Alvah's Books

“You’re obsessed!” My friends and husband tell me, and I can’t deny that for the past three years Alvah Cecil Bessie has become a preoccupation.

I’m not writing a biography, although I do have a solid foundation to start one, and who knows maybe I will. But I am writing a novel. Something that I call Julius. In the beginning, the story’s narrator, Corinne,  mentioned Alvah in a soliloquy about the Spanish Civil War and the Volunteers of the Abraham Lincoln Brigades, but as I kept on writing Alvah crept in Corinne’s dreams. Then a few more rewrites and Alvah had a stronger presence. He became Corinne’s obsession, and mine as well.

As part of the month long tribute, I have a few surprises. The first one for today, for Alvah’s birthday, is an essay, “Two Fingers and a Thumb” by Dan Bessie, Alvah’s eldest son. There’s more to come, stay tuned. . . .

Alvah Bessie on HUAC Hearings, Hollywood Ten

The winner is…Vasilly of Classic Vasilly. Congratulations on your win! We hope that you enjoy reading the book.

Jeff Rutherford, editor and publisher of Reading and Writing Podcast  and I are launching a new feature later this month— a joint book review effort in which we’ll be discussing books for the podcast from different perspectives.

To introduce Jeff to my readers, I though I would post his fascinating interview with New York Times reporter and author Warren St. John, who discusses his new book Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town .

From the Random House website, below is a brief synopsis of Outcast United:

The extraordinary tale of a refugee youth soccer team and the transformation of a small American town

Clarkston, Georgia, was a typical Southern town until it was designated a refugee settlement center in the 1990s, becoming the first American home for scores of families in flight from the world’s war zones—from Liberia and Sudan to Iraq and Afghanistan. Suddenly Clarkston’s streets were filled with women wearing the hijab, the smells of cumin and curry, and kids of all colors playing soccer in any open space they could find. The town also became home to Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman who founded a youth soccer team to unify Clarkston’s refugee children and keep them off the streets. These kids named themselves the Fugees.

Set against the backdrop of an American town that without its consent had become a vast social experiment, Outcasts United follows a pivotal season in the life of the Fugees and their charismatic coach. Warren St. John documents the lives of a diverse group of young people as they miraculously coalesce into a band of brothers, while also drawing a fascinating portrait of a fading American town struggling to accommodate its new arrivals. At the center of the story is fiery Coach Luma, who relentlessly drives her players to success on the soccer field while holding together their lives—and the lives of their families—in the face of a series of daunting challenges.

This fast-paced chronicle of a single season is a complex and inspiring tale of a small town becoming a global community—and an account of the ingenious and complicated ways we create a home in a changing world.

To listen to Jeff’s southern drawl and terrific interview go to Reading and Writing Podcast.

At Alvah’s Books we’re starting something new. Every month, I’ll have a “What’s Happening” in the beginning of the month and give readers a heads up of what to expect.

I thought I would kick this off in June because  it’ s a very special month here at  Alvah’s Books.  On June 4th, this site’s namesake, Alvah Bessie, was born in New York City in 1904, and on this day, I’m delighted to write that I’ll be posting  a lovely tribute written by Alvah’s eldest son, and my good friend and comrade, Dan Bessie—himself a writer, film director, animator, and all-around great guy.

During the entire month of June,  I will be reviewing several of Alvah’s  books, including his masterpiece Men in Battle, his memoir of his time in Spain as a volunteer of the Abraham Lincoln Brigades during the Spanish Civil War; Inquisition in Eden, Alvah’s autobiographyof his role as a Hollywood Ten member; his novel about the Blacklist, The UnAmericans; Spain Again his follow-up to Men in Battle nearly 30 years later, as well as his book of short stories.  In addition,  two books about the Spanish Civil War and the Hollywood Blacklist will be reviewed and will serve as an introduction to these two topics.

I hope the reviews pique your interest to learn more about this wonderful and idealistic writer and that they inspire you to seek out his books and read them.

Please visit often, and don’t forget to a leave a comment. I always enjoy hearing from my readers!

In keeping with this month’s theme. . .

In Struggle and Salut!

Today is Memorial Day and many of us are honoring the soldiers who defended our country and ideals in the numerous wars we’ve fought and in our current ones in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In today’s post, I’d like to honor the writer-warriors of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion. These men and women were volunteers from the United States who served in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Of the 2,800, writers such as Alvah Bessie, Edwin Rolfe, James Gardner–son of humorist Ring Lardner and brother of screenwriter and Hollywood Ten member Ring Lardner, Jr.–Milt Woolf, James Neugass, and many more, illegally crossed into Spain from France to fight Franco and save the democratically-elected Spanish government. According to estimates, 800 American volunteers died in Spain including James Lardner–the last American casualty.

Not many Americans know of the Abraham Lincoln Brigades, its history, or about the Spanish Civil War-a war known as the practice run to World War II. Readers who want to learn more about the “Abies” as they were known in the 1930s, should read Peter Carroll’s The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade or read Alvah Bessie’s Men in Battle. For a quick introduction visit the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives.

As to why these men and women volunteered in a war that America wanted no part, reporter James Gardner said it best in a letter to his mother:

Mother, darling,
This is a letter which I started to write on April 10. At that time I thought I was going to have to break the news to you gently, but you seem to have heard it before I had the chance. I have kept putting off writing you because each day it seemed as it on the next I would know what I was going to do and where I would be stationed. I still don’t know exactly what the situation is, but I am leaving in half an hour for Badalona, about seven miles up the coast, where I will learn the rudiments of artillery in company with a new mixed international unit. It looks as if French will be the medium of instruction. I shall let you know more as soon as I can.

This is a most exclusive army. It has taken me twelve days of going from person to person and office to get where I am. I have listened to advice of all varieties, a large part of it against my enlisting at all. The decision has been very much my own, and I took it after a great deal of consideration. My closest friend and principal adviser here has been Vincent (Jimmy) Sheean, who told me not to join, which shows you how stubborn I am, if you didn’t know. Ernest Hemingway’s advice was that it was a very fine thing if I wanted to fight against fascism, but that it was a personal matter that could only be decided by me.

I don’t know how closely you have followed the war, but I imagine you must have an exaggerated idea of the danger of our position. On the map it looks as if Catalonia were a small fragment of territory about to be pushed into the Mediterranean, but in reality it is a lot of country, and I don’t think it will ever be conquered. There are too many people here who are fighting for things they believe in, and too few on the other side.

My views on the whole question are too complicated for me to try to explain here. I hope you are on our side and will try to convince your friends that I am not just being foolish. Not that I mind being though foolish, but American opinion is a very important factor.

I have made up a list of reasons why I am enlisting in the International Brigade, which is fairly accurate, as I did it for my own information. I am copying it here so that you may see for yourself which are the real ones. Some of them are picayune and most of them would have been insufficient in themselves, but all have something to do with it.

Because I believe that fascism is wrong and must be exterminated, and that liberal democracy or more probably communism is right.

Because my joining the I.B. might have an effect on the amendment of the neutrality act in the United States. Because after the war is over I shall be a more effective anti-fascist.
Because in my ambitious quest for knowledge in all fields, I cannot afford in this age to overlook war.
Because I shall come into contact with a lot of communists, who are very good company and from whom I expect to learn things.
Because I am mentally lazy and should like to do some physical work for a change.
Because I need something remarkable in my background to make up for my unfortunate self-consciousness in social relations.
Because I am tired of working for the Herald Tribune in particular and newspapers in general.
Because I think it will be good for my soul.
Because there is a girl in Paris who will have to learn that my presence is not necessary to her existence.
Because I want to impress various people, Bill for one
Because I hope to find material for some writing, probably a play.
Because I want to improve my Spanish as well as my French.
Because I want to know what it is like to be afraid of something and I want to see how other people react to danger.
Because there may be a chance to do some reading and I won’t have to wear a necktie.
Because I should like once more to get in good physical condition.

The first four reasons and the ninth, especially the first, are the most important ones in my opinion, but you may decide for yourself. I have also considered a few reasons why I should not join the army, such as that I might get seriously wounded or killed and that I shall cause you many weeks of worry. I am sorry for your sake that they are not enough to dissuade me. If it is any comfort to you at all, I still hate violence and cruelty and suffering and if I survive this war do not expect to take any dangerous part in the next.

If you still consider me one of your sons, you can send me an occasional letter and possibly a package now and then. My address here, I think, will be in care of the Brigadas Internacionales, but for a while I think it will be simpler to communicate through the Sheeans. Anything edible would be appreciated, milk chocolate or raisins, or anything in cans that does not require preparation.

Love,
Jim

In memory of those who fought and died in Spain.

Salut!

A few days ago, I was contacted by Murray Newlands, the founder of Affiliate Heat and ebook author, to do an interview. Lo and behold, it appeared today on his site, MurrayNewlands.com. Below is a portion of the interview:

An interview with Rebeca Schiller of Alvah’s Books blog

An interview with Rebeca Schiller of Alvah’s Books blog

Tell me about your Blog?

Alvah’s Books is a book review site. It’s named after my favorite author Alvah Bessie. Alvah was a veteran of the Abraham Lincoln Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War, he was a novelist, the literary and drama critic of The New Masses, screenwriter, and one of the Hollywood Ten. For Alvah’s Books, I review literary fiction and non-fiction. I also include essays, author interviews and publishing news.

What was your first blog?

My first blog was A Novel Approach.  It was supposed to be a blog chronicling the trials and tribulations of writing my novel. It was discontinued because it turned more into a lament about my job. It morphed into Exiled at the Beach: A Year’s Chronicle in Creativity.

What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie blogger?

Have a plan. Think of your blog as a magazine. Think of what you want to publish daily and make it interesting.

To read the rest of the interview, go to Murray Newland’s site. Thanks Murray for the great opportunity!

Like many blogs and publications, Alvah’s Books has it’s very own Facebook page. Right now it’s a work in process to get it all up to date, but it’s starting to fill up with content. However, on the fan side of the page, it is very lonely.

If you are a member of Facebook, I personally invite you, dear reader, to become a fan of Alvah’s Books.

My husband and I are have gotten in the habit of making some pretty fancy meals on Sundays. This past Sunday was roast pork loin stuffed with figs, almonds and green olives accompanied by sauteed spinach with coriander and rosemary garlic roasted new potatoes. The week before was my version of a poor man’s paella with shrimp and zucchini.

We have a nice collection of cooksbooks that we use often and I thought, maybe since we love to cook and we love adding to our cookbook collection, so why not include reviews of our favorites and upcoming cookbooks?

The plan was to announce this on Sunday or closer to the weekend, but I’m simply too excited by this new event that I wanted to announce it today. Cookbook reviews will be posted every Sunday and I’ll include a favorite recipe with an accompanying photo of my culinary creation.  

Stay tuned and I hope that I inspire you to some gastronomic adventures in your own kitchen (and don’t blame me if you gain weight!)

I was reading through the tweets when I discovered one that J. Kaye wrote about another book blogger, Gautami Tripathy. Gautami’s blog, Reading Room, was lost to malware. She managed to recuperate some of her posts and now has a new blog, Everything Distils Into Reading.

If you blog, read blogs, or do anything at all on the computer, you should know by now the importance of backing up your work. A lot of things can happen. Your computer could be infected by some malicious virus; your hardware (as was my case) can go kaput; or your laptop could be stolen.   

So back up and there’s a number of ways to do it:

• Copy your work on disks.
•  If you don’t want to deal with a growing stack of disks, set up an account through Google and save all your important documents on Google Docs.
• Set up an account via Norton that backs up your files. 
• Use a USB drive with enough guts to save your files.
• Think of your laptop as your baby, don’t leave it alone or in the care of strangers.

Also don’t forget to run your virus protection software. What is malware? This is what Wikipedia has to say,

Malware, a portmanteau from the words malicious and software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. The term “computer virus” is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

Software is considered malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware and other malicious and unwanted software. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant, for instance in the legal codes of several U. S. states, including California and West Virginia.

Malware is not the same as defective software, that is, software which has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs.

Preliminary results from Symantec published in 2008 suggested that “the release rate of malicious code and other unwanted programs may be exceeding that of legitimate software applications.” According to F-Secure, “As much malware [was] produced in 2007 as in the previous 20 years altogether.” Malware’s most common pathway from criminals to users is through the Internet: primarily by e-mail and the World Wide Web.

To read more about malware go to Wikipedia’s Malware article.

For some time now I’ve been obsessed to getting down to my svelte 125 pounds, and I figured that maybe I was missing something in the calories in/calories out equation. Reading positive reviews about Skinny Bitch  by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, I went ahead and downloaded it from Audible.com to my iPod and listened to it when I took my dogs out for their walk.

Did I find that secret to slimming down? No. In fact, I think I got about halfway through the book and gave up out of boredom. There’s not much I can recall except that the tone is snarky and the authors enjoy cussin’ like sailors.

Did I miss the point? No. I know it was a gimmick. But from someone who used to be very thin (and battled for most of her life to gain weight) and who wanted to lose the extra pounds, I really didn’t want to have these very unfunny women beat me up about my eating or exercise habits. I already do that to myself. I know I eat crap, I know that I sit in front of the computer too much and don’t move my ass as much as I should. I wanted some fun motivation to get me back on track and laugh my way back to slimming down.

Now the Skinny Bitch authors have written a book geared for men, Skinny Bastard. According to the New York Times the same “tough-love message of the original book will translate to men who want to lose weight and “get ripped.” and, “follows roughly the same outline as “Skinny Bitch,” with the language retooled to appeal to male psychology. Whereas the introduction to “Skinny Bitch” reads, “If you can’t take one more day of self-loathing, you’re ready to get skinny,” the men’s version does not assume low self-esteem: “Chances are, you haven’t done so badly, despite the few extra lbs you’re carting around. … But don’t kid yourself, pal: A hot-bodied man is a head-turner.”

I can’t predict how well this book will sit with men (or sell) but I went ahead and asked my husband for his opinion and he said, “If your choice is a lot of skinny bitches and bastards or pleasant fat people, I’ll take the latter.”