I am delighted to report that Charles Hamilton is back–and so is Free Life Editions! The breadth of his scholarly work has always been impressive as has been his devotion to making important libertarian works available. Free Life Editions, which was begun by Hamilton in 1973 in New York City, went into hiatus when he […]
Archive | Books
I write about books that interest me, and books I have published.
When the family farm died!
The family farm began disappearing from American life with the great Depression and drought of the 1930s. Farmers found it impossible to earn a living raising crops and animals, so they began migrating to cities. In the process, the whole of American life changed in so many ways. Old MacDonald of lore gave up his […]
Why are collectors and their collections so fascinating?
The basic answer to that question is we really don’t have a clue. We’ve all run across people whose lives seem committed to collecting something. It really doesn’t matter what. Whether it be tools, or books, or games, or toys or cars–or even barf bags (unused, of course), there are people out there who are […]
Collecting the strangest things
People collect the damnedest things. Actually, collecting, for the truly devoted, can become an all-consuming occupation. Often it is for some quite an irrational undertaking while for others it is inspired by love for an occupation or hobby or locale. In many cases there is no explanation for why people become collectors. The best they […]
Women in newspapering
While newspaper work was traditionally a male dominated domain, it was by no means reserved strictly for men, and for women who got into the trade, the work was demanding, dangerous and full of adventure. It was also filled with plain everyday chores which define the life of most tradesmen and women. “Evonne Angello’s experience […]
The original “Reader’s Digest” discovered. Was missing for over three centuries
I just came across a fascinating article which came courtesy of The Guardian newspaper. It reports on the discovery of a marvelous book which may open a world of new information for book lovers and historians alike. How exciting it would be to hold his book in hand, even though it’s contents would be locked […]
From carnivore to vegetarian to vegan
Carrot Seeds by Kathy Coughlinhttps://www.letterpressbookpublishing.com/product/carrot-seeds/ The transition from eating meat to learning how to be a vegetarian was a slow process, but it worked and for a few years my family adjusted to the new menus I introduced to the dinner table. I had grown up on a southern Minnesota farm where I was intimately […]
How to become a successful children’s book author?
Writing a book for children can be daunting, as those who have attempted it can testify. You have to know your audience, you have to write so that you not only hold their attention but so you will draw the reader back time after time to enjoy your story. And, often, you first have to […]
Rudolf Rocker bibliography available
Rudolf Rocker’s Nationalism and Culture offers unmatched insights into the origin, development and influence that the State has had on human culture and freedom Back in 1978 when I republished Rudolf Rocker’s magnificent Nationalism and Culture, I felt that a most useful addition to the 1947 edition would be a comprehensive bibliography to help readers locate other […]
A South Dakota Cowboy’s Story
The open range is no longer so open, but there are still cowboys who spend their days horseback–long days herding cattle, mending fences, fixing water tanks and all the other chores that go with horse and saddle. While he is now retired and a bit beat up from all the years he worked as a […]