Dear Great Book Guru,  I am headed over to the Antiques Fair this Saturday, Sept. 6 at the St. Boniface Field.  It is always great fun and I love to support its sponsor: the Good of the Village Association.  My children attend those wonderful science workshops at the Children’s Library that are funded every summer by the GVA. Do you have a good book for me to read afterwards?  Go GVA!

Dear Go GVA,  I just got back from the annual Barbara Pym Society in Oxford, England and one of my first stops will be the Fair. While we were away, with the long plane ride back, I began  Rick Perlstein’s book: THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE.  Over 800 pages, this book chronicles the years 1973- 1976 when Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace and Ronald Reagan began his run for the presidency.  It is the third  book in a proposed quartet: BEFORE THE STORM and NIXONLAND are the earlier works.  Together they offer a fascinating account of the political and cultural history of America in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.  What do Patty Hearst, The Exorcist, long gas lines, and Watergate have to do with America in 2014?  Perlstein brings these and much, much more together as he takes us through the  years  to show  the remarkable impact they have had on our nation.  A chilling reminder that seemingly innocuous events  can have devastating consequences.  Recommended!

PS.  Don't forget Sea Cliff Fire Dept.'s Music on the Harbor at Sea Cliff Beach on Saturday, Sept. 6  from 6pm on....  great music with Chicken Head and Kris Rice & Company plus food and drinks. Sounds like a fabulous night !