[AGL] Duchess of Palms, a review

[Fontaine Maverick]

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. 
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