Strout, Lawrence N., Covering McCarthyism: How the Christian Science Monitor Handled Joseph R. McCarthy, 1950-1954, Greenwood Press, Westport, CN, 171 pp.

Lawrence Strout examines the content of the Christian Science Monitor from 1950 through 1954 analyzing the news stories and columns about Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. The controversial, junior Senator from Wisconsin became known for the draconian tactics he used in uncovering Communists in government and the media. The author begins with McCarthy's famous Lincoln Day Speech on February 9, 1950 and continues until the Senate censured McCarthy December 23, 1954. The Senator died in 1957.

Along the way Strout gives fascinating insights into the history of the editorial voice of the Monitor -- a conservative publication speaking in the low, moderate bass-notes of fairness. Founder Mary Baker Eddy declared that the Monitor would have as its object "to injure no man but to bless all mankind." Strout describes how a poll by the country's top newspaper editors consistently picked the Monitor as ranking among the nation's top three papers with the New York Times and Washington Post.

The author recounts a compelling tale about the conservative Monitor taking the ultra-right-wing Senator McCarthy to task in its pages. The drama is seen through the coverage of veteran Washington correspondent, Richard L. Strout. The reader witnesses the skirmishes between establishment and rougue Senator in the daily dispatches of journalist-protagonist. With meticulous fairness, Richard Strout moves to record on the pages of the Monitor the fast-paced epic about ruthless power run amok. He reports on the events that began in the late 40s with the "Red Scare" and proceeded to a national condition called McCarthyism. In case-by-case he documents McCarthy's loathsome penchant for character assassination.

During the ensuing saga, Richard Strout carefully represents both sides of each issue and conflict. In the spirit of the Monitor's editorial policy, Strout vigorously attacks the methods used by the renegade Senator without attacking McCarthy personally. He also suggests that less radical methods be used to ferret out Communists in government. By promptly printing the rebuttals of persons attacked by McCarthy, Richard Strout and the Monitor metculously maintain a professional poise not practiced by some other major papers of the time.

The author articulates a delicate sense of balance between the domain of scholars (who desire factual analyses), and the fans of documentary and memoir (who yearn for a fast-moving narrative that moves with the rush of a speeding train). The mainframe of this book consists of carefully researched content analyses and with statistics that are blessed with the virtue of clarity and brevity. The narrative is a masterfully told account about a dark and painful chapter in our nation's political history.

Communications and media scholars, history buffs and aspiring and practicing journalists should have this in their library. The book provides a consideration in how journalists may properly examine issues wihtout resorting to personal attack or invective. I recommend it highly and give it five (5) stars (*****).

The author, a distant cousin of columnist and correspondent, Richard L. Strout, is the Harriet Stark Gibbons Professor of Journalism at Mississippi University for Women. His credits include articles published in the 'Journal of American Culture', 'Media history Digest', 'The Encyclopedia of Communications and Information' and 'The Encyclopedia of U.S. Popular Culture.'

Lawrence Strout holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Florida State Unviersity, an M.A. in Journalism from Ohio State University and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Cranford is a town that has maintained that small town feeling over one hundred years after its founding. This book, and its predecessor, shows how Cranford has changed, and how in many ways it has remained unchanged. The Rahway River continues to define much of the town's character. The Victorian downtown looks little different in pictures from the 1920s. Fridlington and Fuhro have captured Cranford through the photos selected in these books. Both old time and new residents will appreciate both collections.

This is a great book. I keep reading it over and over. A great addition to a short story collection. Shocking endings are at the end of every story.

This book takes the reader through a five step process of biblical lesson preparation. It begins with Studying the Bible. This step assists the lay person, Bible college student or seminarian in the study of the Bible for the purpose of teaching the Bible. The second step is entitled "Focusing the Message". The reader is instructed in how to take the message of the passage and make it relevant to the modern day learner. Teachers are given practical help in assessing student needs and in designing the class to targe those needs. The third step involves Structuring the Lesson. Here readers are taught how to structure a lesson for maximum impact and student involvement. The fourth step is the teaching step. Here the actual teaching process is explored. The final step is the evaluating step. Effective teaching depends on evaluation and imporvement. This section of the book helps teachers gain insights into their teaching and assists in developing ways to improve. All in all the book is designed to be a systematic presentation of the lesson preparation process.

Picking up from where he strayed, Lawrence Treat uses clever drawings and witty prose to befuddle the amateur sleuth in this third in his series. His is an excellent series of books that can be adapted for detectives of many ages-- I know because I use them with my students.

Some of the puzzles require good observation, others require sharp wits, and all put a lethally grand combination of pictures and storylines that are fun to read and solve. The questions at the end of each story point sleuths in the right direction.

I have always loved mysteries, and this book allows you to be the supersleuth. To solve these short mysteries you look at the picture of the scene of the crime and answer questions to figure out the culprit. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

This is so much fun i was reading for hours!!!!!

Thoroughly enjoyable story collection, most feature clever amateur sleuths such as the likeable Dr. Cory Cohen, a psychologist in "Silver is Better than Gold." Others feature professional detectives who, without their intention to do so are drawn into a puzzle. A few of the stories lack mystery, but manage to engage. One of my favourites is "Without a Trace," by Batya Swift Yasgur. As the old ad said,"You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy. . ."

Excellent story development. I would like to know of any other books this author has written since I like his style. Thank you

For those interested in the nature/nurture debate,this book provides a new way of viewing the controversy. A well developed and interesting argument about gender and other 'natural' differences that are socially produced. A must read for anyone interested in
the sociological perspective of genetically programmed differences. Is it a hardware or a software issue? Or is that the wrong way to frame the question?