Alcatraz Island - Books

Al Capone Does My Shirts Gennifer Choldenko Annotation: A 2005 Newbery Honor Book From the Publisher: Today I moved to a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. I’m not the only kid who lives here. There’s my sister, Natalie, except she doesn’t count. And there are twenty-three other kids who live on the island because their dads work as guards or cook’s or doctors or electricians for the prison, like my dad does. Plus, there are a ton of murderers, rapists, hit men, con men, stickup men, embezzlers, connivers, burglars, kidnappers and maybe even an innocent man or two, though I doubt it. The convicts we have are the kind other prisons don’t want. I never knew prisons could be picky, but I guess they can. You get to Alcatraz by being the worst of the worst. Unless you’re me. I came here because my mother said I had to. From The Critics: The Washington PostNatalie’s story is an important thread, sensitively handled. But what stays in the mind is the teeming mini-society of the island, where guards’ families really did live and where a kid really might have encountered Al Capone, an inmate at Alcatraz from 1934 to 1939. — Elizabeth Ward Publishers WeeklySet on Alcatraz Island in 1935, Choldenko’s (Notes from a Liar and Her Dog) exceptionally atmospheric novel has equally unusual characters and plot lines. Twelve-year-old narrator Moose Flanagan has just moved to the island, where his father has been hired as an electrician and guard. At first Moose is spooked at being in such close proximity to the nation’s most notorious criminals, and he doesn’t know what to make of the all-powerful warden’s bossy daughter, Piper, who flouts her father’s rule about talking about the convicts ("You say [Al Capone’s] name and hordes of reporters come crawling out of the woodwork ready to write stories full of foolish lies," the warden explains). At school, on the mainland, Piper hatches a scheme to make money from classmates ("Once in a lifetime opportunity! Get your clothes laundered by Al Capone and other world-famous public enemies!... Only costs 5 cents") and forces Moose to help her. Moose has reasons for staying on Piper’s good side: his older sister, Natalie, has what would now be called autism, and Moose worries that her behavior will land the family in trouble with the warden. (Natalie’s condition is so poorly understood that an expert tells her desperate mother, "An interesting case... you should consider donating her brain to science when she dies.") Choldenko captures the tense, nuanced family dynamics touched off by Natalie’s disability as skillfully as she handles the mystique of Alcatraz and the exchanges between Moose and his friends. Fast-paced and memorable. Ages 10-up. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. Children’s Literature - Della A. Yannuzzi Author Choldenko has written a funny and clever middle grade novel about a boy named Matthew (Moose) Flanagan who is living on Alcatraz Island with his family. The family has moved to the Island because Moose’s father has found work as an electrician, and because his sister Natalie, who is autistic, can go to a good school nearby. Moose is not happy about living on the island, especially after meeting the Warden’s daughter Piper who is bossy and a bit of a troublemaker. Moose’s father has warned him to stay out of trouble because he needs this job and Natalie needs to go to the special school. Moose’s life becomes miserable when Piper involves him and a few other island kids in a moneymaking scheme to have their schoolmates’ clothes laundered by the convicts on Alcatraz Island. Piper tempts her school chums by claiming that Al Capone, the famous gangster, may even wash their shirts. The scheme falls apart when the Warden finds out what his daughter and friends are up to. Then, to make matters worse, the school that Natalie attends doesn’t want her and she has to come home. Moose winds up watching her and has to forego his Monday after-school baseball game. This is an amusing book about interesting characters placed in a different and unlikely setting and trying to make the best of their situation. 2004, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Ages 10 up. VOYA - Walter Hogan In 1935, notorious gangster Al Capone is one of three hundred convicts housed in the maximum-security penitentiary on Alcatraz Island. Twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan also lives on the island. His father has taken a position as an electrician and guard at the prison in hopes that Moose’s sister, Natalie, will be accepted at a special school in nearby San Francisco. Not only has Moose been forced to leave friends behind and move with his family to a fortress island, but he also cannot play baseball or make new friends now because he is stuck taking care of his sister whenever he is not in school. Natalie is afflicted with the condition now known as autism, and even at age sixteen, she cannot be left unsupervised. Everyone in the family has been under a strain because of Natalie’s special needs. Meanwhile Piper, the warden’s pretty, spoiled daughter, makes life complicated for Moose. The island’s residents have their laundry done by the convicts, and thrill-seeking Piper drags Moose into her wild stunt of marketing Al Capone’s laundry services to their middle school classmates in San Francisco. But when his family desperately needs a break in their efforts to get help for Natalie, Moose knows that only Piper has the connections and the audacity to help him pull off a reckless scheme involving the island’s most famous inmate. Choldenko, author of Notes from a Liar and Her Dog (Putnam’s, 2001-VOYA August 2001), weaves three As—Alcatraz, Al Capone, and autism—into an excellent historical novel for middle-grade readers. A large, annotated 1935 photograph of Alcatraz Island and an informative author’s note give substance to the novel’s factual sources. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M J (Betterthan most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 240p., Ages 11 to 15. KLIATT - Paula Rohrlick Jobs are hard to come by in 1935, so Moose’s father doesn’t hesitate to move his family to Alcatraz when he gets work as a guard there. Moose, age 12, is far from pleased, though. His friends and baseball team are back in San Francisco, his father works long hours, and when his mother takes a job too he is put in charge of minding his sister Natalie. Natalie is older than he is, but she is autistic, and she can be very difficult to deal with at times because of her obsessive behavior and temper tantrums. Meanwhile, Moose meets the warden’s attractive but trouble-seeking daughter, Piper. He learns about the island and the prisoners, and reluctantly becomes involved in Piper’s schemes, such as charging classmates for the opportunity to have their laundry done by the inmates—hence the title. Al Capone features briefly as a minor character, and in desperation Moose writes to him to ask him to use his influence to gain Natalie a place at a special school, a long-held dream of his mother’s. Rather than a novel of gangsters, then, as some might think from the title, this is a coming-of-age tale about a boy dealing with his autistic sister, albeit in an unusual setting—YAs hoping for gory details of criminal and prison life will have to go elsewhere. Choldenko, author of Notes From a Liar and Her Dog, offers a sensitive portrait of autism and how it affects a family, and in a author’s note at the end she discusses her research about life on Alcatraz and on autism, and mentions that her own sister has autism. An affecting novel. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2004, Penguin, Putnam, 240p., Ages 12 to 15. Read all 7 "From The Critics" andgt; List Price: $$15.99 Our Price: $11.19

Someone Is Hiding on Alcatraz Island Eve Bunting Annotation: When he offends the toughest gang in his San Francisco school, Danny tries to elude them by going to Alcatraz only to find himself and a Park Service employee trapped by the gang in an old prison cell block. From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyThe Outlaws, the toughest gang in school, follow Danny Sullivan to Alcatraz Island after he unintentionally thwarts one member’s attempt to mug an old woman. There he is trapped as they plot their revenge. PW praised Bunting’s storytelling skill, saying, ``Her new novel moves swiftly, creating white-knuckle suspense and an unfudged denouement.’’ (12-up) Our Price: $4.99

Breaking the Rock: The Great Escape from Alcatraz Jolene Babyak From The Critics: Library JournalOnce the most infamous prison in the world, Alcatraz today is a tourist attraction across the bay from San Francisco. On a 22-acre battleship-shaped sandstone rock, Alcatraz defied escape attempts. Yet in 1962, there was a successful escape by three men. Babyak (The Ten Greatest Escapes) was a child at the time, living on the Rock with her father, acting warden Arthur Dollison. Combining her firsthand knowledge with newly released Alcatraz documents, she recapitulates the events surrounding the escape and speculates about what happened to the men, who were never heard from again. The mastermind, she thinks, was Allen West, a wily, longtime con who got Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin to join him. West’s plans were brilliant in detail, including building a raft and leaving lifelike heads on the men’s cots. Ironically, the plans were helped by Dollison’s relaxing of some of the more stringent security rules and by errors made by the Alcatraz staff. In suspenseful detail, Babyak describes the course of events leading up to the fateful telephone call received by her father on the morning of June 12. West chickened out at the last minute, leaving him to say to everyone who would listen that he had "broken the Rock." Did the other three make it to safety? Babyak suspects that they did not. Yet what exactly happened remains a mystery that prison buffs can ponder. This is essential for all crime collections and, considering its lively cover, should do well in public libraries. Frances Sandiford, Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. Our Price: $14.95

Eyewitness on Alcatraz: Life on the Rock as Told by the Guards, Families and Prisoners Jolene Babyak From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyAs a child of seven, Babyak went to live on ``The Rock’’ in the 1950s. Her father, Arthur Dollison, was office manager of the prison’s industries and later associate warden. Through interviews with former employees and their families, Babyak compiles a series of inside reminiscences that excludes readers. Dull and gray, like imagined prison walls, the prose is replete with restrictions (``Women and children were forbidden on the shoreline during daylight hours while prisoners were out of their cells. Families were not permitted dogs or cats’’) and with ordinary events like fishing (when the water on the west side of the island teemed with bass and ``you could not get your line back without a fish on it’’). Perhaps Babyak describes the crux of her book’s problem when she admits, ``Seemingly ordinary concerns took on exaggerated meaning on an island prison,’’ or when she explains that ``because our fathers felt that few outsiders understood their problems, prison people often remained insulated. Vacations in our household tended to include tours to other prisons . . . ’’ She provides sparse, dry reports on escapes and attempted escapes, hints vaguely at complex prisoner-guard relationships and repeatedly fails to delve into potentially fascinating material. Photos. (July) Our Price: $12.95

Battle at Alcatraz: A Desparate Attempt to Escape the Rock Ernest B. Lageson From the Publisher: They Said Nobody Could Escape "The Rock," but ... in May of 1946, six desperate inmates attempted the impossible-escape from Alcatraz. The result: one of the bloodiest uprisings in the history of American prisons. For months, the "cons" had meticulously planned the breakout, and at first, the plan went like clock work - they broke into the gun gallery, armed themselves, and took nine guards hostage. But when their plan hit a last-minute snag, the heavily armed inmates refused to surrender, swearing they’d fight to the end.. "The battle ensued as U.S. Marines shelled the cell house, and five Coast Guard ships and a Navy destroyer circled the island. Thousands of rounds were exchanged during the three-day siege. When the inmates realized their escape was doomed, they shot the hostages to eliminate witnesses.. "Ernest Lageson Sr. was one of the guards shot. His son, Ernest Jr., a teenager at the time, agonized along with other hostage families waiting to hear if loved ones were alive. Now Ernest Lageson Jr. delivers an insider’s account of both the notorious riot and life inside the most infamous prison in American history. From The Critics: Library JournalAfter months of planning, six inmates attempted to escape from the infamous Alcatraz prison in May 1946. Although their plan was thoroughly thought out, it failed because the key needed for escape from the cell block was missing. Instead, a battle ensued between the inmates and the prison authorities. The author is the son of one of the guards taken hostage that day. When the plan failed, the guards were shot so that there would be no witnesses. Miraculously, though, the hostages were only wounded and kept still, pretending to be dead. In the meantime, the inmates fought to the bitter end: three died in the battle, and the other three eventually stood trial. Lageson thoroughly researched this tragedy, giving the reader a real feeling of what happened that day. Although he does give the readers an update of the principal characters involved, he fails to follow up on the aftermath of the incident. Nevertheless, libraries with an interest in prison history will probably want this for their collections.--Michael Sawyer, Northwestern Regional Lib., Elkin, NC BooknewsIn May 1946, six inmates attempted to escape from Alcatraz prison. They took nine hostages and refused to surrender, while US Marines shelled the cell house and five Coast Guard ships and a Navy destroyer circled the island during a three-day siege. When the inmates realized their escape was doomed, they shot the hostages. The author’s father was one of the hostages shot, and he offers an insider’s account of the riot and of life inside the infamous prison. Includes bandw photos. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. Our Price: $16.95

Alcatraz Screw: My Years as a Guard in America’s Most Notorious Prison George H. Gregory From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyThe 15 years Gregory spent guarding The Rock are distilled into blunt prose and telling anecdotes in his matter-of-fact memoir (though Gregory died in 1996, his widow, Velma, shepherded his manuscript to publication). In 1947, Gregory, a Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBP) officer, was transferred to Alcatraz, the precursor of today’s "super maximum" prisons. In cool, detailed recollections, Gregory, a trusted officer under four wardens, focuses on the nitty-gritty of Alcatraz management. His ex-marine toughness (he was nearly killed at Iwo Jima) helped him deal fairly if severely with inmates, even as unrest, fueled by drugs and legal challenges, swept through the prison in the 1950s. Gregory’s narrative recalls a time when men wore fedoras and spoke in clipped sentences, and his evocation of Alcatraz has the austerity of classic prison films: "I got my usual headlock on the convict, pulled him out and steered him into the Hole." He has an eye for important details, from the blackjacks (small lead clubs) carried by guards that were banned elsewhere to the subtleties of prison race relations in the pre-civil rights era. He’s unsympathetic to the inmates’ crooked ways, and yet he struggles to believe that they’re redeemable men. Factual and disciplined, this is a valuable bit of history, and FBP archivist Roberts’s helpful introduction tackles the myths about Alcatraz, and how the FBP’s "media blackout" policy regarding its famous inmates, such as "Machine Gun" Kelly, helped fuel them. Illus. (July) Forecast: Unlike Ted Conover’s Newjack, this isn’t for the literary; but hard-core true-crime and prison buffs will find it offers a rare look inside The Rock. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. Library JournalThere has been a resurgence of interest in Alcatraz. In The Great Escape (2001), Jolene Babyak gives her version of the only successful escape from the Rock, and in Alcatraz Justice (2002), Earnest Lageson rehashes a long-forgotten trail of three inmates involved in a hostage situation. Now, Gregory, a former prison guard, has written his memoir of 15 years at Alcatraz. Given his background as a marine in World War II, it is no surprise that Gregory was a hard-nosed officer who stressed his ability to keep a dangerous population in line. Yet he also includes in the memoir some priceless prison vignettes. For example, he describes a fracas in the yard between a young officer and some seasoned cons, a confrontation between a doctor and his patients, and the poignant story of a mentally deranged inmate whom he saved from the abuse of the other officers. Although Alcatraz was unique because of its remote location, readers may be surprised to learn that the conditions at the prison, and the characteristics of its inmates, were not so different from those that exist today. For comparison, try Ted Conover’s Newjack (2001), the memoirs of an officer in Sing Sing Correctional Facility in the 21st century. Alcatraz Screw will probably not appeal to the general reader, but it will certainly appeal to readers interested in prison life and those who have a special interest in Alcatraz. Recommended for crime collections in public libraries.-Frances Sandiford, formerly with Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. Our Price: $24.95

The Golden Age of American Lighthouses: A Nostalgic Look at U.S. Lights from 1850 to 1939 Ray Jones From the Publisher: American lighthouses are cherished by countless individuals who treasure our nation’s history and look to lighthouses as tributes to the indomitable human spirit. This unique pictorial chronicle brings to life nearly a century of American lighthouse history with hundreds of archival photographs, many of them never before published. The Golden Age of American Lighthouses tells the often dramatic story of U.S. lighthouses from approximately the middle of the nineteenth century until shortly before World War II, an era that many consider the golden age of American lighthouses. Giant brick towers, sturdy cast-iron cylinders, and open-water "spark-plug" towers that most people associate with lighthouses began to be built during this period. The majority of America’s most beautiful and beloved lighthouses date from this time. This book is filled with vintage black-and-white views of classic towers such as those at Boston Harbor, Cape Hatteras, and Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. It also focuses on the work life and day-to-day existence of lighthouse keepers and their families. Many images of key lighthouse personalities and old-time keepers and their home life are reproduced here. If you are a lighthouse buff, or if you enjoy revisiting our country’s history, The Golden Age of American Lighthouses will be a rewarding and enlightening window to the past. Our Price: $19.95

Riddle of the Rock: The Only Successful Escape from Alcatraz Don DeNevi Annotation: Did the infamous "Tablespoon Trio" actually get away from Alcatraz? Riddle of the Rock solves one of America’s most tantalizing mysteries with startling new evidence regarding the escape of the century. 60 photographs. From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyOn June 11, 1962, a year before the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay was permanently closed, three inmates--Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin--escaped from the island. None of the three was among the toughest of the hard men who were serving on ``The Rock,’’ and whether they survived the treacherous currents of the bay is unknown. DeNevi ( Alcatraz ’46 ) reviews the story here, going into detail about the trio’s extensive preparation for the breakout, material that would be boring were it not a testimony to amazing ingenuity. DeNevi is convinced that the escapees survived. Fans of prison books will find this one mildly interesting; general readers will question the point of reopening the subject. Photos not seen by PW. (June) Our Price: $34.00

Fortress Alcatraz: Guardian of the Golden Gate John Arturo Martini From the Publisher: JOHN ARTURO MARTINI, a fourth-generation San Franciscan, is a lifelong researcher into the history of the American West and specializes in historic preservation. He was a national park ranger for more than 25 years and served for many years at the Presidio of San Francisco as curator of military history for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He is the author of several books and articles on San Francisco military history and is currently working on an exhaustive history of all buildings remaining on Alcatraz. He lives in Fairfax, California, with his wife and a pair of pygmy goats.* A painstakingly researched history of Alcatraz by former national park ranger and noted Alcatraz historian John Arturo Martini. * Lavishly illustrated with 150 diagrams and archival photographs, including rare 1869 photos by Eadweard Muybridge. * Of the many books written on Alcatraz, this is the first to detail the island’s nearly forgotten but fascinating military history. Our Price: $13.95

Someone Is Hiding on Alcatraz Island Eve Bunting Annotation: When he offends the toughest gang in his San Francisco school, Danny tries to elude them by going to Alcatraz only to find himself and a Park Service employee trapped by the gang in an old prison cell block. From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyThe Outlaws, the toughest gang in school, follow Danny Sullivan to Alcatraz Island after he unintentionally thwarts one member’s attempt to mug an old woman. There he is trapped as they plot their revenge. PW praised Bunting’s storytelling skill, saying, ``Her new novel moves swiftly, creating white-knuckle suspense and an unfudged denouement.’’ (12-up) Our Price: $13.00

The Awakening Fire Kelley Pounds From The Critics: April Redmon - Romantic TimesMs. Pounds weaves a colorful story within a rich setting. The characters are vivid and strong, and their conflicts are interesting and balanced well with an intriguing plot. Readers can look forward to a good read from cover to cover. Rendezvous ReviewsThis is an exciting and unique Western which gives the reader a thrill a minute. Ms. Pounds uses plenty of historical details, and her protagonists are wonderful. Superb Story. Under the Covers ReviewsMs. Pounds weaves a colorful story within a rich setting. The characters are vivid and strong, and their conflicts are interesting and balanced well with an intriguing plot. Readers can look forward to a good time when reading work from this author!Carmel ThomastonThis romance by newcomer Kelley Pounds is a treat for readers who want a fast-paced book with lots of sexual tension.and#151 PAINTED ROCK REVIEWSWHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYINGThis is an exciting, unusual story of a dangerous renegade and the brave woman who wins his heart. An abundance of historical detail creates a wonderful sense of atmosphere. The talented Kelley Pounds brings the grit and heat of frontier New Mexico to life. (Susan Wiggs, RITA award-winning author) — Susan WiggsThe Awakening Fire intoxicates the senses. Kelley Pounds has the marvelous talent to breathe life into the past and deliver everything an historical novel should be: poignant drama and unforgettable characters chasing their dreams and demons across a bit landscape. (Laura Baker, author of Broken in Two, an RT Top Pick (St. Martin’s Press) — Laura BakerEvocative, compelling, one of the best Western romances I’ve ever read! An untamed hero, a heroine with grit. Riveting from first page to last, Kelley Pounds delivers a dynamic love story that leaves you breathless. (Rachelle Morgan, best-selling author of Wild Cat Cait and Loving Linsey (Avon) — Rachelle MorganKelley Pounds’ novel, The Awakening Fire, is a beautiful, sensual love story, rich in vivid descriptions. Faith battles cynicism, cynicism battles faith, and two souls find freedom at long last. (Karen Wiesner, author of the Gypsy Road Series) — Karen WiesnerThe Awakening Fire is a touching, tender love story that trips your heart and soars like an eagle in your soul. After reading this romance you’ll be looking for the next Kelley Pounds book. The Awakening Fire will linger in your heart long after the last page is read. (Pamela James, reviewer for Calico Trails) — Pamela James Our Price: $27.95

Great Escape Mazes Roger Moreau Annotation: Contains twenty-two mazes based on a true historic event. From the Publisher: part in some of the most daring, courageous escapes of the twentieth century. You will need to muster your determination, keep your wits about you, and focus on small details in order to complete more than 20 challenging mazes. Forget the boring labyrinths of puzzle books and cereal boxes, these intricate adventures are drawn with striking detail and are all based on historic events. Put yourself in these death-defying situations: * Find your way off the sinking Titanic onto the iceberg. * Descend ropes to escape the burning Hindenburg. * Find a clear tunnel passage to help Allied soldiers break out of the German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft III. * Help the Dalai Lama avoid capture by Chinese communist troops. * Guide the crew of the Apollo 13 moon mission back to earth. * Determine whether it was possible to escape from the prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. As you wend your way from disaster and doom to safety and freedom, you will learn what the real people faced with these situations had to overcome, from rocky terrain, strong ocean currents, and the forces of nature to invading armies, impenetrable fences, and exploding torpedoes. Of course, unlike the historic adventurers, you will have the solutions to the mazes at your fingertips at the back of the book. 64 pages, 58 b-w illus., 8 1-4 x 11. Our Price: $5.95

Crime of 1873: The Comstock Connection Robert R. Van Ryzin From the Publisher: In late August 1875, more than two years after the so-called Crime of 1873 had been committed, a perspiring, portly middle-aged man went for his regular swim in San Francisco Bay. Only this day would be different, much different, William Chapman Ralston, once the most powerful, influential and ambitious man in California, died while thrashing out toward Alcatraz Island. Some said it was suicide. Others ... From Virginia City, Nevada’s fabled silver-rich Comstock Lode, to the silver dollars of the U.S. Mint, the long-debated and murky history of the Crime of 1873 is recounted in this groundbreaking study. Revealed here for the first time is the true story of the secret manipulations of a powerful San Francisco banker and a former U.S. Mint director that led to the removal of the silver dollar from the Coinage Act of 1873, spawned the creation of the Trade and Morgan silver dollars, and fanned the flames of the Free Silver Movement, leading to William Jennings Bryan’s famed "Cross of Gold" speech as part of his bid for the presidency in 1896. Coverage includes the history of the Comstock Lodestarting with its discovery in 1859, and continuing through the dangers of hard rock mining to the 1870s Big Bonanza strike at the Consolidated Virginia. From The Critics: BooknewsVan Ryzin, a writer and researcher on US coinage history, recounts the history of the Crime of 1873, telling the story of the secret manipulations of a San Francisco banker and a former US Mint director that led to the removal of the silver dollar from the Coinage Act of 1873, spawned the creation of the Trade and Morgan silver dollars, and encouraged the Free Silver Movement. The story begins with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 and continues through the dangers of hard rock mining to the 1870s Big Bonanza strike at the Consolidated Virginia. Many bandw historical photos are included. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Our Price: $34.95

Heart of the Rock: The Indian Invasion of Alcatraz Adam Fortunate Eagle From the Publisher: In 1969, Richard Oakes and Adam Fortunate Eagle, then known as Adam Nordwall, instigated an invasion of Alcatraz by American Indians. From the mainland, Fortunate Eagle orchestrated the events, but they assumed an uncontrollable life of their own. Fortunate Eagle provides an intimate memoir of the occupation and the events leading up to it. Accompanied by a variety of photographs capturing the people, places, and actions involved, Heart of the Rock brings these turbulent times vividly to life. From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyWhen Native American activists took over Alcatraz Island in 1969, they drew unprecedented attention to the poverty and widespread disaffection on contemporary Indian reservations, as well as to the historic injustices perpetrated by the American government. Fortunate Eagle, a member of the Ojibwa Nation, organized the nearly two-year occupation, and gives a stirring account of the Alcatraz affair in this memoir. For much of the 1960s, Fortunate Eagle, then called Adam Nordwall, was pursuing the suburban dream: he owned his own termite extermination business and competed for bowling trophies in the Bay Area, where he lived with his wife and children. At the time, the Indian population of many American cities was exploding; in the early 1950s, the U.S. government had launched a program to lure Indians off of reservations with the promise of technical training and jobs, so that the U.S. could then buy up resource-rich Indian land. The inadvertent result of the policy was that many Indians, lonely and uprooted in unfamiliar cities, began to socialize and then organize politically. Fortunate Eagle describes his political awakening in the San Francisco Indian social clubs and gives a play-by-play of the occupation, from sneaking past the Coast Guard to the political fallout, which culminated with Nixon condemning the oppression of Indians and restoring millions of acres to various tribes. Fortunate Eagle’s witty and impassioned recollections will be appreciated by anyone interested in American history or the political upheavals of the 1960s. (Apr.) Forecast: Native American political and social history is coming to the fore now more than any time since the 1960s, as academic and memoir work accumulates. While the debate has not reached Canadian proportions, look for some attention to this book along with Larry Nesper’s The Walleye War: The Struggle for Ojibwe Spearfishing and Treaty Rights, coming in May (Univ. of Nebraska, $60 256p ISBN 0-8032-3344-2). Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. List Price: $$29.95 Our Price: $28.45

Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee Paul Chaat Chaat Smith From the Publisher: It’s the mid-1960’s, and everyone is fighting back. Black Americans are fighting for civil rights, the counterculture is trying to subvert the Vietnam War, and women are fighting for their liberation. Indians were fighting, too, though it’s a fight too few have documented, and even fewer remember. At the time, newspapers and television broadcasts were filled with images of Indian activists staging dramatic events such as the seizure of Alcatraz in 1969, the storming of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building on the eve of Nixon’s re-election in 1972, and the American Indian Movement (AIM)-supported seizure of Wounded Knee by the Oglala Sioux in 1973. Like a Hurricane puts these events into historical context and provides one of the first narrative accounts of that momentous period. Unlike most other books written about American Indians, this book does not seek to persuade readers that government polices were cruel and misguided. Nor is it told from the perspective of outsiders looking in. Written by two American Indians, Paul Chaat Smith and Robert Allen Warrior, Like a Hurricane is a gripping account of how for a brief, but brilliant, season Indians strategized to change the course and tone of American Indian-U.S. government interaction. Unwaveringly honest, it analyzes not only the period’s successes but also its failures. From The Critics: Publishers WeeklyAt the outset of this detailed, lively history of the American Indian protest movement in the early 1970s, its authors say that a problem with most other books on Indians (they do not use the term Native Americans) is that they were not written by Indians themselves and that, however sympathetic, they tend to portray Indians as victims and pawns. Smith, described as an activist by the publisher, and Warrior, a professor of history at Stanford, both Indians, have chosen to write about a brief periodthe birth and early days of the American Indian Movement (AIM)when American Indians were indeed politically and socially active. The book focuses on three Indian proteststhe 1969 invasion and 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island; the 1972 seizure and trashing of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Building in Washington (renamed Native American Embassy for the occasion); and, a year later, the two-month occupation of Wounded Knee, North Dakota, that ended with two dead and 300 Indians under indictment (which effectively bankrupted AIM). Smith and Warrior write clearly and dramatically; they have researched and interviewed well; and although unabashed partisans of the Indian cause, they are frank and even-handed to a point that might be painful to AIM diehards. An important addition to the history of a political movement that has yet to reach its stride. Photos. (Aug.) Library JournalDuring the 1960s and 1970s, a new national identity was forged for Native Americans through demonstrations led by militant leaders. Activist Smith and academic Warrior (Tribal Secrets: Recovering Indian Intellectual Traditions, Univ. of Minnesota, 1994) relate three events central to those changes during the fast-paced, chaotic, and frequently disappointing movement: the takeovers of Alcatraz, the national Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters, and Wounded Knee. The authors discuss all three heavily symbolic and media-dependent events with clear-eyed scrutiny, lauding personal heroism while recognizing instances of flawed leadership. The authors take up contradictory views in the national Indian community and trace the growth of the American Indian Movement (AIM) from its Chippewa beginnings to national influence under the charismatic leadership of Russell Means. Based on archival sources and personal accounts, this work joins another recent title, Means’s autobiography, Where White Men Fear To Tread (LJ 10-15-95), in reconstructing events during a turbulent phase of modern Native American history. Recommended for academic and public libraries.Margaret W. Norton, Morton West H.S., Berwyn, Ill. BookList - Donna SeamanSmith, an activist, and Warrior, a history professor at Stanford University, sharpen our understanding of what exactly went on during the brief but passionate and paradigm-shifting Indian rights movement between 1969 and 1973. Their thoroughly researched, fast-paced chronicle focuses on three main events that held the attention of people all over the world: the gutsy takeover of Alcatraz, the spontaneous occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., and the traumatic siege at Wounded Knee. As they present day-by-day coverage of these unprecedented acts of civil disobedience, Smith and Warrior profile the movement’s diverse leaders, including Richard Oakes, Russell Means, and Clyde Warrior, the first activist to publicly challenge the trend toward assimilation by advocating pride in and respect for Indian culture. Such deep change takes time, however, hence the sudden outbreak of dramatic and dangerous confrontations. As the authors analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian movement and the unrelenting vehemence of government opposition, they make it clear that this era of flamboyant protest and "guerrilla theater" is of great and lasting significance. Our Price: $25.00

American Indian Activism: Alcatraz to the Longest Walk Troy R. Johnson From the Publisher: The American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island was the catalyst for a more generalized movement in which Native Americans from across the country have sought redress of grievances as they continue their struggle for survival and sovereignty. In this volume, some of the dominant scholars in the field join to chronicle and analyze Native American activism of the 1960s and 1970s. The book also provides extended background and historical analysis of the Alcatraz takeover and discusses its place in contemporary Indian activism. Our Price: $19.95

Occupation of Alcatraz Island: Indian Self-Determination and the Rise of Indian Activism Troy R. Johnson From the Publisher: The occupation of Alcatraz Island by American Indians from November 20, 1969, through June 11, 1971, focused the attention of the world on Native Americans and helped develop pan-Indian activism. In this first detailed examination of the takeover, Troy Johnson tells the story of those who organized the occupation and those who participated, some by living on the island and others by soliciting donations of money, food, water, clothing, and other necessities. Johnson documents the unrest in the Bay Area urban Indian population that helped spur the takeover and draws on interviews with those involved to describe everyday life on Alcatraz during the nineteen-month occupation. To describe the federal government’s reactions as Americans rallied in support of the Indians, he turns to federal government archives and Nixon administration files. The book is a must read for historians and others interested in the civil rights era, Native American history, and contemporary American Indian issues. Our Price: $20.00

Elderberry Flute Song: Contemporary Coyote Tales, Vol. 1 Peter Blue Cloud From the Publisher: The fifty-six Coyote Tales in this book -- delightfully illustrated by the author -- are lively, funny, profound, sometimes sad, and always wise. Peter Blue Cloud brings Native American literature into the Twentieth Century with a style and a power that have made this book a classic. Peter Blue Coud, a Mohawk of the Turtle Clan, has published many books, among them Alcatraz Is Not An Island, Back Then Tomorrow, White Corn Sister, and Clans of Many Nations: Selected Poems 1969-94. A recipient of an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, he resides at Kahnawake in Quebec. Our Price: $15.00

Fodor’s Pocket San Francisco 2000: The Best of the City Fodors From the Publisher: Fodor’s Pocket San Francisco 2000"An excellent choice for people who want everything under one cover." — Washington Post"Splendidly compact yet infinitely helpful...admirably concise without losing one ounce of relevant coverage..." — BooklistPocket Guides are designed for travelers who want the highlights of a destination. They contain full, rich descriptions of the best a destination has to offer — the most worthy sights, the best restaurants and lodgings in all price ranges, plus shopping, nightlife, and outdoors highlights.All the must-see sights and essential activitiesThe key landmarks from the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island to Coit Tower and the Castro Theater Flamboyant cabarets, hip jazz dens, historic rock halls, lounges with spectacular viewsSleek department stores, craft and fine arts galleries, stylish boutiques, funky vintage shopsThe very best dining and lodging in every price rangeGrand downtown hotels, quiet Victorian mansions, retro motor inns, bohemian BandBsNorth Beach Italian bistros, waterfront seafood spots, Mission District taquerandiacute;as, and the best of contemporary Pan-Asian cuisinePlus 13 pages of mapsEndorsed by the American Society of Travel AgentsPocket San Francisco 2000 is excerpted from Fodor’s San Francisco 2000 Our Price: $9.00

Quartet: A Dr. Stanley Highstreet Mystery Collection Brian Bain From the Publisher: Dr. Stanley Highstreet returns in four new exciting mysteries in Quartet. In Murder at the Mystery Grove, shy physicist and paranormal investigator Dr. Stanley Highstreet and his assistant PI Zetrower Hill endeavor to unravel the secrets behind the strange gravitational anomalies of the famous tourist attraction. Two seemingly unrelated deaths turn out to be more than just freak accidents. Locked room mysteries are not supposed to happen in real life. Dr. Highstreet finds himself trying to solve one in Mostly Ravens. Was Rachel Fournier’s death a suicide or a clever murder? A mysterious and possibly dangerous cult called "The Tribe" has lost its leader in Death of a Guru. Dr. Highstreet receives a desperate email from an old friend. The group might be caught in the fevered millennium fears of Guru Dimitri Sokol. The famed island penitentiary has once again become a prison after a park ranger has been found strangled in Saints of Alcatraz. Dr. Highstreet and Zet Hill are on the island simply to investigate a psychic who has been giving unofficial "ghost tours." To get off the island in time to make a speaking engagement, Dr. Highstreet reluctantly agrees to solve the murder case. Our Price: $13.95

To Alcatraz, Death Row, and Back: Memories of an East L.A. Outlaw Ernie Lopez From the Publisher: When Ernie Landoacute;pez was a boy selling newspapers in Depression-era Los Angeles, his father beat him when he failed to bring home the expected eighty to ninety cents a day. When the beatings became unbearable, he took to petty stealing to make up the difference. As his thefts succeeded, Ernie’s sense of necessity got tangled up with ambition and adventure. At thirteen, a joyride in a stolen car led to a sentence in California’s harshest juvenile reformatory. The system’s failure to show any mercy soon propelled Landoacute;pez into a cycle of crime and incarceration that resulted in his spending decades in some of America’s most notorious prisons, including four and a half years on death row for a murder Landoacute;pez insists he did not commit.To Alcatraz, Death Row, and Back is the personal life story of a man who refused to be broken by either an abusive father or an equally abusive criminal justice system. While Landoacute;pez freely admits that "I’ve been no angel," his insider’s account of daily life in Alcatraz and San Quentin graphically reveals the violence, arbitrary infliction of excessive punishment, and unending monotony that give rise to gang cultures within the prisons and practically insure that parolees will commit far worse crimes when they return to the streets. Rafael Pandeacute;rez-Torres discusses how Ernie Landoacute;pez’s experiences typify the harsher treatment that ethnic and minority suspects often receive in the American criminal justice system, as well as how they reveal the indomitable resilience of Chicanos-as and their culture. As Pandeacute;rez-Torres concludes, "Landoacute;pez’s story presents us with the voice of one who--though subjected to a system meantto destroy his soul--not only endured but survived, and in surviving prevailed." List Price: $$22.95 Our Price: $18.36