Pat Cody

A fine account of Cody's Books, from the early days on Euclid Avenue to the 1977 sale of its iconic Telegraph Avenue location, centering on the remarkable man behind it. (Yes: Mrs. Cody was just as instrumental to its success, but her modesty is apparent in her tribute to her late husband.) If you were there, as I was, you'll recognize the swing in Berkeley from the quiet, rather conservative, but genteel and intellectual 1950s through the popular rights won with blood and persistence, first during the Free Speech Movement days, then the People's Park demonstrations and riots. Pat Cody tells the story effortlessly through letters, transcribed speeches, and evocative scene-setting. Fred Cody was quiet, principled, humorous, generous, observant, and passionate about books; it's sad to recognize how sorely we need this kind of activism, and how rare it is.… (mais)