Old Masters: Great Artists in Old Age
Thomas Dormady
Hambledon and London
102 Gloucester Avenue, London NWI 8HX
838 Broadway, New York, New York, NY 10003-4812
ISBN: 1852852909, $29.95
Dr. Alma H. Bond, Reviewer
http://alma_bond.tripod.com
Donatello, Titian, Hals, Turner, Renoir and Munch, and a surprisingly large number of artists lived to be over 75. Some of their finest and most distinctive works, including Michelangelo's last Pieta, Goya's Black paintings and Monet's Water Lilies were done in old age. Whether experimenting with new approaches, adopting new techniques, responding to changed circumstances and debilities, or reacting to the approach of death, the intensity of the late work of many of the greatest artists is striking. Childhood genius has often been studied but, astonishingly, this is the first book to draw attention to a considerably more important artistic phenomenon. Old Masters establishes beyond doubt the frequency with which elderly painters and sculptors reached new heights in their seventies and eighties and suggests why and how they did so.
"Old Masters: Great Artists in Old Age," by Thomas Dormady, is a highly original book, which seems to have something in it for everyone. People who like biography, those interested in the lives of great artists, history buffs, individuals who are curious about biological aging, and those hardy souls who wish to learn how and why some people live longer than others, should find a storehouse of treasures in this book. The author, who is a physician specializing in biological aging as well as a successful artist, has written in a style easily read by intelligent lay readers. He also has a delightfully subtle sense of humor which added greatly to this reader's pleasure.
The major portion of the book, "Artists in Old Age," goes deeply into the lives, loves, and work of 10 artists, in order to understand the source of their late-life creativity. Since the meaning of "old" is elusive and often changes according to period and place, the author included only long-lived artists of the first rank, who died no younger than the age of 75. He excluded artists who were still alive, and those who died after 1955, in order to avoid including art valued because of passing fads or private passions.
Each biography is a tour de force, and when read in conjunction with the works of the various artists on the Internet, a visual as well as an intellectual treat. The author takes the reader on a tour through the lives and productivity of each artist, and demonstrates how his work had changed and grown in his later years. Perhaps the words of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), a Japanese artist known mostly for his magnificent "Views of Fuji," will best explain the philosophy of this book. "Although I had produced numerous designs by my 50th year, none of my work done before my seventieth is really worth counting. At the age of 73 I have come to understand the true forms of animals, insects and fish and the nature of plants and trees. Consequently, by the age of 86 I will have made more and more progress, and at ninety I will have got significantly closer to the essence of art. At the age of 100 I will have reached a magnificent level and at 110 each dot and each line will be alive." He also said, "If Heaven will grant me but 10 more years, I promise to be a truly great artist. I have only just learnt (sic) how to hold a brush properly. Even with 5 more years..." Perhaps it was Hokusai's will to live and grow that accounted in part for the fact that he alone of all the artists in the book, lived to the age of 89.
Jacopo Robusti Tintoretto (1518-1594) seems to have had other factors that accounted for his remarkable creativity in old age. He was the last in a line of long-lived artists whose lives spanned 160 years, the golden age of Venetian art. In contrast to the stereotype of an artist who has to starve in a garret in order to be able to paint, he had a long and happy marriage, and was a devout Christian with a regularly paid stipend. An astute businessman, he also was supremely confident of his talents. With him, carnal pleasures abounded. For example, his "Last Supper" was not a frugal, take-away meal in the tradition of Leonardo da Vinci's dull painting, as in an institutional dining-hall. "The foreground is a riot. A sideboard groans under dishes which suggest a banquet. Male and female servants scurry around. Dogs sniff at baskets of food. Bottles of wine stand in readiness on the marble-tiled floor. The Apostles sit, stand, pray, exclaim in wonderment and recoil overcome with emotion. Christ stands two-thirds up the table just off-centre, a diminutive figure compared to the bulk of the servant attending to a gigantic tureen...The profanity of the setting only serves to intensify the mystery of the sacrament"(p. 28).
Another artist who loved the good life was Frans Hals (1580-1666). "His unblended brush strokes and his slapdash execution, clear reflections of a wanton and feckless character"were regularly held up as warnings to students (p. 31). Nevertheless, his "feckless character" didn't seem to hurt his art, nor cut short his long and successful life. According to Dormandy (p.35) "No great painter ever took such obvious delight in his artistry or displayed his skill with such swank."Hals "wielded a cheerful brush," and in his old age his brush did not fumble, nor did he lose any of his sureness of touch. Although the Hals industry had been in full swing for a century, it took President Eisenhower to catapult Hals into one of the most popular painters ever. When the president was discovered by an enterprising Washington Post journalist to be painting "The Laughing Cavalier" by numbers, it triggered off the biggest painting boom in history.
Francisco Goya (1746-1828) is known as a "painters' painter," He remains the most liberating artist of the modern age, as well as a great purveyor of horror. He was 75 when he painted a battle scene entitled "3 May 1808" which once seen, can never be forgotten. Military force has always been represented by stylized repetition, in contrast to the disorderly huddle of the victims. In Goya's painting (p. 68), "the victors are perfectly aligned, totally disciplined, without a flicker of individual human interest - and deadly. The victims lie about like sacks of rubbish, defeated and futile. But not, in Goya's incandescent vision, completely futile. The death of the man whose white shirt ignites the scene is both a crucifixion and a resurrection. The message is not specifically Christian or even religious. "It is a universal affirmation of the ultimate triumph of the individual against all the odds over dehumanized evil." In the light of the Terrorist attacks on the United States, this painting should be imprinted in the minds of every American.
One painter who did not come into his own until old age was Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825). He had always been preoccupied with public duties, with exacting masters to please, and historic moments to commemorate. In the exile of his last years, he found himself with no sermons to preach. To his surprise, this came as a great relief. "I had a good summer," he wrote his son. "I enjoyed painting."He had never used colors and graceful lines to better effect. What makes the paintings of his old age an inspiration is the sense of inner conviction they portray. An artist can paint well only what he feels. What David understood and painted only in his old age were the simple emotions of the sadness of parting, young love, the joys of a happy marriage, the bliss of young motherhood, as well as the pleasures of casual conquest. To dramatize these truthfully requires as much artistry as the portrayal of heroic virtue. This great truth did not dawn on David until he reached his senior years.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was another artist in love with life, who had a wonderfully happy marriage. Although he was already crippled at 60 by a painful and relentlessly progressing illness, he continued to grow in his work and in his life. Perhaps the secret of his phenomenal success is that he had no ideological hang-ups, and refused to adjust his style of life and painting to suit his dealers. Despite being a physical burden on those around him, he engendered deep love in them. It was not until his final years that he completely fulfilled himself, as he created a different world that was entirely his own. An interesting incident took place on the morning he died from pneumonia. Although he had a bad pain in his chest and could barely breathe, he asked for his paint box and brushes. Then he began to paint the anemones his nurse had gathered. He painted for almost an hour, when he whispered a few words about having discovered something. A few hours later he stopped breathing. We will never know what great revelation he may have beheld.
Unlike the other artists mentioned, Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) was a late starter who exhibited his first important sculpture when he was 41. He was 73 when he met Dina Vierny, a young woman of 15, of an "untamed and yet well-bred beauty" (p. 133). He understood immediately that at last he had found his ideal of feminine beauty. She then became the model for his last and greatest creations. He died at 83. Dormandy comments that one does not usually consider the death of an 83 year-old artist as "untimely," but Maillol in his last sculptures seemed to be on the threshold of a new and exciting phase. What a pity the world is deprived of the potential results of this period! Dina Vierny has devoted the rest of her life to extolling the creations of Maillol. She donated her collection of his art to the French state. It is now housed in the Musee Maillol, over which Mme. Vierny still presides.
Although Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was known for his genius in expressing repressed sexuality (i.e. "Puberty") and deep psychological insights (i.e. the "Split Personality of the Mephistopheles Series") he coped with a new ghost, that of growing old, differently from his peers. As in earlier periods of his life, Munch handled his fears by painting them. In his senior years he created masterpieces which documented the loneliness of old age. His self portrait: "Between Bed and Clock," shows the artist confronting his last ghost. In the painting, only a slight bowing of the trouser legs is an instant marker of old age. Yet who but Munch would have thought of painting it? Departing life is part of the human condition. Munch shows us that hemmed in as we are between the clock and the bed, we have no choice.
Dormandy gives many reasons why creativity flourishes during the old age of artists, including having more free time to create, improved financial conditions, the pressure of the fleeting moment, the sense of liberation that comes to many great artists in their last decades, and the commitment to truth. But most of all, he believes that old age brings about a slow and mysterious realignment of inner forces which impel human beings to create. He calls these forces "the mainsprings of creation" (p.197). Because they are difficult to trace and impossible to quantify, they are usually ignored. But, Dormandy says, it is these unknown forces that are more important in the lives of most long-lived artists than all the external circumstances put together.
Thomas Dormady is also the author of: The White Death: A History of Tuberculosis (1999), which was shortlisted for the Aventis Prize, author of over 200 scientific papers and books, and recipient of numerous scientific and medical honours. The mechanism of biological ageing has been one of his main research interests. He has also had several successful one-man exhibitions of his art.
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings
Chris Moore
Harper Paperbacks
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
ISBN: 006056668X, $13.95, 336 pp.
Barry Allen
Reviewer
Nathan Quinn, a marine biologists has been working with whales for years, trying to figure out the meaning behind their songs. On a typical day with a new assistant at his side, he sees something that blows his mind. Scrawled across the back underside of the tail, he believes he sees the words, "BITE ME." To make matters worse no one else has seen the fabled letters.
Fighting insanity, he tries to unravel a mystery that goes back who know how long, joining Jonah's people, and going on an extraordinary adventure to an underwater city full of stange creatures, where he discovers the secret behind the winged whale songs.
Fluke is a "Save the Whales" propaganda book that reads like a cross between Douglas Adams and Tom Robbins. It starts normal, but goes off the deep end by the third part, and the reader is thrown into a Science Fiction world the likes of which has never been seen or read about.
The Wild Girl: The Note Books of Ned Giles 1932
Jim Fergus
Hyperion Press
ISBN: 1401300545, $23.95, 368 pp.
Bernadine Fawcett
Reviewer
Hold on to on your seat! "The Wild Girl" will give you quite a ride through Apache country, war, and ways. Jim Fergus, the author, has imaginatively woven myths/history into a gripping "can't put it down" until the last sentence. It leaves you with wanting the novelist to continue his wonderful ability to weave another intricate chapter. The main character, Ned Giles was orphaned by the death of his mother and the suicide of his father is left with a camera which begins the adventures of his lifetime, and the reader's enjoyment to discover why the Wild Girl becomes central to the story.
Picture Perfect
Jane Vollbrecht
Bella Books
P.O. Box 10543, Tallahassee, FL 32302
ISBN: 1594930155, $12.95, 207 pp.
Cheri Rosenberg
Reviewer
In her first published novel, Jane Vollbrecht shows that with love and the will, there is a way to overcome adversity and even find romance when life events block the path. What should be a distressing look at how Alzheimer's type dementia wreaks havoc on a family is, in fact, a life-affirming account of how two brave women deal with a dreadful disease that afflicts their fathers. Picture Perfect, a worthy finalist for a 2005 GCLS Literary Award, has earned its place among books of substance. Vollbrecht is an author to watch, as she is getting off to an impressive start.
With hopes of making junior partner, Katherine Lorraine Bingham (Kate) prides herself on her accomplishments as she climbs the corporate ladder of an Atlanta-based accounting firm. Although Kate grew up on a farm, she becomes a bona fide city girl who manages to fall in love with a country girl. Kate is reacquainted with Kayrun Clarice (Casey) when she goes to the hills of North Carolina to visit Nora Marsden, an old friend, former co-worker, and Casey's mother. Kate never counted on having feelings for the younger woman, who is actually closer to her age than Nora is, but sparks fly, and the attraction is mutual.
Kate has suffered a devastating break-up, which leaves her clueless as to what went wrong. Casey is not looking for love when she sees Kate again, but they form a bond, at first based on friendship and commonalities, but resulting in so much more.
Casey's father suffers from Alzheimer's, and her mother is in denial about the severity of his condition. Kate understands all too well the rocky road ahead for the Marsdens. "Although [Kate's] own father had been dead for more than six years, she was never more than a fleeting reminder away from reliving the horror of watching him die, synapse by synapse, as his brain rotted from the inside out. By the time it was done, he had forgotten how to do every single thing that constituted living" (p. 26).
Picture Perfect is touching, sweet, believable, vivid, and has plenty of humor to keep it from being completely depressing. After all, Alzheimer's disease isn't a picnic. Vollbrecht does a fine job of tapping into the human condition and the emotions that accompany it in a well-written novel equipped with romance between memorable characters and well-plotted action. Dealing with ill parents is never easy for the children who end up switching roles with their elders, but Casey does an admirable job of taking on the arduous task with amazing strength and valor. Having Kate's help is the one thing Casey comes to count on, but can their love survive Kate's professional ambitions?
While Picture Perfect is a truly satisfying romance, it is not simply a glorified lesbian love story. By showing how love helps conquer all, or at least how it makes life's adversities more tolerable, Vollbrecht provides the reader with just the right mix of pathos, information, and narrative to bring the reader into the story.
With love scenes that don't need to be graphic to convey the intense love and lust between these two women, characters you'll become invested in, and a story with a moral that reminds us what's important in life, Picture Perfect proves that Jane Vollbrecht is an author who has already left her mark on lesbian fiction. I am looking forward to Heart Trouble, (scheduled for release in August 2006), Dykes in the Daylight (February 2007), Close Enough (May 2007), Second Verse (November 2007), and anything else penned by this talented and prolific author.
Firefly Cloak
Sheri Reynolds
Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ISBN: 0609610082, $23.00, 285 pp.
Coletta Ollerer
Reviewer
Tessa Lee is one of those saddest of all people, a child abandoned by her mother. Her mother Sheila, a distracted and self-absorbed addict, left them alone in a campground with their grandmother's telephone number written with permanent marker on the bare back of Tessa Lee's younger brother, Travis. "She (Sheila) hoped that God understood she'd had to leave. If she'd stayed behind, those children would've sucked her dry." (p145) When she left Sheila wrapped the two sleeping children in her robe, gaily printed with scurrying fireflies. Tessa Lee had always loved it and called it her firefly cloak. She clung to it and wore it as often as she could; it reminded her of Sheila.
The authorities alerted grandmother Lil who came and rescued them and took them into her small trailer where she lived with her husband, Lewis. Both pragmatic realists, they took on the new responsibilities with good humor and waved goodbye to their dreams of a carefree retirement. They grew to love the children and the little family became a close and happy one despite the yearning the children experienced for their mother.
One day a relative came and told Lil he had seen Sheila working in a side show as a mermaid in a town just two hours away. He presented Lil with a picture of Sheila on a flyer from the show. Tessa Lee was not supposed to have heard them but she did. She took the flyer and disappeared for a few days in search of her mother and the museum/side show. She found Sheila in a window dressed as a mermaid and confronted her. The sight of a girl addressing her as Momma sent Sheila on an emotional race to escape. "the girl outside in her firefly cloak called her 'Momma,' "recognized her, just like that. Damn her." (p39) Sheila was scared to death at being confronted with her past, the past she was trying so hard to put out of he mind. She ran away and the following day Tessa Lee could not find her. Lil had no idea where Tessa Lee had gone and was very worried. She knew someone could easily take advantage of Tessa Lee's youth and inexperience. However, Rash, a young green-haired denizen of the area who Tessa Lee had met advised her, "Call your granny and tell her to pick you up from the arcade." (p54).
We are given a glimpse into the life of Sheila lost in her hopeless world of addiction. She woke one morning lying on the ground in the rain. She wanted to get up and find shelter but she felt very weak and, in addition, didn't know where to go. "Her head felt big and swollen, a monstrous thing about to break, an egg with a dinosaur inside it. She kept her eyes closed, but there was light behind them, and she could almost see through her eyelids, two eyes looking at her." (p54).
This is a gripping story revealing the angst, sadness and terrible loneliness inflicted on the family of an addict. No one understood Sheila's choices certainly not she. When Sheila found herself alone once again she thought, "There was no reason for her to stay, but she couldn't go. Someone else was running her show." (p276) Someone else was always running her show.
The Diary Of A Rapist
Evan S. Connell
North Point Press
San Francisco, CA
ISBN: 0865473080, $8.95, 252 pp.
Dan Schneider, Reviewer
www.Cosmoetica.com
Evan S. Connell's The Diary Of A Rapist fails as a novel for two large reasons. First, is the technical reason that its usage of small diary entries limits the point of view of his narrator, the rapist Earl Summerfield, which necessitates his not portraying fully his own predicament because the character simply cannot. By contrast, in Connell's two masterpieces of prose, Mrs. Bridge and Mr. Bridge, the short sections, written in an omniscient mode, allowed a brushstroke technique that slowly built indelible portraits in poetic touches. But, even were the tale to have been told in a more conventional manner, or in the same style that Connell sketched the Bridges, the work would still fail because Connell is unable to fundamentally grasp the mind of a criminal, or the concept of evil, instead relying on the worst narrative cliches imaginable.
The tale is rather simple: in an unspecified year, presumably the mid-sixties (the book was published in 1966), a miserable twenty-six, then twenty-seven, year old clerk, at a California State Unemployment Bureau in San Francisco, hates his thirty-three year old fat wife Bianca, a schoolteacher and later Vice Principal, and lusts for a younger prettier girl he eventually rapes. He does not meet her until well into the year and instead of portraying a mundane soul with violent outbursts, the archetypal rapist, Connell sketches Summerfield as if he were a schizoid from day one. Worse, the rapist is somehow aware of his schizophrenia, and able to convey it in his diary, which makes it all the less unrealistic a premise. What makes certain criminals truly scary is how truly average they are, not how deranged and bizarre. Yes, Summerfield is a loser, as are many violent criminals, but if you met him in real life you could see his twitching, oddities, and incoherent ramblings a mile away, and run for cover. Connell indulges other cliches: Summerfield hates his job, obsesses over violence, is paranoid of his wife's snooping, sees himself as morally superior, is envious of others' successes, fancies himself a great man, a poet, an artist, etc. Having known many criminals, including rapists, this simply is a Hollywood version of a rapist, not a real version. Connell has always been a bit of a maverick in the publishing world, but this book reads like a bad screenplay that was turned down once too often, and got worse and more trite with rewrites, then was tried to be salvaged in novel form. After the rape, of course, Summerfield loses his mind and soul into utter incoherence.
Perhaps in the mid-1960s, right before the horrors of Vietnam were to scar the country, this may have seemed a bold literary ploy, but Summerfield is far too trite a character to be real and instill any true fear in anyone- be it reader or occupant of his universe. And in order to capture his dullness, Connell has excised almost all prose poetry from the work, yet he does not go over the top enough with the violence. Even the rape is handled in psychobabbled mumbo-jumbo, only after a silence the day the first one occurs. The novel that this book is most often compared to, Bret Easton Ellis's 1991 American Psycho, is apt only in that both works fail. Ellis's book details the true insanity of a total psychotic who fantasizes he's a serial killer. While extreme in the internal violence, and barren of any real writerly skill, there is a rawness and psychological reality to the tone of that book's lead character, Patrick Bateman, that Earl Summerfield could and should be infused with. Instead, his male sexuality is neutered, as if presaging the absurd Feminist claim that rape has nothing to do with sex. It does, ladies, that's why it's a sex crime, but Summerfield's 'diary' reads like a hodgepodge of Freudian nonsense meant to deny the basis and cause of the character's criminal nature. Where The Diary Of A Rapist should have an edge on American Psycho- its writer's superior prose style, it does not, because Connell plays it far too safe, and gives a paint by numbers approach to the mind of Summerfield. He is paranoid, breaks and enters dwellings, and eventually obsesses over a beauty queen named Mara St. John. Here is one of his descriptions of her:
Then that bitch in the bathing suit climbed up on the stage wearing a cardboard crown & carrying a scepter, went parading back and forth to show off her tits. No shame. No modesty. Program said she was a dramatics student at University of California- Mara St. Johns. She looked to me like one of those professional sluts from Hollywood. If she isn't the symbol of American rottenness, what is?
Now, think about this. Connell's rapist is desexualized, does not seemingly fantasize nor masturbate, and loathes the rote sex he has with his wife, yet he fixates on a beauty queen, not some mousy girl he works with. Even more laughably Freudian, Summerfield is a transvestite who dresses in his wife's clothes, when alone, looking in a mirror, and fancying that only exceptional men do such a thing, for they are always more like women, whom he sees as shrews that dominate men. These tidbits argue against the very desexualization of Summerfield Connell posits in other aspects of the tale. This is a schism, the sort that rents the portrait Connell attempts, and makes it all the more unreal. I doubt that there has ever been a true chronicle of a sexual predator, in police files, as desexualized as Connell's protagonist. In looking up some of the original reviews for the book I came across this trite one from the New York Times: 'He knows all the colors of darkness and the full sound of the heart's anguish.' Well, perhaps in the Bridge novels, but not in this very disappointing book. One might say it's a good thing that Connell so poorly imbues his subject with realism, for writers are supposed to write what they know best, and Connell's manifest ignorance of sexual violence can only be seen in a positive personal light. But, it makes for both sententious and tendentious reading. The only positive I can think of for the book is that it shows Connell as a writer who refuses artistic stasis, and always experiments. Still, successful experiments are worthy, while failed ones should not see print.
The first time Summerfield rapes Mara, on the Fourth Of July, it is presaged with his violent fantasies over two of his wife's young female tutored students - Robin and Twinka, and the actual daily entry is left blank. Ugh! Only over the next few days and weeks and months do we get the hints of what occurred:
She closed around me like a glove, I can't forget. At least not yet. Wobbling through each day wishing she was my wife - might as well admit it. I blame her for what happened, I feel no sense of guilt. Want her to admire me, still I'm disgusted by what she's done- thinking of how clumsily she struggled & the mindless stupefaction of her gaze.
This behavior is so unlike rapists who brag of their 'conquests' that one suspects Connell has never had a dark sexual urge himself. As months pass, and the year winds down there is nothing but murk, inside Summerfield, and in the body of the narrative. Summerfield's entries get shorter and more and more predictable- with Jack the Ripper like fantasies as this:
Those shears an inch from her throat, suddenly I felt a wish to marry her- I never dreamed that, God knows! I almost asked the slut. Would have, I think, but was afraid she'd start to laugh. Maybe she wouldn't laugh at me. I don't know. It's too late now, she hates me. Hates all men because of me. I didn't have any right to do what I did – it was wrong. But of course on the other hand it's what she deserved. She's a vile dirty little bitch. I should have ripped open her belly and snapped a picture of the mess – sent it to the Chronicle. Everybody ought to see exactly what she is. Exactly what she is. Everybody ought to see. That's right.
And if not that, then Biblical brimstone spouting, and possibly another rape near the end of the year. Then, the entries thin out, and we are not sure whether or not Earl has been caught or commits suicide - although the latter seems the more likely, due to the text of earlier entries. The last entry is on Christmas, December 25th:
In the sight of our Lord I must be one of many.
Yet, the idea that any rapist would suicide, be it over guilt or any other reason, is just not plausible in the main, and certainly not for the character that Connell sketches in this book. Even though we know little of Summerfield's past, the idea of this raging mess of a man suddenly giving up seems more like wishful moralizing by Connell than a genuine character study. All in all, the end only reinforces the phoniness of the whole portrait. Summerfield is neither the impotent unerotic rager that Feminists believe all rapists to be, nor is he the sexual priapic that others posit. He is neither, and thus a cipher of a character, even as Connell tries to portray him as a cipher of a person.
In short, The Diary Of A Rapist is merely a poor imitation of a true exploration of human evil, and, coming from a writer as talented as Connell, a profound disappointment, yet, oddly emblemic of his up and down, hit and miss, career. The basic conceit of the book fails because the references to himself as Earl Summerfield, as well as the many incidents offstage, are too self-consciously detailed and unlike any real diary. The whole novel reeks of artifice, lacking even the accidental poesy a real diary might have, in its relentless and focused drive toward violent hermeticism. There is a fatal schism between evil as it really is and how Connell projects it in the book, especially toward the end, when Connell begins his inevitable and trite 'descent' to madness and death, that ultimately dooms the book as a viable work of art, much less a genuine and believable portrait of evil. Thus, when on September 6th, Summerfield writes, 'The more I'm stripped the more I feel pain,' it reads not like Summerfield's own cliche-ridden diary entry, but Connell's novel's cliche-ridden prose. That's his, and the book's, greatest crime.
Sandstorm
James Rollins
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022-5299
ISBN: 0060580666, $24.95, 464 pp.
Dawn McKinney
Reviewer
The Kinsington Gallery, Lady Kara Kinsington's tribute to her late father Lord Reginal Kinsington, is located in the British Museum. The north wing, to be exact, because that is where the museum is hosting their anniversary showcase, an ethno graphical collection portraying human achievement through the ages and cultures.
The gallery is run by the austere Dr. Safia al-Maaz, also Kara's closest friend since childhood. They have lived through the trials and tribulations of a friendship that was born of tragedy.Kara has never been able to get over the death of her beloved father and Saffy still has nightmares of the violent death of her mother.That friendship has never been tested the way it is about to be. Just a few days before the showcase was to open, a violent and unprecedented explosion rocked the gallery. It destroyed a large percentage of the relics that had been accumulated by Kara and Saffy for a period of over ten years.
Enter Painter Crowe, operative for the elite SIGMA force, suddenly double crossed by his trusted partner Cassandra. With a new partner and a new assignment, posing as an American scientist to find the cause of the explosion at the Kennsington Gallery, (SIGMA has a theory that involves antimatter) Painter is off on a new adventure that will land him right in the path of Kara and Saffy. Unfortunately, for Painter, it's also the same path being taken by Cassandra and the reason she double crossed Painter to begin with.
Together and separately they head for Ubar, lost city of Arabia, the Atlantis of the sands. Along the way they pick up a cast of colorful characters, such as, Dr. Omaha Dunn. In the past he had broken Saffy's heart, but still held a small place there. Now Saffy is beginning to have feelings for Painter. It sets the stage for a beautiful manage a tois of the heart. Rollins has the ability to raise many questions of science vs religion, as a matter of fact, it's one of the things I love about James Rollins books. He doesn't just bring up the age-old questions, he rams science and religion head on at high speed. He volunteers no answers. He just lets you pick up the pieces of the crash and make your own decision.So, if you're looking for answers, this isn't the book for you. If you're a mature reader looking for more intelligent questions, this is a "must have". His books, Map of Bones, Excavation and Subterranean are all excellent reads for the educated mind and those that want to be educated.
Jane Austen in Scarsdale: or Love, Death and the SATs
Paula Marantz
Cohen
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010
ISBN: 0312325029, $23.95, 275 pp.
Kathryn Atwood
Reviewer
There's something about Jane Austen's novels that makes the suddenly addicted reader cry out: "What? She only wrote six?" The unsuspecting will instantly crave more of her witticisms, her lovely command of the English language, her hilarious but believable characterizations and her entertaining plot points that always lead to a satisfyingly happy ending for the lovers, no matter how star-crossed they initially appear.
Aside from the literal screen adaptations of Austen's works (including those produced by the BBC and A&E), the proof of her artistic timelessness are the adaptations which take her basic plots and characters and place all in an updated setting, such as the film "Clueless" (based loosely on Jane Austen's novel, "Emma").
"Jane Austen in Scarsdale," by Paula Marantz Cohen, is a literary adaptation in the same vein. It takes the basic story of Austen's novel, "Persuasion," and sets it in the middle of a contemporary New York prep school. Austen's Anne Eliot, an almost-old maid who still pines for a love she was advised against years ago, becomes Anne Ehrlich, a guidance counselor for ivy league-bound high school students and their hyperventilating parents. Her long lost love, the now-engaged Ben Cutler, is based on Austen's Captain Frederick Wentworth and the person who advised against their union so many years ago is Anne Ehrlich's grandmother, Winnie (Lady Russell, a close family friend in Austen's book).
Although "Scarsdale" is great fun for Jane Austen fans, who will be constantly running back to the original story in their minds, the essential question is this: does Cohen's book work on its own? Can non-Austenites enjoy "Scarsdale" on its own merits? A wildly deafening yes! Austen's truths are indeed timeless but Cohen has added a profoundly compelling story - all her own - to the bare bones of Austen's novel. Although it is not fitting for an Austenite like myself to blaspheme, I must say that while reading "Scarsdale," I frequently thought that Cohen had actually improved Austen's basic story (sorry Jane!)
Cohen's writing skills are formidable and I was often at her mercy, either doubled up with laughter at her witticisms and hilarious characterizations or racked with pathos as the eminently patient Anne Ehrlich agonizes over the renewed proximity of her lost love but quietly soldiers on. Paula Marantz Cohen is a writer of exceptional talent who, while giving a nod to a classic, has created a masterpiece of equal parts poignancy and hilarity that is entirely her own. I certainly hope she intends to write more than six novels because I'm hooked!
Shepherd's Son
Terry W. Burns
River Oak
imprint of Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
ISBN: 1589190335, $12.99, 256 pp.
Les Williams
Reviewer
Running sheep in cattle country is dangerous work. Even Jay Mendelson and his widowed mother Audrey of the Bar-M know this. Yet, hoping to keep the place going, that is exactly what the two do in the valley. Nobody is more opposed that Colonel Blake Johnson, owner of the biggest cattle ranch in the valley, the Circle J.
Blake tries to discourage Jay by sending his former First Sergeant Rafe Silbee with some other men to scatter the flock. Though they were wearing bandanna's to cover their faces, they did not fool Jay. When his Border Collie Lady tries to keep the riders from the sheep, one of the men shoots the dog and another sends Jay to the ground with a blow to the head from his pistol. When Rafe reports back to the Colonel, his daughter Carrie Sue over hears part of the conversation and is appalled. Carrie has set her cap for Jay for some time, even if he was unaware.
In the town of Three Forks, Jay confronts Rafe and bests him with his fists. Rafe vows revenge since he can not afford to lose face with the hard cases he has with him. Jay enlists the help of the Mexican Paco, his wife Rosita and their young ones to help with the flock. Jay knows he can't go to the law because Sheriff Ron Farnsby was put in office by the Colonel and answers to him. Farnsby encourages a group of saloon patrons to make a night visit to the sheep camp. The would be night riders, wearing flour sacks as hoods, are routed by Jay and his crew. They are sent back to town tied to their saddles. Once they return to Twin Forks, they let it be known that Fransby put them up to it. This is the beginning of Farnsby's down fall.
Jay takes a beating at the hands of two of Rafe's hard cases. For Carrie, this is the last straw and she moves in to the Bar-M. The town decides it needs a new sheriff and an election is set. The candidates are Farnsby, his former deputy Danny Cook and one of Rafe's gun hands Hank Peyton. Cook wins the election and Farnsby goes to a place he knows of in the hills to plot how to get even with Jay, who he blames for all his troubles.
Into this hot bed rides Reverend Amos Taylor, his wife Judy and his black helper Joseph Washington. Taylor believes God has specifically called him to Twin Forks to prevent a shooting war between the cattlemen and the sheep men. Before he rides off again, Amos will have changed the lives of those in Three Forks. There will be men saved by the Holy Spirit, reconciliation and weddings. A surprising experiment between cattle and sheep will forever change how the valley looks at the question of cattle and sheep. Once again, Terry Burns has proven that you can have an exciting western with both gun smoke and an inspirational message in one book.
Wizard of Arabah
Tristan Parrish
Legendary Books/An imprint of Tristan Parrish Creative Communications
PO Box 49128, 7740-18th Street S.E., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2C3W5
ISBN: 0978007301, $24.00, 174 pp.
Lynn Burton
Reviewer
Wizard of Arabah is a novel of historical fantasy. From the first page, we're drawn into Solomon Magus' young life as he's on a voyage with his family. Through unforeseen circumstances, he's orphaned and shipwrecked. He soon finds himself on an island in the company of a sorceress who teaches him about magic and love. As a young man, he sets out on his own to find understanding of the world around him and its people. His strength and determination alone against such obstacles make him a worthwhile character.
With great story telling and colorful descriptions, you won't just read this story, you'll be right there along for the ride with Solomon. "There is nothing quite like it. Light sprays of salt water caress the skin; the unique fishy odour of the ocean fills the nostrils; waves slap against the wooden hull of the ship as it plows its way through the water, and a stiff wind fills the sail".
Elements of magic and eroticism make this book an overall winner. But along with that, be prepared to be a bit shaken. It's not all a nice ride; there are those nasty pirates and other elements that threaten to destroy Solomon. And if the ending is any indication, there will be more tales of Solomon to come. I hope so. Wizard of Arabah is Tristan Parrish's first published novel. You can visit his website at members.shaw.ca/tristanparrish
Shantaram
Gregory David Roberts
St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 0312330537, $14.95, 944 pp.
Manuela Pop
Reviewer
5 out of 5 points
Lindsay or Linbaba, as the Indian people named him, is a fugitive who escaped prison in Australia, where he served two years of his 19-year sentence of arms robberies, which he used to do to support his heroin addiction caused by loosing custody of his daughter in a failed marriage. After the escape, Linbaba lands in Bombay on a fake New Zealand passport. Upon landing, he meets Prabaker who plays the guide role and shows him even the most secretive parts of Bombay. In the same time Lindsay meets Karla, a beautiful Swiss-American who works at Leopold's café the place where all the ex-pats hang out. Linbaba falls deeply in love with Karla and the love takes a complicated role in the plot. Following one night when Lindsay is robbed of all his possessions, Prabaker brings him to the slums of Bombay where over twenty-five thousand people lived in extreme poverty. There, Linbaba becomes the "doctor", taking care of people illnesses: rat bites, dysentery, anemia, etc. His unfortunate fate brings him within the walls of Arthur Road Prison, a hellish place where he experiences the worst prison conditions. He is released from prison and Lindsay gets involved with the Bombay mafia, Abdel Khader Khan, which later on brings him in Afghanistan to fight against the Russians.
Roberts wrote the book in prison, two of the copies were destroyed in 13 years and then he succeeded to write the last copy for publishing. The writing approach is far from flawless, but the book has a magnetic appeal and it is hard to put down; its plot whirls into complicated events which are linked and explained in the end. The characters have fascinating personalities and have strong connections in the series of events.
It's interesting how the book reveals the underground scene of the 80s and how its ex-pats engaged in criminal activity to lead a high life in Bombay. Despite the criminal activity he gets dragged into, Lindsay comes out as a strong person with a great heart. His love for Karla grows stronger in time even if she cannot return the same feelings. He is a savior, a fighter and a survivor. I strongly recommend this book as a work of action thriller, travel guide, love story and superb epic.
Lion Taming
Steven L. Katz
Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1402202172, $14.95, 290 pp.
Roger E. Herman, Reviewer
http://www.hermangroup.com
Artfully done!
It's not difficult to imagine yourself as a lion tamer, equipped with the traditional whip and chair, matching wits with lions like leaders, bosses, and customers. You have to keep your wits about you in your relationships with these cats. It's a lot like real-life lion taming. And yes, the consequences of angering a lion in business can be comparatively just as devastating as angering a lion in the circus cage.
OK, cute analogy. It shouldn't be that difficult to draw a few analogies and crank out a clever book. Perhaps, but Steven Katz went further…much further. It's obvious as you turn page after tempting page that this author did his homework. The lion tamers he consulted and learned from are named in the acknowledgements, and their influence is felt throughout the book. Whether the topic is the big cats with four feet or two, the lessons are plentiful, clear, and appropriate. The transition back and forth between lions and humans is smooth and natural. Learning Katz's lessons is comfortable, not forced.
We're surrounded by lions. "Being a lion is not a specific position, it is a state of being." It's essential to understand that lions have four senses beyond sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell: dominance, territory, survival, and social standing. You'll gain a deep appreciation of these elements in the three sections of this fast-moving paperback: Lions are Never Tame, The Art of Lion Taming, and Lion Taming is Really Lion Teaming. You can see the flow just from those section titles.
The book is filled with lessons that apply the fundamentals of lion taming to leadership, management, and other relationships. Conveniently, the lessons are all listed at the end of the book to pull it all together. Well worth the time to curl up with this book cover-to-cover.
Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves: Transforming Parent-Child Relationships from Reaction and Struggle to Freedom, Power, and Joy
Naomi Aldort
Book Publishers Network
P.O. Box 2256, Bothell WA 98041
425-483-3040
ISBN: 1887542329, $18.00 US/$24.00 CAN, 250 pp.
Shari Maser
Reviewer
Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves is a unique parenting book, with an emphasis on parenting through personal growth. This is not esoteric philosophizing; it is useful advice with a five-step approach that is eminently doable. Each step is illustrated with story after story about parents who discover, or rediscover, the power of love as they replace controlling parenting techniques with gentle nurturing.
In applying Ms. Aldort's suggestions myself, I have found that my listening and communication skills are improving and I am definitely more mindful, more empathetic, and more flexible as a parent. Happily, my children have noticed this change and, even more happily, have emulated it in their relationships with each other, with their father, with me, and with friends. A little positive parenting goes a long way!!
Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves is a must-read, must-have book for parents who are trying to break a personal or cultural cycle of authoritarianism and start becoming the mothers and fathers they wish to be.
Another Roadside Attraction
Tom Robbins, Bantam
Random House, Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ISBN: 0553349481, $14.00, 352 pp.
Tyler Tradere
Reviewer
When a former college football star "Plucky" Purcell impersonates a priest in a Catholic order, he takes a trip to Vatican City. While visiting the Holy City, there is an earthquake and the ground rips open freeing Purcell to explore the catacombs beneath and various chambers of material the Vatican has deemed unfit for Catholic eyes. While exploring Purcell comes upon a tomb, where he finds what he believes to be the mummified body of Jesus Christ. Of course if this is really Jesus' body what does that say about the resurrection? What does that say about the Catholic Church? Purcell steals the body and takes it back to America, where he holds up with his friends John Paul Ziller and Amanda at a roadside zoo, until he can figure out the proper way to expose this lie of epic proportions.
The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
Sy Montgomery
Ballantine Books
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ISBN: 0345481372, $21.95, 240 pp.
Victoria Kennedy
Reviewer
This book captured my heart in the first few pages. It is a kind and loving glimpse into the life of a special pig named Christopher. A pig that was given a chance to live much longer than most pigs whose life spans usually last a brief six months. Christopher was a person and not a future side of bacon. Animal lovers and vegetarians alike will enjoy this wonderful book about two people and the sickly little runt they rescued and raised. Christopher's life as told in the pages of this book is a celebration of the love and devotion between this pig and every person he came in contact with.
The story of this sweet creature will inform you and warm your heart. Sy Montgomery is good writer who draws you into her tale and keeps you there until the last page is turned. I laughed and cried all through the book. This book may change your thinking of how animals think and act. When you are done you will feel that you too have met Christopher Hogwood and you may miss him like I do.
This short paragraph says a lot about Christopher and about his owners Sy and her husband Howard: "At the moment, the Pig Palace stands empty. People ask, "Will you get another pig?" This I don't know. But one thing I know for sure: a great soul can appear among us at any time, in the form of any creature. I'm keeping my eyes open."
Sy Montgomery is a naturalist and has written other books such as Journey of the Pink Dolphins, Spell of the Tiger, Search for the Golden Moon Bear, The Man-Eating Tigers of Sundarbans and The Wild Out Your Window, among others.
Arlene's Bookshelf
The Weekend Visitor
Jessica Thomas
Bella Books
P.O. Box 10543, Tallahassee, FL 32302
ISBN: 1594930546, $13.95, 220 pp.
The Weekend Visitor
One of the most gifted writers on the scene is the Golden Crown Literary Award winning Jessica Thomas, creator of the Alex Peres mystery series set in Provincetown, MA. Her debut novel, Caught in the Net, introduced the reader to Alex Peres, a refreshingly original character that far surpasses the stereotypical PI one often encounters in today's mystery genre. Turning the Tables, the second in the series, further developed the characterization of this appealing woman. Now, with The Weekend Visitor, the emotional growth of Alex Peres resonates clearly and most plausibly. The stylistic writing style continues to capture the reader, providing not only an enjoyable reading experience but also an exceptional lesson in deliberative and logical plot development.
Alex has just returned from Boston after having testified in a fraud case. The hot gossip in town revolves around Mary Sloan, the local curmudgeon, and not one of Alex's favorite people. "Face it, Mary was like a label in your shirt; either you don't know it's there, or it's driving you crazy" (p. 11). Mary has a new, much younger woman, Maureen Delaney, staying with her; thus the source of town musings. Mary wants to hire Alex--to find the man who raped Maureen. Alex accepts the case and finds out quickly that things are not exactly what she had expected. A powerfully influential family, Maureen's evasiveness, and unexpected local reactions to the crime all pose problems for Alex. While doing the necessary detecting for Mary, Alex also takes on a second case involving twin sisters, an inheritance, a body in a Louisiana lake, and more surprises than Alex could imagine.
One characteristic of Thomas' writing is her mastery of the literary elements. Alex's intelligence, wit, and charm shine through which makes for an even more endearing and engaging personality. The descriptive phrases capture the essence of the moment. While looking at one of her cherished photographs now displayed in the bank, Alex says, "Another favorite was a line of nine starlings…grumpily sitting out a heavy rain along a phone wire, and looking like Supreme Court Justices about to hand down an unpopular verdict" (p.11). Thomas' incorporation of vivid imagery carries throughout the book. The many examples of it display the author's gift for turning a phrase. Her description of arriving and departing P-town tourists "Like weeds, they started popping up in May, grew thick in June, and completely overran us in July and August. Slowly, slowly they began to thin again in September and pretty well disappeared in November…." (p.18) is an extraordinary sensory simile. Anyone who has been there also recognizes the unequivocal truth of that portrayal.
Alex's sense of humor, wry wit, and at times, sanguine attitude differentiate her within the mystery genre and place her above the ordinary formulaic detective character. She is a woman one would like to spend time with, have over for dinner, and sit on the beach and gossip about P-town. Her lover Cindy, not quite live-in yet, is the perfect balance for Alex. Understanding, humorous, independent, and deeply in love with Alex all contribute to a viable and sustainable loving relationship.
Another aspect of Thomas' characterization is her depiction of the secondary characters. The Wharf Rat Bar denizens provide local color and some old-fashioned Yankee common sense. Harmon, the elderly fisherman who scopes out the beach while waiting for clandestine drug smugglers, is hilarious. He means well but often it just doesn't happen for him. Alex's pals, Peter and the Wolf, are comic relief, and her brother Sonny, the Provincetown police chief, has such a warm and accepting attitude toward his sister that is quite endearing.
The Weekend Visitor is a tightly written, adeptly developed mystery that is certain to please the most discriminating reader of this genre. Expertly drawn characters, a fluid narrative, an inviting setting, and a mystery within a mystery make this latest installment a most satisfying and absorbing reading experience.
Murder at Random
Claire McNab
Bella Books
PO Box 10543, Tallahassee, FL 32302
ISBN: 1594930473, $13.95, 182 pp.
Murder at Random
The latest installment of the Denise Cleever series is a most enjoyable read. Again, Denise must go undercover to find the people behind a series of seemingly senseless acts of violence—the bigger the bang, the bigger the bucks the culprit can collect. To complicate matters, an old flame appears with a startling connection to this rampage of terrorist attacks, and Denise delves farther into her feelings for her handler, the mysterious Cynthia, who is not above dropping a bomb or two of her own. This most challenging adventure serves as a catalyst for Denise's future path both personally and professionally.
As anyone knows who has read the previous books in the series, McNab writes sparingly, at times even sparsely. The reader sometimes wishes that the author would expand more, go into greater depth with her characterization. Just when one thinks something of substance will follow, the author employs the fade to black scenario. However, if you are a true fan of McNab, you realize that this is her style, and you content yourself with the story at hand. The action is fast-paced and plausible. Very often some authors are lax in their research, especially when it comes to security and governmental matters. However, McNab proves she has a grasp of the Australian machinations and the exchange of information among countries.
As the series has progressed, Denise Cleever has matured, both in action and attitude. Always irreverent, witty, and clever, she has assumed a more credible persona, not hesitating to speak of her inadequacies. This is indeed refreshing and keeps the character from becoming a one-dimensional super hero. The novel is somewhat short, but again, readers have come to expect this in the series. Perhaps the most gratifying segment of the novel is that the reader really begins to empathize, if not fantasize, about Cynthia. In the past, she has been portrayed rather inscrutably, which was her initial appeal. Now one begins to understand who she is and what drives her emotional vacillation.
Murder at Random is an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half. With characters that are likable and comfortable, action that races along, elements of discovery and surprise, the reader will not be disappointed. No hidden meanings here, just good old-fashioned storytelling with a nod to today's tumultuous times. This reader eagerly awaits the next in the Cleever series.
Honor Reclaimed
Radclyffe
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
430 Herrington Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094
ISBN: 193311018X, $15.95, 279 pp.
Honor Reclaimed
This fifth installment in the Honor series continues in the aftermath of 9/11 and the subsequent murder attempt on Blair Powell, daughter of the President. Driven by revenge and betrayal, Cam Roberts vows to apprehend the perpetrators. Officially relieved of her duty as Chief of Security for Blair, she works behind the scenes with her small cadre of trusted allies to uncover those in the government who have switched to the other side in the war on terror. Not only do Blair and Cam encounter crises, so do Paula Stark, Blair's new Chief, and FBI Agent Renee Savard. Add to the mix a curiously mysterious new relationship for Blair's best friend, Diane Bleeker, an unexpected appearance by an old friend, and a sudden clandestine return to Whitley Point, and the reader will be swept along as the waves of retribution violently take place.
Honor Reclaimed is, overall, an enjoyable read, especially if one has followed the series. Two aspects are especially commendable. First, the narrative depiction of Whitley Point captures the essence of the island. Cam's description of Blair's painting visualizes the scene. "It was an astonishing riot of turbulent purples, indigos, and grays verging on black, cut through with slashes of white. She could almost feel the water beat against her skin" (p. 199). There is an atmosphere of intense and brooding simplicity, almost primeval, as the small band of friends shelters on the Point. The sense of malevolence in the real world attempts to permeate this sequestered retreat.
Another strength of this novel is the author's depth of characterization for the secondary characters. Diane and Blair share their earlier memories of being intimately together with fondness and nostalgia and both are genuinely credible. When referring to their friendship, Diane states, "As much as I've wanted you all these years, this is what I've always needed" (p. 205). Diane is more skillfully and completely drawn in this novel. This reviewer found her unveiling to be a smart, witty, and most plausible metamorphosis. However, of all the characters found in Honor Reclaimed, the mysterious Valerie is one of the most sensuous, intriguing, captivating, and melancholy women in Romance literature today. One can only hope that Radclyffe seizes the opportunity to explore the character more fully in a novel wherein Valerie is the protagonist. Redemption comes in many forms and at the most unexpected, yet possibly, fortuitous times. There are many reasons for this, but not wanting to deprive the reader of the joy of discovering Valerie, suffice it to say, a truly unique conundrum awaits.
The ultimate resolution of the conflict was, for this reviewer, less than what is usually found in an Honor novel. Although the pace is steady and the action compelling, it was far too condensed, given the context of the initial life-threatening problems facing Cam and Blair. The emphasis is definitely on the relationships of the three couples. However, as someone who awaited this novel to uncover and react to the crises presented in the previous book, Honor Guards, it would have been an even more satisfying reading experience had the final showdown been more intricately developed and the perpetrators' background more completely established.
Honor Reclaimed is worth the time and expense. Radclyffe continues to give us characters we will long remember, and if a romance storyline with plenty of steamy scenes is what you are looking for, she proves again that she is, indeed, one of the best today. However, for this reviewer, it is not the pinnacle of the series, but individual readers will make their own judgments after reading Honor Reclaimed.
Arlene Germain
Reviewer
Bethany's Bookshelf
Take The Kids: London
Joseph Fullman
Cadogan Guides
c/o Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.cadoganguides.com www.globepequot.com
1860113117 $18.95 1-800-962-0973
Now in a fully updated and expanded fourth edition, Joseph Fullman's "Take The Kids: London" is an indispensable planning guide for any family touring London, England with their children. Packed with tips on traveling with children which range from babysitting services to first aid instructions, "Take The Kids: London" also includes color maps and suggested itineraries of interest to youngsters; fact boxes, quizzes and stories to keep kids entertained; practical information and emergency contacts; as well as personally recommended and child-friendly restaurants, cafes, shops, and hotels. "Take The Kids: London" is the perfect planning and tour guide to exploring one of the world's great cities and discovering what it has to offer that will be of interest to children in the company of their parents, with itinerary ideas and suggestions ranging from a Duck tour to the London Zoo, numerous green spaces throughout the city, and some of the best sports events in the whole of England.
The Creaky Traveler in Ireland, Clare, Kerry, and West Cork
Warren Rovetch
Sentient Publications, LLC
1113 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302
www.sentientpublications.com 866-588-9846
1591810272 $15.95 292 pages
The second title in the unique 'Creaky Traveler' series, "The Creaky Traveler in Ireland, Clare, Kerry, and West Cork: A Journey for the Mobile but Not Agile" by Warren Rovetch provides unique perspectives for "agility challenged" travelers to Southwestern Ireland. "The Creaky Traveler in Ireland" provides so much more than just another guide to the local sights to see and the Bed and Breakfast places to stay in while traveling through The Irish counties of Clare, Kerry and West Cork. Warren has an exciting eclectic personal background that he draws upon as a rather gifted writer. For example, he has been an economist, a textbook publisher, a creator of an environmental education and conference center on the Columbia River, and a Fullbright Scholar. He has created many projects focused on new approaches to learning and education. He was widely traveled even in his pre-creaky days, so his recent series is an expanding of his experience that is especially appealing to mature adult travelers. You might say he has "been there and done it and got the T-shirt" at least twice. So it is no surprise that "The Creaky Traveler in Ireland" includes wonderful quotations from appropriate Irish literature (translated to English), intimate epiphanies, anecdotes, and other accounts of travel experiences, and humourous musings on the plight of the modern adult traveler and the world traveled, in addition to valuable tips and suggestions about sights to see, walks to take, and places to seek out. "The Creaky Traveler in Ireland" is a treasure trove of information that can be of great worth to both the novice traveler and the Irish locals themselves. The text is further enhanced by a series of handy descriptive maps and a center selection of beautiful color photographs of sites and sights of interest. "The Creaky Traveler in Ireland" is sure to be another success in this on-going series from Sentient Publications, piquing the reader's curiosity, tantalizing same to wonder where the "Creaky Traveler" will voyage to next. Also very highly recommended reading is the first book in this outstanding series by Warren Rovetch: "The Creaky Traveler In The North West Highlands Of Scotland".
AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley
Peter W. Kick
AMC Books
c/o Globe Pequote Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.outdoors.org www.globepequot.com
1929173849 $16.95 1-800-962-0973
There are more than 600 miles of hiking trails in the Catskill mountains and the Hudson Valley, locales that are within just a few hours of New York City. "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" is a practical "day trip" guide to varied and scenic terrains that range from Westchester County to Albany, showcasing sixty of the most scenic and spectacular of these trails which suited for anything from short family nature walks to day-long hikes with magnificent views. Each individual trail trip includes a detailed map and a summary of the trip time, distance, and difficultly. An icon indicates whether the trail is also good for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter, making "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" an all weather, all-season reference of value for both local residents and vacationing visitors. Enhanced with hiking and safety tips, advice for hiking with children, an 'At-a-Glance Trip Planner' for finding the best hikes suited to the reader's aspirations and limitations, "AMC's Best Day Hikes In The Catskills & Hudson Valley" is the premier guide for anyone planning an excursion in New York's Catskills and Hudson Valley country!
Are You Really Listening?
Paul J. Donoghue, Ph.D. and Mary E. Siegel, Ph.D.
Sorin Books
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0428
1893732886 $14.95 1-800-282-1865 www.sorinbooks.com
"Are You Really Listening? Keys to Successful Communication" is a self-help guide to relationships, and the value of listening - a skill desperately needed in a world prone to misunderstandings and worse. "Are You Really Listening?" isolates the factors that tend to keep people from listening, and how to identify one's own tendencies to tune out what others are saying - from the "Me Too" syndrome that tends to tune out the speaker and refocus the conversation on the self, to learning how to be heard, to how counterproductive defensiveness can be (defending oneself signals that the time of listening to the speaker's concerns have ended). "Are You Really Listening?" has the absolute highest recommendation for anyone striving to improve their communication skills and professional or personal relationships.
Susan Bethany
Reviewer
Betsy's Bookshelf
Simply Vegan
Debra Wasserman & Reed Mangels
The Vegetarian Resource Group
PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203
0931411300 $14.95 www.vrg.org
Now in a newly updated and expanded fourth edition, Simply Vegan: Quick Vegetarian Meals includes information about Protein, Fat, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-12, Sources of Omega-3 Fats, Weight Loss, and more. Not just another vegetarian cookbook, Simply Vegan also serves as a guide to a non-violent, environmentally sound, humane-lifestyle while showcasing 160 quick, easy, and delicious recipes, meal plans, and even offers a guide to 'Vegan Shopping by Mail' for vegan food, clothing, cosmetics, household products, and books. Of special value is the chapter devoted to pregnancy, infants, and vegan children. From Oat Nut Burgers; Creamy Cauliflower Soup; Pasta with Spicy Tahini Sauce; and Vegetable Pancakes; to Wayne's Tofu Chili; Oriental-Style Green Beans; Peach Compote; and Karen's Creamy Rice Pudding, Simply Vegan is a welcome and seminal addition to any vegan lifestyle reference and/or cookbook collection.
Resume, Application, And Letter Tips For People With Hot And Not-So-Hot Backgrounds
Ron Krannich & Caryl Krannich
Impact Publications
9104-N Manassas Drive, Manassas Park, VA 20111-5211
1570232407 $17.95 www.impactpublications.com www.winningthejob.com
The newest addition to Impact Publications' impressive roster of "how to" books designed to help find and secure gainful employment, "Resume, Application, And Letter Tips For People With Hot And Not-So-Hot Backgrounds: 185 Tips For Landing The Perfect Job" outlines an effective 10-step job search process, proven ways to best present a work history, identifies the key attitudes and behaviors for success in securing employment, common job application writing errors to be avoided, redefining work or background negatives into positives, dealing with potential 'red flags' in your personal or professional history, follow-up methods to enhance your chances of securing a job, the different kinds of job search letters, and so much more. Enhanced with sample resumes and letters, self-assessment devices, evaluation exercises, and illustrations, "Resume, Application, And Letter Tips For People With Hot And Not-So-Hot Backgrounds" is a welcome and well-presented instruction manual that will prove especially valuable for novice job seekers and those re-entering the job market.
Betsy L. Hogan
Reviewer
Betty's Bookshelf
The Street-Smart Writer: Self-Defense against Sharks and Scams in the Writing World
Jenna Glatzer and Daniel Steven
Nomad Press
2456 Christian St., White River Junction, VT 05001
www.nomadpress.com
ISBN: 0974934445, $16.95, 296 pp.
Someone once said, 'There's a sucker born every minute," and from where I sit, many of them seem to be writers falling for one scam, scheme, or dumb idea after another. Jenna Glatzer, creator and queen of Absolute Write (the web's most popular magazine for writers) and author of such writerly goodies as Writer's Block and Other Problems of the Pen and Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments has seen the dreams of many good writers dashed. To combat this, she got together with Daniel Steven (a publishing attorney who knows the ropes) and they came up with a book that will benefit both newbies and experienced writers. No more falling for scam publishers. No more being duped by crooked agents. No more poetry "prizes" not worth the paper they're written on. Now, all a smart writer has to do is get hold of a copy of The Street-Smart Writer.
The anecdotes, advice, definitions, and templates inside can help cautious writers make sure that they're not cheated and their work's not stolen, cheapened, or unfairly tied up by the crooks and creeps that make up the writing world's underbelly. True, reading The Street-Smart Writer won't guarantee publication, nor will it guarantee that you'll never get ripped off. However, you will be armed to avoid many of the pitfalls that the uninformed have fallen into, including the clutches of an unsavory agent or a dishonest publishing house. Way to go, guys. You two are my heroes!
Agent to the Stars
John Scalzi
Subterranean Press
P.O. Box 190106, Burton, MI 48519
http://www.subterraneanpress.com
ISBN: 1596060204, $30.00, 286 pp.
In 1997, writer John Scalzi started his first novel, after deciding to find out if he was capable of writing something that was longer than two thousand words. He told himself it was just a practice novel that would never see the light of day, so there was no worry about how good it would be. And since it would never be sold, it wouldn't matter what he chose as subject matter, either. The self-deception did the trick; in the book's introduction, Scalzi says it took him three months to write and "…I had a ball. Writing [this] novel was one of the most fun writing experiences I've ever had."
Completed book in hand, he decided to see if it would sell. The results weren't encouraging. True, everyone who saw it liked it. However, no one wanted to publish it. By that time, Scalzi had a web site up, so he bunged the manuscript onto the site and asked readers who liked it to send him $1.
To his surprise, between 1999 and 2004, he received $4,000 from grateful readers. To his further surprise, a publishing house then decided they wanted to publish it. I'm glad they did. Now readers can enjoy reading Agent to the Stars while lying in bed or soaking in the bathtub, rather than while hunching over a computer screen.
Agent to the Stars introduces us to Thomas Stein, a junior Hollywood agent, whose boss gives him the job of introducing Earth to the Yherajk, who are worried about how they will be accepted by humans. True, the Yherajk are friendly and eager-to-please, speak excellent English (learned from thousands of hours of television sitcoms), and know more about earth's entertainment industry than any earthling alive (with the possible exception of BGSU students who've chosen to pursue a pop culture degree.)
However, as they themselves admit, "We look like snot. And we smell like dead fish." With this major image problem, making first contact with a PR expert (Stein's boss) instead of the White House made perfect sense to them. However, since the alien make-over needs to be kept a deep dark secret until the Yherajks are ready to make their worldwide debut, Stein's boss thinks Stein should handle it. After all, who pays any attention to junior agents?
It's not going to be easy. However, if Stein can present the Yherajk to Earth in a positive light, he'll not only have a major place in earth's history, he'll have nice percentage of the most amazing deal ever to come along. Can he pull it off?
I started reading Agent to the Stars because I really enjoyed Scalzi's Old Man's War. It was a little hard going at first, but I figured I'd at least give him long enough to demonstrate whether or not he could pull me past the "eeeeuw - gross" alien description and make me want to finish the book. The answer turned out to be: Yep, he could. Interesting premise. Fun story. Nice job!
What Fish Don't Want You to Know: the Insider's Guide to Freshwater Fishing
Frank P. Baron
Ragged Mountain Press
P.O. Box 220, Camden, ME 04843
www.raggedmountainpress.com
ISBN: 0071417141, $16.95, 163 pp.
I don't fish. Oh, it's not that I don't like the idea - spending the day lazily dropping a hook into the water, enjoying the peace and quiet, communing with nature - it's that I hate failure. I grew up going fishing with my dad and two younger brothers and the only thing I've ever caught in my entire life was my dad's ear lobe. Shortly after that painful episode, I was demoted to dropping a handline in the water off the edge of the pier.
This, as you can imagine, was not exactly the height of excitement, so I usually hid a book in the gear before we left the house. Once at the pier, after everyone else was busy baiting their hooks, casting their lines, and pulling in one fish after another, I would tie my line to one of the pier railings, pull out my book, and read until lunch. No one ever noticed or cared, except maybe the fish - I'm convinced they were down there laughing at me, knowing they were totally safe.
Then I grew up and moved to Ohio, where you must have a fishing license to fish, on penalty of losing all your gear (including possibly the car you drove to get to the river). This suited me just fine. We bought a license for my husband, the kids didn't need one, and I was free to sit in a lawn chair and read, looking up occasionally to murmur to one child or another, "Oh, yes, isn't that a big fish?" and "I see you, sweetheart - yes, aren't you a big boy!" It was illegal for me to even carry a rod. Sweet!
However, after reading Frank Baron's book, What Fish Don't Want You to Know, I'm actually considering giving fishing another chance. It's not quite a miracle, but it's so unexpected, I'm still blinking in amazement. I know how to catch fish now! Baron's been fishing for forty years, and he has the tandem talents of actually catching fish and being able to write about it for others.
Yep, his book is both educational and entertaining. I can't believe I'm writing this - I actually enjoyed reading a book about fishing, even though I don't like fishing! If you do like to fish, you'll like it even more after you read Baron's book cover-to-cover. Word of warning: if you take it with you on your next fishing trip, don't let the fish catch sight of it. I assure you, they'll never know what hit them!
Betty Winslow
Reviewer
Blake's Bookshelf
Tears and Tales
Russell A. Vassallo
Krazy Duck Productions
PO Box 105, Danville, KY 40423
ISBN: 0977673901, $16.95, 165 pp.
"Tears and Tales" is a compilation of real life stories. Through these stories has Russell Vassallo demonstrates the impact animals can have on our lives.
Vassallo's writing is entertaining and inspiring. He expresses genuine compassion and empathy for the personalities of his characters, both animail and human. Russ has unusual insight and becomes vulnerable as he opens his heart to the reader. His is a message of hope and faith as he relates examples of the power of animals to heal, physically and emotionally.
Vassallo survived colon cancer, however, he continued to experience anger, self centeredness, jealousy, and depression. He lost his will to live. The loyalty, love, and self giving of, his wife, Virginia encouraged him through her love. Another healing factor came through the repeated visits of a small bird. Russell's depression lifted as he learned a fresh lesson on the meaning of love, and the need to love. His hope and vision for the future were restored.
Vassallo testified to the uplifting encounters with animals that taught him lessons in self discovery, improving relationships, and moving on to new levels of maturity. He shares a dramatic story of how, his horse Lonesome Dart was a source of comfort after the loss of his dog, Tribute. Touched by Lonesome Dart's grief he expressed it this way: "I saw in his eyes a pain so vast I would not have believed it possible…bonded by mutual love, mutual tears, by the pain of deprivation."
This is a story of bonding, a heartwarming collection of tales that bring both tears and the comfort you can find as you develop a loving relationship with your animal friends. This meaningful, heartwarming, unforgettable will inspire cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones. It is promise of hope and bravery a recipe for healing, from illness, heartbreak, or loneliness.
The Immigrant's Daughter - Midwest
Mary Terzian
Booklocker.com, Inc.
PO Box 2399, Bangor, ME 04402-2399
15911377X, $ 15.95, 275 pp.
Mary Terzian spent her childhood in a community of immigrants in the city of Cairo. This is the moving dramatic story of her early life. It is told in the first person. The story begins with Mary's birth and progresses from preschool years moving on to young adulthood She does not understand "why" there are privileges given to the male gender that are unavailable to girls and women. She questions the importance of tradition, religious superstitions, and cultural issues. Her questions go unanswered.
Mary's mother instills in Mary a desire to get an education. Her father insists on Mary fulfilling the traditional expectations for women. At age ten Mary's mother suddenly dies. After the death of her mother she writes: "I hide Mama's absence like an ugly abscess because not having a mother is embarrassing. Everybody has one. I feel like I am being punished." Home life becomes unbearable.
After only a few months her father marries again. He wanted a stepmother to take over the household duties and child rearing. "Stepmother" has other plans. Mary is made to assume many household duties and childcare responsibilities. Mary struggles for an identity. She drives herself to excel in her studies. Books become her friends, her life. She looks on herself as "emotionally homeless."
The story moves quickly. However, Mary expresses it this way: "The evolution from an affable, dependent, defensive young girl to a self-supporting, confident, decisive woman is a long, rough, and trying journey."
I found myself engrossed in the Mary's journey. The author has a unique way of using tongue in cheek humor to lighten the impact of hopelessness. Terzian is a gifted writer and communicator. She has a wealth of experience to share. I am looking forward to a sequel to this fascinating, uplifting, and unforgettable book.
Richard R. Blake
Reviewer
Bob's Bookshelf
A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute To My Father
Chris Lemmon
Algonquin Books
ISBN: 1565124804, $22.95, 193 pp.
"Being the child of a Hollywood star is both a blessing and a curse," writes Chris Lemmon. In "A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father" the son of Jack Lemmon shares the good and bad times he experienced growing up in the shadow of his famous father. As he delves into his relationship with his father, Chris emphasizes that although it wasn't always perfect, most of the time he and Jack got along together.
It has been four years since Jack Lemmon died. Chris explains that this memoir is his way of trying to make sense of the man who was his father and to come to terms with the reality of "their sometimes troubled relationship" that often involved too much alcohol.
Preferring to dwell on the good times, Lemmon shares the Alaskan fishing trips and Pebble Beach golf outings they shared together. He writes, "In my book I write mostly about the big things, the funny things, the things I loved especially about Pop."
Commenting on his the decision to cast Jack as Felix Ungar in "The Odd Couple", Chris says his father was perfect for the role. It wasn't a very difficult part for Jack to play for he already possessed most of Felix's character traits. He was Felix Unger through and through but only Lemmon's family and closest friends realized it.
As he explains in the book, eventually Chris emerged from his father's "very long shadow" and became a respected actor himself. He delights in retelling the story of an afternoon when he and Jack were out and some young women came up to ask Chris for his autograph. Standing in the background completely ignored, Jack looked on and then jokingly muttered, "Major movie star here; major movie here!"
As Hollywood family memoirs go, "A Twist of Lemmon" is pretty mild. Don't expect the author to tell how terrible his life was growing up in the Lemmon household. Granted, liquor was a problem from time to time but looking back this time Chris explains, "I have no complaints. Jack Lemmon was a great actor and a remarkable man."
Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee
Charles J. Shields
Henry Holt
ISBN: 080507919X, $25.00, 337 pp.
Harper Lee wrote only one book yet most people are familiar with that award winning novel,"To Kill A Mockingbird", because it has been a staple of classroom reading for decades. Surprisingly until the publication of "Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee" no one had done a study of the author's life.
Pieced together from hundreds of interviews, Shields places on center stage a woman who never relished the limelight. Like her character Scout, Lee grew up a rebellious tomboy in a tiny Alabama town. While attending the University of Alabama she satirized bigotry mercilessly in campus publications which didn't endear her to her peers. Readers may be surprised to learn that Lee was a close personal friend of Truman Capote and worked as a research assist for him on "In Cold Blood".
Harper Lee, who turned 80 this year, still shuns the spotlight. A private person who still has to occasionally field the Big Question - "Why didn't you write another book?" Her reputed reply has been, "I had every intention of writing many novels, but I never could have imagined the success To Kill a Mockingbird would enjoy. I became overwhelmed."
After reading this unauthorized biography (Lee refused to assist the author) it is difficult to believe this feisty Southerner would be "overwhelmed" by anything. But that appears to be her story and she's sticking to it!
Hit Parade
Lawrence Block
William Morrow
ISBN: 0060840889, $24.95, 295 pp.
With all the crime novels, mysteries, and thrillers flooding the market each year its no wonder a new breed of character has appeared the last few years in the genre - the hitman. Altering the formula which pits the good guys against the bad guys with the forces of good usually emerging victorious, the pattern has been reversed. Now a handful of authors have made the antagonist the center of the novel and the final outcome does not affirm the idea that justice will prevail. In some cases, there is a hint of "justice" in an outcome (the person appears to deserved his fate) but this is still a perversion of the concept.
A case in point would be Lawrence Block's latest novel "Hit Parade" which showcases paid assassin, John Keller. Thoroughly professional, Keller has traits the reader will like but the fact remains he is a killer. As we watch him take time out from tending his stamp collection to setup and execution a number of assignments (one includes "offing" a dog!) it becomes very easy to respect his consummate skill. In fact, it is even easier to ignore the fact that this is all about killing people and getting away with it.
This marks a sad reversal in the values some people like to talk so much about preserving. From electronic games and foreign policy decisions to what we read and watch for relaxation, violence apparently now has the upper hand in our society and is not only acceptable but the expected norm.
Bob Walch
Reviewer
Buhle's Bookshelf
The Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Gabriel Banat
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
1576471098 $56.00 1-518-325-6100 www.pendragonpress.com
The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow is the biography of Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799), the illegitimate son of a French planter and a young African slave. Educated in France, his skill in fencing and amazing talent as a violin virtuoso earned him a distinguished place in French high society and the court of Versailles; yet he was not content to simply bask in court life, choosing to support the abolitionist movement, take part in the Haitian slave revolt, and join the French Revolution in the hope of ending slavery. Considered the first classical composer of African descent, his music is best understood in the context of his vivid life. Black-and-white photographs, illustrations, and sample scores, and reproductions of primary source documents round out this in-depth study of a singularly remarkable musician, politician, and fighter.
Elysium for the Brave
Azam Ali
Six Degrees Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
216 West Allen Street, Suite 137, Bloomington, IN 47403
$16.98 www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Elysium for the Brave is the second solo album by gifted singer Azam Ali. Singing predominantly in English for the first time, the poetic and lyrical verses convey a haunting sense of emotion, longing, and anticipation. A singularly skilled cast of musicians complement Ali's singing with soft, melodic tracks; they include King Crimson's rhythm section of trey Gun and Pat Mastellotto, Persian Classical violinist Kiavash Nourai, and film composers Tyler Bates and Jeff Rona, and the Iranian group Niyaz. The resulting mix of ancient and modern instrumentation transcends cultural limitations in a soothing synthesis. Elysium for the Brave is an especially beautiful and helpful CD to listen to while relaxing, meditating, or striving to reduce personal tension. The CD case includes the complete lyrics for the songs, and the CD tracks are Endless Reverie (5:47), Spring Arrives (5:17), In Other Worlds (6:07), Abode (5:59), Forty One Ways (6:09), The Tryst (6:07), From Heaven To Dust (4:18), I Am A Stranger In This World (7:24), and In The Divide (5:18). Highly recommended.
The Strange Death of Liberal America
Ralph Brauer
Praeger Publishers
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
027599063X $49.95 www.praeger.com
Award-winning writer Ralph Brauer presents "The Strange Death of Liberal America", a fascinating examination of how American attitudes shifted sharply to the political right in recent times. Part modern political history, part lamentation for the abandonment of the liberal ideal in which "government exists to keep the playing field level", part cautionary tale of the social ills promoted by policies that increasingly favor the rich, the powerful, and the corporations over struggling ordinary citizens, "The Strange Death of Liberal America" is fascinating and slightly unnerving in its grim survey of the past and dark predictions for the future. From suburban obsession with minutia rather than the broad picture, to subtle rollbacks in civil rights, to the drumbeat of fear that the so-called Counterrevolution plays to scare voters into falling in line with its social agenda, "The Strange Death of Liberal America" exposes all in no-nonsense, clear and charged language.
A Short History of Watauga County
Michael C. Hardy
Parkway Publishers
PO Box 3678, Boone, NC 28607
1933251263 $24.95 1-800-821-9155 www.parkwaypublishers.com
Independent historian, photographer, and author Michael C. Hardy presents "A Short History of Watauga County", the local history of a former frontier land, which once witnessed the Cherokee follow game over the Old Buffalo Trail and the beginning of Daniel Boone's great trip west. Once a Blue Ridge Mountain wilderness, so remote it was thought of as one of North Carolina's Lost Provinces, Watauga County witnessed settlement, the outbreak of the Civil War, and modern transformations in technology. Drawing upon previous histories published in 1915 and 1949 to round out the chronicle, as well as presenting an inset section of black-and-white photographs of people and historic places, "A Short History of Watauga County" perfectly captures the daily essence of life in a land inhabited by many of the same families who settled it in the late 1700s and early 1800s. An engaging, easy-to-read and enjoy chronicle recommended for lay readers and historians alike.
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer
Burroughs' Bookshelf
Rifts World Book 29: Madhaven
Brandon Aten & Taylor White
Palladium Books
12455 Universal Drive, Taylor, MI 48180
1574571583 $14.95 www.palladiumbooks.com
Palladium Books is an independent publisher of role-playing games who has been providing quality science fiction and fantasy gaming in the "Rifts" universe for the past 25 years. Their latest title, "Madhaven" by co-authors Brandon Aten and Taylor White (both of whom are experienced gamers in their own right) is the 29th title in the 'Rifts World Book' series. It's a post-apocalyptic world and the ruins of Manhatten are now known and feared as Madhaven -- a place of madness, ghosts and monsters. This is the setting for adventures in search of plunder from the ancient ruins in the form of dark secrets and hidden treasures. Seven new mutants characters can be run as players or as villains. "Madhaven" also introduces the Knights of the White Rose and their Techno-Wizard weapons to this role-gaming universe of high adventure and hours of fun. No role-gamer's reference collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of Brandon Aten and Taylor White's "Madhaven"!
Video Games & Interactive Media
Stephane Natkin
A K Peters, Ltd.
888 Worcester Street, Suite 230, Wellesley, MA 02482
1568812973 $19.95 www.akpeters.com
"Video Games & Interactive Media: A Glimpse at New Digital Entertainment" is a straightforward introduction to what video games and interactive media are, and the impact that their increasing popularity has had on modern culture. Though a scholarly work, "Video Games & Interactive Media" presents its information in terms accessible to non-specialist general readers of all backgrounds, whether they are familiar with games or not; and is enhanced with a glossary and an index aid in comprehension. Black-and-white photographs and screenshots illustrate the points made about various games, their different genres, their technological advances and subtle influences, and more. From the phenomena of virtual items in multiplayer online games being sold for real-life money and thus having an impact on the real-world economy, to the business models of video game companies, to evolutions in video game artificial intelligence and much more, "Video Games & Interactive Media" is the perfect primer for any serious student, scholar, or parent needing the straight facts about interactive computer games.
Black Belt Karate
Hirokazu Kanazawa
Kodansha America, Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10022
4770027753 $35.00 1-800-451-7556 www.kodanshaamercia.com
Hirokazu Kanazawa was a close disciple of Gichin Funakoshi, considered by many to the founding father of the Shotokan school of karate. Kanazawa founded the Shotokan Karate-do International Federation in 1979, an organization that now has branches in more than 90 countries. In Black Belt Karate: The Intensive Course, Kanazawa draws upon all his years of experience and expertise to create a meticulously detailed and illustrated self-study training course is specifically designed for beginners that, if followed conscientiously and practiced daily, will result in their being able to attain a black-belt level of martial arts proficiency in karate. "Black Belt Karate" is a thoroughly "student friendly" and enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal or dojo martial arts reference collection.
Out There Fishing
Keith "Catfish" Sutton
Stoeger Publishing Co.
17603 Indian Head Highway, Suite 200, Accokeek, MD 20607-2501
0883172933 $19.95 www.stoegerindustries.com
ESPN Outdoors columnist and award-winning photographer Keith "Catfish" Sutton presents Out There Fishing, an impressively informative and entertaining anthology of true-life stories about angling in the Western Hemisphere, here collected in print for the first time. Black-and-white photographs nicely illustrate this combination memoir and travelogue devoted to the quest for every sportfish conceivable in America, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela waters. Written in a down-to-earth narrative style, Out There Fishing is the perfect, relaxing read for armchair travel angler and fishing enthusiasts as the next best thing to being there!
The Grill Of Victory
Bill Brohaugh
Emmis Books
1700 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Publishers Group West, dist.
1700 - 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
157860267X $16.95 1-800-788-3123 www.emmisbooks.com
Ever wondered what it would be like to participate in a cooking contest? Highly recommended, unique and informative reading, The Grill Of Victory: Hot Competition On The Barbecue Circuit by William Brohaugh takes the reader into the intensely competitive world of barbecue competitions. Brohaugh (a BBQ judge for more than fifteen years on the Memphis in May circuit) brings to bear his experience and expertise to provide the reader with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what has evolved from backyard grilling for family and friends into a no-holds- barred competitive sport. The tools the competing BBQ teams, a sampling of the grilling secrets, and a descriptive touring guide to the towns and cities on the BBQ competition circuit art to be found within the pages of The Grill Of Victory. If you've ever felt the impulse to show what you can do in these kinds of events, first give Bill Brohaugh's The Grill Of Victory a quick and careful reading. Then you will be well advised and prepared as to what you are getting yourself involved in!
John Burroughs
Reviewer
Carson's Bookshelf
Religion And The American Experience
Frank T. Birtel
New City Press
202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
1565482158 $29.95 www.newcitypress.com
Compiled and edited by Frank T. Birtel (Professor Emeritus, Tulane University), "Religion and the American Experience" is an impressively informed and informative anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors about the interplay between religious faith and American culture. All of the essays were originally memorial lectures, delivered to academic audiences and preserved for posterity. Topics range from issues of Islamic religion and violence to the impact of Catholicism on the American experience to American church responses to current crises in human sexuality and much more. A sober, thought- provoking, and heavily researched selection of sharp analysis, capturing a crystal-clear portrait of numerous different ways in which religion's impact reverberates through the fabric of American culture. "Religion and the American Experience" is especially recommended for college library Sociology and Religious Studies collections.
Identity Crisis
Jim Harper
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-5403
1930865856 $13.95 1-800-767-1241
Cato Institute director of Information Policy Studies Jim Harper presents "Identity Crisis: How Identification Is Overused and Misunderstood", is a cautionary book about how increasing identification and computer technology, as well as stepped-up government demands for identification in the wake of the September 11 attacks, are threats to citizen autonomy, privacy, and civil liberties. "Identity Crisis" maintains that resisting endless demands for identification can protect privacy without compromising national security; furthermore, Identity Crisis warns against potential abuses of government power and gives current information about controversies such as the REAL ID Act and other security-related topics. A thoughtful and critically written dissection of a hot-button social topic, "Identity Crises" should be considered "must reading" for all social activists concerned with the growing domination of government into personal lives and liberties of American citizens.
Sustainable Fossil Fuels
Mark Jaccard
Cambridge University Press
40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211
0521679796 $24.95 381 pages www.cambridge.org
"Sustainable Fossil Fuels: The Unusual Suspect in the Quest for Clean and Enduring Energy" tackles the task of explaining why the solution to energy consumption is not limited to finding an alternative to fossil fuels. The author argues that there is evidence that the world has untapped resources and an energy reserve supply of fossil fuels to last perhaps 800 years (for gas and coal), and that rising prices of precious fuel resources should not be assumed to mean the end of stored fossil fuel energy is imminent. Considering the options of renewable energy, nuclear power, and energy efficiency, the author states:" The end (goal) is a low impact and low risk energy system that can meet expanded human energy needs indefinitely and do this as inexpensively as possible, without succumbing to cataclysmic forces at some future time...it is unjustifiable to rule out fossil fuels in advance of a holistic comparison that considers critical decision factors. These factors include cost... the human desire to minimize the risk of extreme events...to ensure adequate and reliable energy supplies free from geopolitical turmoil, and to sustain values, institutions and lifestyles (p. 355)." Jaccard believes that fossil fuels are likely to continue to provide a significant resource to the global energy system during a gradual transition to a sustainable global energy system, perhaps over a period of more than a century. "Sustainable Fossil Fuels" makes a convincing argument for thorough review of the cost of energy sustainability, leading to an unprejudiced reconsideration of continuing the mixed use of fossil fuels. A handy chapter reading guide suggests the best way to read the book, considering the following key questions: What is energy sustainability (Chapter 1)? Is our current energy path sustainable (chapter 2)? Chapter 3: The prospects for clean, secondary energy, Chapter 4: The usual suspects: efficiency, nuclear and renewables, Chapter 5: The unusual suspect: how long can fossil fuels last - and does it mater? Chapter 6: Can we use fossil fuels cleanly - and what might it cost? and last, Chapter 7: Sustainable energy choices: comparing the options. "Sustainable Fossil Fuels" is a convincing argument for the continued judicious planned use of fossil fuels while seeking alternative sustainable energy choices. It is enhanced by a bibliography of 22 pages and many graphs and charts and footnotes. References are made to pertinent web sites for further information as well.
The Principles Of Natural And Politic Law
Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui
Liberty Fund, Inc.
8335 Alison Pointe Trail, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46250-1684
0865974977 $12.00 1-800-955-8335
Ably translated into English by Thomas Nugent in 1748, this edition of "The Principles Of Natural And Politic Law" by Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui (1964-1748) is expertly edited and enhanced with an Introduction by Petter Korman (Fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies and Postdoctoral Researcher in Philosophy at the Academy of Finland) and part of the Liberty Fund's outstanding 'Natural Law and Enlightenment Classics' series. A historical benchmark in the concept of individual rights, The writings of Burlamaqui were influential upon the work and thought of such later philosophers and political activists as Rousseau and Diderot, as well as exerting profound influence on the American Founding Fathers and their newly emerging constitutional system of governance. Indeed, Nugent's English translation became a standard textbook at both British and American universities in the 18th and 19th centuries. Also available in a hardcover edition (0865974969, $20.00), "The Principles Of Natural And Politic Law" is a seminal addition to scholarly and academic Philosophy and Political Science History reference collections.
Michael J. Carson
Reviewer
Catherine's Bookshelf
Bernardo and the Virgin
Silvio Sirias
Northwestern University Press
625 Colfax Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201-2807
http://nupress.northwestern.edu/index.cfm
ISBN: 0810122405, $26.95
Rating 5 stars
In the book, Bernardo and the Virgin, Silvio Sirias tells Bernardo Martinez's story in a unique and refreshing way – through the eyes of those who knew and loved him, because one could not know Bernardo Martinez and not love him. The author brilliantly mixes English with just a dash of Spanish terminology tossed in at just the right moment for added authenticity. The prose is fluid and allows the reader to have fun with the pages.
This is fiction based upon a true man of God. Bernardo Martinez lived in the small Nicaraguan village of Cuapa. He made his living as a tailor and volunteered to be the caretaker (sacristian) of the local church, with a lifelong dream of becoming a Priest. A man of simple means, his innocent outlook on life and his seemingly divine patience is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Bernardo's life changes when, for a mere three hundred cordobas (about forty dollars), he purchases a statue of la Virgencita (The Virgin Mary) from another parish. La Virgencita comes to him in both visions and dreams, reveals her fears for the Nicaraguan people and gives him instructions for the people in order to save them.
Despite ridicule by some unbelieving villagers and imprisonment and suspected torture by the new Sandinista Government, Bernardo's faith never waivers and he holds true to the message of la Virgencita, determined to keep her message in the hearts of all believers. His honesty and integrity is unquestioned by the faithful and soon, the small village of Cuapa becomes a pilgrimage site for those seeking healing and salvation from God through la Virgencita.
The story is not only about Bernardo, but explores the faith and passion of the Nicaraguan people themselves – from their entertaining superstitions and rituals, their passion for la Virgencita and the Catholic faith, their desire for a better life and the romantic yet unfulfilled notions of the Sandinista Revolution and what it would bring to a people too long silenced and repressed by a cruel dictatorship. Bernardo and the Virgin is ultimately about goodness – goodness and faith that in the end will triumph over evil. Bravo Silvio!
The Book of Bright Ideas
Sandra Kring
Dell Publishing Company - Delta Trade Paperbacks
A Division of Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell
ISBN: 0385338147, $13.00
Rating 5 stars
Sandra Kring enchants us with simpler times of corner Rexall Drugstores, best friends and dancing in the rain in your underwear. On the surface, life in the small Wisconsin town seems laid-back and comfortable, yet lurking beneath are repressed scars of childhood injustices, guilt of shameful deeds and sinister acts against the innocent that go unpunished, forever altering the lives of the victims.
The year is 1961 and Evelyn "Button" Peters is an obedient nine-year-old girl – the only child of a doting mother and hardworking father. Button knows her parents love her, but it is when she is alone with her Aunt Verdella that she can let her guard down and liberate the free-spirit buried deep inside her.
Button's world is turned upside down when Aunt Verdella overextends her small-town hospitality to two drifters, Freeda Malone and her younger sister, Winnalee. The unusual behavior of the two strangers don't seem to bother Aunt Verdella – oddities such as Freeda's strong sense of independence and sexual promiscuity, and young Winnalee's attachment to an urn filled with the ashes of her recently passed mother.
As the Malones and the Peters' families share a country road, Button and Winnalee become best friends and spend the summer making potholders, plotting to find the fairies that Winnalee swears do exist but only if you know where to look and writing down life's lessons in Winnalee's Book of Bright Ideas. The lazy days of summer pass and the families – from two different walks of life – come to have an enormous impact on each other.
Ultimately, hard exteriors and self-imposed walls come crashing down to expose raw self-doubt, shame of past deeds, lies and a horrible crime swept under the rug so long ago. And just as the healing begins, Freeda makes an impulsive decision and the Peters family, especially Button, is left stunned, sad and asking why.
The author's underlying theme in this charming story is that no matter how perfect or admirable someone my seem, inside there is a pain, an emptiness, an anger, a fear or a feeling of inferiority lurking – covertly shaping who we are – all of us.
I expected a lot of Sandra after falling in love with the characters from her debut novel, CARRY ME HOME. I'm thrilled to say, she exceeded my expectations and has created another classic piece. I came to care deeply about her complex and layered characters and could not put the book down until I had read it all. It is a stunning follow-up novel written in Sandra's truly priceless voice. She superbly masters the point-of-view from a child and this book will make you laugh, make you cry and make you never want it to end.
Catherine Ekbert
Reviewer
Connie's Bookshelf
Just Kiss Me
Sarah Storme
Echelon Press
712 Briarwood Lane, Hurst, Texas
ISBN: 1590801741, $13.49, 242 pp.
A judge and legislator, Mr. Strickler will see that his daughters, Mae, Alberta, and Lydia; and his sons, James and Will, behave like ladies and gentlemen--or else. His children will also stay out of bars and dance halls, and obey his every command.
So as Sarah Storme's "Just Kiss Me" opens, Alberta Strickler has led a strict and sheltered life in Marshall's Bayou, Louisiana circa 1918. She doesn't care. To her, the outside world is a terrifying place, though she has attended business college with Mae. Alberta's happy to stay home and go to church, and love her mother and siblings. The thought of marriage--of having feelings for a man--frightens her more than anything else. Surely passion must be evil.
Mae has different ideas. She plans to return to Baton Rouge and find a job. She will bob her hair. Already, she smokes behind the barn, and sneaks out to drink and dance at a local hang out. Their eleven-year-old sister, Lydia, has the same wild streak, though right now, she prefers standing on the back of a galloping horse, to sneaking out past her bed time. Brother Will has married and is considered a man, free to follow his own bent. James waits his turn to strike out on his own, struggling to be patient as childhood drags to an end.
Alberta finds herself caught between all them, lying to the judge to protect Mae when she breaks his rules, helping her mother keep track of Lydia, supporting Will's young, sickly wife, and trying to keep James from going wild. She must also lend a hand to see that the family survives the worst drought in years.
Meanwhile, Marshall's Bayou is strictly segregated, as were many towns across America just after World War I. People of French Catholic extraction stay on their streets. Protestants, like the Stricklers, stay on theirs. The judge makes it clear that's the way things should be. At first, Alberta doesn't question him. Then handsome Isaac Broussard rides into town, looking for a place to raise cattle. Instantly attracted to Alberta, he decides to court her. She spurns him, but gradually, gently, he initiates interaction.
She finds out that French people are just like her. They have goals, hopes, and dreams, and plans for the future. She begins to fall in love with Isaac Broussard. Mae supports the relationship. Lydia and James keep their mouths shut. Alberta takes her first steps toward mental and physical freedom. Judge Strickler becomes furious. He tells Alberta if she leaves home with Isaac, she needn't bother to come back. Albert a doesn't know what to do. How can she leave her brothers, sisters, and mother?
Then Mae makes a decision that will change the family dynamic. Lydia gets bitten by a poisonous snake. Isaac Broussard might be able to save her life. Rain comes. What will these things mean for Alberta?
As author Storme reveals the answers, she creates a vivid picture of life in rural early 20th Century Louisiana, describing everything from daily activities, intense summer heat, a cool swim, Marshall Bayou's main street, and a gathering storm in clear, lucid language.
Every character has plenty of opportunity to face life-changing challenges. They're all three-dimensional, moving at a believable pace toward their position at the end of the book. Storme leaves some of their problems tantalizingly unresolved; some of their questions unanswered. She has planned "Just Kiss Me" to be the first in a series about Marshall's Bayou, and she's made sure that everyone will have room to keep maturing in the books ahead. "Just Kiss Me" is a fun read, with enough romance and subsistence to keep the pages turning.
The Vote
Sybin Downing
University of New Mexico Press
1601 Randolph Rd. SE Suite 200 S., Albuquerque, NM 87106
ISBN: 0826338577, $19.95, 294 pp.
'The Vote' by Sybil Downing brings to life the political process that brought Suffrage to American women in the years just after World War I. The story centers on Kate Brennen, a Denver Socialite and college graduate. On her way to catch a train home from a visit to an old roommate in Washington D. C. after graduation, Kate sees a Woman's Rights march in front of the White House. The way the police treat the demonstrators horrifies her, and she rushes out of her cab to aid the marchers.
In the ensuing battle between the Suffragettes and a jeering male crowd, Kate is arrested. The Suffragette leader, Lucy Burns, demands all the arrestees be treated as political prisoners. The judge laughs, and sends the entire bunch to the Occupation Workhouse, a hideous prison full of roaches, rats, maggoty food, and backbreaking labor. The experience galvanizes the sheltered, inexperienced Kate. She joins the National Woman's Party, and against the wishes of her parents, especially her mother, begins to work for universal suffrage.
She changes from a naive girl who believes Congress will support the Woman's Party because it is right that women be able to vote, to a "tough broad" who realizes that in the political game, rights come at a price. Sometimes this price is justified, and sometimes not. Either way, it must be paid.
As well, Kate meets a feisty Irish party worker named Mary, on the lam from an abusive boy friend. Working for the vote, and dodging him have tragic consequences for Mary. Kate also meets Charlie, a tough reporter--with a soft spot--maybe for her. Her sister, Lizzie runs away from home and insists on following Kate. Kate watches the 16-year-old become a young woman in one weekend.
All in all 'The Vote' is an interesting read. Using a mix of fictional people like Kate, and real Suffragettes such as Lucy Burns and Alice Paul, Sybil Downing follows the history of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which extended voting rights to women. The Amendment appears at the back of the book.
Ms. Downing's vivid arrest scenes, Workhouse descriptions, and moments when senators and party bosses patronize Kate and her cohorts, can make a reader furious. If the reader happens to be female, hopefully she'll stop to think about cost, in terms of life and relationships, of what Kate Brennen's generation achieved for women living today.
Unfortunately, 'The Vote' does have one drawback. Sybil Downing gets caught up in the political process of passing the Anthony Amendment to the point of sometimes forgetting character development. In spots, The Vote' feels more like a newspaper article enlivened by adding human interest, than a novel about people growing, as they out to achieve something for themselves and others.
If readers like politics, they'll adore this book. If they're looking for something more about the human character, they might find 'The Vote' lacking at times. They'll have some unanswered questions about plot and motivation. Even so, 'The Vote' is worth the read to understand exactly what the Suffragettes did. Getting the Susan B. Anthony Amendment passed was no tea party. The women who managed it had courage and strength.
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
Alexander McCall Smith
Anchor Books
ISBN: 1400095085, $9.95, 128 pp.
The unlikely adventures of Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld continue in this collection of five stories by Alexander McCall Smith. The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs finds our hero--the renowned author of that philological masterwork Portuguese Irregular Verbs--lecturing on the subject of veterinary medicine at the University of Arkansas ("The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs"), evading man-hungry widows on board a cruise ship ("The Perfect Imperfect"), and hobnobbing with Vatican bigwigs while vacationing in Italy ("The Bones of Father Christmas"). His relationship with his nemesis, Dr Detlev Amadeus Unterholzer (the author of a study on the Portuguese imperfect subjunctive, which is not, however, as fine a piece of scholarship as Igelfeld's own monograph), deepens in the course of these stories, despite Igelfeld's unwonted involvement with sausage dogs and as a direct result of the aforementioned widows.
The situations into which von Igelfeld stumbles in his life can be inherently amusing: McCall Smith's account of Igelfeld's initial encounter with the Pope in the Vatican Library and the fallout from that meeting are well worth the read. But what makes the series so successful is the character of von Igelfeld. He is both oblivious to the perceptions of those around him and imperturbably convinced of his own self worth. His ego and his personal and academic jealousies inform his actions to a great degree. But at the same time there is a redeeming decency to Igelfeld, a sentimentality, that makes him likeable despite his many character flaws.
McCall Smith's von Igelfeld series makes for a good, quietly comic read. Academics in particular will enjoy the author's wry mockery of their world--in which, as Kissinger's famous quip has it, the battles are vicious and the stakes so very small.
Playground: A Childhood Lost inside the Playboy Mansion
Jennifer Saginor
Harper
ISBN: 0060761571, $13.95, 277 pp.
The blurb on the back of the book is misleading. A Salon.com review claims that Jennifer Saginor's memoir Playground is "Bizarre...hilarious, disturbing." Bizarre and disturbing it certainly is, but there's nothing whatever hilarious here. Saginor's father, "Dr. Feel Good," was (he has since lost his license, after the events described in the book) a doctor with a thriving Beverly Hills practice, famous for dispensing pills to models and Hollywood starlets. He was also Hugh Hefner's personal physician and Hef's right-hand man for more than thirty years, a fixture at the Playboy Mansion. Saginor's parents were divorced when she and her sister Savannah, two and a half years her junior, were very young. Saginor's father had custody of the girls on Thursdays and alternate weekends: he started bringing them to the Playboy Mansion when Jennifer was six.
It is one thing to introduce one's little girls at so young an age to the Playboy brand of in-your-face hedonism: topless girls rubbing against Hef and their father, the atmosphere dripping with easy sex, ready drugs and the glorification of instant gratification. Incredibly, though, that Saginor's father regularly brought his daughters to the Mansion was the lesser of his offenses. Far more heinous was his complete abdication of all parental responsibility. He left his girls to roam the Mansion grounds alone, at the ages of six and four, while he played with Hef and the bunnies poolside. Let loose without parental guidance in the Hefner playground, the girls did and saw and ate what they pleased, room service and the occasional centerfold catering to their needs. Their father made no attempt to conceal his sexual promiscuity from the girls, and indeed engaged in his crass flirtations right in front of them.
Because their mother did not approve of the girls spending time at the Mansion, their father induced them to lie to her: this was one manner in which he attempted to poison the relationship between his daughters, Jennifer in particular, and their mother. Eventually this split the family further apart: Savannah rejected her father and his lifestyle for the most part, while Jennifer was swallowed by her devotion to him. Neglected in childhood, Jennifer wallowed in decadence during adolescence--sex, drugs, and endless clubbing. Money came easy. School was an afterthought. Homework was something you paid someone else to do for you.
Saginor became her father's accomplice in debauchery during these years, fully cognizant of his action, scoping out the girls with him. She allegedly had the following conversation with her father when she was fifteen, during one of their innumerable nights out at one of the innumerable hot spots that counted them as A-listers:
"Dad and I are then distracted by two stunning girls locked in a heated French kiss. Their boyfriends lurk beside them on standby.
'It's called intergroup dating,' I inform him.
'Friends of yours?' Dad questions.
'Interested?' I ask as Dad reviews his choices.
By now, checking out girls with my father is too familiar to seem scandalous. I wave to Hef and the circle of young beauties by his side. I nudge my dad.
'What are you waiting around for, sloppy seconds?'
'Very funny.' He grimaces, but we both know it's true."
Later Saginor's relationship with her father, always complicated, would worsen as he spiraled into drug-induced paranoia. One bright spot in her life, an affair with Hugh Hefner's current girlfriend--was doomed by their need to keep it quiet: apparently sexual license has its limits even at Hef's Mansion.
So there's nothing funny about Saginor's life story, the neglected child morphing into irresponsible adolescent; relationships destroyed, overdoses, the sheer volume of time wasted on meaningless pursuits. As for Saginor's book itself, it certainly has an interesting story to tell, but it falls short of gripping prose: the constant recitation of designer names in the author's descriptions become tiresome, as do the playmates' conversations as Saginor records them--presumably capturing their spirit if not their precise content. The repeated descriptions of further acts of decadence--more nights out, more drugs--also become monotonous after a time. But perhaps that's part of the point: the reader tires of Saginor's lifestyle even as she comes to despise it and to realize that changes are necessary. Would that she had decided as much sooner.
The Dead Beat
Marilyn Johnson
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060758759, $24.95, 244 pp.
Marilyn Johnson is a connoisseur of obituaries. At once an avid reader and occasional writer of obits--her words have ushered out such luminaries as Bob Hope and Princess Diana--Johnson has now become, with The Dead Beat, a chronicler of the history of obituaries and of the subcultures of obituarists and obituary enthusiasts. In her perfectly titled book, in perfectly readable prose, Johnson discusses a number of topics: the difference between American and British obituaries, how various newspapers memorialized the victims of 9/11, the online haunts of fanatical obituary watchers, the "revolution" in obituary writing that took place in the mid-1980's, when obituarists--in particular Jim Nicholson of the Philadelphia Daily News--began to write up the lives of the ordinary departed. Johnson profiles a number of obituarists in her book--I found them hard to distinguish from one another after a time--but her portrait of Nicholson, now retired and caring for his ailing wife, is particularly affecting.
The obit lovers about whom Johnson writes presumably already understood this, but what I came away from her book with was an appreciation of the obituary, at its best, as an art form and as history. As Johnson explains, obituaries preserve information--personal anecdotes and gossip and small moments in a life--that you won't find elsewhere in a newspaper. Of the obituary of a Russian emigre that mentioned the deceased's escape from the Bolsheviks as a child, for example, she writes:
"Where else would a story like this surface in our world? It wouldn't be on the local news because there's no video footage. It happened long ago, to someone who died, so we won't be reading it on the front page, or the editorial page, or in the lifestyles pages, where cookie recipes meet movie reviews. Only the obituaries keep such personal history alive." An obituarist writing up the life of the owner of a wine store cum diner in Atlanta dug up another historical gem that might otherwise have gone unpreserved:
"One day, Marvin Griffin, the former segregationist governor of Georgia, Ralph McGill, the liberal editor of the old Atlanta Constitution, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., found themselves shopping in the store at the same time, and ended up in the back room together. A few bottles of Mr. Jim Sanders's wine smoothed the meal in this tantalizing footnote in the history of the South. The three men, all great storytellers, stood outside the wine store after it closed, laughing and swapping tales. King was killed soon after."
Johnson ends this anecdote with a line that elegantly sums ups the historical function of the obituary: "The vast waterfall of history pours down, and a few obituarists fill teacups with the stories." Good writing--as that sentence demonstrates--and a great subject make this one worth the read, whether you're an obituary follower already or not.
The Vanishing Point
Mary Sharratt
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0618462333, $12.95, 369 pp.
May and Hannah Powers are both unusual for their sex. May, twenty-two when the story begins in 1689, is willful and bold, apt to give away her favors to the nearest boy with a flashing smile and brawny chest. Hannah, seven years her sister's junior, is an innocent, but her Oxford-educated father, lacking sons to whom to bequeath his skills, has taught her as much as he knows of medicine. When age made her father's hands too unsteady to operate, it was Hannah who, unbeknownst to their patients, wielded her father's scalpel.
Because she longs for adventure, and because her wantonness has ruined her chances of contracting a decent marriage in her small town, May acquiesces when her father's cousin, Nathan Washbrook, writes to propose that May marry his s
