New Releases by Howard Schwartz

A little girl grows up to be an accomplished artist in this sumptuously illustrated book about the small things that lead to a rich and fulfilling life. All You need Is a planet to live on, A sun to give you light, And warmth. . . In All You Need, poet Howard Schwartz’s graceful, deceptively simple text describes a handful of things anyone needs to live a rich and fulfilling life, made all the more potent by the illustrations of debut picture book artist Jasu Hu, who uses her talents to create a rich and powerful narrative describing her own journey, creative and otherwise, from a childhood in China to her arrival to study art in New York. Ultimately, she creates her own book, this book, a gift to her distant parents.

Gershon Groysekanatsky, Russell Carrow and Dalton Dalwymple-Delacourt are three young men who are starting their new lives as college freshmen at Llenroc University in upstate New York. They come from very different social classes, ethnic groups and religious backgrounds. Gershon is the son of a poor struggling Jewish shoe salesman whose grandmother escaped the pogroms of Tsarist Russia and dreams of rising above his origins to become a doctor. Russell, on the other hand, is also Jewish but born to a very wealthy senior partner at a Wall Street law firm. His dream is to become a brother in Sigma Chi, a very elite WASP fraternity on campus. Dalton is a Mayflower descendant and a scion of the WASP elite. Unfortunately, tragedy interferes with his smooth ride into the upper- class echelons of Llenroc. Class Conflicts is the story of these young men''s lives, both before and while they are at Llenroc University. The desire for social acceptance and the role that money, ethnicity, religion and lineage play in our society overwhelm their experiences at college and prevent them from concentrating on what college is really all about; learning and experiencing new people and ideas in order to broaden their horizons for the real world. Class Conflicts also looks very closely at the issue of anti-Semitism, especially how anti-Semitism acts as a social excluding force made more potent when combined with social class discrimination. The novel opens in Tsarist Russia with the Groysekanatsky family celebrating a wedding, only to find that they are facing a pogrom which soon would drive them from their home. In the turn of the 20th century New York City, the Groysekanatskys hoped to make a better life, but again encounter prejudice that undermine their ability to adjust to their new American homeland. Social exclusion based on anti-Semitism is a major theme of the novel as Gershon Groysekanatsky, Russell Carrow and Russell''s father Raymond discover as they navigate the complex world of American private schools and universities. While the characters and theme involve American Jews and their relationship with the White Anglo-Saxon Protestant elite, social exclusion could be an issue between many other groups in the United States as well. Class Conflicts'' unsettling conclusion demonstrates how exhausting and upsetting it is for Americans to have to endure the unpleasant combination of both social class discrimination as well as discrimination based on ethnicity and religion, in order to rise in a nation that often prides itself to be relatively free of such distinctions as barriers to socio-economic betterment.Howard Schwartz

Political correctness may be considered to represent control over discourse. If that were all it were, it would be a matter of little concern to organizations. However, organizational decisions involve positions that are proposed and defended through discourse. Hence political correctness must imply control over organizational decision-making, and hence over every aspect of the organization. The implication of this is that the psychological dynamics that underlie political correctness come to be the underlying dynamics of the organization as a whole. I illustrate this through a psychoanalytic investigation of the Dan Rather memo debacle at CBS News.

Title: In Search of a Wider Audience Subtitle: Stories, Essays, Poems and the Psychoanalysis of Dreaming. While awaiting the final editing of a book in production "Women: Biology, Culture and Literature", I read essays by several accomplished authors, including Michel de Montaigne, who coined the word essays from the French essai (trials). While not in the category of acknowledged masters of the form (Philip Roth, Janet Malcom and Zadie Smith, I have published a chapter book of children''s stories "All Aboard" and a hybrid/compilation book, "Hide and Seek/Hidden and Found- In Search of a Balanced Life"- Psychoanalytic Memoirs, Stories and Essays". With time to read essays it occurred to me to write " Essays in Search of a Wider Audience" with the subtitled topics as a road map of what to expect or perhaps, a better analogy, a chef''s favorite dishes prepared for a surprise price- fixed sampling to be digested at leisure with a sampling of wines for each course, presented as Part I,II, and III. Part I is best introduced with amuse-bouches often accompanied by a complementary wine, are served both to prepare the guest for the meal and to offer a glimpse of the chef''s style (see Wikipedia). So perhaps to start, "A dog named Duppy (ghost in Jamaican culture) that introduces the first course " Nanny: The Ashanti Warrior" that is laugh-out-loud hilarious (no spoiler alert). Followed by more substantial fare about two fraternal twins raised in foster care telling each other in a Writer''s Workshop about their need to separate, each feeling concerned because they don''t want to hurt the other who is their best friend in the world. But forced to choose from Part I, I pick "Arnold''s Story: Halvah Moments" Arnold is me and it''s about how at age sixteen I dumped my girlfriend because of a new girl in town, more urban and with attitude, who attracted me more. " Ace Powers Foils Plot to Attack New York" is as timely as today. Part II has so many favorites, including my granddaughter taking me by surprise asking me, "Grandpa, Am I Your Favorite?", prompting a wide ranging essay on the philosophy of the tension between fairness and favoritism , various religious precepts and "To Kill a Mockingbird" (Who was Atticus Finch''s favorite, his ten-year old daughter Scout, who was a tomboy and didn''t want to go to school where she was told what to read, or her brother Jem who aimed to be a lawyer like his father and risked his life to save his sister?) . My granddaughter''s poems on mortality and courage will leave you in awe . My only political essay, after Dickens'' "The Pickwick Club" satirically identifies (for me) , our Pickwickian President. It will amuse or appall you depending on your political views. A long essay, perhaps ordering a la carte to take and read at home is worth the price of the book alone: Richard Cohen''s "How to Write like Tolstoy: A Journey into the Minds of Our Greatest Writers" ( Hint: write, read out loud to get the rhythm of the words, rewrite, have plenty of paper and a large wastebasket and perhaps a wife willing to copy by hand multiple rewrites- 2000 pages- of "War and Peace".) Think, of Melville''s "Bartleby the Scrivener" who after dutifully doing his job for years one day simply said, " I choose not to." The last essay in Part II, "Dreaming Naming and Remembering- Reflections on Mortality" introduces: Part III. A Psychoanalytic Paper I wrote in 1979 "A Note on Fire in Myth, Religious Ritual and a Dream at Easter-Time" and Philip Roth: A Eulogy and "Why Write and Patrimony".

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1810) is widely considered to be one of the foremost visionary storytellers of the Hasidic movement. Howard Schwartz has compiled the most extensive collection of Nachman''s stories in English yet. In addition to his famous Thirteen Tales, Schwartz includes here many stories, parables, dreams, and folktales.

Robert G. Gregory challenges the apparent assumption that non-Western peoples lack a significant indigenous philanthropic culture. Focusing on the large South Asian community in East Africa, he relates how, over a century, they built a philanthropic culture of great magnitude, and how it finally collapsed under the ascendency of increasing state regulation and policies directed against non-African communities. Compelled by poverty to seek better oppurtunities overseas, most Asians arrived in East Africa as peasant farmers. Denied access to productive land and sensing economic opportunity, they turned to business. Despite severe forms of racial discrimination in the colonial society, they suffered few restrictions on their business enterprises and some became very wealthy. Gregory''s historical analysis shows philanthropy as an important contribution, one that stemmed from deep roots in Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist culture. The sense of nonracial social responsibility cultivated social, medical, and educational facilities designed for all. This age of philanthropy terminated with the Asian exodus. The socialist and racial policies adopted by East African governments over the past few decades have virtually destroyed the foundation necessary for philanthropy as well as the distinct Asian cultural identity. Gregory''s account of the East Asian''s role in philanthropy deserves great attention and sober reflection.

This book brings you images the author finds on buildings while strolling down the streets and byways of life.

One December evening in Minneapolis, former soldier and police officer, Tony Crow, has been shot on duty. Sustaining severe injuries, he reluctantly takes early retirement from the police force. Estranged from his ex-wife and young son, but desperate to return to their affections, Crow tries to rebuild his life. In a struggle to regain his former independence, strength and purpose, he starts a private investigation practice.To bring some muscle to the operation, Crow teams up with his old school friend and former college football player, Don Hanson. Don''s colorful personality contrasts with Crow''s no-nonsense approach to make a unique team.Like most new companies, business starts slowly, but then takes flight when a public figure hires him to find a missing person. Find a missing person? Simple enough, especially with his experience, but it soon becomes apparent that they''re out of their depth.Tony Crow pits his small team against a formidable opposition, as he becomes aware of dark secrets and hidden agendas that could bring them down without a trace, and effect the future of America.

A grandfather introduces his grandson to the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, a centuries-old concept which proposes that everyone must do their part in order to improve the world.

In Leaves from the Garden of Eden, Howard Schwartz, a three-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award, has gathered together one hundred of the most astonishing and luminous stories from Jewish folk tradition. Just as Schwartz''s award-winning book Tree of Souls collected the essential myths of Jewish tradition, Leaves from the Garden of Eden collects one hundred essential Jewish tales. As imaginative as the Arabian Nights, these stories invoke enchanted worlds, demonic realms, and mystical experiences. The four most popular types of Jewish tales are gathered here--fairy tales, folktales, supernatural tales, and mystical tales--taking readers on heavenly journeys, lifelong quests, and descents to the underworld. There is a dybbuk lurking in a well, a book that comes to life, and a world where Lilith, the Queen of Demons, seduces the unsuspecting. Here too are Jewish versions of many of the best-known tales, including "Cinderella," "Snow White," and "Rapunzel." Schwartz''s retelling of one of these stories, "The Finger," inspired Tim Burton''s film Corpse Bride.

Come to a world where angels, ghosts, and demons walk amongst the living and anything is possible. Here, in 9 tales of the supernatural, invisible creatures take shape and roam the earth to aid or interfere in the lives of humans. A magic staff makes a man see ghosts, a handsome demon tricks a village girl into marriage, and an angel directs a young man through a dangerous venture -- in the guise of a goat! The stories span many centuries and range in origin from the Middle East to Eastern Europe. Whether you believe in angels, ghosts, and demons is for you to decide, but not before you enter these invisible kingdoms and step into a world where the impossible takes shape and anything can happen! Beautiful full-color illustrations.

22 storiesof supernatural happenings.

This new edition includes recent developments relating to legislative approval of collective bargaining agreements; a discussion of new Supreme Court cases that recognize civil service law limits; and a new section on Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) procedures, including recent reversals in pre-arbitration deferral law. It provides a thorough description of the Dills Act -- how it works, its history, and how it fits in with other labor relations laws. Also included are PERB enforcement procedures, the text of the act, and a summary of all key cases that interpret the act, with complete citations and references to California Public Employee Relations (CPER) analyses. In addition, there is a summary of PERB rules and regulations, a case index, and a glossary of terms designed for Dills Act users.

From tales of Adam, Moses, and other biblical figures, to the fall of Lucifer and the quarrel of the sun and moon, an anthology of Jewish myth presents seven hundred key stories and through extensive commentary places them in context with the literature of the world.

This is a collection of essays drawn from Schwartz''s previously published work in which he explores how each successive phase of Jewish literature has drawn upon and reimagined the previous ones. Arguing that there is a continuity in Jewish literature which extends from the biblical era to our own times, this collection serves as a guide to the history of that literature and its genres. The book is intended for students and scholars of Jewish studies.

Stories, legends, and folktales that celebrate the unique spirit of Jerusalem.

Schwartz''s novella based on the well-known passage from the Talmud describing the four who entered paradise.

Efforts to reconstruct the reality of a social scene have evolved numerous theoretical and methodological strategies. Qualitative sociology fills the gap in existing literature by providing a comprehensive and detailed treatment of the broad range of non-quantitative methods currently being used in sociological research, with the conceptual rationales for each method. Recognizing the need for a clear, concise discussion of both the theoretical and practical aspects of "reality reconstruction" and "formal sociology," Drs. Schwartz and Jacobs draw on the theories and strategies of Weber, Mead, Blumer, Glaser, Straus, Simmel, Goffman, Schutz, Garfinkel, and Cicourel, among others, to justify, explain, and illustrate: field studies participant observation (ethnography) interviewing life histories and personal accounts the analysis of unobtrusive measures audio-visual techniques methods of studying and subjectivity phenomenology and more Thus, the authors not only describe the various theories and methods, but they add to the reader''s understanding by providing insight into who has used the methods and why, and by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each method. They also supplement the text throughout with a collection of case studies which illustrate the kind of substantive work qualitative research can produce. No other available text covers as many methods as are described in Qualitative Sociology. All the methods are examined in an informal, conversational style, making the discussion accessible to the student with no previous knowledge of qualitative theories and practices.

Howard Schwartz, the author of this extraordinary collection of Jewish tales and parables, is one of the most creative, inventive, and inspiring Jewish writers of our generation. When one reads his work, the question arises: what is taken from a primary text and what is invented by the imagination of the author? The answer is a complex one, for as Cynthia Ozick has observed about the writing of Howard Schwartz, ''Each tale is original, yet grow(s) out of the old traditions and tellings.'' Ozick adds that Schwartz is ''under the spell of Jewish dream and legend,'' pointing to the fact that he is a creative vessel: he has poured the tradition into his soul and then, combining the tradition with his own experience and imagination creates new tales of great depth and profundity. Describing his first encounters with the midrashic literature of the Jewish sages as ''a major turning point'' in his life and writing career, Schwartz immersed himself in traditional Jewish literature, including the Bible, the Talmud, and the midrashic collections, as well as kabbalistic and hasidic texts. Schwartz also identifies the writings of Franz Kafka, Jorge Luis Borges, as well as Sufi and Zen parables, as sources of inspiration. As he writes, ''The ancient models served as a living tradition for me,'' and he points to the fact that his tales ''emerged out of the impulse to fuse my own imagination with that of traditional Jewish lore.'' Adam''s Soul: The Collected Tales of Howard Schwartz brings together three collections of the author''s writings. The book begins with a remarkable gathering of individual tales described by Schwartz as using the ''midrashic method,'' as well as being in the tradition of medieval Jewish folktales, hasidic tales, and the writings of I. L. Peretz, S. Y. Agnon, and I. B. Singer. The second part of the book consists of Schwartz''s highly acclaimed collection of stories titled Captive Soul of the Messiah. Based on the life and teachings of the hasidic master Rabbi Nach