 
 

Thoughts on some very fine books


Published Wednesday, February 19, 2003

I have finished reading the varied books that have been beside my chair in the living room. They certainly comprise an eclectic mix.

Three of them are remaindered books: "The Deal Maker, How William Durant made General Motors" by Axel Madsen; "The Rise and Fall of the House of Barney's, a family tale of chutzpah, glory and greed" by Joshua Levine (the story of New York's fabulous clothing store) and "Nat King Cole" by Daniel Mark Epstein, which tells of the life of this great jazz pianist.

All of these remaindered books I had bought, and having read them and not wanting them for my own bookshelves, I am giving them to the library.

Another book I have enjoyed is Edmund S. Morgan's "Benjamin Franklin." The eminent author tells of the interesting and active life of this great man; a statesman, a scientist, a best-selling author, the country's first postmaster general, a bon vivant, a diplomat, a ladies' man and a moralist.

Born in Boston in 1706,, Franklin left that city for Philadelphia where he developed a lucrative newspaper and an almanac that mixed wit and moralism. Becoming wealthy he soon became a public spirited gentleman, pursing fame, status and influence, and at the same time doing good for his neighbors. He helped found the library company, the American Philosophical Society and a network of volunteer fire companies, and he conducted scientific experiments.

From being a strong believer in England, Franklin became important in the American Revolution. His ability and good points as Morgan writes of them, need to be considered in conjunction with his failings. His quarrels and political misjudgments are not mentioned. Neither was his relationship with his poorly educated wife, Deborah, who adamantly refused to cross the ocean on any of his many trips to Europe.

Though Franklin wrote to her, his flirtations with other - often beautiful women - vitiated his seeming faithfulness to her.

The fifth book I have enjoyed is Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman, a gift from my niece Jane. There are many amusingly pithy remarks. For example, when she tells of the days when she and her husband were arranging their many books into a combined library - a difficult job, arranging by topic, alphabetization or chronology - she admits it wasn't as bad as what happened to friends who rented their house for several months to an interior decorator, returning to find the entire library has been reorganized by color and size. She speaks, too, of the "compulsive proofreader" which she and her family are (and as I am.) This is a fun book to read.

The sixth book is a brand new one - just off the press as it were. It's title "Tracks in the Sand" and is by my son, Dexter K. Oliver, who lives in Duncan, Ariz. Autobiographical, it tells of his growing up and his later years as a naturalist working as a wildlife field technician in the southwest. Making his home in Arizona, he has become knowledgeable about the land and the wildlife that dwell there. He has seen the results of development which are, as in so many places including Florida, driving some of the wildlife to extinction.

He tells of using predator calls, allowing him to see many species of animals up close. When fully camouflaged - pants, jacket, gloves and head net - he has called in black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, turkey and ravens.

He has worked monitoring the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel and the Mexican spotted owl, and he has helped monitor the long-nosed bat working with Dr. Donna J. Howell, a world renowned expert on bats.

The afterward of the book expresses hope that, when possible, help can be given to the "viable creatures that may become endangered." There are 38 photos included.

"Tracks in the Sand" is for all who are interested in the southwest - and the world - and a plea for the wildlife in our country. Copies will be available shortly at the St. John County main Library.

The book can be ordered directly from Dex at P.O. Box 716, Duncan, AZ 85534. $14.95 plus $2.95 shipping and handling.



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