HEROES I HAVE KNOWN

Eastman has drawn on Carlyle as his model but chooses heroes he believes to be ""more varied and judicious, gay and democratic, better acquainted"". Here is no blind exaggeration but portraits which recognize fallibility along with greatness -- and which have humor and insight. His mother, a peaceful preacher; Isadora Duncan, with all her follies, mock heroics and charm; Art Young, comic artist; Thomas Beecher, minister; Anatole France -- Charlie Chaplin -- Freud -- John Dewey -- and a ""red badge of courage"" for John Reed, Trotsky, Eugene Debs, Carlo Tresca. Stimulating.