[AGL] Duchess of Palms, a review

[Fontaine Maverick]

It's next Friday. I went over to Nadine's and bought my book yesterday. I 
really liked it. Alot.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Eisenstadt" <mike.eisenstadt at gmail.com>
To: "survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s" 
<austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: [AGL] Duchess of Palms, a review



> 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

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> 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.

>