Stealing History

by Gerald Stern

In what could be boldly called a new genre, Gerald Stern reflects with wit, pathos, rage, and tenderness, on 85 years of life. In 70 short, intermingling pieces that constitute a kind of diary of a mind, Stern moves nimbly between the past and the present, the personal and the philosophical. Creating the immediacy of dailiness, he writes with entertaining engagement about what he's reading, be it Spinoza, Maimonides, John Cage, Etheridge Knight, James Schuyler, or Lucille Clifton, and then he seamlessly turns to memories of his student years in Europe on the GI Bill, or his political and social action. Unexpected anecdotes abound. He hilariously recounts the evening Bill Murray bit his arm and tells about singing together with Paul McCartney. Interwoven with his formidable recollections are passionate discussions of lifelong obsessions: his conflicted identity as a secular Jew opposed to Israel's Palestinian policy; the idea of neighbors in various forms -- from the women of Gee's Bend who together made beautiful quilts to the inhabitants of Jedwabne, who on a single day in 1941 slaughtered 300 Jews; and issues of justice.

Genres: Essays, Poetry

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Gerald Stern, the author of seventeen poetry collections, has won the National Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Ruth Lilly Prize, and the Wallace Stevens Award, among others. He lives in Lambertville, New Jersey.

Reviews

[Diane Kistner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Stealing History, Gerald Stern ranges widely through a life lived fully, engaged and reflective, befitting the poet and intellect that he is. His associations and the connections he makes are at times delightfully surprising, even metaphorical, and often witty. Who he has known and how, what he knew and when/how he knew it, and the flights even the most mundane of experiences send him on, speak of a man engaged with the very heart of life, at the pulse of its joys and its sorrows. What I wouldn't give to have a mind like Stern's...

[Mary Houck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a review of the book "Stealing History" by Gerald Stern. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as a member of the Goodreads First Reads program. I will start by saying that "Stealing History" is worth reading. This book is best read in small increments as it will challenge you and leave you thinking about the subjects the author is putting forth. I wanted to love this book and was expecting to give it rave reviews as the author is a highly honored poet who has won numerous awards for literature. "Stealing History" was good but didn’t live up to my high expectations. This book would have benefited from having an editor who was not intimidated by this distinguished author and could bring his excellent stories together into more cohesive chapters or essays.
The book is written in a stream of consciousness style that jumps from one topic to another as the author follows his leaps in thought. Thankfully, the book is very well written but the changes the author makes from one subject to another was distracting from the message he wants to share. He does have some great thoughts and stories and this book could be so much more.

[World Literature Today]

"Whatever its origins, the result is a book that is entertaining and eclectically informative, a book in which you can learn that Stern was “exiled” from the main campus of Temple University to the then-separate Tyler School of Art for the crime of leg wrestling with a colleague on the floor of the faculty lounge..." - Benjamin Myers, Oklahoma Baptist University

This book was reviewed in the January 2013 issue of World Literature Today. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://bit.ly/VfuObI

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun read. Gerry's personality comes through in full glory. Lots of anecdotes about familiar names from the poetry world and unfamiliar names from Gerry's past. He touches on writing poems quite a bit, and on his goals and motivations and thinking behind the poems, but nothing revealed there will teach you anything new about the poems. Just an engaging glimpse into the life of the poet.

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Stealing History" is not a book that you read, but essays to be read one by one over time. The subjects covered are diverse and this truly a beautiful book, one to keep and delve into again and again.

[MelAnnD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stealing History is a poetic and touching book that I enjoyed reading. It is not a book that you sit down and read at one sitting. It is made up of essays that you can read one at a time over a period of time.

*Won on Goodreads*

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read any of Stern's work and I now know I need to read much more. I love the way his mind works and he isn't afraid to say what he really thinks. Brilliant.


I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Patricia Florio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. It had some interesting thoughts of an old man sitting on a bench. But it just didn't move me forward.

[H.E. Regis · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring and confusing....I'm still trying to figure out exactly what the point of this book was.

[Ilona Mustafin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic and touching story that I enjoyed reading.