New Releases by Mary McCarthy

During the Watergate hearings, Mary McCarthy, on commission from The Observer of London, wrote six reports from Washington telling the amazing story of deceit and arrogance in the Nixon administration. She wrote two others for The New York Review of Books, including one that summarizes her view of this terrible American travesty. The reports have been greatly revised and amplified for this book. Here the reader is once again reminded, by sharply drawn portraits, of the characters of Watergate. Here is "sloping-headed, slope-shouldered" Mitchell, who "brought evil into the Caucus Room, and this was not unconnected with the boredom he was able to generate." And "the Keystone comedy cop Tony Ulasewicz"; and Senator Baker, whose "insistent questions about motive suggest that he is playing a TV role of spiritual surgeon and counselor." Maureen ("Mo") Dean appears on the sidelines "in a daily change of costume (sometimes color-harmonizing with her husband)," looking like "a bride who would want fresh jewelry for her honeymoon." Mary McCarthy''s skills as a reporter, her capacity for conveying moral insights, and her great personal style make this book a singular account of an unforgettable--and almost unbearable--time in the history of the republic.--Jacket.

Writer Mary McCarthy''s report on the court-martial and acquittal of Captain Ernest L. Medina, U.S. Army, for his actions as commander of the troops involved in the notorious massacre at My Lai.

The correspondence begins with Fisher''s first letter to Pleydell-Bouverie and concludes shortly before her death. The letters are long and affectionate, discussing the construction of "Last House" (built for Fisher on Pleydell-Bouverie''s estate, "The Ranch") and life there; mutual friends; dinner parties and conversation; books, music, film, and art; cooking philosophy and recipes; gardening; cats. Letter 196, dated May 1990, is the last letter typed by Fisher herself, who by this time suffered from Parkinson''s disease. Later letters are typed by a secretary and initialed by Fisher. With mention of many people, including Maya Angelou (35, 37, and others); James Beard (42); Herb Caen (throughout); Truman Capote (178, 219); Julia and Paul Child (throughout); Helen Frankenthaler (163, 172); Arnold Gingrich (14); Vladimir Horowitz (151); Barbara Hutton (175); David Levine (210); Mary McCarthy (195); Léo Marchutz (74); Dillwyn Parrish (throughout); Man Ray (6, 107, 179); Stella Reichman (222); Stephen de Staebler (224); Tom Wolfe (103). Items in the collection are described in individual records; see MA 4786.1-225 for more information.

The author and her three brothers, left orphans at an early age, were raised together by guardians.