“Over the years I’ve read Norman Bender’s persuasively stated views with appreciation for his insights and erudition. This compilation is a great contribution. He’s truly a man of letters.”
—US Senator Richard Blumenthal
“I have known Norman Bender for years and enjoyed our very spirited conversations. He is passionate and politically engaged. While we do not agree on everything, I am certain you will find his writings thought-provoking. Readers will find Just Off the Norm refreshingly candid and pointed.”
—US Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro
“All of us find ourselves with reactions to personal and world events, but rarely are we moved to take the time and effort to compose a letter to the editor about our opinions. Not so Norman Bender, who’s written over 500 of these missives on topics from UConn women’s basketball to politics to race and religion. Reading this book is like having a drink with a very smart friend. It may teach you a little, it may agitate you a little, but it will definitely inspire you a lot.”
—Joanna Martinez, speaker, advisor, and author of A Guide to Positive Disruption
“Norman Bender is one of our nation's most prolific freelance political writers. Norm's distaste and criticism of the extreme right wing of the Republican Party is buttressed by his facts of American history gleaned from decades of research. Norm’s dry wit and clever use of the English language is apparent in his submissions and makes this tome an enjoyable read that informs and entertains. Like eating peanuts, I found myself wanting more.”
—Rich Marazzi, author of Yankee Stories Untold and Major League Baseball rules consultant
“With wit, clarity, and an unflinching eye, Norman L. Bender invites us to look closer, think deeper, and laugh—sometimes uncomfortably—at the truths hiding in plain sight. Just off the Norm is a master class in how to question without preaching.
—Mica Cardozo, First Selectman, Woodbridge, Connecticut
“Norman Bender’s Just off the Norm is on target. His biting wit cuts through the easy, safe talking points .The humor ranges from the subtle to outright hilarity. You will want to read the letters again and again so that you can laugh and cry as you are hit with reality.”
—Henry L. Jones, United States Magistrate Judge (Retired)
“Norman Bender exemplifies the educated, veteran, small-business Republicans left behind as their party shifted its appeal toward bigotry, misogyny, and deference toward autocrats—whether would-be or actual and foreign or domestic—adopted gerrymandering, alternative ‘facts,’ and nostalgia for the fifties (but not their marginal tax rates); and became captive to both its most reactionary constituencies that care more about their grievances than the public’s health and welfare and tax-hating, reactionary, plutocratic megadonors. His specialty is exposing aspiring emperors and their tailors in apt, colorful, and accessible language. In an era of too frequent ‘he said, she said’ journalism, his contributions help ensure that newspapers through their letters to the editor still acknowledge facts, reality, and the voices of the actual people.”
—Cliff Allo, former legal counsel, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Washington
“In our era of institutional decay, gratefully for us, Norman Bender calls the absurdities of the outrageous, unconscionable, despicable, dangerous, immoral, unscrupulous, narcissistic, incompetent, shameless, undignified, obnoxious, profane, and indecent to account. Buy this book! We can never have too much Bender.”
—Ed Randall, host of Remember When, MLB Network Radio, SiriusXM