What Others Have Said About Bill’s Work:
Ed Battistella:
Bill Meulemans, a political scientist with 47 years of experience at Southern Oregon College, The Queens University of Belfast, and Portland State University, presents his memoir "Dynamiting the Siskiyou Pass." The book unveils his teaching and research experiences in Oregon, Israel, and Belfast. Meulemans' approach involved engaging extremists in his classes and attending their meetings for research. The memoir contains intriguing accounts, including right-wing patriots aiming to dynamite the Siskiyou Pass, a thwarted protest after the Kent State tragedy, and confrontations with groups like the John Birch Society. Encounters with Hell’s Angels, the Ku Klux Klan, and a visit to the Soviet Embassy are also recounted. Beyond stories, Meulemans provides political and sociological analyses on empathy, single-issue politics, and more. A memoir that offers both narrative and insights into political landscapes.
Review for: Dynamiting the Siskiyou Pass
Vinnie Silvagio
This is a collection of stories and recollections of a political scientist who has traveled and worked throughout the world. The stories are fascinating, the writing is comfortable, and his insights, experiences, and accomplishments are frankly inspiring.
Meuleman’s attitude reminds me very much of two of my favorite commentators, Robert Reich and Paul Krugman: solid, practical, down to earth, compassionate and caring, science based, but also fully aware of human nature. It is reasoned and reasonable in every respect.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short collection. I literally laughed out loud at least a dozen times, and I cried a couple of times, too. It couldn’t be more relevant to our current socio-political climate. It gets my highest recommendation for anyone, regardless of their taste in reading material. It’s non-fiction that reads so easily, I didn’t want to put it down.
Review for: Dynamiting the Siskiyou Pass