[AGL] Duchess of Palms, a review

[Michael Eisenstadt]

Fontaine,

The book signing at Scholz Garten Fri at 5:30,
is that next Friday or, i hope not, yesterday?

I have the review of the book in the Texas Observer
with a couple of photos. I plan to read it ASAP.

You didnt often find Nadine at "Nadine's", i know,
i tried.

as you know Nadine, Terralita & Patsy (married
to Mike Levy of the Texas Monthly???) were
quite a trio.

Mike

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Mike-do you know about the signing at Scholz Garten Fri at 5 30?


Just finished "Duchess of Palms" by Nadine Eckhardt. I could not put it 
down. Some of it resonated with me on a personal level: reminiscenses of 
being a divorced young mother on Enfield Road when me and my mom and my sibs 
were spending time with them, and the times at her restaurant in East 
Austin, "Nadine's". Oh, and there was an interesting anecdote involving hash 
cookies, my mother, and forgetting to pick Bob Eckhardt up from the train in 
Houston.

But most engrossing was the time in DC, the aftermath of MLK's death and 
watching southeast DC burn, her involvement with Resurrection City (Lyndon 
prophetically told her "those people are electing Richard Nixon right now"), 
spending an evening with Daniel Ellsburg after which he was attacked by 
having acid thrown in his face by a passing car. There are photos and some 
wonderful reproductions of letters: from Billy Lee's publishers, Billy Lee, 
Lyndon, and cartoons by Eckhardt. I was fascinated by the fact that she had 
very warm words for George HW Bush, and even Barbara. GHW's letters are 
sweet and literate, and Nadine thanks him for his writing wonderful letters 
to Eckhardt's three daughters upon his death. In this same letter to GHWB 
(February 2003, right before the beginning of the war) she closes:
  As one parent to another, and an admirer of your and Barbara's long 
experience in business, I urge you to get INTO your son's business. Our 
nation needs your wisdom, George.
  If you need mine, call me.

Alas, GHW writes:

  I am very happy to be on the sidelines. I do talk regularly to the 
president, but it is not to give advice. I am just there as his dad.

There's much more - but I recommend you buy the book.