On His Way in the World: The Voyages and Travels of John H.R. Molson, 1841

Book Description

John Henry Robinson Molson was born in Kingston in 1826, a favoured grandchild of the founder of Molson's Brewery in Montreal. He inherited the brewery (land, premises, and equipment) upon John Molson's death in 1836.

This hitherto unpublished diary was written by John Henry Molson when he was just fourteen years-old. His grandfather had died when he was ten, and his father and uncles now ran the brewery, as well as a foundry, a ship-yard, and a line of steamships on the St. Lawrence. He was aware that this would be his last real summer as a child; in September his formal apprenticeship at the brewery would begin.

In the spring of 1841, JHR, his father Thomas, and younger sister Mary Anne boarded the steamer Queen in Montreal. The three were on their way to Halifax where the would take the HMS Britannia to begin a four-month tour of Britain. By September 3 the family was back in Montreal. The diary was not resumed again until February 1842 when JHR chronicles this journey from Montreal to Toronto. The last entry is dated December 3, 1842.

With the eye of a keen observer - sometimes ingenuous, sometimes self-conscious - the boy records the details of their trip including descriptions of the 12,000-ton paddlewheeler, death and storms at sea, and whales and birds that he saw. When the Britannia arrived in Liverpool June 9 they discovered that the ship had been feared lost at sea. During their travels throughout England and Scotland JHR described with great detail the latest transportation and industrial developments of Great Britain (and compared them unfavourably to those in Canada). The trip back to North America was capped by JHR attempting some daring acrobatics from the main-top mast head, alarming the sailors who tried to pursue him.

Customer Reviews:

Molson's Beer Synonymous With Canada.......2004-04-26

Molson's beer is synonymous with Canada, the country's greatest and oldest brewer.

It all started back in 1782 when an 18-year-old John Molson arrived in Canada from England and by 1785 was the sole proprietor of a brewing enterprise that was located just outside the walls of Montréal. John Molson's three sons, John Jr., Thomas and William joined him in the business in 1816 when a partnership agreement was signed.

John H.R. Molson also known as "Jackey" and son of Thomas eventually inherited the Molson brewery from his grandfather, who apparently had favoured Jackey over his other grandchildren. When Jackey was only fourteen years of age, he and his father Thomas as well as his younger sister Mary Anne travelled to England in 1841 via steamer called the Queen from Montréal to Halifax where they boarded the ship called HMS Britannia.

On His Way In The World, published by Véhicule Press, is a diary written by Jackey that describes his voyage, his experiences and his observations of his first trip abroad. Upon reading the book I was quite impressed with the maturity of this 14 year old who would one day become the sole owner of Molson's Brewery. Perhaps his grandfather had recognized this wonderful trait in his grandson even when Jackey was a tender age. John Molson died when Jackey was only ten years of age and perhaps his grandfather had recognized his gifted grandchild even when the child was young.

His day by day recounting of the gruelling trip that commenced in the morning of Wednesday May 12th, 1841 from Montréal and ended June 9th, 1841 in Liverpool demonstrates his keen eye as well as his astute observations. As an example, when he describes the death of one of the passengers, he writes as follows:
"Weather pleasant, sea smooth, little or no wind, Birds very numerous. Died Mrs Gourlay (a lady having a husband and two children on board) of suffocation she had been ill from the time of leaving Halifax and was found dead in her birth; a coffin was made and her body was sewed up in a bag, and put into it and several cannon-shot put at the bottom. It was covered with the Union Jack and the engines stopped and after a prayer had been said it was dropped into the sea."
He then goes on the state the ship's position in relation to its latitude and longitude distances. This latter commentary is seen throughout the diary's accounting of the voyage.

This is only one example of the many scenes brilliantly and succinctly described by this fourteen-year old lad, who also showed a very profound grasp of English history and geography. It is very rare that we have the opportunity to experience a voyage across the Atlantic as seen through the eyes of a teenager who seemed to be more mature than today's average fourteen year old.

Another interesting feature of this book is the brief introduction to the history of the Molsons and their profound involvement in the various commercial, financial and civic enterprises in Canada.

Perhaps the next time we "gulp" down a glass of Molson's beer we should keep a copy of John H.R. Molson's diary handy to remind us of the fascinating history of this well known Canadian family.

Norm Goldman Editor of Bookpleasures.com

Book Description

Ayrton Senna is widely regarded as the best driver ever. Although he has only been World Champion three times (versus four times for Prost and five times for Fangio and Schumacher), he still holds the world record for pole-positions (65), a true example of his extreme style. This illustrated biography looks back to his childhood in Sao Paolo, his first steps in motor racing and his career in F1.Like the man himself, the book delivers comprehensively what fans of F1 really want. The book features several hundred photographs and a dozen car drawings, as well as interviews of key people related to Senna's career.

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Inspector Gadget Coloring/Activity Book
M. L. Roberts
Manufacturer: Troll Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Coloring Books | Activity Books | Sports & Activities | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0816730342

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Inspector Gadget 2

Manufacturer: Walt Disney Pictures
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0788840746

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Inspector Gadget's Field Trip (DVD: Volume 1) (DVD Universal: 44 Minutes)
Avenue Entertainment Ltd
Manufacturer: Avenue Entertainment Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: B000K3EDO6

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Twentieth Century Music : Its Evolution from the End of the Harmonic Era into the Present Era of Sound
Peter Yates
Manufacturer: Pantheon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NYKJ9K

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Twentieth Century Music: Its Evolution from the End of the Harmonic Era into the Present Era of Sound
Peter Yates
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0313225168

Book Description

American Grandmaster Reuben Fine grew up in the East Bronx in an impoverished Russian-Jewish family, learning to play chess from an uncle at the age of eight. During his high school years, his stake winnings and coins earned from playing at a Coney Island concession helped support his family. After graduating from college, he decided to become a professional player. Though his active international career was brief, his accomplishment and talent are unmistakably significant.

This comprehensive collection of 659 of Reuben Fine's tournament and match games is presented chronologically, in context, and with annotations from contemporary sources. More than 180 other games and game fragments (rapid transit, correspondence, exhibition, blitz, and others) are also included. The work also includes a biography of Fine, and notes aspects of his career that merit further study: his contribution to endgame and middlegame theory, his methods and style of play, and his exhibition play. Fine's career results, brief biographical data about his opponents, a comprehensive bibliography that includes his contributions to journals, and indexes of players and of openings complete the work.

Customer Reviews:

Not quite as great as other McFarlands.......2006-04-20

This Fine book is nice, but it is lacking the verbal department. Too often it is a collection of game scores. It is not nearly as fine a book as the Amos Burn bio or the McConnell-LaBourdannais match. It is still a beautifully produced book, but not slightly disappointing. It seems a chance was lost to make the ultimate Reuben Fine book.

A Great Book About an Underappreciated Player.......2006-02-16

This is wonderful book. First most people know that Fine was a great chess author; however this will show you how great of player he was.

The book has almost all of his serious games most are annotated in English not with Informat symbols. Many are done by Fine himself. You can learn from these games,

also there are short bios of all the greats of the era. How many knew that Reinfeld was truly a great player? There is a great deal of biographical information, pictures, and loads of information about the individual tournaments.

It is great book loving produced on glossy paper. It is a bit pricy, but you won't regret it.

Amazon.com

Grantwriters, it turns out, have plenty in common with fiction and nonfiction storytellers. Like these other writers, says Cheryl A. Clarke in Storytelling for Grantseekers, grantseekers need to "transport readers to another location and teach them about people they may know nothing about." Grantwriting is often a tedious experience. Make it creative, says Clarke. To better capture the imagination (and wallet) of your audience, observe your agency in action as would a reporter, then craft what you see into a narrative as would a novelist. Your nonprofit agency is your hero; your story is about "people being helped, and their lives possibly being changed forever" because of the services provided by your agency. This is a passionate, clear, knowledgeable guidebook, sure to "put the joy and creativity back into the grantseeking process." With additional chapters on finding and cultivating appropriate grantmakers, forming a budget, and packaging your proposal. --Jane Steinberg

Book Description

Oftentimes, people charged with the task of writing grant proposals have little or no training in the process, and many actually feel intimidated by the act of writing. In Storytelling for Grantseekers, consultant and trainer Cheryl A. Clarke helps fundraisers overcome these hurdles by presenting an organic approach to proposal writing. Grantseekers who have used this unique process discover that telling the organization's story in narrative form (complete with settings, characters, antagonists, and resolutions), can help them connect with grantmakers and ultimately have greater success with funders.

This fresh and creative guide contains the resources needed to help you craft a persuasive synopsis, package a compelling story, and create a short story approach to the inquiry and cover letters that support the larger proposal. Clarke walks grantseekers through all the phases of developing an effective proposal and highlights the creative elements that link components to each other and unify the entire proposal. Clarke also stresses the need to see proposal writing as part of a larger grantseeking effort, one that emphasizes preparation, working with the entire development staff, and maintaining good relations with funders.

Using the suggestions outlined in Storytelling for Grantseekers, new and seasoned grantseekers will discover how to channel their passion to tell their organization's tale and create winning proposals.

Customer Reviews:

A Innovative Approach to Grant Writing.......2007-01-06

Cheryl Clark inspires the potential grant seeker with a thoughtful and innovative process for fundraising.

A fundraising consultant, trainer and short story author, Clark argues persuasively that fundraising -- and specifically proposal writing -- should incorporate the techniques of storytelling. A story sets a scene, has characters, and builds tension. A good proposal does the same.

Most people recognize a great story. Grant makers are not unique. By crafting your proposal as an opportunity to tell your story, the process becomes more enjoyable for both the writer and the reader. By allowing your passion to pervade the proposal's prose, becomes more enjoyable for the reader. It becomes more likely to be funded.

Story telling is powerful. Grant seekers need every edge. Cheryl Clarke does both grant writers and grant makers a favor by sharing the power of this age-old technique with them in this well-written and effective book.

Superb Proposal Writing Resource Takes You Beyond Traditional ..........2005-10-06

Most grantwriting books cover the basics which, if you know how to read and apply grant application guidelines, you already have down.

Imagine yourself, for a moment, on the other side of the table, sifting through tens of hundreds of grant proposals to determine which ones your foundation will fund - and every proposal as tedious as the last.

BUT, if you want to craft truly compelling FUNDED proposals that ENGAGE the reader, "Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising" is a mighty fine start. In an enjoyable read, author Clarke shows the reader how to bring passion to their writing - an often missing, yet crucial element to the most successful writers.

Highly recommended!

Storytelling Is Helpful.......2003-08-23

Sarah S. Brophy

Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising is a solid basic proposal-writing book with a twist on how to develop a compelling narrative. Clarke writes in the Preface "I believe that grant seekers will be more enthusiastic about writing proposals, and that their proposals will be more passionate and consequently more effective, when grant seekers begin using the storytelling techniques described in this book."

Sometimes the author works a bit hard at her storytelling metaphor (with attendant heroes, antagonists and main characters), but she is careful not to lead you into the land of superheroes. For many readers a story-like style is preferable to a legal document, but take care that your proposal reads like a good New York Times piece, not fluff.

For those new to proposal-writing, the first three chapters address how to collect necessary information for a solid proposal; screen funders for a good donor-project match; and manage your relationship with a potential funder. The final three chapters cover budget description and the basics of how to format and package the proposal. Each is thorough, easy to understand and helpful.

The four middle chapters address storytelling in the narrative. They are great advice for beginning writers yet speak to next-level professionals hoping to coax their own style away from creeping grantese. Sample proposal text is very often excellent.

The author makes good points about an environmental scan to place your project in context for the reader and to strengthen your case; that the key need must be your clients' not your institution's; and how to make good use of data for reinforcement.

Storytelling for Grantseekers is a fine book to keep in your library for training new writers and for coaching colleagues in the proposal process. Anyone in a larger institution could very well make this book required reading for colleagues who say "I need a grant to do this". It is a comfortable read that will train them to give you good information for doing your job.

The BEST BOOK on Grantwriting!!!!.......2002-02-27

I've been involved with fundraising for over 25 years (from
the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to the Bermuda Biological
Station
for Research in Bermuda) and this is, without a doubt THE
BEST BOOK on nonprofit grantwriting I have ever had the
pleasure
of reading! It has everything - it's intelligently written
with clear concise, step by step directions on how to bring
passion,
creativity and success to any fundraising/grantwriting effort! It is
"short" - just a little over 100 pages - so it can be read,
digested and put to
use by everyone - from the director on down to volunteers
and staff. It's entertaining, practical and, I would think,
an absolute
must for anyone involved in raising money. They say everyone
loves a good story - well I not only love a good story, BUT
also
- a great book on how to effectively and enjoyably write grants that will bring in the funds!
Bravo Cheryl Clarke!

Great assistance!.......2002-02-10

An approach to grantseeking that can lead anyone with a good idea through the often complex process of putting a grant together. Storytelling is an innovative approach sure to achieve results!

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Kaplin hits the mark.

An amazingly broad and insightful personal account.

interesting and worthwhile reading

fascinating read

Overall pretty good

The Dressing Station: A Surgeon's Chronicle of War and Medicine
Jonathan Kaplan
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Medical | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0802139620

Book Description

The Dressing Station is a searing portrait of devastation on the battlefield that "illuminates the consequences of war and the ambiguities of relief work at a time when these issues couldn't matter more." (Caroline Fraser, Outside) From treating the casualties of apartheid in Cape Town to operating on Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq at the end of the Gulf War, Jonathan Kaplan has saved (and lost) lives in the remotest corners of the world in the most extreme conditions. He has been a hospital surgeon, a ship's physician, an air-ambulance doctor, and a trauma surgeon. He has worked in locations as diverse as England, Burma, Eritrea, the Amazon, Mozambique, and the United States. In this story of unforgettable adventure and tragedy, Dr. Kaplan explores the great challenge of his career -- to maintain his humanity even when that option does not seem possible. The Dressing Station is a haunting and elucidating look into the nature of human violence, the shattering contradictions of war, and the complicated role of medicine in this modern world. "A unique mix of biography and reportage, both personal and clinical," it is "a rare insight into the mind of a surgeon." -- Sue Cullinan, Time "Eloquent ... Beautifully written ... Provides a startling glimpse of battlefield surgery in those conflicts that CNN does not cover." -- Abraham Verghese, The New York Times Book Review "Kaplan ... has a keen sense of the smaller moments that leaven the agonies of daily life." -- Julian B. Orenstein, The Washington Post

Customer Reviews:

Kaplin hits the mark. .......2006-10-10

I'm something of a junkie for medical narrative but Kaplin has it down to an art form. Kaplin's extensive experience working as a physician in the worlds most underserved and dangerous, war torn areas combined with his gift as a storyteller make for an engaging read. The books flows nicely for the most part, but the author occasionally slips into dry, self-indulgent commentaries on world affairs.

An amazingly broad and insightful personal account........2006-08-19

This book was appealing to me on two levels; it gave me some insight on what life is like as a physician, and also allowed me to experience a wide variety of social microcosms.

He is a man that does not know how to put down roots, and while that is his occasionally his curse, it is our blessing. He lives a life in political exile. He moves from country to country, giving us a glimpse of how each one approaches health care. As if that is not enough, he volunteers for combat surgery under extremely trying conditions. Don't worry, I only gave you a few chapters, there are many more "lives" he leads!

In all of this, his witty, warm, and yet objective style of writing bring each account to life. I would love to meet this man, and through this book I felt that I did...in a manner of speaking.

I strongly recommend this book, if you are looking for a true account that is positively affirming and yet highly educational.

interesting and worthwhile reading.......2005-11-25

I found this book to be a real page-turner, and very thought provoking too. The chapters detail the authors travels, and medical practice around the globe. Most of the featured locales are very much off-the-beaten path, and relatively unstable. This makes the non-fiction book read somewhat like a good adventure novel, and I found it to be pretty exciting. There is a lot more to it than tales of adventure though. The author makes observations on politics and medicine that, while you may or may not agree with, will probably make you do a little bit of critical thinking. Any book that can do all that, is in my opinion worth reading. While I highly recommend this book for those with an interest in emergency medicine or international affairs, others with little interest in these fields may well appreciate this book just as much.

fascinating read.......2005-01-24

Kaplan has written a piece that isn't necessarily profound, but provided some new perspectives on international medicine for me. Indeed, as another reviewer remarked, he sees the world of modern medicine through socialist glasses. This should not, however, prevent anyone from picking up this book--I strongly disagree with him on many of his analyses of American health care, yet still enjoyed his intelligent, often humorous writing. As a future surgeon, I found his career and experiences fascinating, and once again proving that practicing medicine in Suburbia USA and making money are not the necessary components of a fulfilling career.

Overall pretty good.......2004-11-15

An interesting book about a remarkable doctor's travels. He comes across as quite honest, even a bit naive at times. He never gets into discussions of humanitarian philosophy (i.e. working as a surgeon for an insurgent force isn't exactly neutral). Indeed, it's unclear as to how much he knows about it in general. I think this actually makes for a better story as he is quite forthright. It is also interesting to follow his exploits with what are clearly some fly-by-night aid groups. Despite a somewhat awkward ending - in which he attempts to make philosophical connections between his work with over-stressed executives and his prior international work - overall it makes a fine read.

The Dressing Station a Surgeon's Chronicle of War & Medicine

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The Dressing Station a Surgeon's Chronicle of War & Medicine
J Kaplan
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H247KU

Book Description

Patrice Lumumba, first Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, was at the center of his country's popular defiance towards the exploitation of its Belgian colonizer. When independence was finally won in 1960, his unscheduled speech at the official ceremony, which described Belgian rule as 'a humiliating slavery imposed by brute force,' received a standing ovation and made him a hero to millions. Within months he was arrested, tortured and executed. Employing an array of official sources as well as personal testimony, Ludo De Witte unravels the appalling mass of lies that have surrounded the murder. A network of complicity is revealed, ranging from the Belgian government across the United Nations to the CIA. Chilling official memos which detail 'liquidation' are analyzed alongside tales of the destruction of evidence, placing in stark contrast Lumumba's personal strength and his quest for African independence.

Customer Reviews:

Lumumba the Man.......2007-02-28

I remember reading a book on Ralph Bunch about his time in the Congo, and he said something to the fact "how can millions of African men allow a few pasty faces to rule them so thoroughly?"

Lumumba was an interesting character. I learned a lot from the book.

I don't know if this group is interested..........2005-10-10

But here is a circular issued by the Lumamba Govt.

On September 15 he issued the following lengthy and highly revealing directive to the heads of the various provinces throughout the Congo:

SUBJECT: Measures To Be Applied During the First Stages of the Dictatorship.

Sir,

I have the honour and the pleasure to inform you that with a view to the rapid restoration of order in the country, the House of Representatives and the Senate [of the central government], meeting in special session on 13 September of this year, decided to grant the government full powers.

Full powers should be understood to mean that the government is free to act as it thinks fit in all respects, for the purpose of suppressing abuses, disorders and any action which is contrary to the will of the government over which I have presided legally since the attainment of independence by the Congo. . . .

The most effective and direct means of succeeding rapidly in our task may be summarized as follows:

1. Establish an absolute dictatorship and apply it in all its forms.

2. Terrorism, essential to subdue the population.

3. Proceed systematically, using the army, to arrest all members of the opposition. I will be personally responsible for those at Leopoldville including the Head of State and his close supporters. A few weeks ago, in view of the present situation in Katanga and Sud-Kasai, I sent the National Army to arrest Tshombe and Kalonji and even to kill them if possible. . . .

4. Imprison the ministers, deputies and senators, who sometimes abuse their parliamentary immunity. In such a case I should be glad if you would not spare them but arrest them all without pity and treat them with ten times more severity than ordinary individuals.

5. Revive the system of flogging and give the rebels 10 lashes, morning and evening, for a maximum of 7 consecutive days.

N.B. Double the number in the case of ministers, senators, and deputies, reducing the number gradually according to the condition of each individual.

6. Inflict profound humiliations on the people thus arrested, in addition to the obligatory treatment described above. For example, strip them in public, if possible in the presence of their wives and children. Make them carry heavy loads and force them to walk about in that state. In case of such a walk, however, drawers may be worn.

7. In view of the seriousness of the situation of the country, which is in danger of sinking into anarchy, it would be well to imprison repeated offenders in underground cells or prisons for at least six months, never allowing them out to breathe fresh air.

N.B. If some of them succumb as a result of certain atrocities, which is possible and desirable, the truth should not be divulged but it should be announced, for instance, that Mr. X has escaped and cannot be found.

8. Those who do not succumb in prison should not be released for at least a year. In this case they shall be exiled to a country to be determined by me in agreement with certain foreign countries which have already signified their agreement in principle.

Some of the provincial presidents will say that the measures described are severe. In reply I would point out to them that certain politicians have attained power by means of dictatorship. Moreover, the measures of execution that I have indicated above constitute only the first stage of the basic regime that we hope will succeed in the Congo. The second stage will be to destroy anyone who criticizes us. . . .

In conclusion, I would point out that this letter should be communicated only to those authorities under your orders in whom you have entire confidence.

(signed) P. LUMUMBA
Prime Minister

I see no point in removing the Belgians just to put in someone worse.

A Painful but educational reading for Congolese generations.......2003-08-31

This book is an outstanding piece of work that reflects the author's intellectual honesty and his passion for the truth. A truth that has been hidden and distorted in so many ways, for so long. Ludo De Witte's detailed account of The Assassination of Lumumba finally makes a breakthrough. The book is both enlightening and disturbing but, above all, educational. While providing powerful and troubling data about this horrific event, it also helps to understand the facts from the context of the struggle against the neo-colonial order in which they occurred.

It is my hope that this well documented and careful study about this important period of Congolese history will serve as basic reference and become a classic textbook for educators and anyone interested in the long and complex history of the struggle for freedom, dignity and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Ghost of Patrice Lumumba.......2002-03-04

You may recall Adam Hochschild's book of a couple years ago where he intimated that KING LEOPOLD'S GHOST remains a malevolent force guiding the carnage that is taking place in the present day Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Well here's one for the Congolese. Forty years after his assassination Patrice Lumumba remains a haunting presence, forever reminding Belgium of its past misdeeds in Africa. Broader still his death bears testimomy to the fact that so much of what Europe and our government talks about as human rights concerns is self-serving and empty rhetoric.

Enough with the anger though as I don't want to go overboard and see it in the stark ideological terms as the author does when he says that what happened in the Congo in 1960 is a "staggering example of what the Western ruling classes are capable of when their vital interests are threatened." That is too trite an answer for the circumstances surrounding Lumumba's assassination and way too simple an analysis of the complex situation in the Congo at the time of independence.

THE ASSASSINATION OF LUMUMBA looks at a tiny fraction of Congo's history. The book is almost entirely confined to the period from June 30th, 1960 (when the country became independent from Belgium) to January 17th, 1961, when Lumumba and two of his former ministers of government were executed in the breakaway province of Katanga. During that period the country went through crisis, with Belgium, France, the US, the USSR and the UN all wanting to have a say. There were at least three substantive leaders of the Congolese: Lumumba as prime minister, Joseph Kasavubu the president, and the usurper Joseph Mobuto (who after all was said and done emerged in 1965 as the dictator Mobuto Sese Seko). Throw into the mix a mutinying army, a secession in Katanga province and rebellions in two other provinces.

In investigating these events Belgian sociologist Ludo DeWitte focused his research on recently declassified Belgian documents. His thesis is that the conventional wisdom that Lumumba's death was "a Bantu affair" - as his countrymen called it - was all wrong. He argues that Belgium was instrumental in setting up, participating in, and covering up Lumumbas death. This book caused such a stir in Belgium that the government opened a parliamentiary enquiry to investigate the facts and the foreign minister promised that if proven true, an official apology would be offered.

Subsequent to the publishing of this book the commission released its findings. It said "certain members of the Belgian government and other Belgian figures have a moral responsibility in the circumstances which led to the death of Lumumba." Will the man's spirit be able to rest in peace with this? De Witte's specific point that an order for Lumumba's "definite elimination" came out of the offices of Count d'Aspremont-Lynden's Department of African Affairs, however still remains unproven. The Commission says plainly "in no document or witness account could it be found that the Belgian Government, or one of its members, gave the orders to physically eliminate Lumumba." If this means that there is still no resolution to this issue, we can nevertheless rest assured that in the words of Lumumba's last letter to his wife "the day will come when history will have its say."

"Assassination is the extreme form of censorship" (George Bernard Shaw)

The Story of a Death Foretold.......2002-02-23

...Five stars for the incredible amount of research that went into the writing of this book.. It is a book that was necessary and long overdue. For the first time we have clear proof of all the players, what they did and when they did it. Lumumba was assassinated by Tshombe?s police, with the help of Belgian officials. They can not any longer deny it.

De Witte depicts Lumumba as a fierce nationalist but denies that he was left-leaning. That claim may have to be investigated further. Lumumba did have strong connections to Russia and surely there is a reason why the university in Moscow for foreign students is named "Lumumba University". There is no doubt, though, that he presented himself as a socialist.

The author repeatedly mentions that Lumumba's rise to the presidency of the Congo was the story of a death foretold. Western governments repeatedly sais that Lumumba had to be "eliminated". But the interpretation was left open: did they mean "physically" or "politically"? It is interesting to note that it took them almost seven months to kill him. An assassin hired by the Belgians was called back. The CIA delivered a box of poison that was never used. Why this delay, when an invented illness would have been faster and politically more acceptable?

De Wittte also claims that Lumumba had to fail with his government because he lacked a functioning army and police force to back him up. What he never examines, unfortunately, is the fact that Belgium withdrew its administrative apparatus upon independence. And they had never trained any natives to be administrators. On July 1, 1960, The Congo had only a handful native lawyers, physicians, or even people with a higher education. Under those conditions you cannot run a country (you have to know where the telephones are).

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Ethics & International Affairs, published by Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs on April 1, 2002. The length of the article is 4389 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Third worldism redux.(The Assassination of Lumumba)(Farntz Fanon)(Book Review)
Author: Paige Arthur
Publication: Ethics & International Affairs (Refereed)
Date: April 1, 2002
Publisher: Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs
Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Page: 135(9)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Assassination as an instrument of achieving foreign policy objectives: The case of Patrice Lumumba

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Assassination as an instrument of achieving foreign policy objectives: The case of Patrice Lumumba
D. K Orwa
Manufacturer: s.n
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007C5BH8

Book Description

Hailed as "one of the most eminent environmental historians of the West" by Alan Brinkley in The New York Times Book Review, Donald Worster has been a leader in reshaping the study of American history. Winner of the prestigious Bancroft Prize for his book Dust Bowl, Worster has helped bring humanity's interaction with nature to the forefront of historical thinking. Now, in The Wealth of Nature, he offers a series of thoughtful, eloquent essays which lay out his views on environmental history, tying the study of the past to today's agenda for change. The Wealth of Nature captures the fruit of what Worster calls "my own intellectual turning to the land." History, he writes, represents a dialogue between humanity and nature--though it is usually reported as if it were simple dictation. Worster takes as his point of departure the approach expressed early on by Aldo Leopold, who stresses the importance of nature in determining human history; Leopold pointed out that the spread of bluegrass in Kentucky, for instance, created new pastures and fed the rush of American settlers across the Appalachians, which affected the contest between Britain, France, and the U.S. for control of the area. Worster's own work offers an even more subtly textured understanding, noting in this example, for instance, that bluegrass itself was an import from the Old World which supplanted native vegetation--a form of "environmental imperialism." He ranges across such areas as agriculture, water development, and other questions, examining them as environmental issues, showing how they have affected--and continue to affect--human settlement. Environmental history, he argues, is not simply the history of rural and wilderness areas; cities clearly have a tremendous impact on the land, on which they depend for their existence. He argues for a comprehensive approach to understanding our past as well as our present in environmental terms. "Nostalgia runs all through this society," Worster writes, "fortunately, for it may be our only hope of salvation." These reflective and engaging essays capture the fascination of environmental history--and the beauty of nature lost or endangered--underscoring the importance of intelligent action in the present.

The Wealth of Nature: Environmental History and the Ecological Imagination

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The Wealth of Nature: Environmental History and the Ecological Imagination
Donald Worster
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OK25J0

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THE WEALTH OF NATURE: Environmental History and the Ecological Imagination.
Donald. WORSTER
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKEIPE

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