New Jersey Books

The collaborative editorial effort of Steven Gould Axelrod, Camille Roman, and Thomas Travisano, The New Anthology Of American Poetry: Volume Two, Modernisms 1900-1950 compiles over 600 poems by sixty- five American poets from the era of 1900 to 1950, including T. S. Eliot, Gertrude Stein, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and many more. Offering a diversity of styles, and themes, this second volume of The New Anthology Of American Poetry also presents introductions, bibliographies, biographies, up-to-date footnotes and endnotes, and more to assist the reader in both understanding poetry and find more works by a given author. Very highly recommended both as an introduction to early twentieth-century American poetry and as a broad smorgasbord to experience and learn from a panoply of magnificent classic works.

The collaborative editorial effort of Steven Gould Axelrod, Camille Roman, and Thomas Travisano, The New Anthology Of American Poetry: Volume Two, Modernisms 1900-1950 compiles over 600 poems by sixty- five American poets from the era of 1900 to 1950, including T. S. Eliot, Gertrude Stein, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and many more. Offering a diversity of styles, and themes, this second volume of The New Anthology Of American Poetry also presents introductions, bibliographies, biographies, up-to-date footnotes and endnotes, and more to assist the reader in both understanding poetry and find more works by a given author. Very highly recommended both as an introduction to early twentieth-century American poetry and as a broad smorgasbord to experience and learn from a panoply of magnificent classic works.

Edited by Steven Gould Axelrod, Thomas Travisano, and Camille Roman, this anthology is a joy. It will make you want to read--and re-read. The editors, not limited by any one canon, worked together to present the range of American poetry of the period. The anthology lays out the richness of the "modernist" American literary heritage with care and love. There are generous selections from a range of the "modernist" writers in addition to surprising selections from immigrant and native american poetry and from popular song. The introductions and notes are thoughtful and deeply intelligent. This anthology promises to be a classic.

This is not an anthology which aims to select and represent the finest examples of American poetry. It is an anthology which aims to ' represent' various groups, including the recognized schools of poetry, but also including ethnic and minority groups. Thus it opens with Native American verse, and closes with verse written from Japanese interred in America during the Second World War. I may be mistaken but it seems to me that it does not represent in a great way the American experience in the Second World War.
This does not mean it does not have generous selections from all the major poets. It does.
It does not mean that it does not contain tens of little known poets whose work may be interesting in one way or another. It does.
It does mean that it mixes up a vast amount of material of different levels. And that it does have a certain political agenda.
What is moving and meaningful as poetry, I would suggest, is some part of this. But the reader should certainly be able to find work here which is moving, inspiring and meaningful poetry.

The previous review by Mr. Freedman is misleading, I believe. I myself am quite a conservative scholar and have little time for what some call "political correctness." (I would note in passing that I never heard anyone on the Left use this silly phrase seriously until a number of useful idiots from the Reagan era took up the mantra in an effort to let bigots feel comfortable fighting back.)

Regardless, I adopted this text for my Modern American Poetry course this fall not because it features the sorts of poetry Mr. Freedman describes. (I have no intention of assigning any of it.) Rather, I adopted it because it gives a much fuller representation of modern American poetry than most of the Norton knockoffs now on the market. For instance, *The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry* doesn't offer a single line by Trumbull Stickney, one of the "Harvard poets" of the genteel tradition, who was greatly admired by the likes of Conrad Aiken. This anthology prints five poems. Moreover, several other "white penis people," in Robert Hughes's phrase, appear here after having been summarily banished from ostensibly conservative anthologies. (Here, "conservative" appears to mean "too damned lazy to read much.")

Yes, this anthology has a political agenda. However, to pretend that others don't is to insult the intelligence of readers. From my perspective (a good liberal who believes, nevertheless, in Milton, Dryden, Pope), this is a genuinely democratic anthology. True, it includes poems by Native Americans, immigrants, and migrant workers. However, it also includes "The Old Rugged Cross," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?", "You're A Grand Old Flag," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "I'm Just Wild About Harry," and "Goodnight, Irene." The anthologists' agenda, simply put, is to open the canon back up and paint a more genuinely representative portrait of American verse in the modernist era.

In sum, if Mr. Freedman fears the "The Idea of Order at Key West" can't stand the competition, all I can say is that his faith in Wallace Stevens is far weaker than mine.

Hiscano's work is like a prayer. He evokes the creator and holds man to the side for a moment. By leaving us outside the frame, he touches us deeply. We remember our source and claim it as our heritage.

Dwights photographs have the power to heal.

You'll be surprised and inspired by Dwight's NJ! Dwight Hiscano captures the New Jersey that the stereotype-writers must have never seen -- inspiring waterfalls, fields of flowers that would do Monet proud, majestic mountains and pastoral countryside. From those of us who live in New Jersey, thank you for showing us how much precious beauty we still need to preserve!

that a person like Mr. Hiscano is out there documenting the last few wild places in New Jersey. He's a modern day Thoreau using the lens instead of pen and paper to capture something more than just pretty images. Instead of producing just another coffee-table paperweight, Mr. Hiscano's startling photographs display the few remaining natural treasures of this State and seem to ask the viewer what have you or what will you do to help preserve and protect these sites for future generations.

Amazing photographs wrapped with interesting narrative. Dwight Hiscano's passion for the Garden State and the great outdoors is evident in New Jersey, The Natural State. The book, in my opinion, ranks at the top for "coffee table"-types for a few reasons: fellow New Jerseyans will enjoy the memories these photographs renew...Summers down the shore, Autumn hikes through birch forests, backpacking the Highlands; those who appreciate the art of photography will find that the images deliver a powerful emotional punch considering the bad rap that NJ endures; lastly, the reader learns about the geography and natural habitat of the Garden State through Mr. Hiscano's interesting and frank narrative. You will not put it down!

I am lucky to know Dwight Hiscano personaly for more than 10 years. He is the fine man and exceptional photographer. Everybody who comes to my house and sees Dwight's prints on my walls is asking "Where did you get those images?". Being a professional graphic designer myself I know great photography when I see it. Dwight Hiscano is definitely one of the best nature photographers of our days. If you appreciate nature and interested in photography it's the book to have.

First hand accounts of nearly anything except war, violent crime and weather, are scarce as hen's teeth for much of our history -- except of course for the lives of the endlessly quoted rich and famous. What Margaret Buchholz has done here is to collect an extraordinary range of first hand accounts from two centuries of observers concerning their visits to, occupations at, and thoughts about the New Jersey seashore. It may be easy to discount as mere anecdote, but historians and ethnographers turn again and again to the unimpeachable witness of those who actually lived in(as opposed to wrote opinions about) real places and real times. Hurrah for Buchholz for finding, preserving and sharing such precious documents! The fact that this is a delightfully easy book to read only adds to the pleasure.

First hand accounts of nearly anything except war, violent crime and weather, are scarce as hen's teeth for much of our history -- except of course for the lives of the endlessly quoted rich and famous. What Margaret Buchholz has done here is to collect an extraordinary range of first hand accounts from two centuries of observers concerning their visits to, occupations at, and thoughts about the New Jersey seashore. It may be easy to discount as mere anecdote, but historians and ethnographers turn again and again to the unimpeachable witness of those who actually lived in(as opposed to wrote opinions about) real places and real times. Hurrah for Buchholtz for finding, preserving and sharing such precious documents! The fact that this is a delightfully easy book to read only adds to the pleasure.

Through the words of those who have lived the history of the Jersey Shore, the authors have captured the essential spirit of this unique part of America. The people and their stories are fascinating. It was a real pleasure to read this book. Highly recommended!

If you have ever spent time on the Jersey Shore and have fallen under its spell as I have this is a book you'll love. Margaret Thomas Buchholz collected accounts of shore life from the mid 18th century to the mid 19th century are captivating. Beautifully done.

Visitors have been coming to the New Jersey shore for relaxation and recreation for 200 years. Some things have changed during that time. Not only did people at one time wear woolen "bathing costumes" in the ocean, they could rent them if they didn't have their own. (Yuck!) Before the Garden State Parkway was built, people experienced inconvenience and downright hardship to get to the shore. And yet, I also realized, reading this book, how little people at the seashore have really changed: Over the course of 200 years, people "bathed" or swam in the ocean or bay, held parties, ate their fill of seafood, walked the beaches or boardwalks in sunlight or by moonlight, went fishing and crabbing and hunting, flirted and otherwise had a good time--just as they do now. What I most like about the book is not just that it gives the reader a glimpse of the seashore over the past two centuries but also insight into the people who came to the shore, in their own words: What they thought about, what they hoped for, what they valued, how they lived, and how they played.

I remember seeing Olympic Park many times as a child, through the windows of my parents' car as we drove past it. We were never able to go to the park because entry was restricted, but from the pictures in this book it must have been a fun experience if you were the right color.

I grew up in Irvington, new Jersey where Olympic park was and never knew the history. Found it extremely interesting and may buy more copies for friends.

Anyone that is interested in New Jersey History, or just to go back in time when times were not as complicated, then this Book is for you! It is about one of the Greatest Amusement Parks & all of the difficult times & mostly all of the Fun Times all the Visitors that went there had. This Book is a Must Have for your Collection. Long Live The Memory Of Olympic Park! Peace

Olympic Park was more than an amusement park with a big swimming pool. It was an experience shared by countless people who had a personal and emotional attachment to it. This book brings back vivid memories and captures the essence of a time and place that will never be again.

i recommend this book very highly. if you know anyone who remembers olympic park this would be a great gift for any occassion.

I recently found this book at my local library, and in reading it, was inspired to go back to my true passion: Art. I was also compelled to purchase a copy of this book, because I need to have it in my own personal library. I am so thankful that Karen's sister made such a selfless & concerted effort to see that this book was compiled. What a sincerely beautiful act of memorializing a loved one. It is simply... an undying love. Regarding Karen's astounding talent, especially someone so young! I was deeply impressed by her skill and yet profoundly moved by the portraits of the children. The way she drew their eyes, especially... I felt love for these children I'd never even met or known in real life! And we see photographs of kids everyday & don't feel such an overwhelming impact... I honestly got tears in my eyes a couple of times reading this tender story; I can only pray that Karen, and her brother Michael are in a better place... the one I believe she always envisioned children should be in.

I loved this book from beginning to end. Looking at the drawings of children that Karen Carrino did, it was evident that she captured their true spirit and essence. I have no doubt that if she were alive today she would be a well known artist. It is amazing that such a young person could have produced this amazing body of work in such a short time.

Thank you for sharing Karen with us. Her artwork and life touches one deeply. Her connection to children and the beauty within them is apparent in her wonderful drawings and paintings. The book is well written and the story touches the heart.

I find this book to be a truly amazing and tragic short life story of a young artist who brings out the innocence of the children and people she drew. It would have been a true honor to know this young woman and to know how she saw people, especially the values she saw in children and how she captured their true beauty! This is a great book for all ages! One of the best books I've read in a long time!

One could only imagine the type of person and "stand-alone" artist Karen Carrino would have become today. The work illustrated in this book was only the tip of the iceberg. She captured the essence of a child's face, but most importantly its personality. The features that stand out and jump out at you are the eyes. This is an extremely well-written book about the beginning and tragic end to a life of a person who would have become quite famous in her own right.

As a novice soccer-playing mom, I can authoritatively recommend this book. Araton captures the essence of the soccer-mom playing movement: the pure joy - both physically and emotionally - that comes with playing a team sport for the first time. This book is more than soccer. It's the story of a great group of women who made a difference in their community.

This book is for all adult women who play soccer and then pass this book to your husbands , boyfriends or significant other its a must read !!! Harvey caught the essence of exactly how deprived I felt not being in competitve sports when I was younger . Now later in life I like Harvery's wife became an organizer of women in sports. I felt like Harvey was writing about me . It was truly enjoyable to see a man appreciate and understand his wife's new found interest and ENCOURAGING it . What a wonderful book. Im sure I will see Harvey's wife in our OTH (over the hill) divison one day. Keep kickin it up !!! I recieved this book from my wonderful husband :)

Finally, somebody has taken seriously the phenomenon of women at play, and given this trend a cultural voice. Araton went to a great deal of reportorial trouble getting the story right, interviewing and chronicling the suburban mothers who have decided that sports can both empower and entertain. The characters come to life through both crisis resolution and athletic achievement. On and off the field, this book scores a hat-trick.

Learning to play soccer at 30, 40, or 50 is nothing like learning to play tennis, ski, or snowboard at that age. This book captures the essence of the challenge, exhilaration, and camaraderie that adult women experience in taking on one of the most demanding sports. Soccer moms who have tried what these women have done will really empathize with this book. It also accurately depicts the group politics that arise when organizing a playing league of women who are new to team sports and expect fairness to be applied. "Alive and Kicking" is extremely well-written and is a highly enjoyable fast read. Circulate it amongst your teammates and significant others; they will all be delighted.

"What are you looking for in a man?" That's what Desmond Rucker, the owner of the newest restaurant Cush that's located in the worst part of Asbury Park, NJ, says to freelance columnist Cydney Williams. "A man I can look at 40 years down the line and still be in love with," she replies.

Cydney Williams found a chance to leave her hellish life behind her and never looks back. With a mother addicted to drugs, a stepfather trying to save her mother from addiction, and her infamous brother Shammond Slay (known in the hood simply as Slay,) who can blame her?

No one knows exactly what Slay does to earn a living. However, they definitely know it's not all good considering he is ridin' dirty in a black BMW with tinted window's and Nas blaring from the system. Slay just wants to protect the woman in his life. How far Slay goes to do this is where the problem lies.

Desmond Rucker can't figure out what his problem is with commitment until he meets Cydney. Together they help each other figure out how in 40 years they can share an Apple Brown Betty and stare into each other's eyes still in love.

I am not sure how I felt about Apple Brown Betty. While the story was interesting and the author pulled you in, there was something that simply didn't click to me. I picked up that Slay really wasn't a thug, but rather he was misunderstood. But the premise of the story was for you to believe he was a thug and it just didn't fit. I didn't dislike the book; it just lost me some where in the middle. I think Phillip Thomas Duck gave you too much of this thug character, but when it came to the character that wasn't the case at all. I liked the title of story since that's what made me want to read it.

Reviewed by Angie
for Urban Reviews

Asbury Park, New Jersey is in rapid decline. Thus freelance magazine writer Cydney Williams is elated that a new restaurant Cush is opening in her hometown when no one was taking a chance on this depressed place. She plans to write an article on it praying that it is as good as what she has heard about the chef-owner.

However, she finds herself biased when she meets the owner chef Desmond Rucker, whose desserts are mouthwatering, but his body is sinful to die for. However, as Cydney ponders a relationship with the dynamic restaurateur, she worries about the decline of her once vivacious mother into an addict. She is concerned about her brother Shammond, who lives the lifestyle of the affluent but shows no inclination of how he pays his bills, which makes her worried that he is trafficking. As Cydney falls deeper in love with Desmond, her family, who she has always been there for them, threatens to betray her by destroying her chance of a lifetime of APPLE BROWN BETTY.

The key to this insightful contemporary tale is Asbury Park, a dying city that gains a little life with the simple opening of a new restaurant. Readers will admire the courage of Desmond for doing this as every advisor and friend believes he is wasting money and his reputation on a losing locale. Cydney, abetted by her mother and brother, brings a deep look into a family in decline serving as a real microcosm of what is happening in many urban centers. Phillip Thomas Duck provides a powerful tale of modern day America though his strong cast including the run down city.

Harriet Klausner

Apple Brown Betty, by Phillip Thomas Duck, is a read that I found myself not able to put down. The reader is introduced to Cydney Williams, a college student who also does work as a freelance journalist. She has a chance to review "Cush," a new and thriving restaurant, located in the middle of a crime-ridden community known as Asbury Park. There is an instant connection between Cydney and Desmond Rucker, the owner of the new and hip restaurant. The "love sparks" begin to erupt and so do other issues surrounding Cydney and Desmond.

Cydney has laid out a new life for herself and no one knows that this hardworking and successful woman was raised on the other side of the tracks known as Asbury Park. There are many bad memories in Asbury Park for Cydney and she is trying to leave them as just that--memories. A childhood riddled with complexities, such as the early death of her natural-born father and his best friend becoming her stepfather, a mother who has a drug problem and a brother, Shammond Slay, who often stayed in trouble as a youth and who is too overprotective to his sister's liking. An incident happened between them as kids that continues to plague Cydney and make her uncomfortable around her own brother. She would rather leave that part of her life behind her, but her brother Shammond, is determined to not let that happen--especially when Cydney informs him that she no longer wants him in her life.

Desmond, Cydney's new beau, also has issues. He seemingly cannot connect with a person and form a committed relationship. When he finally reaches the point that he feels he can be one hundred percent trustful and commit to the love of his life, secrets from Cydney's past shatters him and he wonders if he can ever trust her again. Will he be able to face the issues of adversity from Cydney's past and continue his relationship with her? And will he be able to share his own secret with her about his level of noncommitment? Will she be able to come to terms with her past and stop keeping them as a secret and move on with her life? Their love seems to be a parallel to the restaurant--a beauty caught up in the harshness of their surroundings.

So many heart-wrenching issues are dealt with in this story--drug abuse, possible sexual abuse, insecurity and attempted suicide. Yet at the same time, a very positive and learning experience is presented as we see Cydney and Desmond come to grips and come to see their issues for what they are. I highly recommend this book to others. The title of the novel is named after the highlighted dessert from the restaurant which is perfect because this read was certainly a sweet treat.

Reviewed by Coulee Eidos
APOOO BookClub

I waited with bated breath for PTDs third full-length novel and I wasn't disappointed. Like fine wine, he only improves with age. This story kept me riveted to the very end. Buy it, you won't be disappointed! The down side is the wait for the next. Alas, I read too fast.

Just finished this one. Took just two days. If you've read BLOOD AND HONOR and MOBFATHER, then this one is right up your ally. What sets it apart is the fact that it's from the point of view of the New Jersey faction of the Philly mob. Freselone's account of the events that took place gives a more straight forward account of what happened under Scarfo. The other books tended to hold back a little.

Told through the eyes of mobster George Fresolone "Blood Oath" is a blow by blow account of life with wiseguys and gangsters. Fresolone grows up in New Jersey and gravitates toward gamblers and wiseguys. An astute gambler, George is quick to scam a buck and start a sports gambling book. He is noticed by wiseguy Patty Specs, a mobster connected to the Scarfo crime family, and becomes his driver. Soon he is part of the New Jersey crew of the Philadelphia Mob and in time beomes a made member himself. These scenes in the book are especially vivid as Fresolone gives a birds-eye view of what it was like to grow up in New Jersey and how one becomes connected to the Mob. In those days they came looking for you because they saw you could earn and had talent.

Once George becomes connected his life starts to change. He gets pinched and does a couple of years in prison. While there his old crew ignores his wife won't pay her money George is owed. When George gets out he is facing heavy jail time with one more arrest so he contacts the Feds and agrees to wear a wire against his crew. Not only does he pick up his crew but he deals with many other representatives of other families in New Jersey including the Gambinos, the Genevese, the Colombos, and the DeCavalcantes. On top of that recently imprisoned Nicky Scarfo sends his son up to New Jersey for protection after he is gunned down in a Philly restaurant. George is responsible for "The Kid" and is privy to the desperate attempt of Scarfo to keep a hold on his crime family from prison.

Told with a wonderful first person narration by Fresolone the book succeeds in conveying the harrowing and tense life of a wiseguy in the 80's and 90's. It also succeeds in illustrating how and why men go into the life in the first place and the problems they have with their wives and siblings and friends and neighbors who are not part of "that" world. On top of that it is an excellent breakdown of mafia politics in New Jersey and is a first rate continuation of the trials and tribulations of the Philadelphia Mob. It bridges the gap between "Blood and Honor" and "Goodfella Tapes" with a perspective from a different end of that family. Wholeheartedly recommended.

What if you are a boy growing up with your dad doing illegal gambling, and working with the mob. well in the book Blood Oath by George Fresolone. George goes through the book and explains to you how his life in the mob started out and how he became one of the mob families gambling buddy. He explains to you who he worked for and what he did for his boss. George gives us great detail in how the mob was formed and how it was ran. My opinion I believe you should definately buy Blood Oath, because it's a book you could read moer than once. You can certainly expect alot of info about what they did, and why they did it. Also he explains to you how he actually came around in helping the law. The author likes to give his info in large paragraphs to give more detail to everything.

This is the best mob strory i ever read, it took a great deal of courage for George Fresolone to do what he did, i hope some day to see this story on the big screen..............

The Bud Wilson Dream Book was one of those novels you can't put down! The characters were lively and all-too human; their flaws were familiar as well as being engaging. I particularly loved the way that each character grew and matured through the story, coming to crises, revelations, changes, and then subsequent challenges in a realistic way. I already bought all the copies at my local bookstore and I hope this book stays in print for ages! It was the mainstay of my shopping list for Christmas!

The Bud Wilson Dream Book is a must read for anyone who has, and almost everyone has, watched the network night time TV talk show host (whether Jack, Johnny, Dave or Jay) and wondered....

An engaging "could happen" tale compellingly woven from the threads of the modern American "stay up late" television viewing experience.

I stayed up late 'cause I couldn't put it down. A great read. A must read!

There have been additional revews of this book in Maine, the Maine Times, etc. There is praise from all the reviewers for the good prose style and the sheer fun of the plot. Although the central figures are mature women, there is the ever outrageous Bud Wilson, the host of the most popular nighttime television show. An enjoyable encounter between the host and the central figure, a mature woman recently widowed who becomes independent and spunky. There are many suprises and personalities that will stay with the reader long after the book ends.

I found that I was unable to put this book down. The characters seemed real although the situation is somewhat fantastic. I found the hypothesis that dreams are the poetry of ordinary people fascinating. The prose was enjoyable. Give me more books by this author!

This is an excellent book of postcards of East Orange, New Jersey, many from the era 1900 through 1930. For those who grew up in or around East Orange years ago, this book is invaluable as a reminder of how great a place it was. There is also some text which gives coherence to the pictures. The only possible competition of which I am aware is a Centennial Book of East Orange from 1963 which has many photos (but not as many as the Postcard book) and a longer textual history of the City in its different aspects.

My mother lived in E. Orange during the 1906 to 1938 time period. She attended the Lincoln Elementary & E. O. High School along with my father whom she married later on. The postcards in this book give me a view that my mother would have seen as she grew up. This book gave me a warm and cozy feeling about a town I didnt know before. Many years later as I grew up in Caldwell, not far away, I had no idea of the rich history of E. O. Now I know thanks to this book. Note to Author: Don't ya just love Antique shops?

This well researched and visually appealing book is worth leisurely perusal. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book so much! The postcards and narratives shown throughout the pages brought me back to the town I so loved and enjoyed as a child and teenager growing up in a city that I felt was the best place in the world.