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Publisher’s Statement
¡Glorificar las palabras—
Sing Praise for the Words!
I saw him as soon as he stepped off the elevator heading in my
direction, a man who possessed a remarkable likeness to Sir
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, even without the cigar and
specs. And, I suspect, that few people knew more about the
illustrious statesman and even fewer could deliver a superior,
more professional imitation of the great man himself. The
visitor stopped by my office door, struck a Churchillian pose
and offered: “They also say— that the Prime Minister is hard of
hearing,” knowing full-well with just that phrase, the punch
line from a famous Churchill yarn, that I’d crumble at his feet
with laughter. This, of course, I did, as was the visitor’s
desire, a prelude and prepayment to requesting the use of my
office for a few days. I never refused no matter how many times
he asked.
The welcomed intruder was James C. Humes, author of thirty
books, ghostwriter for five presidents, and the only writer in
history to have his words cast in bronze, affixed to a lunar-lander
leg, where they have remained on the moon since 1969, silently
awaiting the next reader.
Here men from planet earth
first set foot upon the moon
July 1969 A. D.
We came in peace for all mankind.
I think of Jamie and Sir Winston as we launch this review
because of their love and skill with which both men made such
effective use of words. Words to inspire, inform, inflame,
coddle, cajole, chastise, convince, and yes, entertain. All
aforementioned goals, we believe, reasonable ambitions for a
publication such as this.
I’ve also been informed by the naysayers that the economy is
weak, particularly in the publishing industry. Don’t launch a
new publication now. I’m not listening to them. But loudly I
hear Jamie as Sir Winston, shouting, “… never give in, never
give in, never, never, never, (ten more ‘nevers’) give in!”
Okay, somewhat exaggerated and perhaps over dramatic for this
occasion but you get the idea. We’re pretty excited about the
words we’ve collected here for you.
I also reflect on the adage that a camel is a horse designed by
a committee. If so, then The Hummingbird Review
advisory/editorial committee has designed the best-looking
dromedary west of North Africa and east of the San Diego Zoo.
Thanks to The Committee we bring to you a
wide-range of material offered by a group of very generous,
gifted writers.
We invite you to read Bob Yehling’s insightful interview with
poet Taylor Mali who entertains and shocks in the same
demonstrative breath. Listen to the inner thoughts of Achy
Obejas as she recalls the heartache of her Cuban family’s exile.
Hear Martín Espada sing of Zapata and Marcos. Be sure to look
into the window of Cabin Twenty’s “Home Fires” section—an
eclectic group of published and unpublished writers who offer a
wide range of work.
Our name was lifted straight from the title of the 2005 book,
The Hummingbird’s Daughter written by Luis Alberto Urrea, a
valued contributor and the inspiration for this review’s
emergence.
We sincerely hope that you enjoy our premier issue and we ask
for your aid. Help us decide the direction this review should
take. Your thoughts will be most beneficial. Tell us if we have
brought forth a product worthy of your time. We are most
interested in your observations. Post a comment:
info@thehummingbirdreview.com
“We shall not flag or fail.”
Sir Winston Churchill, June 4,
1940.
Charlie Redner, publisher
December, 2009 |
