Though Paul Zerby’s new book "The Grass" may share the same name and color of your favorite recreational drug, burning this book would be a definite loss.

"The Grass," as in the eternally working grass that covers the bodies of war dead, follows fictitious 1950’s U student Tom Kelly and his involvement in the Korean War. One of the major themes, one that especially comes through in Kelly’s experience at the U, is the racism that existed so strongly at the time.

Join Zerby and some pretty interesting friends for a reading and discussion of the book at 7:30 today (Tuesday) in Schneiders Drugs 3400 University Ave. S.E., just a few blocks up from the Witch’s Hat. 

So far tomorrow’s discussion group includes…

–Hy Berman, Professor Emertus of history, one of the U’s "media stars"

–Walt Jacobs, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the African American and African Studies Department

–Arvonne Fraser, author and noted women’s rights leader

–Mahmoud El-Kati, teacher and human rights advocate

One of the most interesting thing about the book is its representation of the factual dismissal of its only black university professor, Forrest Wiggins, in 1951. The story of Wiggins isn’t often discussed, though tomorrow if you’re lucky you may hear it brought to life once again.

Check out the full review of "The Grass" in this Thursday’s A&E.

(By the way, if you think the "grass" pun was terrible don’t blame me, blame Mr. Sengupta, the owner of Schneiders Drugs. He was the first to make it when I went in the store and asked for some grass.)