The Seaboard Review of Books, December 15, 2025
Volume 2, Issue 56 of The Seaboard Review of Books, December 15, 2025
In this issue:
Where They Stood: The Evolution of the Black Anglo Community in Montreal by the Black Community Resource Centre (Non-Fiction)
The Second Greatest Show on Earth by Darcy Ingram (Non-Fiction)
Even More Ghost Stories of Nova Scotia by Vernon Oickle (Non-Fiction)
A Place of Secrets by Shane Peacock (Fiction)
A Current Through the Flesh by Richard-Yves Sitoski (Poetry)
Thanks for reading this issue of The Seaboard Review of Books!
James M. Fisher, editor-in-chief
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Poetry
New, Old & Notable is a recurring column by Gordon Phinn in which he concisely reviews several books from the past and present.
Contents of Issue #3:
The Death Of Tony: On Belonging In Two Worlds by Antanas Sileika (Stonehewer Books 2024)
Three Way Renegade: Samuel Steward Without Apology by Keith Garebian (Frontenac House 2023)
Best Canadian Essays 2026, ed. Brian Bethune (Biblioasis 2025)
A World of My Own: A Dream Diary by Graham Greene (Viking 1994)
Click the banner to dive in!
Class: A Guide Through the American Status System, by Paul Fussell (1983)
As entertaining and acerbic today as when it was first published over 40 years ago, Class is a classic. Fussell, first known for his scholarly study of WWI literature, The Great War and Modern Memory, applied his keen critical eye to the enduring myth that America is a classless system. In fact, many Yanks greet discussions of class with horror, feeling it is a dirty word. Recognizing this for the nonsense it is, Fussell explored such mundane mysteries as why so many Americans feel compelled to have large, well-groomed lawns, or new housing developments are given faux-English names like “Fernwood Estates.” His chapter on clothing reveals the class signifiers in wearing a shirt’s lapels inside or outside a sweater covering it.
Both incisive and hilarious, his lucid prose conveys many gems: discussing Presidents’ choice of the two-or three-button suit: “This is what made Richard Nixon look so awkward most of the time. He was really comfortable in the sort of Klassy Kut two-button suit you might wear if you were head of the Savings & Loan Association of Whittier, California.” He summarizes the role place of origin plays in conferring USA class in this witty little dialogue:
“I understand, young man, that you want to join the Cosmopolitan Club.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tell me, where do you come from?”
“Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, sir.”
“I see,” (averts eyes.)
There have been less-than-high-class occupants of the White House before – certainly Nixon was one – but for some insight as to how Trump exhibits elements of both what Fussell calls “prole” origins (MAGA ball hats) as well as middle-class ones, you’ll find help here too. (Contributed by John Oughton)
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