The Groucho Letters, Letters To and From...

Customer Reviews:

Not The Screwtape Letters.......2003-10-04

The biggest compliment I can give this collection is that reading it made me wish I wrote more letters and had more celebrities among my circle of potential letter-receivers. Of course, inherent laziness being what it is (and the fact that I have so far been frustrated in all such attempts to gain the favor of our nation's collection of celebrities), I'll have to be content reading Groucho's correspondence. And, as alternatives go, it's not bad at all.

The book is divided into ten sections: "Movie Business", "Private Life", "Touching On Television", "Groucho and Other Men of Letters", "Grouchy", "Broadway and Hollywood", "For Publication", "Friends Abroad", "The Faintly Political Scene", and "Short Shrift". Of course, there's quite a lot of overlap involved; Groucho had a tendency to ramble, so there isn't a simple way to categorize each individual letter.

There are many highlights and surprises. Groucho's communications with the Warner Brother's legal division over the title "A Night In Casablanca" is probably one of the better known exchanges in Hollywood, and deservedly so as it's utterly hilarious. (In short, Warner Brothers claimed that the title violated their copyrights; Marx replies with typical nonsense and wit, claiming, among other things, to have a prior claim on the word "Brothers".) In a letter that I found surprising, Groucho chides the President of the Chrysler Corporation, suggesting that the car company paying more attention to safety concerns would be in everyone's interests as well as saving thousands of lives a year. Groucho Marx as a precursor to Ralph Nader? Who would have guessed it?

Groucho's public persona was that of a sarcastic and wisecracking character. Naturally, that personality comes through in his letters. A few passages do put some balance on that. While about 90% of the mentions of his daughter are jokes about her annoying him and absorbing his money in vast quantities, there remains a slight 10% where an almost sweet nature comes through. In a similar vein, he writes a heartfelt letter to Jerry Lewis (of all people), imploring him to take a good hard look at whether he really wants to split with his comedy partner, Dean Martin. To Groucho's credit, he writes a follow-up letter a few years later apologizing for his earlier advice.

It's hard to describe the bulk of these letters without simply summarizing them, so I will stop doing so, and will confine myself to simply recommending the book. Groucho corresponded with a wild variety of people in his day, and some of the biggest laughs come for people you wouldn't expect to be quite so witty.

A must-have for Groucho fans!.......2003-08-27

Groucho's letters (to him and from him) are many in number, and the correspondents he had...wow! Famous authors, politicians, his family, and his numerous friends...it's a huge list, believe me, and the result is a book full of the many moods of Groucho Marx, and his correspondence with some of the most famous people in the world. Don't miss it!

This book will cure what ails you!.......2002-12-18

I received this book after major surgery some years back and Groucho's wit really helped pick up my spirits and take my mind off of my body. This was one of the best gifts that I've ever received and I'm pleased to see that it's back in print. If you could have a dinner party and invite any historical figures that you wanted, wouldn't Groucho be on the list? This collection of his intimate correspondence is the next best thing.

The Absolute Best Book on Groucho.......2002-12-08

This classic collection of Groucho Marx's correspondence, which was donated to the Library of Congress, at their request, gives the best glimpse into who Groucho Marx was. Not only do we see his letters to his family and friends, who included some of the century's most famous people, but we get to see what people wrote in return. Groucho's personality and wit shine through, and these letters are a rare treasure.

With little formal education, Groucho could construct a letter better than most people with college degrees. He shows himself as witty, acerbic, sometimes sentimental and, yes, often grouchy. The book starts off with his infamous exchange with the legal department at Warner Brothers, who claim they own the rights to the movie title "Casablanca." Groucho responds that, perhaps, since the Marx Brothers were famous before the Warner Brothers, that perhaps they owned the rights to use "Brothers"?

We see Groucho's exchanges with many of his friends, but not much between the brothers themselves, since they were almost always together and there was no need of correspondence. We see Groucho's complaints and his praise. The most memorable part of the book is Groucho's legendary correspondence with the poet, T.S. Elliot. Groucho is clearly in awe of the poet, who seems equally in awe of the comic. It takes several years for this predecessor of the modern "Email friendship" to become a "real life friendship" when Groucho and his wife fly to London to meet "Tom" and his wife. We find out about the evening via a letter Groucho sent to another person. We also see a letter where Groucho mourns T.S. Elliot's passing.

This collection of letters is never out-dated, and never becomes boring. There is always something to read, somewhere in the book. It is not a book that you will read, then forget about. It's an amazing, historical collection of wit, sarcasm and genuine tenderness that is essential to any humor library.

Dear Warner Brothers............2001-11-18

This book is comprised of letters from (and to) Groucho Marx. The highlight is the famous Warners Brothers volley (Casablanca vs. A Night in Casablanca) There are plently of letters to and from Groucho's famous friends as well as family members. You can almost "hear" Groucho making these comments. A very good book for Marx Brothers fans.

The Groucho Letters: Letters From and to Groucho Marx

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The Groucho Letters: Letters From and to Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671639633

Product Description

Groucho Marx donated his famous correspondence to the Library of Congress in the mid-1960s. From his letters a colorful collection was published. Now in paperback, The Groucho Letters displays the wit and wisdom of one of the twentieth century's most beloved comedians. Groucho's letters pertain not only to show biz, but to politics, law, businessand his personal life. He spars with his friends, and their responses are equally amusing: letters from E. B. White, Fred Allen, Goodman Ace, Nunnally Johnson, James Thurber, Booth Tarkington, Alistair cooke, Harry Truman, and S.J. Perelman, to name a few.

THE GROUCHO LETTERS: LETTERS TO AND FROM GROUCHO MARX

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THE GROUCHO LETTERS: LETTERS TO AND FROM GROUCHO MARX
Groucho Marx
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CNP13

Love, Groucho: Letters from Groucho Marx to His Daughter Miriam

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Letters from Groucho
A Master Letter Writer
Groucho...no difference between letters and screen.
It made me laugh, it made me cry, but it also made me think!

Love, Groucho: Letters from Groucho Marx to His Daughter Miriam

Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0571129153

Book Description

Nearly 200 letters written by the legendary Marx to his daughter Miriam provide a rare glimpse of the complex man behind the mustache.

For everyone who still can't get enough of this legendary wit (and excellent writer), here is an extraordinary collection of almost two hundred letters by Groucho Marx. Following a close filial relationship as it unfolds week by week, year by year, these letters move through three decades of life: from the vagaries of Groucho's career in film, radio, and television, through two divorces and two remarriages, to Miriam's own often tumultuous young adulthood. In his own inimitable fashion, Groucho advises his daughter about her schoolwork, writing, career, growing up, and growing old. He also discusses theater, film, books, and politics with a candor that will surprise and delight even his most knowledgeable fans. Accompanied by photographs from Miriam's personal albums, Love, Groucho reveals a man deeply concerned with his family and a sometimes firm, always loving father who never hesitated to say exactly what he thought.

Customer Reviews:

Letters from Groucho.......2007-10-03

I found the letters to be a very good insight to Groucho and his family life. I had a particular interest in reading about his 2nd marriage to Kay Dittig Gorcey Marx and was pleased to learn more about her.
Well done, Miriam!

A Master Letter Writer.......2004-02-06

Groucho Marx is known for his letter writing. This collection is great, but not as good as The Groucho Letters. Since these are only to his daughter, Miriam, they don't reflect aspects of his personality that show up in The Groucho Letters, which are collected from diverse people, family, friends, and other show people, not to mention Warner Brothers during a law suit.

But I love this collection because Groucho comes across as a loving and concerned parent who can't get enough of his children. He is supportive, generous, thoughtful and witty.

Groucho...no difference between letters and screen........1998-12-15

What better way to judge a man than to see his unedited, straight from the hip letters to his daughter. I have read just about all there is to read on Groucho, but this is my most prized possession. This book shows Groucho's philosophies on family relations, government, love and home life. I felt like a fly on the wall of a private phone conversation. The letters revealed a man who had a heart of gold and a tongue of silver. I was amazed at how his wit in letters was no different from that on the screen. Big thanks to Miriam for letting us look at the private side of one of the funniest men ever.

It made me laugh, it made me cry, but it also made me think!.......1997-12-29

These letters show a very human side of Groucho Marx. Through all this you get to experience first hand his great wit and sense of word play. There were many dimensions to this man, and these letters provide an inside look at what made this man tick. Many thanks should be given to his daughter Miriam for this personal look into her father's life.

Groucho Letters From and to Groucho Marx

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Groucho Letters From and to Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx , and Aruthur Sheekman
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MIL3JM

The Groucho letters from and to Groucho Marx

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The Groucho letters from and to Groucho Marx

Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000CRKLQY

GROUCHO LETTERS Letters to & From Groucho

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GROUCHO LETTERS Letters to & From Groucho
Groucho Marx
Manufacturer: 1967 1st Fireside Ed. soft cover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NGUJES

The Groucho Letters. Letters From and Too Groucho Marx

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The Groucho Letters. Letters From and Too Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UOMZNG

The Groucho Letters: Letters from and to Grouch Marx

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The Groucho Letters: Letters from and to Grouch Marx

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GZZHDY

Book Description

Offense-defense theory argues that the relative ease of offense and defense varies in international politics. When the offense has the advantage, military conquest becomes easier and war is more likely; the opposite is true when the defense has the advantage. The balance between offense and defense depends on geography, technology, and other factors. This theory, and the body of related theories, has generated much debate and research over the past twenty-five years.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of offense-defense theory. It includes contending views on the theory and some of the most recent attempts to refine and test it.

Strategic Impasse: Offense, Defense, and Deterrence Theory and Practice (Contributions in Military Studies)

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Strategic Impasse: Offense, Defense, and Deterrence Theory and Practice (Contributions in Military Studies)
Stephen J. Cimbala
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 031326516X

Book Description

There is probably no area of more crucial concern nor one more subject to possible misunderstanding and riddled with paradox than nuclear weapons and their use, not only in war, but as deterrents to war. In Strategic Impasse, Cimbala examines the critical issues, problems, and paradoxes inherent in the current nuclear situation. It is from a fundamental contradiction--the usefulness of nuclear weapons versus the undesirability of nuclear war--that nuclear deadlock arises. Their usefulness as deterrents is based on their destructive potential and the balance of power in Europe cannot be adjusted until the inflexible, bipolar "balance of terror" is addressed. Ironically, superpower sovereignty in nuclear first strike/retaliation capability, shared across the divided East-West political buffer zone, created the impetus for improvements in "conventional" warfare. To the extent war can be contained below the nuclear threshold, conventional weaponry contributes to "deterrence by denial." One difficulty lies in the improbability of completely isolating the nuclear from the conventional battlefield in a European scenario. Also, a level of superpower force perceived to be adequate in peacetime might prove to be an inadequate intrawar deterrent. Because of the underdevelopment of conceptual frameworks, "credible deterrence"--the creation of nuclear campaigns designed to prevent war--remains conjectural. Highly usable weapons require a command system that can provide for simultaneous fighting and escalation, but escalation beyond a certain level conflicts with control and therefore usability. In turn, low expectations of weapon usability may weaken deterrence. In Gorbachev's "defensive sufficiency," forces for aggression and surprise attack would be diminished, while forces for defense would be strengthened. The problem lies not only in differentiating between offensive and defensive weaponry but in achieving a consensus on such a definition by NATO's member countries. The book is divided into three parts: the first section, "Issues of Theory and Strategy," scrutinizes the relationship between offense and defense and examines SDI and more inclusive strategic defense matters. It also questions the connection between policy objectives and force, and explores the "complication of externalities," such as relations with allies. In section two, "Stretching Deterrence," Cimbala reviews the "operational art" likely to be employed by the Soviets in a conventionally fought European war and defines and appraises the "sensor-cyber" revolution in technology and its impacts on preferred strategies. The final part, "Beyond Deterrence," considers war termination scenarios and related issues, including sociopolitical aspects, surveys the part nuclear weapons play in superpower competition in the Third World, and explains how issues of sovereignty effect deterrence, avoidance, and future super power relations. Strategic Impasse will enable scholars and students of military affairs as well as political scientists and government officials to see beyond current "nuclear rhetoric" and to make informed judgments on an issue that fundamentally affects this nation's and the world's future.

Offense, Defense, and War.(Book review): An article from: Air & Space Power Journal

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Offense, Defense, and War.(Book review): An article from: Air & Space Power Journal
Gilles Van Nederveen
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Air & Space Power Journal, published by Thomson Gale on December 22, 2006. The length of the article is 491 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Offense, Defense, and War.(Book review)
Author: Gilles Van Nederveen
Publication: Air & Space Power Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Page: 124(1)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

What is it good for? How the U.S. military went from defense to offense.(Book Review): An article from: American Scholar

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What is it good for? How the U.S. military went from defense to offense.(Book Review): An article from: American Scholar
James Webb
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000ALOMLM
Release Date: 2006-07-14

Book Description

This digital document is an article from American Scholar, published by Phi Beta Kappa Society on March 22, 2005. The length of the article is 1630 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: What is it good for? How the U.S. military went from defense to offense.(Book Review)
Author: James Webb
Publication: American Scholar (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 2005
Publisher: Phi Beta Kappa Society
Volume: 74 Issue: 2 Page: 135(5)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The best defense is a good offense: Preemption, ramifications for the Department of Defense (USAWC strategy research project)

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The best defense is a good offense: Preemption, ramifications for the Department of Defense (USAWC strategy research project)
Daniel L Zajac
Manufacturer: U.S. Army War College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006S9YAI

An option of offense in the defense of Europe (Research report / Air War College)

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An option of offense in the defense of Europe (Research report / Air War College)
Michael E Bolin
Manufacturer: Air War College, Air University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00071R9GK

Searching for the stronger form of war at the operational level in the 20th century: The defense on the offense

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Searching for the stronger form of war at the operational level in the 20th century: The defense on the offense
Oliver J Moss
Manufacturer: School of Advanced Military Studies, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00071RCDU

Searching for the stronger form of war in the 20th century: The defense or the offense

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Searching for the stronger form of war in the 20th century: The defense or the offense
Oliver J Moss
Manufacturer: School of Advanced Military Studies, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00072HTKA

Statement, W.P. Bloodgood of Wisconsin on the subject of the "third line of German defense and offense in this country": And the organization of the "backers" ... in France and those who are training to go

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Statement, W.P. Bloodgood of Wisconsin on the subject of the "third line of German defense and offense in this country": And the organization of the "backers" ... in France and those who are training to go
Wheeler P Bloodgood
Manufacturer: s.n
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

"This anthology is the first collection in English of Allende's speeches and interviews . . . and will be of value for academic collections on Latin America."-Library Journal

Features a substantial biographical introduction on Allende and an extensive chronology and bibliography.

Customer Reviews:

Well-Assembled Collection Of Allende's Words.......2007-03-03

Salvador Allende, Chile's martyred leader and the first elected socialist President in history, is even more important to read today than ever with the growing shift towards socialism we are seeing in Latin America, especially Venezuela. The fascist goons lead by Augusto Pinochet, who killed Allende in a bloody coup that took place on September 11, 1973, believed that with Allende dead and gone he would be forgotten. Indeed, historical references to Allende and his Popular Unity government were repressed even from school textbooks during the Pinochet regime, and Chile is even today, with a socialist president, still hesistant to really discuss the man and his ideas. But Allende continues to have many supporters and admirers around the globe and in his country and "The Salvador Allende Reader" is the best collection of his speeches. Here we have a portrait of a highly intellectual leader, a deep thinker who wished to reform his country, fight racism and poverty, and stop the looting of Chile's natural resources by foreign corporations. This is not a book about the infamous coup, for that go to "Chile: The Other September 11" and "Paula," the powerful memoir by Allende's niece, the author Isabel Allende. The "Salvador Allende Reader" chronicles Allende's speeches from his stunning election in 1970 up to the heroic, final speech he gave as La Moneda Presidential Palace was being bombed. Allende's speeches here are also a testimony to what was happening in Chile during the three revolutionary years he was in power. We read Allende assuring his people that the fascist plots hatched by Chile's rich, upper classes in conjunction with the CIA would fail, in other powerful passages he stresses the need for education to advance a society and how racism is a plague. In 1971 Fidel Castro made a famous visit to Chile where he stayed for a record 27 days, here we get an interview between Allende and Castro where they both express solidarity and yet admit that Chile's revolution is it's own and not a copycat of Cuba. Allende's farewell speech to Castro is also a great call for unity between those in the Americas who wish to change things. One of the most impressive speeches is Allende's address to the United Nations where he declares that Chile is an independent nation that has the right to determine it's own future. The beauty of the work we find here is that it is not confined just to Chile, Allende's views and ideas about socialism and it's aims should be studied by all political students and socialists around the world. In fact, one can safely say that Venezuela is the direct the result of not just the movement begun by Cuba, but also by the striking example Chile showed the world as it peacefully, democratically elected a socialist to office. Salvador Allende has joined the mythical status of other revolutionary heroes such as Che Guevara, but his words still carry meaning and a potency scarcely found in the writings of long-dead Presidents.

The World Misses El Compañero.......2002-06-05

This is a very telling, informative and stimulating collection about not only the life of El Compañero Presidente, but Chilean history in general, especially during the years 1970-1973. One comes to understand Allende not as a Napolean of an Orwellian novel but as the embodiment of democracy, human rights and compassion. You will read about and come to understand how Allende came to power (the world's first freely elected socialist president), as well as the true socialist, not communist, nature of the programs he tried to introduce into Chile. You will read about his friendship and re-establishment of relations with revolutoinary Cuba. Included also are some great discourses given before world bodies such as the U.N., decrying, well ahead of the time it has become accepted to do so, what he viewed as the budding New World Order. More than anything, you will get a feel for President Allende's commitment to democracy, human rights and progress for Chile, as evidenced by his last words via radio to the Chilean nation before his assassination: "I have faith in Chile and its destiny."

His words and ideas resonate still in our day. Anyone who believes that Allende was a victim of U.S. policy of containment, of U.S. fears, "justified," during the Cold War of Red communism getting another foothold in Latin America, which is now inapplicable, need merely consider the recent coup attempt in Venezuela of Hugo Chavez, a president similar to Allende in his election, political inclinations and friendship with such world malcontents as Fidel. The fact that the U.S., besides El Salvador, was the only nation in the hemisphere to quickly endorse the new government of a rightist who, like Pinochet, suspended all legislative and judicial bodies speakd volumes. Essentially nothing has changed, which provides for the words of Allende to still be applicable and important 30 years later.

One need merely visit Chile to get a feel for and understand El Compañero Presidente. He lives on in the memories and hearts of many. The tension is still enough that it is a topic better left alone. Allende was a man of the people. He strove to give back to the people. He worked to include the Mapuche, the marginalized of Chile. There was complete freedom of the press in Allende's Chile, as well as not one political prisoner. The situation was entirely the opposite under Pinochet. You will read this and more in this good collection.

Perhaps the highlight of the Salvador Allende Reader is a word from Fidel Castro, meant as a possible warning to Allende, become the defining and stirring memorial to El Compañero Presidente. Castro told Allende he thought "he trusted in democracy probably a little too much."

THE URGENCY TO UNDERSTAND ALLENDE.......2001-08-04

The words of Allende are not only important and inspiring, but are also urgently needed in our current de-evolutionary perspective of gross-consumerism. The intro. gives us a nicely detailed view of Chile and its potentials w/ Allende as its first democratically elected Marxist president. This was not a regime which ignored human rights. It seemed headed toward a true form of Communism, which may have only become possible by A) A defensive posture unified by the workers and the poor in Chile (i.e. Castroist Cuba during the Bay Of Pigs) and B) A willingness to further the great advancements Allende enacted, to their glorious ends. It reveals the true reality of Socialism and its real possibility and potential. The true failures of Allende were directed more-so by the counter-revolutionary tactics of Chile's Capitalists & those in the US government, who would rather see a military takeover by Pinochet & the deaths of 10,000 Allende sympathizers, including Allende himself, rather than a hint of true justice in the world.

Book Description

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands: Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape is the first volume of three-volume guide on how to conceptualize, design, and implement sustainable water-harvesting systems for your home, landscape, and community. This book enables you to assess your on-site resources, gives you a diverse array of strategies to maximize their potential, and empowers you with guiding principles to create an integrated, multi-functional water-harvesting plan specific to your site and needs. Volume 2 builds on the information presented in volume 1, showing you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting earthworks. It presents detailed how-to information and variations on a diverse array of earthworks, including chapters on mulch, vegetation, and graywater recycling so you can customize the techniques to fit the unique requirements of your site. Real-life stories and examples permeate this volume.

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