Publisher’s Note
For the past decade I have been privileged to follow in my esteemed father-in-law’s footprints and edit this unique quarterly book review journal. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. As you, our loyal readers know, the last two years have been irregular ones for the Bookman. The primary reason has been financial. The costs of producing this quarterly have exceeded the income generated from subscriptions for some years now. We simply came to the point where we had to suspend publication until we could find a financial solution to this problem. Thankfully, the Earhart Foundation of Ann Arbor, Michigan, came to our rescue with a grant that allows us to resume a regular publication schedule (and indeed to catch up on some missing numbers) for the near future. I personally apologize to our subscribers for the lack of communication in recent months and any confusion about your subscription status. We are busily trying to right the Bookman ship and you recently should have received a letter informing you about your subscription extension and offering you a book voucher as a token of our gratitude to you for your goodwill and patience.
Moreover, during the course of working to revive the journal I decided it was time for me to step aside and inject some new blood and energy into the publication. My schedule and competing priorities make it difficult for me to keep up with the demands of the journal. Though it was a difficult decision personally, it was made easier by the fact that my successor is an able editor, friend, and frequent contributor to the Bookman—Mr. Gerald J. Russello. Many of you will be familiar with Gerald’s writings, both in this journal and in many others, and no doubt will come to sharemy enthusiasm for this appointment. Gerald is a practicing attorney and will bring the combination of scholarly rigor and an appreciation for our principal audience—the common reader—to his editorial duties. As a former Kirk Center Wilbur Fellow, Gerald has the right credentials regarding the founder of this little quarterly.
Gerald received his undergraduate degree in Classics from Georgetown University, and his law degree from New York University School of Law. Following law school, he clerked for two appellate judges and is now in government practice after several years at a prestigious New York City firm. Gerald edited a fine collection of Christopher Dawson’s writings for the Catholic University of America Press and currently has a book on the thought of Russell Kirk under serious consideration at the University of Missouri Press. In addition, Gerald is a Fellow of the Chesterton Institute at Seton Hall University, and his essays and reviews have appeared in The Wilson Quarterly, the Chesterton Review, The Wall Street Journal, National Review, Commonweal, First Things, The New Criterion, Modern Age, Touchstone, as well as several law reviews and edited collections. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters. Welcome aboard Gerald, defender of the Permanent Things!
As for me, I will continue to be involved in the Bookman, but am kicking myself upstairs. I will co-publish the Bookman with my mother-in-law, Annette Kirk. Together, we will focus on getting the Bookman on solid financial ground. Our very able and indispensable managing editor, Claudia Henrie, will remain in her current position—a great boon to us all, especially to Gerald.
Finally, on a sad note, as we welcome Gerald we also say goodbye to two long-time supporters of this publication. Dr. Regis Courtemanche was a member of the board of The Educational Reviewer (the publisher of the Bookman) for many years. Regis was a dedicated teacher of history to some 17,000 students over a period of thirty-six years at C. W. Post College. His book, No Need for Glory, published by Annapolis Navel Institute was a study of Britain’s near entry into the American Civil War. Regis will be remembered for his great wit, amusing anecdotes, and deep dedication to his students and family.
Mr. Charles Teetor, the husband of the vice president of The Educational Reviewer, Mickie Teetor, was an avid sailor who often participated in the Bermuda races. He was the author of Strolling Through Barcelona and of Charley Teetor’s Hometown. Chuck will be especially remembered for his wonderful rendition of the flamenco on his Spanish guitar and as a storyteller of great charm. He was also a great book man and family man.
Chuck and Regis, along with the founding editor of this quarterly, Russell Kirk, sailed the Atlantic together. As all have now crossed over the bar, we pray that they are enjoying their heavenly state, sailing with the angels in each other’s company.
