topic but this has to be one of my favorites. The author really knows what he's talking about and lies it down what works in the real world of Northern outdoor survival/camping without all the fancy story telling aproach. It is well written, step by step along with very informative drawings which are the best I've seen. It contains tons of useful info from clothing materials to traps and shelter making methods. Really beefy stuff and all clearly explained. There's a reason this book has gone out of print, find out why.

I venture into the boreal wilderness twice a year, so this book is a natural fit (the book's setting is mainly boreal/sub-boreal). What is best about the book is it's practicality. Though there is enough information on bare-bones survival, Alan Fry assumes that, if you've headed into the wilderness whether by foot, watercraft, or bush plane, you've had enough sense about you to bring some essentials (and attached to your person!). This is a needed contrast to all the wilderness survival books out there that teach survival techniques assuming you are veritably buck naked. Why would that ever happen to you? Exactly how did you wind up in such a situation? There can only be one reason: poor planning and sheer stupidity. Thus, this book generally assumes that you've got at least some basic items strapped on to you (e.g., knife, matches, rations, compass, fishing accouterments, saw, medical kit, snare wire, and RIFLE!). AS to the latter, many survival books don't address the use of firearms at all and, the fact is, if you've got one, your chances of survival just increased 10-fold. Plus, Fry doesn't inundate the reader with pet religious philosophies (ala Tom Brown!) that have nothing to do with why you purchased the book.

Now, if you're a survivalist who enjoys bare-bones stuff, you cannot go without Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival. But, if you're simply a wilderness enthusiast that needs to know how to take care of yourself if you ever become stranded on one of your wilderness trips, this is the book for you, hands-down.

I have alot of books on the topic but this has to be one of my favorites. The author really lies it down what works in the real world of Northern outdoor survival and long term camping. It is really well written, step by step along with very informative drawings which are the best I've seen. It contains tons of traps and shelter making methods. There's a reason it has gone out of print, find out why.

Alan Fry is a Canadian woodsman with years of experience in the art of wilderness survival. His book is a concise and readable guide for the preparation and execution of a survival plan, especially in the extreme environment of the boreal north. Although its emphasis is on emergency situations in a particular ecosystem, many of his ideas can be readily adapted to any temperate region or contingency by the intelligent reader. Please note that this is not primarily a book for the recreational backpacker. Rather, it's a hard-core guide to survival under extreme circumstances in a particular environment. That having been said, it's still recommended reading for anyone who ventures into the outdoors. Useful, light-weight, and perfect for the field.

Follow the young RN pilot's rise thru the ranks of the fleet air arm during WW-II. This is a great story about a Royal Navy escort carrier and the men who sail in her and the missions assigned to it; from Norway into the south west Pacific.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Reeman's ability to get into the head of Tim Rowan, the Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot, was amazing. I felt that he had gotten completely into Rowan's mind and gave the reader a full appreciation of the perils a naval aviator faces on the high seas in wartime. The secondary characters (e.g. Tim's closest friend, the arrogant admiral, and some members of the carrier's crew) stood up well on their own and rounded out the story very nicely.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Reeman's ability to get into the head of Tim Rowan, the Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot, was amazing. I felt that he had gotten completely into Rowan's mind and gave the reader a full appreciation of the perils a naval aviator faces on the high seas in wartime. The secondary characters (e.g. Tim's closest friend, the arrogant admiral, and some members of the carrier's crew) stood up well on their own and rounded out the story very nicely.

This is the story of pilots who served in Royal Navy escort carriers in World War II. These ships were not the head-line attracting fleet carriers; rather these were the "Woolworth Carriers" turned out by the dozens by Henry Kaiser's shipyards on both coasts. A number of these ships were sent to the Royal Navy and this is the story of one of them.

The charecters of the pilots and ship's officers are well developed and complex, like all of us. It is a mix of old professionals and young amateurs who rapidly gain the skills and instincts of their long serving shipmates. There is conflict along the way, from the lowest pilot to the admiral commanding the operations. There is the added mix of several Dutch aircrew into the mix that adds both to the tension and humor of the story. There is the added distraction, for the men, of having to fit domestic problems into their already full plate of matters to be dealt with, and it isn't always easy for some of them. Finally, there is the sense of loss you will discover when after an operation, the returning pilots are celdbrating on the flight deck and someone notices the support crew of one aircraft that didn't return, just standing on the flight deck looking into the distance on the off chance that "their" aircraft would return.

The scope of operations is vast, ranging from the North Atlantic to the North Sea, the Southwest Pacific and finally home in the UK.

This story is a fine rendition of the trials and tribulations of a little known type of ship in the Royal Navy. It rings with authenticity on every page. This should be in every person library who has an interest in Naval operations during World War II.

I began to read The Winter People because it is on my school reading list. It is not the type of book I would normally pick up to read for pleasure. However once I got into the book I found it quite interesting. The book takes place before people were civilized like they are now, and is about people who have a completely different way of living. I can actually say I learned about another culture, by reading this book.

The story is about an Indian tribe that gets torn apart by white people. But specifically the book tells about a boy names Saxso that, in my opinion, truly becomes a man by the end. He gets separated from his mother and two sisters while escaping, and as the head of the family it is his job to get his family back together. After learning they had been taken by whites, Saxso sets off for a long, difficult journey to rescue them.

The Winter People is the type of book that is hard to start, but once you get into it, you'll be glad you kept reading.

I thought was a beautifully written story by Joseph Bruchac, about the Indian tribe, the Abenaki's. The simple and yet complex way he wrote it from the point of view of 14 year old Native American named Saxso, made it all the more interesting. Saxso is probably the most interesting character in this book aside from his cousin and grandfather. The description of what the British (the white people, or the winter people, the people with winter/cold in their hearts) were doing to the Native Americans after they captured them from the village upon their raid, actually brought tears to my eyes (I've never even heard of the British eating the Native Americans until I read this book. More genocidal things the world continues to hide from the people about what the Europeans, and British, among others who wronged these people, hide.). I continued to read the book until the very end which was satisfying in aspect of the word. I recommend this book to anyone who has a interest in Native Americans and their lives during the many wars that took place on the land they lived on.

This is a truly fasincating story told in a different perspective, through the eyes of a Native American. The novel shows us a totally opposite side of the stories and documents recorded and still used today in life. After I finally finished reading "The Winter People", I had an unique and new perspective towards the Abenakis. You will too, and I still do, hold a strong respect towards these people and their way of life.

I found this to be both an easy to read book, and historically accurate as well. Bruchac is an amazing writer, and teaches many lessons while the the story is told. This book should definately be read by middle school-high school students because it will help teach about both the native peoples and the Seven Years war, and help to wash away some of the stereotypes that have plagued native peoples for many years.
Justin

Compiled and edited by Nic Maclellan, Louise Michel: Rebel Lives is the dramatic biography of Louise Michel, the fiery leader of the 1871 Paris Commune, a short-lived workers' government created when the city population rose up to exert its will. Also known as "The Red Virgin", Louise Michel was a rebel who spent much of her life on the run, in exile, in jail, or in danger of being locked in a mental asylum. "Louise Michel" tells the story of her life by directly collecting and editing her own words from her memoirs and the insights of her contemporaries. Her story is presented with her sharp-eyed criticism of a society and an era where the only lucrative trade for a woman was prostitution, and tributes to her life and efforts from such prominent figures as Emma Goldman, Victor Hugo, Karl Marx, and much more.

As the treatment of mental health disorders continues to expand outwards, beyond the domain of psychiatric institutions, the nature and implications of intensified psychiatric intervention is a cause for concern for all of us.

A social worker, teacher, and community activist, Diana Ralph takes on contemporary community mental health systems. In a meticulously researched and highly readable work, the growth and change in the definition and treatment of mental health disorders is subjected to a concerned and scholarly scrutiny.

Ralph finds available theories, from the liberal to the Marxist to the radical antipsychiatry approaches, inadequate in accounting for these changes. Instead, she locates the ideological origins of community psychiatry within the tradition of industrial psychology, and is able to show how its operation is linked to the needs of contemporary industrial management in their efforts to diffuse dissatisfaction and alienation in the workplace.
--- from book's back cover

Kliatt, November 2004

MACLELLAN, Nic (ed): Louise Michel (Rebel Lives) Ocean Books.

Louise Michel. a relatively unknown figure outside of her native France, was an activist, an anarchist, and a fighter against racism who is known principally for her role in the short-lived French Commune in the spring of 1871.

A local rebellion, the Paris Commune was a reaction against the provisional government set up by the French after the defeat of Napoleon III by the Prussian armies in the Franco-Prussian War. Michel, a schoolteacher who had read widely in political theory, was fully embroiled in this brief moment of revolutionary ferment, organizing meetings, writing tracts, speaking, and even firing her gun as a fighter in the ranks.

Deported to New Caledonia at the fall of the Commune. she continued to write; and alone among her fellow deportees, championed the native Kanaks, a local tribe that attempted to rebel against French colonial rule. Back in France, she continued to live as she believed, travelling and speaking for the radical and anarchist causes she promoted.

What makes the Rebel Lives series valuable is its presentation of primary source material once the historical background has been carefully laid out in an introduction. Not only are excerpts from Michel's autobiography and letters included, but also brief pieces taken from the works of Engels and Marx writing on the Commune as well as short citations from many others, including Lenin, Emma Goldman (who calls Michel "a complete woman"), and Howard Zinn. Selected reading lists contain books and Web sites in both French and English. A unique resource.

Patricia Moore. Brookline, MA

"Since it seems that any heart which beats for freedom has the right only to a small lump of lead, I demand my share. If you let me live, I shall never stop crying for vengeance, and I shall avenge my brothers by denouncing the[ir] murderers" (p.101).

So said Louise Michel before the court passed sentence on her for participating in the rebellion that became the Paris Commune. The court did not execute her. Instead, it sent her into exile at the prison colony in New Caledonia 20,000 miles from Paris. Even there Michel advocated for the indigenous people of the island (the Kanaks) in their struggle against the French occupiers.

Michel was dubbed the "Red Virgin": "red" because she was an anarchist and "virgin" because her sexual orientation was unclear (as if this mattered) and because she was unattractive. I don't see it. She had a great and beautiful spirit, and I have fallen in love with her.

Ocean Press is to be commended for providing a good introduction to the person of Louise Michel and the times that stirred her and she helped to shape. Through the writings of such notables as Bakunin, Kropotkin, Marx, Engles, Lenin, Emma Goldman, Howard Zinn, the editor's introduction (Nic Maclellan) and Michels herself, we learn about her mixed proletarian and bourgeoisie background, her undying devotion to her mother, her days as a school teacher, her militancy and leadership role during the Paris Commune, her exile in New Caledonia, her return to Paris and her prescient feminism. All in a mere 115 pages. It is quite a feat.