Paul Bass

Rae and Bass begin with the story of New Haven’s first “pig trial” involving the alleged relations between George Spencer and his porcine friend. I initially thought I might have accidentally picked up Weird US; Volume II. Indeed it is an incongruous inclusion. Presumably the point was that this represented the first example of white, Puritan oppression within the Elm City, foreshadowing subsequent histories. Yet, as they fast forward to 1969, it’s not about “black versus white” but rather an expose of the misunderstandings, abuse, and dysfunction among all involved sides. The questionable machinations of the FBI, Panthers, and local law enforcement are supplemented by a sea of “spoiled,” seemingly gullible Yale students and annoying white “radicals” such as Jerry Rubin.

It’s an interesting story and the author’s structure it heavily from the vantage point of personal recollection (at least from those still alive and willing to talk) mixed with basic research. This of course offers an implicit danger that biased subjectivity might run rampant but overall this is a balanced book. The writing is not as bad as a friend warned, but it’s a bit choppy and, especially at the beginning, there are odd fusions of street lingo with academic syntax. In one paragraph I struggled to determine whether the authors were stating something or if it was a quote from a semi-illiterate Panther. Nonetheless, it mostly came together. I certainly recommend for Elm Citi-ers.… (altro)