A gem of a memoir about novelist Frederick Manfred

Freya Manfred's memoir of her father, novelist Frederick Manfred, is a gem of a book, one that novelist Philip Roth a "classic". As a writer friend in Seattle said to me, it is unlike any memoir of a writer that he has read. I have to agree with him

Reading the book brought back all the fond memories I have about the man, his novels and the area he lived in and wrote about. If you're a writer or an aspiring writer, buy this book and mine it. I knew Frederick Manfred as a mentor during the few years that I knew him. A giant who stood six feet nine inches tall, he intimidated some people. But to me, an aspiring writer at the time, he was the kindest and most constructive of mentors to whom I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. It was Fred who introduced me to John Milton, the editor of The South Dakota Review at the time, and encouraged me to send a short story to him. John published it and two of my articles over the next few years.

If you've not read any of Frederick Manfred's novels, look them up on Amazon, find one that looks interesting, and buy it. And, by all means, be sure to add Freya Manfred's fine book to your reading library.

Freya Manfred is a poet, and author of six poetry books. Her work has appeared in over 100 reviews and magazines and over 30 anthologies.

"Frederick Manfred: A Daughter Remembers, was nominated for a Minnesota Book Award and an Iowa Historical Society Benjamin F. Shambaugh Award.

Ramzy Baroud: My Father Was a Freedom Fighter

The more I read about the history of the Palestinian people, the more I am reminded of the history of America’s indigenous people since Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola in 1492. In both cases ethnic cleansing with its accompanying genocide were norms, especially when the indigenous peoples fought back. In both cases the indigenous populations were treated with disrespect, contempt and removal. And in both cases, genocide and ethnic cleansing were denied by the conquerors and their friends. In the public discourse, we’re the good guys, they the villains. As Israeli historian Shlomo Sand says “what history does not wish to relate, it omits,” as if omitting it wipes the slate of history clean. It does not. Eventually, liked or not, truth emerges and has to be faced.

For the Palestinians, many people still believe the old story. Just recently I heard someone say “it’s hard to feel much sympathy for them when they spend so much time killing innocent people.” That’s the approved story, and vested interests would like to keep it that way, but with the advent of the Internet and the vocal voice of Palestinian journalists like Ramzy Baroud, this is rapidly changing. It is way past time that we all hear the Palestinian side of the story of what has happened to them since Israel became a nation in 1948 with the blessing of the UN, the U.S., Britain, France and other European powers. The truth, it is said will make us free when we hear and understand it. It is not always a pleasant experience, nor should it be.

Ramzy Baroud’s book, My Father Was a Freedom Fighter is an important book. It is more than the story of his father, grandfather, their ancestral village of Beit Daras, its obliteration and their flight to Gaza. It is the story of the Palestinian people since 1948 when a well-trained army of 65,000 attacked them, making over 700,000 of them refugees. It is the story of their heroic will to live, to educate themselves, and to provide for their families. It is also the story of constant persecution and agony that culminates in the apocalyptic destruction of Gaza during Israel’s monstrously-named “Operation Cast Lead”.

Ramzy Baroud is a fine writer, his book is well-researched, and the story of his family’s experience one that is easily understood. It doesn’t make for pleasant reading, nor should it. I came away from it with an appetite to learn more. Pick up a copy, read and reread it, quarrel with it, listen, and do more research on your own. That’s what I do.

The book is available from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/My-Father-Was-Freedom-Fighter/dp/0745328814/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283669309&sr=1-1)  and The Book Depository http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780745328812/My-Father-Was-a-Freedom-Fighter.

"My poems are written by a spirit on a stone"

www.reddragonflypress.org

"My poems are written by a spirit on a stone." So begins the first poem in this exquisite little book. 

If you're not familiar with Freya Manfred's poetry, this book is an excellent place to begin. If you are familiar with her poetry, add this to your collection. Reading it is a deep and rich experience. She is close to nature, to people and to self. Read the poems out loud. Take them with you. Sneak looks when you're supposed to be listening to a professor or a friend. Sit in a park, sniff the air, watch birds. "I was married here by Eagle Rock," she says in "Blue Mound, Luverne, Minnesota", the last poem in the book; "Before that I ran away to write poems." I understand that well. Seated at my desk in Sapporo, Japan, I smell the fragrant air as it blows across Blue Mound and recall the times when I stood by Eagle Rock and dreamed. "Swimming With a Hundred Year Old Snapping Turtle" is a treasure.

"Swimming With a Hundred Year Old Snapping Turtle" is available from Red Dragonfly Press, Northfield, Minnesota, www.reddragonflypress.org.

Tostada Speaks is changing

Welcome to the new Tostada Speaks Book Review blog. Since I've been writing reviews for years, and enjoy writing them, I've decided to change the focus and publish reviews and a few articles on issues that are important to me.

I'll be reviewing fiction, poetry, history, ethics, and other subjects. If you have recommendations of books you'd like to see reviewed, let me know. I won't be able to promise, but I will consider your recommendation, and if I can get the book, I will read and review it.

My personal author website is www.geogepolleyauthor.com. Check it out to see what I do when I'm not reading and writing book reviews.

George Polley (also known as Jorge "Toasty" Tostada) :-)

Where is the humanity in this?

Recently I wrote an article about Israel's attack on a flotilla of ships seeking to bring food and medical supplies to the Palestinian's and others living in Gaza.
The article was titled "Israel's Final Solution" suggesting that Israel's long running treatment of the Palestinians bears a strong resemblance to Hitler's "Final Solution". The article was published on June 18th in "The Palestine Chronicle" (http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16070 ).
 
Today I read another fine article in the same publication titled "Blockade 'Eased' as Gaza Starves more Slowly". The article is by Jonathan Cook, a writer and journalist based in Nazareth. He cautions us not to get our hopes up about adequate food supplies and building materials suddenly appearing in Gaza so people can enjoy good nutrition and health and the luxury of repairing and rebuilding damaged and destroyed homes and hospitals.

Since Israel controls the crossing points and the number of trucks allowed into Gaza, currently at 1/4 the number that used to be allowed in, and forbids shipments of cement and steel, this "easing" isn't likely to improve anyone's lives any day soon.

Worse, Mr. Cook reports, is the fact that the Netanyahu government views the blockade as "economic warfare" against the Gaza population, setting out the "minimum calories" or "red lines" as they are called, according to age and sex.
(To read the entire article, click on the following link: http://palestinechronicle.com/, or copy and paste it into your browser.) 

Here is an excellent video about the same situation
:( http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/kenneth-okeefe-says-it-all-must-see-video.html).

Does this ring any bells for you as it does me? This is clearly a crime against humanity, in violation of International Laws, and needs to be condemned and those countries supporting shamed into forcing the issue and bringing this to a speedy end.


All for now,



Toasty

 

Gaza

Would there be a Palestinian problem if Israel treated Palestinians the way it treats Jews? No, because Palestinians would be and would have have been treated as neighbors and as partners in building a homeland for them both. But politics intervened and we have what we've had since 1948 -- a divided land seething with resentment and violence.

This has particularly been the case since the 1967 war when Israel took the West Bank and Gaza from Jordan and Egypt respectively and occupied it, promising the Palestinian residents their freedom but never giving it to them. As journalist Robert Scheer writes, "There is no such thing as a morally acceptable occupation, and as the oppressed resist they will become more violent in their desperation. In turn the occupiers will show their true colors as oppressors."

The secret to stopping the violence and improving Israel's security needs is, as Scheer so eloquently says, to treat Palestinians the same way as Jews are treated, with dignity and respect.

The other day Israel again tried to crush dissent and protest by attacking it. The attack, in which 9 civilians were killed and 600 arrested ("kidnapped" is perhaps the better word), backfired. New boatloads of nonviolent protesters bearing building materials, medical supplies and food are on their way and more are planned.

If Israel wishes peace and the respect of its neighbors and the world, it must immediately cease its blockade of Gaza, discontinue the illegal settlements in the West Bank that have but one purpose, and that is to occupy the whole of the West Bank and prevent any hope of the Palestinians having their own homeland. If Israel wishes to destroy itself, the best way to do it is to continue what it's doing. If it wishes to live and prosper, the only way to do that is to begin treating everyone with respect as human beings.

The Palestinian people are good people who deserve better. Two excellent resources to increase your understanding are Naomi Shihab Nye: "Habibi", and Ramzy Baroud: "My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story".

All for this post,

Toasty

The Old Man