Book Reviews A Success

From left: Julia Fehler, president of the Community Club, Prem Chauhan, chairperson of the Drama/Literature Department; and Joan Kuster, panel moderator

The always popular annual book review program was presented to the members of The Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead on Wednesday, January 24 th at 1:30 p.m. in the Garden City Casino.

Prem Chauhan, chairperson of the Drama/Literature Department, introduced panel moderator Joan Kuster, who began the program be relating a personal experience. Last summer, on a trip to Berlin, she visited a museum which consisted of rows and rows of empty book shelves, symbolizing the lost literary treasures of the notorious 1933 Nazi book burnings. "How fortunate we are," she said, "to live in a society which allows books of all types to be printed."

Marjorie Maher, the first panelist, reviewed "Digging in America" by Anne Tyler, the story of two Baltimore families who adopted Korean orphans. This was followed by "Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen. It is the story of a nonagenarian in a nursing home who recalls his years as a veterinarian in a traveling circus.

Standing: Book reviewers Bea Mercadante and Betty Pupke. Seated are Marie Scott (left) and Marjorie Maher.

"Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin, was reviewed by Bea Mercadante. This is the history of Lincoln's Election in 1860 and his rivalry with William Stuart, Salmon Chase and Edward Bates. This was followed by her review of "Dark and Light" by Michael Laser, a contemporary urban story of personal redemption.

Three books by and about women were then reviewed by Betty Pupke. "A Perfect Union: Dolly Madison and the Creation of the American Nation" by Catherine Allgon, a biography of one of the most famous First ladies. "West With the Night" by Beryl Markham is the story of a woman who grew up in Africa and became an aviatrix. The story of a Red Cross worker in Vietnam is recounted in "Write Home For Me" by Jean Lamesndorf.

The program was concluded by Marie Scott. "The House of Gucci" by Sara Gay Forbes, reads like a novel although it is non-fiction. Two classic authors were then recommended by Ms. Scott: "Death Comes for the Archbishop" by Willa Cather and "Short Stories" by W. Someset Maugham.

Muriel Urban provided the decorations for the day. Door greeters were Adele Lynch, Florence Freda and Ruth LaBosco. Prem Chauhan and Shiela Birkenstock were pourers of the day and hospitality was taken care of by Jennie Catania, Mary Santoro, Carolyn Schwartz and Ida Catania.