Lafayette

Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825: Journal of a Voyage to the United States
$30.00
"Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825: Journal of a Voyage to the United States" (original text by Auguste Levasseur, translated by Alan R. Hoffman) is a fascinating and, at the same time, a peculiar book - peculiar, at least, to the average modern American. The fascination arises from the immediacy of the descriptions that Auguste Levasseur, who was Lafayette's secretary during his fourth (and final) voyage to the United States as "the Guest of the Nation," provided for his (hoped-for) newspaper readers back in France. It is unquestionably of great interest to read who was where doing what during Lafayette's travels throughout the twenty-four states of the (then) Union. The peculiarity, however, also arises from what is clearly a subtler but essential aspect of why Levasseur was doing this in the first place. This is not only a travelogue, but a series of sly political commentaries on what French readers were facing in France compared to what the young Republic in America was accomplishing, and how far the promise of the French Revolution had fallen short of the reality. It is, in a sense, something of an "if only we had learned from the Americans..." (not, incidentally, an approach that tends to endear itself to many Frenchmen!). Although I have not seen or read the original French I have a very strong feeling that Hoffman's translation of Levasseur's texts is masterful, and one gets a very clear and strong sense of the interest and liveliness of their travels together throughout the United States. While Levasseur's language is somewhat stilted by our views, Hoffman's translation provides a faithful insight into the way someone would have written in the period. The only caveat which I would offer is that this is not necessarily a volume for the casual student of American history of the period, but a somewhat more specialized text for the serious student of Lafayette and/or the period.

Lafayette Escadrille [VHS]
$14.98
William "Wild Bill" Wellman directed 1927's WINGS the first film to win an Academy Award. "Wild Bill" Wellman was a real life Ace in the US Army Air Corps in World War I. He was wounded, went to Hollywood and ended up a prolific and hard edged director. It would seem fitting that Wellman's last film would be LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE. Unfortunately Wellman's status as a director had greatly diminished in Hollywood and so was the budget allotted for this would-be epic. Wellman tries to put what style he can into the aerial sequences but essentially this becomes a standard wartime love story via Tab Hunter. The film still boasts good photography by Cinematographer William Clothier and a score by Composer Leonard Rosenman and has an excellent cast including Clint Eastwood, David Janssen, Paul Fix, Will Hutchins, Tom Laughlin, Bret Halsey and William Wellman Jr.

General and Madam de Lafayette: Partners in Liberty's Cause in the American and French Revolutions
$27.95
After all that's been written about Lafayette, this book was a complete surprise. It added much to read of his wife's devotion and abilities and their lifelong relationship. It also places them in history, and by reading their letters, you are introduced to them directly. This book is not only entertaining but scholarly. Should be in every college library.

Darkest Light: The Best of the Lafayette Afro Rock Band [Import]
$14.98
A conglomerate of US musicians based in France between 1971 and 1979. This is a reissue from the '99 release of the same name with bonus tracks. Everyone from JAY-Z to FREESTYLERS to PUBLIC ENEMY to LL COOL J to JANET JACKSON to NAS to DE LA SOUL to COOLIO and many many more have sampled these guys - a must have!