Jackie Ormes (Two Stars)

This book looks at the life and art of Jackie Ormes, a pioneering African-American cartoonist. Her artwork, as presented in this book, is good and she had practice in both single panels and strips. She also had a good handle on the humor end of cartooning, although some of her jokes do need a little explaining (which the book does).

While it is understandable that Ms. Ormes would be politically active during the period, some of the cartoons are definitely left-wing. What is frustrating is the author's interpretation of the communist subversion of the 1950s... "ACCUSED of membership in the CP" is a typical tag. The only concession that Ms. Goldstein makes to the likes of Noel Field, Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs is the idea that FBI investigations into spies was "rarely" true. So, Ms. Ormes had an FBI file. She was hardly the only one.

Ms. Ormes' attitudes were no doubt common within the African-American community. With her sharp pen, I wonder how critical she would be of many of the race hucksters who prey on that community today. In any case, this book doesn't really look at that.

The book does look at Ormes' line of Patty Jo dolls as well.

 I review almost exclusively history books (with rare exceptions). I will gladly review any book having to do with antiaircraft or air defense. Get in touch with me for more information.

Modern African Wars: Angola and Mozambique 1961-74 (Five Stars)

This Osprey volume looks at Portugal's colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique. Unlike France and Britain, Portugal managed to hold on to its African colonies through the 1970s. Part of this had to do with the single-minded nationalism of the Portuguese political leadership, as well as the unusual relationship that the home country had with the African people it ruled. Unlike the experience other countries had, Portugal provided for equal legal status of blacks and whites and Europeans and Africans served together in many of the Army units.

Portugal, which was not a large or rich country, does enjoy a rich military history and it took advantage of it. As a NATO member Portugal had access to modern arms and it configured its small but professional forces to fight the Marxist guerrillas attempting to take over the various colonies and turn them into "worker's paradises"... which of course is not how things worked out. The Portuguese even reorganized Cavalry and Artillery units as counterinsurgency units, a practice that the United States would also take advantage of in Iraq against the islamofascists. Includes some information on FRELIMO, UNITA, FPLA, etc.

The discussion of the campaign in Africa is well done and well illustrated. Definitely worth checking out.

In Wartime: Stories From the Ukraine (Five Stars)

Mr. Judah's collection of stories from various locations throughout the Ukraine gives the reader an unusual insight into the conflict there in the aftermath of the Russian takeover of the Crimea. With interviews of civilians and soldiers on both sides of the lines, Judah uses these vignettes to tell the larger story of the corruption-riddled Ukraine attempting to hold its own against the Russians and their propaganda machine.  For someone like myself, who can't understand how Ukrainians could be so indifferent to the fate of their country, the backstory is important. Unfulfilled promises of independence, unfulfilled potential due to corruption, unfulfilled futures linked to a poor understanding of the past... all these have contributed to the tragedy of the Ukraine.

Whether you are curious about the war in the Ukraine or just want to learn about the human tragedy of war, Judah's excellent writing, his ability to find great subjects and his insights make this a must-read. True, Judah makes lots of references to the Yugoslavian Civil War (which aren't always relevant) and some of the photos could use better captioning, but none of this detracts from the book as a whole. Includes maps, which are essential to understanding the full story.

Shifting Loyalties (Four Stars)

Although a bit dry at times, Shifting Loyalties does a good job of telling the story of occupied North Carolina, the coastal region which fell to Union invasion in 1862 and included the towns of New Bern and Beaufort. The relationships between the Yankees, the unionist Carolinians and rebel sympathizers (to say nothing of the African-American population) are discussed at length, exploring Union demoralization, rebel terrorism, trade and attitudes towards the war.

A very good look at this forgotten theater of the Civil War. Illustrated with photos and some graphics.

Peter Arno (Five Stars)

Anyone who has looked at collections of the New Yorker’s cartoons (at least those dated from the 1920s to the 1960s) has seen Arno’s work. His cartoons are simple, yet bold, and are daring without being shocking. Of the artist himself I knew nothing until I read Maslin’s book.

And I am glad I did. Maslin’s writing is excellent, studying as it does both Arno’s artistic career and his personal life. Separately they’d be interesting, together they’re fascinating. Arno’s relationship with his father, his attempts at Broadway shows, his wartime work, his marriages, his finances and his short-lived band all make for great material, and Maslin pulls it all together to give the reader a feel for the man who didn’t just draw characters… he was one.

Arno's work is in many ways like Chas Addams. Not stylistically or in the type of humor, rather it is the same in that the TYPE of humor illustrated by each of the two artists became associated with the STYLE of the artist himself. Just as Addams' macabre sense of humor can be identified by the type of detailed, creepy pen and wash style Arno's lampoons of society are associated with his sharp lines and minimalist backgrounds.

Naturally, illustrated with Arno cartoons and some photographs.