Indiana Books

Very informing information...Innovative, intuitive, interesting. -B. Baggins

This collection of essays explores how individuals view commonly-owned resources. The clear conclusion is that people are biologically selfish: each person sees his/her own interests as more important than the group's interests. Altruism doesn't work as a policy. This flies in the face of common wisdom. I wish this book could be made standard reading for all high-school students. It explains the population's apparently self-defeating habit of destroying their own habitat.

I read this book shortly before returning to my former Peace Corps site in Mali a few months ago. My "jatigi" family are the blacksmiths of a small village in the Mande region. During my two years living with them I observed a lot of interesting things that I couldn't understand, or didn't realize the significance of. I was very happy to find a scholarly explanation of pretty much everything I had scratched my head over for a dozen years. I don't exaggerate when I say that every page contained something that made me say "oh that's what that was about..."

During my return visit I was able to ask the blacksmiths about details in the book. And they confirmed everything I asked about. I couldn't find a single contradiction. It was as if the book were written about them specifically. They enjoyed hearing about the notion that the blacksmiths themselves were responsible for the early anthropologists' mistaken conclusion that blacksmiths were bad and should be avoided -- just trying to get rid of the anthropologists with all their annoying questions. They also seemed happy that someone would be interested enough in what they do to write a book about it, and that I had learned so much about them while I was gone. One brother was willing to talk a little bit about nyaman and fetishism -- just yes and no to a few careful questions -- but I'm convinced that the author's discussion of the subject is right on.

I had a great couple of weeks back in the village. And this book enhanced the experience in a big way.

My thanks to the author!

Anyone who has any interest in traditional West African society should read this book. McNaughton discusses the roles, image and social context of the blacksmiths of the Mande peoples of West Africa. Blacksmiths are not simply artisans, they are skilled manipulators of supernatural power (called nyama in Bambara. As such they are considered in the same vein as jeliw (bards, praise-singers) and sorcerors. They are also woodworkers, potters, circumcisers, and workers of magic. Specifically located in Mali, this study examines the world of the blacksmiths in relation to local rulers, villagers and visitng foreigners.

McNaughton's work emphasizes an anthropological perspective and he worked with and was finally apprenticed to several blacksmiths in the course of his fieldwork. Even though this is a very scholarly book, and at times very dense, it is well worth the effort required to get through it. Like John Miller Chernoff's "African Rhythms and African Sensibility", this book deserves pride of place among people who are serious about expressive culture in West Africa.

As a primer to the deep knowledge that comes out of the continent, this book presents an extraodinary and powerful introduction. A bonus for musicians and rhythmatists: check out the excerpt where he talks about the way the blacksmiths play drum rhythms on their bellows to accompany their work and the rhythms "played" by the women as they work pounding millet in the compound. Magic.

I am the author - Marjorie Main is NOT out of print - it is available through many sources in North America.

Having spent some time on a farm outside Muncie, Indiana myself, I was drawn into his stories immediately. I could taste that same well water in the rusted cup; I could see that old cottonwood tree and John would have eaten my mother's pie crusts! His life experiences on the farm are both funny and heart wrenching.....at times I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or both. The feelings of not ever measuring up to the people who lived in the town were the most poignant for me.....that he felt that made me sad because I never felt that way. John's poems are a true slice of life for those of us who grew up in the rural midwest.....something I'll treasure and pass along to my children.

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in ethnographic description and cultural interpretation. Glassie convincingly argues why the study of material culture challenges the received wisdom of the academy. More importantly, he applies his theory to the practice of completing an incredibly rich and lush reading of folk arts and vernacular architecture. This book provides a rich, interesting, and accessible model for learning to study cultural expressions -- be they Turkish carpets, Japanese ceramics, Appalachian face jugs, Gothic-revival houses, and an array of nifty objects. Glassie is also providing an exciting way to challenge the fragmentation of knowledge and the disconnected view of humankind that has been an unfortunate legacy of postmodernist cultural study.

Following an intriguing introduction, this book provides useful ways to study material culture. One chapter explains how material culture provides resources for studying history. This idea is key to the study of archaeology, and Glassie demonstrates how to study objects to examine the recent past. There is an vibrant chapter on the role of material culture in the life of a repairer of fine carpets who becomes a carpet seller in Philadelphia. Two of the strongest chapters deal with pottery and vernacular architecture. He provides fascinating insights into art by comparing various pottery traditions as diverse as Appalachian face jugs to Hindu religious art in Bangaldesh. The chapter on vernacular architecture is a tour de force that provides an overview of relationships between American history and architecture as well as useful ways to examine the built environment.

I was lucky enough to get to hear Peter speak last night at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. During my high school years, I was so excited about photography. I chose to not follow through with studies in Photojournalism; and at times I can't help but think back and ponder "what if... ." Last night was one of those evenings... . Hearing about the life of the two brothers was not only an informative, but a highly motivational experience. The focus and inginuity the two possessed during their high school years was intense; and this book is testament to that fact. Not only is the technical aspect of the printing intensely beautiful, but the design aspects of the images in terms of perspective and framing are absolutely incredible. Attention to aspects of subject choice, composition, and mood are a reflection of what they must have felt in their hearts and minds. The chance to hear about their friends, school, and societal aspects helped create a real cohesiveness when viewing the images at the FWMoA. Happiness, moroseness, uncertainty, and contemplation describe some of the moods in the environment. It is quite obvious that the members of the McClellan neighborhood looked at these boys as familiar and welcome fixtures, rather than intruders. Thank you to the Turnleys and the members of the neighborhood for an exciting visual journal.

As an Art teacher, I think it would be fantastic for high school students interested in photography to take a loook at this collection. Purchase this one for your budding photographer!

Inspired by some of our great street photographers in the 1960s, especially by Bruce Davidson's classic work, the Turnley brothers chose to turn their photographic lenses on their neighbors in their Midwestern town when they were in their late teens. "McClellan Street" was such an impressive body of work, that it quickly caught the attention of Magnum Photo photographers. Since then both brothers have become renowned documentary and studio photographers, covering everything from the Olympics to riots in Europe and Asia. But here, in their first photo essay - now the subject of a superbly printed book - David and Peter Turnley demonstrate not only a fine eye for detail but ample compassion for their subjects, in the best tradition of a W. Eugene Smith (Incidentally, an exhibition of this work is currently on display at New York City's Leica Gallery. It was there a few weeks ago, that I had the pleasure of meeting both photographers and have them autograph my copy of their book.). Through their lenses and film, the brothers Turnley have depicted the inhabitants of McClellan Street not only with ample compassion, but a superb sense of dignity too, with photographic skills that were truly far more advanced than their then youthful years.

This is a very nice addition to the very hard to find medieval repertoire. All the known instrumental pieces of music are in this book. I have some reserve on some rythmic choices made by the author. Nevertheless, this is a must have book for any medieval music lover.

I'm no scholar, just an ameteur musician and early music enthusiast. I love this book. The tunes are set in easy to play keys and notated much more sensibly than other arrangments I've seen. His endnotes are also pretty good, of course more information and commentary on each piece is always welcome. The sprial binding also makes it easy to use and perform from.

Schurmann begins with fairly straightforward commentary about Eckhart's sermons, then expands and amplifies the discussion by placing his words into a larger context of contemporary thought. I found his commentary to be quite literally mind blowing, albeit very difficult & slow reading. Anyone who desires to find the roots of phenomenology in early 13th century mysticism will love this book -- or those with an interest in psychopathology and metaphysics...even those interested in zen.

Schurmann begins with fairly straightforward commentary about Eckhart's sermons, then expands and amplifies the discussion by placing his words into a larger context of contemporary thought. I found his commentary to be quite literally mind blowing, albeit very difficult & slow reading. Anyone who desires to find the roots of phenomenology in early 13th century mysticism will love this book -- or those with an interest in psychopathology and metaphysics...even those interested in zen.

Read this for graduate American history course.

"Memory and American History" by David Thelan is a fascinating book because it is three different accounts of the monumental discovery on July 13th, 1973. This was the day in which Alexander P. Butterfield confessed to Watergate investigators that there was an extensive recording system in the Nixon White House. This discovery led to the battle for the White House tapes and the eventual resignation of President Nixon. This article is the work of three different authors, two of which were present in the room when Butterfield told investigators about the recording system. Donald Sanders was the deputy of the minority council, was present at the meeting, and was going to interview Butterfield. Scott Armstrong was a Democratic staffer and was working for the majority council. David Thelan interviewed Butterfield for the Journal of American History to present Butterfield's side of the story and his feelings on his confession. "Remembering the Discovery of the Watergate Tapes" offers three similar, but slightly different views on Butterfield's famous confession about the White House taping system.

The Butterfield revelation became the most important discovery of the Watergate investigation and led to Nixon's embarrassing battle over subpoenaed tapes. Interestingly, Scott and Sanders both claim that it was themselves who coaxed the confession from Butterfield. Armstrong's majority council had received the Buzhardt account, which was extremely detailed of meetings in the White House and had extensive verbatim quotations. Scott showed the document to Butterfield and asked questions about the methods for transcribing meetings in the White House. However, this document did not make Butterfield revel the taping system and the subject was dropped until Sanders began to question him. Sanders was suspicious of a recording system because of the detailed transcriptions and it bothered him that Dean spoke with the president quietly in the comer of the room. During Butterfield's interview Sanders was debating whether or not to ask about the possibility of a taping system. Sanders wrote in his account, "I had resolved to going through with it only minutes before". Sanders then asked Butterfield, " .. .if he knew of any reason why the president would take John Dean to a comer of the room and speak to him in a quiet voice". Butterfield believed that he should not lie and began his confession with, "I was hoping you fellows wouldn't ask me that. I've wondered what I would say". However, Scott believes that the confession was, "as If he were now answering the long-pending
question" which Armstrong asked about the Buzhardt account. Butterfield was entered as a witness for the minority party, but Armstrong believes it was he who persuaded the testimony.

The most disappointing aspect to this book is the transcription of Thelan's interviews with Butterfield. Thelan discusses how he wanted to give Butterfield's account in his own words. The methodology behind this article consisted of Thelan sending Butterfield a transcript of their conversations and interviews for his comments. Butterfield sent back a copy that was heavily edited, but he and Thelan eventually worked out a final copy that they both agreed on. Thelan says, "In my conversations with Butterfield I became acutely aware that what we were creating was not so much an accurate record of what Butterfield had said, done, and felt in 1973, but a collaboration based on our different needs in 1988". Butterfield was not open with how he felt after his great revelation to the Watergate committee. When asked if he felt relieved about acknowledging the tape's existence Butterfield responded, "I may have had a subconscious desire then, in 1973, to see and end to the debacle". He mentions that he did feel relieved afterwards, but "most people experienced a sense of relief'. The interview with Butterfield was a disappointment because it seemed that Butterfield did not want to express his feelings about his role in the Watergate scandal. He did talk about some interesting aspects to Nixon's White House, but was very reserved about how he felt and why he released the information.

The strength of this book is in the recreation of an important event using memoirs and oral history. Thelan attempted to give Butterfield's perspective on his role in the discovery of the Nixon tapes, but Butterfield was mostly unresponsive. The comparison of Armstrong's and Sander's account of the meetings is an important aspect of the discovery of the tapes. Both of these men claim to have been responsible for Butterfield's admission of the White House tapes. This book is an important addition to scholarship because of the far-reaching consequences that Butterfield's confession had in the Watergate scandal. Thelan's attempt to discover Butterfield's motivation and feelings was noble, but his final work could have been more outstanding. Butterfield's unwillingness to divulge more substantial information blocked Thelan's attempt at a groundbreaking work on the discovery of the tapes. However, the final transcription of his conversations with Butterfield is valuable because it allows Butterfield a platform to tell his side of the story. "Remembering the Discovery of the Watergate Tapes" shows that Butterfield did not go to the committee in order to topple the president. Rather, this article tells the story of an honest man who answered a difficult question in which he knew the answer. Overall, the book falls short of the Thelan's goal, but still provides the reader with some of Butterfield's motivation and feelings of his important role to the Watergate scandal.

As a graduate student in philosophy and history, I recommended this book for anyone interested in American history, and Watergate history.

Read this for graduate American history course.

"Memory and American History" by David Thelan is a fascinating book because it is three different accounts of the monumental discovery on July 13th, 1973. This was the day in which Alexander P. Butterfield confessed to Watergate investigators that there was an extensive recording system in the Nixon White House. This discovery led to the battle for the White House tapes and the eventual resignation of President Nixon. This article is the work of three different authors, two of which were present in the room when Butterfield told investigators about the recording system. Donald Sanders was the deputy of the minority council, was present at the meeting, and was going to interview Butterfield. Scott Armstrong was a Democratic staffer and was working for the majority council. David Thelan interviewed Butterfield for the Journal of American History to present Butterfield's side of the story and his feelings on his confession. "Remembering the Discovery of the Watergate Tapes" offers three similar, but slightly different views on Butterfield's famous confession about the White House taping system.

The Butterfield revelation became the most important discovery of the Watergate investigation and led to Nixon's embarrassing battle over subpoenaed tapes. Interestingly, Scott and Sanders both claim that it was themselves who coaxed the confession from Butterfield. Armstrong's majority council had received the Buzhardt account, which was extremely detailed of meetings in the White House and had extensive verbatim quotations. Scott showed the document to Butterfield and asked questions about the methods for transcribing meetings in the White House. However, this document did not make Butterfield revel the taping system and the subject was dropped until Sanders began to question him. Sanders was suspicious of a recording system because of the detailed transcriptions and it bothered him that Dean spoke with the president quietly in the comer of the room. During Butterfield's interview Sanders was debating whether or not to ask about the possibility of a taping system. Sanders wrote in his account, "I had resolved to going through with it only minutes before". Sanders then asked Butterfield, " .. .if he knew of any reason why the president would take John Dean to a comer of the room and speak to him in a quiet voice". Butterfield believed that he should not lie and began his confession with, "I was hoping you fellows wouldn't ask me that. I've wondered what I would say". However, Scott believes that the confession was, "as If he were now answering the long-pending
question" which Armstrong asked about the Buzhardt account. Butterfield was entered as a witness for the minority party, but Armstrong believes it was he who persuaded the testimony.

The most disappointing aspect to this book is the transcription of Thelan's interviews with Butterfield. Thelan discusses how he wanted to give Butterfield's account in his own words. The methodology behind this article consisted of Thelan sending Butterfield a transcript of their conversations and interviews for his comments. Butterfield sent back a copy that was heavily edited, but he and Thelan eventually worked out a final copy that they both agreed on. Thelan says, "In my conversations with Butterfield I became acutely aware that what we were creating was not so much an accurate record of what Butterfield had said, done, and felt in 1973, but a collaboration based on our different needs in 1988". Butterfield was not open with how he felt after his great revelation to the Watergate committee. When asked if he felt relieved about acknowledging the tape's existence Butterfield responded, "I may have had a subconscious desire then, in 1973, to see and end to the debacle". He mentions that he did feel relieved afterwards, but "most people experienced a sense of relief'. The interview with Butterfield was a disappointment because it seemed that Butterfield did not want to express his feelings about his role in the Watergate scandal. He did talk about some interesting aspects to Nixon's White House, but was very reserved about how he felt and why he released the information.

The strength of this book is in the recreation of an important event using memoirs and oral history. Thelan attempted to give Butterfield's perspective on his role in the discovery of the Nixon tapes, but Butterfield was mostly unresponsive. The comparison of Armstrong's and Sander's account of the meetings is an important aspect of the discovery of the tapes. Both of these men claim to have been responsible for Butterfield's admission of the White House tapes. This book is an important addition to scholarship because of the far-reaching consequences that Butterfield's confession had in the Watergate scandal. Thelan's attempt to discover Butterfield's motivation and feelings was noble, but his final work could have been more outstanding. Butterfield's unwillingness to divulge more substantial information blocked Thelan's attempt at a groundbreaking work on the discovery of the tapes. However, the final transcription of his conversations with Butterfield is valuable because it allows Butterfield a platform to tell his side of the story. "Remembering the Discovery of the Watergate Tapes" shows that Butterfield did not go to the committee in order to topple the president. Rather, this article tells the story of an honest man who answered a difficult question in which he knew the answer. Overall, the book falls short of the Thelan's goal, but still provides the reader with some of Butterfield's motivation and feelings of his important role to the Watergate scandal.

As a graduate student in philosophy and history, I recommended this book for anyone interested in American history, and Watergate history.

There are those who form the catalysts in our lives, who lead in such a way
that they influence history. John Wilson was a keen observer of people who were genuine leaders and fairly portrayed their strengths and weaknesses.
As both an Indiana reporter, and a key player in the Justice Department, he
saw six decades of pivotal history in civil rights, Supreme Court rulings,
and tragic scandals. He reported at a time when reporters and office holders used tact and diplomacy before greedy scoops. His summations give credit to those who aided him through the years, instilling a sense of gentlemanly conduct. He longs for the days to return when both sides of a question are fairly debated. I could not put this book down and read it straight through.

Disclaimer: I was born and reared in Indianapolis and represented it in the U.S. House for 30 years. So naturally I savor this book about the people and places I know well. However, the book goes beyond the borders of my state, both because the author had two careers in Washington,D.C. and because the book is a beautiful ride in a time machine to palpable American history, styles, customs, attitudes, governmental policies and, yes, a fair amount of nievate about such things as tobbaco and slick sales scams.

I have to admit that I'm a bit biased. The author was my wife, and I helped with the assembly of the book. Marilyn was a very gifted writer, but passed away unexpectedly in 1998, forever silencing her voice. Miami County was her home, and she dearly loved it and its rich circus heritage. That love can be seen in every word and picture in this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a fan of early circus history.

I have a copy of this book and can not stop going through it. You can get a full sense of life in Miami County, Indiana over a great span of years. The picture are spectacular, and the text is informative and interesting. If you lived there, or know someone who did, or if you're doing genealogy research for this location I highly recommend you purchase this book!