1960

For our 40th Reunion, June 12-15, classmates, wives and significant others are being invited to participate in two exhibitions which will display talents associated with our class.

In Brace Commons there will be a threeday creative exhibition for visual art—painting, photography, prints, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, basketry, etc. Those interested are invited to contact Linda Roesch (Rick's wife) at P.O. Box 60, Etna, NH 03750 for a simple entry form. Or e-mail linda.roesch @valley.net. A wine reception will inauguate the show.

Meanwhile, Jack Baird is organizing a book exhibition for volumes authored by class members, wives and significant oth- ers. This will be in the renovated old Webster Hall. Would-be participants may contact Jack at Dartmouth College, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Moore Hall, Hanover, NH 03755. Or e-mail john.c.baird@dartmouth.edu.

These plans come shortly after at least three more classmates have produced new books on significant topics.

Bruce Ducker's sixth novel is Bloodlines. Due out in February, it is the story of a young American jazz pianist, stranded in beneficiary of accounts and art dating back to the Holocaust. The novel develops his identity lines in a story of Switzerland and its handling of Jewish assets during the Nazi period. Bruce sent me galleys and I found it an intriguing tale. Published by The Permanent Press, Sag Harbor, NY 11963, it does not use excessively prudish language. It has a lively love story or two, and sets the Swiss scene extremely well.

Bruce's earlier books include Lead UsNot Into Perm Station. Writing has become another career for him and one that has brought him a growing reputation. MelvinSmall, meanwhile, has written an admirable book on one of the most difficult of political subjects, the presidency of Richard Nixon. It is part of a series on the American presidency produced by the University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66049.

Reading this, I was struck by its just, fair but no-nonsense tone. It gives credit to the undoubted accomplishments of the Nixon presidency, but, in its Watergate chapter, Small observes, "Over the next 18 months, the Nixon administration would be revealed to be the most scandal-ridden administration in American history."

It is, I hope, not too much editorializing to express the view that most classmates reading this book will be proud that a classmate of ours has written it.

Finally, I haven't read this one, but the topic, and publisher's announcement from Gaide Press, PO Box 460, Lakeville, MN 55044, are enticing. By ThomasMcBurney, this book is entitled ArtisticGreatness, A Comparative Exploration ofMichelangelo, Beethoven and Monet. There are three biographical sections and then a fourth, analytical one, "Observations and Conclusions."

We should all buy all three books, but, if we don't, we will be able to peruse them, I hope, at the book exhibition next June.

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