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BOOKS |
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Men, Women, and Margaret Fuller |
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• A major biography bound to have impact.
• A "battle of the sexes" ... relevant
today.
• Based on available research past
biographers have undervalued.The story encompasses the
Transcendental circle of friends, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry
David Thoreau, Bronson Alcott, Thomas Carlyle, Theodore Parker and
many others.
Revitalizes the noble spirit of the day - ideals of
individualism, truth, beauty, harmony of nature, the divinity of
humankind and faith in America.
500 pages, in quality paperback, featuring
the full color Thomas Hicks portrait, with photos of the
Transcendentalists, footnotes, page notes, bibliography, appendix,
index.
"Paralleling, comparing, and contrasting Fuller and Emerson,
James offers a collage of the numerous men and women involved in
the life and work of Fuller. Intended for the lay reader, this
volume includes a lot of information."
- Jeris Cassel, Library Journal
"The book is well written and meticulously researched and
provides fascinating insight into the entire transcendentalist
movement. Most importantly, it recalls one of the most radical and
perhaps least-remembered feminists in U.S. history."
- Ivy Burrowes, Booklist
"An exciting introduction to Fuller, Emerson, and their friends.
Recommended for every undergraduate interested in Margaret Fuller,
US women philosophers, and Transcendentalism."
- K. J. Dykeman, Choice |
"Laurie James seeks to redress decades of silence with a
tightly-written, fast moving account that reveals Fuller in a
"fuller" light ... Scholarly and smooth, it’s a perfect gift for
the reader who has everything."
- David Horn, The Pilot-News, Plymouth, IN
"Ground-breaking ... the story is fascinating in its
complexities."
- Citizen Tribune, Morristown, TN
"A biography of many dimensions."
- Small Press Book Review, Southport, CT
"Laurie James' books should be required reading in any women's
studies class where historical figures are re-examined in new
light."
- Diane C. Donovan, The Midwest Book Review |
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Outrageous Questions, Legacy of Bronson Alcott and America's One-Room
Schools |
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• What was school like 150 years ago?
• What was "toeing the crack?" ... The
most popular punishment?
• Remember stories about trudging miles
through the snow to school?
• Who was Bronson Alcott? His outrageous
questions?The father of the author of Little Women, Bronson Alcott,
believed children could learn by answering questions.
This book speaks to the nostalgia of the "good old days,"
contrasting traditional methods with Alcott's groundbreaking
ideas. Because Margaret Fuller, as teacher in his school, recorded
his questions, his Conversation on Conscience is included, and
readers can compare their answers with what students said in 1836.
Appeals to both adults and children.
102 pages, in quality paper/hardcover.
Creative suggestions for adults working with children, original
drawings by John Hartnett, photos of one-room school houses,
biographical information.
"Thanks, Laurie James, for a most memorable book."
- Nigel Maxey, Small Publisher"I found myself reading
excerpts from your book to both classes even before I finished it. My
kids are usually slower than the regular education kids but not when
it came to the discussion part of your book. I was truly amazed at how
well it clicked. Some of their comments were amazing. We found
ourselves discussing morality, the soul and a myriad of similar topics
... I will be pulling your book out in my classes for years to come.
Bravo!"
- Ken Murphy, Teacher, Special Ed |
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How I Got to Harvard, Off and On Stage with
Margaret Fuller |
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• Adventures in staging a solo drama at
Harvard and into the far beyond - grassroots style.
• Joys of commitment to a chosen work;
reward of growth from a challenge.
• Dreams and visions of people who helped
with 500 performances.This is the behind-the-scenes story of
how author/actress Laurie James "discovered" Margaret Fuller and
finally presented a solo drama at Harvard with introductions by
Buckminster Fuller, great-grand-nephew of Margaret Fuller, and
with Radcliffe sponsoring a reception.
James' drama "grew" as she survived limitations of grassroots
facilities in libraries, churches, conference sites, colleges
throughout the United States, Mexico, Hong Kong, Edinburgh,
eventually touring theaters in Los Angeles and New York.
Audiences hungrily asked questions, driving James to the
library for answers. More information on Fuller was needed and
James learned how to research and write books.
In total, James challenges you to "get to Harvard" too, in your
own unique way.
339 pages, in paperback, photographs
including some never-before-seen of Buckminster Fuller,
performance schedule, bibliography, index. "There is a mine of hard won wisdom for anyone who loves theater or
yearns to perform. Intermittently in her hectic narrative she stops to
reveal details of her craft…This impassioned book with its wealth of
reference is a lively and valuable springboard to a study of the
Feminist Movement in the United States."
- Barbara Thompson, Hard Row To Hoe, Healdsburg, CA |
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The Wit and Wisdom of Margaret Fuller Ossoli |
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• Zero in on the substance of Fuller's
brilliant mind and expression - words as relevant today as
over a century ago. Quotable passages.
• An intriguing sampler of Fuller's
diaries, journals, letters, articles and books, arranged by
subject
for easy reference.
• A book to treasure forever for thought
and inspiration.
96 pages, in quality
paperback, references, footnotes, bibliography. |
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Why Margaret Fuller Ossoli is Forgotten |
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• Why is a world celebrity in the 1840's
forgotten?
• A singular story - typically of how
famous women have been buried in history.Author Laurie James traces how Fuller's
achievement has been slighted as her first co-biographers, Ralph
Waldo Emerson, Clarke and Channing mutilated her letters and
papers and portrayed her to conform to the standard of womanhood
of the day. The facts show how scholars today have followed this
same pattern.
72 pages, in quality paperback, footnotes,
bibliography. "... truly a treasure, which
establishes its own genre by investigating the fall into obscurity
of a passionate pioneer of American literature. This book
opens a Pandora's Box of injustices regarding why women have been
written out of the western canon even when their pens were busily
assuring their role as conduits in making history happen."
- Lisa Paul Streitfeld, Cultural Critic/Curator |
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DOCU-DRAMAS FOR STAGE PRESENTATION |
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• Excellent for staged or roundtable
readings; follow-up discussion. |
Roots of Rebellion – a docu-drama for stage with
audience participation.
By Laurie James |
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Presents excerpts from the speeches of the first women who dared to
defy 19th century American code that it was a "sin" for women to speak
in public or church. Speeches reveal women pressuring to effect change
in laws on slavery, poverty, inequality, and women’s right to vote.
Groundbreakers are Frances Wright, Angelina Grimke, Elizabeth Cady
Stanton, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony; each is described by a
woman eyewitness who attended the event. Excerpts of Gloria Steinem’s
writings highlight why even today women find it difficult to speak in
public. Included is the famous 1872 trial of Susan B. Anthony who had
the audacity to vote illegally. The audience may hiss or applaud the
speakers in the spirit of the 19th century. 1 hour. 14 adult roles,
including 2 male roles (may be played by women).
• Script, stage plan, director’s notes,
program, marketing materials, license for one performance included. |
Look Who’s On Third! – Part 1
Sliding Home! – Part 2
by Laurie James |
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Two docu-dramas for stage presentation, featuring women athletes who
have made history by breaking barriers and exposing issues and
attitudes in women’s sports. Real-life situations alternate with
stories by famous and not-so-famous athletes. Flexible. 1 hour. 30+
characters, both male and female, ages ten through adult; actors may
double/triple roles. • Script, stage plan, director’s notes,
program, marketing materials, license for one performance included. |
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