Ohio Books

Yes, this book is very, very funny, but it is also poignant. The Art of Table Dancing is not just a shallow, frothy, beach-read about the madcap adventures of DC Stanfa, man-crazy, liquor-swilling, table-dancing, Ohio-girl gone wild. It's about DC Stanfa--daughter, friend, wife, mom, Catholic. Stanfa has a uncanny ability to see the humor (sometimes knee-slappingly funny and sometimes achingly sad) in almost every situation, but it is her life journey that holds the reader's interest from the book's "Dedication" to the very last page. The Art of Table Dancing is a very brave book.

Talk about "laughing out loud"...I snorted, guffawed, and hooted my way through this book. From the side-splitting antics, to the poignant moments DC shares with us, this is the "real deal"; especially when it comes to her light-hearted, personal portrayal of the aches and pains we all can relate to growing up. I am proud to say that I know this "wild child" from the "old days", and I am very happy for her success. Keep "em coming DC!

Life's a beach. So laugh. That's exactly what you won't be able to stop doing after reading The Art Of Table Dancing by DC Stanfa. I highly recommend this book to any female who just needs "a girls night out."

DC Stanfa is one of a kind. I loved her book. I couldn't put it down even though I have my own to finish. She's a pure delight and a great writer. You'll laugh, cry, and relate in many ways. You'll come away from this book dying to meet this woman.

I loved this book! Funny to sad and every emotion in between. I couldn't put it down. DC Stanfa has packed a lifetime of events, calamities, and wonderful memories into a great book to which most every person I know (including me) can relate, from the "FBI Guy" relationship to the struggles (albeit very funny struggles at times) of finding her way down life's path. The book is written with such humor, it'll leave you wondering what happens after you turn the last page. Maybe a Table Dancing, II? I hope so!

This is a book I know Drew Carey would enjoy since he speaks highly of his hometown! If you are a resident or perhaps planning to visit Cleveland then this book will introduce you to the city's past and present. Great pictures as well. Nice tribute to this great city!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Mr. Grabowksi's choice of subject matter made the book interesting, and the "now" photography is beautiful. How lovely were Superior and Euclid Avenues in the past; modern structures today, in my opinion, pale against the architecture of the old mansions... I enjoyed the glimpse of seeing how people dressed and where they shopped. When is the last time you've been in a "dry goods" store? With a spot on the street to tether your horse? This is a must-have piece of history for Clevelanders and history buffs alike.

This is a wonderful gift for anyone from the Cleveland area as it goes into so many fascinating developments of the region over time.

John J. Grabowski is synonymous with chronicling the history of Cleveland as co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and writing other books on various aspects of the city.

Working on this project with Diane Ewart Grabowski has yielded a unique view of the city through its architecture from the dawning of the 20th Century to the beginning of the 21st Century.

Using archival photographs from back then and through commissioned works now, the focus is on the downtown area and some residential neighborhoods. There is text that accompanies the various photographs that adds valuable insight on the city.

What makes the book especially interesting is a person can literally "map out" a walking tour of the portions of the city chronicled to get an even better appreciation on how some areas have had remarkable change, while others have roughly remained the same.

While the book should be of particular interest to northeast Ohio residents and schools, Cleveland Then and Now is a history of the visions of developers & political leaders and - most importantly - the people who made the structures teem with activity during work hours and in the neighborhoods with family & friends.

I've been in Cleveland now for about 10 years, having moved here permanently to be with my wife. I'm always learning new things about this interesting and often vexing area. Even though I don't especially like living in the Cleveland/NE Ohio area today (this area has been hit hard economically, and it shows), this book has enabled me to learn much more about the glory, grit, and history of this interesting American city, in words and pictures. Cleveland proper was once the 5th largest American city, and the grandiosity and urban landscape and feel has been captured perfectly with the many turn of the century black & white classic photos of the downtown area, or 'Millionaires Row', just to name 2 geographical areas cited in this book! The 'side by side' juxtaposition of many of the classic 'then' pictures to the 'now' pictures, with many structures and/or buildings still standing, is eerily fascinating to say the least. If you live in NE Ohio, or go there often, this book is a MUST. You won't be able to put it down, and you will be mesmerized by Cleveland's humble industrial beginnings that helped mold NE Ohio into what it has become today! Also, looking at all the photos of people that existed 100 years ago makes you feel your own mortality as well. What is considered 'modern' today will be 'classic' or 'retro' tomorrow!

When I began work on my own book on ghosthunting in Virginia and the District of Columbia, this was one of the resources I picked up for inspiration, and I have to say that it more than met my expectations. This handbook contains firsthand accounts by the author of his visits to a wide variety of haunted public sites -- including hotels, restaurants, and cemeteries -- and is well written, nicely detailed, and often amusing.

On a more personal level, I was pleasantly surprised by a number of things. One was all the ways my own travels and writing endeavors intersected with the author's adventures in this book, including my stay at the clearly-haunted Hilton Netherlands Plaza hotel in Cincinnati. Another was with what a similar approach Kachuba and I had taken in our respective works and how, with much less tweaking than I would have assumed, almost any of the chapters in my most recent book, Shipwrecks and Lost Treasures: Great Lakes, could have been spun as ghost stories.

It is also nice when an author continues to do what he does best, so I was pleased to see that Kachuba had also written a Ghosthunting Illinois (The Haunted Heartland), and will have to check it out next.

Review by Lee Prosser - leep@ghostvillage.com
Ghostvillage.com review

A fascinating look at ghosts and hauntings in Ohio, this is one book not to be missed. In fact, I found I had read it twice before I reviewed it simply because of the interest it generated within me as a reader! This book will grab your interest and hold it, and thanks to the concise and clear writing talents of John B. Kachuba, this is one book about ghosts you will savor re-reading many times over.

In addition there is a travel guide to ghosthunting, a section on visiting haunted places, and a ghostly resources entry. A brisk and entertaining introduction sets the pace to this well-crafted book. Ohio is covered by sections.

With over thirty ghostly sites to read about, there is something for everybody in this book. Among the numerous interesting entries, check out Fort Meigs, Main Street Cafe, The Lofts Hotel, Taffy's Main Street Coffee, Woodland Cemetery, The Castle, and the Inn at Cedar Falls. An enjoyable afterword concludes this fine ghosthunting book.

If you like reading about ghosthunting and stories of hauntings as much as I do, then this book will give you many repeated hours of reading enjoyment. I highly recommend this book to anybody seriously interested in the lore of ghosts. Excellent reading!

Simply put, I loved this book. John Kachuba has a gift of description. I felt like I was in these locations with John while he was telling all of these stories. As a ghosthunter, I love reading about other paranormally active locations. Now I'll have to include all of these locations to my list. John is a brilliant writer and I'm already anticipating his next book. If you ever have the opportunity to listen to John tell some of his "ghost stories", I urge you to do so as you will be missing out if you don't.

Ohio resident John Kachuba has documented 31 tales from every corner of that beautiful state. I only wish this book had been available during the years I drove there frequently to visit my daughter attending college in Ohio's heartland. I had no idea I was passing by so many fascinating and creepy places.

In addition to the great writing (Kachuba teaches writing at the college level), what really makes his book stand out among the ghost books I have read is its inclusion of only haunts that are open to the public. You can visit every one of these places. In fact, you could use this book as a guide to the state and spend a very intriguing week or two investigating each site - staying in the haunted hotels, eating in the spooky restaurants and taverns, and touring a variety of ghost-filled historic buildings featured in this collection, if you dare!

To ensure you have no excuse to wimp out on an Ohio ghost excursion, Kachuba includes regional maps and clear directions to each site. To make sure you know when you're at the front door, he adds very nice photos of each building. Then, just as you may have pumped up your courage to venture forth, he scares you good in a warning from his "Afterword," written by notable paranormal researchers and demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren. Maybe armchair traveling is the best kind, after all.

Georgiana Kotarski,
author of Ghosts of the Southern Tennessee Valley

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only is John's writing style captivating, it is extremely descriptive. I felt as though I was able to almost picture myself at each of the locations. There was much history in the book, and John described each location with exciting detail, and dignity.
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Kachuba at Ghostock 4 in Savannah, Georgia in February, and he has a warm, friendly personality.I look forward to meeting him again, and I can't wait to read one of his other books.
Cindy

I remember checking this book out at the local library and reading it cover-to-cover at least 4 times when I was between the ages of thirteen and sixteen. That was around 10 years ago, and I still remember bits and pieces of it. It was that good. Now, I suggest you pick up a copy of this before more people discover how good it is and it becomes a rare/collecible item. Highly recommended if you like reading non-fiction about tornadoes.

I own this book in its original printing. This book is so good I will not loan it out in fear of losing it. I am an avid storm watcher via Internet, etc. This book is like being there! I'm glad to see they have broght it back into print. A must read for anyone interested in severe weather and survivor stories.

I have read this book several times over the years, and it holds my interest all the way to the end each time. It reads easily and quickly, and yet gives great detail to the horrific events of Friday, May 31st, 1985. This book is even more important to me because I live about 43 miles away from where the nearest tornado hit- Newton Falls, Ohio. If you are a severe storm and/or tornado buff, or just want to learn more about this particular tornado outbreak, this book is for you.

This is the best tornado book that I have ever read. This incident happened about 50 miles from my hometown which makes it more exiting yet.The author's chronological story from the start to end keeps the reader's interest through out the whole book. I am currently looking fo a copy of this book

This is truely the best tornado book I ever read. I lived not far from several of where these tornadoes struck. An F4 tornado just passed south of my hometown, Warren PA, and struck Tionesta and Northern Forest County, killing 7. I found out about this rare, yet fascinating outbreak in PA. I recommend this book to be read by any tornado enthusiast.

Very well written book with lots of good hikes. Great when you are looking for someplace new to walk. Descriptions are clear and accurate. I haven't gotten lost yet!

If you are poor with directions like me, this is an excellent book. I bought it in anticipation of the upcoming hiking season, vowing (YET AGAIN) I was going to hike with my kids this Spring. I found the book informative, to the point, and very easy to follow. I never realized what wonderful treasures we had available to us in the greater Cleveland area. What a great read!

Well, found this most interesting, as I thought I'd find new paths and new directions and that is just what happened. Startled to find things indicated or new things about paths and hikes I was familiar with, already took these and then a new bit of information about them. Unexpected, but nice. Very good style, very personable - voice of the author - easy to read, follow, and enjoy, which I very much have. Helpful and to the point. Like it much. Easy to follow directions, paths, maps, and found it a pleasure to read and use. Half the time I keep it in my car. Real pleased, and have already told any number of friends about it. Thanks.

I'm a Cleveland native and grew up right near the Metroparks. I spent my summers in swimming pools, but after reading the book, I realize I've missed out on a great deal of what the area has to offer. I also learned that it's not too late to strap on some hiking boots and explore the parks! As the editor of a regional newspaper, I'm no stranger to non-fiction and 60 Hikes is THE nature book to buy. 60 Hikes was an easy read that made sense to me. I'm inspired to get up, get out and take a hike!

What botanical wonder diapered Native American babies and served as an emergency field dressing in WWI? Give up? Sphagnum moss! Facts like these are plentiful in Diane Stresing's excellent hiking guidebook.

Trails are rated by difficulty and include easy-to-follow maps, drive-to directions, terrain types, distances, hiking times and nearest restrooms. Detailed descriptions discuss unique flora, fauna and interesting local and geological histories.

This book will fire up even the most timid explorer. Light and compact, it slips into a backpack for thumbing on the trail.

This guide was invaluable as our son searched for a school he knew he would be welcome in. We used various guides to narrow and refine our search for a school. This guide definitely played a significant role in our son's choice of schools, and he was very pleased to end up being admitted to the Advocate College Guide's #1 rated school: the University of Pennsylvania.

This guide is obviously the first of its kind, and the author did a great job on researching various schools and providing useful information which comes from faculty and students. However, because the author's attempt to balance the schools between geographical regions, some schools were left out. For instance, the top 20 are not actually the supposedly most friendly ones, but the most friendly ones in each region. Also, like other college guides, too many schools were crammed into one small book, but I guess I can't really complain, since every single college guide was like this. Overall, it's defenitely a great college guide, and a great progress for LGBTQ students.

This books time had come years ago, and I am SO glad to see that it is finally here. Alas, it's too late for me as a college graduate, but I like to know that future college students will know what to look for when picking a colle or university. This is a must for any HS guidance councelor or therapist or doctor or...well...anyone! It's a great tool and easy to use and understand!

I am lucky enough to go to a school which made the Top 100 and am quoted in the synopsis of my school. As co-president of our Undergraduate Gay-Straight Alliance, I plan to use this book to bring to the administration's attention areas in which the school is lacking and work to improve those areas. The book also has a lot of information for High School students selecting a college, administrators at colleges looking to better support LGBT students, and student leaders looking for help in planning events. If you are at all involved in higher education and want to make your school better for LGBT students, buy this book, read it, and loan it to everyone you know.

This book is great for those looking at their university of choice and administraitions to see what they need to do for their LGBT students. As someone stated before, I wish this information was available years ago. However, it will help me as I research the university I plan to work in as an administrator or academic.

Written by columnist and polka dancer Bob Dolgan, America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music is the true-life story of ethnic Slovenian and Cleveland native Frankie Yankovic, winner of the first Polka Grammy, whose hit, upbeat tunes earned him international fame and fortune. Chapters cover his turbulent life, his service in World War II, the loves of his life including the bitter end to his first marriage, raising his children, and of course, the absolutely stunning and smashing popularity of his music. Black-and-white photographs, an extensive discography, and an index round out this appealing survey of the sunshine and shadows in a groundbreaking musician's life.

This was a great book about Frankie Yankovic. Bob Dolgan did a great job on this book and should be commended. I grew up on Frankie because my dad loved his music, as I grew older, I appreciated more the music and the man behind it. Yankovic truly sacrificed allot especially his family life. This book covers everything, there were some things that kind of bothered me, not that the book had anything to do with that, but I guess things that I learned about Yankovic that really told me more of who he was. I reccommend this book not only to Yankovic fans and fans of polka music but anyone who loves the history of music. Great book!!!

My husband and I found "America's Polka King" to be the most interesting book we have read in a long time. The book is subtitled "The real story of Frankie Yankovic and his Music" and although Yankovic is the focal point of the book and a person who has done remarkable things for the polka genre, we also found the side stories of other musicians and incidents to be absolutely fascinating.

Frankie Yankovic was the most famous polka musician in U.S. history but this book also brings other legends (guys like Johnny Pecon and George Cook)to life for us, and explains their influence on the music and the musicians of today. Until we fell in love with this music we did not realize that Cleveland and the surrounding area was a "hotbed" of such incredible talent in those early years. Frankie Yankovic was quite an interesting individual who sacrificed much of his personal life for his love of polka music, but when put in the context of the other musicians of his era, the music, and the times - the book is even more than his story. It is a history of the Cleveland-style music that is so loved by so many today.

We took turns reading the book (should have bought two copies!), laughing at the stories, and saying to one another: "Did you know............?" Bob Dolgan does an excellent job of bringing these people to life and you will enjoy the book thoroughly.

In 1977, the author, Bob Dolgan, wrote a book entitled "The Polka King" about the life and times of Frankie Yankovic. That book has been out-of-print for many years. In his new book "America's Polka King," Dolgan revisits much of what he covered in 1977, but additional information and subjects are covered because Yankovic lived another twenty-one years after the 1977 book was published.

Cleveland has been internationally renowned for its symphonic Orchestra since shortly after it was formed in 1918. In the late 1900s, we became the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. In between these two events, however, Clevelanders knew--and danced to--a different kind of music. This music was by Frank, as in Yankovic, the man who made the words `polka' and `Cleveland' nearly synonymous from the late thirties until his death in 1998. In fact, in 1948 Yankovic won the first of his three titles as America's Polka King three times running when the competition was new. (It was sponsored by the major record companies, each of which had at least one polka band in their collection.)

He won the first-ever Grammy Award for polka music. Just his name alone drew the largest crowds ever to many dance halls throughout the midwest during a time of less mobility than in our current era. It was also a time when the media wasn't always busy creating the new hotshot.
Ten famous accordionists played for his funeral--one of the largest ever seen in Cleveland.

Recently-retired sportswriter for the Plain Dealer, Bob Dolgan, who knew Yankovic when they were both hardly more than pups, has written an engaging book about "America's Polka King - the real story of Frankie Yankovic." Yankovic, who was not born in Cleveland, certainly made it his homebase (as much as anywhere) for most of his adult life. Dolgan tells it like it was--the shiny and the tarnished parts--without dwelling on those bits that might possibly be considered a tad unsavory. This is a portrait of a real person.

Yankovic was a natural on the stage--a born entertainer, who loved what he did, unqualifiedly, and made sure the people in the audience enjoyed themselves as well. The ones who suffered most were his family--wives and children who remained behind in Cleveland, while he toured for 325 days a year. The flip side of that is that he earned an excellent living by doing so, and none of his three wives or ten children ever went without anything he (or they) thought they needed--except for his presence or companionship.

It may come as a surprise to some to discover that polkas are not exclusively Polish. There are many differences between the Polish and Slovenian varieties, and Yankovic was entirely Slovenian. Once he learned how to play the accordion, he was a gifted musician, able to write lyrics to go with melodies that he wrote, or to put American lyrics to older Slovenian or Italian folk songs. Either way, he quickly made the new song his own, and happily shared with his huge audience. His biggest hits were "Blue Skirt Waltz," "Just Because" and "In Heaven There is no Beer".

Dolgan also honors other Cleveland polka greats: Johnny Pecon and his sons Jeff and John, Jr., Lou Trebar, Eddie Habat, Kenny Bass, Johnny Vadnal, Jimmy Sturr, George Staiduhar, Dan Wojtila, Don Wojtila, Ed Sumrada, Tony Petkovsek and Joey Miskulin. There are photos, an index and a splendid discography, in addition to the history of Cleveland through the 1900s, told as a framework to the man and his music.

It's too bad that Yankovic didn't listen (or pay attention) to another popular song of his era, however. "You Always Hurt the One You Love," might have saved him some heartaches along the way. Or maybe not. He was one of a kind--a showman through and through, and as Dolgan says, "He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people." Not a bad epitaph, after all.

Jeff Smith is one of the greatest comic artists of our times, and it is inevitable that with the end of his epic series Bone, that we would have a one volume art collection of that series. If you're a fan of Bone, you won't be disappointed. Seeing the Bone covers and other color work in a larger size brings them to life. The artwork is amazing. The only reason that I give this four stars instead of five is that a lot of the work in this volume has been printed before, so if you've been following the series from the beginning, you probably already have 90% of the art that is included. This is not necessarily a bad thing since the images are printed in a larger format in this volume, but it would have been nice to see more sketchbook material. Another thing that dropped the rating is that there is hardly any text included other than a few captions. I appreciate that as much space as possible was kept for art, but it would have been nice to read about about the creation process, the origin and development of the Bone story, or Jeff Smith's philosophy on comics. Regardless of these minor quibbles, this is an excellent collection, and would make a wonderful gift to fans of Bone.

Bone was a real surprise, many years ago. B&W art was uncommon and the story was magnetic, pulling you into a world where cartoon characters wondered about with humans. From the very first issues thev reader was presented with plots and beasts that seemed like many other universes we know, but with a charm that was totally magic.
This book presents us with some marvelous art, sketches and behind the scenes info on how these stories came to be, form and style wise.
If you like to know a bit how Jeff works and structures ideas and styles and how the wonderful mix of Bone was born just don't miss this book.
There's a few extras as well... but I won't spoil you the surprise.

My son became "addicted" to the Bone series about a year and a half ago. I've never been a fan of comics but when my non-reader decided these books were what he wanted to read I was on a quest. He started by reading the color re-releases of the first few books and when Old Man's Cave had not come out yet I bought him the all-in-one book with 1000+ pages. My non-reader finished it in a short amount of time and was left with wanting more. When I came across "The Art of Bone" I was thrilled. It talked about how Jeff Smith created the characters when he was 9 years old. My son turned 9 last month so I got it for his birthday. As he was going to bed and talking about the day (which included 9 friends and The Reptile Guy) he said his favorite part was receiving "The Art of Bone"! THAT made MY day! It is a beautiful book and is very informative. I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in this series, beautiful comic book art or looking for inspiration.

(from an extended article, copyright 2007 Michael F. Hopkins)

For those who have come to treasure the Sequential masterpiece known
as BONE, this coffee-table volume will be an extra-special treat. For those who have never heard of the phenomenal epic which established storyteller Jeff Smith as a prime mover in the fields of Comics and Children's Literature, THE ART OF BONE will serve as an eye-popping introduction to one of the finest authors in any field.
The latest hardcover project from Dark Horse Comics, THE ART OF
BONE is a feast of information. Detailing why and how Smith became
a cartoonist, the book showcases his interest from schooldays to professional practice decades later.

Rich in Smith's probing, versatile illustrations, the volume
pinpoints the essential and unique balancing act which the
Sequential author must play between narrative and visualizing.
In an era where too many throw all their logs on one fire,
showboating without focus or meaning, the success of a skillful talespinner with much to say and share with all is as refreshing
as it is encouraging.
A stirring, insightful whimsy worthy of Walt Kelly (Pogo) and
Charles Schulz (Peanuts) is complemented by reflective pathos and
intense character interplay that Will Eisner (Sundiata, The Spirit)
could take great pride in.
In Jeff Smith's aesthetic, a tale can cross all boundaries, whether through animated cunning or larger-than-life Fantasy, and bring its points effectively home.

Whether lost in the wilderness, or deep in the throes of a life-shaping
quest, the imperative of journey informs the heart Smith's work. THE
ART OF BONE is a delightful look into the way of that path, and how much fun using one's head can be.
Very uplifting, in fact, for the heart and soul.

Give it a read.
Give it several.

Jeff Smith truly has lived the American Dream...he found one thing he liked to do and he's done it for his entire life. OK, that may be simplifying things a bit. But even as a child, Smith knew he wanted to be a cartoonist. In fact, inside this fantastic book you'll get to see one of the very first Bone comics, drawn by Smith when he was just ten years old. The characters had yet to be refined in terms of their look and personalities, but the spirit is still there. Bone is really one of the great comics and one of the great comics success stories of the modern era. A wacky and wise-cracking strip that is one part Walt Kelly, one part J.R.R. Tolkien, and the rest all Smith. Smith took a chance on his creations, and self-published them. While most self-publishers fail quite quickly, Smith proved that talent rises to the top. Bone soon became a cult-hit on the part of Cerebus the Aardvark.

This volume from Dark Horse Books is chock full of 200 pages of rare Jeff Smith Bone art. Some of it unpublished, some of it pencil versions, alternate covers, etc. You get a little bit of everything in this book: Finished panel pages, completed, full color covers, unfinished panel sequences, rare sketches, pencil versions of completed covers, often side-by-side with the finished product, and so much more. The editors are along to provide captions to the art at the bottom of the page, often noting Smith's influences such as the valley scene from Bone #1 and its comparison to a similar scene from one of Joe Kubert's Tarzan pages. Not that it is a copy of the Kubert scene, but rather how smith uses perspective in the scene, dwarfing the characters by the sheer expanse of the area that Bone is looking over.

The book also reprints perhaps the seminal page in Bone's history. Bone is being chased by two of the fearsome Rat creatures that are ever after him. He leaps to a tiny branch thinking he is safe as the two large predators could not possibly fit on the same branch, and would be stupid to try. When they are both on the branch, Bone screams the immortal words, "Stupid, Stupid Rat Creatures!" This phrase has even been included in Random House's Cyberspeak dictionary.

The book introduces the reader to all of the main characters including Fone Bone (the star), scheming Phoney Bone, dim-witted Smiley Bone, Thorn (bone's human love interest), Gran'ma Ben, and Lucius who runs the local tavern. With heroes you need villains and we can't leave them out...they include The Lord of the Locusts, The Hooded One, and Kingdok, who rules the Rat Creatures.

Bone is so rich in its story and scope that it really humbles comics that have been put out by the "larger companies". Even if you haven't read the comics you're sure to be dazzled by the art in this book. Smith is without a doubt one of the best cartoonists and best storytellers of the past twenty years. And if you are a Bone fan then the book will provide a lot of interesting anecdotes to many of the stories that you've enjoyed over the years. The good thing is that even though the series ended in 2004, Scholastic Books is reprinting the series in collected editions and in full color. This book gets my highest possible rating. Get it...NOW!


REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

This is one book every person dealing with mental health should read, I could not put this book down till I finished it. It tells of the horrors and treatment of the mentally ill in the late fifties and early sixties in Ohio. The book tells the awesome truth about this subject. I am currently working at this particular hospital, and have been since 1972, I have heard of some of the treatment. All of the stories are not just about the injustice to the mentally ill, it also tells of the programs that were established to help the mentaly ill. I highly recommend reading this book and the other in the series of, Some Die Mad.

I can't say enough. Some images keep me awake at night. This is literature.

This guy gets tossed into a real life garbage can and lets us root around with him and see all the funk. Here's a priceless work of art spun from one poor guy's actual agony. Don't miss this, it's a winner.

Auschwitz, Ohio which is Part II of the quatrain Some Die Mad is an amazing story and no doubt this work of art will become the definitive story about the tragic and bizarre mental health system of the Fifties. Whoever 44288 was, he does not deserve the anonymity his family has unnecessarily wrapped about him in its...ignorant shame. Auschwitz, Ohio and its three quatrain brothers, Gandy Dancing, Islands In Time and The Place To Wait are works of obvious genius and need to be celebrated. I cannot pass up an opportunity to tell prospective readers about this newly discovered classic, world-class piece of literature.

Auschwitz, Ohio couldn't be better... it absolutely is the finest work on Fifties Angst I''ve ever read. You can FEEL the suffocation....

It's all up to Fuji. Michael "Fuji" Powers, the youngest son in a fairly large family, is the last hope for the Powers family. His father had always dreamed of making it to the major leagues, to actually play at Great American Ball Park. When that didn't happen, the task was passed onto his sons. In turn, each of his brothers tried to fulfill that ambition without success. Now, it's Fuji's turn.

In The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park, Fuji gets to live the dream. Not only does he get the call to play for the Withamsville-Tobasco Cardinals but he plays at Great American Ball Park. It's a game (and a story) that you won't want miss.

The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park is a classic story that warms the heart and keeps the dream machine going. Fuji is a great guy. He's just an average American boy who is always overlooked that is suddenly trust into the limelight.

Talk about déjà vu in stereo! On the one hand I'm reading The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park and on the other I am reliving memories of my sandlot baseball days in junior high on the heavily-treed school yard lot. I had intended to scan the book to see if my nephew would enjoy Paul Mullen's book but got so enthralled with my own days on the diamond that I finished the book before reaching for my now-cold coffee.

I love the special sandlot rules - into the woods in left field is an out, over Stover's fence a home run, into Stover's pool a two-run homer. On my school yard ball field there was a large oak tree immediately foul of first-base. If the ball bounced off the tree in fair it was playable; otherwise foul. If the ball was hit high into the tree and started ricocheting from left to right on the way down you could make a last minute leap for an out. And we didn't play barefoot because stomping down on an acorn could be painful.

Mullen's colorful descriptive language produced other instant memories - like when he describes his father's Old Spice cologne as smelling like "vanilla cream coffee." And in this day of wild-eyed hockey moms and fanatic Little League parents it was refreshing to hear Dad whispers to Michael, "Don't worry son. Whatever happens, you're still my boy."

What a wonderful story and delightful read. This is a story not only about baseball and youthful dreams but about character and how to live life without regrets. And, oh yes, my nephew enjoyed The Day I hit a Home Run almost as much as I did.

The world of a 12-year old sixth grade youngster is very often filled with many challenges and is not always a smooth sail, as we learn from Paul Mullen's debut young adult novel, The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park.

Mullen's story takes us into the life of young Michael "Fuji" Powers, who is the youngest of his family consisting of three brothers, two sisters and parents, living fifteen miles east of Cincinnati. He was nicknamed "Fuji" because his brothers taunted him, claiming that he was adopted from Japanese royalty, as he didn't bear a resemblance to anyone else in their family being small, short and around five-foot-three.

As the story gradually unfolds, we notice that what appears to be meaningless events eventually build up to an moving climax.
We immediately discover that all Michael ever wanted to do was play baseball and his ultimate goal was to one- day play at his dream baseball park, Great American Ball Park, the official base ball-stadium of the Cincinnati Reds. And he would be the last of his brothers to have a shot at playing in this great baseball park.

Michael's big opening to realize his dreams arrives when he tries out and makes the Withamsville-Tobasco "WT" Cardinals, a class "C" ball club that for fifteen years had been perennial Clermont County champs. This was most likely the first big challenge he ever faced in his young life for he had to prove to his overbearing father as well as his sometimes annoying brothers and friends that even the smallest kid who has the will and love for baseball can live out his dream. Michael was also love-struck with thirteen-year old Cathy Stuckman who could hold in her own as a ballplayer with any of her male classmates. Cathy was a little older and a head taller than Michael, however this did not deter him from chasing after her. However, unfortunately, Michael had to compete with his fifteen-year-old brother Dave, or as he was nicknamed "Salty," for Cathy's affection.

Sadly, Michael's first game with the Withamsville-Tobasco "WT" Cardinals was not exactly his finest. To add insult to injury not only was he ridiculed by some of his team mates for his pitiable performance but he was also subjected to some verbal and physical abuse from his father who reminded him that if it were not for him pulling a few strings, Michael would never had made the team.

Michael is also reprimanded for not being serious in understanding that this was his one shot to play on a major league field. Deeply upset and angry, Michael decides that he had enough, and possibly for the first time in his life, stands up to his father and shouts "It's your dream, not mine, maybe I don't want to live in this family anymore." Upon hearing these words, Michael's father, who is fuming, stops their van and shoves Michael out on the street. However, Michael's mother's maternal instincts take control and she hollers at her other son Billy to take Michael home on his brother's Davey's bicycle.

Notwithstanding the unrelenting bullying by one of Michael's team -mates as well as the embarrassment he feels when his coach hauls him over the coals in front of his girlfriend Cathy, Michael does manage to improve his baseball skills during the course of the season.
His big break crops up when a ball squad from a higher league drafts the team's superstar just prior to the final championship game.
The team's coach now turns to Michael and calls upon him to replace their star player. You can well imagine the pressure placed on a twelve-year old when he is asked to fill the shoes of the team's hero!

Mullen proves that he is quite adept at working a few threads with writing that is poignant, captivating and a pleasure to read.
The characterization of Michael is appealing to young as well as adult readers as we follow his quest in fulfilling his mission of not only playing at his dream baseball park but also becoming a hero to his team -mates, family, friends, and his girlfriend Cathy. In addition, the story succeeds where so many similar books fail as Mullen educates his readers in depicting the realities of life with its ups and downs thus managing to make it not only a good yarn but also thought provoking in a way that kids will be able to relate on at least some level.

As a footnote, I would like to mention according to the publicity material I received, that Paul Mullen is on a mission to combat the illiteracy that exists among 6 million middle and high school students who are unable to read at basic reading levels. It is a problem, as he states, "that we as a society can't afford to ignore." The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park was crafted specifically to address illiteracy among these children. Apparently, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has expressed a need for 30, 000 copies of the book, if funding can be found. Mullen is actively searching for donations and corporate sponsors to help make this and other placements of the book a reality.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me of my childhood. Friends and family are great features to everyones life.

Reviewed by Karma Barry (age 13) for Reader Views (11/07)


"The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park" is an inspirational read that tells the story of a young boy who is trying to reach his goals and commands you to never give up. A magnificent author, Paul Mullen can give an everyday pass time flavor in a story by using genius comedy and the life of being the youngest in a line of brothers. "Everybody line up, and Bill and I will choose sides." "Did I hear an echo?" Lovers of baseball and coming-of-age stories will reread this book, no matter what the age, and will keep an eye open for more of Paul Mullen's works, though I am not sure if there are anymore.

I have never played baseball on an official team but I have played for a volleyball team, and the pressure of some of the games was brought back as I continued to read and was intensified the further I was through the book. I also relearned some things I already knew from another perspective: Never give up on your dreams, Nothing is impossible, and Never stop believing.

I will be looking for more of Paul Mullen's works in search of more inspirational stories. The story in "The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park" is one that I will be keeping in my heart for a long time and I hope that others who read it will feel the same way.