Parties Books

I really enjoyed this book. The story was very entertaining. A perfect summer afternoon novel. I really liked Darcy Lou's relationship with her mother. I also liked Lizzie's comments all throughout the book and the introduction and the info about the 'author' were very funny too. I liked this book very much. I would definitly recomend it!!

This book is awesome. It shows that mother's and daughters not only fight but get along too. Although Darcy Lou may seam to have a "perfect" relationship with her mother, the rest of the book is quite solid. It shows that kids aren't the only ones who make mistakes and somethimes the thing you need most is right under your nose. It also shows that you don't have to have lots of money to be absolutly rich. A group of people who care about is worth much more. Unlike money, they'll always be there and they are unreplacable. You must read this sweet little book!

I thought this book was really cool my little sisters checked it out from the library, I was bored one day so I decided to check it out I could'nt put it down I did'nt even want to stop for lunch I wish they would of told us the name of the Judd's Baby and Wade and Amelia finally tie the knot! I really like Robbie he seems so excited over everything just like Phoebe I hope that they tie the knot when there done with the next adventure I recommend this book to anyone it's great!

Oregon at last! Finaly, the Petticoat Party, after enduring more then the usual hardships on the trail, have arrived in the so-called "Promised Land" - Oregon. But for 13 year old Phoebe Brown, Oregon is downright boring. After a few days of farming, Phoebe is just plain fed up. She longs for the adventures and freedoms she experianced on the trail. Is she the only adventuresome person in the whole Oregon Territory?

I first read Professor Charles' book as a college student in the early 1970's. It is one of the few books I have kept; and I re-read it every several years. The book is very short, but contains extremely well documented information on the birth of America's multi-party system. Unlike the general belief today, the U.S. was to have a "no party" system of government. Indeed, while Madison was goading Jefferson into forming a party to oppose the Washington/Hamilton policies, Washington was preaching that a multi-party system would mean the death of the new American government. This is a fantastic book! And, unlike most academic texts, it is actually more like a long essay that is fun to read. Read it - you will enjoy it!

I first read Charles' book in the early 1970's while a college student. I thought it a masterpiece then and still think so today. (I re-read the book about every two years or so.) In this brief book - really a long essay - Charles outlines how American politics evolved from a one-party (or no-party) system into a multi-party system, the result of policy conflicts among Hamilton, Washington, Madison and Jefferson. When the different factions began to organize, George Washington was aghast. The thought of opposing political parties was abhorrent to him - yet he allowed Hamilton to push through programs that virtually guaranteed the split. Charles details the various policies and their outcomes in a simple, straight-forward manner. His citations and footnotes are fantastic. Once you finish reading this book, you will laugh anytime some American politician spouts rhetoric about the sanctity of America's two-party system. In fact, it was something very few wanted and only reluctantly formed. An absolutely great book!

With Volume II of his epic history of third parties in America, Darcy G. Richardson has outdone himself. While the first volume laid the foundation for the argument that the founders never intended there to be two major parties, this edition tells the story of minor parties' golden age. First, the book tackles Henry George - the father of modern "geolibertarianism" and the Single Tax movement. His influential campaigns in New York briefly united libertarians and socialists - a coalition that obviously could not last for long. The next several chapters deal with the rise of socialism and "populism" during the period, and the many strong third parties that emerged to advocate socialist and populist causes. This all culminates in the elections of 1896, 1900, and 1908, when the Democrats nominate "populist" William Jennings Bryan - who was also popular with many socialists - to head the national ticket. In retrospect, it is difficult to determine whether the Democrats co-opted the populist/socialist message, or the populists and socialists simply influenced the Democratic Party. Regardless, the results of the "fusion" are with us to this day. This book also focuses on the elevated terms of debate in the late 19th/ early 20th century, in which campaigns were waged and coalitions were formed over a subject as seemingly bland (today) as monetary policy. In fact, many Democrats defected from the national ticket when Bryan was nominated, forming the Gold Democrats. All in all, I learned a lot from reading this wonderful work, even though I already thought I was well-versed on the third-party politics of the time. Being a south-east Michigan resident right on the border with Toledo, I had no idea that the city had a popular independent mayor or that it figured so heavily in national politics at this time. Today, the city is bombarded with more political advertising than any other (due to Ohio's status as a "battleground state" and Michigan's proximity), so I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same. I cannot wait for Volume III!

There were intense social and political struggles during the period covered by this book. We think our politics today is intense, and it is, but it pales by comparison with the capital-labor struggles of the 1880's, 1890's, and 1900's decade. The book gets into the nitty-gritty of these fierce, unrelenting battles.

As I find myself more and more dissatisfied with the two major political parties, I found myself increasingly interested and drawn to the unrepresented and often unheard voices of the political arena: the third parties of American politics.

It was from my own research (and my own curiosity) that led me to this book: Others by Darcy Richardson. The book is part of a planned four-volume series that looks at the role of third parties in American history. Richardson's research is outstanding and very detailed. He not only provides biographical thumbnail sketches of persons of interest to breathe life into these forgotten heroes of elections past, but illustrates how some of the early third-party movements routinely fielded tickets headed by men of stature and substance, including ex-governors, congressmen, diplomats, and even former Presidents (i.e., Free Soiler Martin Van Buren in 1848 and the Know-Nothing Party's Millard Fillmore in 1856). In this first volume, he thoroughly re-examines these parties and key players from our country's beginning to the mid 1880s, culminating in the demise of the Greenback-Labor Party.

Where I had already thought that I knew quite a bit about the early American parties (the Federalists, Democratic-Republicans, the Whigs, the Know Nothings, the Free Soilers), Richardson not only expands my existing knowledge but also introduces the forgotten parties of the earlier periods, including the Anti-Masonic Party (anti-secret society), the Liberty Party (anti-slavery), and the Prohibitionists (teetotalers). He clearly has his hand on the political pulse of early America and writes in a guiding narrative that leaves the impression that he himself was there at these pivotal points in American history; at the early political conventions with all their intrigue and deal making; reporting the newspaper headlines and pamphlets of the period; the behind-the-scenes politicking between the candidates, the party bosses and assorted movers-and-shakers. Unlike some in academia, Richardson makes no attempt to force his own interpretation of events on the reader, but merely reminds his audience of the impact third parties had on the nation's political development.

All in all, Richardson has written a wonderful book that is insightful, informative and a terrific read. He brings to light the lives and dreams of so many forward-thinking Americans who, for the most part, have been overlooked by other historians. I look forward to his subsequent volumes so that I can expand my knowledge on the third parties of the 20th century. I can see where this book will be a reference for anyone looking to examine the role third party politics have played, especially during some of the more volatile periods in our nation's history.

Third party politics wreak havoc in the two party system of America. It has been proven. Yet time and time again, a third party springs up out of the desires of the people. Some go strong and some fizzle out from the very beginning. The desire for change is a looming giant in the United States, and always has been. For the history of third party politics one only need to look to Darcy Richardson's "Others: Third-Party Politics from the Nation's Founding to The Rise and Fall of The Greenback-Labor Party." It's a long title and a long book but it is quite thorough and a highly recommended read for anyone who is intrigued by or even mildly irritated by third parties.

Beginning with the views of our founding fathers, Richardson covers the history of American politics, including: Free Democrats, southern rights and Native Americans, the emergence of the know-nothing party, the liberal Republican movement: reformers versus politicians, the prohibition and anti-monopoly parties in 1884, and so much more. This epic history lesson is extensively detailed and seemingly all-inclusive. However, Darcy Richardson writes like a man entranced with his favorite plaything. His book reads like the work of one who is in love with his topic. Thus, the reader is also entranced and finds the reading captivating.

The book can be read in bits and pieces; the reader choosing their favorite of the bygone parties and moments in history, or it can be read in whole in study of the American way. Whether for the home enthusiast or a college library, this holding will be greatly admired. The first in a four volume series, "Others" is a thoroughly researched piece of work that sets the bar for Richardson's future books. Expect good things from Richardson and you won't be disappointed.

As a reviewer I am not the biggest fan of reading lengthy history books, but "Others" was a compelling, enlightening and entertaining read.
Review by Heather Froeschl.

I bought this book long before I had children. I loved the way the author uses pictures in his books instead of all words. The characters are so lovable. I have this book plus PB Bear Treasure hunt. If they ever become available again I definately recommend them.

This is my absolute favorite P.B. Bear book. The inside covers have beautiful color pictures of all things party. This is a great learning tool for kids. You can teach them the names of all sorts of fun items.

The story starts in the morning with P.B. Bear in his cute pajamas. He doesn't want to stay in bed because today is his birthday. With a "Happy Birthday to Me" he heads for breakfast. Friends start arriving at his home and soon they all decide to go for a picnic. When you turn the page...you have to keep turning the page because the words go in a circle around some railroad tracks.

The picnic looks just fantastic, with cake and gummy bears and all sorts of yummy cucumber sandwiches. Then, he opens all his presents. They ride home in a train and the tired little bear goes right to sleep...but not before he brushes his teeth!

This book is just filled with pictures. Some of the words are missing in the sentences and the picture of the word appears. So, you can have lots of fun teaching words.

Totally Cute!

~The Rebecca Review

The authors allow the readers to take a close look into the history of electoral socialism....Highly recomended to political science students & others who wish to know more aboute the intriding world of politics.

The authors allow the readers to take a close look into the history of electoral socialism....Highly recomended to political science students & others who wish to know more aboute the intriding world of politics.

This book combines two very important elements in academic writings that are seldom found in writings about Singapore soceiety and its politics: scholarly analyses and intellectual courage. Must be the first book about the PAP and Opposition Parties ever written and penned in such a comprehensive and scholarly manner. I have made it as compulsory reading for my course in the university here!

This book is a must if you are interested in Singaporean politics. It gives a good overview on the most important political parties in Singapore. Even though these opposition parties have gained some 40% of the vote in many elections they have hardly been represented in parliament. (only once with 4 memberes) Hussin Mutalib shows the reader how the government has managed to sideline the opposition. The Singaporean leadership's assertion of opposition parties as a threat to Singapore's national integrity is one of the most important arguments in this discourse.

This book is a great addition to Diane K. Mauzy and R.S. Milne's "Singapore Politics Under the People's Action Party" from 2002. However, Mutalib's book is more daring in that he helps the reader understand Singapore's authoritarian handling of any kind of opposition. In the end he concludes with the suggestion that "For Opposition parties, perhaps there is a pressing need to reflect on these trends (that Singaporeans want more political pluralism) and scenarios, ugrade themselves and rise to the occasion." With other words, the Opposition should become more courageous and challenge the ruling party more decisively.

Overall a surprisingly open book from Singapore. It shows that academic freedom has made great progress in this city-state!

Ms. Scarrow has taken what might appear to be a dry and uninteresting subject to most laypeople and made it accessible and fun. Great job Susan. I can't wait until my book club brings up your book for discussion at our next Monday Night Book Club.

Even before I discovered that Dr. Scarrow's book is in the British Parliament's House of Commons Library, I thought it was a remarkable work. Since finding out that fact, I've been pleased to have my high opinion of her research validated. Her command of her subject matter is superb and I highly recommend this book if you want to find out more about the strategies of German and British political parties in the middle years of the last century.

In 1984, The Ecco Press published a handsome thirteen-volume edition of The Tales of Chekhov containing the highly respected, if somewhat dated, English translations of Constance Garnett. The original thirteen volumes were subsequently supplemented by two additional volumes, "The Unknown Chekhov: Stories and Other Writings," translated by Avrahm Yarmolinsky (a volume which is still in print under the auspices of another publisher) and "Notebook of Anton Chekhov," translated by S. S. Koteliansky and Leonard Woolf. While I was fortunate to have purchased the entire paperback set at a pittance during a remainder sale (and it remains one of the favorites of my book collection), it is, alas, sadly out-of-print.

"The Party & Other Stories," volume 4 of The Ecco Press edition, contains eleven stories written during the period from the mid-1880s to the mid-1890s. These are stories from Chekhov's so-called "middle period," the years after Chekhov had finished his medical studies and began writing and publishing the longer, more serious psychological studies whose characteristics became a universal ascription for short stories of that sort: "Chekhovian." As Harold Bloom has written, "the formal delicacy and somber reflectiveness [of Chekhov's stories] make him the indispensable artist of the unlived life, and the major influence upon all story-writers after him."

Every one of the stories in this volume is a remarkable example of Chekhov's ability to write in simple, straightforward fashion, while, all the time, illuminating with almost microscopic precision the internalized, psychological lives of his characters. As one commentary on Chehov's writing during this period has noted, apropos of the stories in this volume (and in contrast to Chekhov's early humorous stories): "Characters are no longer perceived satirically, as social archetypes, but seen from within. And the inner life revealed is often an unhappy one, the characters' `real life' being in sharp contrast with their `world of desire,' reached only through memory or fantasy."

The stories range from long to short, each a near-perfect model of the short story, worthy of enjoyment and careful study. The longest of the stories, "A Woman's Kingdom," tells of Anna Akimovna, the daughter of a factory owner who, as a young girl, mingled with the working classes, only to find herself the lonely, single, middle-aged heiress and proprietor of those same factories later in life. It is a remarkable exploration of Anna's loneliness and of her yearning to return to the life of her childhood, as well as of the separation between owner and worker in an industrialized Russia. As Anna says, longingly: "Yes, I'll go and get married. I will marry in the simplest, most ordinary way and be radiant with happiness. And, would you believe it, I will marry some plain working man, some mechanic or draughtsman."

In the title story, "The Party," Chekhov brilliantly probes the mind, the thoughts, the silent unhappiness and dissatisfaction of Olga Mihalovna, a pregnant, married woman who clearly does not like her philandering, brash husband or her social obligations. In a passage that strikingly illustrates both the luster of Chekhov's art and the deep-seated discontent of the character of his story, Olga stands watching her guests, the partygoers of the story's title, glide by in boats:

"Olga Mihalovna looked at the other boats, and there, too, she saw only uninteresting, queer creatures, affected or stupid people. She thought of all the people she knew in the district, and could not remember one person of whom one could say or think anything good. They all seemed to her mediocre, insipid, unintelligent, narrow, false, heartless; they all said what they did not think, and did what they did not want to. Dreariness and despair were stifling her; she longed to leave off smiling, to leap up and cry out, `I am sick of you,' and then jump out and swim to the bank."

These are just two of the stories. The volume also contains "The Kiss," a story that no less a literary arbiter than Bloom considers the best of Chekhov's early stories (written in 1887, when Chekhov was 27 years old). And the rest are equally good, demonstrating why Chekhov is considered among the greatest practitioners of the story-writer's art.

If you can, find this volume and the others in The Ecco Press's wonderful edition of Chekhov and read them all. If you can't, then find another edition. Just read Chekhov. You will not be disappointed.

...

"The Party & Other Stories," volume 4 of The Ecco Press edition, contains eleven stories written during the period from the mid-1880s to the mid-1890s. These are stories from Chekhov's so-called "middle period," the years after Chekhov had finished his medical studies and began writing and publishing the longer, more serious psychological studies whose characteristics became a universal ascription for short stories of that sort: "Chekhovian." As Harold Bloom has written, "the formal delicacy and somber reflectiveness [of Chekhov's stories] make him the indispensable artist of the unlived life, and the major influence upon all story-writers after him."

Every one of the stories in this volume is a remarkable example of Chekhov's ability to write in simple, straightforward fashion, while, all the time, illuminating with almost microscopic precision the internalized, psychological lives of his characters. As one commentary on Chehov's writing during this period has noted, apropos of the stories in this volume (and in contrast to Chekhov's early humorous stories): "Characters are no longer perceived satirically, as social archetypes, but seen from within. And the inner life revealed is often an unhappy one, the characters' 'real life' being in sharp contrast with their 'world of desire,' reached only through memory or fantasy."

The stories range from long to short, each a near-perfect model of the short story, worthy of enjoyment and careful study. The longest of the stories, "A Woman's Kingdom," tells of Anna Akimovna, the daughter of a factory owner who, as a young girl, mingled with the working classes, only to find herself the lonely, single, middle-aged heiress and proprietor of those same factories later in life. It is a remarkable exploration of Anna's loneliness and of her yearning to return to the life of her childhood, as well as of the separation between owner and worker in an industrialized Russia. As Anna says, longingly: "Yes, I'll go and get married. I will marry in the simplest, most ordinary way and be radiant with happiness. And, would you believe it, I will marry some plain working man, some mechanic or draughtsman."

In the title story, "The Party," Chekhov brilliantly probes the mind, the thoughts, the silent unhappiness and dissatisfaction of Olga Mihalovna, a pregnant, married woman who clearly does not like her philandering, brash husband or her social obligations. In a passage that strikingly illustrates both the luster of Chekhov's art and the deep-seated discontent of the character of his story, Olga stands watching her guests, the partygoers of the story's title, glide by in boats:

"Olga Mihalovna looked at the other boats, and there, too, she saw only uninteresting, queer creatures, affected or stupid people. She thought of all the people she knew in the district, and could not remember one person of whom one could say or think anything good. They all seemed to her mediocre, insipid, unintelligent, narrow, false, heartless; they all said what they did not think, and did what they did not want to. Dreariness and despair were stifling her; she longed to leave off smiling, to leap up and cry out, 'I am sick of you,' and then jump out and swim to the bank."

These are just two of the stories. The volume also contains "The Kiss," a story that no less a literary arbiter than Bloom considers the best of Chekhov's early stories (written in 1887, when Chekhov was 27 years old). And the rest are equally good, demonstrating why Chekhov is considered among the greatest practitioners of the story-writer's art.

If you can, find this volume and the others in The Ecco Press's wonderful edition of Chekhov and read them all. If you can't, then find another edition. Just read Chekhov. You will not be disappointed.