Letters To Ted
Daniel Weissbort
Anvil Press
6 West 17th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada, BC V5T 1Z4
ISBN: 085646348, 8.95 Brit. pounds (paperback), 109 pages, www.anvilpresspoetry.com
ISBN: 0856463418, $12.95 (paperback), 112 pages, www.amaonz.com
Ann Skea, Reviewer
http://ann.skea.com
I do not know Daniel Weissbort but I did know Ted Hughes. So, my reaction to these poems is
not impartial and what I like about them is the way in which they prompt my memory and evoke
the man. Anyone who knew Ted Hughes will recognize him here: his height, his physical
presence, his concentration on the task in hand, and his generosity and concern for others: "You
inserted yourself into this life or that", Weissbort writes in 'Silence, Worse', "with care, paying
attention to the surroundings / trying not to disturb them...". And that was how Ted was.
As a reviewer, however, I had to ask myself how those who did not know Ted Hughes, or any of
the circumstances behind Weissbort's poems, would react to them. So, I took Letters To Ted to
my poetry group - a bunch of ordinary Australian women and men who write good, bad and/or
indifferent poetry themselves, who know little about Hughes apart from what I have shared with
them, but all of whom love poetry in all its forms and love to read and talk about it.
I explained, as Weissbort does in his Introduction, that he and Hughes met at Cambridge in the
early 50s and that their friendship lasted until Ted's death in 1989. We read, too, about the
beginnings of the magazine, Poetry in Translation, which Hughes suggested to Weissbort on New
Year's Eve 1963/4, which they co-edited for a few issues, and which Weissbort still edits. Then
we read some of the Letters to Ted, each person making their own choice of poems. Reactions
(predictably) were mixed but on the whole favourable.
"He's very brave", one poet said, "to write in a style that's so similar to Birthday Letters". And
yes, the style is simple, spare, and moving, and the address is direct, just as it is in the poems
Hughes addressed to Sylvia Plath. "Perhaps", I thought, "the first poem 'Getting There' deals with
just that sort of courage": Weissbort writes of his and Ted's shared dilemma of "wanting to please
whoever had a claim" and of the need, sometimes, to ignore that and "not to be afraid to
disappoint". That, certainly, is a brave choice to make, and at the end of the poem Weissbort sees
Ted "nodding, wordlessly, / or just waiting for me to continue". So he does. And these letters, as
Weissbort explains, are "a sort of continuation" of the correspondence that he and Ted had over
the years. Clearly this correspondence involved both letters and conversations, and to continue
conversations with a dead friend or relative is quite a common way of coping with grief. In that
way, these poems were understood by everyone.
Yet, in spite of the informative notes at the end of the book, the very personal or specific
references in poems like 'Betrayal?' and 'The Cure', caused puzzlement and a feeling, in some
members of my group, that there was more behind the poem than Weissbort was willing to share.
And maybe there is some truth in that, for 'Untranslated' begins: "Do I preserve what I know by
not transcribing you?" - as if Weissbort feared that by presenting his memories of Ted too fully, he
might somehow lose them.
Transcription and translation, however, were shared interests for Weissbort and Hughes, and what
better comment on Ted's methods of translation could one get than from another poet (like
Weissbort) who is skilled in that art. 'Translation' comments on Ted's "X-ray vision" (as
Hungarian poet Janos Csokits apparently called it) and on "how clearly [he] heard / how vividly,
vigorously" he translated. The notes to this poem throw further light on Ted's methods, and
'Literalness', 'Narrative' and the note to 'A Translation' tell more. 'A Hypothesis', however,
suggests that Ted's "waxing powers" in translation were what "did [him] in" by demanding more
and more of his energy, like being embraced by a muse with "more limbs than Shiva". Ted himself
thought otherwise but would probably have responded as Weissbort remembers him responding
to the suggestion that he "invented a version of Nature" ('Was it Nature'): "Maybe!". But Ted
would have enjoyed Weissbort's final picture of the Gods, all stirred up by Ted's translations about
them, "almost believing in themselves", and Ted himself, like one of his own tramps, caught with
his "swag" of translations in his hands - in fragrante delicto.
In essence, Letters To Ted, is a very personal, loving memoir of Ted, written by one of those
"three or four" friends of whom Ted wrote in 'Visit' in Birthday Letters - "who stay unchanged /
Like a separate self". Readers looking for gossip about the relationship between Ted Hughes and
Sylvia Plath will be disappointed. Weissbort was there at the fateful St. Botolph's party. Dragged
there from his "bed-of-safety" by Ted, full of cold, he was "that red-nosed piano player" ('St
Botolph's Review'). But his memory of that night has, it seems, survived in far worse condition
than the copies of the St. Botolph's Review which he recently found.
Other poems remember Cambridge University, friends, fishing expeditions, food and laughter, But
most of all, Weissbort's poems celebrate Ted - fisherman, pedagogue, thinker, sharer, poet. For
me, the most moving poems in the book are 'Winter is Coming in' and 'Your Voice in Westminster
Abbey'. The first carries (but sadly) the song of "Dick, Jack, Dan", adapting it to an ancient tune;
the second tells simply and powerfully of the shock of that moment in the Memorial Service when
we heard and recognized Ted's voice, and recognized, too, his absence.
Chasing the Demons
Susan Shelley
The Fiction Works
ISBN: 1581247567, $TBA, 200 pages,
Published September 2002, http://www.fictionworks.com/echasingthedemons.htm
Michael LaRocca, Reviewer
http://freereads.topcities.com/
"Instead of being so amiable and demure on our first date, I should have taken a gun with me and
shot him." Now there's a hook that pulls you in. The author is writing about her future
husband.
"Susan married Frank Perez and began twenty years of chaos and uncertainty with the unstable
man. After two children, a nasty divorce and reconciliation, she agrees to move to Arizona to find
peace in desert living. She cannot begin to foresee the nightmare they will soon be living."
This is a true story from a lady who's been there. A lady with an excellent command of the
language. A lady who can write. A lady with a wonderfully understated style which leaves nothing
out but which makes you think instead of preaching to you. Every victim has his or her own story.
A story which only he or she can tell. Be grateful that Susan Shelley has shared her story with
us.
Susan and Nancy are fraternal twins who were adopted. Nancy dated Frank once and decided he
was a bit too domineering for her tastes. But Nancy thought he would be a good match for Susan.
The rest is an ugly history. Even from the first chapters, hindsight tells us that the signs were all
there. But without the benefit of hindsight, would you have known?
Susan was a good young girl, raised in a strongly Christian home, with a beautiful and naive heart.
She just didn't know what to expect of a marriage. She didn't know that such dominance is
abnormal.
Frank Joseph Perez's family is from Spain and Puerto Rico. His grandmother was born in the
Canary Islands. This does not matter to Susan's domineering mother. As far as she's concerned,
they're all Mexican trash. She has plenty of other ammunition in her arsenal besides blatant racism.
Frank smokes, and he loves guns and hunting.
Just to get out of that environment, Susan made the tragic mistake of marrying Frank. They
changed the planned June wedding to a Las Vegas elopement on New Years Day, 1968. Frank
tells of his first wife, who his father forced him to marry because he got her pregnant. They were
both teenagers, too young, and it didn't work out. But Frank blames his father for that mess.
Remember what I said about hindsight?
Part of what makes this book so special is that it's about life. It's not a simple story of a good
woman and a bad man. He, too, is a victim, and the reader feels his pain. I know this was hard for
the author to write. It is the first book in a three-part series. It works quite well as a stand-alone
novel, and it also makes me anxious to read the next book.
Don't start reading it unless you have time to finish it. Not before bed, not on the bus to work.
You won't be able to stop yourself from turning the pages.
A Pipe for February
Charles H. Red Corn
University of Oklahoma Press
4100 28th Ave NW, Norman, OK 73069
ISBN: 0806134542, $29.95 Hardcover, 1 map 269 pgs.
Meredith Campbell
Reviewer
They're out of teepees and into mansions; not riding ponies but driving Pierce Arrows. Instead of
hunting buffalo they're forced to hunt a murderer. Based on true, Oklahoma crime accounts
reported during the nineteen twenties, this story shows Osage Indians that have college
educations, travel the globe, dress in flapper fashions, and know how to wine and dine. Oklahoma
oil, found on Osage land, has made these Native Americans the first oil-rich population in the
world.
Oil wealth has also made them targets. The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
presumes the Indians are simple and unlearned; hence they need "protection" from those who
would cheat them out of their oil rights. So the local BIA Agent superintends each Indian's
request for funds from the millions stored in the tribal account. The situation practically holds
open the door and pulls corruption inside. The town teems with greedy Anglo wheeler-dealers
who want a piece of the action. To get it some are willing to commit murder.
The grim tale behind the murders unfolds through the eyes of young artist, John Grey Eagle. Two
young women, his cousins, die under mysterious circumstances. As another cousin, Molly, is
threatened and another relative courts what could be a murderous relationship, John sets out to
find the killer or killers. Red Corn takes his time developing this plot line. In prose sometimes
stiff, yet filled with descriptive beauty, Red Corn makes the reader ingest teaspoons of trivia
before the "other shoe'" drops.
As counter point, tribal elders keep alive the old customs and rituals and the young people, caught
up in the Jazz Age, are unspoiled by their wealth but still hear the tribal drums-- particularly John,
who wishes to memorize the old prayers and songs. Red Corn's best writing occurs when he
leaves the white man's world and enters the world of the Osage. The cadence of his writing
changes. Red Corn, an Osage Indian, rooted in Oklahoma, captures the true thought and speech
patterns of his people. Hence, lies the fascination and beauty of this remarkable book.
A Pipe for February is the 44th volume in the University of Oklahoma Press "American Indian
Literature and Critical Studies" series.
Tainted Legacy: Gen-X Inherits The Hangover
David Rumer
Elderberry Press
1720 Old Homestead Road, Second Floor, Oakland, OR 97462-9506
ISBN 1930859139, $29.95, 320 pp. with endnotes and index, www.lakelore.com,
1-800-431-1579.
Linda Robson
Reviewer
Tainted Legacy, a book recommended by a friend in the military, hit home in today's controversy
about teaching of history in American schools. In what amounts to an expose' of 20th Century
Americans missing the truth, while learning deconstructed history, Rumer subtly makes the case
for the "story of old dead white guys."
Recognizing that American history has a taproot in the Magna Carta, the story begins there and
quickly skips through the Reformation and birth of the political philosophy called Liberalism to
get to the revolutionary period. Pointing out the different versions of Liberalism pursued by the
French and American revolutionists, the author answers his own question: "How, after all those
years did it (the cold war) narrow to two ideological adversaries."
The well-written tale that follows covers 29th Century America from the great influx of
immigrants at the start of the century through the strange election that began the 21st Century. A
century that saw Americans, enabled by the wisdom and vision of the Founding Fathers, build the
greatest nation in the world.
At times the story reads like a novel as the author describes profound events in down to earth
terms:
"With a Boomer ascending to the presidency, the Radical Egalitarian Elite were prepared to press
their agenda to trum the evils of a Capitalist Society. Had not their grand crusades over the past
thirty years, Vietnam, Civil and Gay rights, Women's Lib, the Peace Corps, and saving the
environment, demonstrated the righteousness of their compassion?...In spite of past glory, it was
not to be. From the ignominious failure of Hillary to put the Federal Government in charge of
America's healthcare, to Bill's last stand burning the midnight oil dispensing controversial pardons,
Eglite energy was diverted from the dream."
Born in the trailing cohort of the GI generation, David Rumer draws a word picture of the legacy
bequeathed to the "X" generation by the "Boomers." A legacy tainted by a homemade secular
"religion" practiced by an Elite in America, that sees the social order infringing on their exclusive
freedoms. Rumer sees them operating from an exaggerated forum where their "politically correct"
opinions declare everything else irrelevant. Not a pessimist, the author uses the "theory of
generations" to bring a ray of hope to America's future as the "X"ers lead the "Millennials" in
overcoming mega-crisis ahead.
Tainted Legacy brings into focus the need to teach out children the history of America in a
manner that prepares them to evaluate present and future threats to the system our Founding
Fathers gave us.
The Nature of Birth Order
Denny Johnson & Edith Cuffe
Rayid Publications, Inc.
749 Riverside Avenue, Mancos, CO 81328
ISBN: 0917197054, Soft cover, 182 pgs., List Price: $29.95, http://www.rayid.com,
1-800-743-0179
Anyone who is enchanted, or even mildly intrigued by, astrology, is sure to completely enjoy this
book. An instant hit from the moment it arrived, we ended up having something of a "birth order
party" in which everyone sat around trying to figure out how accurately the book described them
or their children.
The Nature of Birth Order teaches you about the Rayid Birth Order Model. This is a system
which explains much about a person simply according to where in the family line they were born.
Now it gets complicated as you dig in, and there are a couple of details that can be slightly
confusing. Birth order, for instance, is always based on the father. So, if a man has three children
in one marriage, and then goes on to have two others in a second marriage, the two from the
second marriage are considered to be 4th and 5th place birth order.
To further complicate things, if a child is carried in the womb for 16 weeks, but is then miscarried
or aborted, that unborn child is counted in the birth order. And according to the book, Gender is
not necessarily what you think it is. If a man's first-born child is a male for instance, then each
subsequent child fits into the "boy" positions. So, if the second child is a girl, according to the
Rayid Birth Order Model, her personality will be described in the Number Two Boy position.
The immediate impulse when picking up this book is to jump right to Section 1 or 2 -- Six
Brothers and Six Sisters. By doing this however, you'll find that you quickly become confused by
the previously mentioned intricacies. Reading the introduction first gives you a helpful overview,
but reading Section III -- Family Influences -- really brings it all together.
In Sections I and II, the birth order descriptions are written very well. In addition to the general
description, each birth order listing includes a quick list of common characteristics, nature
symbols, gift ideas to help the child grow, and likely careers they'll have as adults. There are also
quick reference charts at the end of each section.
The entire book is filled with useful, thought provoking information. It delves into family
influences, social influences, how grandparents and even nature all play their part in a child's
personality. I was personally amazed by how accurate the birth order descriptions were --
especially once I understood some of the more detailed factors.
This book is also beautifully put together. Every single page is made of high-gloss paper, and
there are wonderful photographs peppered throughout. It is well written and packed full of useful
information that any parent would dearly love to have. In short, this book is a wonderful piece of
work in all respects.
The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life
Noah Lukeman
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10010
ISBN: 0312284675; HB, 1st edition (Jun 2002) $13.97, (220 p)
Fax: 212-674-6132, http://www.lukeman.com/theplotthickens/
Over the past five years, in his capacity as a New York-based Literary Agent, Noah Lukeman
read over 50,000 manuscripts. It stands to reason that not all 50,000 made the cut and went on to
publication. What does an agent or publisher look for when evaluating a manuscript? What is that
special something that makes a publisher choose one story over another? Clearly, Lukeman's
experience as a reader, agent and successful author himself, places him in a unique position to
provide answers to those questions. He does this, and more, in The Plot Thickens. This is not just
a reference book, it is a hands-on workshop in character and story development.
In his introduction, the author explains that the book will cover the principles of story:
characterization, suspense and conflict. "These principles have sustained works for thousands of
years and can be found at the core of all great writing." He goes on to say: "This book differs in
that it attempts to cover new ground within these topics, to offer examples you will not have seen,
and to offer exercises you will not have previously considered." (p. xvi)
Having read many books on plot and character development, I can say Mr. Lukeman succeeded in
his attempt to provide his readers with creative new ideas within this framework. The exercises
are very thought-provoking and will certainly enhance any writers creativity.
The first 80 pages consist of a comprehensive character development tutorial, complete with
practical, imaginative exercises. Most writers have seen character charts and templates, Lukeman
takes us beyond those and asks questions about every aspect of character. By having the writer
interview the character from the point of view of the police, banker, doctor, matchmaker and real
estate agent, Lukeman shows us how to create characters that are multifaceted and real. The
many faceted questions can help authors to envision character driven story development and
although the focus in this section is on developing character, the reader can't help but see how
answers to the questions can flesh out a skimpy story idea.
The last part of this section covers character action, reaction, and interaction with other
characters. It concludes with a series of exercises that set up circumstances (author suggestions
here) for the character to act upon. Again, it is easy to see how, by doing the exercises, more
story ideas will be generated and action and scene development should flow right along. By the
end of this section, you will have created a scene list and should have a start on an outline of your
story.
Conflict - the most difficult concept for new writers to understand. Lukeman does a masterful job
of explaining this important aspect of plot development. He describes thirteen basic forms of
conflict. Again, just reading the examples will give you clear ideas on what the term 'conflict'
means in relation to your own story. You'll generate ideas for various types of conflict to get your
character acting and reacting and driving the story forward. You'll also get practical experience
and introduce your characters to various conflict situations when you do the exercises at the end
of this section.
It's plain to see: the author has insight into the modern writer as he recognizes that movies and
TV shows can provide relevant examples of the concepts under discussion. He refers frequently to
books, movies and TV shows to demonstrate the various techniques he explains.
Written with clarity, Lukeman never talks down to his reader. His personable writing style
elevates The Plot Thickens from a text on writing to a written version of the mentor you always
wished you could have. By doing the exercises and applying the concepts discussed in The Plot
Thickens, writers new or experienced will be better able to write stories that sell.
Justice Denied: Politics, Perjury And Prejudice In The Lottery
Tina Lewis
Elderberry Press
1393 Old Homestead Road, Oakland, Oregon 97462
ISBN: 1-930859-12-0 $29.95, Copyright 2001, 179 pages
Stuart L. Crossman
Reviewer
J. Blaine Lewis had been head of the Connecticut State Lottery from 1980 to 1989 when he was
fired for refusing to obey an order to lie. This is the story of his ten-year legal battle against the
State in which we gain an insight into the politics of lottery management, the courage and
integrity of a man in a David and Goliath scenario, and the failure of the legal system to provide
justice. Justice Denied: Politics, Perjury And Prejudice In The Lottery is well documented with
quotes from the legal briefs and appeals, court decisions, testimony at trial and an appendix of
important memos and documents. It is also a touching love story of a devoted wife, who in
memoriam, is driven to vindicate her husband. The message conveyed deserves national
recognition.
Flesh Craves - The Vanfell Legacy
Brian T. Seifrit
Publish America
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
ISBN: 1-59129-894-6 $16.95, Paper Back, Pages: 151, www.publishamerica.com
Michael Bogert
Reviewer
Flesh Craves, The Vanfell Legacy tells the tale of a family travelling west in the 1820's to seek an
inheritance left to them. During the course of their long journey, all but a few fall victim to the
elements and attacks. Two adults, Des and Shileen, seek to rescue Honey and Sinclair (Shileen's
children) from an evil Indian tribe. The plot expands as they befriend an indian who introduces
them to his tribe, the Watcheeny.
In reading Flesh Craves, I found several themes that were woven together to bring out the
underlying point of the story. Although the book centers around a curse that gives man and beast
cravings for blood and flesh, (hence the name) the true hub of the story is the indominable spirit of
man. Through all the tragedies and losses they endured, both white man and indian work together
to survive in an untamed and harsh world. I found myself immersed with the descriptions of the
wild, and how life must have been for those who lived in it.
I was pleased with the way Brian interwoved the supernatural into the story. It didn't overpower
the flow of events, as many books do. Although vitally important to the book, it kept a back seat
most of the time (though you could feel it's presence,especially toward the end.)
Some parts of the book are quite graphic, but never get out of hand. Though I must say again that
the story takes place in the wilds of the west, and life was certainly a challenge for those who
braved it. I also liked how the indians were portrayed, instead of the stereo-type descriptions of
butchers and heartless warriors given today.
If I had to label this book, it would certainly not be under horror, but there is an amount of
suspense in it that eats at you until you reach the end. With suprises and twists throughout, I
would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a story they can really get into, but be
prepared for the unexpected!
In conclusion, I enjoyed reading Flesh Craves, and hope that Brian will continue his style of
writing in future books.
How To Start and Run a Small book Publishing Company
Peter I. Hupalo
HCM Publishing
P O Box 18093, West St. Paul, MN 55118
ISBN 0967162432, $18.95, 160 pp., www.hcmpublishing.com
Patricia J. Bell
Reviewer
Prospective publishers have a goodly number of books for learning about how to publish (most
notably Dan Poynters The Self-Publishing Manual and Marilyn Ross The Complete Guide to
Self-Publishing). Whats missing in the how-to literature is attention to the entrepreneurial aspects
of publishing ones book. That lack has been admirably filled by a new book by Peter Hupalo
(HCM Publishing). His new book, How To Start And Run A Small Book Publishing Company: A
Small Business Guide To Self-Publishing And Independent Publishing, fulfills the promise of its
subtitle.
All too often, beginning publishers are more interested in getting their books into print and avoid
thinking about practical matters like inventory management, fulfillment arrangements, pricing their
book, the tax issues (whats deductible? whats cost of goods? why am I thinking about this). Yet
these less palatable topics are served up in discussions that are clear, palatable, easily understood,
and succinct. This book helps the writer-cum-publisher make the transition to
writer-cum-entrepreneur and guides toward a more successful operation. His chapter, Book
Pricing And Book Industry Terms How Not To Lose Your Shirt alone is worth the price of the
book. He begins the chapter by comparing the production costs of a book by an online publishing
company and by a starting publisher. From there he goes on to discuss pricing, the grim facts of
returns, cash flow problems, inventory management and the danger of too much success.
Hupalo very practically leaves many of the details (production, marketing, etc.,) to the established
experts in the field, but with this book, he earns his place among the Must have books of a new
publishers bookshelf.
Hupalo has written earlier on entrepreneurship in his book, Thinking Like an Entrepreneur: How
to Make Intelligent Business Decisions That Will Lead To Success In Building And Growing
Your Own Company, and Becoming An Investor: Building Wealth By Investing In Stocks,
Bonds, And Mutual Funds. Check on it at www.hcmpublishing.com.
Odyssey to Opportunity
Roger R. Fernandez
Elderberry Press
1393 Old Homestead Road, Oakland, Oregon 97462-9506
1930859198 $19.95 elderberrypress.com
Dr. Alfonso Morales, Reviewer
Professor of Spanish language and literature
Written in the third person, Odyssey to Opportunity is an autobiographical story of a boy from a
mountain village in northwestern Spain who becomes an educator in the United States of
America. It recounts a rather unusual but wondrous odyssey sparked by a strong will to achieve
and molded by the tragedies of history. The charming simplicity of its sincere and motivating tale
makes of this book a second opportunity, so that the reader may assume life is beautiful.
Born on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Dr. Roger R. Fernandez saw his country
engulfed into flames. Daring the new winds of change that were swiftly crossing the Spanish
space in the early 1940's, he lived his life with memory and with hope. When his family had to
move to another village, opportunity and luck knocked at his door. He saw education as "an
excellent opportunity to become someone... a way to happiness and bliss." Thus, he started a
journey that radiates with the aura of a fast moving novel. In reality, though, it portrays the
concrete world of ardent desires, dreams and aspirations in a real human being.
In engaging, candid, understated and, at times, lyrical style and prose, the author strings together
forceful and stimulating memories of his episodic, adventurous and picaresque life. His anecdotal
and pleasant narrative lays out observations and reminiscences that entertain and creates an
atmosphere of global cultural learning. Thus, he offers the reader special insight into the various
cultures with which he comes into contact in his travels throughout Europe, Africa and the
Americas.
Educated in Spain, Italy and the United States by the Marist Brothers religious order, Roger
becomes himself a professed Marist Brother and assumes a new name: Brother Benito Marcelino.
His teaching assignments in Marist schools bring him back to Turin, Italy, after obtaining his BA
degree from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York. A new mission takes him to teach in
Durban, South Africa.
As he prepares to make his perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, he leaves the
Marists to return to secular life. He goes to Cuba where he works, alongside Gabriel Garcia
Marquez, as a translator for Prensa Latina, Fidel Castro's news agency. He leaves Cuba
heart-broken, worried and insecure, but overcomes legal hurdles to work in New York and
marries a daughter of a prominent political figure who was later elected Vice President of the
Dominican Republic. Roger pursues his higher education and obtains a PHD in philosophy and
letters. Subsequently, he is burdened with overwhelming hardships resulting from his wife's
life-style change, after the birth of seven children in their twenty-year union.
Through it all, the author depicts with delight the charms of ordinary life, draws a vivid picture of
his community involvement as he energizes into action his apostolic zeal and sense of duty in an
effort to return to his God what He had so generously given him. His career shows boldness in
candor and dissent. Some of his confessions may lay bare certain norms and links between
political, religious and cultural tendencies which, if stripped of such frankness and spirit of
independence, could appear absurd or unreal.
His yearning for freedom and trust in God is most dramatically shown walking along the shore in
Key West, Florida, while waiting for his flight to New York after he left Cuba. "...He looked
towards Cuba and saw suffering and doom. He looked towards the United States and he
envisioned hope, peace, opportunity... He was happy and yelled out his happiness for everyone to
hear. He was alone, but free. He was poor, but he could think for himself and use his mind to find
opportunity and create... Roger felt so good along that shore that the true reality that was
awaiting him never crossed his mind, so powerful was the sense of freedom he felt... He was
starting a new life, once again, but now he was in the land of liberty and opportunity. That, and
the help of God, was all he needed and hoped for."
Ultimately, this book exemplifies the human capacity to maintain faith, self-reliance and
determination under relentless obstacles. Throughout Roger's entire existence, his native soil has
become the very rich and extraordinary burrow from where have sprung like a torrent those
religious and human forces that have helped him to prevail over the great difficulties and injustices
along the twisted highways which at times he had to travel. His many painful experiences might
have flattened a man with less forbearance, but like a Phoenix he has been reborn out of each trial
always bolstered by his faith.
Odyssey to Opportunity can appeal to readers of all walks of life and every age, particularly
young readers struggling in their own lives. They may find in these pages the recipe to attain high
cultural ideals, reach laudable goals and achieve a modicum of success rather than succumb to
degradation trying to solve pressing problems. What is indeed evident is that the author tries to
show equilibrium and clarity as a professor who teaches openness and aspires to provoke
willingness to seize a lesson from life.
Sullivan's Bookshelf
Snobbery: The American Version
Joseph Epstein
Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
0395944171 $25.00 1-800-225-3362
Epstein, former editor of "The American Scholar," has written an entire book on snobbery. And
it's beautifully, in fact sweetly, written. One wouldn't think the subject of snobbery could hold
one's attention for hundreds of pages, but this book does. In fact, it's downright interesting,
informative, and witty.
In such chapters, as "It Takes One to Know One," to "O WASP, Where Is They Sting-a-Ling" to
"Setting the Snob's Table," the author's punctures those full-of-airs-types, like the descendants of
those who came over on the Mayflower, to those who absolutely must send their children to Ivy
League colleges, even though they may provide little or no better an education than one could get
at a local junior college.
Those people who like to drop names of the famous, those who like to wear the latest fashion,
those who follow the current educational trends, and those who say pasta now when in the past
they said spaghetti are all held up for lacing. Epstein doesn't spare himself a deflating, either. His
tales of a perfectly stylish Burberry raincoat and of his expensive cigarette lighter are most
enjoyable as true self-deprecating humor.
"Snobbery," the author writes in the Preface, "also seems to have existed, in however attenuated a
form, from the Tuesday of the week following that in which God created the universe. A brief
illustration will reinforce my point. For more than a century after the Emperor Constantine moved
the seat of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople, some people would say, with pride
but more with snobbery, that their family had 'come over with Constantine.' Sound familiar?"
The author teaches English and writing at Northwestern University. He's written many other
volumes and regularly contributes articles to The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's
Magazine, and Commentary.
Recommended!
Letters to a Young Lawyer
Alan Dershowitz
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
0465016316 $22.00 1-800-242-7737
Though he aims his advice at new lawyers primarily, Dershowitz also gives laymen and women a
thorough explanation of why attorneys, particularly those doing criminal defense work, do what
they do. How it's done is explained, too.
Some of the chapter headings are enticing: "Don't Limit Your Options by Making a Lot of
Money," "Should Good Lawyers Defend Bad People?" and "Your Client is Not Your Friend."
Dershowitz writes like he talks with a lot of interesting facts, anecdotes, and in-your-face lessons
on the law.
The author writes, "Giving advice is among the most hazardous of undertakings. I know because I
have received much bad advice and because I have almost certainly given some. During the
thirty-seven years I have been teaching law at Harvard, I have probably been asked for advice
thousands of times."
Average men and women often see lawyers as disreputable, especially those who take up the
defense of criminals or sleazy clients. The author goes a long way, however, toward defining why
this occurs and how. Under the U.S. constitution and various state laws, having the right to such
a defense is an integral part of America's freedoms.
"Chutzpah," "Reversal of Fortune," and "Reasonable Doubts" are just some of the books
Dershowitz has written.
Recommended.
James C. Sullivan
Reviewer
Harold's Bookshelf
Business: The Ultimate Resource
Daniel Goleman
Perseus Publishing Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
ISBN: 0738202428, $59.95, Pages: 2208
"Business: The Ultimate Resource" takes the reader through a very thorough exposition of
business in all of its forms. Although it is a huge book with a table of contents larger than many
business book indexes, it is well organized and easy to use. The primary divisions of the book
include sections on Best Practice (various essays from business leaders), Management and Action
Checklists (detailed lists of each step to implement or calculate various items), Management
Library (summaries of the most influential business books), Business Thinkers and Management
Giants (profiles of business leaders), Business Dictionary, World Business Almanac, and Business
Information Sources (including addresses, phone numbers, web sites, etc. for additional help
and/or information).
Some of the articles that are on the cutting edge of current business thought include Managing
21st Century Financials, Integrating Real and Virtual Strategies, Making B2B Your New
Operational Standard, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership, and Managing Dynamic
Change.
Checklists include lists in various categories including People Management, Personal
Effectiveness (including excellent checklists on effective communication), HR/Training,
Marketing, Operations, Small Business, Business Planning, E-Commerce, Personal Development,
Accounting and Finance (includes how to calculate just about any accounting ratio or value that
you would need).
The Management Library book summaries are well done in a format that gives the background on
the book along with the key points made in the book. It includes such business classics as Sun
Tzu's "The Art of War" and Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" to more current thought such
as "Blur" by Stan Davis and Christopher Meyer. Although this is a book published in 2002, the
most recent summary is on a book published in 1998. So it does not contain summaries of the
more recent books, but the summaries of books prior to 1999 are excellent.
In short, instead of providing information on a limited aspect of business (such as management or
accounting or personnel) it provides a comprehensive understanding of business as a whole. An
excellent reference for any business professional, the price makes it a steal and a recommended
buy.
The Christmas Star
Catherine Lanigan
Banbury Publishing, Inc.
36148 North Banbury Court, Gurnee, Il 60031
ISBN: 0970600720, $16.95, Pages: 327
"The Christmas Star" is a warm, romantic tale of faith, love and perseverance. Tommy Magli and
Susie Howard fall in love and under a special heavenly phenomenon known as the Christmas Star
they pledge their undying love to each other. Set in 1965, the story line travels through their life
and experiences including total parental rejection as well as total parental acceptance, the Vietnam
war, betrayal of trust, greed, social acceptance and numerous other trials in their lives.
Written by best-selling author Catherine Lanigan (Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile) the
story line moves along well while holding your interest to the very end. No real surprises, no
strange plot twists, just good old-fashioned reading where the reader is drawn into the daily lives
of the characters.
The only annoyance that I found in the text was at the very last page of the book. After
masterfully building a wonderful scene of reunion with strong emotional appeal, Lanigan brings
the reader's attention to the cold-hearted Mrs. Howard and states, "That night, her heart grew to a
proportion she'd thought only angels could have." In an anti-climatic twist the whole mood was
lost as my vision was suddenly transported to the Grinch in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".
Suddenly other parallels stole into the scene including Tommy Magli's grandchild paralleling
Cindy Lou Who and Susie being the always faithful dog, etc. It totally lost the effect that she had
spent so much time building up to. Wondering if it was just me, I let three other people borrow
the book and asked them what happened when they read that passage. They all indicated that it
had the same effect on them before I even mentioned the effect it had on me. A writer of
Catherine Lanigan's experience should be more sensitive to such a potential reaction.
Still, all in all, it is delightful reading for romantics or anyone else wanting a heart warming read
full of faith and unyielding love. A recommended read.
It's Not How Smart You Are, It's How You Are Smart
Jeanne Anne Craig, PhD
Craine Press
218 Main Street, PMB #339B, Kirkland, WA 98033
ISBN: 0971072418, $14.95, Pages: 189 plus index
One of the most controversial areas of intelligence theory these days is emotional intelligence.
People with a high IQ based on standard IQ tests may or may not do well in life. That has made
theorists wonder if there is another way to measure intelligence. The result is EQ or emotional
intelligence. Highly successful people have a higher EQ. The good news is that anyone's EQ can
be improved. In "It's Not How Smart You Are It's How You Are Smart" the author takes you
through detailed descriptions of how to raise your EQ.
Life can be demanding, learning how to raise your EQ and thereby better manage your emotions,
improve your energy levels, direct your energies in positive and fulfilling directions, as well as
improve your life on many other levels can make life much more fun and less stressful.
The book is divided into two parts with the first part an excellent description of EQ, what it is and
what it is not, and the second part the heuristics of how to improve your EQ. Each chapter in the
second part stands on its own so they can be read straight through or you can read them in
whatever order you would like. One of the easier to read books on the subject of EQ it is easy to
understand and apply. A recommended read for anyone seeking to improve their life.
The Alarm Clock of Your Life is Ringing: Time to Wake up to Happiness and Enlightenment
(2nd Edition)
Lisa Miller
Lady Bug Publishing
PO Box 3778, Scottsdale, AZ 85271
ISBN: 0970609213, $12.95, Pages: 128, www.ladybugcorp.com
"The Alarm Clock of Your Life is Ringing: Time to Wake up to Happiness and Enlightenment" is
a book about achieving happiness by reconnecting to parts of your self that have been lost
emotionally and/or spiritually. One of the basic premises of the book is that emotions come and go
and when they rise up they are meant to flow through your body and out. However, that is not the
case for most of us. For whatever reasons many emotions become stuck in us instead of flowing
through. When this is the case, "It is not possible to go back and change what happened. We can
only change the way we feel about it." That is where this book becomes a helpful guide to
releasing those long forgotten emotions that cripple us in daily life and cause us to do things that
are not in our best interest or just plain keep us from being happy.
Through a simple process the author leads the reader a specific technique of recognizing those
feelings, honoring them, and then using sound as a mechanism to release those unhealthy
feelings.
As a result you feel free of these constraints to your happiness, more free and spontaneous and
are able to lead a more fulfilling and happy life. What's that you say? Using sound, or
vocalizations to release stress, emotional stresses and the like sounds a bit strange? To many
people it does sound strange, but it is well documented that music can make a tremendous
difference in our attitudes towards life, stress levels, feelings of contentment, etc. So many older
cultures have used vocalizations to reach places of contentment and peace whether it be the "Om"
of eastern religious mediations, or the chants of Native Americans to achieve altered states. If
vocalization and sound can be used successfully to achieve such altered states then it is reasonable
to believe that, if used correctly, it can be used to release emotional baggage from our past
allowing then to then flow freely out of our bodies so that we are free of them.
Although this is a small book it is still wonderful reading and many will find it very useful to help
move them toward a happier life. So, now the alarm clock is ringing. The question is whether you
hit the snooze button and continue your life as it is currently or wake up and take action to change
how you perceive past harms so that you can go forward in peace. An inspirational book that just
about everyone will find of some value.
The Gorilla and the Fairy
Carol Young
Hara Publishing Group
PO Box 19732, Seattle, WA 98109
ISBN: 1883697530, $14.95, Pages: 19
"The Gorilla and the Fairy" is a beautifully illustrated book with an allegorical story about
domestic violence. For those who are in a domestic violence situation this is probably a very good
book. It details the most common techniques that an abuser uses to separate the victim from their
support system and the common fears and thoughts of the victim. With a positive ending it is an
encouraging book for those in that situation that shows them that they are not the only ones in
that position and there is a choice. It may not be easy, but it is there.
The other group that would probably benefit from this book would be those that have recently
come out of a domestic violence situation and are still in the healing process. Healing can take a
long time and the book provides encouragement to help them heal.
This is a great book to use as a starting place for a serious discussion of domestic violence with
children, teenagers just starting to experiment with relationships and those who are in, just out of,
or know someone in an abusive relationship.
I did find something disturbing about the book but had a really hard time putting my finger on
what it was. So, I asked a couple of people that had been in those situations to read it and give me
their thoughts. I also asked a couple that had been in such a situation and now were happily
married. The ones that were out of such a relationship but now happily married also found
something disturbing about the book but could not figure out what it was. Finally we sat down
and figured out what bothered us about the book. There is absolutely no positive male image in
the book at any point. The picture of the rescuing angels are all female, no indication of a male
fairy also out in the light and helpful and supportive. I can accept that people in that situation may
have lost their faith in members of the opposite sex and need to trust only people of the same sex
while they heal. That makes this book an excellent read for them. However, for those that have
not been in those situations or have come out and are now healed it is more of a good jumping off
point for a serious and animated discussion of the problem.
A very small book that takes a maximum of 30 minutes to read, for those that are in a violence
situation and starting to wonder about the relationship, it could be a wonderful read and is highly
encouraged. For anyone else, it is better as a discussion starting point.
The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice
Kay Lindahl, Amy Schnapper (Illustrator)
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farm Offices, Rt 4, PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
ISBN: 1893361446, $16.95, Pages: 140
Don't you just hate it when you are discussing something important and you can see that the
person you are talking to is planning their response instead of listening to what you are saying?
What about when you do the same thing? We all have a tendency to do this. Or what about when
that small inner voice tells you that you should or should not be doing something? Do you listen?
For a deeper more meaningful relationship both with others and with yourself you need to be able
to listen and listen well. Listening is not the same as hearing. Sometimes I hear crickets at night,
but I am so used to it that I have to actually stop and listen to really hear them and enjoy it.
Listening then is one of the key factors to positive, healthy relationships with others, yourself,
your God, nature or whatever you want to have a relationship with. True listening requires
practice. It requires slowing down and not responding immediately to a question but stopping to
listen to how you really feel about the question. It requires a recognition that silence is just as
important a part of a conversation as is speaking.
"The Sacred Art of Listening" contains forty meditative reflections about listening. For those who
meditate deeper or better with an anchor on which to focus, each reflection has a mandala
illustration on which to focus.
The author states that there are basically three qualities of deep listening. First is the recognition
that silence is important. You can't listen if you are talking, even if you are talking inside your
own head and planning what you will do later that day. The second quality is reflection. To listen
well you have to reflect on what was said and what it means. What are the nuances of what was
said? Was what was said the same as what was meant? The third quality is presence. You cannot
listen well if you are not there. If your mind is somewhere else you are not present and therefore
are not listening well.
Listening needs to be a part of a person's life if they are to have deep, meaningful relationships.
The book is an easy read with well thought out reflections that are concise (two pages each) and
yet insightful. A recommended read.
Where's Daddy?
K. C. Wilson
Harbinger Press
2711 Buford Road. #383, Richmond, VA 23235
ISBN: 0967473659, $26.50, Pages: 184 plus appendices
"Where's Daddy" looks at the current situation in child custody, access, and support. An extensive
exposition, it examines the historical factors that brought us to where we are now as well as the
myths and assumptions that are part of that history. The author also examines current research in
the area and how that information points to both the fallacy of many of our assumptions as well as
a direction to a more positive approach for the child(ren).
The book is written in an easy to read style and the arguments are presented well. With such a
complex subject and so much evidence to present, if the author had included it all in the text it
would have rendered it a burdensome book to read. To overcome this the book is heavily
referenced and annotated at the bottom of the pages with some pages having more area denoted
to annotation than to the actual text itself. In addtion, there are several appendices in the back
with verious reports and studies.
This is a book that should be read by all of those involved in the family practice area of law -
judges, lawyers, psychologists, social workers. If you are really concerned about the children of a
broken marriage and not driven by vendictiveness then this book deserves a solid read.
The Great Courses: The High Middle Ages
Professor Philip Daileader
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
PC869, $49.95, Format: Audio Lecture, Number of Lectures: 24,
http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp
Another winner from The Teaching Company. Through a series of 24 well crafted lectures Philip
Daileader, a professor at the College of William & Mary, leads the listener on a fascinating trip
through the facts and fables of the history of the High Middle Ages. The time from 1000AD to
about 1300AD is often referred to by historians as the High Middle Ages. Professor Daileader
skillfully covers the background demographics, climatic conditions and technology that allowed
Europe to change from a series of backwater, agrarian communities to powerful nations.
Every aspect of the High Middle Ages of Europe is covered from feudalism to artisan guilds, from
the Crusades to the Magna Carta, from William to Conqueror to Thomas Aquinas and just about
any other major person, event, or practice of the time period you can imagine. An excellent
lecturer whose knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject shows through at all times it was a
pleasure to listen to the lectures. By the end of the series you will have an understanding not only
of the history of the time period but how various people, events and practices came about and the
effect they had on that era as well as how they affect us today.
The Great Courses: Great Writers: Their Lives and Their Works
Professor John B. Fisher
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
PA209, $39.95, Format: Audio Lecture, Number of Lectures: 12,
http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp
Professor John B. Fisher of Rollins College has put together an excellent series of lectures on
Great Writers. These are not a critique of specific pieces that the writer produced but background
information on the writers that helps the reader to understand them. Many of our favorite writers
have a fascinating history. Among the most interesting were Beatrix Potter, Oscar Wilde, and
Emily Dickenson.
Each lecture details the author's childhood, education, problems that they overcame to publish
their works, and other details that help the reader understand the author. The most well known as
well as some of the lesser known works of the author are discussed, not from a critical view, but
from the point of view of how the author's background affected each work.
Other authors covered in the lectures include H. L. Mencken, Robert Burns, Maurice
Maeterlinck, Victor Hugo, St. Augustine, Ulysses S. Grant, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Plutarch, and
Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
After hearing these lectures you will not be able to view your favorite authors in the same light as
before. You will read them with a greater depth of understanding and appreciation for their work
than ever before. A must have for serious readers of any of these authors.
The Soul of the Child: Nurturing the Divine Identity of Our Children
Michael Gurian
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0743417046, $25.00, Pages: 202 plus notes and index
"The Soul of the Child: Nurturing the Divine Identity of Our Children" provides a new way of
thinking of our children and how to help them grow. Over the years science has provided more
information about how the body functions on a physical as well as emotional level. The end result
has been that science has continued to confirm many of the precepts of even the earliest religious
thought about the soul. Almost all religions refer to the soul, God, and truth as "the light".
Perhaps this is more than just a metaphor. Michael Gurian leads the reader through a convincing
presentation of evidence that our souls and God are indeed light. In fact, the soul and the body are
one where the soul can exist without the body but not vice versa.
In our children we see the light of God but we often tend to darken this light. The basis of the
book is how to nurture this divine light within ourselves and our children. A road map for how to
nurture the divine spirit of a child this is possibly the best single book on raising children from the
perspective of parenting as a divine calling. Sure to change the way that you view children of all
ages it is a wonderful and highly recommended read.
First French Kiss
Adam Bagdasarian
Farrar Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0374323380 $16.00, Pages: 144
Adam Bagdasarian offers up several short, wonderful tales of the trails, indecision, fears and
strange motivations that make being a teenager such a strange and magical time in anyone's life.
Whether you are a teenager going through those times or an adult who can now look back at
them in humor, "First French Kiss" is a delightful read. With stories depicting such common
problems as social acceptance, camping, and an overactive imagination, the memories just come
flooding back. Every reader will find at least one of the short vignettes that will speak directly to
them. For me it was the experience of Little League, Going Steady, and, of course, that First
French Kiss. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip back to my teenage years and the traumatic (but now
humorous) times. A fun read for teenagers and adults.
What would Joey Do?
Jack Gantos
Farrar Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0374399867 $16.00, Pages: 240, Ages 10 and up
"What Would Joey Do?" is part of the continuing saga of Joey Pigza, a young boy with ADHD.
In this book he is ready to try being "Mr. Helpful" and focus his energy is positive manners. The
problem is figuring out how he can help everyone while still moving forward with his life. His
parents fight regularly and engage in dysfunctional actions, his homeschool partner is a blind girl
who is full of mischief, and her fundamentalist mother has a total inability to deal with reality as
every contact is focused on "What Would Jesus Do". His Grandma wants him to have a good
friend other than his dog and seems to be the only one really concerned about the Joey within.
However, she is dying and won't be there for him very long.
A real survivor, Joey's story is one of struggling and perseverance that pays off in the end. A story
with several twists and turns it can be humorous reading. The greatest value of this book would
be for parents to read the book and use it as a springboard for discussion of kids with ADHD. It
teaches some things about children with ADHD as well as some aspects of how to deal with them.
However, the book should be used as a catalyst for family discussion to prevent misconceptions.
Before writing this review I let two fourth and fifth graders read the book to see what they
thought of it. I found that they were getting some wrong impression from the book. It seemed
that they thought that Joey's antics were in large part due to his family problems and that kids
with ADHD all had dysfunctional families. Joey is a kid who tries as best he can to do the right
thing and struggles through his problems to rise above them and that is a good story, just be
careful of inappropriate inferences that children can make. It is a great platform for opening up a
discussion about children with ADHD.
It's Our World Too!: Stories of Young People Who Are Making a Difference
Phillip Hoose
Sunburst/Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0374336229 $13.00, Pages: 176
"It's Our World Too!" takes its title from an incident where a child was told that they could not
sign a petition against the spread of nuclear weapons because he was too young. So he started his
own petition for children because it is their world too. This book contains the inspiring and
motivating true stories of children who are making a difference in their neighborhoods and the
world. Each story is well told with pictures of the young people involved. The stories are
organized into sections on Taking a Stand, Reaching Out to Others, Healing the Earth, and
Creating a Safer Future. In a society where only the bad young people make the news, it is
refreshing to have a book that shows there are those that are making a positive difference.
The second portion of the book is an instructional guide and handbook for anyone who wants to
follow the path of the young people in the book. It is full of detailed suggestions on how to
organize, plan, and carry out programs for social change.
A must read book for teenagers and adults these people and those like them are our hope for a
bright future.
Power Reading
Rick Ostrov
The Education Press
PO Box 195, North San Juan, CA 95960
ISBN: 0960170618 $14.95, Pages: 203 plus bibliography and index
To put it bluntly, "Power Reading : The Best, Fastest, Easiest, Most Effective Course on
Speedreading and Comprehension Ever Developed!" is one of the best courses on speed reading
and comprehension available. I can't say that I doubled my speed or anything like that but then
again I was considered a fast reader before reading the book and doing the excercises. Still I
moved from 450 words per minute to just over 650. The information is up to date and if you
follow the instructions exactly then you can achieve a gain in speed and comprehension whether
you are a slow reader or already a fast reader. It was fast, easy and effective, what more could
you want from a course such as this? It takes thirty days to complete if you follow the book
exactly. Whether you read for business, school, or pleasure, the book is highly recommended for
anyone wanting to increase their speed and/or comprehension.
Present Moment Awareness
Shannon Duncan
Present Moment Incorporated
1010 University Avenue, #576, San Diego, CA 92103
ISBN: 0971414904 $19.95, Pages: 116
"Present Moment Awareness" defines the philosophy of not allowing the past nor the future affect
your enjoyment of life today. Not only does the author present the tenets of "Present Moment
Awareness" but also walks the reader through a series of exercises and techniques designed to
help you achieve that state. The bottom line of living in the present moment means that emotional
baggage from your past and/or concerns about the future are not allowed to destroy your bliss of
the present. If you want to achieve peace and bliss in your life "Present Moment Awareness" is
one of the best ways. Too much time is spent thinking about things that occurred in our past or
worrying about what might happen in the future. In concentrating on our past or future we lose
the time that is passing by right now. Once the present is gone it is the past. The only time we
really have to choose how we will live is the present. The past is gone, the future not here yet, so
live in the present, which is the only place you ever really live.
A great book to help anyone learn to accept life and live for today, it is a highly recommended
read.
Veils of Separation
Rabia Erduman
Rabia Erduman
19393 Stinson Road, Middletown, CA 95461
ISBN: 0970526091 $18.00, Pages: 241
Rabia Erduman calls "Veils of Separation" a fairy tale journey. It is the story of Babla and her
experiences as she meets outer and inner guides and works her way through the problems of her
past. In actuality it reminds me less of a fairy tale and more of the powerful, life changing
metaphors that Milton Erickson used to create to help others heal themselves and work through
problems. It is no surprise then to find that Rabia Erduman is not only experienced in psychology
but also hypnotherapy.
While the author states that Babla's tale is the story of her journey to self-discovery and growth,
the path is a familiar one that will provide insight and assistance for many people. One of the
reasons that people are often haunted by the past and cannot seem to escape is because the
subconscious understands things only in the form of symbols. By embedding the symbols into a
fairy tale the end product is a story where the very act of reading it and mentally going along on
the journey affects the inner self of the reader. By the end of the book she fully integrates the best
portions of all that she has learned and can now live a full and happy life, unaffected by the chains
of the past.
Definitely a new age book, with tantric principles, inner guides, outer guides, healing circles and
similar items built into the story, readers from the highly conservative religious left will have
difficulty with the book. For anyone else it is a wonderful and insightful read.
The Voice of the Soul: A Journey into Wisdom and the Physics of God
Judith Pennington
1stBooks Library
2595 West Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404-2782
ISBN: 0759605432 $18.67, Pages: 259, www.1stbooks.com
"The Voice of the Soul" is an autobiographical account of the journey of the author, Judith
Pennington, from a hostile attitude toward religion to one of acceptance and belief in God. The
first part of the book goes through her history and how she developed such an antagonistic
attitude toward church and religion. The rest of the book allows the reader to follow her through
her growth process. Most of her growth process seems to be based on "writings" where she sits
down and just starts to write things that come from deep down in her soul where one's higher self
resides.
She stresses that this was her path that she took and that it may be very different for others as we
all have our own path to follow. The final portion of the book is a collection of her "writings"
organized in the natural order of the growth experience, from "The Call", to "The Path", to
"Self-Knowledge", to "The Struggle", to "The Soul's Mountaintop".
Strongly New Age in format, many traditional Christians and other fundamentalists will have a lot
of problems with many of the concepts in the book. Others that embrace the possibilities of New
Age thought will find it a delightful and inspiring book.
The Voice of the Soul: A Journey into Wisdom and the Physics of God
Judith Pennington
1stBooks Library
2595 West Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404-2782
ISBN: 0759605432 $18.67, Pages: 259, www.1stbooks.com
"The Voice of the Soul" is an autobiographical account of the journey of the author, Judith
Pennington, from a hostile attitude toward religion to one of acceptance and belief in God. The
first part of the book goes through her history and how she developed such an antagonistic
attitude toward church and religion. The rest of the book allows the reader to follow her through
her growth process. Most of her growth process seems to be based on "writings" where she sits
down and just starts to write things that come from deep down in her soul where one's higher self
resides.
She stresses that this was her path that she took and that it may be very different for others as we
all have our own path to follow. The final portion of the book is a collection of her "writings"
organized in the natural order of the growth experience, from "The Call", to "The Path", to
"Self-Knowledge", to "The Struggle", to "The Soul's Mountaintop".
Strongly New Age in format, many traditional Christians and other fundamentalists will have a lot
of problems with many of the concepts in the book. Others that embrace the possibilities of New
Age thought will find it a delightful and inspiring book.
Windows XP Power Tools
Jim Boyce
Sybex
1151 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA 94501
ISBN: 078214067X $44.99, Pages: 848, 1-800-227-2346
"Windows XP Power Tools" is a fantastic collection of tips and tricks for really using Windows
XP to it's fullest potential. Each of the advanced techniques is fully explained in a way that you
can feel comfortable implementing it without concern that you will be breaking something else.
Topic coverage is extensive and includes advanced setup information such as startup and
shutdown control, networking, OS components, FTP hosting, hardware, remote access and VPN
connections as well as maintenance information on items such as the registry, security, automated
tasks, the command console, policies, and recovering from disasters.
If that weren't enough reason to purchase the book (which, believe me, it is), it also has a CD with
many useful utilities. If you want a book that is well written and comprehensive with detailed
instructions to make you a real power user and troubleshooter then this is an excellent choice - A
highly recommended book.
Mastering Windows XP Professional
Mark Minasi
Sybex
1151 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA 94501
ISBN: 0782129811 $39.99, Pages: 1200, , 1-800-227-2346
Mark Minasi is considered by many (including myself) to be the preeminent authority on the
Microsoft Windows operating system. In "Mastering Windows XP Professional" he takes on the
monumental task of documenting Windows XP Professional for the new and experienced
Windows user. Because it focuses on both experienced and new users, the first section has
detailed instructions for such mundane tasks as starting Windows XP, opening programs,
minimizing and closing screen windows, etc. From there it moves to more and more advanced
topics as he teaches you the details of the system from beginning to end.
One of the problems with a book of this size and ambition is determining the goal of the author
and from there determine if the book meets that goal. To this extent, the title "Mastering
Windows XP Professional" should cover the details of the operating system. In this text Mark
Minasi at times gives too much detail on items that are, and should be, covered well in other
books (for example, HTML programming) and at other times properly keeps the coverage at an
overview level because there are exhaustive texts available (for example, Windows Scripting Host
or configuring IIS).
The book does what it promises in allowing a new or experienced user to master Windows XP
Professional without trying to make them an IT, Networking, or Integration professional by
covering many topics outside the realm of the basic XP operating system. Also, as is common
with Minasi's books, this is not designed to be a study guide for certification but a reference for
real-life users to deal with and resolve real-life problems.
Does this mean that this is the definitive text on Windows XP Professional? No. While it is an
excellent text, it does not rise up to the level of Mark's other books. There seems to be a pattern
developing in his works. For example, "Mastering Windows 2000 Professional" was somewhat
disappointing, but the second edition became the definitive text. He is obviously listening to what
people say about the books and incorporating their comments into the second and successive
versions.
All-in-all it is well worth the money and a great reference book. It is well organized and covers
several areas that are skipped over or minimally covered in other books. For example, Internet
Connection Sharing is better documented here than in any other text I have seen to date. A
recommended buy, but expect the second edition to become the definitive text on the subject
when it comes out (as they always do).
Miss Bumples moves to Bumpleville
Jennifer E. Sheehan
Bumples
37 Naromake Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
ISBN: 0970095201 $15.95, Pages: 48, www.amazon.com
"Miss Bumples moves to Bumpleville" is a delightful children's book (ages 4 to8). With well
defined animals that exhibit traits children can relate to, the characters work together to overcome
all obstacles as they try to solve a mystery of a problem in their forest, try to stop the problem and
then try to find an alternative place to live.
The story points out that different animals (or people) have different abilities but by working
together they can achieve their goals. The illustrations are very simplistic in nature but that seems
to be one of the things that young children like, the illustrations look to be drawn by a young child
like them.
A delightful book with good positive values, it touches on a wide variety of subjects that parents
may want to discuss with their children. A recommended book.
First Aid to Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Michael G. Rayel, MD
Soar Dime Limited
PO Box 1834, Clarenville, NF Canada A0E1J0
ISBN: 0968781659 $19.95, Pages: 166 plus appendices, www.amazon.com
To those experiencing minor problems or who have to deal with someone with a mental illness,
"First Aid to Mental Illness" can be a Godsend. The whole concept of first aid for the mentally ill
seems to have eluded the medical establishment until now. Written for the lay person to help them
understand the signs, symptoms and early intervention techniques, it is an invaluable
resource.
Initially the book covers three basic frameworks within which first aid is possible. These
frameworks are represented by the acronyms CARE, HELP and HEAL. CARE is the initial
response and stands for Checking for the presence of the mental illness, Anticipating possible
complications, Remedy with early intervention, and Educating yourself about the illness. EAL
framework depending on whether you are the caregiver or the patient. The HELP paradigm is for
caregivers. It stands for Help patients through the basics of first aid, Empathize generously, Listen
actively and Prevent yourself from getting sick. HEAL provides the framework for a patient. It
stands for Help youself through the basics of first aid, Encourage yourself, Address the issues and
Learn to cope.
After discussing these basic frameworks the book goes into the basics of mental first aid followed
with developing coping skills to deal with the illness. Then the rest of the book deals with
applying the techniques to specific conditions including depression, mood swings, panick attacks,
phobias, obsessive and compulsive problems, trauma, anxiety, psychosis, dementia and
others.
Filled with various scenarios to help you learn how to recognize and deal with the ilnesses and
concluding with an extensive section on Resources and References it is a valuable guide for
everyone.
High Doses of Wisdom, Low Doses of Advice
Marian, Ph.D. Chiesa
Independent Psychology Press
PO Box 12, Stockton, NJ 08559
ISBN: 0966914643 $12.95, Pages: 165
In "High Doses of Wisdom, Low Doses of Advice" Dr. Chiesa provides a concise series of essays
on living an ethical life as well as dealing with some of life's problems in a mature, ethical and
positive way. For example, she has an excellent essay on dealing with the death of a child. How
would you feel? How can you be truly helpful and understanding if it happens to a friend. Digging
deep into the reality of the situation, she offers positive, effective wisdom. How long should it
take for the person to recover and get back to a normal life? There are no rules, some may not
take but a few months, others may not recover for years, some may not recover at all. The chapter
defines how to be a real friend.
Other essay subjects include solitude, friendship, listening, generosity, alcohol, betrayal,
psychologists and other mental health providers, etc. Throughout the text her values come shining
through - commitment to family and friends as well as responsibility for your behavior.
Strong, effective and yet sensitive reading, it is highly recommended to anyone interested in
improving themselves or their relationships with friends and family.
Juggle: The Passing Zone Method
Owen Morse, Jon Wee
Pangaeus Companies
PO Box 670127, Dallas, TX 75367
ISBN: 096536609X $19.95, Format: VHS, http://www.pangaeus.com/
If you ever wanted to learn how to juggle this tape will show you how. In "Juggle: The Passing
Zone Method", award-winning jugglers Owen Morse and Jon Wee treat the viewer to the basics
of
The Passing Zone technique of juggling. From simple single ball juggling to learn ball control to
two, three or more balls, from one club to multiple clubs, the tape covers it all..... how to juggle
just about anything. With some practice (and many tips on how not to get discouraged when
practicing) it is not difficult to learn how to juggle and have a lot of fun in the process. Full of
humor as well as instruction, it is a great way to get introduced to the art of juggling. Pick up the
tape, have some fun, learn a new skill.
Defying the Odds: Sharing the Lessons I Learned As a Pioneer Entrepreneur
Marcia Israel-Curley
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
ISBN: 1585673072 $24.95, Pages: 262
"Defying the Odds" is an autobiographical account of Marcia Israel-Curley's trials and triumphs as
she founded and grew the "Judy's" line of specialty clothing stores. A highly successful chain that
was founded in late 1940's, it set several precedents that are still followed today by most specialty
chains.
But this was a time when a woman working outside the home was not totally accepted, a woman
at the head of a successful corporation was pretty much unheard of, and the average retail store
lasted only three years.
The author starts with some background on her family and her childhood. She follows that with
how and why she started the clothing chain and then delves immediately into the ups and downs
of the business. From the first small store that was so small it would only allow one customer in it
at a time while others waited outside, to 104 stores, it is the story of strength, perseverance, and
common sense. An encouraging read for anyone in business for themselves or thinking about it, it
is a recommended read.
Semi-Homemade Cooking: Quick Marvelous Meals and Nothing is Made from Scratch
Sandra Lee
Hyperion
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
ISBN: 140135923X $19.95, Pages: 203
Delightful, delectable, quick meals that taste like they were made from scratch. Most, if not all, of
these meals can be made in thirty minutes or less and nobody will know that you didn't spend
hours in the kitchen. The recipes are clearly explained and easy to follow so that anyone can be a
success in the kitchen.
Divisions include breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, cocktails, soup, salads, snacks, gravies and
sauces, and even a short section on pet foods. Try the biscuits and gravy for breakfast
(preparation time of about 15 minutes) or the Dijon Chicken and Mushrooms for dinner
(preparation time of about 30 minutes) or perhaps the Cheddar Potato Soup (preparation time of
about 15 minutes).
If you find yourself often in a hurry and trying to put together a delicious meal in a short time then
you will not be disappointed in this book. Granted it takes a lot of short cuts to get you to the end
result with a minimum of effort, but it does not sacrifice taste to do so. The only thing that I did
not like about the book was that it was not spiral or comb bound. So, it was hard to keep it lying
flat so you can actually read it. Still it fills such a unique niche that it is a recommended read.
The Art of War: In Sun Tzu's Own Words
Sun Tzu, Gary Gagliardi (Translator)
Clearbridge Publishing
PO Box 33772, Shoreline, WA 98133
ISBN: 1929194005 $9.95, Pages: 141
Gary Gagliardi is considered by many to be a leading expert in understanding and using the
competitive methods embodied in Sun Tzu's treatise on the Art of War. A short visit to the
Clearbridge web site is all it takes to understand why. Still, I wonder what I might be missing in
the translation of the book. In this particular book (the author has written several based on Sun
Tzu's work), the left hand pages have each Chinese character with the translated word next to it
so that you have a word for word translation. The right hand pages contain a translation of the
words into everyday English.
The problem with a translation of this style is one that has plagued translators for centuries and is
the reason why there are so many slightly differing translations of Sun Tzu's work. If the author
sees one Chinese character and wants to indicate the English word that this character translates to
then what word does he pick? After all we have a Thesaurus because there are often many words
that mean the same thing or almost the same thing such that choosing one over the other
automatically colors the translation. What if there is no exact word in the English language? Well,
you have to choose the closest one and that affects the translation. Sometimes words, even if
translated exactly, do not give the whole essence of the concept in the original language due to
cultural or other differences. Translators can't even seem to agree on something as simple as Sun
Tzu's name! Is it Sun Tzu or Sun Tsu? You will find it transliterated both ways. With this in mind
I was glad to see that the purchase of the book gets the reader access to the Clearbridge web site
where they can see much more exhaustive analysis on the treatise.
Sun Tzu's treatise on The Art of War is really a treatise on competitive advantage that applies not
only to actual war but such things as getting a job, marketing, and any other competitive situation
that you might come across. A deep understanding of competitive advantage, it is still the
definitive text for understanding the concepts of how to come out on top in such situations. An
easy book to read and understand on a basic level, it can take a lifetime to truly appreciate in on
all levels and apply it to the various areas of your life. This translation still seems to be one of the
best that I have seen. It is internally consistent between the translated concepts and so shows a
level of knowledge and detail that is not present in some other translations. As a translator the
author obviously sees the big picture.
The Amazing Secrets of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"
Sun Tzu and Gary Gagliardi
Clearbridge Publishing
PO Box 33772, Shoreline, WA 98133
ISBN: 1929194072 $14.95, Pages: 141
In "The Amazing Secrets of Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War'" Gary Gagliardi provides a highly
interpretive analysis of Sun Tzu's masterpiece. The text contains Gary Gagliardi's translation of
"The Art of War" on the left side of each page and his interpretation of that translation on the
right side.
I don't know that I would consider any of the information "amazing secrets" but the principles are
strong and sound. Basically Gary Gagliardi has taken the competitive philosophies embodied in
"The Art of War" and placed them into a visual diagram. This diagram is then used to explain
many of the more subtle aspects of Sun Tzu's work.
If a picture is worth a thousand words then the use of the diagrams to explain many of the subtle
aspects of "The Art of War" makes this a very useful book for most people seeking to understand
and apply Sun Tzu's work.
Give to Your Heart's Content: Without Giving Yourself Away
Linda R. Harper, Phd, Paul Keenan
Innisfree Press, Inc.
136 Roumfort Road, Philadelphia, PA 19119
ISBN: 1880913526 $14.95, Pages: 153
"Give to Your Heart's Content: Without Giving Yourself Away" is one of the best books available
on the subject of giving. Continuous giving without taking time for yourself leads to exhaustion,
frustration, and burnout. The book has some self-assessment exercises that can be used to help
determine the type of giver you are. Do you give expecting something in return or do you give
without expecting reciprocation? Do you take on more than you can do because you find it
difficult to say "no"? Do you give so that you will be recognized for your giving or do you give
silently without requiring recognition for your gift?
Once you know the type of giver you are the authors lead through several ways to change your
giving patterns to ones that are more holistic in nature. Give authentically, give from the heart,
give wholly, but learn where you have to draw the line so that you can continue to give in the
future. In a society where we are taught that to give to yourself is selfish many people find it hard
to take care of their own spiritual and emotional needs, but if we don't then our value to others is
decreased. It is only by taking care of ourselves that we are able to truly help others. This is the
basic message of "Give to Your Heart's Content" and it couldn't be more true. Highly
recommended reading.
Eating Well Through Cancer
Holly Clegg, Gerald Miletello, MD
Holly Clegg
13431 Woodmont Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
ISBN: 0961088877 $19.95, Pages: 254
A durable hardcover book with spiral binding completely inside so there is no problem with food
getting inside the spirals or the book not lying flat, "Eating Well Through Cancer" is a top level
cookbook. When someone goes through chemotherapy many changes take place within their
body. For many they become nauseous after treatment, experience lowered white blood cell
counts, diarrhea, constipation or other side effects. The recipes in this book are specifically
designed to help with these and other problems.
Recipes are organized by symptom (diarrhea, sore mouth, etc.) and by treatment stage (day of
treatment, post treatment). Each one that I tried was easy to prepare and absolutely delicious.
There is definitely no sacrifice of taste for the sake of nutrition in these recipes.
The author answers questions such as "What should I eat prior to treatment?", or "Is there a
certain time of day that is better for eating?" and similar concerns of the cancer patient. The final
chapters include changing eating habits to a healthier style post treatment or prior to having
problems.
Whether you are undergoing treatment or just want to eat healthier as a preventative measure, this
book has it all. With cancer being as prevalent as it is today, even if you don't know someone with
cancer sooner or later you will. When they return home after a treatment and you want to help by
taking something over for dinner you will be glad you have this book. It belongs on the bookshelf
of everyone who loves to cook for others.
Meals on the Move: Rush Hour Recipes (Trim & Terrific Series)
Holly Clegg
Holly B. Clegg
13431 Woodmont Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
ISBN: 0961088869 $19.95, Pages: 254
"Meals on the Move: Rush Hour Recipes" is sure to delight the tastebuds of anyone who tries the
recipes. And the best part is that they are not only delicious but can be created in thirty minutes or
less. The American Institute for Cancer Research was consulted on the preparation of the meals
and many of the recipes designed to include extra fruits and vegetables. Quick, nutritious, healthy,
tasty; what more could you ask for from a recipe book?
The front of the book has "Mix and Match Menus". For several given categories of menu types
(Italian, Casual, Greek, Mexican, etc.) there are suggested Starters, Main Dishes, Sides, Salads &
Breads, and Desserts so it is easy to plan a complete meal of complementary dishes easily.
Extras include a comb style binding so the book will lie flat when used, notation for several
recipes on how to alter the recipe to make it even more healthy, nutritional facts, and Tips and
Tricks.
Some absolutely fantastic choices include Spinach and Tomato Crustless Quiche, Mushroom
Barley soup, and Potato Pizza (an excellent heat and eat breakfast too if any is left over).
A fantastic recipe book that should be in everyone's kitchen in today's hectic world. A highly
recommended buy.
The Torah Lifestyle: Finding Meaning and Purpose in a World Transformed
Rabbi Barry Shafier
Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc.
2131 Hollywood Blvd, Ste. 305, Hollywood, FL 33020
ISBN: 0883910446 $16.00, Pages: 224
In "The Torah Lifestyle" the author chooses the format of a Jewish man seeking answers as he
considers marriage in order to walk the reader through understanding the traditional Jewish
lifestyle. Rabbi Shafier successfully uses simple reasoning and insightful comments to help the
reader understand such difficult topics as personal happiness, who you are as an individual,
thinking patterns and how they affect our view of life as well as a myriad of others. The most
impressive thing about the book is the simple, insightful and at times beautiful ways in which he
explains basic Jewish thought. A highly recommended read for anyone seeking answers about
Jewish thought and the meaning of life from a traditional Jewish perspective.
Harold McFarland
Reviewer
Shelley's Bookshelf
Tahoe Ice Grave
Todd Borg
Thriller Press
PO Box 612711, South Lake, Tahoe, CA 96152
ISBN: 1931296138, $16.95 (US)/$22.95 (CAN), www.thrillerpress.com
Todd Borg is a Tahoe resident and small businessman. He also teaches part time at Lake Tahoe
Community College. TAHOE ICE GRAVE is his third Owen McKenna and Spot mystery. Mr.
Borg's first two novels in the series, TAHOE DEATHFALL and TAHOE BLOWUP, won several
awards, including "Top 5 winner of Bay Area Independent Publishers Association" and
"Librarian's Choice, Best Fiction 2001" by the Cincinnati Public Library.
Thos Kahale's body is found naked near Rubicon Point in Lake Tahoe, his clothes neatly folded
onshore and a bullet through his head. Thos's mother, Janeen Kahale hires Owen McKenna to
look into the death. Thos was an upstanding young man with a successful business and a discreet
nature, and there is no apparent reason for his death. Owen has to dig deep to find the reasons,
and in the meantime the Kahale family seems to be dying at an alarming rate. All Owen has to go
on is a suicide note left by Thos and his family history:
"'Janeen, Thos's note says he was responsible for the deaths of three people. Jasper's father and
brother have died in the last few weeks. Could they be two of he people Thos referred to?' 'Of
course not. Jasper's father died of lung cancer. His brother in a car accident. Obviously, Thos
could not have had anything to do with either death.'"
One of the real strengths of the Owen McKenna series is the characterization. Mr. Borg has a
knack for telling a "tall tale" with larger-than-life characters. Owen himself is 6'6", and his dog
spot is a Great Dane who is perfectly tuned to Owen's commands. McKenna's girlfriend Street
completes the triad; an entomologist (science of insects) who deals with the grisly forensic side of
murder. Together the threesome make for a winning combination of grit, intelligence, strength,
and tenderness that is captivating to the reader. But Mr. Borg's plots are also super-twisters that
take the reader back and forth, into and out of the mountain scenery at a dizzying rate. TAHOE
ICE GRAVE is as compelling as any of Todd Borg's tales to date. With each book his writing
advances to a new level, much to the delight of his growing audience. A big thumbs up.
Parental Source - The C.C.D. Series
Chris Freeburn
Quiet Storm Publishing, 8202-B Corpus Christi, TX 78412
ISBN: 0971429618, $24.95, 1-361-992-5587, GOTOBUTTON BM_1_
marketing@quietstormbooks.com
Chris Freeburn launches her CCD Series with Parental Source - The C.C.D. Series. Chris
Freeburn is a graduate of the Prince William County Police Department's Citizen Police Academy.
Chris also has experience as a legal assistant in the JAG section of the US Army. The CCD Series
is a strict interpretation of police procedural.
Rayven Forrester has been hand-picked by the Governor of Virginia to lead the newly created
Child Crimes Division of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Her brother, Quinton acts as lead
counsel, and their childhood friend Detective Preston Richards has been assigned to work in their
division. The newly created bureau is controversial at best, and when a child is found brutally
murdered, the apparent incompetence and lack of cooperation begin immediately:
"'Some books that belong to the dead girl are in that truck. I saw some books that looked like
they had dried blood on them, so I smashed the window to check and see if there was a name in
them. It's there all right, on the inside front cover of every book.' 'You smashed the window!' The
shouted sentence reverberated from Preston's
throat to the officers. The sergeant winced. Montgomery squeezed his eyes shut and planted his
feet on the ground."
Ms. Freeburn makes it clear from the beginning that she has a dual purpose in the writing of this
series...that of entertaining and fighting child abuse. She infuses her characters and plot with a
sense of urgency that we all should have...of wanting to save the children. She injects realistic
police procedural based on personal experience, and justly is proud of her experience and
expertise. She has much to teach mystery writers about what actually happens during a day in the
life of a police officer, and the correctness of the police experience shines through.
Parental Source is a quick and suspenseful murder mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of
their seat. Ms. Freeburn offers up a brother-sister-childhood friend combination that is as deadly
as they are talented. Her series could easily become a classic.
Uncle Henry's Ghost
Ben Wofford
Parkway Publishers, Inc., Boone
PO Box 3678, Boone, NC 28607
1887905588 $14.95 1-800-821-9155
A World War II veteran, Ben Wofford grew up during the Great Depression. He served in the
Navy and was able to earn his way through Medical School. He practiced medicine for forty years
as a family practitioner. His avocations include farming, flying, and sailing. He sounds like my
dad.
Set in 1933 in the rural outreaches of Catawba County, North Carolina, Wofford's Uncle Henry's
Ghost is a whimsical narrative of country life through the eyes of a boy growing up on a farm.
There's been a murder, or what looks like a murder. A school house has been burned down. Close
by is an old roadhouse called "The Moon Palace," and some say it is haunted. Certainly there are
stories about a cache of money being hidden in the old place:
"It was commonly believed that Sheriff Canter . That was his name, Canter. It was commonly
believed that Sheriff Canter was getting rich off the Moon Palace, paid by the owners to look the
other way. That may or may not have been so, but when it came time to read his will, there wasn't
much left for his widow and she had to take in boarders to make ends meet. Some people
maintain that he got rich all right, but lost it all in the Stock Market."
Uncle Henry's Ghost is a tale that makes the reader feel like they are sitting on their grandfather's
knee. Wofford's background as a general practitioner gives him a special compassion for what
medicine represented back in the first half of the Nineteenth Century...when there was a standard
system of ethics in all things. Growing up during those times meant that one understood what the
rules were...and how everyone helped out their neighbor without the necessity of a lot of money
changing hands. For us as readers it represents a simpler time...a time of family, church, and
working hard.
Wofford spins a fairly lively yard, even as he shows us what life was like before the advent of
computers, video games, and plastic food. We need more of these types of tales to show us the
way during the present state of confusion in our world. Wofford gives us a nice, safe place to
hide...a place where a boy can still take his dog out for a swim and stick frogs in his teacher's
desk. An excellent tale from a man who was probably one heck of a doctor. Thanks.
Blackflies Are Murder
Lou Allin
Napoleon Publishing/RendezVous Press
1005-3266 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, CAN M4N 3P6
ISBN: 0-929141-93-8 $12.95 CAN/$10.95 U.S.
Lou Allin originally hails from Toronto; but grew up in Ohio and earned a Ph.D. in English
Renaissance Literature before moving back to Sudbury, Ontario to teach at Cambrian College.
Blackflies are Murder is her second Belle Palmer mystery
Belle Palmer is a real estate agent living in the north, where it is easy to trip over bears; bait;
hunters; and unmerciful Ontario winters. Belle's primary occupations besides her business is
looking after her aging father and taking long walks to commune with nature. Belle's love of
nature is shared by her friend Anni, a reclusive retiree who suddenly turns up dead in her home.
Newcomer Charles Sullivan, buys a property close to Belle's and who turns out to be delightful
company and a good neighbor. But things are not what they seem on the surface, and Belle finds
herself the disconcerted discoverer of dead bodies, including Charles. Is it murder, or is there
another explanation? When Belle is almost run off the road and her new neighbor is almost
poisoned, she is convinced that these events are not just accidents:
"Sorry, Charles. No time for niceties. Your line was busy. You haven't tasted that gift yet, have
you? He pointed to the sizzling pan, the air rich with butter. 'Why? What's wrong? I was calling
the weather line, or as they call it, da wedderline. That dialect tickles my ear.' She flopped into a
chair, her breathing returning to normal, noting the chopped mushrooms still on the counter. 'Oh,
nothing. Just gastric upset possible leading to convulsions. Probably survivable, health man like
you. Jack O'Lanterns aren't as deadly as the infamous amanitas or the corts."
Lou Allin raises the bar on mystery writing. Her almost contemplative style is heavy on character
development and local color. Her style is almost scholarly, so that the reader has to pause to fully
appreciate the flavor of her metaphors. But it fits with the Canadian "slow down and take a look
at what's around you" attitude. No rushing around in screeching cop cars for Ms. Allin, but she
gets the point across just the same. Blackflies are Murder is a book to be savored, rather than
rushed through. Ms. Allin is a nature connoisseur, with much to teach us.
Guide to Writing with Depth
Joyce Armstrong Carroll
Absey & Co.
23011 Northcrest Drive, Spring, TX 77389
ISBN: 1888842385, $23.95
Joyce Armstrong Carroll is the CoDirector of the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas. She has
written several books on writing, mostly aimed at the K-12 population. Her writing is full of
humor and is aimed at improving the quality of writing.
Dr. JAC's Guide to Writing with Depth is meant to take up where other writing books leave off.
Most people have learned the mechanics of writing, but few have an idea of what writing in depth
is all about. Dr. JAC makes it easier...writing is never easy. She takes on what others fear to talk
about, or just don't want to talk about. After all, these are the tricks that make for the best sellers!
She tackles such subjects as humor; dialogue; setting; showing versus telling; repetition; and many
other subjects that writers struggle to comprehend:
"No one really wants to experience drowning, but if the writer crafts the experience by showing
not telling then we experience the virtual reality of drowning. It works this way because of the
sensory signals the words conjure, the brain makes a connection and consequently makes
meaning. Since our senses are the primary information gatherers, constantly sending signals to the
brain, Hobbs invites you to stimulate all five senses through the power of words. That way, after
the brain has reconstructed and synthesized the signals, it identifies and we understand. Helping
that connection equates good writing."
Ms. Carroll strives to make writing fun. Her book is entertaining and accessible. Most
importantly, she encourages us as writers to find our own style, or voice. This is a very powerful
message in the midst of so many writing books that demand narrowly crafted rules, producing
many books that are simply replicas of one another.
Ms. Armstrong Carroll performs an invaluable service in the crafting of this highly useful writing,
that of good, sound advice that most writers can understand and identify with. This reviewer
means to keep this book within handy reach when writing. Ms. Carroll deserves a note of thanks
for writing an honest "how to write" bible for those of us who are ready for the next level of
writing expertise.
Blood and Bone
Austin S. Camacho
Infinity Publishing.com
519 W. Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041-1413
ISBN: 0741401444, $13.95
Austin S. Camacho works for the Department of Defense as a public affairs specialist. He is a
New York native, but grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY. He attended Union College in
Schenectady, NY. He has had training in psychology; as a broadcast journalist; and as a soldier
(where he was on assignment for a few weeks in Desert Storm). He currently writes military news
for the Defense Department (as a civilian), and has added mystery writing to his impressive list of
accomplishments.
Hannibal Jones takes care of people's problems. His uniform is a suit and a pair of sunglasses. His
girlfriend is high-powered lawyer Cindy Santiago, and her mentor is Gabe Niesewand, whose wife
Abby has a shadowy past. Niesewand's client is Harlan Mortimer. His son, Kyle Mortimer, is
dying of leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant in a hurry. Niesewand and the family
doctor, Lawrence Lippincott, explain Kyle's predicament and ask Hannibal to find Kyle's long-lost
father, Jacob; Kyle's only possible hope for a match and survival. Hannibal can see that the case
will be one of his worst, but can't turn his back on Kyle:
"'Fake an investigation?' Hannibal asked, slowly rising to his feet. Lippincott nodded. Hannibal
stepped close to the doctor and slid his dark glasses away from his face. His eye flared deep green
and he pressed one fingertip deep into Lippincott's chest. 'Listen well, Doctor,' he said through
clenched teeth. 'I might not take this case. If I figure it's hopeless I'll say so. Or, I might give it a
shot, and if I do, I'll do my very best to find the boy. But understand there is no third option for
me. I work in two modes. The best I got, or not at all.'"
Blood and Bone is an action-packed, sensitively written thriller. Hannibal Jones is a hero whom
anyone would want on their side. He and his girlfriend Cindy make one heck of an investigative
team. Mr. Camacho creates so many twists and turns that the reader can only hang on until the
exciting crescendo. Each lead Jones turns up exposes another thread, and even the good guys and
the bad guys keep switching roles. The action spans continents; the characters are chameleons;
and the plot is a real corkscrew. A great read from a talented story craftsman!!
Shelley Glodowsky
Reviewer
Harwood's Bookshelf
How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science
Michael Shermer
W.H. Freeman and Company
41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
ISBN 071673561X, 302 pp, hc, $24.95 (paperback available for $5 from Skeptic.com while
stocks last)
Michael Shermer writes (p. x), "If, in the process of learning how to think scientifically and
critically, someone comes to the conclusion that there is no God, so be it-but it is not our goal to
convert believers into nonbelievers.... I would have thought that God's existence, from a scientific
and rational perspective, remains an open question-it cannot be "proved" one way or the
other."
Wrong! Religion does not stand or fall on the veracity of the claim that an entity exists with
sufficiently advanced understanding of the laws of nature that it would seem to us not to be bound
by those laws, a claim that indeed cannot be falsified. Religion stands or falls on the claim that a
god has revealed its existence, and that it has specific qualities such as omniscience and
omnipotence. All such claims have been traced to the same bible authors who also assured their
readers (in seven places) that the earth is flat. The unsubstantiated testimony of the
Judaeo-Christian Bible has as much credibility as the testimony of Baron Munchausen or Richard
Nixon. Believing that God, the protagonist of a work of fiction, might exist, is no different from
believing that Brobdingnagians, Lilliputians or Houyhnhnms might exist. And since omnipotence,
the ability to create a number that is more than ten but less than nine, and omniscience, knowledge
of future events that have not yet been caused and are not predestined, cannot exist, it follows
that an entity possessed of such qualities cannot exist. And that which cannot exist does not
exist.
The accusation that an agnostic is really a chicken atheist tends to come from dogmatic theists,
persons who believe that anyone less brainwashed than themselves is lacking a positive quality
that they equate with courage. In fact a better explanation for agnosticism, the view espoused by
Michael Shermer, is political correctness, a desire to avoid appearing intolerant by admitting that
he knows he is right and believers are wrong. Alternatively, he could be genuinely ignorant of the
reality that religion has been as objectively falsified as Martian canals, even though the arguments
in the opening paragraph of this review proves that point by itself.
Shermer certainly recognizes the "god" hypothesis as indefensible. Yet he defends believers' right
to hold dissenting opinions, as if knowledge and ignorance were equally meritorious. At least his
unwillingness to offend the terminally ignorant does not go to the incredible lengths of Stephen
Jay Gould, whose imbecilic Rocks of Ages categorized science and superstition as
Non-Overlapping Magisteria, perspectives that could not be harmonized but were not really
incompatible. Ignorance and knowledge are incompatible. The only true agnostic is someone who
is unfamiliar with the falsifying evidence. Self-proclaimed agnosticism by anyone else is pure
political correctness.
The inside cover of Shermer's book states that "Recent polls report that 96% of Americans
believe in God." While I could conceivably have missed it, I certainly found no statement by
Shermer supporting that statistic, and it is more likely that the publisher was inserting the result of
incompetent research. The actual number of believers is no higher than 70 %, and as many as
one-third of those are merely reporting an alleged belief that has no relevance to their everyday
lives. More significant is the finding of a study of 1,000 scientists that only 40 % expressed a
belief in a personal God, while only 30 percent believed in immortality. Among physicists and
astronomers, belief was below 20 percent. And among National Academy of Science members,
when "doubt" or "agnosticism" was factored in, belief dropped to 7 percent. In short, the
scientifically illiterate tend toward belief in a god, and the scientifically educated do not.
Nor is religion the only contrary-to-fact belief system that is widespread in a continent in which
schools have been babysitting rather than teaching institutions for more than fifty years. "A Gallup
poll conducted in 1991 revealed that half of all Americans believe in astrology and almost as many
believe in extrasensory perception, or ESP; a third believe in the lost continent of Atlantis and in
ghosts; and a full two-thirds believe they have had a psychic experience." (p. 35) Since ignorance
and fuzzy thinking explains the prevalence of belief in parapsychology, it seems reasonable to
conclude that the same qualities explain widespread belief in religion, even if Shermer is too
politically correct to spell out such an implication.
In Shermer's appendix, he lists statistics on why people claim to believe in their particular god, or
claim not to. The only surprise is that a mere 1 percent of believers attribute the distinction
between good and evil to a deity, meaning that without a Lawgiver to tell them which is which,
evil would prevail because the masses would not know that there is a difference. That figure
differs by 99 percent from the belief of religious nut cases like Falwell, Robertson and Bush Junior
that only belief in their God can prevent the triumph of evil.
How We Believe is partly autobiography, partly a survey of religiosity in America, and partly an
examination of human thinking. While it is flawed, it is generally accurate and not always
trivial.
The Secret of Happiness
Billy Graham
Word Publishing
PO Box 141000, Nashville TN 37214, 1955
reprinted 1985, reprinted 2002, paperback, 200 pp, $12.50
Nobody with a functioning human brain could expect a book by Billy Graham to be anything but
superstitious drivel, and that is exactly what it is. And since Graham utilizes educated editors
(ghostwriters?), it would be unrealistic to expect his own books to expose him as an ignorant
hillbilly with all the sophistication of Gomer Pyle and Jed Clampett, even though that comparison
is if anything unduly flattering.
Graham's second chapter is titled "Happiness through Poverty." Enough said.
In chapter three, "Happiness while Mourning," Graham states, "Nowhere has God promised
anyone, even His children, immunity from sorrow, suffering, and pain. This world is a 'vale of
tears,' and disappointment and heartache are as inevitable as clouds and shadows." To Graham the
infliction of pain and suffering by an omnipotent god with the capacity to annul such evils is "his
mysterious ways." And the Holocaust was Hitler's mysterious ways.
In chapter four, "Happiness through Meekness," Graham acknowledges that, "To most people
today the word 'meek' brings to mind a picture of someone who is a weak personality, someone
who allows everyone to walk over him. Meekness, in fact, in the popular mind is not seen as a
desirable personality trait." But to Graham it is a desirable personality trait. Why? Because his
imaginary playmate said so, therefore it must be true. Since the same bible that touts meekness as
a virtue also states in seven places that the earth is flat, presumably that also must be true.
In "Happy though Hungry," Graham rationalizes, ""Well, to begin with, hunger is a sign of life.
Dead men need no food, [sic] they crave no water." In other words, Graham's god inflicts hunger
instead of death because he is a really nice guy. And if you believe that, I have a bridge for sale in
Brooklyn that I think will interest you.
Graham touts "Happiness through Showing Mercy." I have no problem with that one. But in
"Happiness in Purity," he equates purity with mindless, masochistic conformity to taboos on
joyful, victimless behavior that god addicts view as sinful simply because "it's in the book."
"Happiness through Peacemaking" is likewise evidence that even a religious nut case can be right
sometimes. But "Happiness in Spite of Persecution" is another apology for a god that allows mass
persecutions even though it has the power to prevent them.
Graham is a monster. He preaches a god that tortures taboo-breakers with flamethrowers for
billions and billions of years in an underworld that can only be described as a sadists' dream, as
well as executing a quarter-million men, women and children each and every day in reprisal for the
alleged offence of their distant ancestors, but is nonetheless more admirable than Adolf Hitler.
And he is on record as supporting a death penalty, an atrocity abolished by every sane government
on earth, for persons who indulge in the victimless, non-procreative, purely recreational activity
that he mistakenly calls adultery. In fact, when the Torah author's "ten commandments" were
composed, adultery was defined as the fraudulent impregnation of another man's wife, and was
still so defined in the 1450s when Thomas Mallory had Lancelot copulating with Guinevere but
not committing adultery with her, since he practised "courtly love," otherwise called coitus
interruptus. One has to wonder if Graham's wishing for the permanent cancellation of such
competitors as Jimmy Swaggert is purely self-serving? Or perhaps the target of his hatred is closer
to home?
The Secret of Happiness was mind pablum for the brain dead in 1955, and it is mind pablum for
the brain dead in 2002.
Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking
None of the above-listed books is out of print-and that is a pity, since it provides further proof
that the gullibility that gave the world theology, astrology, UFOlogy, psychoanalysis, Shirley
MacLaine and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is alive and well and not hiding in Argentina.
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a prescription for lying, sycophancy and
manipulation. Carnegie's recipe for success can be summarized in two words: Suck up. But he
simultaneously denigrates flattery: "The difference between appreciation and flattery? That is
simple. One is sincere and the other is insincere." (p. 58) In other words, kiss butt, but do it
sincerely. And never, never criticize anyone, in case he might challenge you to a duel. (p. 37) To
make people do your bidding, "Bait the hook to suit the fish." (p. 61) If the truth is not what
someone you wish to manipulate wants to hear, then lie-but lie sincerely. (p. 119 and elsewhere.)
No doubt that advice has created a lot of used car dealers, televangelists, and hotline
psychics.
Since Carnegie urges his readers to adopt the same uncritical, self-denigrating, brown-nosing
posture toward their fellow humans that they already practice when dealing with their gods, it
should surprise no one that a whole generation accepted his advice at face value. That such
sycophancy has never elicited a single positive (or for that matter a negative) response from any
god, was unlikely to be noticed by persons pre-conditioned to view themselves as the
domesticated livestock of a higher life form.
Carnegie's book is a collection of "Rah! Rah! Go, team!" cheerleading chants. Unfortunately, it is
also a very readable collection of interesting anecdotes, capable of convincing the impressionable
that it is a useful instruction manual. In fact, in the few places where Carnegie's clich‚s are valid,
such as "Let the other person save face," (p. 248) and "Ask questions instead of giving direct
orders," (p. 247) anyone who does not follow such procedures instinctively is unlikely to learn
them from a book.
In reading Think and Grow Rich, I found one word continually springing into my mind:
infomercial. The entire book is a promotional blurb for a book called Think and Grow Rich. For
example (p. 30), "Little by little, the truth has unfolded itself, until it now appears certain that the
principles described in this book hold the secret of mastery over our economic fate." And on page
47, "How can one harness and use the power of desire? This has been answered through this and
the subsequent chapters of this book." (No, it hasn't.) From page 50, "By following the
instructions laid down in the chapters on autosuggestion, and the subconscious mind, as
summarized in the chapter on autosuggestion, you convince the subconscious mind that you
believe you will receive that for which you ask, and it will act upon that belief, which your
subconscious mind passes back to you in the form of "faith," followed by definite plans for
procuring that which you desire." Following what instructions? "Faith ... is a state of mind which
develops voluntarily, through application and use of these principles." What principles?
And on page 52, "Surely enough has been stated to give a starting point from which one may,
through experiment and practice, acquire the ability to mix faith with any order given to the
subconscious mind. Perfection will come through practice." If you say so, Maharishi.
From the same page: "In language which any normal human being can understand, we will
describe all that is known about the principle through which faith may be developed where it does
not already exist." What does "faith" have to do with growing rich?
Pages 135-136: "The purpose of this book ... is to present to all who want the knowledge, the
most dependable philosophy through which individuals may accumulate riches in whatever
amounts they desire." What philosophy?
Pages 148-149: "The power which gives this nation its freedom is the selfsame power that must
be used by every individual who becomes self-determining. This power is made up of the
principles described in this book." What power? What principles?
Page 221: "Before you can put any of this philosophy into successful use, your mind must be
prepared to receive it." Again: WHAT PHILOSOPHY?
Pages 253-254: "Previously you may have had a logical excuse for not having forced life to come
through with whatever you asked, but that alibi is now obsolete, because you are in possession of
the Master Key that unlocks the door to life's beautiful riches." WHAT Master Key?
Every word, sentence and paragraph in Think and Grow Rich is designed to delude the gullible
that it actually says something. Anyone who has read it and failed to recognize it as contentless
gibberish probably owns a lot of swampland in Florida.
Norman Vincent Peale was kind enough to begin The Power of Positive Thinking with a warning
that it was not written for persons with functioning human brains (p. xv): "This book teaches
applied Christianity, a simple yet scientific system of practical techniques of successful living that
works." Christianity a "scientific system"? Oh come now.
From that point on it is all downhill. For page after page after page, Peale reiterates: Got a
problem? Pray. Feeling down? Pray. Can't sleep? Pray. Got arthritis? Pray. Not getting anything
out of this book? Pray.
Peale does occasionally get specific: For problem A, read Bible passage A. For problem B, read
Bible passage B. For some reason, the recommended Bible passages are always fatuous clich‚s
such as, "If God is with us, who can be against us?" "He gives power to the faint, and to those
who have no might he increases strength." Nowhere does Peale cite Jesus' fable whose moral can
be summarized: "Cheat those who are no longer useful to you, and use the stolen money to bribe
those who can do you good." (Luke 16: 1-9) Nor does it occur to him to cite the seven Bible
passages that describe a flat earth.
Peale's last chapter is titled "How To Draw Upon That Higher Power." Enough said.
When it first occurred to me to include Peale's book, which I had not previously read, in a review
with two compilations of secular gobbledygook, I was unaware that it adhered to a purely
religious viewpoint. I ultimately decided to leave it in, in case others interpreted the title as simple
cheerleading, as I had done, and wasted a trip to the library.
The three books described here remind me of nothing so much as the "motivational seminars" in
which I was forced to participate during the few unpleasant weeks I worked as a professional liar,
otherwise called a commission salesman. I recognized then that the ritual was designed to coerce
salesmen into hypnotizing (for want of a better word) themselves into believing that the seminars
served some useful function, so that such salesmen would keep selling beyond the point at which
they became aware that they were working for less than minimum wage. And I recognize now
that the reviewed collections of doubletalk were designed to create the illusion that their gibberish
made sense, inducing purchasers to believe they had learned something and encourage other
marks to buy the books.
Don't.
The Koran
anonymous
First published in American Rationalist, Mar/Apr 1998.
Anyone who wants to know what is in the Koran is advised to read the Penguin edition. Unlike
the Authorized English Version, which suppresses unpleasant passages by misleading
interpretations that render them innocuous, the Penguin has the advantage of being translated by
scholars who, not being Moslem, have no axe to grind and are willing to call a spade a spade.
And the Koran, like all sacred writings composed at a time when the human race was less morally
evolved than it is today, is a grisly, gruesome paean to intolerance, sexism, ethnocentricity, and
theofascist hatred of all who failed to submit to brain amputations and think only what Mohamed
wanted them to think.
Making adherence to the wrong mythology a capital offense was not new. The author of
Deuteronomy did likewise (20:16), as did the author of John. (3:18) Mohamed was merely being
fashionable when he, or his posthumous scriptwriter, wrote, "For the unbelievers we have
prepared fetters and chains, and a blazing fire." (76:4) "The unbelievers among the People of the
Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell." (98:6) "They (the Jews) are the heirs
of Hell." (58:17) "He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him,
and in the world to come he will be one of the lost." (3:85)
The Koran in several places responds to allegations that Mohamed was a madman, leaving little
doubt that such allegations must have been widespread. Typical passages include, "Has he
invented a lie about Allah, or is he mad?" (34:8) "Are we to renounce the gods for the sake of a
mad poet?" (37:36)
The Koran is unambiguous concerning the subhuman status of women: "Men have a status above
women." (2:228) "Call in two witnesses from among you, but if two men cannot be found, then
one man and two women." (2:282) "Men have authority over women, because Allah has made the
one superior to the other.... Good women are obedient.... As for those from whom you fear
disobedience, beat them."(4:34)
Like Paul of Tarsus, Mohamed believed that anything his god did could not be evil, including
creating humans predestined to damnation "Allah misleads whom He will and guides whom He
pleases." (74:31) "We have predestined for Hell many jinn and many men." (7:179) "None can
guide the people whom Allah leads astray." (7:186) Mohamed (or his scriptwriter) endorsed
slavery: "You are also forbidden to take in marriage married women, except captives whom you
own as slaves." (4:24)
Perhaps inspired by the Talmud, which decreed that, "One who, intending to kill a gentile, kills a
Yisraelite, is to be deemed guiltless" (Sanhedrin. 78b), Mohamed similarly prohibited only the
killing of fellow believers: "He that kills a believer by design shall burn in Hell forever." (4:93)
And he ordered, "Do not kill except for a just cause." (25:68) No doubt fundamentalist terrorists
consider the massacre of tourists a just cause.
Unlike the Pentateuch authors, Mohamed preached long after Aristotle had proven that the earth
is round. But like those authors, he continued to believe in pre-Aristotle cosmography: "Let them
reflect on ... the heaven, how it was raised on high; the mountains, how they were set down; the
earth, how it was leveled flat." (88:17-20) "He raised [the sky] high and fashioned it, giving
darkness to its night and brightness to its day." (79:27-29) "We built the heaven with Our might,
giving it a vast expanse, and stretched the earth beneath it." (51:47-48) "We spread out the earth
and set upon it immovable mountains." (50:7) "He set firm mountains upon the earth, lest it
should move away with you." (16:15)
Recognizing Christianity's mistake in offering potential converts an afterlife of harps and celibacy,
Mohamed gave them a real incentive. In Mohamed's heavenly gardens of delight, he promised,
"They are to cohabit with demure virgins ... as beauteous as corals and rubies ... full breasted
maidens for playmates." And for converts of the other orientation, "They're to lie face to face on
jeweled couches, and be serviced by immortal youths ... young boys, their personal property, as
comely as virgin pearls." And to make clear that the playmates were not mere well-stacked mortal
women: "We created the houris and made them virgins, carnal playmates for those on the right
hand.... We are going to wed them to dark-eyed houris." (55:56, 55:58, 78:33, 56:12, 52:16-17,
24, 56:35-38, 52:20). That Mohamed's houris resembled Norse mythology's valkyries was
undoubtedly no coincidence.
Given the spate of atrocities currently being committed by Moslem fundamentalists, the obvious
question is: Does the Koran encourage random violence against heretics, infidels and
non-fanatics? And the answer is No. Fourteen hundred years after the founding of Christianity,
that religion was engaged in one of the worst atrocities of human history, the Crusades. Fourteen
hundred years after the founding of Islam, that religion is showing signs of going the same way,
not because the Koran so orders, but because, like the Bible, neither does it discourage heretic
hunting. The Koran is not more obscene than the Bible. But neither is it any less so.
Franquin: Master Showman
Jennie Rowley Lees
Currency Press Ltd
PO Box 452, Paddington, NSW 2021, Australia
ISBN 0868195197, ppb, 245 pp, $29.95 from bn.com
The preface of Jennie Lees's biography of stage entertainer Pat Quinn, "Franquin," describes how
he became interested in hypnotism after his mother the psychic had a vision of a fatal accident
thirty minutes before it happened. Lees describes the fable as if were a true story and as if
"psychic" were a legitimate concept. After a scientifically illiterate opening like that, I "foresaw"
that Lees's book would be a gullible paean to a performer whose whole show depended on
deluding the masses that his stooges were in a state of "hypnosis" that is now known to be
nonexistent, and that is what it turned out to be. Whether Pat Quinn still believes, or ever
believed, that hypnotism exists, the book does not make clear. He may well have recognized Lees
as an uninformed ignoramus and fed her a line of bull, on the ground that one does that to any
sucker. But his superstitious biographer certainly believes it.
In chapter two Lees credulously repeats Quinn's fantasy that his success as a cricketer was due to
his ability to "wish" an opponent to trip over his feet and, by wishing, make it happen. Even if
Quinn believes such drivel, and the endorsement of astrology in his first book makes that not
improbable, Lees's willingness to report such nonsense as if it was true would have had P. T.
Barnum beating a path to her door.
Lees's account of Quinn's childhood experiments with hypnotism might well be accurate. Most
hypnotists start out as believers, and subjects willing to play along are not hard to find. Even at
the height of his success, when his best laughs were produced by stooges (of whom this reviewer
was one) reciting rehearsed scripts, Franquin may have still believed that at least some of his
volunteers in some of his shows were genuinely hypnotized. He would have rationalized that, as
long as the stooges were simulating what a genuinely hypnotized person would do, it was not
really humbuggery. Certainly that was the rationalization that kept me working with stage
hypnotists for many years, until remaining a believer became impossible. But the fantasy of
Franquin hypnotizing a student who had snitched on him for smoking, into smoking in front of the
housemaster, is unmitigated fiction. Even if Jennie Lees believes it happened, Quinn does not, for
the obvious reason that anything that cannot happen did not happen.
In chapter 9, Lees quotes a newspaper review of one of Franquin's early performances in New
Zealand (p. 104): "The only flaw in the evening's entertainment were the fairly lengthy and, at
times involved explanations which preceded different sections of the performance." Since Lees
made no comment on the passage, it probably did not cross her mind that detailed explanations of
what was going to happen were necessary in order for Franquin to explain to the volunteers what
they were to do in order to appear hypnotized.
Franquin is, despite the third-person narrator, very much an autobiography. Lees's gullible
parroting of every fanciful absurdity Quinn spun for her, leaves little doubt that the rest of her
book is also "his" version rather than an objectively researched account. Nonetheless, where
paranormal superstitions are not involved, there is no reason to doubt its basic accuracy.
Franquin's show business career was not unlike George M. Cohan's, or Harry Houdini's, or a
thousand other performers who dragged themselves through rough times to success. And
certainly he is important enough in Australian show business history to warrant a biography. It is
unfortunate that his biographer's inability to separate sense from nonsense is comparable with
Conan Doyle's.
Lees's bibliography lists books by such unquestioning believers as Ormond McGill and S. J. Van
Pelt, as well as the nonsense novel, Trilby, and the long discredited Search for Bridey Murphy.
Conspicuously absent are the names Druckman and Bjork, Spanos and Chaves, and Robert
Baker's definitive 1990 book, They Call It Hypnosis, which proves to the satisfaction of all but
incurable dogmatists that, "Hypnotism does not exist, has never existed in the past, and will not
exist in the future."
Franquin was a first class entertainer, winning a reputation in Australia equal to that of Reveen in
Canada. As a virtual emcee and ringmaster, he extracted performances from amateur actors that
at least equaled the antics of the no-talent drones of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" or professional
wrestlers. It is therefore reasonable that a biographer would play down the reality that Quinn's
performances were as much illusions as levitation or sawing a woman in half. No one would
criticize David Copperfield for using trickery to make his audience think they were seeing the
impossible. But a hagiographer who babbled that Copperfield really did make an assistant float in
the air with nothing holding her up, rather than merely appearing to do so, would assuredly raise
the question, "What color is the sky on your planet?" Lees's unbelievable ignorance raises the
same question.
Nonetheless, to a reader who can separate the sense from the nonsense, this is a thoroughly
detailed account of the life and career of an unquestioned giant in Australian show business.
William Harwood
Reviewer
Rosetree's Bookshelf
Overcoming Psychic Coercion
God has turned up the volume lately. Maybe you've noticed that your spiritual practice has
become more rewarding. And if you haven't yet found a practice that suits you, have you found
the yearning for it grow stronger?
All this could be counted as good news. The bad news is that, on a planet whose very premise is
polarity, more light casts bigger shadows. Spiritually, the know-it-alls and bullies grow ever more
desperate. Hence terrorism makes headlines. Religion (for some) becomes license to kill. Less
extreme fanaticism is growing, too, though it can be harder to recognize. You may not even know
the technical term for the most common, everyday version of spiritual warfare. Allow me to
introduce you to psychic coercion.
It happens when someone else tells you how your life should show up: a friend insists that you cut
your hair in a certain style, a parent urges you to produce grandchildren, a total stranger's bumper
sticker tells you what to do with your pregnancy. Unsolicited advice, earnest conversations about
your soul, even secret wishes and prayers--even if allegedly for your own good-often have one
thing in common. They're forms of psychic coercion.
It results in your carrying astral debris in your aura, unless you've learned how to protect yourself.
In sessions with clients, I routinely facilitate removal of these blobs and gobs of social pressure
turned psychic. (For one person, as much as 17 moving van loads have been removed in one
sitting. Talk about "losing weight"!)
Why remove psychic coercion? It keeps you from knowing your own mind and blocks your free
will. Healers and intuitives know that the clearer you can be within yourself, the more effective
your work. Freedom from psychic coercion is, thus, a prerequisite to helping others, as well as
your own well being.
Should you suspect psychic coercion, how can you reclaim your energy boundaries? The first step
can be to ask God's help in removing psychic ties to anyone who's coercing you.
A second step is to start noticing when people should to you. Let that word set off a warning bell
and question the authority of anyone who sends you shoulds. The only exceptions are parents (if
you're under the age of 18) and employers (if you're at an age that precedes retirement). A great
inner response to "You should" is "Sez who?"
A third-bold--step for avoiding coercion is to speak up to the busybodies in your life. You have
the right to tell them to mind their own business.
It takes special courage to confront folks who are praying for you and ask them to stop. However
good their intentions, the fact remains that most "praying for" is coercive. The only kind of "pray
for" I give-or accept-involves sending light and love, which the recipient can use freely, no strings
attached.
The following books share wisdom that can help you to overcome psychic coercion. None of
them is a how-to directly on the topic, but that's appropriate since the most powerful techniques
for removing psychic coercion must be taught directly. This column's teaching stories can whet
your appetite for freedom. And the nonfiction books can raise your consciousness away from
limiting habits. I celebrate the courage of all these authors.
The J'Argon
Sea Raven
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse.com, Inc.
620 N. 48th St., Ste. 201, Lincoln, NE 68504-3467
0-595-08976-3, $26.95, 571 pages, www.iunivers.com
In Sea Raven's spiritual thriller, set in the year 2142, America has become a frightening place to
live. With the fundamentalist Religious Right in power for nearly a century, freedom has become a
near forgotten memory. The story's heroine is a High Priestess of the Old Religion, known as the
J'Argon. For personal as well as political reasons, she becomes involved in the struggle to save the
Arch Deacon of the National Cathedral; their suspenseful tale includes religious mysticism,
torture, black magic, brave sacrifice, foolish sacrifice and triumph.
Characters include an assortment of fascinating villains, as well as beautifully realized, complex
heroes. Their conflicted, messy and profoundly human fictional world draws you in, suspense
sustained for all 571 pages. I found Sea Raven's descriptions of media shamelessness especially
entertaining.
But where the narrative shines best is in the author's depiction of sacred ritual. Starting with the
heroine's utterly believable Death Trance, near the beginning of the book, scenes unfold that show
the educated use of the elements, the power of the four directions, animal intelligence, group
consciousness, telepathy and more. Christian mysticism, too, is described with beauty and
reverence.
Here's an author who, clearly, has the standing to depict religious struggle. No mere researcher,
she's drawn from deep experience to show religious practices I've never seen before, in fiction or
life, and made them feel real. And this elegant story culminates in a refreshing triumph over
psychic coercion. Zealotry about rigid beliefs causes harm, Sea Raven shows us, but help can
come when people stay curious, flexible, centered and open to spiritual truth.
Unequally Yoked
Marilyn Meredith
Golden Eagle Press
P.O. Box 80187, Bakersfield, CA 93380-0187
1891940058, 198 pages, $7.95 + $2 shipping, 1-888-400-6207, www.goldeneaglepress.com
Marilyn Meredith is a prolific mystery novelist with literary technique so efficient it's almost
frightening. This former instructor for Writer's Digest School moves her story forward so briskly
that, even though I didn't much like the book at first, I couldn't put it down. Still, I'm glad I
persisted.
When a three-year-old girl is reported missing, police deputy Tempe Crabtree starts investigating.
And she refuses to stop, despite resistance, until the mystery is solved. What adds depth to the
tale is the conflict Tempe faces when, in the line of duty, she attends a ceremony based on Native
American spirituality. Open-minded Tempe is coercively attacked by her new husband, a Christian
minister, who fears that demons will trick her and capture her soul. When Pastor Hutch forbids
Tempe to follow her hunches, she ignores him. When Hutch pushes her to go to church, she falls
asleep during his sermon. And although he constantly harangues her to be a better Christian, she's
the one who demonstrates real faith, hope and charity.
True story: The same day I read Meredith's novel, I attended a reception given by a professional
organization to which I belong. When meeting the man who organized the reception, I told him
what I do for a living (i.e., read faces and auras). Mistake! He started throwing his fears at me in
words that could have come straight from the mouth of Pastor Hutch, except that he stopped
short of saying he would pray for me. If only he had, I could have given him my sermon about
psychic coercion.
Meredith has really identified something here. All I had to suffer was one unpleasant verbal
exchange, but how many couples do you know who are, in the words of the well meaning Hutch,
"unequally yoked"? When people who love each other feel different religious callings, can they
agree to disagree? As this thought-provoking novel reminds us, there's no quick, pat answer-not
really, not spiritually.
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
William McDonough and Michael Braungart
North Point Press
c/o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
0864375873, $25.00, 208 pages, 1-888-330-8477, www.fsgbooks.com
Advertising and marketing are today's glossy words for the age-old problem of psychic coercion.
Imagine how our environment would improve if economic life were not shaped by false, wasteful
habits of conspicuous consumption, planned obsolescence, and corporate manipulation of
perceived needs.
But why just imagine? It would have been significant if Cradle to Cradle had described a utopia,
where industry finally resolved the false choice of profit making vs. care of the environment. But
William McDonough and Michael Braungart have done one better than fiction. They've written a
book with boldly innovative concepts that can work in the real world.
_Cradle to Cradle _stands out for me as the most important book I've read in years. Even the
material of this book is different, because it's fashioned of plastic resins instead of paper. Besides
feeling nifty-as silky as the skin of a dolphin--this space age material allows the book to practice
what it preaches. The book works as a "technical nutrient," a product that's better than recyclable
because it can be broken down and circulated indefinitely.
Currently, the authors explain, material flows into two categories. Regular books, like other
products of consumption, are "biological mass." Even if recycled into a few extra reincarnations,
they go from cradle to grave, winding up as landfill. By contrast, many items we currently think of
as products could flow as "technical mass," being endlessly cycled like the earth's major nutrients
(think water and air). The truly sustainable cycle in nature, say these environmentally savvy
business consultants, is cradle to cradle-hence the title of this book.
Imagine if your TV or running shoes or computer was no longer bought as a product to be
bought, owned and eventually thrown away. Instead, McDonough and Braungart propose, you
could purchase them as a "product of service." When you've finished using the technology, you
return it to the manufacturer who replaces it or upgrades it, as you prefer.
Laugh away, cynics. These authors know what they're talking about. They've already consulted
for major corporations and the zeitgeist is with them. The concepts in this book could help save
the world that was lent to us by our children.
Balancing School and Life and Succeeding at Both
George Glade
Hara Publishing Group
PO Box 507, Lynnwood, WA 98046
1883697867, $13.95, 152 pages, harapub@foxinternet.net, 1-800-461-1931
Students are notoriously vulnerable to peer pressure and other forms of coercion. Age can help,
but so does perennial wisdom about balanced living. For some, voluntary simplicity is the key to
find balance, for others religion sets the standard. One thing that's so wonderful about George
Glade's book is that he sidesteps the loftier questions and offers answers without regard to belief
system, economic deconstruction or other complications.
Instead, this straightforward man presents a helpful set of instructions that students can use to get
their lives in order. It's an old-fashioned guidebook, outlining methods for greater success. An
earnest tone prevails, with a distinct (and refreshing) absence of hype.
Brief sections take readers through the author's proven methods to keep the mind and body well
tuned, take tests, study and more. I wish I'd had a book like this when I started college. And even
though I've been out of school for decades, I found this book helpful. It would make a great gift
for high school graduates. Or anyone you know who's chronically disorganized.
Hey, to keep a spaced-out recipient from losing this book, you could giftwrap it along with the
kind of clip-on holder some folks use to tote their eyeglasses. The book's light enough! Offer it
however you wish. Just don't demand that it be read. Thus, you can show that you understand the
fine art of helping. without psychic coercion.
Rose Rosetree
Reviewer
Editor's Note: Resisting psychic coercion is also a theme in Rose Rosetree's new novel, The Roar
of the Huntids. Available now at http://www.Rose-Rosetree.com or bookstores, by special order,
it's a story about empaths, set in the near future of 2020. You can hear an audio preview for free
by calling 888-355-0600, Code 2482. Other codes introduce you to my writings on empathy,
living in tune with your soul, reading auras through all your senses, and face reading--try codes
2478, 2479, 2480 and 2481. For further information about Rose's classes, party entertainment
services, and personal sessions, call her assistant, Kathy Wilewski, 703-503-0283. Local authors,
send Rose press releases about your new publications. No calls, please. Let your writing speak for
itself; she'll let you know if your book strikes her as something she might possibly review.
Beware: books sent without a go-ahead have slimmer chances of review than those introduced
with a press release. E-mail to Rosetree@Starpower.net or send snail mail to Rose Rosetree,116
Hillsdale Dr., Sterling, VA 20164.
Hodgins' Bookshelf
A Violent End
Maggie Wheeler
General Store Publishing House
PO Box 28, 1694B Burnstown Road, Burnstown, ON, K0J 1G0 Canada),
ISBN 1894263413; Can.$24.95; 271 pp.
The cover illustration of this first novel by Maggie Wheeler prominently displays a fractured but
recognizably human skull resting on what may perhaps represent some sort of roughish ground.
Splashes ofsewage-like water along the painting's lower edge reach out, as it were, as if to engulf
the skull and even the land in the background, where an apparently shocked onlooker stands. That
is not, however, quite how the story unfolds in the book's text.
The history involved centres upon the construction and, more specifically, the opening of the St.
Lawrence Seaway and its attendant hydroelectric generating projects in the late 1950s - the
largest engineering program in Canadian history. When water was admitted to flood the
International Rapids (Long Sault Rapids) section of the Seaway, the destruction was pretty much
completed, on the Ontario, Canada side - the north shore of the great river - of six historic villages
as well as of several hamlets, farms, and such traditional landmarks as ancient Aboriginal and
United Empire Loyalist graveyard; while over 6,500 people had their lives
disrupted/changed.
Most of the settlements were well and truly immersed, but Aultsville, where some of this book's
action takes place, was only partly so. The village was however abandoned for its original uses,
only suitable cottage sites now being seasonally inhabited.
Although the book begins with the flooding and will often return to that era (identified by italic
print, whereas modern-day episodes are printed in upright roman), it soon leaps 40 years ahead
into our 21st century's early years.
A cellphone-toting, middle-aged woman PhD Waterloo University history professor turns out to
be the tale's locally born protagonist, who decides to investigate the circumstances surrounding
the long-ago death, in his late teens, of her father; for his skull has unexpectedly turned up in
Aultsville during a period of unusually low water. This savant is named Farran - and nicknamed
Fan - for Farran's Point, one of those vanished Eastern Ontario "Lost Villages".
You might expect that her return to an area where her parents had been well known would have
caused rejoicing; instead, it creates consternation and fear, and engenders talk of returning
"wickedness".
Meantime, what of the Upstate New York or American side - the St. Lawrence's south shore -
during the same events? The novel's introductory passages mention the excavation of a new
Seaway channel in that area, while the oldfashioned, considerably smaller Cornwall/Long Sault
Canal remained in service on the Canadian side until the great changeover could be effected. We
may infer that, with a great deal of American "spoil" (engineering argot for excavated earth
somehow to be disposed of) available for use to the best available advantage, dikes may have been
raised in the U.S. to minimize land losses and population disruptions along the south shore. This
hypothesis is confirmed toward the book's end when the protagonist makes contact with a
onetime classmate working on the New York side. (That is however the one point at which the
story feels to me, if to no-one else, a trifle forced or artificial. It seemed to me that the American
woman had been invented solely to fill an obvious gap in the telling of the area's history.)
Whereas Wheeler has a sound, or anyway convincing, grip of the historical, geographical,
sociological, and probably political aspects of the Seaway story, I'd say she has less so of the
engineering aspects. Supposing that the construction alternatives were objectively weighed and
the optimal choice made between running the new channel through either Canadian or American
territory, the Americans lucked into a great surplus of valuable spoil in that zone, where an
opportunity also presented itself of reducing vast social disruptions by building dikes. Wheeler has
Fan's American friend imply that the Ontario Hydro-Electric Power Commission, as I think it was
then called, was more callous than the New York power authority because the U.S. side was
diked whereas the Canadian side wasn't; in fact, the Americans had vast quantities of spoil from
the canal's excavation that they must somehow use up, while the Canadians hadn't. If the new
canal had instead been built on the Canadian side, however, the shoe would undoubtedly have
been exactly on the other foot - or so guesseth Pete Hodgins, wearing his civil engineering (ret'd.)
hat.
If you remember the movie "Picnic" starring William Holden and Kim Novak, its small-town
ambiance may be likened to that of the Lost Villages at this book's beginning. Comparably flawed
cosiness, love, liking, disdain, snobbishness, and jealousy are all apparently known by the locals,
although author Maggie Wheeler, herself a local inhabitant, has the artistry not to make a frontal
announcement of those emotions, but rather to imply them by what the various personalities say
and do.
Wheeler's style is, in fact, admirable in general. I'd have included the word "Literary" in describing
this novel's genre, but for the fact that the doyens of big-L Literature seem to believe that such a
mixture of characteristics is impossible. (Are they nuts or am I, I sometimes wonder?) Near the
story's end the mystery has been unravelled, but the artistry continues and even deepens.
Wasn't the male romantic lead whom Holden played in that "Picnic" movie a persecuted drifter
named Hal? If so, how curious! In Wheeler's tale, the protagonist Fan goes in search of the
realities of her dead parents - and the father, likewise named Hal (for Harold), persecuted into
taking up a drifter's sort of life, had shipped out in a Great Lakes steamer. I'll try to read "Picnic"
in novel form if it can be found, for the sake of comparison. Not that there will really be much
comparison, though; I don't recall that the "Picnic" drifter had any visible family, while the Hal in
"A Violent End" has a brother, Gordon; moreover, the fates of the two Hals differ widely.
Upper Canada is an old name for the Province of Ontario, and Upper Canada Village is a
synthetically named open-air, pseudo-settlement type of museum created largely by assembling
carefully preserved buildings from the places that vanished under the waves half a century ago.
UCV staff members are dressed in 1860s clothing, and wear their hair and beard styles to match.
It is a prime, well set up, educational tourist attraction in which you can visit the actual buildings,
such as the physician's house and the mill, that figure in this story. It also is the locus of a violent
end for a present-day character of whose nightmarish death Farran or Fan, the protagonist, is very
nearly a direct eyewitness. She hears it, but arrives on the scene seconds after the actual death; for
Fan has occasion to visit Upper Canada Village several times in the course of her
investigations.
Violent deaths, and some very near-run things, too, seem to follow Fan, although the chain of
events had actually begun before her birth, had merely paused for some decades, and then had
re-commenced as Fan came poking around, stirring up old emotions.
What happened to the Lost Villages themselves is also deathlike; or so Wheeler makes us feel as
her characters philosophize that "You can't go home again," and so forth.
As first books go, I find this one truly impressive - but to quote from "Hamlet", "I must be cruel
only to be kind." More exactly, as guidance for the future I offer this criticism: that droppin' the
g's from present participles and gerunds isn't goin' to do much by way of character-buildin', an art
in which author Wheeler could benefit from deeper understanding. In a conversation among four
persons on pages 144-145, three of them (Dr. Burns, Alice, Ruth) all drop their g's, while the
fourth (Leslie, who doesn't happen to use any "-ing" words here) has done exactly the same on
page 141. In effect, then, these four characters all speak with a single tongue.
There are other minor flaws, of which I'll mention just one example. As students of the classics
know, "criteria" is the plural of "criterion", Greek for "standard of judgement". Author Wheeler,
together with her editor (yes, I still feel editors must edit), should not have allowed "that criteria"
to appear in the sixth line of page 228. Doing so is comparable to saying, "Look at that dogs."
Granted, I'm error-prone, too - but there are errors, and then there are blunders!
Finally the murders are put to an end, the mystery solved. A conventional mystery writer would
end the tale right there. A romantic one would have a young couple live happily ever after.
Wheeler does neither, but continues to explore the subsequent time of explanations and
reconciliations among a severely strained society. Compared with other mystery stories, I'd call
this one deep - but in a sociological more than technical way.
F H Chapman: The First Naval Architect and His Work
Daniel G. Harris
The Naval Institute Press
118 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21402
ISBN: 0870210521; $TBA, 255 Pages, 1-800-233-8764, www.amazon.com
A combined acknowledgement and apology/explanation is call for here. With my deep
appreciation, a copy of this highly specialized and difficult but, for those who can understand its
technical contents, fascinating book was provided by Mr. Magnus Scho"nning, Second Secretary
at the Embassy of Sweden in Ottawa, Canada. (The two dots belong over the o of his name,
making the vowel sound like the French "eu".) I suppose this copy has at no point passed through
any retailer's hands, or it may be of a special edition from which a named price has been purposely
omitted. Hence the gap in the customary price information, above.
These days, "awesome" is an overused and often abused adjective. That's a pity, for that single
word describes the genius, craftsmanship, penetration, perseverence, vitality, and miscellaneous
other merits - productivity, scientific-mindedness and artistry among them - of the long-lived (for
his day) prodigy whose (semi-?)biography this book is. Among other things, Fredrik Henrik af
Chapman worked ferocious hours: typically 18 per day until his old age, when he cut back to
"merely" 16!
How did Chapman come by his English name? Well first, it more or less resembles Ko"pman in
Swedish, and (less obviously) Kaufmann in German; these all mean something like
"merchant".
Fredrik's father had been a British naval officer, but had joined the Royal Swedish Navy in 1716,
five years before the son's birth.
Fredrik was known as "af Chapman" in Sweden, certainly after he had been knighted and possibly
before. I believe "af" to be merely an archaic version of today's "av" in Swedish, or "of" in
English. It thus appears to make his name "of Chapman" - a seeming affectation, possibly pressed
on him by others, similar to naming yourself von Smith in Germany, van Jones in The
Netherlands, or de Baker in France. (I lived almost a year in Sweden and also have studied yacht
design, making this book remarkably apt for my interests, and also susceptible to thorough
review.)
Some of av Chapman's distinctions are listed in a tablet displayed at the Naval Museum,
Karlskrona, as commissioned by none other than Carl, Duke of So"dermanland, Grand Admiral of
Sweden, King Gustav III's brother. I quote the inscription in part: "FREDR: HENRIK AF
CHAPMAN Knight Grand Cross of the Vasa Order, Knight of the Order of the Sword. His
genius and patriotism, working for King Gustav III's aims, gave Sweden new fleets built after
improved methods ..." (This translation from the Swedish is by author Harris; I'd have translated
"efter" not as "after", but as "by" or "in accordance with". These have significantly different
nuances.)
Chapman also died a vice-admiral.
Gustav III, a remarkable monarch who had staged a coup in 1772 to instil a sense of order into a
disintegrating, chaotic government, and who was a great patron of the arts, counted Chapman
among his familiars. Gustav might have become known as "the Great", but for his 1792 murder by
a Captain Anckarstro"m at the instigation of discontented nobles. The assassination occurred
during a masked ball in the Stockholm Opera House, the building of which Gustav himself had
commissioned; the event would inspire Giuseppi Verdi's opera, "Un ballo in maschera" - A
Masked Ball.
Smarting under Russia's, Denmark's, and Prussia's meddling in Sweden's internal affairs, Gustav
had precipitated the war of 1788-1790 against Catherine the Great's Russia, using to a great
extent not only Chapman's advice but also a series of ships scientifically designed by, and built
under the supervision of, Chapman.
Sweden and Russia had fought before over the control of Finland, notably in the time of Peter the
Great who had occupied all of Finland and in the end retained the strategic Karelia and Viborg
areas. Finland had for many centuries been a Swedish province with a long land border facing
Russia; given that fact, preparedness to fight expansionist Russia again had seemed only
rational.
One disastrous battle was lost because Duke Carl determined to disregard good advice. Yet in the
end, especially at the Second Battle of Svensksund on 9 July 1790, the Russian fleet was virtually
destroyed by the victorious Swedes.
Some authorities disregard the interference factor and see that war as a mere stalemate, inasmuch
as little or no land changed hands. However, all three interfering countries backed off and let
Sweden be, more or less justifying the effort.
As to the strategies involved, the Baltic Sea in general is rather shallow and the coasts of both
Finland and Sweden are studded with rocky skerries (islets) and shoals. As steam power had not
yet come to shipping, it was imperative to be ready to fight effectively in those confined waters
under either sail or oar power, or both. Deepsea sailing vessels, though, carried too much
draft/draught (they projected too deeply into the water) to allow them to fight in among the
skerries, safely if at all.
A peculiarity of Swedish arms at that time was therefore the creation of two quasi-independent
seaborne forces. The High Seas Fleet was a conventional navy, aimed largely at the protection of
trade. The Inshore Fleet was under Army command for direct support in repelling the coastal
Russian menace by inshore and amphibious warfare. Against much naysaying by naval and other
critics, the amply proven Chapman had been commissioned to design and build a variety of vessels
for both services.
This sort of thing he always did with great application and distinction, when and if - a crucial
qualifier - Sweden could find the necessary resources, financial, material, and human. The chips
being down on this occasion, Chapman and his works (which included important dockyard
buildings and cranes, and even innovative machinery, e.g., for rope spinning) performed their
parts magnificently.
His one great failure, to which he handsomely admitted after unfavourable sea trials, was his
experimental "relaxation method" of design and construction - which, knowing something of the
man, could have had nothing to do with quitting early to quaff a beer before heading home!
Had Chapman worked for a richer, more populous country such as Britain or France (both of
which had made him offers), his work would have amazed the whole world. In a somewhat
impoverished land, though, many projects would never see the light of day in practice, and his
brilliance too often was unable to shine forth. Yet the potential existed.
Some of his ships lasted in service for many decades, at last to be swept away only by the arrival
of steam power.
Chapman was the first scientific designer of ships, it is fair to say. Before him, vessels had been
laid down by such second-class means as rules of thumb, guesswork, and experience; after him,
coefficients, mathematical formulae, and rationality ruled the roost. For example, after studying
under Professor Thomas Simpson in London for a year, Chapman applied the famed Simpson's
Rule to the calculation of any ship's or boat's displacement, which must necessarily correspond to
the sum total of all component weights of, and carried in, the vessel - in principle, right down to
the last drop of drinking water.
Chapman was also an early builder-user of towing tanks to test ship models. He may even have
invented them.
Author Daniel Harris, like me, is (or perhaps was) an Ottawan although we have never met. This
was his first book-length literary work; it strikes me as marvelous in its collection of ship design
diagrams, battle scenes, and the like. For my taste, though, the book is less than perfectly
organized in terms of sequenced logic. Instead of tracing Chapman's life from a beginning in
Chapter 1, for instance, that chapter promises to begin in 1760 when Chapman was already 39
and starting his first major assignment - but in actuality it flashes back 54 years to 1706, and also
moves from Sweden to Britain. It then goes on to survey the scenes in other countries ... and,
finally, in Sweden - but it is the Sweden of at least a century before the announced beginning point
of 1760!
Elsewhere too, smooth flow may be lacking. For instance, Chapter 7 and 8 respectively cover
years 1780-90 and the war of 1788-90, for an overlap lasting as long as the war did.
Eventually all the important truths do come out, it's true; yet Harris's approach to that point
doesn't strike me as very direct or consistent.
With that caveat, however, the story is in other respects well told. Yet there remains a "but" that
falls beyond any author's control. Naval architecture may not be "rocket science", but it is
inherently far from easy - probably even now, with computers to do a great deal of the donkey
work as exemplified on pages 216-219 of Harris's book. A work delving at all deeply into
Chapman's science is fated to be difficult for many readers to follow, in its more technical
passages.
One might hope instead for a more detailed focus on af Chapman as a person, but it seems that his
autobiographical notes are of minimal aid. Lifelong, he lived and breathed obsessively and almost
solely for his profession. Harris tells us that Chapman's notes say far more about his projects than
about himself, his family, and his friends, not to speak of the historical Sweden at large.
Buy Harris's book, then, for its illustrations and Harris's own historical insights, as well as to
wonder at the hardiness of a colossus of his occupation and times, who continued working even
after old age and suspiciously Parkinsonian symptoms had done their best to slow him down.
Chapman died in 1808, at age 87, of a dysentery then ravaging Karlskrona, where he lived and
had worked until just a few days earlier.
The English surgeon Parkinson was to describe the ailment named for him nine years later, in
1817. Yet if my "diagnosis" (ha, ha) of Chapman's lingering illness is correct, and even had the
surgeon been able to say, "Mr. Chapman, I regret that you have this disease," there would have
been no cure; only now do we think we may be within sight of one.
That Chapman never "burned out", as we so often say, is yet another amazing aspect of an
amazing man. Yet finding just the right job might perhaps make similar "winners" out of any of
us.
Blessed (at least in this world) are the happily placed!
South Pacific Handbook, 7th Ed.
David Stanley
Moon Travel Handbooks
c/o Avalon Travel Publishing, Inc.
1400 - 65th Street, Suite 250, Emeryville, CA 94608
ISBN: 1566911729, $23.95, 976+ pages, 147 maps, 1-800-345-5473
Some months ago in The Midwest Book Review, Hodgins' Bookshelf reviewed a Moon [Travel]
Handbooks guide to Honduras; the word "Travel" is shown in square brackets because, whereas
it's the same publisher working in the same year, the two books' styles differ somewhat, including
on the bracketed point. The discrepancies are in fact scarcely worth mentioning except to say,
don't let them confuse you!
As one instance, if placed in the usual way on a bookshelf, the Honduras book's spine would show
an "Avalon Travel" name and logo; whereas the South Pacific one shows those of "Moon Travel
Handbooks". They nonetheless belong together; inconsistent or not, their production and design
even are identically attributed to a Carey Wilson. Avalon is Moon is Avalon, to the slight extent
that I understand their organization.
David Stanley, author of this handbook edition (and apparently at least partly responsible for all
six previous editions, he and future publisher Bill Dalton having co-authored the first edition in
1978) gets illustrated but unnumbered page 977 to himself. Apparently a Canadian, he has
wandered for three decades through 171 countries to date. Of his Moon Travel Handbooks, all
but his "Alaska-Yukon Handbook" are set among the Pacific isles; while (surprise!) this Moon
publication also mentions Stanley's two books for the rival Lonely Planet travel-books firm.
The meaning of "South Pacific" in touristic terms is tinctured by the existence or otherwise of
islands, as opposed to the geographer's or navigator's perspective which would include the entire
ocean surface from the Equator as far south as, presumably, the shores of Antarctica; and from
some indeterminate line where the Indian Ocean ends (perhaps south of Australia) all the way east
to South America, the Drake Passage, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
This Moon guide may overlap territories covered by other Moon or Avalon handbooks, including
those on Fiji, Tonga-Samoa, and Tahiti by the same author, David Stanley. In the upshot, this
"South Pacific Handbook" shows its land-dependent coverage, in key maps on page 27 and the
back cover, as running approximately from 5 to 30 degrees south (whereas the Antarctic coast
directly "below" this sector is between 70 and 80 deg. S.); and from roughly 105 to 155 degrees
west. The outlines of this proclaimed "South Pacific" area are however wavy, evidently being
designed to include certain whole island chains, but to exclude others - and the zone's corners are
rounded off.
It's not worthwhile to nitpick the decisions that went into these zonal limits; they are as they are,
and that's that ... but it's interesting to note that the zone which the book covers EXCLUDES the
first five islands it lists on page 28 as "Largest ... IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC" (emphasis added),
as follows: New Guinea; South Island, New Zealand; North Island, New Zealand; Tasmania,
Australia; New Britain, PNG (Papua New Guinea). Exactly what does the book mean by "South
Pacific", then? "It all depends" seems the fitting platitude.
The entire study zone has at least a warm climate, and countries toward the equator are called
hot, although the cooling ocean breezes bring helpful relief. This general description is
summarized from page 33, within the overall Introduction; however, the book also has specific
climatic commentaries for various places within the South Pacific area.
You'll find several interesting, intelligent, and, to the future of our planet, vital discussions in this
handbook's Introduction. These go beyond the usual fare of currency exchange, local customs,
accommodation, local weather, and the like. The topics of which one learns significant facts
include but aren't limited to plate tectonics and related geomorphology, as the physical bases of
the region's island chains; the grave danger to Oceania posed by the greenhouse effect and our
wanton consumption of fossil fuels; and the care we travellers should take in the preservation of
both ocean (specifically reef) and island ecologies, whereas rapacious commerce tends to attack
them. We learn, moreover, about the prehistory and history of human habitation of the islands,
including the unsavoury fact that the islanders are being economically exploited and disadvantaged
by great transnational corporations and former colonial powers, including Australia, New
Zealand, and United States.
As one reads through this Introduction, one feels more and more drawn into the socio-political
issues plaguing the quasi-independent South Pacific islands. We read, for instance, that while
Japan appears to be generous in granting funds to the island nations, its programme amount to a
self-interested investment with such purposes as ensuring access by Japanese fishing boats.
In fact the rule seems to be that "self-interest rules". Thus in "South Pacific Handbook" we learn
why there is such an outcry (which is not at all the same, however, as rioting) against such
organizations as the World Bank - but that long, sad story is too complex to repeat here.
Given that the closest I've been to this South Pacific zone is Bali, Indonesia, I can only say that
the standard fare typical of all travel handbooks SEEMS well covered in this one ... but keep it
also in mind that there are many unnumbered pages both near the beginning and near the end of
this volume; the work must contain over 1,000 pages, of which the Table of Contents fills seven
pages, with lists of maps & charts filling about two more. Thus to explain the book's full contents
would be a Herculean labour I intend not to undertake.
Let me just say that generalities occupy this handbook to the end of page 126, followed by a sort
of super-section about Polynesia to page 544, and by a second super-section on Melanesia to p.
928, with further generalities (Resources, Glossary, Index, etc.) completing the volume.
As just one "etc.", readers interested in keeping up to date with, and in learning in greater depth
about "social justice, environment, human rights and development issues in the Pacific Islands"
may, says a blurb on one of this handbook's last pages, "Get the real story on `Paradise'" from the
South Pacific Peoples Foundation, 1921 Fernwood Road, Victoria, BC, V8T 2Y6, Canada,
publishers of "Tok Blong Pasifik" quarterly magazine (how's your Pidgin?), which is read in "over
40 countries". One may "subscribe and/or learn about other SPPF programs," it further
explains.
Pete Hodgins
Reviewer
Gorden's Bookshelf
The Silent Service Seawolf Class
H. Jay Riker
Avon Books
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
ISBN: 0380804689, $6.99, 410 pages
Using at least three other pseudonyms and his real name, Riker has written 50 novels. It is easy to
see why he is so prolific. 'Silent Service Seawolf Class' has everything a good military story needs,
a fast easy pace, realistic locations and people, solid military technology, and a plot that doesn't
go overboard. Riker shows that he understands writing a solid novel that is just plain fun to read.
There is merely the vaguest hint that a few more hours or days could have been spent on
developing the storyline. But with 50 novels, who really cares? Just pass the next one over.
The Chinese have purchased a number of top-of-the-line submarines from the Russians. With
Taiwan becoming more independent and the US involved with the war against terrorism, China
feels it has the chance to militarily occupy Taiwan.
Lieutenant John Calhoun Morton leads a SEAL team in a covert boarding of a Chinese cargo ship
in the middle of the North Pacific suspected of smuggling weapons into US ports. Commander
Thomas Fredrick Garrett is the captain of the 'USS Pittsburgh', the submarine the SEAL team
swims from. The operation falls apart and both Morton and Garrett pull off the near impossible.
The mission ends with the cargo ship and weapons on the bottom of the ocean, a badly damaged
Chinese Kilo submarine, a slightly damaged 'USS Pittsburgh', and no US deaths. Morton gets a
medal and Garrett gets beached. Four years later, the mission that seemingly destroys Garrett's
naval carrier places him in the perfect position to become the executive officer onboard the
submarine, 'USS Seawolf', when it sails into the Formosa Strait and a waiting Chinese wolf pack
of Akula and Kilo submarines.
'Silent Service Seawolf Class' is the perfect military novel to read over a relaxing weekend. The
novel is written by an author who understands how to construct a good tale. The writing is not
bloated with too much technology or repetitive impossible challenges. The only real challenge is
waiting for the next novel in the series to be published.
Writ of Execution
Perri O'Shaughnessy
Dell Publishing
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
ISBN: 0440236053, $7.99, 427 pages
Perri O'Shaughnessy is the pen name for two sisters, Pamela and Mary O'Shaughnessy. They have
developed a seamless writing style. The sisters have produced a richly detailed and complex story.
The legal mysteries written by the sisters benefit from Pamela's law degree/trial experience and
Mary's editing/writing background.
Nina Reilly is single mother with a law practice in Tahoe. Nina's romantic interlude with her
investigator, Paul, is interrupted by a phone call. A terrified young woman has just won seven
million dollars at the slot machines. She has escaped the publicity blitz that the casino gives all big
winners by claiming illness and pretending to be the wife of a computer whiz playing the slot
machine next to hers. She wants the money but needs Nina to protect her identity. If that is not
enough of a setup to the story, there is a stolen gun, a murderer, a rich man looking for
vengeance, a mysterious death, a bankrupt business, someone contemplating suicide, a crook, and
gambling addicts.
'Writ of Execution' is a smooth complex legal mystery that logically flows though a maze of
complex situations to a satisfying conclusion. Any mystery reader will have a fun time navigating
through the maze of clues and characters with personal flaws. 'Writ' is easy to recommend.
The Sigma Protocol
Robert Ludlum
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
ISBN: 0312982518, $7.99, 650 pages
Ludlum writes the classic spy story. His stories were first published during the height of the Cold
War. Rumors of Nazi organizations left-over from World War II, the timeless spy tales about
James Bond, and the CIA and KGB spy scandals in the newspapers were blended by him into his
novels. His stories are about the individual fighting against the corruption of power, wherever the
corruption comes from. His writing is a little heavy and reading one of his stories will give you
insight into the others. But Ludlum's stories are classic and anyone who likes the spy genre has to
read at least one of his novels.
Ben Hartman is on vacation in Zurich when an old college friend, Jimmy Cavanaugh, pulls a gun
on him. Six bystanders are killed along with his friend but when the police arrive, Cavanaugh's
body is gone and the murder weapon is found in Hartman's luggage. In Washington, Justice
Department field agent, Anna Navarro, is assigned the investigation of seemingly unrelated deaths
of eleven old men from across the world. A fifty year old CIA document with the code name
Sigma lists the eleven men plus a handful of others. The killing has just started. Hartman and
Navarro are on opposite ends of a deadly web called Sigma. They both have to find why the fifty
year old secret of 'The Sigma Protocol' has suddenly become important enough to kill for.
'The Sigma Protocol' is an archetypal spy story. It has the non-stop action, impossible odds and
villains with the ability to rule the world. For some readers, Ludlum's plot might seem a little
dated and even with the intense action his style is heavy paced but 'The Sigma Protocol' is a
strong enough story to be easily recommended for any spy or action reader.
RAT IN THE SKULL & Other Off-trail Science Fiction
Rog Phillips, Selected and Introduced: by Jean Marie Stine
Renaissance E Books
P.O. Box 494, Clemmons, North Carolina 27012
ISBN: 1588731413, $4.00, electronic download, 132 pages, www.renebooks.com
Have you ever wondered where the writers of 'The Twilight Zone' or 'The Outer Limits' got their
inspiration? The science fiction stories that seem so plausible with the macabre twist at the end
that bites your psyche and haunts your dreams, the science fiction stories that Stephen King or
Dean Koontz would love to pen, these are the stories Rog Phillips created.
'Rat in the Skull' is Phillips best known novelette. He had some things wrong but much of his
basic premise is now considered possible. The story will become even more haunting after the
reader considers some of the basic story themes in the popular TV shows such as the 'X Files.' Be
prepared for a long period of sleeplessness after reading the 'Rat.'
'Love Me, Love My ' is a slightly bent classic SF story. It has a delicious twist that is nearly more
fun than macabre.
'Executioner No. 43' is a tale that has been done many times over. It has been a theme in the
original Star Trek series and many other shows. Even with the familiar theme Phillips adds his
own little twist marking it as his own.
'Unto the Nth Generation 'has the least logic and the most fantasy. The story does stand on its
own with a strong premise. Of course as with his other stories Phillips has to play with you at the
end.
'The Holes in My Head' is a wicked little tale that has a happy/sad end.
'Pariah' might be the least unusual of this set of stories. It is still a dark story reminiscent of
Zelazny or Williamson.
'Rat in the Skull & Other Off-trail Science Fiction' is a must read for any horror or SF reader.
S.A. Gorden
Reviewer
Liana's Bookshelf
Hunting For Mr. Good Bargain
Marlene-Marie Moore
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Paperback, ISBN 1591131510, 129 pp, $TBA
Marlene Moore is a successful freelance writer residing in the Pacific Northwest. Her articles have
appeared in magazines and newspapers, including Ideals Publications, Senior Lifestyles,
Get-Up-And Go , Senior News, Our Town, Senior Outlook and Lifestyles Northwest.
Hunting For Mr. Good Bargain is a lighthearted fun guide that will keep the readers entertained ,
regardless their shopping intentions. Marlene's humor describing her hilarious experiences during
shopping sprees makes this little book an original How-to type of potential market guide.
The book consists of twenty one mini chapters. At the Introduction , Marlene adds her e-mail
address for feedback. The first chapter deals with the Sales issue. The writer describes her
personal experiences in finding bargains at sales, and offers information and advice on how to do
your best:
' I'm proud of myself for finding what I want at a reduced price , especially when I learned that the
stores usually mark up each item by 100% to 300% and sometimes more,' Marlene says.
Chapter two is about Thongs , and Marlene's hilarious account on trying to become adventurous.
The third chapter deals with Apartment Finds. Here the readers will encounter all the pros and
cons of a prospective new place , and will learn a lot through Marlene's own experience:
' Two other places around an apartment building to look is the basement, if there is one, where
tenants put things they no longer want , and the dumpster.'
Elvis is next, and the issue of music. Learn how to buy via TV ads and not be cheated! Estate
Sales and Auctions come then, offering information and advice on how to enjoy and benefit from
those old items markets:
' Old pictures do sell. There are people out there who collect them and will treasure them even
though they do not know the people in the pictures.'
' Old clothes are also an asset that the professional auctioneer or estate seller would never
overlook.'
Then comes The Perfect Gift chapter, where the writer analyses the process of finding the right
gift for various persons , such as friends, the elderly, relatives and others:
' I listen: What a person says and talks about is valuable information. Do they have a hobby? Do
they talk about it a lot? What stores do they shop in?...'
' Gifts for a couple: If you have a couple in your life that likes the same things, then your shopping
is a lot easier. Take cooking for example....'
The next chapter, Wearable Pajamas, includes an interesting story that many of the readers may
have experienced themselves!
' By the time I had arrived home that evening , I had received approximately a dozen compliments
on my outfit. I was ecstatic! No one suspected I was wearing pajamas! I had fooled them all.'
Peddlers is the following section , where Marlene lets us know about a personal story in her
childhood , pinpointing that those vendors are no longer realistic.
' We still have traveling salesmen today, but their reputations are much better and their mode of
travel greatly improved. Few of them come to the homes anymore, they call on business
instead.'
The Open Air Shopping section analyses all kinds of open air markets and offers the reader advice
on them:
' The flea markets of today often have one-of-a-kind-buys, and you can haggle with the vendor
about the price. But do not underestimate the vendors. They are not naive.'
The next chapter is about Shoes and is packed with useful hints on how to get the right pair:
' What you spend on a shoe depends on a couple of things. What the shoe is for and the kind of
foot problems you have, if any.'
Coupons And Card Members deals with the discount the readers may have . Is it worth collecting
coupons and cards? The answers are in this section. If the readers are interested in Resale Shops
And Shop At Home then , this is the right chapter to read.
' Home shopping and the Internet are catching on fast. People who do not have time to go to the
stores and shop are able to do it from the comfort of their homes or at the office during
lunch.'
The Processor which comes next is a story about the writer's own experience with such a device,
and the outcome of her purchase. The Overlooked Treasures chapter is about the special markets
that the readers may overlook:
' The unusual places often house the most unique items. Allow yourself the time to look for the
kind of stores that you feel comfortable in.'
The Mail Order section tells readers all about this interesting issue, offering hints on what to
avoid, while New Tennies is a disaster personal story. Bartering/Trading follows, motivating the
readers to try it by displaying Internet information.
Publications , Brassiere and Seconds are the next markets , where Marlene analyses all their pros
and cons . A story follows, Long Skirts, and Helpful Accessories. The book ends with The Caring
Part section that tells the readers about the advantages of shopping, and the Shopping Tips.
' Shopping can also be therapeutic in more ways than one. When I take the time to shop for
someone I do not particularly like, it gives me a chance to know that person better just by
remembering his likes and dislikes.'
Hunting For Mr. Good Bargain is a useful, informative , creative guide that will satisfy all
shoppers who are eager to find real bargains. However, this guide is inapplicable outside of the
U.S.A. . Still, it is fun to read whether readers like shopping or not as it is packed with
entertaining personal anecdotes.
This book can be purchased at booklocker.com, category :self-help. Also available at
barnesnoble.com and amazon.com. Marlene would love to hear your comments: e-mail:
marlene902@email.com
Related Titles:
The Ultimate Guide To Shopping And Caring For Clothing by Steven P. Boorstein
It's Just Shopping by Lauren Freedman
Why We Buy: The Science Of Shopping by Paco Underhill
The Mystery Shopper's Manual by Cathy Stucker (5th edition)
Telmenu Saimnieks
Guntis Goncarovs
Writer's Showcase Press/iUniverse, Inc.
5220 S. 16th St., Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68512
ISBN 0595224482, $21.95, 431 pp, www.iuniverse.com
Guntis Goncarovs , educated in chemistry, enjoys plotting out his ancestoral lineage in his first
novel in a planned series of three about Telmeni and her family. The author has studied Latvia and
family history for over twenty years and he presently lives with his family in N.Carolina.
The story unfolds at the brink of World War 1, in 1912, at Riga, in Russian controlled Latvia.
Captain Voldemars Vechi, the hero of the story, is a young officer who is in love with Otilija , a
beautiful bookkeeper who eventually is strong minded enough to turn down his proposal for a
prompt wedding. The hero, due to his duties at the Czarist cavalry, is leaving urgently while the
Great World War sparks to life. Voldemars will be home in six months. Will Otilija be waiting for
him? 'I can survive six months, he thought, closing his eyes,' the author writes.
Voldemars fights in the front but soon retreats home seriously injured. His life is a constant battle
among his country, his heart and heritage, Latvia and Telmeni. His struggle between his loyalty to
the Czar, his own country's rise for independence, his father's desire for his future, and the welfare
of his wife and daughter make Voldemars feeling perplexed. What is he finally going to choose?
What is his destiny? Will he ever find peace of mind and happiness?
Telmenu Saimnieks is a grand love story that involves strong characters' action set in a historical
background . It is also a family saga in a wartime setting which could be still happening today.
The first chapter is fast-paced, as the rest of the story is, and captivating, introducing the reader to
the heroes of the novel. Vivid dialogue in every scene makes this book easy and highly enjoyable
to read as well.
Guntis Goncarovs touches our hearts from the very first pages of the book, so that the reader
cannot put the novel down. Rich in emotions and detailed description Telmenu Saimnieks is an
excellent historical novel that involves alternate feelings of love and tragedy, friendship and
hatred. Highly emotional pieces can be found everywhere in this story. Otilija giving birth, and
Voldemars' horse dying in the battle field are only two of the lot. Some other parts emit strong
barbarism and cruelty :
' At the third carcass ,two men hunched over the still steaming flanks , hacking at the meat with
bloody knifes, ripping out chunks with bare, dripping hands.'
The author expresses his beliefs on several aspects such as the concept of deceit:
'You can't be perfect! What you did was a simple error in judgement. A completely
understandable error. Don't you think you should allow yourself a mistake now and then?'
In another part he speaks about Atheism: ' After all the pushing my father did, making me go to
church and bare my soul ,I vowed I would never go back. But there I was! Just like I was a little
boy again, twenty years ago, head bowed, hands folded, ...I don't even remember why I went
there.'
The novel also includes political views : ' ...I remember how you Russians brutalized thousands of
us in the name of that damned Czar of yours! ...How the blood filled the streets! That will never
fade in my mind or any Armenian's mind.'
Telmenu Saimnieks is a novel that has got all the elements of a best seller, that is to say, it
involves love, war, conspiracy, friendship and evil, all in a proportional combination to the very
end of the story where the hero finds inner peace. It is a journey of the soul through challenging
situations to the ultimate transformation .
The plot is absorbing and the writing style is simple. Being a historical novel, it also contains
segments of history, customs and culture of the Russians, Cossacks and the Latvians . The reader
thinks he is actually there, experiencing every single fraction of action the characters perform.
Native words are used adding a tint of regional culture and flavor, a certain plus to the story.
This book is a highly enjoyable novel that caters for both fiction lovers and for all of those who
like historical novels .
The book cover is an actual photo of the farmhouse and land and Telmeni is the name of the
farmland which had been passed down through the generations of the Vechi/Krebs family.
For more information about Latvia, Saimnieks and Goncarovs, visit
www.angelfire.com/ri2/telmeni
Here you can read the author's bio, browse the historical preface and chapter one of the book,
sign the guest book , and even provide your own comments. You can contact the author at
Lacplesis@aol.com
Related Titles:
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
Six Days In October: The Stock Market Crash Of 1929
Karen Blumenthal
Atheneum
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0689842767, $17.95, Ages 12 up, 160 pages.
Seventy-three years ago this month, several million people average citizens as well as business
tycoons were plunged into poverty. Having pinned their futures on the stock market, they saw
life savings evaporate within days. What caused this historic market collapse? Not knowing much
about the event, I've always accepted the simplistic answer that stockholders, based on some
unfounded fear, stampeded to sell stocks and withdraw bank savings within just a few days.
Blumenthal, a bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal, gives a detailed background to the event,
allowing the reader to see the crash in its larger context. She enlivens her coverage of a technical
subject by threading the personal experiences of several players throughout. These include the
ever-optimistic Michael J. Meehan, avid fan and key trader of Radio Corporation of America
stock, "perhaps the most glamorous stock of the day," and comic Groucho Marx, who lost all his
savings and gained a lifelong case of insomnia. What I didn't know about the 1929 crash is the
behind-the-scenes dealing that went on, exposed during hearings of the Banking and Currency
Committee of the U.S. Senate in 1932. "For months the committee uncovered one grotesque
example of greed, abuse, and insider manipulation after another. It exposed how syndicates or
pools bid up stock prices; how financial reporters were bribed; the enormously high salaries and
bonuses paid to top executives; the special stock deals given to wealthy or influential people,"
Blumenthal writes. New laws were passed prohibiting the practices that had led to the market
collapse. Meanwhile, however, while not the single or main cause of the Depression, the crash
became, in the author's words, "the turning point, the defining moment, when good times gave
way to bad." "Six Days in October" may serve as a primer on stocks and investment or as a
cautionary tale, depending on one's orientation.
Tub Toys
Terry Miller Shannon and Timothy Warner, Illustrated by Lee Calderon
Tricycle/Ten Speed Press
PO Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 94707
ISBN: 1582460663, $14.95, Ages 3-7, 32 pages.
Moving from Wall Street to the wacky, banks to baths, "Tub Toys" offers a relaxing soak. Well,
not really relaxing, but lots of fun anyhow. Dad calls "Bath time!" Enthusiastic son runs to get his
toys. He has so many neat toys to play with in the tub, and doesn't know when enough is enough.
Will he stop while there's still room left for him? The rhyming text and clever illustrations make
for a perfect scamper of a story. I stake my stock on that!
Bubba And Beau: Best Friends
Kathi Appelt, Illustrated by Arthur Howard
Harcourt
525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495
ISBN: 0152020608, $16.00, Ages 2-5, 32 pages
This picture book features an ever-popular pair--a baby and a puppy. Its five chapters each
introduce a character or situation. In chapters one and two, we meet baby and parents, then pup
and parents. In chapter three, the two babies, with much in common, become friends: "They both
got around on all fours. They were both keen on chewing. Neither one was house-trained." In
chapter four we learn that both babies love Beau's blankie. And that one day, while neither is
looking, Mama throws it into the washer. Chapter five: more bad news. The friends are next on
Mama's washing list. Out of chapters and almost out of pages, can anything cheer up these clean,
but sad, little ones? The illustrations are humorous and endearing, making this book a nice bundle
of words and pictures.
Harvest
Written and illustrated by Kris Waldherr
Walker & Company
435 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ISBN: 0802787924, $15.95, Ages 3-6.
In this ode to earth's bounty, Waldherr's spare prose counterpoints the sumptuous visual delight of
a harvest-time garden. Her deep yellow, orange and red watercolors reflect the thoughtful
satisfaction of a mother and daughter who are gathering autumn fruits apples, carrots, herbs,
sunflowers, pumpkins. Mother and daughter show their appreciation by caring for these golden
gifts. They hang flowers and herbs to dry, bake pies and bread, and can fruit. "Harvest" is a timely
tribute to both gardens and gardeners.
The Scarecrow's Hat
Written and illustrated by Ken Brown
Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN: 1561452408, $15.95, Ages 3-7.
Chicken is helpful and wise in this humorous story that begins when Chicken meets Scarecrow,
who would rather have a walking stick to lean on than the straw hat on his head. Chicken happens
to know someone with a walking stick. But Badger, it seems, would prefer a piece of ribbon to tie
his door open than the stick he keeps tripping over. Helpful Chicken happens to know someone
with a ribbon. On Chicken proceeds, in a unique "swap meet on feet" that fulfills the needs of five
animals and Scarecrow. Best yet, energetic, enterprising Chicken knows just what to do with the
battered old hat Scarecrow gives her in exchange for the walking stick. "The Scarecrow's Hat"
walks readers in a circle, but leaves them at a satisfying close!
The Great Stone Face: A Tale By Nathanial Hawthorne
Gary D. Schmidt, Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth.
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
255 Jefferson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
ISBN: 0802851940, $16.00, Ages 6 and up
Hawthorne's tale follows an individual through the seasons of life from boyhood to old age to
explore life's enduring values. A "Great Stone Face" appears to be sculpted in stone on a
mountainside overlooking a New Hampshire hamlet. Young Nathan and other valley folk believe
the granite face prophesies the arrival of "the noblest person of his time." Throughout the years,
several notable men come to town an opulently rich merchant, a great military leader and an
ambitious man with eyes set upon fame. But the merchant dies after his wealth is spent, the
general "rushes to new slaughters," and the fame-seeker grows bitter. When a little girl reveals
that the prophecy has been fulfilled, townsfolk are struck by the truth of her vision. "The child has
seen deeper than all of us," one of them remark. Who has the girl seen with the enduring features
of the "Great Stone Face"? And what is it that makes this individual "the noblest person of his
age"? Schmidt retells Hawthorne's tale with warm clarity and the illustrator, in oils on canvas, sets
the New England stage of yesteryear with grace and beauty.
The Drowsy Hours: Poems For Bedtime
Selected by Susan Pearson, Illustrated by Peter Malone
HarperCollins Children's Books
1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019
ISBN: 0060294213, $16.95, Ages 3 and up.
Open this book and enter the mesmerizing mystique of night, evoked in lilting lyrics for children
of all ages.
A compendium of 16 ageless verses by renown poets Elizabeth Coatsworth, Carl Sandburg and
Lilian Moore, to name a few is accompanied by imaginative, illuminating illustrations. Barbara
Juster Esbensen began her poem "Nightfall" with this intriguing image: One by one/that dark
magician/Night/folds the colors of the day/like scarves/and hides them/in his sleeves -- To dream
some sweet dreams, check out "The Drowsy Hours."
My First Baby Signs
Baby Signs For Mealtime
Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, Photographs by Penny Gentieu
HarperCollins Children's Books
1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019-4703
ISBN: 006009074X, $6.95 each, 24 pages each
The authors, both psychology profs in California, did groundbreaking research that showed babies
can learn to communicate using simple signs before their vocal chords are developed enough to
talk. It's easy to see why signing would lessen frustration in both parent and child; parents can
learn what their infant wants and baby can communicate its needs. As well, parents have an earlier
"window" into their infant's personality. Some of the signs, such as those for "banana," "baby,"
and "book," are the same as those used in American Sign Language. Others are simpler
adaptations of ASL, such as the sign for "cat," while still others are completely different and
easier for babies, such as blowing to indicate "hot." Parent and child are to use these board books
together. The parent is to show baby the sign, point to the picture and say the word. The pictures
are precious, taken by a photographer known for her photos of babies. HarperCollins will be
releasing two more "Baby Signs" board books next February one with animal and the other with
bedtime signs.
Emily Will
Reviewer
Lori's Bookshelf
Death Comes As Epiphany
Sharan Newman
Tor Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10010
1993, $14.95, 319 pps., ISBN 0765303744
Catherine LeVendeur, an 18-year old novice at the French Convent at Paraclete, is enlisted by the
famous abbess Heloise to go on a mission to the Abbey in her hometown. A psalter prepared at
the convent, which Catherine was largely responsible for, has been altered in a way that accuses
the famous scholar Abelard-and Heloise as well-of heresy, and Catherine is to inspect it and
possibly retrieve it. To carry out Heloise's plan, Catherine must return home under the guise of
being disgraced for being willful and disobedient. Once at home, her mother refuses to
acknowledge her out of shame, and her father takes her to task for bad behavior. Luckily, her
handsome uncle Roger, her 16-year-old sister, and an old sculptor working on the construction of
a new church are sympathetic. Before Catherine can do much reconnaissance concerning the
psalter, however, the sculptor dies under suspicious circumstances, and at this point, the story
picks up speed as mysterious circumstances start piling up. Not knowing whom to trust,
Catherine must keep her own counsel, though she is determined to "kidnap" the psalter from the
Abbey to get it to Abelard as well as find out if the sculptor's death was an accident or something
more sinister. Two more murders, a possible murder attempt upon Catherine, a mysterious
stonemason, various knights, holy men, thieves, and rioters, along with a touch of romance, family
politics, and political intrigue all come together in this lively and entertaining medieval
mystery.
Set in 1139 France, the story holds true to the gender limitations of the era while at the same time
allowing Catherine spunk and forthrightness that surely many women back then possessed. She
plans to become a nun, instinctively knowing that the convent is one of the few places where she
can read and think and reason about philosophy and ethical matters without censure. But she
never counted on what would happen to her in the outside world upon leaving the safety of the
cloisters.
This is an excellent mystery adventure, well told, by a writer with considerable skill and a
remarkable background in medieval history. The setting, plot and characterizations ring true, and
we never get bogged down in the mundane historical recitations to which many other novelists
might subject the reader. Instead, like Ellis Peters' fine medieval mysteries, this top-notch novel
rolls along toward a satisfying conclusion which left this reviewer wanting more. It is fortunate
that this is merely the first in a series of books Newman has written about Catherine LeVendeur. I
recommend it highly.
Take Time Out
R. L. Johnson
Yellow Rose Books
c/o Renaissance Alliance Publishing, Inc.,
PMB 238, 8691-9th Ave, Port Arthur, TX. 77642
2001, $20.99, 382 pps., ISBN 1930928203, www.rapbooks.biz,
Robin Grant, an intelligent Economics professor at Northern Oregon University, is between
relationships. Her best friend, Capi, is more than willing to explore something more than
friendship, but Robin holds back, not knowing what's missing-until she meets the enigmatic
Jessica Peters, the university's newly hired women's basketball coach. For Jess, the college job is a
dream come true. It's her first chance coaching at a Division 1 school, and to top it off, it's at her
own alma mater. She intends to have a season not only free of distractions but as perfect as her
players can muster up. Robin doesn't have exactly the same intentions.
The story is a complicated drama with a fair amount of angst and misunderstanding. Surrounding
all of that is the relentlessness of the basketball schedule and the fears that Jess harbors if she is to
"come out" or be discovered as lesbian. Will she succumb to the message from her heart? Or play
it safe and pass by a chance for a long-lasting
relationship?
The book is well-written by an author of intelligence and skill. This is no skimpy romance but is,
instead, a thoughtful and entertaining story set in the middle of big-time college athletics where
the stakes are high and the pressures even higher. I highly recommend it.
The Front Runner
Patricia Nell Warren
Wildcat Press
8306 Wilshire Blvd., Box 8306, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Orig. publ. 1974; reissued December, 1995; $14.95, 320 pp, ISBN: 0964109948
In late 1974, 39-year-old Harlan Brown is living quietly, employed as a track coach at a small
college in upstate New York. He's been through a lot in those 39 years, much of which we
discover later in the narrative from Harlan himself, who is the first person narrator. But on that
winter day, Harlan is in for the shock of his life when the college administrator sends three young
transfer athletes to try out for the track team. These are not just any young men; they're all three
gay-as is the deeply closeted Harlan-and they've been thrown off a big-time college team because
of their sexuality. Billy Sive is one of the three, and it's his spirit and strength that suffuse the
book with gradually increasing power and wonder. Billy is a front runner, the man in the footrace
who runs hard and fast as he can, attempting to stave off his competitors. He has great talent,
which Harlan believes he can bring out if only the young man will listen to his coaching.
And so begins the story of two men as they struggle with the feelings that grow between them.
Eventually they become lovers united in partnership and with the goal to go for Olympic gold
while trying to find a place of acceptance in a world that is not nearly as accepting as it is today.
Graphic and gritty at times, the story of their attraction and relationship is also tender and
powerful. Millions of gay men and women, not to mention many straight people, from all over the
world have read The Front Runner. Whether you're straight or gay-or anywhere in between-the
story is compelling.
Patricia Nell Warren, writing this story in the early 1970's, could not have foreseen the ripple
effect it had upon gays and lesbian in America and around the world. Other books had been
written about homosexual experience, but when this one was first published in 1974, it had a
stunning effect and still packs a punch. The Front Runner took hold of a Gay Hero Archetype and
made it real, while at the same time causing the reader to feel deeply about characters who
seemed so genuinely appealing and authentic, they could almost walk off the page.
This book is nearing 30 years old, and yet it still rings true. Still feels real. Still packs a wallop.
Patricia Nell Warren was very nearly prescient in her treatment of the Gay Heroes in this novel.
Since The Front Runner's publication, we have seen the emergence of gay pride and solidarity that
had only just begun in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots. Since then, from Harvey Milk's 1977
ascendance to political power in California and subsequent assassination to the bravery of gay
rugby player Mark Bingham in helping to avert disaster in the Flight 93 attack on September 11th,
our nation has gotten glimpses of the strength, beauty, and contributions of gay people who put
their lives on the line for the good of an ideal. And I like to think that above it all, the ghost of
Billy Sive hovers: "He had overcome the fury by nonviolence and compassion. He was out front,
running free. He was accepted for what he was. He was even valued now, as someone who might
speak for a whole universe of human feeling that had been denied. It was so ironic."
Though it's been 20 years since I first read this book, time has been good to it, infusing it with
both a prophetic voice and a elegiac tone that would not be so powerful if prejudice and hate were
not still so prevalent. The world has come a long way in the last three decades, but not far
enough. There are still far too many Matthew Shepards and Jamie Naboznys. Until the world is
tolerant and accepting, The Front Runner will continue to speak to all of us. I recommend this
book highly. All of straight America should be required to read it.
Lori L. Lake
Reviewer
Denise's Bookshelf
Amazing Women:; Amazing Firefighters
Marsh Engle
Jodere Group, Inc.
6295 Ferris Sq. Suite D, San Diego, CA 92121
ISBN: 1588720446, 96 pages, Hardcover, $15.00, www.jodere.com
This book came my way from the house that published it, and I'm so very glad they contacted me
to read and review it. Don't let this small book fool you. It packs a punch. Poignant photographs
reinforce the vignettes of a handful of women employed by the New York City Fire Department -
a very tiny portion of the 12,000 firefighters whose bravery and dedication to duty protects the
lives and property of the denizens of NYC. And while this book profiles a mere handful of women
firefighters from NY, it is also the story of women firefighters around the country.
The glorious and emotional photographs taken by Gay Reboli bring these women to life, not only
to expose them as wives, mothers and daughters, but women with fears, doubts and dreams. Not
only are they brave, strong and courageous, they are also feminine, beautiful and
compassionate.
Each of the women profiled in this small yet richly captivating books tells what it was that got
them through he formerly all male dominated tests; mental, academic and physical to reach their
goals.
This book is a must for all ages, young or old, male or female. The author's intentions of bringing
into focus the contribution and dedication of these women firefighters and trailblazers is expertly
done through her use of style and simplicity, letting these women's comments and photographs to
speak for them. Ms. Engle is dedicating her efforts toward creating an Amazing Women Series,
determined to instill confidence in young women all over the globe. Amazing Women: Amazing
Firefighters packs an enormous and immensely gratifying wealth of emotion and pride.
Avenger of Blood: Book Two: The Apocalypse Diaries
John Hagee
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
ISBN: 0785267891, 381 pages, Hardcover, $19.99, www.thomasnelson.com,
1-800-251-4000
Avenger of Blood is the second of a series called 'The Apocalypse Diaries', which tell the tale of
one families' endeavor to survive the persecutions and torments against Christians in the early first
century. Twins Jacob and Peter, along with their sister Rebecca, are the only survivors of their
immediate family as this books picks up, after having survived persecution during Roman emperor
Domitian's reign. Rebecca had endured the hell of Patmos, or Devil's Island, as it was commonly
known, with John the Apostle. There, she was brutally attacked by a Roman officer named
Damien and ultimately bore his child. Once home, it is up to Peter and Jacob, who suffered in
different ways, to guide the family through their lingering grief and difficulties. Peter takes up the
reins of the family shipping business, while Jacob, intent upon revenge, sets out to find and punish
Damien, who reenters their lives just as they're trying to rebuild them.
So begins this tale riddled with volatile emotions. faith and love and hatred and vengeance. It's a
story filled with wonderfully developed, three-dimensional characters, replete with weaknesses
and strengths, each of whom strive to find the right path to follow in life. A riveting, action filled
tale filled with romance, suspense, murder and subtle history, all rolled into one, makes it one
exciting book written of a rarely explored time period. What makes Avenger of Blood stand head
and shoulders above so many others is the ability and depths to which the author deftly explores
the doubts of this new faith that at times plague his characters. He does so with understanding and
compassion for those characters, breathing life into them with extraordinary ease. An excellent
plot and richly fleshed out characters coupled with a smooth and easily readable prose makes
Avenger of Blood an exciting reading experience for young and old alike.
Mr. Hagee is founder and Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, with a
membership of over 17,000. And if he preaches anywhere close to the way he writes, his
membership can only continue to grow by leaps and bounds. His other works include 'Day of
Deception', 'Final Dawn Over Jerusalem' and 'Attack on America'.
First Aid to Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Patients & Caregivers
Michael G. Rayel, M.D.
Soar Dime Ltd., Canada
P.O. Box 1834, Clarenville, NF A0E1J0 Canada
ISBN: 0968781659, 200 pages, $19.95, www.soardime.com
Dr. Rayel's First Aid to Mental Illness is just that. Designed like a 'normal' book on administering
first aid, it is divided into various sections. Chapters cover a wide variety of mental illness, from
moderate to severe, from depression to phobia and psychosis. Eating disorders, obsessions and
mood swings are given equal attention in this extremely well written book of knowledge that is
easily understandable to any academic level.
Each chapter defining an illness is thoroughly covered, from case scenarios to emotional and
behavioral changes to watch for, or physical and psychological manifestations and then offers a
self-help approach from a patient's perspective or advice for the patient's caregiver.
Dr. Rayel's use of the CARE approach aids the reader, caregiver or sufferers in learning not only
to identify a problem, but also how to deal with it. And as such, the reader learns to 'Check for
signs of mental illness, to Anticipate complications, to Remedy with early intervention and where
and how to Educate oneself about the illness.' Equally important is the advice the author's shares
with the caregiver, for which he suggests the HELP method for early intervention. Here one
learns to 'Help patients through the ABC's of first aid, to Empathize generously, to Listen actively
and to Prevent oneself from getting sick.
Replete with case scenarios and basic coping skills, this extremely well organized and researched
reference provides invaluable advice and ready information that every family should have. Dr.
Rayel takes some of the fear and stigma out of the subject of mental illness with his informative
and compassionate approach to a subject that many shy away from.
Dr. Rayel trained in general psychiatry and psychodynamic psychotherapy at New York Medical
College, geriatric psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, and forensic and
correctional psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Denise M. Clark, Reviewer
http://www.denisemclark.com
In Turning the Page Melanie Larson, a 33 year old marketing executive has decided it's time to
make changes in her life. Little does she know what the next four weeks will bring! After several
very successful years with corporate America, Melanie's company has been purchased by a larger
company and the executive offices are moving from Chicago to Seattle. Rather than move West,
Melanie has decided to accept a severance package and to take some time off. Melanie Larson
needs to decide who she is and what she wants from life.
At the behest of her uncle, she finds herself checking in on her rather footloose cousin, Samantha.
Melanie finds recently divorced, Sam residing in a charming little carriage house behind an old
farm house, outside of Rochester, New York. Minutes after arriving, Mel meets Taylor Rhodes,
an attractive lesbian (outed in introduction by Sam) in her late 20s who lives in the main house
next to Sam's cottage. Taylor moved back into her parents home several months ago, after the
sudden death of her mother, in order to look after her father.
When cousin Sam takes off with "flavor of the month" beau, Ron for a cross continental
motorcycle ride, Melanie is left to fend for herself. Deciding to check out the bookstore that
Sam's
father had bought to help stabilize Sam's marriage, Mel begins first to do a little minor clean up of
the shop. As the days pass, she finds herself seduced by the shop's charm and unexplored
potential. Before long Melanie has decided to buy the shop and reopen it as a feminist bookstore.
In the meanwhile Melanie finds that she is more and more comfortable with, and much to her
surprise, attracted to Taylor. Thus Melanie begins to examine her feelings toward Taylor and her
own sexuality.
Along the way Beers captures pictures of a lesbian community in a mid-sized urban northeastern
US city, at the turn of the 21st century in realistic, humorous and insightful ways. She details the
problems many such cities have with supporting and maintaining a women's bar; the "gay
gentrification" that is common in many historic neighborhoods; and the role of softball in the lives
of many a lesbian. Further she pays tribute to the TV show, Xena Warrior Princess and the lesbian
community's role in the show's fandom and success. Beers does this via "Xenite" Taylor and
eventual convert (pun intended) Melanie who names her bookstore, "The Quill is Mightier" after
an episode in the show. To have a story that depicts some of the Xena phenomena without
actually being a fan fiction or "uber" story is quite interesting. As part of Melanie's "Lesbianism
101" process, Beers also provides a little tribute to Katherine V. Forrest's Curious Wine perhaps
the classic lesbian romance novel.
Turning the Page is a charming contemporary romance written with wit, compassion, and eros.
The characters are intelligent and interesting. Melanie's coming out is well handled with
culminating love scenes that are arousing and thoughtful. The politics are relatively mild and the
angst is limited to a required level. Reading Turning the Page is a delightful way to spend a quiet
weekend. This reviewer hopes Ms. Beers will gift readers with other such pleasures.
Seeds of Fire
Laura Adams (Karin Kallmaker)
Bella Books
P.O. Box 201007, Ferndale, MI 48220
ISBN: 1931513198; 260 pages, $12.95 www.bellabooks.com
Seeds of Fire, the second entry of Laura Adams' magical Tunnel of Light fantasy trilogy is an
enchanting gift to her readers. Opening just days after the ending of Sleight of Hand (the first
book in the trilogy), Seeds further braids themes of reincarnation, loss, betrayal, and redemption
through a circle of contemporary women -- Ursula, Autumn, Kelly, Taylor, and Elizabeth -- who
find themselves sharing dreams of earlier lives together. Intelligent and intense, these women
possess strengths and skills they do not fully understand as they struggle to repair a tragedy that
echoes through the ages. Sleight of Hand deals with the origin for the legend of St. Ursula and the
11,000 virgins (circa 450 C.E.) and though Adams provides a great deal of background in Seeds,
readers will do better to read the books in order. (Besides it's more fun!) In this second novel,
readers witness the gathering of Ursula's circle in the early 12th century. The bard Hilea has made
a place for herself as the Abbess Hildegard von Bingen (a remarkable, real life woman and an
inspiration for the series) in Cologne. Hildegard has written a liturgy for the legend of "St Ursula
and the 11,000 virgins" to "call" the other women back together.
Believing they have lost Ursula to the Darkness, the contemporary Taylor, Liz, and Kelly are
devastated. Taylor takes desperate measures to try to determine how their Lammas circle went
wrong. In many ways Seeds is Taylor's story. As she recalls her childhood and early training in the
Old Religion, we're told, "even at eight years old she had been certain of her right to meddle." (p.
92) Taylor must confront that hubris, seek answers to her failings, face the Circle of All Circles,
and find herself once more. Meanwhile, Kelly feeling betrayed and hurt, turns to another source
for comfort, a power that will further Kelly down a dangerous path. Adams' examination of
Kelly's seduction and corruption by Darkness in the past and the present is insightful, thoughtful,
and forthright.
Unknown to the women of Taylor's circle, the mysterious "magician and warrior" Autumn
rescued Ursula from the Darkness that has haunted them for over 1500 years. Ursula survived the
magical transportation at the cost of her memory, adding confusion to their plight. When Autumn
begins to dream of Hildegard's time, she finds that she has gone to great lengths to attempt to
save Ursula in the past. Autumn knows that the danger of the Darkness is still waiting for them;
and she is determined to protect Ursula this time. In addition to the mystical complications these
characters face, old-fashioned poor communication plays a role in their dilemma. Even Autumn's
dog seems aware of this, as in a scene wherein Autumn considers telling Ursula about her dreams,
"Scylla's tail thumped hard on the floor as if to say, Yes, tell her, you fool." (p. 101)
As is often the case with middle aspects of trilogies, Seeds is a darker story than Sleight. Adams'
characters complicate their entanglements via miscommunication, assumptions, doubts, and
secrets. Or as Hilea/Hildegard warns, "the darkness will use our bitter hearts, our angry souls, our
pride and arrogance against us." (p. 240) And of course, she's right. Despite the ominously
growing power of the darkness, Seeds is a pleasure to read. The historical segments are well
researched and authentically recreated. The story is engrossing with interesting, rich
characterization. Adams provides balance to the darkness with her quiet, ironic humor, and the
potential for perfect love and perfect trust to triumph. Her writing entices the reader in enter a
world much like our own; yet it's a place where magic can and must be mastered. One of the
finest writers of "lesbian fiction" today, Kallmaker via her Adams pen name blurs genre lines. The
woman writes wonderful, lively, lush fantasy stories. That they also feature lesbian characters is
added fun for her readers. Adams weaves together powerful imagery and themes, including
leitmotifs such as the reappearing Norns -- the three wise women or "Fates" in Norse mythology
who also represent "Became, Becoming, and Shall Be." Indeed, Seeds of Fire appears to embody
the Becoming aspect of the Tunnel of Light trilogy. This reviewer eagerly awaits what Shall Be in
the upcoming final novel, "The Forge of Virgins."
M.J. Lowe
Reviewer
David's Bookshelf
Churchill: Visionary, Statesman, Historian
John Lukacs
Scribe Publications
ISBN 0908011822, Paperback, 202 pages, Australia A$23.00
Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300097697, Hardcover, 200 pages, $21.95
John Lukacs has devoted his life to the study of Winston Churchill and the events before, during
and after the 1939-45 world war and in this little book he briefly reviews Churchill's vision,
statesmanship and his ability a historian. There are also chapters on Churchill's failures and his
critics, two recent biographies as well as a 'perhaps unduly sentimental account' of his funeral.
These additional topics take up one third of the book. Parts of the book are rewrites of articles
published in the American press in 1985,1991,1993 and 1994 as well as in London in 2001.
So, can you really get a fully considered picture of Churchill as a visionary in 18 pages, or his
statesmanship in 81 - and here he covers Churchill's relationships with Stalin, Roosevelt,
Eisenhower, Europe and appeasement and his ability as a historian in 27? I think not.
Anyone whose knowledge of Churchill's political life is hazy would do better to first read one of
the biographies mentioned by Lukacs: Churchill by Roy Jenkins or Churchill: A Study in
Greatness by Geoffrey Best. This will give them the background necessary to properly
comprehend Lukacs' book.
Churchill
Roy Jenkins
Pan Books (Pan Macmillan)
ISBN 0330688058, Paperback, 1001 pages, Australia A$25.00
Farrar Straus & Giroux
ISBN: 0374123543, Hardcover, 736 pages, $40.00
"Meanwhile never flinch, never weary, never despair." End of Churchill's last major speech to the
House of Commons, 1
March 1955
This is the story of Sir Winston Churchill as seen by another politician, albeit one who is now
Chancellor of Oxford University and who specialises in political biography. So one should expect
a detailed history of Churchill the parliamentarian, and rightly this is so. The book also includes a
section on Churchill's early years, his early army service and his early journalistic work.
Churchill was first elected a Member of Parliament in July 1900 at the age of 25 and, except for
the short period 23 April to 9 May 19081 and the longer 15 November 1922 to 30 October
19242, he remained a Member until his death on 24 January 1965. Early on in his political career
he changed parties, from Conservative to Liberal. He was then a Minister in Asquith's (Liberal)
Government holding several portfolios, the most notable being Home Secretary and First Lord of
the Admiralty. However during World War I (in 1915) Asquith formed a national (coalition)
government drawn from both the Liberal and Conservative parties and Churchill was no longer a
Minister. For a time he rejoined the army and served in France. In 1924 Churchill again changed
parties, back to the Conservatives, and was then Chancellor of the Exchequer for 5 years. The
next 10 years were not good for Churchill. He remained on the backbenches until World War II
broke out in 1939, when Chamberlain again put him back in the Admiralty.
In 1940 Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister. Churchill, then aged 65, formed a national
coalition government, and became Prime Minister, a position he held until 1945 when Labour,
under Attlee defeated the Conservatives. Churchill was again Prime Minister from 1951 until
1955.
All of the above is covered in great detail in this book and what becomes clear is that Churchill
never sat still and did nothing. He was always full of activity and had very definite views on many
topics, which he disseminated to all concerned. He was seen by many of his colleagues as
frequently stepping outside his responsibilities and consequently made enemies. Home rule for
India (he was against) and the rising menace of Hitler were two of the many subjects that he
covered (some colleagues would have said ad nauseam). He was a very skilled orator; many
would say the best in the House of Commons at that time; and he wrote his own speeches.
What to me was fascinating was the discovery that Churchill was also a prolific author. Not only
that, but a skilled negotiator with the publishing houses obtaining advances which were equal to
some of the best of todays.3 I should have known this, as I had read in an abridged form his The
Second World War and A History of the English Speaking Peoples but I was unaware of his 13
other books and his 4 volumes of collected speeches (in total 36 volumes). And this does not
include his numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Nearly all these were written whilst he
was a Member of Parliament. In 1927 Churchill wrote to Baldwin 'I have had a delightful month -
building a cottage and dictating a book. 200 bricks and 2000 words per day'.
What becomes clear very early on in this book is that Churchill was no ordinary person. It is
reported that Churchill lived and entertained in an affluent style and if his income did not meet his
expenses then his income had to increase. He did not accept that he had to economise. In 1937
the News of the World was paying him the equivalent of A$30,000 an article, although at this
time a lot of the hack work was being written by editorial 'ghosts' who got, maybe, 10%.
Churchill did, however, rework the drafts and polish them.
Jenkins notes that there are at least 5 biographies of Churchill including Gilbert's Winston S
Churchill (6 volumes, the official biography). Jenkins' book, as I said at the beginning, is a
political biography so there are places that beg for a little more detail about Churchill's life outside
politics. Churchill's wife, for example, was away for a lot of the time although they appear to have
been a very loving couple. It would appear, too, that his friends were not her friends. And
certainly Churchill's first and major love was politics. Their frequent times apart as Jenkins says,
did lead to a voluminous correspondence between them, much to a biographer's delight. These
days the telephone would have been used more and these communications lost.
On the down side Jenkins assumes that his readers are conversant with many of the British ways
of life especially that of the London powerbrokers. There is a small glossary of parliamentary
terms aimed primarily at the American reader at the beginning of the book but I found that Jenkins
slips into London scene too easily for a non-participant. What, for example, was the Other
Club?
I enjoyed reading this book and I have learnt some of the history of that time that had passed me
by. Emulating Churchill, I set myself a target to read 2000 words (50 pages) a night and it took
me nearly three weeks to finish. It's not a light read but a necessary one if one is to understand the
political environment of Britain during the first half of the 20th century.
End Notes:
1 An interesting historical incongruity caused by the then requirement for Ministers on
appointment to be confirmed by their electorate in a bye-election. In this case Churchill lost the
bye-election (Oldham) and had to find another constituency (Dundee).
2 Churchill lost Dundee and had problems in winning in another constituency. Eventually he won
Epping for the Conservative Party.
3 For example, in 1905, the advance for Lord Randolph Churchill was 8,000 Brit. pounds, worth
today about $1.2 million.
David Skea
Reviewer
Magdalena's Bookshelf
Timepieces
Drusilla Modjeska
Picador USA
ISBN 033036727, $TBA, Sept 2002, Softcover
Drusilla Modjeska is one of Australia's most respected non-fiction authors. Her last book
Stravinsky's Lunch won the NSW Premier Prize for non-fiction, the Nita B Kibble Award and The
Bookseller's Choice Award. Her other books have also been multi award winners, traversing a
fine line between art, fiction, biography and memoir. Modjeska's latest book, Timepieces is a
series of essays on disperse topics, from an examination of her past work through a brief
examination of the affair which ultimately led her to Australia, the place where she does her
writing, the art of memoir, a meditative retreat for women at a Zen Buddistry, Art and the
relationship between the work of an artists and an artists biography, literary criticism and the
perilous state of modern fiction. Despite their varied topics, all of the pieces are, in one way or
another, about writing - what it means to be a writer and the nature of producing a piece of
written work. Many of the pieces have been previously published and date back to 1995. Much of
the book is self-referential, which makes it fascinating if you are already a Modjeska fan, and
harder to read if you are not familiar with her work or the works about which she writes.
The first essay, "Apprentice Piece" makes an equation between a cabinet makers final creation as
a novice - a gift for his master, and Modjeska's first book Exiles at Home published in 1981. In
effect, this essay is a kind of tribute to her masters, the classic women writers and artists she refers
to throughout this piece, and indeed throughout all of Timepieces. Christina Stead, Eleanor Dark
(creator, among other things, of the Varuna Centre for writers in the Blue Mountains), Marjorie
Barnard, Dora Russell and Dorothy Green, all dealt with in Exiles at Home, and later, Woolf,
Dorothy Richardson, Djuna Barnes and Gertrude Stein. While the essay centres on Modjeska's
first novel, and hints at her second, Poppy, it also explores the importance and influence of good
mentors.
The second essay, "The Australian" is a look at Modjeska's first love, an Australian with whom
she dances, and whose descriptions of Australia were perhaps the catalyst for her emigration. In
"Working Room", Modjeska writes of her desk, and the nature of the writing process: "The real
room where I work is in my head. I carry it around with me." "Writing Poppy" looks at the
making of her second book in some detail, exploring the boundaries between fiction and memoir,
while "The Travellers Husk" takes place inside a Zen retreat which is juxtaposed with the death of
her friend and mentor Dorothy (Green?). "On Not Owning a Grace Cossington Smith" touches on
Modjeska's most recent book, the well received Stravinsky's Lunch and her thwarted desire to
own her own painting by the artist who forms the subject of the book. Like the essay which
precedes it, "Framing Clarice Beckett" is also a well handled combination of art history, biography
and personal reflection, originally published in the Australian Review of Books. "The Englishness
Problem: Two Anecdotes and Review" looks again at the relationship between biography and
fiction, and specifically analyses Elizabeth Jolley's The George's Wife and Gillian Rose's Love's
Work. The English problem is a fear of "losing control over classifications that define, even at a
moment of desire to step behind them." In "Memoir Australia" Modjeska again looks at the
process of creating memoir:
"If we think of memoir as the mapping of a mind rather than (or as well as) the recreation of
experience, then what we are responding to is the way the voice encompasses the material it
works with: fact, fiction, memory, speculation, invention, testimony, fabrication, retrieval."
In the final piece, "The Present in Fiction", Modjeska looks at the current state of the novel, and is
critical (calls it a "crisis in fiction") of fiction writers, suggesting that non-fiction may be more
relevant. Considering her own predilection towards non-fiction, in this instance Modjeska may be
a somewhat biased. Although she doesn't mention the books she refers to by title, it is clear that
Carey's True History of the Kelly Gang and Flanagan's Gould's Book of Fish are the books she is
specifically thinking of when she criticises historical novels: "These might be novels of literary
merit, and some are, but they don't necessarily have much to do with or much to say to the
Australia we live in." Her example of a novel which she does feel speaks to the modern reader is
Franzen's The Corrections, which is pale indeed in comparison to both Carey and Flanagan's
monumental works, both of which have enormously modern (even post-modern, especially in
Flanagan's case) and universal themes regardless of their "quaint" historical context (in Flanagan's
case, calling the book a historical novel is probably a misreading.). Her criticisms also ignore
many other novels which are not historical in their setting, including Tim Winton's award winning
Dirt Music
At first glace Modjeska's essays seem rather unrelated, some written specifically for this collection
and others gathered from a range of previous publications. Certainly their appeal will be much
more limited than, say, Helen Garner's The Feel of Steel which is much less literary and more
focused on the human condition and "life", than on art, which is Modjeska's subject. For readers
not intimately familiar with Modjeska's work, Australian art and literature, or interested in the
problems of creating a work of art/literature as an artist/writer, the book will be hard to identify
with and overly intellectual. Nevertheless, the essays are all well written and articulate, and while I
don't agree with all of Modjeska's opinions (especially those on the state of modern fiction), the
book is full of interesting and thoughtful questions, which will leave the involved reader
pondering, long after the book is finished.
French Spirits
Jeffrey Greene
Flamingo/HarperCollins
ISBN 073227477X, $A27.95, April 2002, Softcover
William Morrow & Co
ISBN: 0060188200, $24.95, Hardcover, www.amazon.com
There is something of a trend at the moment for books about "doing up" an old place in Europe.
In addition to the many Peter Mayle books, there is also France Mayes' Under the Tuscan Son and
its sequels and 'products', Ferec Mate's The Hills of Tuscany, Susan Loomis' On Rue Tatin or
Ruth Silvestre's A House in the Sunflowers to name just a few. Like Mayes' books, Jeffrey
Green's country soujourn in Burgundy is not on a permanent residential basis. He can afford to
indulge in a second home while living primarily in Paris, while also holding down a teaching job at
the University of New Haven. As a Francophile who came fairly close to purchasing an old French
wreck myself (in the Massif Centrale), I don't tire of these travelogues, and like the many people
who purchase them, enjoy imagining myself joining in the rural life, eating Baguettes and
Croissant and Cafe Au Lait for Petit Dejuner, restoring a centuries old stone cottage and living in
a village virtually unchanged since medieval days. I'm sure that this is the appeal of these books
which combine the best of travel writing, local food (usually exquisite), serious characterisation,
and some minor plot type adversary. It certainly fits with the plethora of lifestyle, reality type
entertainment which is bombarding our television screens. One imagines that there must be a limit
though. There are only so many surprise eccentric neighbours, renovation travails, fabulous meals
in an unknown restaurant and gardening overhauls that readers can absorb.
Although French Spirits follows much the same path as the other books, and there is indeed
good food, charming and eccentric locals, suspiciious and unplanned renovations and a good dose
of culture shock, Greene differs from many of the other writers in that he is a published poet. His
descriptions and prose take their cue from his intense absorption with language, and his work is
therefore a cut above the very simplistic and lighthearted accounts of Mayle's of Mayes. French
Spirits is still light, and perhaps more relaxing than intense, but Greene's writing style is clearly the
more evocative and powerful, full of poetic phrases and specific detail which sets it apart, saying
much in well crafted sentences:
For me they [the house's ghosts] materialize in the house's afternoon light or speak as the mind's
eye speaks; the walls, the rooms, and the grounds are so infused with centuries of Frenchmen,
partly coloring, now, the moments of our own lives.
The house or "presbytery" itself takes on an almost character-like role: "Houses tend to inhabit us
as much as we inhabit them", from the large white walls, to the wood panelled library, 6ft high
fireplaces, oak framework and wild gardens. The previous inhabitants also become a part of the
setting, despite their absence. There is the small, chaotic but kind hearted Pere Jo, and the
enterprising Pollache, both of whom add depth to the house, inhabiting it as metaphorical ghosts
and bringing in a strong element of history, religion and something else a little more subtle, hinting
at the permanence of life and the way in which the spirit leaves something behind. There are brief
tidbits of history scattered into the personal: the agricultural revolution merging with Greene's late
romance and marriage, the primacy and decline of French Catholic power contrasting with the
entry of new secular Americans into an old French world. Amidst the European weather systems,
traditions and culture is Greene's own search for his lost childhood Eden, and his relationship with
his mother. There is the wild drunkard neighbour Coco, to whom the book is dedicated, who
simultaneously helps and bullies the Greenes with his paralysed drooling face and poaching sense
of ownership. Coco is colourful enough to carry a large part of the "plot", and his characterisation
is both humorous and compelling, as he interacts with the Greene family and the neighbours,
becomes sick and recovers: "He is the self-appointed provincial of an order".
Of course there is plenty of peeling wallpaper, roofing, painting, architectural modifications,
builders, plumbers and handymen, found treasures, bad weather, antiques and garden work: all
lending eccentricity and interest in their own way. These elements are de rigour in any book of
this nature, but there is also serious poetry, from the cited, including Eliot and Larkin, to the
original, such as: "Then, as in the moment when the first stars appear or when you pass from your
last thought into sleep, the swallows metamorphosed into bats" or "There in starched sheets
above the polished floors, amid chrome bars and translucent tubes, there in the night shift, Coco
was becoming no one." There are other writers cited too, from Flaubert, Wilde and Collette, as is
appropriate for an English professor. Other characters like the antique dealer Lelievre, Sophie, the
musical father and son Barlis, Madame Savin, Lasky the visiting musical carpenter or Coco's own
lover Madam Briancon. The relationships between these characters and their interaction with the
Greenes provides interest and moves the story along in a way that evokes fiction.
French Spirits begins with the earth's axis tilting away from the sun and sliding "down into the
narrow pit of gray winter months" and ends in the Burgundian winter mists, the warmth of life and
human celebration contrasting with the eternal cold of winter. In many ways the book is a light,
fun book, a well written travelogue like the many others it follows, celebrating Europe from an
American perspective as history, culture and hedonism take precedence over the daily grind.
Because of Greene's linguistic skills however, the story becomes something more - a celebration
of life with its mixture of transience and permanence - of things beautiful which are already
gone.
Life of Pi
Yann Martel
Harcourt, Brace and Company
15 East 26th Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10010
ISBN 0151008116, $25.00, hardbound, 319 pages, http://www.HarcourtBooks.com
I_m not much of a fiction reader. Art, culture, religion: yes. Society, business, economics: yes.
Cosmology, the miracle of the cell, the search for meaning: yes. Art: yes. History: yes. Biography:
yes. Fiction: When you live in an ice-cream shop, why stick to vanilla?
Somehow comparing the real world with what the mind can invent is a little like visiting a famed
art museum only to find the latest exhibit consists of cast paper. So when I hear about a novel that
has everyone a-dither, my usual habit is to open it to anywhere in the middle and read a
paragraph. Figuring that the middle of a novel is like the top of the fifth in a baseball game, if
there_s a homer there, I go back and read the book_s opening paragraph. Then the last paragraph.
If those pass muster I start in on Chapter 1 and continue till either boredom or completion,
whichever arrives first.
Let he or she who doth jape be not guilty of fast-forwarding.
Life of Pi broke every rule. The paragraph at random could have been anywhere in the story. It
got me so mesmerized from word # 3 on that I was a full three pages into things before I realized
I_d broken some kind of boredom barrier. So back to the beginning, only to find two beginnings.
The first, an Author_s Note in italics, starts off, _This book was born when I was hungry." If ever
a notion strikes to the heart of the writer_s plight, that one is it. Writers lead a such clearly
defined life: no words, no eat.
The second was a little less promising: "My suffering left me sad and gloomy." Aside from the
fact that "sad" and "gloomy" are neighbors without a fence (go look them up) and a lousy way to
start a novel billed on the jacket with paeans like "the greatest living writer of the generation born
in the sixties", "astonishment, delight, and gratitude", and "rare and wondrous storytelling". But
then book jacket copy is like baconburger ads on TV: they look great steaming away during a
3-second photo shoot under the hot lights, but nobody in their right mind would eat such a thing,
especially where they tend to get served.
"My suffering left me sad and gloomy." Hoo-boy, another mirror-gazing biography of the
creative-writing-school type that lecturers adore and publishers transport instantly from slush pile
to the "Thank you for your interest" pile.
So, then, to the other end of the book, where the last sentence was more promising: "Very few
castaways can claim to have survived so long at sea as Mr. Patel, and none in the company of an
adult Bengal tiger."
In the event of mixed feelings, press on. Back to the beginning. Paragraph two, sentence 2 read,
"I have kept up with what some people would consider my strange religious practices." An
eyebrow-raiser, for if there is anything that sets a person apart from the institutionalized
commonlot smothering slowly away in the incense of devotion, it is admitting to a strange
religious practice.
"Get back to work you fool," my left brain said. "Press on, you fool," my right brain retorted. The
part in the middle said, "There_s nothing left in your right brain and nothing left in your right
brain. Go with your soul."
That was at 10:00 a.m. By 1:00 a.m. and two (non-bacon) burgers later I had reached the last
sentence via the approved route and had transformed into a fiction enthusiast, at least of the
fiction of Yann Martel.
By now everything that can be said about the literary merits of this book have been said to say
nothing of the author_s rise from obscurity to stardom during one 70-minute shoe-throwing
session at the Booker Prize selections meeting). So let_s dwell on some things that haven_t.
Technique, for one. For writers who want to learn how to move from riveting phrase to riveting
paragraph, or move along an inherently tedious story (277 days of survival at sea) without
resorting to that ultimate cop-out of a word "suddenly", this is a book to study as much as read.
As long expanses of nonevents inchworm their way across the chapters, seldom do two
paragraphs go by without a complete change of topic. It is as if Mr. Martel threw years of diary
notes snipped into one-paragraph segments into a hat and started pulling them out. Pastiche
perhaps, but boy is he good at the connection phrases.
On the other hand, when he does get expansive, the detail can be amazing. Chapter 71 (on page
202! see what I mean about the diary notes?) gives complete instructions for taming a tiger on a
26-foot lifeboat at sea, and more, how to do so with less seeming fear for the task than demanded
by bringing to heel a Yorkshire terrier. Metatag the literature as you may, you won_t find this
anywhere else.
It is tempting to play the self-inflated book reviewer with books like this. For that you can consult
one of the packaged cake mixes that weigh the shelves of the literary supermarket. For me Life of
Pi was a meander through the Asian street stalls of language, a tasty sentence here, tart and
toothy paragraph there, chapters like the dozens of rice sacks each similar and yet different from
the next, obtaining from each stall the spices of word and condiments of concept that leap from
puff of flame to bubbling pot to repast of wonder enough to commence a lifetime.
Or as Mr. Martel better puts it on page 5: ". . . reason, that fool_s gold of the mind."
Dana De Zoysa
Reviewer
Kinni's Bookshelf
Leadership
Rudolph Giuliani & Ken Kurson
Miramax
288 pp, $25.95, ISBN 0786868414
Rudolph Giuliani was not the first name that came to mind as a model leader prior to the events of
Sept. 11, 2001, but then NYC's mayor delivered what may well become the classic example of
effective crisis leadership. Leadership is the best book of the month and organized into three
sections that cover Giuliani's view of the events of Sept. 11, the post-attack recovery effort, and
his autobiographical take on the principles of leadership.
Searching For A Cororate Savior
Rakesh Khurana
Princeton University Press
41 William Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
295 pp, $29.95, ISBN 0691074372, 1-800-777-4726
Harvard b-school's Rakesh Khurana studied the hiring and firing of CEOs at 850 companies to
uncover the mechanics of CEO selection. In Searching For A Cororate Savior: The Irrational
Quest For Charismatic CEOs , Kurana concludes that the CEO market is not an open, competitive
job market; that the selection process is secretive and often driven by outside stakeholders; and
that charisma is the primary selection factor -- instead of knowledge of the firm, its industry and
its problems. The results, in most cases, are poor hiring decisions.
Less Is More
Jason Jennings
Portfolio
249 pp, $24.95, ISBN 1591840015
Jason Jennings traveled the globe in his quest to identify and study companies that create business
success by maximizing output and minimizing costs. The ten finalists - including Nucor, IKEA,
Ryanair, Yellow Freight, and Springfield Remanufacturing - illustrate Less Is More: How Great
Companies Use Productivity As A Competitive Tool In Business , an accessible primer to
focusing, streamlining, digitizing, motivating, and embodying your way to a highly productive
workplace.
The Responsibility Virus
Roger Martin
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, w York, NY 10016-8810
276 pp, $27.50, ISBN 0465044107, 1-800-242-7737
The "Responsibility Virus" is a cycle of failure driven by people who take too much or too little
responsibility for results. In The Responsibility Virus: Stop Taking Charge Or Taking Orders ,
University of Toronto business school head Martin offers four tools for curing the disease: a
group decision process, a relationship re-framing exercise, a "ladder' for responsibility
development, and a more balanced definition of leader/follower responsibility.
Driving Growth Through Innovation
Robert Tucker
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
242 pp, $27.95, ISBN 1576751872, 1-800-929-2929
In Driving Growth Through Innovation: How Leading Firms Are Transforming Their Futures ,
business consultant Robert Tucker delivers a practical guide to weaving the development of new
products and services into the daily fabric of your company. He describes strategies and tactics for
stimulating innovation through leadership action, cultural traits, idea generation and management,
customer focus, and new product development and business strategies.
Driving Growth Through Innovation
Nick Wreden
Accountability Press
389 pp, $29.95, ISBN 0971744203
FusionBrands depend on "everyday operational excellence, customer equity, and accountability,"
says "brand futurist" Nicke Wreden. Driving Growth Through Innovation: How Leading Firms
Are Transforming Their Futures is a wide-ranging overview and synthesis of the subject,
describing ten core principles of building brands and devoting over half the text to exploring three
types of brand drivers -- emotional, experiential, and functional.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award: Insights from the Winners' Circle
Gregory Ericksen
Dearborn Trade
155 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606-1719
208 pp, $18.95, ISBN 0793148898, 1-800-621-9621
Gregory Ericksen is the director of E&Y's Entrepreneur Award program and collects the best
practices of the award winners in The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award: Insights from the
Winners' Circle, a guide to successfully growing a business. The primary elements
are the ability to provide visionary and strategic leadership, create a cohesive team culture,
innovate and adapt, and manage financial performance.
Fundamentals Of Preventive Maintenance
John Gross
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
223 pp, $39.95, ISBN 0814407366, 1-800-250-5308
Stuff breaks and the way to minimize downtime is an organized program of preventive
maintenance (PM). In Fundamentals Of Preventive Maintenance , plant engineer John Gross
offers a seven-step, incremental implementation process (scheduling, facility mapping, equipment
lists, PM instructions, equipment manuals, parts inventory, and performance monitoring) that
results in a comprehensive PM program. Includes a CD-ROM.
The Infinite Organization
Michael Broom
Davies-Black Publishing
3803 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
161 pp, $25.95, ISBN 0891061681, 1-800-624-1765
sIn The Infinite Organization: Celebrating The Positive Use Of Power In Organizations ,
consultant Michael Broom envisions organizations in which power is an abundant and unlimited
commodity that is shared by all employees. He describes how managers can tap into their
unrealized personal power, use it to galvanize employees to harness their power, and create
team-based structures where all that power is leveraged for maximum impact.
The Support Economy
Shoshana Zuboff and James Maxmim
Viking Books
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
458 pp, $27.95, ISBN 0670887366, 1-800-847-5515
In The Support Economy: Why Corporations Are Failing Individuals And The Next Episode Of
Capitalism, a big-picture view of the current state of capitalism, Shoshana Zuboff and James
Maxmim claim that today's "managerial capitalism," which is based on production and is
inner-focused, cannot efficiently respond to its markets. In its place, they envision "distributed
capitalism," which is based on federations of businesses and provides "deep support" to individual
consumers.
The New Culture Of Desire
Melinda Davis
The Free Press
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
262 pp, $26.00, ISBN 074320459X, 1-800-223-2336
"Bliss" is replacing more traditional needs (such as power, sex, etc.) as the primary human
motivator, according the findings of Futurist Davis' ongoing Human Desire Project. In The New
Culture Of Desire: 5 Radical Strategies That Will Change Your Business And Your Life , she
describes five strategies - "the five most insistent needs of the twenty-first century" - that
marketers and their companies should understand during this period of transformation from old
motivators to this new desire for bliss.
Momentum
Ron Ricci and John Volkmann
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way , Boston, MA 02163
206 pp, $24.95, ISBN 157851522X, 1-800-668-6780
Momentum (mass x speed x direction) is the primary characteristic that successful digital product
companies share, say this pair of high tech execs. In Momentum: How Companies Become
Unstoppable Market Forces , Ron Cicci and John Volkmann describe how to create it by building
"mass" in terms of value, gaining "speed" in terms of technological leadership, and setting the
"direction" of future market development.
Out Of The Box: Strategies For Achieving Profits Today And Growth Tomorrow Through Web
Services
John Hagel
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way , Boston, MA 02163
212 pp, $29.95, ISBN 1578516803, 1-800-668-6780
Web services, an emerging technology which is capable of automating connections between
business applications and data, promises a fast, economical way of creating added value from IT
investments, according to consultant John Hagel in Out Of The Box: Strategies For Achieving
Profits Today And Growth Tomorrow Through Web Services . Based on the principles of "loose"
coupling and open architecture, Web services enable operational cost reduction, process network
opportunities, and organizational flexibility.
Remembering You
Cass Andre
Wings ePress Inc.
P. O. Box 38, Richmond, KY 40476-0038
ISBN: 1590881532, $TBA, http://www.wings-press.com
Dray Sloane is a card shark. She's rough and tough and not bad to look at, so when she finds
herself holding most of a royal flush with the ace up her sleeve, she figures it's OK to bet the only
thing she has left her unmarried self. Besides, she's playing against Caleb Washbrook and he's
the village idiot, for heaven's sake. She's got nothing to lose. Except for once, Lady Luck turns
her back on Dray and she finds herself backing out of a saloon with her gun trained on a furious
Caleb. Well, if he makes trouble she'll shoot him and it won't be the first time she's killed a man.
Why, everyone knows that Dray Sloane is about as friendly as a rattlesnake. But six months later,
Dray Sloane has her hands full of another problem- her sister's five young children. Her sister, a
do-gooder with no taste in men, up and gets killed by some drunk. What could she have been
thinking of? Didn't she know better than to get involved in a domestic quarrel? And then to go
naming Dray as guardian for her five little kids well she must have been out of her mind.
Dray's out of her mind too. She's got no patience with kids, and baby Rose is only a baby, then
there's two-year-old Kait, who talks a mile a minute with every sentence begins with why! And
John always getting into scrapes, Ashlyn who is old enough to know better and Vincent the
eldest boy, Dray can't imagine what she's going to do with all of them! Plus her sister's house is
falling apart, there's no money in the bank and to top it off, a man rides up on a big horse and
says he's the children's uncle, and he's going to take all of the kids away from her.
Wait a minute! Dray might not be the perfect mother, but no one is going to waltz away with her
sister's kids. Especially not anyone related to their good-for-nothing father, Frank Stafford. But
his brother, Isaac Strafford, means business. And then an accident robs him of his memory. As
soon as he opens his eyes, Dray prompted by her nephew Vincent tells him he's her husband
and father to the five little orphans. What follows is a rollicking farce! With the children in on the
plan, Dray's scheme to rebuild her sister's house and barn seem on the right track. Isaac tries to
remember, while everyone does his or her best to help him forget. Soon, Dray can't imagine life
without him, and starts to dread the day that his amnesia will wear off. Deciding to tell him the
truth, she runs into the firm refusal of five children desperate for a 'real family'. For once in her
life, Dray has to figure out what is right and what is wrong, and act accordingly. The only
problem is, she's grown to love the children and Isaac Stafford, and she knows that as soon as he
learns the truth, he'll leave and take the kids with him. With her reputation, no judge in the
country will let her keep the children! What will she do?
'Remembering You' is a fast paced, enjoyable read. Dray is a fascinating character, and there's
never a dull moment as her predicament goes from comedy to tragedy and back.
Highly Recommended.
The Way of the Wolf
Shelby Morgen
Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1843602811, $15.99, www.ellorascave.com
The Way of the Wolf is actually four books in one and each is as fascinating as the one before.
It seems that in a faraway time gods and goddesses rule the land; and elves and orcs are still at
war. There are also other races the race of men, the warriors, the faeries and the fey. There are
ogres and trolls, and warrior shape shifters who can take the form of their gods the wolves and
the bears. It is a magical land, ruled by magic and strength, where the kingdoms still eye each
other warily and make war on occasion.
The first book begins as Cassadara, the youngest daughter of a powerful warrior clan, goes on a
mission to take back an ancient talisman from an enemy kingdom. On her way, she follows her
mother's orders, and frees a slave from a cruel dwarf. Sure she's committing a monumental error,
she nevertheless lets the salve come to her room. He's wounded, and she uses her powers of
healing on him. Once healed and cleaned up, Cassadara is amazed to see that this particular
human is quite a specimen indeed! Her mission almost fades to the background as she and her
slave lover discover that their bodies can take them to incredible heights of passion. But
Cassadara completes her mission, and her slave turns out to be far more than she's bargained
for.
The second story is about Seanan, a thief, yes, but now a guard in the palace. He's a warrior, and
a shape shifter, and he's standing guard for Cassadara's wedding. But someone speaks to him and
spoils his concentration. It's a slender woman, no higher than his shoulder, and half elf, from the
looks of it. Seanan believes she's just a child, despite her wise eyes and husky voice. Little does he
know she's about to lure him on an adventure that can kill both of them a hundred times over. Or
take them to places neither has envisioned straight to the altar the wedding altar, that is!
The third story is about Cassadara's sister, Tranorva. She's a warrior to the bone. Tall, strong and
pitiless when it comes to hunting orc and enemy. But she's about to lose her freedom. Captured
by the Dark elves and held prisoner, she doesn't know what they want only one thing is sure
she'll die before she'll capitulate. Sent to rescue her is a strange creature, neither elf nor human
and a shape shifter to boot. His name, Elandine, and he's known and loved Tranvora since she was
born. Timeless and ageless, Elandine is a fey, and he makes a bargain with the gods in order to
rescue the woman he loves. Even though he knows she has nothing but disgust for him. Can his
love for her overcome everything even death?
This book was one of the best I've ever read. The stories are magical, captivating and I couldn't
stop! From one sister to the other, the story weaves a fantastic web across a universe peopled
with fascinating characters. Each story is unique, yet each is tied to the other.
Read 'The Way of the Wolf'. You'll be transported to an incredible world you'll never want to
leave!
Very highly recommended
More Than a Hunch
Kate Douglas
Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1843602695, $TBA, www.ellorascave.com
'More Than a Hunch' is an Ellora's Cave Quickie that is, a short story or novella! 'More Than a
Hunch' is also a terrific take off on the hard-boiled detective stories, with a twist. The narrator is a
woman. A mature, sexy, sure-of-herself woman reporter who knows who she is, and is a
wonderful, refreshing change from most romance book heroines.
I was hooked right away! The story starts out with Nita Franklin having one heck of a hot dream
about a mysterious lover. It's not the first time she's dreamed about this particular man, and she
hopes it's not the last! Then her phone rings, waking her up, and she's surprised to hear Martin
Hawley, a well-known businessman on the other end. He wants to talk to her about one of her
informants, a certain slime-ball by the name of Delgado. It seems Delgado kidnapped Martin's
daughter, and Martin is convinced that Nita can help him get her back.
When they meet, sparks fly! He's the man of her dreams, but more incredible, he's been having the
same dreams about her! Somehow, Nita is psychically linked to this handsome man and his lovely,
sweet daughter. But how? And will they be able to save Martin's daughter on time? And will Nita
ever prove that Elvis is really alive?
This book answers all those questions and more. 'More Than a Hunch' is a high-spirited parody of
a detective story with a marvellous, strong heroine and a hero to make your toes curl. This
quickie was over way too soon!
Highly recommended.
Midnight Desires Anthology
Kate Hill and Sherri King
Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1983602415, $TBA, www.ellorascave.com
Midnight Desires begins with 'Marriage in Moonlust' by Kate Hill. Leona, a lovely village girl,
finds herself prisoner in a mansion, with Kornel, an evil vampire, about to suck the life out of her
neck. Luckily, his brother, Narcisse, saves her. Between Narcisse and Leona, a strange passion
grows. Narcisse has sworn not to love again after losing his beloved wife in an accident. But he
can't help becoming involved with Leona. Her sweetness, her spunk and her beauty snare his
heart. Unfortunately, Kornel is determined to have Leona as his own his victim, that is. He
wants to kill her. Can Narcisse protect her? Will he give in to his real feelings? This story is full of
rich descriptions, fascinating characters, and an intricate plot that kept me turning pages. '
Icarus', by Sherri King wraps up the anthology. Morrigan Mederos has decided to give up her
stressful, bustling life as a poet song writer in New York and move to an old mansion in
Scotland. She'd never seen it, she bought it from photographs! To her relief, it is perfect, nestled
in a beautiful valley near an ancient village. But the first night she's there, a strange dream troubles
her sleep. In her dream, she's standing by the loch, and as she watches, a man rises out of its
depths and walks across the deep black water to stand by her side. Who is he? Demon or human?
Selkie or vampire? Whatever he is, he's so incredibly beautiful that she can't tear her eyes from
him. When he reaches her side, he takes her in his arms and then they kiss. His teeth break her
lips, and her blood flows into his mouth. Passion washes over her, stronger than anything she's
ever felt. When she wakes up, she discovers she's bitten her lip. She knows dreams aren't reality,
but this one was so clear, so much more than just a nightmare. In this tale, dreams and reality are
woven so tightly together, it's impossible to see where one begins and the other leaves off. Both
stories are beautifully written and evocative. These captivating tales will lure you into a world of
mystery and magic. You won't want to go back home!
Texas Thunder
R. Casteel
Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1843600528, $TBA, www.ellorascave.com
Cynthia Petterson has good reason to be mad. She's just caught her fianc‚ in the arms of another
woman. Her best friend, as a matter of fact, and they were both stark naked! What's a girl to do?
Cynthia doesn't know, but she wants to get as far away as possible from her cheating, now ex-
fianc‚. Furious, she drives off, not realising that a huge snowstorm has moved in, and is about to
block all the roads in that part of Colorado. Just as she's decided to try to turn back, her car skids
out of control and hurtles down an embankment.
Charles Randall, driving home to his mountain retreat, notices a faint light in the trees. He stops
his car to have a look, and sees Cynthia's car. He manages to get her out of her car, and takes her
to his home. Between them grows a fragile romance, but each is nursing a hurt too great to be
overcome right away. Cynthia can't bring herself to trust another man, and when Charles's young
wife died, part of him died with her. But alone together, with the storm roaring outside, they fall
in love. When Cynthia's family comes to pick her up, Charles can't help feeling as if he's lost
something all over again. Cynthia's home is on her ranch in Texas, but Charles now lives in the
Colorado Mountains. Will he put aside his pain and go to the woman he now loves? Using
Christmas as an excuse, Charles goes back to Texas, and home. Charles and Cynthia both have
large, loving families, and this book introduces you to both clans. Then disaster strikes; Charles's
sister is injured. Charles finds his world suddenly tipped upside-down as the unexpected happens.
Texas Thunder will have you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Cynthia and Charles, hoping
they will get together, and loving every minute of this fast paced, entertaining read. I fell in love
with all the characters, I'm sure you will too.
Highly recommended.
Things That Go Bump in the Night
Margaret Carter - Tall Dark and Deadly
Lanette Curington - Statuesque
MaryJanice Davidson Monster Love
Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1843602857, $TBA, www.ellorascave.com
Here's a Halloween treat! Three stories with your favorite themes vampires, virgin sacrifice and
werewolves. And don't forget a dash of humor, a slash of scare and some scorching sex, all
wrapped up in three delightful tales.
Tall Dark and Deadly has a wonderful, fast paced plot and vibrant, unique characters. Claude, an
actor who portrays vampires Is a vampire! Eloise, a budding playwright, wants Claude to read her
play, "Varney the Vampyre". When they meet, Claude is entranced by her voluptuous good looks
and her latent sensuality. She's thrilled to meet him, and things would be perfect except for a very
nasty vampire named Philip who has an old, very old, grudge against Claude and now it's
payback time.
Statuesque is a mysterious tale of possession, memories from the past overlying the present, and a
search for an enigmatic people called the Zamarians. Supposedly, a life-sized statue of a priest
called Zamar would come to life on All Hallows' Eve with the help of a sacrificial virgin. Lia,
helping her archaeologist friend Mac, has come to the mountain searching for the passage that will
lead them to the statue. Little does Lia know that she's to be the sacrificial virgin! That is, unless
someone who has supposedly been dead for thousands of years can come to her aid.
Monster Love is a funny, mordant tale about a young vampire who falls in love with a werewolf
with a chip on her shoulder. When Richard and Janet meet, it's not exactly love at first sight.
Actually, she knocks him out cold and leaves him lying in an alley. Not the most auspicious start.
Then the vampire kidnaps the werewolf, and the fun really begins. Tied to a bed, unable to move,
the last thing Janet expects is a proposal! And then he unties her, and things start to fly (like a
soup bowl, and a chair, and well, you get the idea!) Richard tries to woo his werewolf, but he's
woefully inadequate. This story had me in stitches, and it's the perfect ending for a delicious trio
of Halloween tales!
What would you do if you found a magic lamp, rubbed it just the right way, and found not one,
but two incredibly gorgeous genies in it, claiming they'd been sent to educate in all things
pleasurable? You'd think you'd died and gone to heaven, right?
Well, that's what happens to Alana West. She buys an antique vessel from an estate show, and
when she gets home, she's in for the surprise of her life.
Sami and Hari are the two handsome genies. They get cable TV in their bottle (although they
admit rather shamefacedly they don't have a legal converter). They don't grant three wishes either.
Rather, they have been sent by a higher order to help Alana get in touch with her inner sexuality.
Alana is skeptical. Incredible orgasms are things out of romance novels. Her experiences have led
her to believe sex is mostly frustration, and she's doubtful anyone can help her. But Sami and Hari
claim they can. And do they ever! This book is a wild ride through different sexual techniques,
including tantric sex and massages. It dwells on different gadgets like cushi bells and pearls, and
Sami and Hari, professionals from top to bottom, er, head to toe, are excellent teachers. Soon
Alana is reaching peaks of sexual pleasure she never thought possible. She gets incredibly fond of
Sami and Hari, and I did too. I found myself wishing for a magic lamp, just for a week or so, to
help me get in touch with my inner self! But lacking that, I have this wonderfully funny, sexy,
sensuous book to guide me through Alana's incredible adventures. Alana's adventure doesn't end
with graduation though Ms Kelly lets Alana help Sami and Hari find something even more
important than sexual gratification. In the end, everyone is a winner! If you've always longed for
two, incredibly handsome men all for yourself for a while, read 'Alana's Magic Lamp', and may all
your dreams come true!
Highly recommended
Jennifer Macaire, Reviewer
http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/Iskander
Cindy Lynn's Bookshelf
The Uglimen
Mark Morris
PS Publishing LLP
c/o Hamilton House
Four Park Avenue, Harrogate HG2 9BQ, England
$TBA http://www.pspublishing.co.uk
Rob Loomis receives the phone call that no son ever wants. His father has committed suicide, and
his mother, now alone, needs her son to come home for the funeral. Rob loves his family very
much, and so only thinks of the sorrow and grief caused by his father death. He does not realize
that this event could bring his whole world -- his nice job at the book store, the band that he plays
music with and the girlfriend that loves him -- to an end. While he's at the funeral, he thinks he
sees his father standing under a tree. Back home, he receives a phone call from an oddly familiar
voice that warns him that The Uglimen are coming, and that they'll kill him, just as they did his
father.
Soon, his mother's house is broken into, and he goes back to help her clean up and restore the
peace of mind that a robbery always steals. That night, as he tries to sleep, he hears a sound down
stairs. He goes to investigate, to find a man with two strange scars, one dividing his face in half
vertically, the other going across horizontally and ruining one of his eyes. Rob manages to chase
him out, but his worries that the phone call might have some truth to it being to nag him.
Appearances by his father seem to haunt him, and Rob isn't sure if he's just crazed from grief or in
danger. When his mother is kidnapped, he knows that he has to discover the truth of the Uglimen
before he loses someone else.
In this book, Morris does a fine job of exploring the dangers of fanaticism. The Uglimen are so far
into their own agenda, so fanatic about recovering a certain religious object, that they loose all
touch with humanity. They think nothing about killing a whole family in order to reach their goals.
I guess if one is willing to submit to a ritual scarring that also takes one of the eyes, then one is
willing to mindlessly become a weapon of destruction. After one has made a sacrifice of pain,
causing others pain, at least it seems to me after reading this book, would hardly be a large step.
This lack of humanity makes the Uglimen particularly frightening, for you never quite know what
else they might be willing to do. It's also a book about how one mistake that seems, at the time, to
be a tiny thing can branch out to ruin whole lives.
Rob definitely carries the book. He is a strongly written character, and the reader feels very
sympathetic towards him. He needs to wade through a lot of emotional, as well as physicals
dangers. Not only is he still mourning for his father, but he learns a lot of truths about his own
past that he has to settle with himself. He's worried about his mother, and he is, eventually,
betrayed by someone close to him. These burdens are huge for one man alone to carry, especially
since he doesn't have breathing space to really think about them since, well, he has to keep going
if he wants to save his mother. .
An adventure that asks a lot of questions about fanaticism and the prices we pay for our mistakes,
The Uglimen is a thoughtful, exciting read.
Good-Bye, Chunky Rice
Craig Thompson
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 1282, Marietta, GA 3061-1282
1891830900, $14.95, 128 pages, Trade Paper
I've started this review four times.
This is a book of great depth. It is an evocatively drawn story about many things, but most
especially friendship and its ties to loneliness and loss. Each character has a pairing that uniquely
demonstrates this theme. Chunky and Dandel, whose innocent and bright love for each other is
stronger than distance. Chunky's ex-neighbor Solomon, and his newly discovered pet bird Merle,
are both extremely lonely characters. Solomon has long been estranged from his brother Charles
and so lives in an odd fantasy world where he believes that Charles used to love him, but an
incident in their childhood was what separated them. Merle's wings have been damaged, and so he
must rely on his human companion for help. On the ship that Charles captains and Chunky will
soon set off on, there are a pair of Siamese twins, Livonia and Ruth, who must live their lives
forever connected to one another. They are totally dependant on each other, yet their personalities
tend to clash. They have no choice but to learn how to live together, and their love and
acceptance of each other shows. Charles, the captain, is himself a charlatan, but one whose
passion for the sea and reluctance to give up his sailing ways somehow make him likable. He, too
is lonely, having long ago turned from any human, certain that it is safer to love the sea than
anyone or anything else.
So why, you are thinking, is this such a hard review to write? I certainly seem to have plenty to
say. It's because I fear chasing people away from this graphic novel. I know that culturally, we are
beginning to accept that comics are a wonderful medium. Yet I worry that my words are not
adequate to prove the beauty of this book....especially when I explain that the protagonist,
Chunky Rice, is an upright-standing turtle boy, wrought in an adorable and expressive fashion
upon the page, and that his best friend is a deer mouse named Dandel. If I stuck to my usual style
of summary/exposition, a lot of people would have gone, "Oh, a kid's book", and turn away. So,
here is the general plot of the story.
Chunky Rice has lived on the isolated island all his life. His best friend Dandel agrees that perhaps
it is time for him to leave and discover the world. He sets out on a small boat, where he meets
Livonia and Ruth. Chunky has a gentle nature that Charles tries to take advantage of. Dandel has
a keen sense of where she belongs, and though she misses him terribly, stays behind.
Dandel writes him messages in bottles, trying to express what she is feeling...and as she tries to
discover these feelings through her writing, she reveals some truths about our own mindsets and
how we try and express our deepest feelings to those closet to us. Each of the relationships that I
detailed explore so many aspects of our interactions and relationships. It also explores the
loneliness that we create, as well as the loneliness that simply comes to us.
This is the one hundred, twenty sixth review I've written, and during those reviews, I've read
many books that moved me, but rarely to the extent that this one has. Perhaps it is a reflection of
my own current mindset, but Craig Thompson has created something beautiful and profound. It is
well worth reading by anyone who has left a loved one behind -- or, indeed, was the one left.
Solitaire
Kelly Eskridge
Eos Books
c/o Morrow & Company
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
ISBN 0-06-008857-5, Hardcover, 368 pages, $24.95, http://www.eosbooks.com,
1-800-242-7737
One of my friends has a saying that I've taken to heart: Never make your escape your prison.
Unfortunately Jackal (Ren) Segura doesn't have a choice. When she begins the book, she's a
Hope, one of a select few born on a chosen day, picked to be the leaders and peacekeepers of a
millennia that the world hopes will be a peaceful and successful one. When she learns the secret of
herself, a series of events takes place that eventually sends her to prison. Imprisoned in her own
head thanks to a new technology, Jackal must begin all over again, relearning herself as she deals
with what seems to be ages and ages of completely isolated containment.
Eskridge creates some interesting social commentary in this book. The first thing is that in our
own times, we seem more inclined to escapism, to going into the computer world, to going into
our own heads to escape the more unpleasant sides of day to day life. For Jackal, she strips that
outlet away, and it forces Jackal to forget fantasy, to discard the expectations that she was raised
with and the molding process that was her childhood, and forces her to rub it all away in order to
become her true self. I have always felt that to truly be able to consider things, you have to step
aside, you have to go to a place of peace and silence. Jackal has nothing but. Then, after her
release, the society that is built around these people who have done the same virtual incarceration
in their minds, a society where these people become dangerous celebrities to be watched and
discussed on websites is also worth mulling over. Even today we near-idolize the tragic and the
criminal, discussing suicides and mass murders with a glee that should be considered
shameful.
Jackal is a great character, balanced between selfishness and selflessness, she's well meaning
enough that I really wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her, what she would do
next. Snow, her lover, contrasts well with Jackal, and her loyalty through all the things Jackal has
to go through is never in doubt.
The world the story is set in is an apt-feeling projection of what the earth will be like many years
hence. The surrounding technology (aside from the technology that changes Jackal so much) isn't
leaned on much, because I think the important things here are the interactions between people,
not the nifty devices floating around. This is a world where people are expected to keep a certain
accepted standard, and other people will help by watching over them, reporting their actions, and
trying to "help" everyone live up to the norm. Jackal spends much of the first part of the book in
managerial classes, where she is taught how to manage people, how to take control of situations.
It's part psychology, part mediation and a slight dose of manipulation, but it's how Ko, the
corporation that everyone who lives there takes part in, works. Her own relationship with her
mother Donatella is strongly influenced by it, in fact poisoned by it because her mother is jealous
and wants to always be ahead of her daughter, to dominate her and be considered the better.
This book keenly written and quite enjoyable. It could fit as easily on the literature shelf as on the
SF one, and should win a wide range of readers.
Cindy Lynn Speer
Reviewer
Pogo's Bookshelf
Fire Your Boss and Hire Yourself: Freelancing your way to happiness and prosperity 987
Kristi Patrice Carter
KPC Writing and Editorial Services
3011 West 183rd Street Suite 179, Homewood IL 60430
ISBN 0-9725654-0-X , 125pp 9.99, http://www.freelanceyourway.com
Did you ever think of shaking loose from the company and breaking into freelancing? is it only a
dream or a fanciful scheme? Then pick up this book and consider the possibilities of doing it.
Kristi Patrice Carter has it down in black and white in a straight-forward, nuts & bolts way, that
anyone can understand and follow. She presents a strictly no-hype, let's-do-it elbow-grease book
with a methodically thought out system for anyone to systematically implement. Two basic
ingredients are needed: self-responsibility and determination.
Afraid? Who isn't? Beginning a new way of living is as imposing as climbing an iceberg. With her
personal voice of experience, the reader is encouraged and reassured that success is possible.
Frustrated as an investigator for the Department of Labor, her first attempts at becoming
self-supporting was stuffing envelopes. Not bad employment for a juris doctoris, is it? Sort of
takes the bottom of the minimum wage towards the financial abyss:
"At the time, money was extremely tight.We were living from paycheck to paycheck, had recetly
acquired a mortgage and to top that off, I wasn't entirely happy with my career. Plus to make
matters worse, I culdn't bear to think of leaving my then unborn daughter with a complete
stranger or even a trusted relative while i pursued a job away from home. In desperation, I tried
all types of money-making schemes. I received snail mails an e-mails for ten cents apiece, became
a mystery shopper (earning $10.00 per questionnaire after using tht much in gas) and I even
considered becoming a psychic counselor." (p9)
She started in 1999 and today she has her own company with a stabilized income. Miraculous?
Lady Luck bestowed a kiss? Not so. Presenting a list of jobs, starting with stuffing envelopes and
ending with critquing websites, she concludes by saying, " All you need is love...and an internet
connection!" (p14) She shows you how to succeed through a carefully outlined plan of
organization beginning at the very beginning with how to find work, develop a resume and
portfolio, and value yourself. From the initial investigation of your personal skills and interests to
finding work through the internet, she's with you all the way, incorporating the voices of
experienced freelancers to give you insight about their personal experience for success. Adam
Fiveson, web designer, offers his advice for those just starting out:
"Be flexible Do webwork, print work, animations for TV, billboards, video games, whatever,
but do not become a specialist. The industry is really fickle, what might be a boom today, turns
out to be a crappy field tomorrow.
Mirror other freelancers's talent Find other people's layout ideas that you find compelling or
imaginative, and copy them; find magazine layouts you like and try to incorporate those ideas into
something that fits your needs. Now no one likes a thief, so use ideas wisely,but review the
competuition often. Eventually, the bulk of what you've stolen will sift out, and you will have a
unique style of your own." (p19)
The book is a valuable resource, as she compares jobsites services that are available, gives tips on
self-presentation and presents interviews and examples of how to get things done. To help you
through the stress, she systematically presents things in a logical progression so that the beginner
is not overwhelmed with too much information with the pressures of self-responsibility and
personal obligation. For many, the anxiety of being alone and having no support, keeps them from
striking out on their own. Listen to the voices of other people who started from scratch. Learn
from their experiences. Confidence and self-esteem are extremely important for your first success
whether it be a large or small project; remember it all goes to your portfolio, developing your
credentials as a person who can get things done professionally. Start small, but think big:
"You don't need any special skills or knowledge to reach that stage. You can start from scratch,
with no contacts, no clients and no experience, and achieve self-sufficiency within just six
months.
No kidding. Take me for example. When I first started bidding on Elance projects in 1999, my
first awarded project was a $25.00 resume project and from there my income kept going up and
up. I now command over $125.00 for a stud ent resume and $250.00+ for executives. Currently, I
have completed over 201 Elance projects to date and have made more than $35,000 from Elance
clients alone. This combined with my other marketing efforts has proven to be very effective!"
(p12)
Kristi gives tips where to begin and what to avoid. Aware that the internet can be a trap for
scams, she offers advice on where to look for bonafide, professional work. She stresses the
importance of having a portfolio and reassures the reader that presentation is important. So you've
never handled a writing project before, but surely in college there was a research paper that you
wrote or other project completed that reflects your ability. Carefully examining each step, she
leads the novice from getting that first lead and snagging it to complications of the local zoning
laws. Kristi delivers a message without false promises or condescension. She discusses everything
from that first job to taxes, health insurance and retirement plans in a tightly executed outline.
Included in the book are links to important websites for the readers convenience and sample
documents that can be used as models. Whether you are a beginner or professional, the book is an
excellent reference source to keep on your desktop.
Beautifully executed in detailed outline, the book is carefully formatted down to the paragraphs
and page-cuts. The table of contents is presented in a clickable format so that you can go directly
to the area you are interested in, with an index in the back. The .pdf format is a wise choice for a
book that serves as a manual for becoming a successful freelancer.
Parsha Parables: Volume 3
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky
Bentsh Press
P.O Box 224 Hewlett, NY 11557
ISBN : 0965769720 (hdbk) 0965769739 (ppbk), 214pp c2000 24.95 USD
distributed by: Feldheim Publ: Nanuet, MY 10954, order at: bentshpress@aol.com
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky has one of the most popular weekly parasha courses at Torah.org.
Why? Using vivd examples from history and daily life, he illustrates the parasha. What's that? A
parasha is the weekly portion of text taken from the Torah according to the Jewish liturgical
cycle. It begins with Genesis, Bereshit, and ends with the closing of Deuteronomy, V'zos
HaBracha, and then the Torah is scrolled to the beginning as a new year begins again.
The Parsha Fables from Rabbi Kamenetzky transcend religious differences through the rich insight
of human nature, often presenting some hidden aspect of the text that the reader has never
considered in his reading of the Bible. Renown for his lively wit, Rav Kamenetzky holds the
interest of the reader beyond the turning of the page and the closing of the book as his insights
become internalized in the reader's mind and absorbed in a new awareness of life.
In introducing his book, he writes:
Life is filled with comparisons. And so the parables of reality cast the historical relevance of
incidents into a perspective for our future. As art does more than imitate life by defining it, a
parable or an anecdote is only there to get people thinking not to diminish the base subject.
We did not need an Einstein to give us the laws of social and moral relativity. We learn from
everybody, every incident, and everything. We are constantly influenced by our surroundings. Our
job is to carry out the function of the kidneys and filter the impurities of the worlds that we ingest.
(p18)
With this neat analogy he compares our minds and spiritual nature with something essential for
our existence. Without properly functioning kidneys, we cannot live healthy lives and our bodies
rapidly fill with toxins, poisoning our entire system. But he continues to explain the use of
parables:
Does everything have a perfect parable? Of course not. But to wet the palate, and try to make the
difficult concepts easier to swallow, I try.
I am reminded how the Kovno Jew explained the concept of wireless radio to his friend.
The fellow asked his friend, "How does the wireless radio work?"
The friend responded. "Imagine you have this great big dog, and his head is in Vilna, and his tail is
in Kovno. You pull the tail in Kovno, and it barks in Vilna!"
"Right!" said the friend.
"Well," continued the first fellow, "wireless is the same thing, only without the dog!" (p18)
And although we chuckle, the message is clearly translated to anyone reading it. Drawing on the
tremendous richness of his heritage, Rabbi Kamenetzky presents a wealth of understanding and
literature that reaches back to the teachings and interpretations of Nachmanides and Rambam who
lived during the 12-13th centuries and were the great interpreters of Torah, Talmud and Jewish
philosophy and law. The weekly readings include tales from the great mystics including Rabbi
Lowy (Loew) of Prague who made the famous Golem, the Dubno Maggid, Baal Shem Tov, the
founder of Chasidism movement, and Chasam Sofer, with stories from great rabbinic literature up
to the time of the Shoah. In presenting such a work, Rav Kamenetzky does us a great favor by
preserving and continuing a tradition of thought that might otherwise be lost from the public.
Through the destruction of Jewish literature, synagogues and the horrific slaughter of the
extermination and concentration camps, much of the past has been lost. In Prague today, only
about two percent of the Jewish population survives. And those who did survive were confronted
with a lifetime of communism and denial of religious tradition. Many synagogues stand ruined in a
city where the Nazis planned to have a Museum to showcase the Race of Extinct People; and the
cemeteries throughout Central Europe are overgrown and forgotten, as the people and their ways
of life were buried and forgotten. But in this slim volume of Parsha Fables, are stories and
interpretations of which many have been handed down through the Rabbi's family, for his father
was also a Rabbi at the Yeshiva at the South Shore. Fortunately, for us, the tradition and
knowledge continues through the work of this man who brings to life the stories from our
childhood. Consider Noah, the survivor of the Great Deluge. Why does Abraham overshadow
him, becoming recognized as the great patriarch when Noah and his wife were the only survivors?
Simply he lacked faith. After one hunderd and twenty-one years building a boat, he didn't believe
that the time would come to get in out of the rain. Worse than that, he never went around offering
free transport to any of his neighbors. He waited until the very last minute before entering when
the waters engulfed him because he had no choice. Consider that for a business application!
Maybe the problems with Arthur Andersen and Enron could have been avoided if they had only
read their weekly parasha portion!
With an adroit hand, Rabbi Kamenetzky turns it so that we absorb the lesson visually:
"A small town was experiencing a severe drought. While the community synagogues each prayed
separately for rain, there was no relief. Both tears and prayers failed to unlock the sealed heavens,
and for months no rain came.
Finally the town's eldest sage called a meeting with prominent community rabbis and lay leaders.
"There are two items lacking in our approach," he said, "faith and unity." Each one of you must
impress upon your congreagation the need to believe... Then the sage declared that all the
synagogues in the city would join together for a day of tefilah.(p29)
With this message, the leaders of the community unaminously decided to gather together in a field
stricken by drought since it was large enough to hold all the people. Rabbi Kamenetzky continues
his story:
As the elderly rabbi walked up to the podium, his eyes scanned the enormous crowd that filled the
large field and then dimmed in dismay. The rabbi began shaking his head in dissatisfaction. "This
will never work," he moaned dejectedly. "The rain will not come." Slowly, he left the
podium.
The other rabbis on the dais were shocked. "But rebbe," they pleaded, "everyone is here and we
are all united! Surely, everyone must believe that the rains will fall! Otherwise, no one would have
bothered to come on a working day!"
The rabbi shook his head slowly and sadly.
"No," he said. "They don't really believe. I scanned the entire crowd. Nobody even brought a
raincoat!" (p30)
With a few masterful strokes, the story changes from mythic into reality. How do we measure in
this mirror of enlightenment? By carefully choosing a single aspect of the text he wishes to
emphasize, the good rabbi presents to us the mirror of our own hidden nature.
For those who have never had the possibility to attend a parasha class or enter a synagogue, here
is a wonderful opportunity to enter a new universe of understanding and textual interpretation that
is illustrated by personal anecdotes, historical events and cultural folklore interspersed with great
rabbinic literature. Like mineral water drawn from a deep well, the Parsha Fables refresh us,
reminding us of greater values and mysteries of life outside of the chaotic confusion of the
cybergabber and computerchatter of our daily world. They offer not only the opportunity for
personal escape into another
world, but allow us to reflect deeply within our souls regarding the values of our lives. In the
world of charging metro busses and frantic masses rushing for the tube and the appalling violence
of our modern society, we have the chance to retreat, to reconsider our ways, to get in touch with
our inner selves to find the light inside, that we so often cannot find outside in the darkness of the
night.
In parasha Mikez, Joseph has become the Viceroy of Egypt, a powerful man beside the Pharoah in
the time of famine. His brothers arrive, seeking food as the land lies barren. To redeem Simon,
their brother, they bring gifts from the ancient father, but Rashi writes in his commentary, "I don't
know what botnim are," then adds that "Rabbi Meir explains them as pistachios, and I think they
are persimmons." (p51)
Tell me, is there anything in common between these two things other than they begin with the
letter "p"? However, Kamenetzky continues:
When I learned this Rashi for the first time at the age of seven, I could not get over the fact that
Rashi did not know something. I was even more amazed that although Rashi had two alternate
explanations, he boldly opened his commentary by stating, "I don't know."
Rashi sends a message to every student, you can still be a Rashi the single greatest commentator
on the entire Torah, Prophets and Talmud and still not know the translation of a simple word!"
(p53)
In this world where there are so many new things to learn, where every day there is some new
advancement in technology, there is no reason to fear turning over a new page. In a world where
satellites explore beyond our galaxy and scientist do genome engineering, here is something that
truly transcends technology, cultural and religious clashes, inviting the reader to look within. With
such beautiful writing, barriers can be broken for understanding that extends beyond our present
comprehension of our personal environments.
Pogo, Reviewer
pogomcl@dowse.com
Roger's Bookshelf
I Used to Have a Handle on Life, but It Broke: Six Power Solutions for Women with Too Much
to Do
Mary LoVerde
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
ISBN 0684854198, $12.00, Trade paperback, 223 pages, 1-800-223-2336
This little 5" X 7" book is packed with frustrations, irritations, confusions, and challenges faced
by thousands of women who hold two full-time jobs: employee and mother. The magazines and
newspapers are filled with stories about the difficulties women wrestle with every day. Women
without husbands and/or children face the same issues. The message is clear: gotta be in
control!
Control. Organize. Direct. Internalize. Chaos. Responsibility. Stress. Ineffectiveness.
Unhappiness. This flow is not going to good places. And that's what has to change. Mary
LoVerde takes her readers through the process in a comfortable, conversational "been there" style
that will be much-appreciated.
The text is filled with comments, testimonials, emotional expressions and more from a wide range
of women. I was amazed at how much was woven into this book to make it a really helpful tool
for all those women who have tried to improve their life by tightening their grip. Change comes
when you understand that control is often confused with power.
LoVerde suggests that true power comes from six approaches: pose good questions, pay
attention, predict your Achilles' Heel, partner with women, pause before judging, and position
yourself. The book is filled with compassion. Women who follow the advice will find a new
serenity.
Side comment: a lot of men could learn a lot from this book, too. Couples reading it together risk
finding a new level of happiness.
The Procrastinating Child: A Handbook for Adults to Help Children Stop Putting Things Off
Rita Emmett
Walker & Company
435 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ISBN 0802776361, $10.95, Trade paperback, 180 pages, 1-800-289-2553
Parents are increasingly concerned about how well their kids are performing. There are two
strong motivations for this attitude. First, we parents want our kids to be better than we were . . .
or at least give them more opportunities. Second, we know, as adults, how fast the world is
moving now. If our kids put things off, the opportunities may pass them by. If you're a dedicated
parent today, you may well be facing the challenge of a child who procrastinates just a bit more
than you'd like to see.
Who better to write this book than the author of "The Procrastinator's Handbook," a book that
has made quite an impact over the past two years? Emmett digs right into the subject in a highly
readable style Allow me to quote from the introduction, where the author best describes what
you'll see. "The teen who puts off sending in his college application might procrastinate because it
has become a habit (chapter 1). Or he may not have learned any self-motivating skills (chapter 2);
he may feel overwhelmed by all the papers to fill out (chapter 3); he may hate this type of task
(chapter 4); or he may feel he doesn't have time (chapter 5). He may be waiting for a whole day
free of interruptions so he can do it perfectly (chapter 6), or have some fears and anxieties about
going away to college (chapter 7). He might not know where all the forms are because they're
scattered all over his desk, bedroom, and locker (chapter 8), and he may be so swamped with
other activities that he can't focus on this task (chapter 9)." Chapter 10 is Hope for the
Future.
The author emphasizes some points we must consider as we begin to read-and use-this book.
Children hate having ideas forced on them. No single theory or technique works for every child.
Children don't always think and act the same way you do. [You should have seen the way my
teen-ager rolled her eyes when I showed her the book I was reading!]
Your head will bob up and down as you read through these pages. Yes! Yes! But, what to do?
Not a problem. The book is full of advice and counsel, including "Ideas to Discuss" and "Ideas in
Action" at the end of each chapter. They're presented as a teamwork process; this is something
you do WITH your child, not TO your child. The Tips call-outs enhance the value of this
volume.
This book is small (5.5 by 8 inches), but powerful. You can make a difference with the knowledge
you gain in these pages-for your child and for yourself.
The Irresistible Growth Enterprise: Breakthrough Gains from Unstoppable Change
Donald Mitchell and Carol Coles
Stylus Publishing, LLC.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166
ISBN 1579220266, $27.95, hardcover, 279 pages
Nimbleness and strategic thinking can go hand-in-hand. The power is in understanding the forces
around you that can inhibit progress or send you careening off in the wrong direction. With that
understanding, and the ability to act in a timely manner, you can achieve considerably greater
success in the corporate world.
The first ten chapters of this insightful book address the factors that can stall progress. This
portion will be quite educational for executives who haven't realized how many things could get in
their way-many without even appearing to be blockages. Consider these stalls: lack of direction,
wishful thinking, helplessness, defensiveness, independence, overoptimism, cover-up, and
underestimation. Getting a little uncomfortable? Welcome to the club. These inhibitions are more
common than you might think. However, knowledge is power; so understanding what's happening
to you will give you the capacity to break through.
The stalls, thinking habits that get in our way, can be overcome. And the authors show readers
how to get past the stalls with solutions and challenging questions. A liberal supply of anecdotes
from the authors' consulting experiences illustrate the messages to help readers "get" what's
happening and what they must do. With a deeper understanding of the company's conditions,
you'll be motivated to really dig in and make some things happen.
The next eight chapters of the book will give you the tools you need, enhanced by lots of
examples to help you understand the applications. The authors describe how measurement,
environmental awareness, studying of best practices, and working differently with your people can
make a substantial difference in your success. The epilogue chapter emphasizes why it's important
to begin this work now, and not procrastinate. The velocity of change in the world has increased
significantly, with more competition and other companies whose executives have read books like
these and are striving to apply the principles.
A valuable touch from the authors is an appendix that applies their concepts to personal and
family life. This section is a gift. Another appendix focuses on the internet and the unique
challenges and opportunities presented by this vehicle.
The book is enhanced by summary introductions to each chapter (like executive summaries), a
bibliography, and index. It's a work that will engage your thinking and stimulate some
interesting-and productive-discussions among your leadership team.
The Attention Economy
Thomas H. Davenport and John C. Beck
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way , Boston, MA 02163
ISBN 1578518717, $16.95, Trade paperback, 255 pages, 1-800-668-6780
This book is a delightfully interesting combination of academic and general audience writing that
makes it quite readable and holds your attention page after page. The content is nicely woven into
twelve chapters that explain more aspects of attention, gaining attention, and holding attention
than you could imagine. You'll learn a lot from these pages. An abundance of footnotes will give
you more resources to pursue to expand your learning even further.
I turned down more pages than usual in this volume. I marked all sorts of things to share with
others and to go back to. I even wrote notes on some of the pages, which I don't usually do when
reading a book like this. The authors explain that "attention is the real currency of business and
individuals...In post-industrial societies, attention has become a more valuable currency than the
kind you store in bank accounts."
The official definition: "Attention is focused mental engagement on a particular item of
information. Items come into our awareness, we attend to a particular item, and then we decide
whether to act." There's more, but I don't want to spoil this delicious read for you. You'll gain
valuable insight into the role of attention in all aspects of our lives, how the ability to manage our
attention is all-powerful . . . and how we struggle with our own personal challenge of managing
the tremendous volume of information and other stimulants that bombard our senses. Part of the
attention process is filtering and sorting, which is difficult for some people and can be
overwhelming. There is so much in this book that I have no hesitation in giving it very high marks.
Have your highlighter ready!
The one negative-if it even is a negative-is the quotes and illustrative comments that appear in
smaller type at the bottom of many of the pages. They distracted my attention from the flow of
the text, making the book consciously a bit more difficult to read. Ah! The authors have made
their point! Recommended for people in all walks of life; this is a book about us, not just an
economy or business treatise.
I Got Stinky Feet
Dennis Domrzalski
1st Books Library.
2595 Vernal Pike , Bloomington, IN 47404 USA
ISBN 0759649170, $15.95, Trade Paperback, 256 pages.
This unlikely story is the tale of two Chicagoans, Dave and Dennis (the storyteller) who take a
motorcycle trip around the country...in the winter. They're alternatively bullies, imposters,
philosophers, tourists, Robin Hood, and observers of the passing scene. While some of the stories
are feasible, others tax the reader's believability index. Some of the anecdotes challenge the
imagination, causing the reader to suspect that some-if not all-of this book was created as a
non-fiction work.
Fiction or non-fiction, you'll read something that seems like a running commentary of
conversations of a couple of college students high on something. You'll keep turning pages,
wondering. The author shares some morals, some personal positions, and some enjoyable
cynicism that makes this an unusual book.
The table of contents lists 43 chapters including a listing of topics covered in the chapters. The
chapters themselves have no subheads, just straight text broken up by occasional caricature-like
illustrations. From a production perspective, the book lacks some design elements usually seen in
professionally done books, but it's simple and basic.
You'll shake your head, nod your head, and scratch your head. If this be reality, than what is
fantasy? And if this be fantasy, where is the reality of life?
Oh, the title? Comes from a poem written by Dave, in the latter part of the book.
Great Trilogy
Og Mandino
Frederick Fell Publishers
2131 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 305, Hollywood, FL 33020
ISBN 0883910349, $22.95, Hardcover, 419 pages, 1-800-771-3355
I first met Og Mandino in February 1984 in New Orleans. As a brand new member of the National
Speakers Association, I was attending my first meeting of the organization. I'd been speaking
professionally for four years, so I'd built a certain level of confidence, but walking into that
meeting room humbled me. I wasn't sure what to expect, and felt little comfort in knowing that
the other attendees shared my kind of work. Was I good enough? Would I be accepted.
To bolster my social posture, I moved toward the refreshment table. Maybe I'd be more
comfortable meeting other people if I had a familiar cup of coffee in my hands. Perhaps I'd look
more poised . . . or something.
A tall lanky fellow was standing by the table, pouring a cup of coffee. Pale yellow sweater. Gray,
thinking hair. He turned toward me as I approached, handed me the coffee with his left hand and
stuck out his right hand for a handshake. "Hi, I'm Og Mandino."
I was blown away! His name was as familiar to me as the best known politicians, though much
more revered. A best-selling author, his name and reputation commanded immediate respect and
honor. What an experience to be welcomed by Og Mandino himself as the first person I met in the
association. We relived that experience many times over the years as we gathered together with
our colleagues in the speaking business.
Confession: I'd never read Og Mandino's books. Just didn't get around to it, though I'd heard they
were good. There were always other things to read, other things to do. I did cherish my friendship
with this gentle man and miss him now that he has passed away.
Finally, I got a copy of a volume that contains three of his powerful books: "The Greatest
Salesman in the World," "The Greatest Secret in the World," and "The Greatest Miracle in the
World." I wasn't sure what I'd be reading, but I decided to plow through the pages so that I'd have
had the experience of actually reading his words. I was riveted. Captivated. Amazed. Moved.
The stories Og wove and the way he used words to express himself mesmerizing. The stories are
beautiful and inspiring. He reached deep inside me somehow and rekindled some of my thoughts
and motivations that have been dormant. It's hard to explain. This book will cause you to think,
no . . . ponder. And it will change the way you look at yourself and your fellow Man.
I love to read books and write thoughtful reviews to help others decide if they want to read
particular titles. One one hand, I feel that perhaps I should apologize for giving you more of a
personal testimonial than a traditional book review. On the other hand, this sharing is probably the
best expression to encourage you to spend some time with Og.
This review refers to the 2001 hardcover printing.
78 Important Questions Every Leader Should Ask and Answer
Chris Clarke-Epstein
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ISBN 0814471625, $17.95, Trade paperback, 220 pages, 1-800-250-5308
Leaders struggle today with the volume and complexity of human relationships as well as the
aspects of their jobs that don't directly involve people. Increasing demands challenge us with
continual complications, too many choices, speed of change and action, and the sense of being
caught in a whirlwind that defies the concept of life-work balance. We're expected to have all the
answers, preferably before anyone else thinks about asking the questions.
Combine this gerbil-in-a-cage metaphor with the uncomfortable fact that most leaders haven't
learned enough about leadership, and you have a dangerous combination. What is leadership?
How is it different from being a manager? How can leaders keep their finger on the pulse of
what's happening, inspire others to high achievement, guide their team members through difficult
decisions, and still have time to actually finish a cup of coffee while it's still warm?
The solution is disarmingly simple: Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Ask some more
questions. Give good answers to questions asked by others.
Easier said than done. There's an art to effective move-us-forward questions and answers. The
secrets are in Chris Clarke-Epstein's book. She provides us with 78 valuable questions, but doesn't
stop there. In addition to gaining a fine list of questions , we benefit from an explanation of the
importance of the question, how to ask it well, and what might be accomplished through the
questioning technique. The style is friendly, conversational, and supportive, seasoned with short
stories or vignettes that illustrate the many helpful suggestions and observations offered by the
author.
The book's chapters are organized to categorize the questions and the commentary surrounding
them. The first category, presented after a few pages of positioning, addresses questions leaders
need to ask themselves. Chapter 2 presents questions leaders need to ask customers. The third
and fourth chapters explore questions to be asked of employees-lots of creative stuff here.
In Chapter 5, we ponder questions to be asked in special situations: new employees, coaching and
mentoring, newly promoted leaders, and crisis. Questions leaders need to answer are followed by
answers for special situations. What a handbook! You can read this book straight through as I
did, or use it for reference (as I will). The last chapter talks about delivering tough answers,
sometimes a difficult proposition for leaders. More questions are suggested in the appendix and a
website has been established to continue the question-building process. An index facilitates
reference. The Suggested Reading list is a bonus.
The book is peppered with quotes about questions and answers that reinforce the points and/or
give the reader something more to think about. At the end of each chapter are questions and
worksheets for the reader, encouraging some deeper thinking and reflection. Overall, a
worthwhile book for leaders-and aspiring leaders-to read, absorb, and keep handy.
Roger Herman, Reviewer
http://www.hermangroup.com
Vicki's Bookshelf
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Judith Viorst, Illustrated by Ray Cruz
Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689300727, $15.00, 38 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
What do today's media-saturated kids think of old black-and-white picture books, I wonder?
Judith Viorst's 30-year-old black-ink-only classic has a better-than-average chance of
withstanding the ravages of time, despite its lack of color and dated images (old '70s VW bugs,
Mary Tyler Moore-era clothing). After all, who can't identify with the little protagonist when he
wakes up on the wrong side of the bed one morning, and experiences a very bad day indeed.
Absolutely nothing goes right. He trips over his skateboard, is the only kid in the family to not
find a toy in his cereal box, is demoted by his best friend to third-best-friend status, and
accidentally messes up his dad's office. So by the time he finds out he has to have a cavity filled,
he swears he's going run away to Australia. I know the feeling, and so does every single kid,
making Viorst's cross-hatched ink sketches seem fresh as a daisy to yet another generation.
See Otto
David Milgrim
Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689844166, $14.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
When a friendly young robot falls to Earth, he finds it's a jungle out there when he quickly lands in
trouble with a rhino and a pair of monkeys. It's an adorable situation for this "Ready-To-Read"
emergent reader, filled with lively illustrations and just a handful of familiar words and phrases.
Author illustrator David Milgrim has come up with a clever twist on the old, straight-faced "Dick
and Jane" reader books by incorporating silly gender-neutral humor with the genre's usual word
repetition and simple sentence formula. "See Otto" is categorized for pre-readers just beginning to
recognize words, but is clever enough to entice more accomplished readers as well, particularly
boys. Here's hoping we'll be seeing Otto return to Earth in a sequel or two.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Margery Williams, adapted by Lou Fancher
Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689841345, $16.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
As they did for the popular picture book version of "Bambi" a few years ago, illustrators Steve
Johnson and Lou Fancher have again adapted a classic children's book for younger pre-readers
and readers ages 3-7. This time it condenses Margery Williams' 1920s classic "The Velveteen
Rabbit," the emotional tale of a stuffed bunny's thwarted desire to become real. Parents wishing to
introduce their old childhood favorites to their own children are often disappointed when lengthy
original texts are too wordy for toddlers' short-attention spans. And so, when done well, these
adapted versions such as this one fill a void in the crowded marketplace. Johnson and Fancher's
beautifully rendered edition is done very well, indeed. Minor alterations have been made to the
original text other than trimming for length, and without serious plot holes or significant loss of
build or emotional impact. Most importantly, the full-color paintings are magnificent, giving
close-up perspectives that make readers experience the story at the rabbit's eye-level, making us
feel a part of the cool, leafy green landscapes, hiding in the shadows along with the rabbit family.
It's a lovely adaptation that could become a classic of its own.
The Year I Didn't Go To School
Giselle Potter
Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689847300, $16.95, 36 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
Here's one for kids who daydream about running away to join the circus. That's pretty much what
the author/illustrator actually did as a child, except that her whole family ran away too. In her first
book as both writer and illustrator, Giselle Potter ("The Brave Little Seamstress," "Kate and the
Beanstalk," "Gabriella's Song") tells her colorful real-life tale of the year her family traveled across
Italy ("the country that's shaped like a boot") as a gypsy carnival group, performing street theater
with costumes, puppets and musical instruments. Based on Potter's mixed-media journals of her
childhood adventures, the book's action quickly takes on an exciting turn when the family is
almost arrested for their un-permitted Italian debut in a bustling Florence piazza. Then , when the
truck wouldn't start, a trio of nuns push, saving the day in perfect fantasy-adventure style. Next
stop: Spoleto, where seven-year-old Giselle and her little sister Chloe share amazing memories of
their circus hosts, including "Eva, who could hang by her long hair and play the tuba; Pesia who
ate fire; Pepito, a parrot who cried like a baby; Silvana, who taught me and Chloe how to do a
back-flip; and a tiny man named Hans, who always made jokes I didn't understand." But gradually
they do come to speak Italian, and Giselle even becomes the group' s reluctant announcer, feeling
"shy and proud at the same time." When the end of their journey inevitably comes, she knows she
will miss eating spaghetti with fried eggs, sleeping in a truck, waking up someplace new each
morning, and learning amazing things that are never taught in the normal "boring and hard" school
she will unavoidably have to return to. Potter's primitive, child-like paintings and kids-eye
descriptions do an excellent job translating her experiences to paper in such a way to induce
jealous wonderment in young readers. Kids will be awestruck that such a thing can actually
happen, and will likely be inspired to inquire: "You mean she really didn't go to school for a whole
year?""She got to dress like a panda, bang drums and sing instead?" And most predictably, "Can I
do that too?"
Angelina and Henry
Katharine Holabird, Illustrated by Helen Craig
American Girl / Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497
ISBN 1584855231, $12.95, 26 pages, www.americangirl.com
The eleventh charming "Angelina Ballerina" storybook finds the dainty mouseling protagonist on
a camping trip with her cousin Henry and Uncle Louie in the Big Cat Mountains. While collecting
firewood, the two littlest explorers get lost deep in the forest. As it grows dark, they grow more
and more fearful of the dangers lurking in the shadows, including, they fear, the legendary Big
Cat, who would surely love a mousey meal if he caught them. But when things seem bleak,
Angelina finds herself able to muster up enough bravery to comfort poor Henry and gather him in
her arms. Soon, however, not even that can stop Henry's trembling whiskers when they spy two
big yellow eyes piercing the darkness. And they're headed straight for them!
The story's surprise ending joyfully puts an end to the danger, and shows young readers how they
too can confront their fears. By the end of the tale, the legion of Angelina Ballerina wannabes out
there will relate to the dancer's celebratory mood and will also wish to be dancing around the
campfire at their heroine's side. Parents and teachers will be particularly pleased with the story's
gentle handling of a common childhood fear, and its optimistic outlook. "Angelina and Henry" is
an excellent addition to the series, and, for a change, is one that will appeal to boys as well as the
young girls who make up Angelina's fervent fan club.
Angelina Ballerina's 123
By Katharine Holabird & Helen Craig
Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497
ISBN 1584856149, $5.95, 22 pages, www.americangirl.com
This petite board book spin-off is inspired by the "Angelina Ballerina" series of picture books for
young ballerina's age 3 to 7, and accompanies three other "First Steps" titles about shapes, colors
and the alphabet. Designed for babies and toddlers, "123" simply counts up to 10, with each
spread devoted to a number and an illustration of Angelina (and friends) depicting "one mouseling
spinning," "two mouselings chasing," etc. As licensed titles go, this one would be fairly standard if
it weren't for the truly delightful renderings of the popular dancing mouse. New companion board
books in the series are "Angelina Ballerina ABC" (ISPN 1-58485-613-0), "Colors" (ISPN
1-58485-615-7) and "Shapes" (ISPN 1-58485-616-5).
Angelina Ballerina's Dancing Game
Based on books by Katharine Holabird & Helen Craig
Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497
ISBN 158485524X, $15.95, www.americangirl.com
The best-selling "Angelina Ballerina" series of picture books has inspired this sweet spin-off board
game for young girls age 3-6. No reading is required once adults explain the simple rules that
introduce young players to basic ballet positions and steps. It also promotes cooperative play and
physical activity; builds memory skills; encourages pre-reading skills; and teaches basic ballet and
its French terminology. Little twinkle-toes can leap and twirl just like Angelina Ballerina and her
friends at Miss Lilly's Ballet School, utilizing a game board, a color-coded die, four playing pieces
and stands, four "stage" card-holders and 30 playing cards showing mouse dancers demonstrating
various ballet steps. As players travel around the colorful round playing board, they practice ballet
steps to earn Angelina dance cards. The first player to fill her stage with four cards can perform
her own dance routine. The cards deal a different dance each time, which encourages multiple
plays and minimizes potential boredom. When no playmates are around, a solitary player can also
use the 30 dance cards for a separate memory matching game. This is a simply charming ancillary
gift item addition to the growing Angelina library.
Barbie as Rapunzel
Cliff Ruby & Elana Lesser, Illustrated by Robert Sauber
American Girl / Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497
ISBN 1584856092, $12.95, 32 pages, www.americangirl.com
Like it or not, young girls will quickly dismiss "real" literature in favor of merchandise tie-ins if it
involves princesses or Barbie. So it's no surprise that Pleasant Company and Mattel thought to
combine the two irresistible lures in classic princess storybooks, and dress them up in pink,
oversized covers. Last year's first genre-merger -- "Barbie In The Nutcracker" was a sure-fire
success that sold more than 200,000 copies when it was published as the companion book to the
made-for-video production. Now "Barbie as Rapunzel" is set to win the hearts of Barbie/princess
fans when it's released in conjunction with the national video release on which this text was based.
Disney is particularly adept at this sort of merger, so it's no wonder this Pleasant Company edition
mimics the giant's commercial picture book format and adds its own flair.
Here, pastel, candy-colored illustrations are pretty and bright and broad smiles abound. Animal
sidekicks and magical touches are added to the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale, and nearly all
scary and unsavory original details have all been removed. So many changes have been made, in
fact, that few elements from the original actually remain. Throughout, Barbie's pretty face beams,
and her wardrobe is the stuff of little girl dreams. Making the most of product placement, Barbie's
other doll friends also make co-starring appearances: Kelly is cast as the Petal Princess, Lorena as
the Peacock Princess, etc. The story itself is largely original and pleasantly told, and though
"Barbie as Rapunzel" offers nothing out of the ordinary, princess-obsessed girls will adore it.
Meet Kaya: An American Girl
Janet Shaw, Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
American Girl / Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497
ISBN 1584854235, $5.95, 70 pages, www.americangirl.com
Juvenile historic novels can be thoroughly engrossing and eye opening at their best, or pedestrian
and misinformed at their worst. Not only does this newest series addition to "The American Girls
Collection" belong in the former category, it attempts to set a new genre standard for literary
quality and historical research in elementary school fiction. To develop their first series about a
Native American girl Kaya, a young Nez Perce -- the American Girl editors gathered an
impressive advisory board comprised of Nez Perce Tribal Elders, tribal cultural arts and language
experts, an anthropologist, and a park ranger/cultural interpreter from the Nez Perce National
Historical Park. From fact-checking to story-shaping, they adding considerable authenticity, and
helped imbue the stories with and soul. I tip my hat to author Janet Shaw for her achievement
with so many people however well-meaning standing over her shoulder. As it should be, the
behind-the-scenes efforts will be oblivious to readers as they become engrossed in the spirited
character and her stirring adventures.
"Meet Kaya" introduces the first Native American character to the extensive "An American Girl"
series, which previously mainly profiled Caucasian girls in various historic settings (frontier days,
the Great Depression, and World War II, to name three examples). There are six books in each
series, including Kaya's, but this one breaks from the standard formula. Normally each collection
shapes the plots around a different central character, then follows a repetitive format; each girl
"Saves the Day," has a summertime adventures, experiences a wintertime change, and finds a
Christmas surprise. Kaya's stories, however, are a welcome change of pace. In "Kaya's Escape: A
Survival Story" (ISBN 1584854251), she rescues her horse, then must save herself. In "Kaya's
Hero: A Story of Giving" (ISBN 1584854278) she yearns how to be strong as an older woman
warrior. In "Kaya And Lone Dog: A Friendship Story" (ISBN 1584854294) she learns that true
friends are made over time. In "Kaya Shows the Way: A Sister Story" (ISBN 1584854316) she
clings to her changing family. And in "Changes For Kaya: A Winter Story" (ISBN 1584854332)
Kaya must conquer her greatest fear. This is far and away my favorite series in the "An American
Girls Collection" thus far. Hopefully it will not be the publisher 's last series featuring a Native
American role model.
More good news: perhaps even more promising is American Girl's new "Girls Of Many Lands," a
global multi-cultural series for and about 12-year-olds, the publishers' first books to offer a world
view.
Yikes!: A Smart Girl's Guide To Surviving Tricky, Sticky, Icky Situations
Edited by American Girl magazine staff, Illustrated by Bonnie Timmons
American Girl / Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497
ISBN 1584855304, $8.95, 88 pages, www.americangirl.com
What's a girl to do if she flunks a test? If her zipper breaks? If she has an accident during her
period? If she gets on the wrong bus? What I really want to know is: where was this no-nonsense
self-help book when I was a gangly, unsure 'tween? These days shelves are stocked full of
pre-teen and teen guides-to-life, journals and more on every topic and subtopic, offering every
level of professional -- and unprofessional -- advice. "Yikes!" manages to stand out from the pack
with user-friendly advice that gets to the heart of specific problems directly, with clearly
organized, step-by-step solutions that really work. It presents practical advise from a specialist
panel of experts, teaching easy techniques for on-the-spot thinking, solving the (seemingly)
impossible, saving face, using logic, and keeping cool. Each category presents easy answers to a
variety of common problems from hating your new haircut to throwing up at school, to
surviving when you get lost on a hike. In a fun, breezy style, it speaks in the no-nonsense
language of a knowing friend who totally understands what it 's like to be stuck in yucky
situations too embarrassing to talk about. Ask super-busy mom for help? You've got to be
kidding. School counselor? How intimidating. How about big sis or a best friend? Sure, but oops,
they're rarely around in a moment of crisis. Neither will this book, but one reading will equip girls
for a lifetime of mishaps. (And at this late stage in the game, even I learned a few tricks, too.) For
more girly advice, try the chatty pre-teen magazine-styled "The Feelings Book: The Care &
Keeping of Your Emotions" (ISBN 1584855282, $8.95), the sequel to "The Care & Keeping of
You."
Billywise
Judith Nicholls, Illustrated by Jason Cockcroft
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Ave., NY NY 10010
ISBN 1582347786, $16.95, 32 pages, www.bloombsury.com
"Billywise" is the first American picture book by English writer Judith Nicholls, though her poems
have been published in more than 500 anthologies. Like the exquisitely detailed illustrations of the
owl subjects themselves, Nicholls' spare words paint with gentle brushstrokes, telling the earnest
story of a newborn owl learning to stretch his wings and discover his identity and calling in life.
The inquisitive-yet-fearful young owlet is so afraid of his new surroundings that he is not
comforted by his mother's lovely words of encouragement: "You will grow, you will prowl; you
will slide through the air; you will swoop, loop-the-loop; you will stare, you will glare ; as
silently as moonlight you'll glide through the midnight air." Each time he hears her words,
however, Billywise timidly whispers "I don't dare!" Parents and grandparents will cherish the
emotional story time bonding experience this graceful book provides when read aloud to their
own young children learning to make their own way in the world.
The Cramp Twins
The Cramp Twins: Swamp Fever
Brian Wood
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 1582347654 (The Cramp Twins)
ISBN 1582347662 (Swamp Fever)
$7.95 each, 96 pages each, www.bloombsury.com
"Captain Underpants" fans, meet "The Cramp Twins," two cartoonish English brothers who make
their debut in a pair of post-modern new chapter books. They're so off-kilter, in fact, that the
author didn't bother to break the first book into chapters; rather, it rambles through odd mishap
after mishap in a barely-contained stream-of-consciousness patter. The second installation, "The
Cramp Twins: Swamp Fever," edits itself much more effectively, eliminating unnecessary
side-trips, or at least maps them better. Illustrations are colorful and raw, often with such comic
elements as thought-bubbles and sound effects. Even the typeface itself is unique as its block
lettering looks as if it was sloppily written by hand.
The quirky main characters are twin boys that couldn't be more different; Lucien is eager to
please, meek as a rabbit (and just as skittish) and hopes to someday save the world through
knitting. On the other hand, his brother Wayne is a bully whose sole ambition is to try to get his
brother to run away from home. Their funny stories are meandering adventures involving Lucien's
attempts to avoid wearing humiliating costumes for the town's big Haz Chem BBQ, and to save
the endangered Hairy Marsh Snail from Haz Chem's development plans for the local swamp.
Wayne torments Lucien at every turn and nothing turns out the way anyone expects. "The Cramp
Twins" books are a cheesy carnival ride the literary equivalent to silly and slightly rude cartoons
like "Ed, Edd and Eddie." Elementary school boys'll eat them up.
Five Little Fiends
Sarah Dyer
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 1582347514, $15.95, 32 pages, www.bloomsbury.com
In just nine sentences and 17 drawings, English author/illustrator Sarah Dyer creates an entirely
new folktale that seems as old as folktales themselves. Her crude illustrations present five red
fiends who appear to be part devil, part gargoyle, and reside inside of five mysterious statues.
Each day the fiends venture outside to admire their beautiful surroundings. Soon they grow to
covet what they see, and each one greedily conspires to steal its favorite element of nature. So the
fiends take the sun, land, sky, sea and moon, isolating each of their prizes inside each of the five
statues. It doesn't take long, however, for each fiend to realize that the greatness of the elements
is due to the way they co-existed and enhanced the other: "The sun could not stay up without the
sky, the sky was nowhere to be found without the land, the land started to die without water from
the sea, the sea could not flow without the pull of the moon, and the moon could not glow
without the light from the sun." Together the five little fiends decide that sharing the beauty of the
earth is the only way to keep it alive. The simple story's multi-tiered message comes through loud
and clear for even the littlest readers, creating a valuable and memorable lesson.
Mole and the Baby Bird
Marjorie Newman, Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 1582347840, $16.95, 28 pages, www.bloombsury.com
This UK import has a gentle, reflective quality that reveals its British birth. With polite, reserved
manners, this quiet picture book uses few words to tell its tale of a mole who finds a baby bird,
fallen from its nest. Fearing the bird has lost its parents, the little mole takes the bird home to his
own mother who prepares him for the fact that most lost hatchlings usually die. Undeterred, he
nurses the bird to health and makes a cage for it. Before long, time comes for him to set his
feathered friend free, but will he? Refrains of Sting's "If you love someone, set them free," will
echo through the heads of adult orators as the story reaches its inevitable conclusion. That it does
so with gentle reassurance, allowing the young mole to come to his own moral conclusion,
reflects the author and illustrator's storytelling skill, and yields an emotional lesson for both parent
and child.
Crows! Strange and Wonderful
Laurence Pringle, Illustrated by Bob Marstall
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431
ISBN 1563978997, $15.95, 32 pages
Given a chance, non-fiction picture books can catch a child's attention better than the average
storybook. Even pre-readers soak in every fact when read aloud, much to the surprise of adult
orators. Subjects such as crows may not immediate seem to be a particularly riveting nor
strange or wonderful, for that matter -- but upon reading "Crows! Strange and Wonderful,"
children quickly find themselves engrossed by the bird's intelligence and behavioral quirks. For
instance: "Crows tease other animals," begins text on a page depicting a crow about to nip at the
tail of a sleeping dog. "They imitate all sorts of other sounds a squeaky door, a puppy's yelp, a
cat's meow. Tame crows can be taught to say such words as `hello,' 'goodbye,' and 'hot dog.'" The
kid-friendly examples hit just the right note, without artifice or poetic meddling. Author Laurence
Pringle ("Sharks! Strange and Wonderful") sure-footedly states the facts in an easy-to-follow text
that guilelessly speaks the language of its intended young audience.
Girls A to Z
Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
ISPN 156397147X, $15.95, 32 pages, www.boydsmillspress.com
Veteran children's author Eve Bunting's admirable goal for "Girls A to Z" is nice as can be: to
create an alphabet primer that empowers girls at even the youngest age with the encouraging
message that they can be anything they want to be. Each page offers an example of a particular
girl imagining her childhood ambition, and taking early steps to reach their goals by participating
in actual events or by playacting. "Aliki is an astronaut, Belinda likes ballet, Chris is a computer
whiz she's online every day." A rainbow of ethnicities and abilities is depicted, adding to the
book's democratic determination to provide embracing support to every girl who dreams, no
matter if that dream is fanciful (gondolier), academic (surgeon), adventurous (auto racer),
altruistic (firefighter), athletic (soccer player), domestic (homemaker) or classically lofty
(president).
The Little Match Girl
Retold by Christine San Jose, Illustrated by Kestutis Kasparavicius
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
ISPN 1590780000, $15.95, 32 pages, www.boydsmillspress.com
This new retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story takes an old-fashioned and pious
approach, from its somber choice of words, to the antiqued look of the traditional images. It is
expressly geared for young readers, and so pares the story down to its barest elements to reduce
word count, and to simplify the historical and social issues for clarity and comprehension. With
prim formality, and without emotion of any kind, the spare phrases guide the reader through the
tragic tale, giving succinct explanations for the girl's plight, and invoking religious piety upon her
ultimate death. Andersen's original story is a tearjerker like no other, but strangely, this version
leaves readers' eyes dry, their heart-strings un-tugged.
The Rabbit and The Dragon King
Retold by Daniel San Souci , Illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431
ISBN 1563978806, $15.95, 32 pages
With more than 40 children's picture books to his credit, Daniel San Souci has had an awful lot of
experience reinterpreting multi-cultural fairy tales and legends. His latest effort is an ancient
trickster tale from Korea, with early versions tracing back as far as A.D. 642. In "The Rabbit and
the Dragon King" underwater creatures are ruled by a stern dragon whose magic is apparently
insufficient to save him from what he believes to be a terminal illness. When his cuttlefish doctor
prescribes the heart of a rabbit, the dragon king assigns a turtle to go onto dry land to fetch one.
The king's wish is the turtle's command, and so he finds a rabbit and talks him into returning with
him under false pretenses. Soon the rabbit discovers the malicious intent, but can he come up with
a solution to save himself as well as the dragon king? Young readers unaccustomed to mystical
tales will scratch their heads in disbelief that a rabbit and turtle can co-exist underwater, and may
find the heart-eating desire too gory to ponder. More sophisticated readers, however, will likely
enjoy this unusual swim through unfamiliar waters.
Volcanos: Nature's Incredible Fireworks
David Harrison, Illustrated by Cheryl Nathan
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431
ISBN 1563979969, $15.95, 32 pages
Written in the voice of a patient teacher, "Volcanos" is an educational picture book that even little
pre-K scientists can easily latch onto. Scientific jargon is kept to a minimum, and terms such as
"crust" and "mantle" are introduced with corresponding cut-way illustrations. Little minds will still
find it difficult to spatially comprehend such descriptions as a core "2100 miles" thick, though the
immensity of the numbers are likely to have the desired effect. The information here is solidly
organized, presented well, and attractively illustrated, but it provides surprisingly little excitement
despite the thrilling subject. Best suited for school libraries, "Volcanoes" will otherwise have
difficulty standing out from the already-full shelves of books on the perennially popular
subject.
Fairie-ality: The Fashion Collection
David Ellwand with Eugenie Bird, Illustrated by David Downton
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763614130, $40.00, 130 pages, www.Candlewick.com
Attention all fairies and fairy lovers: Ellwand, a top designer of enchanting couture fashion for
well-dressed imps, cordially invites you to witness the grand unveiling of his newest line of feather
gowns and flower crowns. Before now, only winged wonders have been privy to this ornate
catalogue from the mysterious House of Ellwand. Now this lush flight of fancy is reserved for
imaginative little girls and their equally awestruck mothers. Pouring over page after page of these
fantastic, yet very real artistic creations (photographed in splendid detail by the creator himself),
envious readers will realize just how pedestrian their Barbie wardrobes truly are and their
own.
Appealing to fanciful fashionistas of all ages, this luxury gift book is an incredibly elaborate
production, the most sophisticated work appealing to girls I've ever seen. The book contains
close-up photos of nearly 150 fragile frocks and accessories for every occasion, from firefly hunts
to moonbeam swims. Witty and poetic narrative text by Eugenie Bird gives the book wings; her
flowery prose is the lovely voice of the fairy narrator, while her snappy captions are filled with
hilariously pompous puns, spoofing fashion journalism snobbery. Another feather in the book's
cap is the illustrative work of leading fashion artist David Downton, an expert at sketching the
human designs of Dior, Chanel and Valentino for Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire.
Ellwand's otherworldly garments are miniature sculptures, meticulously hand-crafted from
blossoms, grasses, feathers, pinecones, pods and other natural wonders. The Titania Gown, for
instance, features a "skin-tingling combination of pigeon and pheasant [feathers] with a
constricted snakeskin bodice." There are his-and-her birchbark and rose petal boots for stepping
out on first dates; "She Loves Me Jeans" with daisy petal decoration and forget-me-not belt; and a
parade of teensy-tiny leafy shoes for tip-toeing through the tulips. For him, there's the tailored
Oak leaf jacket with dandelion buttons and "ample wing slots." Swivel-hipped Elves may prefer
the white "Aloha Jacket" fit for a wee king.
Beautiful piece after beautiful piece, it all builds up to the piece de resistance: the Fairie Tale
Wedding Collection. "I sing of feather gowns and veils of air; of lilies for the bride most fair,"
heralds the fairy narrator. Anticipation mounts as we turn a leafy, transparent page to reveal a
majestic dress featuring an "overlaid lily petal bodice with lily straps and rabbit's foot clover skit
and train of calla lily, goose feather, and skeleton leaf." Can mere mortals bear (or wear) such
beauty? The magic inside "Fairie-ality" will leave spectators spellbound. Alas, all that's missing is
an order form and, presumably, sizes larger than "elfin."
I Pledge Allegiance
Bill Martin Jr. & Michael Sampson, Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763616486, $15.99, 32 pages, www.Candlewick.com
Of all the patriotic children's books rushed into production in response to the events of September
11, 2001, "I Pledge Allegiance" best captures the essence of American ideals, and it does so in a
beautifully simple way. Gently and methodically, the picture book recites the Pledge of Allegiance
while examining the meaning behind each word, phrase and symbol. The tone is calm and
reassuring, using carefully chosen words that every school child can understand and employ to
appreciate the true meaning of the daily flag salute. Surely, kids will be less likely to mistakenly
say "invisible" for "indivisible," for example, once they know "it means unbreakable our country
cannot be split into separate parts No matter how much we might disagree about some things,
we all agree on one thing: we are the strongest when we stick together and help each other out."
The authors handling of the words "liberty," "United States" and especially "God" are particularly
succinct and inclusive of all beliefs. Like the majority of the creators' previous work (including Bill
Martin Jr.'s "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and artist Chris Raschka's "John Coltrane's Giant Steps"),
"I Pledge Allegiance" is an exercise in simplicity, and is never pushy, maudlin or preachy. Unlike
other recent and forthcoming tomes by stiff-lipped politicos, this true blue contribution is
consistently generous in spirit, even-handed in execution and infinitely more democratic in the true
sense of the word.
Jazzy in the Jungle
Lucy Cousins
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763619035, $14.99, 32 pages, www.Candlewick.com
The creator of the popular Maisy the mouse introduces Baby Jazzy and Mama JoJo the lemurs in
this familiar, yet uniquely-designed novelty picture book for toddlers. Again, Cousins' utilizes her
visual trademark: childlike, one-dimensional gouache drawings in eye-catching jewel-tone colors
with thick black outlines to increase the clarity. The concept here is crystal clear as well: Jazzy is
hiding in the jungle somewhere among the tum tum trees and curly wurly birds, so JoJo needs the
help of readers to find her child by searching for eyes peeking behind the thick foliage on each
page. The book's large format (10" x 13") and vivid illustrations are immediately appealing,
enticing little hands to open the card-stock pages for a tactile lift-the-flap hide-and-seek
adventure. In all, there are 11 large flaps to flip open, each one revealing a different animal
peeking through the die-cut main pages. None, of course are sweet little Jazzy, until the final
elaborate gate-fold spread presents a tricky triple hunt that may momentarily baffle even adults
before reaching the game's satisfying conclusion.
Judy Moody Saves The World
Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter Reynolds
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763614467, $15. 95, 148 pages, www.Candlewick.com
That feisty Judy Moody is on the go again, and in this middle-grade novel addition to the popular
series, the determined third grader sets out to save the world, one boo-boo at a time. First, Judy
sets her sights on the Crazy-Strip "design your own bandage" contest, but when her "Heal The
World" design doesn't win, she's inspired to loftier goal: really healing the world. Soon she's on a
recycling rampage, clearing her house of every product made from rain forest goods, and trying to
figure out a way to recycle her pesky brother Stink. Then a class project opens her eyes to the
endangered species in her own backyard only she's assigned to research a weird local insect that
no one seems to know anything about. Judy's independent spirit is as contagious as ever, and her
grade-school fans will be glad to be infected with this new installment. As Judy herself would
cheer, it's "rare!" The debut of "Judy Moody Saves the World!" coincides with the paperback
release of the original "Judy Moody" caper (ISBN 0763612316), in which the spirited
ball-of-energy tackles her class "Me Project" as only she can.
The Nightingale
Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Stephen Mitchell, Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763615218, $17.99, 40 pages, www.Candlewick.com
This exquisite version of Hans Christian Andersen's"The Nightengale" is bound to become
beloved as an heirloom edition. Literary, funny and wise, but without a princess to solicit the
attention of fairy tale fans, "The Nightengale" has received less attention than "The Little
Mermaid," "Snow Queen" and "The Princess and the Pea" and other great Andersen tales that
have enchanted children since his stories first began appearing in the 1830s and '40s. This
exquisitely illustrated new retelling, however, could help give a deserved surge in popularity for
the morality tale about the Emperor of China and his fickle appreciation for the modest beauty of
the nightingale's song. Translator and anthropologist Stephen Mitchell ("Tao Te Ching") has done
a brilliant job, retelling the lengthy picture book story in graceful prose, imbued with beautiful
detail that only comes from thorough research and skilled craftsmanship. Coupled with
Ibatoulline's exceedingly intricate, golden-hued paintings in the formal Chinese tradition, the effect
is uniquely sublime.
Where's Waldo? In Hollywood
Martin Handford
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763619191, $5.99, 28 pages, www.Candlewick.com
Honey, they shrunk Waldo! World-famous Waldo -- the spectacled hide-and-seek champ of the
bestselling "Where's Waldo?" book series is back, enticing kids to find him all over again among
the crowded, overpopulated drawings by Martin Handford. This time he's smaller and harder to
find than ever, in new miniaturized editions of all the original titles, each just over 5" x 6" big. The
price has shrunk too, making the back-pack-sized editions a real temptation, especially with the
addition of new search challenges for Waldo's friends Wenda, Woof, Wizard Whitebeard, and
more. To make the daunting task a bit easier on the eyes, the first printing of each book comes
with a mini magnifier tucked into the front cover. It's not much help though, causing peripheral
image distortion and eyestrain, and is too small for more than one person join in the hunt. Also
available in this mini-version are "Where's Waldo?" (ISBN 0763619205) "Where's Waldo Now?"
(ISBN 0763619213), and "Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey" (ISBN 0763619221).
Beaks!
Sneed B. Collard III, Illustrated by Robin Brickman
Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
ISBN 1570913889, $6.95, 32 pages, www.charlesbridge.com
Kids love learning best when it's so fun they don't realize that they're absorbing information like a
sponge. This colorful introduction to the world's vast array of birds centers its attention on the
different types and uses for beaks. It's a great focal point for classifying birds by form and function
("small beaks peck," "heavy beaks crush," "long beaks probe"), followed by explanatory details
using one bird species as an example. The pages about beak oddities will be a particular source of
wonder, such as beaks that change color, shape or shed. Wonderfully named author Sneed B.
Collard III (isn't that some sort of bird?) does a lovely job of keeping it all simple and interesting
enough that kids will actually enjoy testing their new knowledge of "beak-ability" in the book's
pop quiz.
Froggie Went A-Courtin'
By Iza Trapani
Whispering Coyote/Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
ISBN 1580890288, $15.95, 32 pages, www.charlesbridge.com
Children will loose their hearts to this lovelorn suitor in Iza Trapani's charming new picture book
adaptation of the classic "Froggie Went A-Courtin '" folk song. With a few verse extensions, the
old song is humorously revitalized as it follows Froggie through a series of charming marriage
proposals to various forest femmes. Alas, he is rebuffed at every turn, but then true love sneaks
up on him and turns the tables! Trapani's lovely watercolors are filled with hearts, flowers, smiles,
good-humor and warmth. With its cheery cover framed with painted ribbons, floral wreath and
gold-foil hearts, "Froggie Went A-Courtin'" makes a romantic gift book for sweethearts young
and old.
World War II for Kids
Richard Panchyk
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
ISBN 1556524552, $14.95, 164 pages
Despite current events around the world, war in general -- and certainly World War II specifically
is distant, ancient history to American students. Ingeniously, this sophisticated paperback brings
WWII history alive by combining its well-researched text with 21 related activities, effectively
renewing interest and respect for America's historic stuggle for freedom. The book's hands-on
activities help children understand how soldiers communicated (through making their own v-mail
messages and codes) and lived (field rations and care packages). Interactive projects between
student and parents/grandparents are also included, so they can see history through familiar
eyewitnesses. Actual wartime letters and oral histories give a human touch and global perspective
usually missing from standard text books. An introduction from Senator John McCain and letter
from then-President Bill Clinton lend credence to Richard Panchyk's ("Archaeology for Kids")
book, though not a lot of substance. Regardless, this is an excellent learning resource and teaching
guide for parents and instructors of children age nine and up, particularly for those seeking a work
that invites independent discussion and memorable learning opportunities through related projects
and games.
The American Revolution for Kids
Janis Herbert
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
ISBN 1556524560, $14.95, 142 pages
"The American Revolution For Kids" by Janis Herbert follows the same intriguing format as
"World War II For Kids," offering 21 related activities from dancing a minuet to creating faddish
"Papyrotamia" paper cutouts, and reenacting the Battle of Cowpens. Some of the lengthy text and
dull black-and-white illustrations may not always hold the interest of students, but not for lack of
interesting stories and sidebars. While the companion book, "World War II for Kids," contains
topics of genocide and nuclear war that may be too close for comfort for sensitive readers, that's a
non-issue for "The American Revolution For Kids," which is a learning pleasure through and
through.
When My Name Was Keoko
Linda Sue Park
Clarion Books
251 Park Avenue South, NY NY 10003
ISBN 0618133356, $16.00, 200 pages, (800) 225-3362, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
"When My Name Was Keoko" is an illuminating look at World War II from a riveting new
point-of-view. In the latest, smart middle-grade/young adult novel from Newbery Medalist Linda
Sue Park ("A Single Shard"), she cleverly switches between narrators to tell a tale from the two
perspectives of a brother and sister in 1940's Japanese-occupied Korea. The alternating voices
makes clear the differences experienced by men and women throughout the society, especially
when Japan forbids the Korean language to be spoken, and Sun-hee must change her name.
Though she has little power over her oppressive environment, the choices she and her family
make reflect their strength of their character and conviction, particularly as the war continues.
Every 'tween and teen reader will relate to Sun-hee's determination to write in her diary, even
after it is declared a crime and will subsequently draw a clear understanding the value of free
speech, and the value of basic human freedom.
Where's The Big Bad Wolf?
Eileen Christelow
Clarion / Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Ave. South, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 061818946, $15.00,36 pages, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
For her latest humorous picture book, Eileen Christelow ("The Great Pig Search," "The Great Pig
Escape") again invested wisely in pork bellies. This time she finds inspiration in the classic three
little pigs tale, which she has turned into a rollicking crime mystery spoof. The story is narrated, in
the tradition of gumshoe Sam Spade, by police detective Phineas T. Doggedly. He's assigned to
find out why the pigs' houses are destroyed, one by one, and why a strange sheep is always on the
scene just in time to save them. The detective's number one suspect is the Big Bad Wolf, of
course, but the wolf has an alibi! Christelow's deadpan style is deliciously effective, and her
action-packed watercolors give little eyes a lot of fun action to enjoy.
Children's Everyday Bible
Illustrated by Anna C. Leplar, Retold by Deborah Chancellor
Dorling Kindersley
375 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0789488582, $19.99, 384 pages, www.dk.com
Subtitled "A Bible Story for Every Day of the Year," this wholesome abridged collection of
thumbnail stories is simply told and attractively illustrated for young readers to read solo or have
read aloud. Its unique concept is to read one story each day, and so the editor attempts to
encapsulize each tale on a single page. Each story, however, cannot be told so simply, thus many
are often continued on several pages, spanning several consecutive dates. In practice, the
overly-short story portions will leave children feeling cheated, causing them to be dissatisfied with
the too-brief one-a-day format. Another stumbling block is that the book would have appealed to
families of all Judeo-Christian persuasions, if it weren't for the number of New Testament
teachings included, making this "Everyday Bible" inappropriate for a great number of families
who might have enjoyed it otherwise.
Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide
Russell Schroeder
Dorling Kindersley
375 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0789488620, $19.99, 128 pages, www.dk.com
DK's "Ultimate" series of budget-priced coffee table books is one of the most-stylish lines on the
market. Its backlist of popular culture subjects is considerably boosted by the new inclusion of
"Disney: The Ultimate Guide," focusing primarily on the incredible art of Disney animation. It's
one of the line's most universally popular topics thus far, presented as a sophisticated, authorized
fan book for all ages. Built for browsing, it features more than 800 color photos and animation art
reproductions on its slick, over-sized pages. Each two-page spread presents a dozen or more
images related to a single character or film (Mickey Mouse, Bambi, "Fantasia," etc.), media
(cartoons, comics, television), related business ventures (various theme parks, studios,
"imagineering," merchandise), historic periods (early years, war years, the future), and an
assortment of other milestones. Per the "Ultimate" format, text is limited to an introductory
paragraph for each spread, followed by side-bar items and illustration captions. The short bursts
of impeccably researched information makes non-linear reading the books greatest pleasure.
Clearly a major undertaking, the impressive guide was researched and produced by the author,
with a DK staff of 12 and the cooperation of the Walt Disney Company's archives director.
The DK Illustrated Family Encyclopedia
Dorling Kindersley
375 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0789488655, $75.00, 1024 pages, www.dk.com
What ever happened to the bland standardized encyclopedia of my school days? Dorling
Kindersley the visionary publisher renowned for pioneering a distinctive, highly visual style in its
non-fiction books has brought the reference library into the 21st century with "The DK
Illustrated Family Encyclopedia." This three-volume boxed set contains more than 5,000 subjects
of importance to today's youth, from human cloning (human development) to global warming
(weather), with everything else in between. It's a convenient one-stop resource, compact enough
to fill less than five inches of shelf-space, but comprehensive enough to render standard A-Z
encyclopedias unnecessary and considerably less interesting -- for middle grade users. This
condensed treasury of ceaselessly fascinating information is a virtual "best of" from DK's vast
non-fiction publishing library, with a large percentage of its entries culled from the pages of DK's
superior non-fiction guides, including the "Eyewitness Guides," "Ultimate Guides," "Illustrative
Handbooks" and "Eye Wonder" series. Not resting on its laurels, an additional 2,5000 specially
commissioned artworks were created expressly for this edition.
Easy-to-please subjects such as horses, the human body, insects and volcanoes are predictably
mesmerizing, but even seemingly dull subjects and concepts (friction, for example) come alive
with short-attention-span explanations and real-life applications. Each subject is given one or
more full pages filled with clearly outlined sub-sections and a total of more than 10,000 rich
illustrative materials. By categorizing each subject into 10 or more easily digestible tidbits, the
"DK Family Encyclopededia" is easy to use but difficult to put down. Its accessibility makes it
ripe for random reading as well as for focused academic research, and is sure to turn information
hungry students into insatiable researchers who will learn to love reading non-fiction for
pleasure.
The Ultimate Peter Rabbit
By Camilla Hallinan
Dorling Kindersley
375 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0789485389, $19.99, 128 pages, www.dk.com
This addition to DK's "Ultimate" line of luxurious fan books arrived just in time for the 100th
anniversary of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," Beatrix Potter 's first published children's book.
Whereas the vast topic behind the "Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide" lends itself very well to
the two-page spread format of DK's "Ultimate" line, Potter's oeuvre proves trickier but,
ultimately, more rewarding. Potter's output was considerably smaller, of course, so here the text
has an opportunity to build a tale, rather than simply reduce topics to a basic list of properties.
Potter's own role call list of characters is significant as well, including Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs.
Tiggy-Winkle, Jeremy Fisher, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-Duck and so on. But in brief side-bars,
captions and a wealth of color images, "The Ultimate Peter Rabbit" gracefully reveals that Potter's
creative passion for her creations is the reason readers are so enraptured by her. The book puts a
veritable museum of artifacts on display: published illustrations and greeting cards, early book
editions, antique dolls, games and toys, (too many) recent "collector's" merchandise items, family
photographs and landscapes of the real-life sites that inspired the works. But most fascinating of
all are the original archival documents where it all began: Potter's earliest sketchbooks and
personal correspondence. It's wonderful to browse through the books first 30 pages, which give
readers an opportunity to thumb through Peter Rabbit's delightful first appearance in personal
letters Potter wrote to a sick friend, then in greeting card illustrations, and, finally in a
self-published story book she produced for Christmas presents in 1901.
Superhero Max
Lawrence David, Illustrated by Tara Calahan King
Doubleday/Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385327463, $15.95, 32 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
Every day is Halloween for second-grader Max Pilner, who decides he's happier at Happy Hollow
Elementary School when he turns into costumed hero "Captain Crusader." Suddenly, he's popular,
chasing giant bugs, saving animals from raging fires, and using his supersonic beam to cure his
playacting friends. When he wins the school's costume contest, he's hooked, and wants to wear his
costume every day. What will he do when his playmates grow tired of his post-Halloween antics,
and the grown-ups hang up his costume for good? The uplifting story will appeal to every child
sensitive to the pressures of fitting in, making friends, and being true to oneself.
Comic Adventures of Boots
Satoshi Kitamura
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374314551, $16.00, 28 pages, www.fsgbooks.com
Exactly as advertised, "Comic Adventures of Boots" is just that: a picture book comprised of
three comic tales about Boots the cat, and his feline friends. Prize-winning author/illustrator
Satoshi Kitamura ("Sheep in Wolves' Clothing") tells each story in a comic book format, using up
to 14 illustrated frames with dialog bubbles, in six or seven pages. There's no back-story, no
character introductions, no link between stories, just a sleekl comic format and lots of smart,
deadpan humor to tell simple short stories for kids on a higher-than-average artistic plane. As
such, it works best for independent readers age six and up who can read/scan each frame as
intended, simultaneously taking in the nuance and humor of each snappy line and each wide-eyed
expression. It's a fun and snappy change of pace in a crowded picture book market, and a terrific
alternative to low-brow comics and violent graphic novels.
First French Kiss and Other Traumas
Adam Bagdasarian
Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374323380, $16.00,134 pages, www.fsgbooks.com
When Adam Bagdasarian burst onto the Young Adult novel scene just a couple years ago, who
knew that the serious author of "Forgotten Fire" a National Book Award finalist tackling the
Armenian holocaust had a sense of humor? With "First French Kiss and Other Traumas," the
young writer lets his hair down in a series of engaging semi-autobiographical short stories about
his adolescent fumblings and pivotal growing pains in Beverly Hills. His introduction to the book
suggests this is his reluctant turn as a "humorist," a promise that he lives up to brilliantly in the
first chapter: a hilariously detailed, shoot-from-the-hip account of his first make-out session. So is
this a male adolescent answer to popular "chick lit" teen novels like "Angus, Thongs and Full
Frontal Snogging"? Not by a long shot. Bagdasarian's POV is clearly that of a wizened adult
looking back at the foibles of his youth -- his elegant prose and 20/20 hindsight are clear
giveaways. In most of the subsequent chapters, Bagdasarian can't help but aspire to more serious
and consequential literature. He eloquently maps his life's turning points in italicized
mini-chapters, using cool detachment and stylized sentences sparkling with craftsmanship, expert
timing and deft self-analysis. Clearly (and thankfully) Bagdasarian as contemporary raconteur has
more in common with self-effacing Spaulding Gray than ah-shucks Garrison Kellior. His warmly
amusing stories gradually become more poignant, more somber and less naive, keeping in step
with the young protagonist's growing awareness, and foreshadowing the unavoidable life issues as
lost and disillusionment. Only soulless readers will avoid becoming misty-eyed by the time
Bagdasarian poignantly dedicates his career to his father in a quietly moving anecdotal epilogue.
And only readers looking for lightweight laughs will be disappointed.
The Real, True Dulcie Campbell
Cynthia DeFelice, Illustrated by R.W. Alley
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374362203, $16.00, 32 pages, www.fsgbooks.com
What girl hasn't dreamt of being a princess? Well simple Iowa farm girl Dulcie Campbell just
knows that she was really born into a royal family as Princess Dulcinea, not to a mother in bunny
slippers, a father with mud on his boots, a freckled brother with a sour disposition, and a dog that
sniffs people in embarrassing places. And so she runs away from home in search of her real, true
castle and throne. She imagines herself there when she reaches the barn, and regally alights on a
bale of hay. There she opens a book of fairy tales and learns that the lives of princesses are full of
witches, curses, imprisonment and gloom -- not at all what Dulcie dreamt it to be. It makes her
realize that it's not so bad being a regular girl with a normal family, and so she rushes back as the
real, true Dulcie Campbell, to her real, true home. Young princess wannabees everywhere will
relate to Dulcie's desires and the important lesson learned.
What Would Joey Do?
Jack Gantos
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374399867, $16.00, 230 pages, www.fsgbooks.com
After witnessing amicable but hyperactive Joey suffer through his misunderstood ailment, school
difficulties and emotional abuse by a dysfunctional "TV talk show family," the faithful readers of
the extraordinary Joey Pigza book series can't help but feel a part of his helter skelter life...and be
better for it. Engagingly told from the optimistic perspective of a pure-hearted kid afflicted with
Attention Deficit Disorder, "Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key," "Joey Pigza Loses Control" and
now, "What Would Joey Do?" make eager readers experience his pain and confusion up close,
and root for him all the way. Walking in his shoes has been a painful experience but now he's
getting his act together, and it's time we reluctantly send him off into the world a confident young
man in author Jack Gantos' final installment of the ground-breaking trilogy.
Here, Joey Pigza still has big problems, but this time he's the one who's got most the answers,
though he continues to sometimes wonder whether he's weird or wired. His estranged father and
mother are fighting like crazy, sending one to the hospital and the other to the police to file a
restraining order. Complicating matters, Joey's mom is dating a floormat of a man who thinks the
Pigza's will become his perfect future family until the clan clouds his rose-colored vision with
their thunderous misbehavior, of course. Undeterred by failing health and an oxygen tank, Joey's
cantankerous Grandmother is still the foul-talking, cigarette-puffing loudmouth she always was,
only now she's pushing Joey to get a real life so she can rest in peace. But how is he supposed to
do that, when his mom pulls him out of public school and puts him into a suffocating home school
with a bullying handicapped girl proud to call herself "blind as a brat." This time, among all the
chaos, Joey seems the best adjusted. He monitors his medication well, and copes with daily
dilemmas by being the adult his seniors fail to be. Still, he can't stop himself from trying to fix
other people's messes. He puts himself at risk to reach out to his out-of-control father, rescues the
town's missing Chihuahuas, sacrifices his own chance for normal friendships by becoming the only
true friend to his obnoxious home-school classmate, goes out of his way to help the homeless
(even though they scare him), and takes special care of his grandmother when she needs it most.
All the while he struggles privately to keep his crazy brain ordered like he keeps the cans in order
on the local supermarket shelves.
The author's astoundingly skilled first-person narrative is as touching, real, exciting, frightening
and heartbreaking as any middle-grade novel ever written. The action is original and non-stop. His
array of analogies are beautifully wrought, as when Joey hangs a smashed muffler on his wall from
his father's near-fatal motorcycle accident, but throws it out the window when he realizes he
doesn't "need a souvenir of what it feels like to be squished between mom and dad." Readers will
feel like intimate friends sharing Joey's hard-fought victories as he takes command of his fragile
life and gets ready to move on without us.
A Pod Of Orcas
Sheryl McFarlane, Illustrated by Kirsti Anne Wakelin
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
121 Harvard Ave., Suite 2, Allston, Mass. 02134
ISBN 1550416812, $14.95, 28 pages, www.fitzhenry.ca
Subtitled "A Seaside Counting Book," this is a 1-2-3 book that swims to a different drummer. A
beautiful, naturalistic seascape painting fills each two page spread, while a pair of gentle rhyming
couplets count the numbers scheme first up to 10, then down again. The surprise is that in the
very middle, "a super pod of Orcas explodes the glassy sea," disrupting the peaceful seaside
panoramas throughout the rest of the book. The unusual rhythm is a unique and pleasant
experience. Unfortunately, the vivid cover of gorgeous Orcas draws in children who will wish for
more than just one moment with the whales and will feel cheated by their sudden
disappearance.
Hey, Frog!
Piet Grobler
Front Street
20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
ISBN 1886910847, $15.95, 28 pages, www.frontstreetbooks.com
The latest picture book from award-winning South African author/illustrator Piet Grobler is a
mysterious animal tale set in the African savannah. There, on a blazing hot day, a thirsty frog
takes a drink, and selfishly proceeds to slurp up every drop in the big blue lake. The other animals
are furious, and conspire to do something about it. Each tries a different method of repossessing
the water from frog's belly brute force, trickery, threats, intimidation but nothing works.
Finally, the eels try a different, less bullying tactic and find that they can get what they're after by
using a soft touch. The moral of the story -- a ticklish equivalent to "you can catch more flies with
honey than vinegar" is so subtly veiled that at first it appears to be a lesson in sharing or
protecting the environment instead. Children may miss the mixed message entirely, though they
can't help but be tickled pink by the conclusion. Whether or not this is based on an African folk
tale is unclear. Happy to leave us guessing, the author simply presents his pleasant, offbeat story
outfitted with fragile watercolor and ink illustrations of whimsical wild creatures.
Kisses
Nanda Roep, Illustrated by Marijke ten Cate
Front Street
20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
ISBN 1886910855, $15.95, 32 pages, www.frontstreetbooks.com
In just over 100 words, this sweet picture book lovingly embraces a beloved everyday ritual: the
goodnight kiss. When little Lisa the raccoon asks her father to tuck her in with a bedtime kiss, he
prolongs the tender moment by asking which kind of kiss she wants. A butterfly kiss? An Eskimo
kiss? A lipstick-covered grandma kiss? A snuggly mom kiss? A tickle monster kiss? Each kiss is
enacted in a vivid and imaginative painting before Lisa explains, "No, Daddy, I want a goodnight
kiss!" The final pucker comes with Dad's dozy description: "A kiss that makes your toes heavy. A
kiss that makes your fingers so limp they can't even lift a feather " and so on until his little one's
little eyelids fall shut. "Kisses" provides a lovely bonding experience for parent and child. It's a
wonderful bedtime excuse to cuddle up with sleepy ones and entice extra snuggles by making up
new kisses of your own.
Soul Moon Soup
Lindsay Lee Johnson
Front Street Books
20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, North Carolina 28801
ISBN 1886910871, $15.95, 134 pages, www.frontstreetbooks.com
The "novel in poems" genre is currently flourishing on middle-grade and young adult bookshelves,
with such sterling recent entries as "Girl Coming In For A Landing," and of course Sonya Sones'
extraordinary "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "Stop Pretending." The genre's popularity
surge should be no surprise: it seems to correspond with the moodiness of teens as well as the
depressed nation in general. There are no cheery rhymes and jaunty rhythms in "Soul Moon Soup"
and its ilk. Rather the spare words, jagged lines and no-rules format of "blank verse" is the poetic
form of choice for expressing teen angst and for connecting with sensitive teen and adolescent
readers. Here, blank verse poems of one to three pages are used like quilt squares to piece
together a story of a girl whose father is "ripped away like a page from a book," leaving her alone
with her floundering mother as they struggle with homelessness and hopelessness. Phoebe Rose
digs into her creative soul to find inner strength, an act that young journal-writers everywhere will
connect with passionately. In a moment of crisis, the protagonist sagely reflects: "It's like my life /
keeps falling off the shelf / and breaking into pieces / and there isn't enough / glue in the world / to
put it back together." Her troubled family will also ring true to a majority of readers, as will the
girl's empowering final choice: should she remain loyal to her mother, or remain in the only place
that has felt like home? The grace and wisdom or her choice will be an encouraging pat on the
back for other girls experiencing social difficulties along with the usual challenges of coming into
their own.
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece
Sean Sheehan
Getty Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 500, L.A., CA 90049-1682
ISBN 0892366672, $19.95, 60 pages, www.getty.edu
The British Museum's collection of Greek antiquities is second to none, so it's no surprise that this
student-friendly encyclopedia for elementary through high school students is so lavishly illustrated
with nearly 300 images of important Greek statues, paintings, architectural remnants and other
interesting artifacts from the London museum. The images illustrate an A-to-Z of more than 200
entries explaining every aspect of ancient Greek life. Entries are concise, usually no longer than
three paragraphs each, printed alongside a corresponding photo illustration the subject. The
simplified format unfortunately doesn't allow captions to explain the source of the relics, but their
current institutional homes are listed in the credits for those interested. Readers wishing to
research broader topics are significantly aided by "trails" leading them to all the book's related
subjects. These "trails" -- listed concisely on two of the book's early pages -- include art and
architecture; everyday life; ideas; gods and goddesses' myths; theater and drama; religion; warfare;
sport and leisure; Troy; writers; Greece and its neighbors; and the Greek legacy. Information is
engagingly told in easily digested passages, well-organized, and beautifully illustrated, making this
a browsing pleasure as well as an educational tool to treasure.
Robert Irwin Getty Garden
Lawrence Weschler, Photos by Becky Cohen
Getty Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 500, L.A., CA 90049-1682
ISBN 0892366206, $45.00, 174 pages, www.getty.edu
Surprisingly, the Getty Museum is nothing if not child-friendly. The galleries contain one of the
world's greatest and most-valuable art collections, and yet children frolic its grounds as if they're
at Disneyland. Majestically placed atop a hill in West Los Angeles like a gleaming crown, the 'luxe
architectural landmark (designed my master architect Richard Meier) is a wonder, from the
winding tram ride to the sprawling complex's geometric gallery buildings covered in slabs of
Italian travertine, and the incredible collection of antiquities, decorative furnishings, photography
and fine art of every kind. But nothing there generates more pure joy and frank discussion --
than the fascinating Central Garden by visual artist Robert Irwin, a noted member of California's
"light and space" movement. Controversy first erupted in the early 1990s before the Getty
opened, when the plum assignment was awarded to a contemporary artist and not to a
landscape architect or designer. Matters heated up significantly when Irwin's modernist "living
sculpture" was unveiled, revealing an inverted fountain centerpiece that burrowed into the ground
a strange and contrary choice, considering the blatant sacrifice of the site's breathtaking
panoramic view. But what good is contemporary art that doesn't prompt the exchange of ideas?
And so Irwin's jagged granite pathways, succulent gardens, rivers, rocks and lawns gladly invite
conversation both heated and awe-inspired from hundreds of visitors every day. For "Robert
Irwin Getty Garden," Irwin explains in vivid detail the creation of this "sculpture in the form of a
garden aspiring to be art," from its inspiration and ingredients, to its installation and continuing
metamorphosis as it matures. The story is told in basic Q&A format, with New Yorker staff
writer Lawrence Weschler ("Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees: A Life of
Contemporary Artist Robert Irwin") acting as interviewer as Irwin takes him and us -- on a
walking and talking tour of the garden. But he star of the book is the garden itself, beautifully
captured in 150 glorious color shots by award-winning landscape photographer Becky Cohen.
Her eye captures nuances commonly missed by visitors too busy taking in the "big picture," and
so Cohen takes readers on a slow zig-zag walkway tour to a close-up meditation on flora
composition to grand overhead vistas of the spiral hedge centerpiece.
Cautionary Tales For Children
Hilaire Belloc, Illustrated by Edward Gorey
Harcourt, Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
ISBN 0151007152, $16.00, 66 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
There has never been a greater, more witty illustrator of the macabre than Edward Gorey, who
passed away in 2000. Though he was born in Chicago in 1925, he perfected a distinct Victorian
parlor style that gave his somber depictions of death, disaster and weirdness of all kinds often
involving not-so-innocent children an amusingly irreverent tone, and reduced the shock value of
the melodramatic immorality tales. His detailed ink drawings rarely depicted emotion, and have
never been more widely-imitated than they are today; note the pervasive use of Gorey's devises
(with a nod to Charles Addams) by Martin Matje ("The Ink Drinker"), Brett Helquist ("A Series
of Unfortunate Events"), David McKean ("Coraline") and David Roberts ("A House Called Awful
End").
For "Cautionary Tales," Gorey's partner in crime was the late-Hilaire Belloc, a central figure in
English literature, philosophy, poetry and historical biography. Before his death more than 50
years ago, he let down his hair to write these shockingly funny reprimands for ill-behaved
children. Collected in this volume, these poetic lessons admonish ill-mannered children with grim
(or is it Grimm?) accounts of horrible comeuppance. For children prone to wandering off from
their caretakers, there's the story of Jim "who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion."
Fibbers are warned of the fate of Matilda, "who told lies and was burned to death." The gothic
tales are quite morbid, yet not at all grotesque (even amputations and beheadings are
matter-of-factly depicted), and not everyone dies. There's novice shooter Algernon, for instance,
who played with a loaded gun, missed his sister, and was simply reprimanded by his father.
The rhyming couplets are perfectly in keeping with Gorey's own writing style in such treasures as
"Amphigorey," "The Object Lesson" and "The Haunted Tea-Cosy" -- a coincidence not lost on
Gorey himself when he "rediscovered" and illustrated Belloc's "Cautionary Tales" not long before
his death. Never before published, these 60 black-and-white drawings are among Gorey's most
witty and irreverent work. It's a fitting final bow from beyond the grave.
Once Upon a Marigold
Jean Ferris
Harcourt
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 East 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152167919, $17.00, 266 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
What an oddball little novel this is. It's an utterly wholesome, feel-good fairy tale adventure about
star-crossed teenage royal lovers, told with touches of vaudevillian humor. Author Jean Ferris
("Love Among The Walnuts") delivers old-fashioned wisecracks with tongue firmly in cheek,
giving the book an odd rhythm that will take aback contemporary teen readers not accustomed to
screwball comedy. The story is a twisting adventure about a Robin-Hood-era orphan named
Christian who comes to live in a cave with a troll who speaks in mixed metaphors. Without
knowing his real family, Christian grows up and moves out to work at the nearby castle to be
nearer his secret love: lonely Princess Marigold, a smart and kind girl who's cursed with the ability
to read minds simply by touching someone, and so no one dares be close to her. She must choose
between two ill-suited royal suitors, but Christian has other ideas if only he were a prince. An
evil queen, a daffy king and all sorts of complications spin things into a dizzying pace, with
lightheaded results. "Once Upon A Marigold" is a pleasant romp, particularly for adolescent and
teen girls still harboring princess fantasies.
Coraline
Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Dave McKean
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0380977788, $15.99, 166 pages, www.harperchildrens.com
The first novel for children by best-selling adult novelist Neil Gaiman ("The Sandman," "American
Gods") is a surreal masterpiece that makes other ghost stories pale by comparison. It's a creepy,
gothic "Alice In Wonderland" in which a self-sufficient, inquisitive and neglected girl seeks
excitement by embarking on a nightmarish adventure in her own rambling, old home. She
mysteriously passes through the bricked-up entrance to an "empty" apartment next door, where
she finds a frightening-yet-alluring alternate universe that distortedly mirrors her own. Here is
Coraline's "other mother," except for her black button eyes, paper-white skin and spidery fingers.
Unlike Coraline's distracted real father, her "other father" takes time to talk with her, until he
devolves into a murderous grub. Yet in this nightmarish place, people yearn to be with her. They
pronounce her name correctly, cook her delicious food, and provide her with wondrous toys. So
why is their desperate desire to keep her "for ever and always" so menacing? When she discovers
that the souls of her true parents are at stake and the souls of less fortunate children who have
gone before her -- Coraline rises to the challenge, bravely facing her own deepest fears to save
them and herself.
Eccentric neighbors provide unique subplots and additional "Alice in Wonderland" parallels,
particularly the quizzical Cheshire cat clone, which provides Coraline with clues to her salvation.
Elements of psychological terror (think Edgar Alan Poe) and frightful fairy tales (the Brothers
Grimm) lend distinctly Victorian chills to the haunting tale, yet Coraline is a thoroughly modern
filly of a protagonist: a genuine heroine to be admired and cheered on by sleepless generations to
come.
A House Called Awful End
Philip Ardagh, Illustrated by David Roberts
Henry Holt
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
ISBN 0805068287, $14.95, pages 120, www.henryholt.com
Bravo for veteran children's writer Philip Ardagh and the horribly auspicious start to his weird and
wonderful "Awful End" tragicomic trilogy. The author sets the stage in 19th century England,
creates a memorably luckless waif (essentially Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist) and places him in a
fabulously unfortunate series of events. If that weren't enough, the poor kid belongs to a
downright loony dysfunctional family, which appears to be distantly related to the Addams Family
and Monty Python.
Originally written in installments to console his nephew languishing in a boarding school, "A
House Called Awful End" introduces us frightened, hapless Eddie Dickens (Or is it Jonathan?
Simon? His flummoxed parents can't remember.), who is sent away from home when his parents
catch a contagious disease that turns them yellow, "crinkly around the edges and smelling of hot
water bottles." His Mad Uncle Jack (who pays for things with dried fish) and Even-Madder Aunt
Maud (who talks to inanimate objects and believes children should be neither seen nor heard, just
smelled) come to collect him. But on the strange carriage journey to their home, the silly pair
confuse Eddie for a stuffed stoat, give his inn room to their horse, and just plain forget who the
child is, thus allowing police to commit him to the horrible St. Horrid's Home for Grateful
Orphans.
The dark misadventures and David Roberts' Gorey-esque ink drawings will instantly appeal to
Lemony Snickett fans and detractors alike. Non-fans will get a kick out of Ardagh's subtle satire
on Snickett's annoying word-definition asides. (For instance: "Conflagulation is a
twenty-eight-letter-way of saying what 'put the flames out' says in 15.") Ardagh's own playful
devices are hilarious and inventive, such as his penchant for giving false historical background (his
academic explanation for "battery hens" is that they were chickens with batteries, and therefore,
the first smoke detectors). He takes broad poetic license with such basic literary rules as
point-of-view then blatantly points it out. And he likes to send readers astray by running off track
for paragraphs or even pages, then tells readers the page number they should turn back to, to
remind them of the plot before its derailment. I, for one, will be first in line to buy a ticket for the
next dangerous journey, and will personally petition Tim Burton to direct a film version.
The Boll Weevil Ball
Kelly Murphy
Henry Holt and Co.
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
ISBN 0805087124, $15.95, 32 pages, www.henryholt.com
This lovely picture book by first time author/illustrator Kelly Murphy will instantly appeal to fans
of "Miss Spider's Tea Party" by painter David Kirk. Insect characters are rarely depicted with
such huggable sweetness, but Murphy gives delightful human traits to her fragile protagonist,
Redd, a tiny ladybug boy who's so small he just doesn't fit in, not even in his family portrait. He's
just too small to fly, and too small to reach the mailbox for his invitation to the Boll Weevil's Ball.
When his brothers accidentally leave him behind on the big night, Redd starts to feel downhearted.
But when he gathers his wits and his courage he discovers that little souls can do great things
when they're true to themselves. The story' s prose is occasionally dry, and, like Redd himself,
could have benefited from a helping hand. But it's clearly Murphy's inspired art that gives this
story wings. Her richly verdant illustrations are exquisite, filled with imaginative perspective,
tremendous character, and appealing modern sensibilities that readers will want to see more
of.
The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool
Margaret Gray, Illustrations by Randy Cecil
Henry Holt
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
ISBN 08050068473, $15.95, 168 pages, www.henryholt.com
Once upon a time all princesses were beautiful, and handsome princes always came to sweep them
off their feet and live happily ever after. Well what about the not-so-gorgeous Princess Margarets
of the world? It's about time that the traditional, clich‚d princess tale got turned on its
tiara-topped head, and so funny Princess Rose of "The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool" comes
to the rescue. The lighthearted novel is about a homely, buck-toothed heroine who shocks her
kingdom of Couscous by not being the reigning beauty they were accustomed to. Her looks
eventually shatter her confidence, and so she wishes for physical beauty to win over the
handsome, but empty-headed Prince Parsley. An amusing, seafaring fairy godmother grants her
wish by creating an enchanted hairdo, of all things, but will Princess Rose find that superficial
beauty's all it's cracked up to be? Complicating matters, her simple-minded father, the King, has
banished all wisdom from the kingdom, so where does that leave clever Princess Rose and her
kindred spirit, Jasper? Brains vs. beauty are at the heart of this silly story that will find an eager
audience among awkward pre-teen girls feeling societal pressure to look perfect.
Drowning Anna
Sue Mayfield
Hyperion
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 0786808705, $15.99, 318 pages, www.hyperionteens.com
Why do smart, beautiful, seemingly well-adjusted teenage girls try to kill themselves? That
troubling question haunted British author Sue Mayfield, so she researched and wrote a novel that
attempts to gives answers by giving voice to a fictional suicidal teen. In "Drowning Anna," Anna
Goldsmith is befriended by one of her new school's most popular girls, Haley Parkin, but without
warning Haley deviously turns on her, making her a social outcast. First the shift is subtle and
silent, but it turns into a chain of bullying and intimidation events that leaves Anna feeling
betrayed and belittled. Haley's cruel manipulations make her classmates turn a blind eye for fear of
becoming her next victim. Teachers and parents are oblivious, even when Anna's grades fall, she
stops eating, and starts cutting herself, leaving her too weak and alone to maintain her
ground.
The novel's chapters alternate between four separate point-of-views: a neutral "fly on the wall"
narrator witnessing details of Anna's daily life; Anna's best friend, Melanie ; Anna's distraught
mother who discovers her daughter's near-lifeless body and has no idea her daughter was so
unhappy; and Anna's own words from diary entries her mother reads while Anna lingers in a
coma. Each POV is uniquely riveting, grabbing the reader with new revelations as it peels away
layers of Anna's secret life like an onion. When her final cry for help goes unheard, readers
intensely feel Anna's suffering as she sinks like a stone, "not waving, but drowning." It's an
absolutely compelling look at the deviousness of high school social circles, and the damage they
cause.
The Little White Rabbit
Xose Ballesteros and Oscar Villan
Kalandraka Editions / IPG
ISBN 8495730197, $14.95, 32 pages, www.kalandraka.com
This is the first North American edition of the picture book that won Spain' s first prize for
illustration in 1999. Sure enough, Oscar Villan's modern paintings have a slight Picasso feel:
figures are one-dimensional with distorted facial renderings that place both eyes on one side of the
head. The story has an interesting lilt, made all the more pleasant by a translation that still
manages to rhyme the sing-song dialog, even if it means that the syllable pattern varies
unpredictably. The story retells the popular Portuguese fairy tale about a rabbit scared from his
own house by a bullying goat, so goes to all the neighboring animals seeking their help.
Though the tale itself is unfamiliar to most Americans, its message about friendship is simple and
clear, and the repeating pattern -- rabbit seeks help from the bull, the chicken, the dog to no avail,
before his friend the ant comes to his aid -- is as familiar a device as any found. Produced neatly in
a square lavender hardback, "The Little White Rabbit" is more aesthetically appealing than
reader-friendly, as, unfortunately, the words are printed in a typeface so fine-lined that it's
practically illegible on the deep fushia pages.
Girl Coming in for a Landing
April Halprin Wayland, Illustrated by Elaine Clayton
Alfred A. Knopf / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0375801588, $14.95, 134 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens
Teen and 'tween girls will fall in love with this bright little "novel in poems" written in a distinct
teenage voice that resonates clearly and honestly, with a refreshingly optimistic outlook. Though
called a "novel," it's really a relaxed intertwining of themes and subjects from the journals of an
anonymous high school girl experiencing her first crush, first love, first day of a new school year,
etc., while trying to get a handle on her changing hormones and emotions. Most of the 100-plus
brief, freeform poems manage to be poignant, funny and insightful all at once. "Period" for
instance: "It sounds so final. / Like things stop. / When you get it. / I know that when I finally get
mine, / I'm going to be so thrilled I'm going to call it my / Exclamation Point." By the time she
finally finds her feet, we share her soaring confidence: "My heart / is coming in / for a landing. /
Carrying a suitcase / packed with hope."
I love Wayland's youthful voice and unaffected, wide-eyed view of the world around her. I love
Wayland's "After Words" confession that the book suffered 10 years of rejection before its
publication. I love that she then spends her final pages encouraging young writers with true
warmth and guidance. I love the vibrant cover and amazing variety of black-and-white collages by
Elaine Clayton. Mostly I love that once I picked up "Girl Coming in for a Landing," I couldn't put
it down. You've got to love that "Girl."
New York's Bravest
Mary Pope Osborne, Illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Alfred A. Knopf / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY NY 10036
ISBN 0375821961, $15.95, 32 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
In our emotional, post-September 11 climate, firefighters rescued the nation 's spirit, becoming
all-American heroes: symbols of physical strength and selfless courage. Prolific children's writer
Mary Pope Osborne knows that that we could use a good heroic legend right about now, so
revisited a story she first wrote for "American Tall Tales" about a real New York City firefighter
from the 1840s. Said to be eight feet tall with "hands as big as Virginia hams," Mose Humphreys
could lift a streetcar over his head and swim the Hudson River in two strokes. Fearless and
selfless, Mose ran toward danger when others ran away, so whenever a fierce blaze threatened, he
was the first on the scene. When a hotel fire raged out of control, Mose ran in and out until all the
people inside were rescued but the firefighter never reemerged? Shattered, his fellow firefighters
comforted themselves by imagining him moving onto even bigger adventures, conquering the
West, and working beside President Lincoln. The legends grew, though deep inside they realized
that Mose was still right there with them in their hearts and spirits.
Osborne's bigger-than-life story has the elements of a classic exaggerated legend moral and all --
without unbelievable fantasy. Additionally, it's told succinctly with vigor and introspection,
warmth and nobility, and enough direct contemporary parallels to make it tugging at the heart
without overblown sentimentality. The bold and beautiful paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou
Fancher, are filled with nostalgic idealism and nationalistic pride that hits just the right tone.
Children already love firefighters, so will find "New York's Bravest" particularly exciting and
invaluable for giving them a memorable personality to latch onto. For the rest of us, we can thank
Osborne for her tip of the hat, expressing our common respect and admiration for firefighters
everywhere, the men and women who help extinquish our fears every day.
Hoot
Carl Hiaasen
Knopf / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0375821813, $15.95, 292 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
Novelist Carl Hiaasen's most devoted adult fans might get a little hoot out of "Hoot," but it just
doesn't have a lot of kid-appeal for the pre-teen market for which his first book for young people
was intended. Could it be that the author of such tongue-in-cheek adult novels as "Sick Puppy"
and "Basket Case" simply doesn't understand effective kids lit? The book's prose is
condescendingly stiff and simplistic, sometimes even appearing to follow the format of such
out-of-date models as "The Hardy Boys." As a mystery, "Hoot" just doesn't fly, as kids will easily
figured out the plot in the first few chapters. Hiaasen's choice of a pro-ecological theme is strong,
and his protagonist is pleasant enough, though overly familiar. At a Florida middle school, Roy
Eberhardt is the self-conscious new kid who has to deal with a bully. Roy is befriended by a
couple of outcasts when he becomes embroiled in a minor mystery involving mischievous
sabotage of a proposed construction site. Despite several chapters lining up a mysterious series of
events, it's apparent from the start that the goings-on are to save the endangered owls that burrow
there, pitting the do-gooder kids against bumbling capitalist adults. After a dull first half, the plot
eventually starts to escalate into a topsy-turvy ride with additional quirky touches. But ultimately
the thin story fails to retain the interest of his readers. Each time things start to get interesting,
Hiaasen applies the brakes, regularly abandoning the kids' POV in favor of doggedly focusing on
several adult characters a basic genre no-no if you want kids to, well, give a hoot.
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Weirdos
Ed Emberley
Little, Brown & Co.
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0316233145, $7.95, 32 pages, www.twbookmark.com/children
Just in time for Halloween comes the latest you-can-draw art book for little monsters of all ages
from Ed Emberley. Following in the tradition of "Ed Emberley's Big Green Drawing Book" (and
"Orange," "Red" and "Purple"), the offbeat artist wordlessly demonstrates simple-step-by-step
pen-strokes that add up to cartoonish vampires, witches, bats, werewolves, devils and other
spooks from Evil Eva to Napoleon Bonyparts. His two-sentence introduction sets the stage: "If
you can draw these things [circle, square, triangle, arc, dot, line, squiggle, S, D, C] you will be
able to draw all the things in this book." Easier figures take eight or 10 steps, with the more
complicated back-page characters requiring 30 or more. Yet Emberley's brilliantly simple
technique is clear enough even for toddlers who've never before drawn a proper human figure,
and will be equally enthralling for elementary and middle-grade kids who'll get an even bigger kick
out of their kooky instant creations.
Dreamtime Fairies
Jane Simmons
Little, Brown & Co.
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0316795232, $15.95, 32 pages, www.twbookmark.com/children
Inspiring goodnight cuddles, the award-winning "Come Along, Daisy" is a favorite bedtime
reading book in our household, so the author/illustrator's newest book instantly caught our
attention. "Dreamtime Fairies," not unexpectedly, weaves its own bedtime magic, this time to
scare away the common fear of the dark for little ones age 2 to 6. Its little protagonist, Lucy,
loves to tell stories to her little brother when he can't sleep. So Lucy sweetly calls upon help from
the Dreamtime Fairies, and embarks on an imaginary journey to find them. The sister and brother
take along their comforting stuffed animals, and discover that the fairies reside inside nighttime
shadows, giving children reason to be comforted by the dark. It's a lovely sentiment for children
and their parents to latch onto, and Jane Simmon's rich blue-green paintings impart an additionally
soothing touch.
Eat Healthy, Feel Great
You Can Go To The Potty
William Sears, M.D., Martha Sears, R.N. & Christie Watts Kelly
Little, Brown & Co.
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0-316-78708-6 (Eat); ISBN 0-316-78888-0 (Potty), www.twbookmark.com/children
When it comes to teaching toddlers life-long health and interpersonal skills, who can parents turn
to? Pediatric experts Dr. William Sears and nurse Martha Sears, have been helping parents get
their kids off to a good start with 11 previous books about "attachment parenting" techniques.
Now the authors add two new read-aloud books to their Sears Parenting Library. "You Can Go
To The Potty" provides detailed instruction for parents, and a no-pressure picture book story for
toddlers to emulate. Brief sidebars give extra answers for curious young minds, and for adults
there are additional details about attachment parenting fundamentals and helpful outside
resources. Utilizing the same format, "Eat Healthy, Feel Great" teaches kids how to choose their
food wisely. Rather than teach the basic food groups, they categorize foods as "green-light" ("go
ahead and eat all you want"), "yellow-light" (foods that "make you slow down if you eat too
many") and "red-light" (foods you should stop eating). Further lessons discuss processed
ingredients to avoid, nutrients to seek, and easy-to-make recipes to try.
No More Secrets For Me
Oralee Wachter, illustrated by Jane Aaron
Little, Brown & Co.
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0316882909, $14.95, 48 pages, www.twbookmark.com/children
This invaluable book should be required reading for every parent and school age child. Its
controversial subject is sexual abuse a difficult but crucial subject that all parents need to face
honestly in order to help prevent their children from becoming victims. The public dangers have
become more prevalent and more frightening in the 21 years since this pioneering compilation of
short stories was first published. Nearly half-a-million copies later, it's now being reissued with a
new foreword and updated resources for additional help and information. The book's popularity is
well earned. The author found a wholesome and creative way to take on a frightening topic
without creating undue stress and fear in young readers, by presenting a handful of pleasant
fictional stories about children faced with a variety of unpleasant situations. Each tale presents
situations and dialog that children can easily relate to and understand, then shows them how to
confidently cope through honest communication. Tasteful, well-chosen phrases put both parent
and child at ease. The result is gently reassuring, comforting and empowering for little ones who
need answers to such important questions as: What do I do if I feel uncomfortable because of how
someone touches me? When is it OK for a child to say "no" to a grownup, especially an authority
figure? Will I be in trouble if I tell? Who is it OK to talk to if a problem arises? Endorsed by the
Masters and Johnson Institute, "No More Secrets for Me" is one of the best secret weapons a
parent can have to arm their children against the dangers of sexual abuse.
Little Brown Bear Won't Take A Nap!
Jane Dyer
Little, Brown & Co.
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0316197645, $15.95, 32 pages, www.twbookmark.com/children
What happens when a bear cub won't hibernate for the winter with the rest of his family? That's
the premise of this tale that speaks directly to tiny human sleep-strikers. Arms crossed defiantly,
Little Brown Bear flat-out refuses to take naps, "especially the kind that lasted all winter." He'd
rather follow the geese south, so he packs his bag and joins the gaggle at the train station. They
head for a sunny beach, where Little Brown Bear joyfully builds a sand castle big enough to crawl
into. But when he tries to get comfortable for a rest, the home-sick cub realized he missed his
own bed. Sound trite and overly familiar? In less skilled hands, it would have been, but
author/illustrator Jane Dyer (who illustrated "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes") lovely conclusion is
a marvel, artfully and naturally bringing together disparate elements in a single unpredictable line
of dialogue.
Even before the story begins, Dyer writes a wonderful "Dear boys and girls" letter to introduce
Little Brown Bear and his family, and giving such warmth and breadth to the characters that we
know them well before even the first word of their story. Again hooking the readers and going the
extra mile, she next offers a charming watercolor landscape that maps out their village and the
locations that will appear in the story to follow, and, hopefully, sequels to come.
This Land Is Your Land
Woody Guthrie, Illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen
Little, Brown & Co.
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0316065641, $19.95, 38 pages, www.twbookmark.com/children
"A folk song is what's wrong and how to fit it," Guthrie once said, and so he wrote thousands of
songs including hundreds for children -- to tell it like it was and lift the American spirit. When it
was written and first recorded in 1949, the simple, straightforward "This Land Is Your Land"
seemed one of Guthrie's less impactful songs. Little did anyone realize that it would grow in
complexity, meaning and popularity to become a vital protest song, a patriotic call-to-arms and a
favorite of children from, well, California to the New York island, from the Redwood forest to the
gulf stream waters. This song was made for you and me.
So let me add my voice to the chorus singing the praises of this tribute to Woody Guthrie that
reinvents his most beloved folk song as a picture book and nine-song CD for young readers. The
song, "This Land Is Your Land," is not the most obvious choice from his vast song library;
"Bling-Blang" and "Howdi Do" lend themselves better to the picture book format, and have both
made splendid books. But "This Land Is Your Land" contains little vignettes rather than a
storyline, and the cheerful version we all remember so well omitted the other side of the coin:
Guthrie's original protest verses that steadfastly pointed out that this country was made for the
have-nots as well as the haves. Not only does this richly-illustrated book include those verses
(including one about poverty-stricken Americans in welfare lines), it powerfully underscores
Guthrie's original intent, particularly this verse: "As I went walking, I saw a sign there / And on
that sign it said `No Trespassing' / But on the other side it didn't say nothing / That side was made
for you and me." As fellow folk singer Pete Seeger notes in the after-word for this book,
"Somewhere Woody is grinning and saying to us all, `Take it easy, but take it!'"
The Making of America
Robert D. Johnson
National Geographic/Simon & Schuster
1145 17th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
ISBN 0792269446, $29.95, 240 pages, www.nationalgeographic.com
Pulitzer-prize winning historian Robert D. Johnson (Associate Professor of History and American
Studies at Yale University, and author of "Eyewittness to the 20th Century") has created another
valuable, accessible and engrossing family reference book. In exemplary fashion, "The Making of
America" chronologically presents more than 500 years of American history, from the initial
arrival of Europeans in 1492 to the current 21st century events. It's an ideal one-stop source for
student report researchers seeking comprehensive coverage of landmark events, social
movements, biographies, profiles on all 42 Presidents, maps, illustrated time lines, important
quotes, transcripts of important debates and speeches, historic art and photography, and more,
including all important additional resources and a complete index. The clear and appealing visual
design features more than 300 period illustrations. Ten thematic spreads on a variety of topics
range from kids in the White House to the two-party system, and textual explanations are distilled
into each topic's immensely readable essence. Multi-ethnic diversity is excellently presented and
rather than sidestep unpleasant chapters in America's past, the book invites reader analysis and
debate. History lessons can be rote and meaningless if they do not promote independent thought,
instigate discussion and inspire change, so in that regard alone, Johnson's significant work excels
magnificently.
Davy, Help! It's A Ghost!
Brigette Weninger & Eve Tharlet
North-South Books
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 00735816875, $15.95, 28 pages, www.northsouth.com
In the eighth sequel to the Davy the rabbit series of Austrian picture books, the sweet little guy
stars in a Halloween picture book that humorously tackles universally common bedtime fears. Left
alone one night, Davy and his brothers and sisters are having a wonderful time until it's time to go
to bed. But then Little Daisy imagines that a shadow is a ghost and soon all her siblings are
spooked too. Without adults to turn to, resourceful Davy takes charge and comes up with an
inventive solution to scare away their fears. The gentle book will stimulate young reader's belief in
their own self-sufficiency, yet, like Davy's family, they'll be reassured that grownups will also be
there when needed with reassuring hugs.
Nicky and the Rainy Day
Valeri Gorbachev
North-South Books
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0735816441, $15.95, 32 pages, www.northsouth.com
In the third picture book about little Nicky, the plucky bunny and his siblings have the rainy day
blues. They're stuck inside with nothing to do but pester their mother. Nicky, however, is full of
bright ideas. "We can go to the desert," he suggests, imagining what it's like where it's sunny and
bright. "Impossible," counters his mother, and one by one each of his siblings nixes his suggestion
too. So Nicky dreams up another idea: "Then we'll go to the mountains with big beautiful blue
cliffs." Everybody dismisses this idea too, but undeterred, Nicky imagines going to the jungle, the
South Pole and outer space. Soon so much time has passed that the rain has stopped and the
family rejoices by going outside to jump in the puddles. Even this doesn't stop imaginative Nicky
from dreaming of a big adventure, this time to go to a rainbow. "That's impossible," says his
mother. "Maybe not," says Nicky, never giving up. "We could try!" Nicky's unwaivering optimism
makes this a terrific read-aloud option to chase away the gloom of rainy days.
Rainbow Fish A, B, C
Rainbow Fish 1, 2, 3
Marcus Pfister
North-South Books
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0735817146 (A, B, C)
ISBN 0735817162 (1, 2, 3)
$9.95 each, 16 pages each, www.northsouth.com
Marcus Pfister's international bestseller, "The Rainbow Fish," has developed into a cottage
industry for its publisher. The charming storybook -- teaching a gentle lesson about sharing -- has
since yielded three well-received sequels, a school of paperback tales, board books, a bath book,
sticker books, games, audio books and games. Now here come "Rainbow Fish A, B, C" and
"Rainbow Fish 1, 2, 3", two early teaching tools for toddlers ready to learn. Pfister's
color-saturated underwater vistas are the major draw, setting the stage for Rainbow Fish to guide
readers through their paces. To teach counting, readers are asked to play along by seeking special
objects in the pictures seahorses, conch shells, etc. and to count them. The alphabet book, on
the other hand, is an unimaginative listing of letter groups, book-ended by a rhyming couplet intro
and "now you 've learned your ABCs" conclusion. In the market's veritable ocean of creative
ABC books, this one will be lost at sea.
The Scary Sleepover
Ulrich Karger, Illustrated by Uli Waas
North-South Books
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0735817138, $15.95, 32 pages, www.northsouth.com
Right off the bat it's clear that this simple picture book is a translated work because of its "this
would never happen in this country" premise. After all, how many parents do you know who let
their pre-schoolers and kindergarteners have sleepovers at school? Sure enough it's a German tale
about what happens during a Halloween sleepover party as nighttime falls and common fears
begin to arise. The little goblins and witches have a ball together, romping. reading stories, and
gazing at the night sky. When one girl points out her very own star that her daddy helped her
choose to watch over her as she sleeps, she suggests everyone else choose their own too. The
comforting thought instantly puts nervous minds at ease...as does the hallway night light. Putting
the slightly awkward premise aside, this is a gently reassuring bedtime story sure to sooth bedtime
jitters in homes everywhere.
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame, Illustrations by Mary Jane Begin
SeaStar/North-South Books
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 1587172046, $19.95, 196 pages, www.northsouth.com
One of the best children's books for all ages continues to stand the test of time. The classic 1908
adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger and their exciting daily lives in the English
countryside, are revisited in this attractive, classy edition suitable for every library shelf. This is an
unabridged edition that respectfully presents the stories in their entirety, set in a fine-lined, serif
typeface, then adding a respectful list of illustrations, and historical afterword by
publisher/bookseller Peter Glassman. It's augmented with glorious acrylic and watercolor
paintings by Mary Jane Begin ("The Porcupine Mouse," "A Mouse Told His Mother") each is a
gorgeous wonder. The book's only disappointment is that just 12 of these vivid gems sport
full-pages of this book, making it compare unfavorably to the current most-popular edition of
"The Wind in the Willows" lavishly illustrated by Michael Hague. But since that edition is most
readily found paperback, this slick, heavy hardback dressed in a prim blue dust jacket and
red-ribbon bookmark -- is a new best-bet for gift-giving and long-term keeping.
The Boy Who Thought He Was A Teddy Bear
Jeanne Willis and Susan Varley
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattanoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 156145270X, $15.95, 26 pages, www.peachtree-online.com
Breezy, and lighthearted, this charming picture book is as cuddly as its three little teddy bear stars.
While on a picnic the fluffy trio adopt a baby boy brought to them by three fairies who found him
in the woods. So the bears take care of him as if he were their own, and because they only know
teddy names, they call him Pinky Blinky Dinky. Because they're full of sawdust, that's what they
feed him when he's hungry. And because they like to go on picnics, hide in cupboards and wear
big red ties, that's what the boy does. Pinky enjoys his life as a teddy bear until one day, his real
mother finds him at last. "But I don't want to be a boy!" he cries, arguing that he likes doing the
things teddies do. "Boys are allowed to do those things too," his mother replies, surprising him
with "the biggest bear hug he'd ever had." But what of his adopted family? The cuddly conclusion
is sure to inspire lots of hugs between big and little readers. Dressed in baby blue and other pastel
colors, "The Boy Who Thought He Was A Teddy Bear" makes an especially lovely gift for baby
boys and their parents.
Little Rabbit Lost
Harry Horse
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattanoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561452734, $15.95, 32 pages, www.peachtree-online.com
Little Rabbit is the most adorable cotton-tailed storybook character to be introduced since his
distant cousin, Peter Rabbit. Wearing little bunny PJs and a pleasant "can do" outlook, the toddler
hops out of bed and into readers hearts on his fourth birthday. "I'm not such a little rabbit any
more!" he proclaims with pride, as his large family congratulates him with tickets for his first trip
to the Rabbit World amusement park. He enthusiastically leads the way, all the while wearing his
cute-as-a-button PJs and clutching a bright red birthday balloon. The excited Little Rabbit feels
big enough to keep running ahead of his family, anxious to see all the rides and attractions at the
grand park. Eventually, the little explorer gets separated from his brood, and feels lost in the big,
big, world.
Former political cartoonist Harry Horse ("A Friend For Little Bear") is an excellent contemporary
children's book artist in the cuddly, classic style of Beatrix Potter and Ernest H. Shepard. His
detailed drawing of the rabbits' home and, especially, the intricate amusement park attractions,
will hold children's rapt attention, their eyes darting over every inch to take in every nuance. The
story itself, however, suffers from dull writing and slow passages that merely serve to link the
lovely pictures. One scene is made particularly confusing by its incongruous text about a toy
rocket, a reference that comes from nowhere, though it should have first been mentioned on page
two when the rabbit is given a rocket as a birthday gift. Gratefully, it's a small complaint for a
delightful book filled with small wonders.
H.R. Pufnstuf: The Ultimate Box Set
Kid Rhino/Rhino Records
10635 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. CA 90025-4900
ISBN 156605560-1, $59.95 -- 4 VHS cassettes, www.rhino.com
Ready for a weird blast from the past? Move aside, you newfangled "Powerpuff Girls" and
"Spongebob Squarepants" -- the zany and incredibly low-tech "H.R. Pufnstuf" is available on
home video to culture-shock a new, more sophisticated generation of TV junkies into asking
"What in the world is that?"
It's an old Saturday morning kids show that first came on the scene in the psychedelic '60s,
starring "Tiger Beat" fave rave Jack Wild as Jimmy, Mayor Pufnstuf's lost human friend. The
creators, Sid and Marty Krofft became most famous for the show's kooky "living cartoons" that
most closely resemble slapstick children's theater. Actors in bad makeup and homemade costumes
prance, mug and sing alongside costumed creatures of indeterminate origin. The mixture of living
and life-sized foam-rubber puppets is oddly disconcerting, so when they're placed among the
mind-bendingly kitschy sets, five-cent special effects, and downright surreal stories, the affect is
dizzying. Throw in slapstick humor and co-starring roles by Billie Hayes and Charles Nelson
Riley, and you've got the stuff of camp legend. This kitchy-cool video box set is the first complete
"H.R. Pufnstuf" collection released, containing all 17 episodes for a total of eight and-one-half
hours of programing. The four-tape set has been digitally remastered from the original 35mm film
elements, making one wonder just how schlocky Pufnstuf, Jimmy, Freddy the magic flute, and
Witchiepoo looked before.
The World of Sid & Marty Krofft
Kid Rhino/Rhino Records
10635 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. CA 90025-4900
ISBN 1566054958, $29.95 -- 4 VHS cassette, www.rhino.com
A trivia-lovers delight, this four-video box collection gathers one episode from each of 13 strange
kiddie shows produced by Sid & Marty Krofft in the ' 60s through early '80s. Sure, everyone's at
least heard of pumpkin-headed "H.R. Pufnstuf" starring Jack Wild and his talking flute. And, yes,
"The Bugaloos" (an insect band), "Lidsville" (giant puppet hats) and, "Sigmund and the Sea
Monster" (with the "Jody" from "Family Affair") still have their share of retro-TV fans. But how
many really remember "Wonderbug" (a rip-off of Disney's "The Love Bug") or the dinosaur
drama "Land of the Lost"? Or the out-of-this world time-traveling show "The Lost Saucer"
starring Jim Nabors and Ruth Buzzi?" And then there's the short-lived super-hero caper "Electra
Women and Dyna Girl" (starring Judy Strangis and soap queen Dierdre Hall), the spacey "Far Out
Space Nuts," and Richard Pryor's "Pryor's Place" (here featuring co-stars Pat Morita and Pat
McCormick). But if you can honestly remember the mondo-obscure "Magic Mongo" (three teens
and a genie) or "Bigfoot and Wildboy," you obviously have spent your entire life in front of the
boob tube, and owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.
The Adventures of Capitol Kitty: An Almost True Tale
Sharon Davis, Illustrated by Daniel San Souci
Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439450691, $14.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
California First Lady Sharon Davis wife to Governor Gray Davis throws her hat into the ring
of political figures penning children's books. America's Second Lady, Lynne Cheney, holds the
lead with her bestselling "America: A Political Primer," with former secretary of education
William J. Bennett ("The Children's Book of Home and Family" and "The Book of Virtues") and
Oklahoma senator ("Will Rogers: An American Legend"), nipping at her heels. Thankfully, Davis'
modest picture book -- illustrated by the prolific Daniel San Souci is the least political of the
bunch. "The Adventures of Capitol Kitty" tells a simple fictional story of about a cat living at the
California state Capitol who befriends a stray, and gives him a tour of the government building
before encouraging him to continue his explorations elsewhere. The First Lady drops in simple
lessons about the jobs of assembly members and police officers, but oddly forgets to explain the
role of governor (San Souci, however, remembers to at least give Governor Davis a cameo
appearance). It's a pleasant enough story that wouldn't earn much attention if not for the author's
status and the books admirable goal to earn funds for the Governor's Book Fund, a non-profit
organization dedicated to increasing literacy and providing grants to school libraries. And by the
way, yes, Virginia, there is a real Capitol Kitty (aka Senator Kitty) who has lived at the California
State Capitol for the past decade thanks to the building's employees who provide its room and
board.
Alvie Eats Soup
Ross Collins
Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439272602, $15.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
As the back cover states, this whimsical picture book by the highly-stylized illustrator of "The
No-Nothings and Their Baby" contains: "(a) soup-infatuated boy, aggrieved parents, rotund
sister, mysterious Granny, tension, comic scenes twists, high jinx, turns, surprise ending, artificial
colors, lots of additives." Sure enough, little Alvie eats soup. Just soup. What else would one
expect from a boy whose first word was "mulligatawny?" His frazzled parents try everything to
get him to vary his diet, but to no avail. When Alvie's granny comes to visit, the boy's parents are
afraid of offending her after all she's a famous gourmet chef! When they go out to dinner
together mom and dad devise a plan to cover up Alvie's soup obsession. It looks like it's working,
but hmmm, why isn't granny eating? The delicious tale will have children on the edge of their
(dining room) chairs. It's a cheerfully mixed-up successor to the classic "Bread and Jam For
Frances" with special appeal for boys.
Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close
Nic Bishop
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439174783, $16.95, 48 pages, www.scholastic.com
Here's one for little fans of the best-selling "I Spy" series of picture books, who are ready for
more than just a fun visual treasure hunt. Like "I Spy," the book is filled with hyper-sharp,
double-page photographs presenting an assemblage of objects and here's the kicker buzzing,
slithery, twittering, creepy crawly things commonly found in various outdoor environments. The
beautiful photos give close-up looks at insects and other garden critters in a vegetable garden, a
weed jungle, a leafy hideout, a tool shed etc. Each photo provides amazing detail and a thrillingly
surreal perspective, given that this many creatures of such variety and dense population could not
actually be found in nature. The wordless photo spreads are each accompanied by two pages of
fascinating facts on all the species hiding in the picture; captioned photos make them easy to spot
when hunting for a specific name or detail, and names are color coded to easily catch the eye.
Many critters are depicted in various stages of maturity, and still others are enlarged two or four
times their actual size for extra close looks, making this much more involving than a basic field
guide. In fact, the book's foreword suggests hunting through the pages should be only the
beginning, then encourages readers to investigate their own backyard "miniworld" to create their
own field notes. Easy to follow hands-on projects are suggested in a four-page afterword,
followed by a visual "Find That Animal" index making it fun for hunters to retrace their steps. It
should come as no surprise that "Backyard Detective's immensely talented creator --
photo-illustrator Nic Bishop has harvested a crop of prestigious book awards, most notably the
Horn Book Award for "Red-Eyed Tree Frog." Do I spy a second award for him?
The Children's Book of Alphabets
Edward Lear & Anonymous, Edited by Wendy Cooling
Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, Jan Barger, Tiphanie Beeke, Lynne Chapman & Mary Claire
Smith
The Chicken House/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY NY 10012
ISBN 0439404339, $17.95, 94 pages, www.scholastic.com
Yes, this looks absolutely wonderful. And yes, there are a billion Mother Goose treasuries on the
market, and children's literature collections are more prevalent than ever before. But perhaps the
only thing more potentially boring than a collection of alphabets would be a 1-2-3 anthology. So
judging this book by its cover, the concept seems ill-conceived, as the format is clearly not
designed for toddlers learning their letters. The large, heavy hardback is too unwieldy for small
hands, and the pliable paper pages aren't stiff enough for little fingers accustomed to board books.
The selections contained inside are a crazy quilt of public domain works that include the playful
"A Was Once an Apple Pie" by Edward Lear, "The Shaker Abecedarius" semi-alphabetical list of
animal names, "A Was An Archer" from "Tom Thumb's Picture Alphabet," "An Alphabet of
Nursery Rhymes" (collected from Mother Goose and lined-up by the first letter of each brief
excerpt), and the single-word checklist of "The Christmas Alphabet." On their own, each selection
educates and entertains, and has its own historical and/or artistic merit. Each section is expertly
rendered by very talented artists, and the overall design is consistently crisp and appealing.
Stitched together, however, the mismatched quilt-piece "chapters" have no relevance to one
another and loose their individual charm, creating a case of the parts being considerably stronger
than their sum.
Clifford The Big Red Dog: Deluxe Anniversary Edition
Norman Bridwell
Cartwheel Books/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439403960, $14.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
Happy birthday, Clifford! The lovable big, red dog is turning 40 (isn't that 280 in dog years?), so
his publisher is celebrating with this deluxe anniversary edition of the book that started it all back
in 1963. "Clifford the Big Red Dog" began modestly enough when Norman Bridwell drew a
picture of a little girl with a big red dog. He thought it was a funny idea, so made the big-hearted
dog even bigger, named the girl after his own daughter, and made up a little story. The result has
since spawned a litter of sequels selling 90 million copies, in six languages. Clifford grew even
bigger with cartoons, tie-in materials and merchandise that made him an omnipresent industry
unto himself. This bright new edition of the original picture book is generously-sized 11" x 11"
and features a flocked slip-cover so his 100 million fans can touch-and-feel their larger-than-life
friend. Scholastic is also commemorating Clifford's anniversary by donating $1 to Reading Is
Fundamental, Inc., for every anniversary edition copy sold through December 2002.
David Gets In Trouble
David Shannon
Blue Sky Press/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439050227, $15.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
Not again, David! The rambunctious little mischief-maker of the "No, David!" and "David Goes
To School" picture books is back again, earning another big time out for his comic misdeeds. This
time he gets into trouble by skateboarding in the house, hitting a fly ball through a window,
making funny face for the class photo, and eating his dog's food. When he goes off to school
without his pants, readers want to believe his "I forgot" explanation, but are we to also swallow
his claim that the cat likes it when he pulls its tail? "It's not my fault," he reasons another time. "I
forgot," he explains. "But Dad says it," he excuses himself yet again, this time while rinsing his
mouth out with soap. His lies and excuses pile up until David's conscience prompts a confession
and apology. It puts his mind at ease, and makes way for a sentimental "I love you mom"
conclusion. None of the scenes here are as funny, wry or satisfying as the previous David
adventures, but David's most crowd-pleasing moments picking his nose and running naked
down the street, most notably are hard acts to follow.
Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School
Mark Teague
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, NY NY 10012
ISBN 0439206634, $15.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
Here's an especially appealing picture book for pet lovers who feel pangs of guilt when
reprimanding a dog for a misdeed, then has to look into those big round eyes begging for mercy.
In "Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School," Ike the terrier, begs his owner for parole
from the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy via a series of articulate and hilariously melodramatic
letters pleading his (losing) case. Bad dog Ike is sent away for training after a long list of standard
misdemeanors such as stealing food, howling and chasing cats. Ike, however, is not remorseful in
the least. Indignantly he passes the blame, makes excuses and out-and-out lies to save his fur.
When that fails, he plots an escape worthy of a B-movie. Once on the run, Ike discovers that he
misses Mrs. LaRue, and decides to return home, no matter his fate. The unexpected ending
surprises everyone involved, resolving that indeed, every dog has his day...even those who don't
deserve it.
The complex juxtaposition of real and imagined visuals, and sophistication of the storytelling, and
classic movie references will be most appreciated and comprehended -- by adults, not the age 5
- 8 audience for which it was intended. Illustrator Mark Teague's ("How Do Dinosaurs Say Good
Night?") sophisticated split-screen visuals depict actual events in color, with Ike's melodramatic
imaginings appearing in black-and-white. And so we are introduced to the Igor Brotweiler Canine
Academy as if it were Frankenstein's spooky castle, for instance, when it is actually a lovely
tropical resort. Story text is contained exclusively in newspaper clippings and Ike's one-sided
correspondence. His overblown imagination and fibs are fueled by books -- including "Birdman of
Alcatraz" and "50 Great Escapes " -- and so Ike's tall tales of "cruel imprisonment" include dank
portraits of languishing in a cell (complete with ball and chain, and striped prison garb) when in
fact his luxury suite is fully equipped with a stereo, gourmet food and blender whipping up fruit
smoothies. But the dogged truth is that "Dear Mrs. LaRue" is Teague's best, most original and
most sophisticated work to date. Good boy!
Dog Food
Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, NY NY 10012
ISBN 0439110165, $12.95, 28 pages, www.scholastic.com
The innovative food-sculpture creators of the uniquely original "How Are You Peeling?" and
"Gus and Button" have concocted their fifth delicious feast for the eyes. This time they sink their
teeth into one doggone good dog pun after another, and they don't let go until, well, they're just
plain dog tired of they whole kit-'n'-ca-poodle. Each page features one or two puns illustrated by
crisply photographed sculptures made entirely from fresh fruit and vegetables with black-eye peas
providing the expressive eyes. For instance, carefully carved and assembled jalapenos create a
dachshund backing into an orange pepper flame yep, you guessed it, he's a "hot dog." His "chilly
dog" counterpart is a cold canine made from potatoes, shivering in front of a mushroom
snowman. A raddish Rover sleeps in a cabbage "pup tent," a "dog catcher" is playful depicted by
another hot pepper puppy leaping to catch a melon Frisbee, and "dog bowl" shows a dog rolling a
black olive bowling ball at banana-top ten-pins. The treatment of each pun is inventive, through
none very challenging or memorable. What makes the book so amusing is the remarkable skill,
playfulness and variety of the inspired creations. Who knew cauliflower could make such a lifelike
poodle? Or that bananas sliced lengthways are really sleeping dogs in disguise? The sheer
inventiveness of each portrait and diorama is surely enough inspire readers everywhere to play
with their food. And when you do, don't forget to consult the book's back cover for the list of
ingredients you'll need to be a "Dog Food" copycat.
How I Built Rusty
Phillip Fickling and Mark Shulman
Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439376483, $8.99, 28 pages, www.scholastic.com
Robot-kit books are all the rage these days for elementary school kids. The heavy duty "My Blue
Robot" (Harcourt) in particular stands out for its charm and sturdiness, but at a $25 retail price
it's seriously pricey, regardless of its micro-chip voice box and puzzle-piece design allowing one
to reassemble it again and again. And unfortunately, as a storybook it blows a gasket: it's a kit and
that's that. "How I Built Rusty" improves upon the concept on nearly all fronts. First, it's a solid
storybook about a boy who makes his own dog from scrap metals when his parents say no to a
real pet. The lively rhyming text by Mark Shulman is clever enough for kids to enjoy multiple
readings. Second, the robot pieces by artist/paper engineer Phillip Fickling, are much more
creative and colorfully comic, "made" from old lunchbox, tin cans, spoons, a pizza cutter, paint
brush, etc. Third, at under $9 it's a relative bargain, even if the cardboard-stock dog robot, Rusty,
isn't strong enough to endure much actual playtime. The delightful "How I Built Rusty" is an
excellent gift item for self-readers age seven and up, or little engineers with parental assistance
age four and up. For more hands-on fun, kids 7-12 can draw their own creepy creations with
"Dare to Draw In 3-D: Monster Mania" (Scholastic, ISBN 0439380731, $4.99), and for pre-teen
girls there's the no-frills "The Whole You: Creativity" (Scholastic Paperbacks, ISBN 0439404622,
$8.99) offering interactive activities to help kids tap into their imaginations.
Little Mouse, Biddle Mouse
David Kirk
Calaway/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439280516, $9.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
"Little mouse, Biddle mouse/ Out to explore/ Hunting for tidbits / Across the wide floor." A
charming and very hungry mouse searches for food to share with his family in this sweet new
addition to the Biddle Books series by the amazing David Kirk, creator of "Miss Spider" and
"Nova's Ark." Kirk created the petite Biddle Books for preschoolers, featuring tiny animal
protagonists in tiny fables about being true to yourself, venturing out into the world, sharing and
so on. Here Kirk employs the same fastidiously-composed rhyming couplet scheme to accompany
his instantly recognizable, big, bold and shiny oil paintings. The bright images attract little ones
like a magnet, and the rhyming rhythms captivate their attention, even if the modest story itself
does not.
Loretta: Ace Pinky Scout
Keith Graves
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439368316, $16.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
"Nobody's perfect" is the simple message of this exuberantly funny picture book by the
author/illustrator of the absurdist "Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted To Dance" and "Uncle
Blubbafink's Seriously Ridiculous Stories." But Loretta, Ace Pinky Scout and "all-around gung ho
gal," tries her hardest to be perfect to keep up the family's perfect Pinky Scout tradition. And so
she puts extra effort into everything: she bakes biscotti for her pretend tea parties, she memorizes
her whole scout manual, she bench presses 375 pounds, and she saves the world every Thursday.
She's earned every merit badge in the universe including "Tightest Braids" and first place in the
Mt. Everest snowman competition except for one: the Golden Marshmallow Badge. The big
marshmallow trials are coming up and Loretta practiced for months, but there's one problem: she
burns them every time. What would her perfect family think of her dismal failure? When her
grandmother reveals that their "perfect" family isn't so perfect after all, Loretta learns that it's OK
to make mistakes, because, as gran says, "everyone stinks at something. Even me." Children will
love the bold action, cartoonish pictures and silly humor, especially the revelation that even
grown-ups goof up. In the world of relatable picture book tales providing self-esteem boosts for
kids, "Loretta" is as close to perfect as one can expect.
Porkenstein
Kathryn Lasky, Illustrated by David Jarvis
Blue Sky Press/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 059062380X, $15.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
This jovial Halloween picture book spoofs "Frankenstein" by recasting a pair of pudgy pigs as the
mad doctor and his monster. Lonely Dr. Pig the only survivor of the famous Three Little Pigs,
as it happens -- wants someone to trick-or-treat with, but when he tries to build a friend, his
laboratory experiments go awry. First he concocts a pig-fish hybrid (too much salt), then a pig-bat
(wings? oops). Hmm, maybe an extra spoonful of sugar? Yes! A nice, big pig! But wait a minute,
that's the biggest pig the world has ever seen and the hungriest. "I need food! Feed me!"
pleasant and plump Porkenstein oinks, gobbling up everything in sight, even the garbage (and the
garbage can). "I've created a monster!" realizes Dr. Pig. When tales of the cork-screw-tailed giant
make the evening news, the Big Bad Wolf licks his lips, and cooks up a plan to have the big pig
for a trick-or-treat snack. When he rings the doorbell, Dr. Pig shakes with fear, and tells
Porkenstein about the wolf that ate his brother. Still, Porkenstein curiously answers the door,
there's a scuffle and then a hilarious twist (and twisted) ending to chase away the Halloween
scares. The story is engagingly told, with enough sly winks to pique the interest of both child
listener and adult orator. David Jarvis does a particularly fine job on his first picture book effort,
with his consistently witty illustrations and skewed-perspective.
Rap A Tap Tap
Leo & Diane Dillon
Blue Sky Press/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0590478834, $15.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
To read aloud this rhythmic picture book for pre-schoolers is to practically hear legendary dancer
Bill Robinson aka Mr. Bojangles himself. The spare rhyming words literally "tap tap tap"
across the pages in toe-tapping verse, one line at a time. "There once was a man who danced in
the street. Rap a a tap tap think of that! He brought pleasure and joy to the people he'd greet.
Rap a tap tap think of that!" The steady beat and sing-song repetition underscores Robinson's
jaunty gait, while the text gently informs readers that in Robinson's day times were hard and
racism was an obstacle he had to overcome on his road to fame. "Rap A Tap Tap" is a fitting
addition to Leo and Diane Dillon's long list of honored books, including two Caldecott Medal
winners, three Coretta Scott King Awards and four Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards. "Rap A
Tap Tap" could drum up yet another NAACP image award nominee for them. Now that's
something to sing and dance about.
Scritch Scrath
Miriam Moss and Delphine Durand
Orchard Books/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0439368359, $16.95, 28 pages, www.scholastic.com
Faced with the persistent problem of head lice in elementary school classrooms, parents and
teachers have been itching for an informative and entertaining picture book on the embarrassing
subject. Wisely knowing that it bugs everyone to discuss the nasty little insects, author Miriam
Moss and cartoonish illustrator Delphine Durand cleverly chose to take a humorous approach.
Without blame or revulsion, they simply relate the story of a cute (yes, cute) louse that crawls into
a classroom one day, looking for somewhere to call home. When she arbitrarily ends up in the hair
of a teacher, she happily sings: "No one knows from where I came / A nit, a nibbler with no name.
/ But watch the teacher scritch and scratch / When my creepy crawly family hatch." Soon, baby
lice are seeking new homes of their own, scampering onto every child's head in the class. The
teacher and principal discuss the spreading problem, and send a note to advise the children's
parents how to gently get rid of the pests. Mission accomplished, the happy children all come
back to school nit-free but not the still-itchy teacher, so soon everyone is scritch scratching all
over again. A second twist in the plot comes when an unexpected romance leads to the
solution or does it?
Stuart's Cape
Sara Pennypacker, Illustrated by Martin Matje
Orchard Books/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY NY 10012
ISBN 0439301807, $15.95, 57 pages, www.scholastic.com
Is it a bird? A plane? No, it's "Stuart's Cape," a super funny middle-grade chapter book about an
imaginative eight-year-old whose quirky tall tales have come to rescue the ravenous "Captain
Underpants" crowd. Stuart is a normal third-grader with normal worries about a new house and a
new school. So what does a nervous and bored kid do to cope? Why, make a cape, of course, to
escape his fears with exciting adventures just like Whizzer the Space Boy, or Power Tool Man.
But, um, why a cape? "I can't even think of one person who has had an adventure without one,"
he reasons. "Can you?" And so he staples together his own cloak from junky old ties and
immediately finds his life filled with weird and wonderful adventures. Tired of playing dinosaurs,
horses and gorillas all alone one day, he puts on his cape and finds that a dinosaur, horse and
gorilla have come to play Stuart. Next he eats angel food cake, and discovers himself to be
equally "lighter than air," unable to land. His funny, punny solution is to eat a heavy pound cake,
and sink back to earth. (Did I mention that Stuart lives in the aptly named town of Punbury?) Still
hungry, he craves some toast, so plants magic seeds that sprout into a giant toast plant that yields
a slice big enough to become his toasty new bed. The hijinx continue when Stuart's cape
accidentally body-swaps his cat and a trash collector, and flies him into what could become his
biggest adventure of all: his first day at a new school. Boys and girls will laugh aloud at the silly,
action-packed and 100% relatable stories. Adults, too, won't be able to resist author Sara
Pennypacker's irreverent but thoroughly wholesome style in the wry spirit of "The Ink Drinker"
and its ilk. Here's hoping it won't be long before Stuart makes an encore appearance.
Visiting Day
Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by James E. Ransome
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
ISBN 0590400053, $15.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
With bookshelves overflowing with multiple children's picture books on every imaginable topic,
this one performs a minor miracle. "Visiting Day" has identified a huge segment of this country's
population the children of incarcerated adults and speaks to them directly, comfortingly, about
something most people won't even discuss. It's a sensitive topic, so Coretta Scott King
Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson goes to great lengths to delicately touch upon issues
of absent parents, foster parents, splintered families and their unsure future. Many children are
kept in the dark regarding their imprisoned parent's crimes, so the book respects that by giving the
simplest of explanations and gentle reassurance that "Daddy is doing a little time Grandma says
all it takes is time, a little time, and while we're holding out waiting for Daddy to come home, we
can count out blessings and love each other up " The waiting is hard, as we see from the
perspective of a young girl living with her grandmother, but love knows no boundaries not even
prison walls. For children faced with the inherent difficulties of parent imprisonment, "Visiting
Day" will be a warm hug from someone who understands. For other children, the book will
promote empathy as it opens their eyes to the private experiences of so many young ones.
When I Grow Up I Want To Be Me
Sandra Magsamen
Orchard Books/Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY NY 10012
ISBN 043939886X, $19.95, 22 pages, www.scholastic.com
Strictly a novelty gift item, this jewel-toned, heavy-stock, multi-media package is basically a
whimsical lift-the-flap board book for teen girls and young women looking for syrupy "I'll be
anything I imagine I can be" self-affirmation. A mere eight messages are given in such brief
sound-bites, and with such greeting card sentimentality, that here they loose whatever meaning
they might have gained had they been given in some sort of context. Overall, the elaborate
production is indeed special, with fold-outs, flaps, 2-D wings, spinning cut-out figure, pull-up
rabbit magic trick, shiny foil hearts, fireflies and mirror inserts plus a separate sheet of star stickers
-- but it's reduced to gimmickry without more ambitious accompanying text to fulfill its
potential.
The Porcupine Mouse
Bonnie Pryor, Illustrations by Mary Jane Begin
SeaStar Books / North-South
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 1587171856, $15.95, 32 pages, www.northsouth.com
First published in 1988, this warm picture book tale is about brotherly love, the meaning of true
friendship, and the value of clever problem-solving. Two young mice leave home to make their
own home together in the big, dark woods. They must rely on each other, but let an argument tear
them apart. When one mouse finds himself in danger of being eaten by a cat, he needs his brother
more than ever. Will he come to his rescue? If so, how can he outsmart the hungry cat? The
clever little fable is wistful and wise, with heartwarming illustrations that will make many little rug
rats fall in love with these two little mice.
That Makes Me Mad!
Steven Kroll, Illustrated by Christine Davenier
SeaStar Books / North-South
11 East 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
ISBN 158717183X, $15.95 32 pages, www.northsouth.com
Parents, caretakers and teachers find that books are excellent tools to help young children cope
with their emerging emotions, particularly anger. Author Steven Kroll takes a logical approach in
this picture book, using first-person dialog and an array of relatable examples to help kids
recognize and deal their own anger. "When I try very hard and it doesn't come out right, that
makes me mad," says the book's frustrated protagonist, struggling to put on her clothes by herself.
Adult readers will relate as well, particularly when it's clear they're often to blame, for instance:
"When you make a promise and then you break it, that makes me mad." Christine Davenier's
comic book style action clearly illustrates each two-page scenario. Children will be grateful to see
that they're not the only ones who experience maddening setbacks, and that grown-ups
understand what they're feeling. The book's reassuring conclusion is just the thing to help
extinquish angry fires.
The Charles Addams Mother Goose
Charles Addams
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689848749, $19.95, 64 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
Charles Addams was the most-ghoulishly clever, black-humored cartoonist this country has
known (with the exception of Victorian-styled artist Edward Gorey who was often mistakenly
thought to be British). Like his famous Addams Family cartoon characters, Addams' comic style
was creepy and kooky, all-together ooky, and quite irresistible to legions of fans during his
heyday in the 1950s-60s. The characters that would become known as Morticia, Gomez, Lurch,
Wednesday and Pugsly made their debut in 1942 and appeared in a dozen hardback books
through the 1981, including this twist of the knife to Mother Goose. First published in 1967, "The
Charles Addams Mother Goose has been out-of-print for decades. Bravo to Simon & Schuster for
not only digging this up from the grave, but for breathing new life into the art reproduction,
resulting in its better-than-original condition.
For "The Charles Addams Mother Goose," the artist disembowels a collection of original nursery
rhymes merely by creating humorously macabre illustrations that get to the true, black heart of the
beastly poems. And so he draws a sobering image of a massive New York City flood for "Rain,
rain go away / Come again another day." He recasts the "American Gothic" portrait subjects the
Puritan pitchfork-holding farmer and his wife as the sadists who cut off the three blind mice's
tails with a carving knife (in this case an electric one). And of course in Addams's bedeviled brain
it's a witch that stirs a caldron full of horrid "Pease porridge hot / Pease Porridge cold."
Humorless purists may take offense, but need to note that Addams doesn't change a word, and
doesn't need to. He simply uses his prankish imagination to illustrate Mother Goose's morbid
poems, both common and rare. It's a wickedly delicious Halloween treat.
Eloise Takes A Bawth
Kay Thompson, Illustrated by Hilary Knight
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689842880, $17.95, 60 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
The world's richest six-year-old is back, some 50 years after she first made her debut as the
impertinent little girl who lives it up in the penthouse of New York's Plaza Hotel. This time her
impertinence is tempered as she somewhat innocently makes life difficult for her nanny and the
hotel manager, simply by taking a looooong soak in the tub. Trouble is, she ignores her own
advice to take extra care when "taking a bawth in a hotel," for soon her enthusiasm has her
turning on all the faucets, allowing the water to "gush out and slush out into that sweet old tub
tub tub and fill it up to the absolutely top of its brim so that it can slip over its rim onto the floor if
it wants to." The water continues to flow along with her unstoppable imagination, as Eloise floats
blissfully, daydreaming her exploits as a pirate, a water-skier, and a speedboat racer. After all that
"splawsh splawsh" splashing and the flood of problems it causes, Eloise is finally taken to task by
her frazzled caretakers. But rather than getting her comeuppance, she is surprisingly exonerated in
a grand conclusion readers will adore. As with previous "Eloise" editions, children will be
fascinated by the intricate, delicately sketched details on every page, particularly those on two
elaborate gatefold spreads depicting a cross-section of the high-rise hotel, and the gloriously
flooded Venetian Masked Ball in full swing. "Eloise"'s trademark pink, black and white color
scheme is here augmented with an ocean of blue coloring the bawth water as it trickles downward
unexpectedly through the elevators and ceilings of the tall hotel until it floods the ground-floor
ballroom.
Never before published, "Eloise Takes A Bawth" was originally slated for release in 1964, so has
been soaking (luxuriously, I imagine) somewhere for nearly 40 years, until the authors heirs
rediscovered it and original illustrator Hilary Knight completed what he began decades ago. Loyal
fans will love love love that at last it has emerged clean as a whistle, and without any wrinkled
signs of age. "Eloise Takes A Bawth" is new classic, dripping with the same wonderfully
dry-humor of its bubbly predecessors.
Everything I Know About Monsters
Tom Lichtenheld
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 068984381X, $16.95, 36 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
Tom Lichtenheld's monstrously funny picture book companion to "Everything I Know About
Pirates" is an absolute scream. Again he uses his cartoonish "patented system of made-up facts
and educated guesses" to create the meaty, non-linear text, then illustrates everything with
elaborate pictures, mini-comics and interactive whatzits (like his "Official Mad Scientist Monster
Maker" name game). Crammed to the gills with goofy fun, "Everything I Know About Monsters"
unmasks the not-so-scary details about creepy crawlers such as the Big Butted Bug Eyed Terrible
Tongue Twister (the beast responsible for making kids goof up when they have to speak to the
class), or the Triple-Tentacled Tickler (a common under-the-bed lurker, who' s made of grape
Jello and has bucked teeth). Kids of all ages will love every slimy, scaly, drooling detail. Most
Halloween picture books come and go, but "Everything I Know About Monsters" deserves to
become an annual and perennial favorite.
The Hardy Boys' Guide to Life
Franklin W. Dixon
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689855419, $8.95, 44 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
For a hoot, I gave my review copy of "The Hardy Boys' Guide To Life" to a friend who happens
to be one of the actual TV series Hardy boys. His response can't be printed in a family publication,
so allow me to translate in the words of the Hardys themselves: "Well, I'll be a moldy dog
biscuit!" The venerable "sleuthing" series -- the male companion to the equally stodgy Nancy
Drew -- was originally written, oh, sometime in the middle ages let's say, so it's no wonder kids
reading them today wonder what planet those frighteningly clean-cut spawn of the Stepford wives
are from. Naturally, some snot-nosed post-modern scallywag with a wicked sense of humor
thought to compile the goofiest, most archaic quotes from the series for this kitschy, adult
guide-to-life gift book. Frankly, I'm just sore that someone beat me to the punch. "Confound
him!," as Joe or Frank (is there a difference?) said (about something entirely different). "That
fogbound, silky-voiced, boiled shirt! That honey-dewed melonhead!"
Justin Morgan Had A Horse
Marguerite Henry, Illustrated by Wesley Dennis
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689852797, $17.95, 176 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
This classic 1954 horse tale is one of the Newbery Honor book follow-ups to Marguerite Henry's
first children's book, "Misty of Chincoteague," the 1948 Newbery Medal winner. Only its
beautifully redesigned cover has changed for this new hardback edition its appeal to adolescent
girls is as strong as ever, and deserves a place on every school and library bookshelf alongside the
best of Henry's 40-some other middle-grade novels, including "Brighty of the Grand Canyon,"
"Black Gold," and the exciting "Born to Trot" and "King of the Wind."
"Justin Morgan Had A Horse" is the simple story of the little runt who became the father of a new
breed of American horse: the Morgan. Vermont country school student Joel Goss knows that
Little Bub is a special colt, even though he's so small. So when his school teacher, Justin Morgan,
asks Joel to break the colt in, Joel eagerly accepts the challenge. Soon his efforts are rewarded.
The spirited Little Bub shows that he can pull heavier loads than a pair of oxen, and can run faster
than thoroughbreds. Little readers have long connected emotionally with the story's two- and
four-footed protagonists, identifying wholeheartedly with their "little engine that could"
accomplishments. The feel-good message could waiver a bit for readers saavy to the dated,
less-than-sensitive portrayal of "poor folk," but otherwise, the stalwart story maintains its original
charm and interest very well nearly 50 years after its debut.
Mush, A Dog From Space
Daniel Pinkwater, Illustrated by Jill Pinkwater
Aladdin /Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689848005, $3.99, 58 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
In dozens of favorite middle-grade fantasy stories, kid protagonists have discovered their parents,
teachers or peers to actually be aliens from outer space so why not the family pet? That's the
enjoyably silly premise of the new chapter-book dog tale by National Public Radio commentator
Daniel Pinkwater ("The Werewolf Club," "The Hoboken Chicken Emergency") for grades 1
through 4.
When a lonely girl, Kelly, moves to the boring suburbs, she finds a friend in a stray dog named
Mush, a "mushamute" from the planet Growf-Woof-Woof. Amazingly, Mush can talk, tell time,
and cook like Wolfgang Puck, but best of all, Mush simply chases away Kelly's blahs. Together
they converse with animals in the nearby woods, whip up Spanish omelets and cook up a scheme
to get Kelly's workaholic parents to break their "No Pets" rule. When the baby-sitter unexpectedly
quits, they decide the time is right to make their case, so they cook and clean to prove Kelly is
responsible enough for the task. Still, they never let on that the dog has out-of-this-world talents,
not even when Mush dials 911 and demonstrates the Heimlich maneuver to prove she'd be the
family's perfect protector.
Like the book's flummoxed parents, readers will soon be won over. Pinkwater 's dry humor and
matter-of-fact storytelling perfectly match the sensibilities and reading/comprehension levels of his
grade-school audience. "Mush" is consistently fun and funny, particularly when lively dialogue
passages bounce back and forth like ping-pong balls.
Please Baby Please
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, Ilustrated by Kadir Nelson
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689832338, $16.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
In their first picture book, independent filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife Tonya have given birth
to a thoroughly charming and exasperated look at parenting a precocious child. One simple
rhyming couplet fills each spread, illustrated with an energetic toddler getting into a series of
"please baby" don't situations from throwing tantrums to putting his dirty diaper in the toy box.
Each exaggerated scenario is accompanied by a small image of a clock ticking off the time of each
small issue, giving a clear hour-by-hour account of a typical day in the life of a frayed parent. The
story's rhyming patter and sing-song repetition of "please, baby, baby, please" is pure Spike Lee
the catch phrase comes from Lee's first hit film "She's Gotta Have It," though it was then used
imploringly to seduce the film's sexy protagonist. Considering the source, it shouldn't be
surprising that -- in typical Hollywood fashion -- this book was years in the making due to the
rejection of the first set of complete illustrations, and the subsequent reassignment to artist Kadir
Nelson.
The charming, tongue-in-cheek result is surprising satisfying for both parent and child. Altered
rhythms keep it fresh and fun to read aloud, the rhymes solidly hit their mark, and the humor is
sharp as a tack. Simplistic though it is, "Please Baby Please" is one of the most enjoyable celebrity
picture books on the market, and surely one that best reflects the inherent style of its creator. But
keep in mind that it weren't for the Spike Lee name, this would have been published as a standard
board book priced under $9, if it was published at all.
Spooky ABC
Eve Merriam and Lane Smith
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689853564, $16.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
Fifteen years after it first appeared, "Spooky ABC" has now been renovated and reissued. The
creator's wife has redesigned the book; illustrations have been reproduced in first-generation,
digitally-corrected colors; and the afterword now includes a few 1985 illustrations that didn't
make the original cut. The relatively modest efforts are rewarding and suiting for what has
become a favorite Halloween picture book for little ghouls and boys. It began simply enough
when Lane Smith who has since illustrated a shelf of stellar works including "The Stinky Cheese
Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" and works by Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl wanted to make a
wordless ABC book. His editors, however, had a different idea, so assigned text to Obie-award
winning playwright Eve Merriman (who passed away in 1992). As a result, her succinct, rhythmic
poems take on the pictures' alphabet based subjects in alternately serious ("Ghost," "House") and
humorous ways ("Jack-O-Lantern"). She's a sophisticated poet, but even Merriman can't refuse a
good pun now and then, as when she mischieviously wonders if skeletons are "merry pranksters
or grave remains?" It's a boo-tifully haunting modern classic.
The Spider and the Fly
Mary Howitt, Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689852894, $16.95, 36 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
How fitting that illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi -- whose art was featured on the popular "Magic: The
Gathering" trading cards -- chose Mary Howitt's dusty Victorian poem for his latest picture book
effort. Born nearly 200 years apart, the author and illustrator are strangely kindred spirits, their
gothic sensibilities meshing well to tell the dastardly deeds of the lustful spider who attempts to
lure a na‹ve damsel fly into his webbed lair. DiTerlizzi's wickedly witty black-and-white images
are strictly for older readers (6 and up) brave enough to bear the mild frights, and sophisticated
enough to comprehend the somewhat archaic poetic text. The dark-as-charcoal images may still
be a turn-off for many, as it may take an adult understanding to appreciate that the murky
silver-hued art production process pays homage to turn-of-the-century photography and early
filmmaking. Young ghost-story fans who appreciate the macabre humor of Edward Gorey and
Charles Addams, however, will eagerly be "dragged up his winding stair, into his dismal
den ne'er (to come) out again!"
Shell Chic
Marlene Hurley Marshall
Storey Books
210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
ISBN 158017440X, $35.00, 160 pages, www.storeybooks.com
Legions of "Shabby Chic" fans will fall in love with this picture-perfect art book guide to
decorating your home with seashells. The faddish trend, as it turns out, is really centuries old, and
the author goes to great pains to research its roots among Victorians, sailors, Native Americans
and beyond, as well as giving hands-on directions for creating an ocean of shell-art applications in
your own home. It's a logical and elegant follow-up to the author's "Making Bits & Pieces
Mosaics," a creative but more modest undertaking, with less appealing results. Here, the beautiful
subject is treated with delicacy and scholarly thought. Collecting "beached" shells is discussed in
flowing text, followed by historical and architectural usage of the items as exquisite folk art. Only
then does the author begin to tackle "how to" details, but even here the practicalities are enriched
with aesthetic appreciation of shell varieties, and scenic interior peeks at eclectic homes of shell
artists across the country. Naturally, the subject of shells inspires childlike wonder, so dollhouse
and wind chime projects simple enough for children are included as well as complex
shell-flower-arranging, chandeliers and -- strangely enough shell recreations for cake decorating.
It will leave readers young and old aching for a trip to the beach, so they can collect beached
treasures to make into their own artistic keepsakes.
Vicki Arkoff
Reviewer
Carson's Bookshelf
Every Branch In Me
Barry McDonald, editor
World Wisdom, Inc.
PO Box 2682, Bloomington, Indiana 47402-2682
0941532399 $19.95 www.worldwisdom.com
Compiled and edited by Barry McDonald, Every Branch In Me: Essays on the Meaning of Man is
an anthology of profound, thought-provoking essays that search for the essence and purpose of
existence in human life itself. Regarding various religious teachings, modern history, and
philosophical dilemmas with evenhanded scrutiny, essays such as "The Role of Culture in
Education" and "The Survival of Civilization" stretch the boundaries of commonly held wisdom in
search of a deeper unifying truth. Every Branch In Me is an impressive compilation and highly
recommended reading for students of religion, philosophy, and metaphysics.
Infecting the Treatment
Gilbert Cole
The Analytic Press, Inc.
101 West Street, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
0881633526 $34.50 www.analyticpress.com
Infecting the Treatment: Being an HIV-Positive Analyst is testimony of Gilbert Cole, a
psychoanalyst who happens to be infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Delving into
America's cultural perception of what it means to be HIV-positive, the ethical ramifications of
keeping or disclosing such information, and the effect it has on patients who find out, as well as
offering a measured and critical scrutiny of individual and group failings to objectively regard
HIV, Infecting the Treatment is a persuasively written account which is especially recommended
reading for persons who find themselves HIV positive, as well as AIDS and patient's rights
activists.
Encyclopedia of Literature and Science
Pamela Gossin, editor
Greenwood Publishing Group
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
0313305382 $94.95 1-800-225-5800
Compiled and edited by Pamela Gossin (History of Science and Literary Studies, School of Arts
and Humanities, University of Texas - Dallas), Encyclopedia of Literature and Science is a solid,
encyclopedia-style reference of authors, concepts, and terms crucial to literature, science, and
science fiction. A broad-ranging account; all words with corresponding entries are printed in bold
type to facilitate easy cross-referencing. Enhanced with a Selected Bibliography, an Index, and an
appendices of information on the roster of contributors, the Encyclopedia Of Literature And
Science is a welcome and seminal addition to both academic and community library reference
collections.
Extraordinary Graphics For Unusual Surfaces
Poppy Evans
Rockport Publishers
33 Commercial St., Gloucester, MA 01930
156496860X $45.00 www.rockpub.com
Get graphics right for hard-to-design spaces and surfaces using this designer's guide, which covers
everything from three-dimensional surfaces to unusual themes from sports to funerals. Examples
of designs where space or shape is a consideration encourage graphics designers to think beyond
the cube.
Impressions
Roger Cooper & John Erickson
Beaver's Pond Press, Inc.
1931646872 $30.00 1-612-522-3804 http://www.beaverspondpress.com
Collaboratively created by poet Roger Cooper and photographer John Erickson, Impressions is a
unique melding of full-color photography and poetry. Images of nature combine with spiritual
free-verse lyrics, each preserved without deliberate knowledge of or reference to one another, and
presented side by side, offering the reader a memorable series of visual, literary, and emotional
experiences far greater than the sum of its parts. Impressions is enthusiastically recommended as a
relaxing and emotionally contemplative work that is thoroughly enjoyable to page through at
leisure.
The Story of Romans
A. Katherine Grieb
Westminster John Knox Press
100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396
066422525X $19.95 www.wjkacademic.com
The Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God's Righteousness by A. Katherine Grieb
(Associate Professor of New Testament, Virginia Theological Seminary) is an extensive,
scholarly, yet thoroughly "reader friendly" survey and analysis of Paul's letter to the Romans,
scrutinizing Paul's own thoughts, apocalyptic overtones in the gospel, and the political impact of
his theology from ancient times to the modern day. Offering a meticulous, thorough, accessible
analysis, The Story Of Romans is a welcome and very highly recommended addition to New
Testament Studies and Pauline Theology reading lists and reference collections.
Shenandoah Religion
Stephen L. Longenecker
Baylor University Press
Texas A&M University Press, dist.
PO Box 97363, Waco, TX 76798
0918954835 $16.95 1-800-826-8911
Shenandoah Religion: Outsiders and the Mainstream, 1716-1865 by Stephen L. Longenecker
(Professor of History, Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Virginia) is a thoughtful, scholarly,
meticulously researched, and carefully written survey of religious pluralism in eighteenth and early
nineteenth century Shenandoah Valley. Studying the transitions and evolutions of various
denominations toward mainstream homogeny, and the tendency of other religious movements to
retain their distinctive mannerisms, dress, and economies, Shenandoah Religion is a simply
fascinating microcosm of the development of religious thought and human society over the course
of decades.
Queen's Indian Defence
Jacob Aagaard
Everyman Chess/The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, 246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437-0480
1857443004 $19.95 www.everymanbooks.com
Queen's Indian Defence, written by Denmark chess expert and International Master Jacob
Aagaard, is an extensive and informative study of a specific chess-playing strategy, one which is
often used by the Black side against queen's pawn openings. Most of Queen's Indian Defence is
devoted to diagrams and extensive lists of game moves, with commentaries on the wisdom or lack
thereof of various possibilities. A superb resource for advanced chess players, Queen's Indian
Defence is an especially recommended addition to any dedicated chess player's personal reference
shelf for its technical detail and focus on excerpts from sample games.
Advanced Strategies for Trophy Whiteheads
David Morris
Safari Press, Inc.
PO Box 3905, Long Beach, CA 90803
1571571124 $29.95 www.safaripress.com
Advanced Strategies for Trophy Whiteheads by veteran hunter David Morris is an exhaustive but
thoroughly "reader friendly" guide to following deer movements and hunting the best trophy
bucks available. From turning one's own land into the best possible place to hunt deer, to a variety
of tips, tricks and techniques for optimum timing, to advanced advice on rattling, calls, and scents,
Advanced Strategies for Trophy Whiteheads is an excellent and extensive resource for the novice
hunter as well as offering a wealth of value and insights for even the most seasoned and
experienced hunter. Whether you are a first timer or a dedicated veteran hunter, you will both
enjoy and profit from a careful reading of David Morris' Advanced Strategies For Trophy
Whitetails.
The Personal Branding Phenomenon
Peter Montoya
Millennium Press
c/o Joanne McCall (publicity)
8200 SW 184th Avenue, Aloha, OR 97007
0967450616 $24.95 www.PeterMontoya.com
The Personal Branding Phenomenon by advertising professional and trainer Peter Montoya is a
solid guide to using the process of "Personal Branding" to advance oneself and one's career by
enhancing a personal ability to influence others. Personal Branding involves taking control of how
an individual is perceived, including the perception of the personal values, abilities, and
personality traits that other people associate with the individual in question. The Personal
Branding Phenomenon presents Eight Unbreakable Laws behind great Personal Brands, such as
The Law of Specialization - that a great Personal Brand focuses on one area of achievement, and
trying to be a jack of all trades makes other people think that you are a master of none. The
Personal Branding phenomenon is very highly recommended reading for anyone seeking to
improve their skills and abilities to affect others and to enhance the emotional, financial, and social
qualities of their personal and professional life.
Michael J. Carson
Reviewer
Bethany's Bookshelf
Sermon from the Compost Pile
Edward F. Sylvia
Staircase Press
Cate Cummings (publicity)
PO Box 83, Troy, IL 62294
0970252706 $19.95 1-618-667-4574 1-618-667-0095 (fax)
Sermon from the Compost Pile: Seven Steps Toward Creating an Inner Garden by Edward F.
Sylvia focuses more on cultivating one's spiritual inner self than the practical task of maintaining a
fertile garden, yet both topics are discussed and compared at length. An insightful book with a
message of hope and refinement for the soul, written especially for garden lovers but filled with
wisdom for all who seek to open their inner selves to a higher plane of existence, Sermon From
The Compost Pile is recommended as a welcome and appreciated contribution to self-help,
self-improvement reading lists, and will have a special affinity for students of spirituality combined
as well as those having a penchant for gardening.
Snack Attack
Mad Coyote Joe
Northland Publishing
PO Box 1389, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
0873588088 $9.95 1-800-346-3257
Snack Attack: Quick Recipes to Conquer Your Cravings is packed with easy-to-make,
ready-to-eat treats sure to satisfy the munchies and using common ingredients readily found in any
family kitchen pantry. From Chile con Queso Dip (15 minutes); Sensational Sonoran Fruit Salad
(20 minutes); and Toasted Grapefruit (10 minutes); to Fried Cherries (30 minutes); Marvelous
Macaroons (30 minutes); and Quick Cream Pie (20 minutes), Snack Attack is a highly
recommended cookbook collection of "kid friendly" treats that would also be perfect for adult
"hungries" as well.
Light & Easy Diabetes Cuisine
Betty Marks
Surrey Books
230 East Ohio Street, Suite 120, Chicago, IL 60611
1572840382 $17.95 surreybooks.com
The right foods, in the right amounts, with the right kind of preparation is a key element in the
treatment and control of diabetes. In Light & Easy Diabetes Cuisine, culinary expert Betty Marks
(herself an insulin dependent diabetic for 26 years) has compiled a superb collection of
easy-to-make, diabetic diet appropriate, thoroughly delicious dishes that are especially appropriate
for people with little or no time available for meal preparation. From Cucumber Buttermilk Soup
(cooking time: 0, preparation time: 10 minutes); Crabmeat Salad (cooking time: 0, preparation
time: 15 minutes); and Fusili with Sun-Dried Tomatoes (cooking time: 15 minutes, preparation
time: 15 minutes); to Almond Rice (cooking time: 15 minutes, preparation time: 5 minutes);
Sesame Bread (cooking time: 20 minutes, preparation time: 10 minutes); and Coffee Cream
Pudding (cooking time: 0 minutes, preparation time: 25 minutes), Light & Easy Diabetes Cuisine
is a welcome and ardently recommended addition to any diabetes sensitive cookbook
collection.
Best Of The Best FromWest Virginia Cookbook
Gwen McKee & Barbara Mosely, editors
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
1893062368 $16.95 1-800-864-1082
In the pages of Best Of The Best From West Virginia Cookbook, culinary experts and editors
Gwen McKee and Barbara Mosely have gathered together under one cover more than 350 superb
recipes drawn from (and showcasing) fifty-seven West Virginia based cookbooks. From Dora
Mae's Southern Corn Pone (Keaton Mills Family Cookbook); White Grass Chili (White Grass
Cafe Cross Country Cooking); and Glazed Apple Slices and Carrots (For the Love of Kids); to
West Virginia Gold Cake (Serving Our Best); The Greenbrier's Beef Stroganoff (Christ Reformed
Church Historical Cookbook); and Strawberry Wonderful (Generations), Best Of The Best From
West Virginia Cookbook truly lives up to its title and claim. Of special interest for cookbook
collectors is the "Catalog of Contributing Cookbooks" appendices.
The Artful Palate
The Relief Nursery Staff
Relief Nursery
KSB Promotions (publicity)
1720 W. 25th Ave., Eugene, OR 97405
0971374104 $22.95 1-888-229-1593
The Artful Palate: A Cookbook Benefiting The Children Of The Relief Nursery is a highly
recommended compendium of 229 recipes, each of which is certain to be as appetite satisfying as
they are palate pleasing! From Chevre, Tomato and Red Onion Tart in A Cornmeal Crust; Oven
Baked Omelette with Sausage and Peppers; Pear Soup with Fresh Ginger; and Zesty Orange
Poppyseed Vinaigrette; to Cornish Game Hens with Apricot Glaze; Italian Stuffed Flank Steak;
Roasted Portobellow Mushroom Sandwich with Sun-Dried Tomato Relish and Herb Oioli; and
White Chocolate Mousse Parfait, The Artful Palate offers wonderful and enthusiastically
recommended ideas appropriate for daily family mealtime fare or special event celebration
dining.
The Basque Table
Teresa Barrenechea & Mary Goodbody
Harvard Common Press/NBN, dist.
535 Albany Street , Boston, MA 02118
1558321403 $22.95 1-888-657-3755
The Basque Table: Passionate Home Cooking From One Of Europe's Great Regional Cuisines is
an impressive collection of master-chef level recipes compiled by Teresa Barrenechea and
arranged with the assistance of Mary Goodbody. Basque cuisine is an amalgam of diverse culinary
influences including Tuscan, Sicilian, Burgundian, Provencal, and Spanish. From Pincho de
Bonito Picante (Spicy Tuna Pinchos); Txangurro Donostiarra (Spider Crabs Donostia-Style); and
Solomillo de Buey con Pimientos Rojos (Grilled Filet Mignon with Roasted Red Peppers); to
Codornices in Salsa de Chocolate (Quails in Chocolate Sauce); Trucha a la Navarra (Trout
Navarra-Style); and Higosy Brebas con Natillas (Figs with Natillas), The Basque Table offers
exotic, palate pleasing dishes that are deliberately designed and presented so as to be thoroughly
"kitchen cook friendly".
Personality and the Soul
Philip C. Groce
Seven Coin Press
385 Main Street, Suite 9, Rockland, Maine 04841
0970097417 $14.95 www.sevencoinpress.com
Personality and the Soul: Sixteen Women Show Us the Connection by physician and student of
metaphysics Philip C. Groce, is an inspirational collection of vignettes showcasing sixteen
different qualities of the soul, as seen from the perspectives of sixteen women, and which help to
bind human beings and society together. The high qualities of dedication, kindness, parental love,
wisdom, and more, are thoughtfully reflected upon in this uplifting and highly recommended
selection of gentle anecdotes and experiences.
Who's In Charge?
Scott Sheperd, Ph.D.
Rainbow Books, Inc.
PO Box 430, Highland City, FL 33846-0430
1568250711 $12.95 1-863-648-4420 RBIbooks@aol.com
Who's In Charge?: Attacking the Stress Myth From The Workplace To The Homefront by
psychologist and counselor Scott Shepard is a useful and "user friendly" how-to guide to reducing
personal stress levels. Rejecting the notion that stress comes from outside, Who's In Charge?
focuses on how to control personal reactions so as not to become stressed from within. A wealth
of tips, tricks, and techniques for making the most of emotional inner power and reaping the
consequent benefits abound in this positive and highly recommended self-help guide to better
mental health.
A Taste Of Enchantment
Junior League of Albuquerque
c/o FRP Books
2451 Atrium Way, Nashville, TN 37214
0960927816 $22.95 www.frpbooks.com
A Taste Of Enchantment showcases a cornucopia of recipes celebrating the culinary diversity of
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Enhanced with occasional color photography, this culinary treasury
ranges from Aztec Artichoke Squares; Kumquat Winter Salad; Carrales Carrot Soup; and
Jalapeno Corn Bread; to Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup; Grilled Chicken with Black Bean
Salsa; Southwestern Blackened Ahi Tuna with Warm Wasabi; Black Mesa Pie; and Northern New
Mexico-Style Stuffed Green Chiles, A Taste Of Enchantment is a superb addition to any kitchen
cookbook collection!
The Everything Soup Cookbook
B. J. Hanson
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield Street, 2nd floor, Avon, MA 02322
1580625568 $14.95 1-800-872-5627
The Everything Soup Cookbook offers the kitchen cook "kitchen friendly" recipes for 300
different kinds of homemade soup. Nicely organized into vegetable and pasta soups; meat soups
and stews; bean, grain, and nut soups; fruit soups; cold soups; and soup accompaniments, these
are easy-to-prepare recipes that can be created using everyday ingredients commonly found in any
kitchen pantry. From Chicken and Coconut Soup; Beef and Onions in Red Wine Soup; and Italian
Cheese Soup; to Black Bean Soup with Curry; Potato and Vegetable Chowder; and Cauliflower
Soup with Coriander, The Everything Soup Cookbook is a useful and welcome addition to the
kitchen cookbook collection.
In Popovers, Peaches and Four-Poster Beds, southwestern culinary expert and cookbook writer
Patsy Swendson has assembled an outstanding collection of recipes that are positively
mouth-watering examples of some of the best cuisine country living has to offer. From Apple
Sangria; Almond French Toast; French Caramelized Pears; Coffee Can Banana Java Bread; and
Fig Marmalade; to Armadillo Eggs; Melon with Black Forest ham and Strawberry Salsa; Pecan
Crusted Bacon; and Peach Crisp with Bourbon Sauce, Popovers, Peaches and Four-Poster Beds
is a unique and highly recommended addition to any personal or family cookbook collection!
The Complete Book Of Pasta And Noodles
Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
299 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10171
060980930X $19.95 1-800-726-0600
Comprised of more than 400 diverse and easy-to-follow recipes, techniques and kitchen tips, The
Complete Book Of Pasta And Noodles offers clear, concise, step-by-step instructions that make
even the most exotic recipes easily accessible to the most novice kitchen cook. Beginning with "A
Guide to Pasta and Noodles", The Complete Book Of Pasta And Noodles covers every
conceivable aspect of pasta and noodle dish preparation. From sauces to lasagne, from ravioli to
couscous, from spatzle to soba, The Complete Book Of Pasta And Noodles is a definitive and
highly recommended culinary cookbook and guide that will enhance any aspiring chef's abilities to
serve delicious, nutritious, noodle and pasta based cuisines.
Zondervan Dictionary of Bible and Theology Words
Matthew S. DeMoss and J. Edward Miller
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
0310240344 $16.99 www.zondvervan.com
Collaboratively compiled and organized by Matthew S. DeMoss (Dallas Theological Seminary)
and J. Edward Miller (Teaching Pastor, Trinity Bible Church, Richardson, Texas), Zondervan
Dictionary of Bible and Theology Words accurately, concisely, and accessibly defines over 1,700
Biblical and theology in easy-to-grasp language. From "abba" (Aramic for "father," a word Jesus
uses to address God) to "zugoth" (the name given to pairs of rabbis who were thought to have
transmitted the Torah from the time of the Maccabean Revolt to the first century C.E.),
Zondervan Dictionary of Bible and Theology Words is a highly practical reference resource which
is highly recommended for Biblical students and scholars, as well as the non-specialist general
reader.
Susan Bethany
Reviewer
Taylor's Bookshelf
Heroes And Outlaws Of The Bible
Don Reid
New Leaf Press
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
0892215267 $13.99 www.newleafpress.net
Heroes And Outlaws Of The Bible: Downhome Reflections Of History's Most Colorful Men And
Women by Presbyterian Elder and Sunday School Teacher Don Reid (who is also an original
member of the country music signing group the Statler Brothers for nearly forty years) is an
amazing and revealing look at the Bible's most famous and infamous figures. Presenting Biblical
stories in plain layman's terms, Heroes And Outlaws of the Bible is an eminently readable yet
utterly fascinating retelling of timeless struggles. As entertaining as it is informative, Heroes And
Outlaws Of The Bible is very highly recommended reading.
Make And Talk Christmas
Elizabeth Bruce Whitehorn, text & Philip Vernon, concept & artwork
Christian Education
1020 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, Canada, B29 6LB
1904024343 4.90 Brit. pounds http://www.christianeducation.org.uk
Make And Talk Christmas is a highly recommended and thoroughly "user friendly" compendium
of bible-based activities exploring and showcasing the Christmas story. Elizabeth Bruce
Whitehorn offers a wealth of questions to help get family members talking about the Bible stories
of Jesus' birth; directions to having fun making a Christmas crib scene; enjoy acting out the
Christmas story with finger puppets and/or cone figures. The wonderfully presented text is
enriched with figures, scenes, decorations, and cards. Enhanced with 24 pages of photocopiable
templates, Make And Talk Christmas is ideal for Sunday School classes, playgroups, or
rainy/snowy day family activities during the Christmas season.
Finding Your Way To Say Goodbye
Harold Ivan Smith
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
0877939756 $12.95 1-800-282-1865
Finding Your Way To Say Goodbye: Comfort For The Dying And Those Who Care For Them by
Harold Ivan Smith (bereavement adviser, hospice expert, pastoral counselor, and Adjunct
Professor in the doctoral program at Northern Baptist Seminary) offers experienced guidance,
emotional support, and "real world" encouragement for friends, family members, grief counselors,
medical/hospice practitioners, chaplains and ministers in helping ordinary people cope with the
terminal illness and/or death of a loved one -- or their own pending death. Each brief section
includes a spiritual reflection as invaluable and sensitive guidance is offered covering such issues
as: releasing control; dealing with privacy; crying; partnering with physicians; embracing God;
expressing anger; forgiving; reviewing your life; making a valid will; making visitors comfortable;
telling stories; and composing goodbyes. Highly recommended reading for anyone facing life's
end, or who is losing a loved one, or who has lost a companion, Finding Your Way To Say
Goodbye is a powerful compendium of expert, "user friendly" advice and counsel that should be a
part of every hospice, hospital, seminary, ministerial church, grief counselor, or community library
collection reference collection.
That's a Keeper
H. Norman Wright
Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55438
0764225502 $15.99 1-800-328-6109
That's a Keeper: Reflections on Life from a Bass Fisherman is H. Norman Wright's quiet and
thoughtful memoir about the joy of catch-and-release bass fishing, as well as his spiritual
reflections on Jesus Christ, who also used fishing and fishermen to weave his teachings about life
and faith in God. That's A Keeper is highly recommended for Christian reading lists as a deeply
contemplative, keenly insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking testimony.
Building Materials for Life
Millard Fuller
Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc.
6316 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31210-3960
1573124044 $10.00 1-800-747-3016
Building Materials for Life by Millard Fuller (Founder and President of Habitat for Humanity
International) is a impressive and memorable collection of over thirty deeply spiritual essays with
the unifying theme of improving one's life and trusting to God. Emphasizing the power of faith
and learning lessons from daily life, Building Materials for Life is a positive and highly
recommended testimonial written to enhance inner growth and change.
Derhetorizing Paul
Lauri Thuren
Trinity Press International
PO Box 1321, Harrisburg, PA 17105
1563383721 $20.00 morehousegroup.com
Derhetorizing Paul: A Dynamic Perspective on Pauline Theology and the Law by Lauri Thuren
(Senior Research Fellow, Academy of Finland) is an informed and informative examination of
Paul's letters which asserts that readers must look past their rhetoric to unearth true and accurate
Pauline theology. Claiming that Paul's search to find consistency in the Old Testament was the
crucial motivation for Paul's rebellion against the Law, Derhetorizing Paul is a meticulously
written, persuasively argued theological accounting that is highly recommended for personal
reading lists and seminary reference collections.
Lights in the Sky & Little Green Men
Hugh Ross, et al.
NavPress
Box 35001, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
1576832082 $14.00 www.navpress.com
Collaboratively written by Hugh Ross, Kenneth Samples, and Mark Clark, Lights in the Sky &
Little Green Men: A Rational Christian Look at UFOs and Extraterrestrials is a straightforward
presentation on the issue of life on other planets from a Christian perspective. Essays by the three
authors discuss the topics of alien abduction, government conspiracies and cover-ups, UFO cults,
and more, with a strong eye toward Biblical scripture and the tenets of traditional Christian faith.
Lights In The Sky & Little Green Men offers a unique and highly recommended perspective on a
contemporary and often controversial issue.
Praise the Lord My Soul
Christopher L. Webber, author & Preston McDaniels, illustrator
Morehouse Publishing
PO Box 1321, Harrisburg, PA 17105
0819218898 $14.95 www.morehousepublishing.com
Praise the Lord My Soul: Psalm 104 For Children is a color picture book rendition of Psalm 104
specifically written by Christopher L. Webber and illustrated by Preston McDaniels for young
readers. Illustrating Psalm 104 with gentle colors and images of young people enjoying the
outdoors, Praise the Lord My Soul is a superbly presented picture book and highly recommended
for Christian beginning readers. "I will sing songs of praise to God the creator;/as long as I live I
will sing God's praise./Let us always give God praise."
The Young Learner's Bible Storybook
Dr. Mary Manz Simon
Standard Publishing
8121 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45231
0784712778 $17.99 www.standardpub.com
Compiled and edited by author and columnist Mary Manz Simon, The Young Learner's Bible
Storybook is a delightful and memorable collection of 52 stories enhanced with more than one
hundred activities to help teach Bible's stories to young Christians. Color illustrations are
combined with a humble and modest tone of writing that is deeply reverent of God.
Thought-provoking discussion questions, and simplified versions of Bible stories mark The Young
Learner's Bible Storybook as an excellent introduction for young readers ages 3 to 7.
Housing Heaven's Fire
John C. Haughey, S.J.
Jesuit Way/Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
082941469X $16.95 1-800-621-1008
Housing Heaven's Fire: The Challenge of Holiness by John C. Haughey, S.J. (Professor of
Christian Ethics, Loyola University) is a thoughtfully written treatise on just what holiness is, the
difference between being holy and simply being good, and the human and Christian aspiration to
achieve holiness. Housing Heaven's Fire is highly recommended for students of religion and
spirituality within a Christian theological framework as being an insightful and deeply meaningful
viewpoint on giving oneself over to God and His great works.
Bold Parents Positive Teens
Karen Dockrey
Waterbrook Press
Creative Resources Consulting & Media Services (publicity)
2375 Telstar Drive, Suite 160, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920
157856493X $12.99 www.waterbrookpress.com
Bold Parents Positive Teens by Karen Dockrey is a thoroughly "parent friendly" guide for
Christians men and women struggling to raise their children through the adolescent years.
Denouncing the myth that teens do best when they experiment with life and learn from their
mistakes (especially since some mistakes can cost children their lives and the lives of others), Bold
Parents Positive Teens is an uplifting and very strongly recommended guide to being a proactive
parent, staying involved in the life of teenage children, and being a positive influence in a world
filled with negative messages.
Time Management for Catholics
Dave Durand
Sophia Institute Press
PO Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108
1928832571 $19.95 1-800-888-9344
Written by successful motivational speaker Dave Durand, Time Management for Catholics offers
reliable techniques for overcoming procrastination, making efficient use of one's time and keeping
one's spiritual life a priority. Individual chapters address useful time savers such as kicking
excessive television addiction, setting reasonable goals, keeping personal papers and supplies
organized, and much, much more. Although written especially for Catholics and with a strong
emphasis on the importance of keeping one's heart open to Christ, the useful physical and mental
techniques in Time Management for Catholics are quite applicable to time-starved readers of all
faiths and ecumenical backgrounds.
Violence in Families
Reverend Al Miles
Augsburg Fortress
PO Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209
0806642645 $12.99 www.augsburgbooks.com
Violence in Families: What Every Christian Needs to Know by Reverend Al Miles (Pacific Health
Ministry Coordinator of the Hospital Ministry Department at The Queen's Medical Center,
Honolulu, Hawaii) is a powerfully charged survey and analysis of emotional, sexual, verbal, and
physical abuse among marriages and dating couples. Particularly denouncing those Christians who
misuse scripture to justify abuse or even murder, Violence in Families is a sobering and soberly
recommended account of a very real problem within the Christian community and our secular
society, -- and what is to be done about it in terms of both prevention and intervention.
A Season For Justice
David French
Broadman & Holman Publishers
Creative Media Resources (publicity)
127 Ninth Avenue, North, Nashville, TN 37234
0805424911 $12.99 1-800-251-3225
In A Season For Justice: Defending The Rights Of The Christian Home, Church, And School,
David French (Counsel for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship's Religious Freedom Crisis Team)
brings to bear his many years of litigious expertise and experience as a courtroom defender of the
rights and constitutional freedoms of the Christian community. French traces how Christians have
fought for their legal rights through the use of anecdotal stories, case studies, and personal
accounts illustrating and showcasing battles to preserve the basic right to share gospel teaching in
their churches, schools, and workplaces. A Season For Justice is informed and strongly
recommended reading for those concerned with the freedom of religion, and the relationship of
Church and State, within the American constitutional framework.
John Taylor
Reviewer
Buhle's Bookshelf
Reverence for Life
Marvin Meyer and Kurt Bergel, editors
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
081562977X $19.95 1-800-365-8929
Collaboratively and expertly edited by Marvin Meyer (Griset Professor of Bible and Christian
Studies, Chapman University, Orange, California) and Kurt Bergel (Professor Emeritus, Chapman
University and founder/co-director of the Chapman University Albert Schweitzer Institute),
Reverence for Life: The Ethics Of Albert Schweitzer For The Twenty-First Century is an
inherently impressive selection of profound essays by humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, enhanced
with an eclectic variety of soul-searching commentaries on his thoughts and recommendations.
Among Schweitzer's presented and scrutinized works are sermons, letters, as well as tidbits of his
personal autobiography and deep philosophy. Reverence For Life is highly recommended as
life-affirming, fundamental and thoughtfully constructed reading.
Reconcilable Differences
Michael Brenner & Guillaume Parmentier
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
0815712537 $17.95 www.brookings.edu
Reconcilable Differences: U.S.-French Relations in the New Era by Michael Brenner (Professor of
International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh) and Guillaume Parmentier (Professor, University of
Paris II and head of the French Center on the United States at the Institut Francais des Relations
Internationales, Paris) is an evenhanded look at modern-day international relations between
America and France, especially during the past decade. From economic tension, to clashes in
NATO, to the dual face-off of superpower vs. multipolarity, Reconcilable Differences succinctly
summarizes the highs and lows of the recent international interactions between the two nations
and offers a guarded but insightful relationship projection through the near future. Also available
in a hardcover edition (0815712545, $42.95) Reconcilable Differences is a welcome and
informative contribution to International Studies reading lists and academic reference
collections.
Goethe and the English-Speaking World
Nicholas Boyle & John Guthrie, editors
Camden House
PO Box 41026, Rochester, NY 14604-4126
1571132317 $70.00 www.boydell.co.uk
Collaboratively edited by Nicholas Boyle (Professor of German Literary and Intellectual History,
and Head of the Department of German, Cambridge University) and John Guthrie (Fellow in
German and Director of Studies in Modern Languages, New Hall, Cambridge), Goethe and the
English-Speaking World: Essays for the Cambridge Symposium for His 250th Anniversary is an
impressive compilation of informed and informative college-level essays and thoughts about
Goethe's work, ranging from close readings of the well-known "Faust" and "Wilhelm Meister", to
scrutiny of recent translations of his poetry, to a look at how Goethe's texts have affected Ireland
literary culture in particular. Goethe And The English-Speaking World is strongly recommended
reading for its deep, varied, and eclectic compilation of erudite contributions on the classic works
of an immortal master writer.
The Speeches Collection
MPI Home Video
16101 S. 108th Ave Orland Park IL 60462
0788604252 $39.98 1-800-777-2223
The Speeches Collection: Volume 1 is an impressive and very highly recommended two-disc, 4
hour DVD presentation of great speeches by John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Gerald
Ford, and Ronald Regan. A profound amalgamation of words that both defined and turned the
wheels of history, The Speeches Collection is would make a welcome and invaluable addition to
school and community library Video/DVD collections.
Just in Case
Barbara Salsbury, host
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
VHS $19.95 www.prepare-justincase.com
Just in Case: Practical Personal Preparedness in Your Home is a practical, "viewer friendly", 78
minute self-help video workshop designed to prepare families against uncommon crises and
disasters. A straightforward instructional guide to storehousing fuel, water, food, sanitation needs,
and more, Just in Case is a cost-effective and very strongly recommended "how-to" video manual
for defending against the worst possibilities.
Fabulous Faux Finishes!
The ARTificial School
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
ARTificialSchool@aol.com $TBA www.411videoinfo.com
Fabulous Faux Finishes! is a simple, easy-to-follow, 32 minute, video guide to creating popular
faux finishes such as "parchment glaze," "the stretched silk effect" and "French brushing." A
simple, "user friendly", accessibly and accessibly informative tutorial to decorative painting, filled
with tips, tricks, and techniques, Fabulous Faux Finishes! is especially for the beginning artist
aspiring to turn bare walls into works of imaginative, eye-pleasing, esthetically satisfying art.
Learn to Create Gift Baskets Galore with Juanita Lewis
Picture Perfect Productions
411 Video Information (publicity)
11664 National Blvd., Box 340, Los Angeles, CA 90064
1-310-838-5624 $24.95
Learn to Create Gift Baskets Galore with Juanita Lewis is an easy-to-follow, 70 minute, video
presentation on how to put together gift baskets for nine different occasions ranging from
birthdays and wedding showers, to holiday festivals and welcoming a new baby. Simple tips,
tricks, and techniques to keeping a fine, personalized gift basket under a reasonable budget,
creating appealing bows, wrapping with professional style, and more make Learn to Create Gift
Baskets Galore a useful, user friendly instructional guide. Also highly recommended are Juanita
Lewis' two other instructional videos: Beautiful Bows (43 minutes, $19.95) and Wrap It Up! (50
minutes, $19.95)
Echoes from the Hills
Roland Lee Netzer
Echo Publishing Company
Box 14482, Springfield, MO, 65814-0482
0962576816 $14.95 www.echopublishingco.com
Echoes from the Hills: A Defined Guide to Country Sayings by Roland Lee Netzer is an fun and
informative guide which is packed cover to cover with colorful country phrases and their practical
definitions. From "A difference of opinion is what makes horse races" meaning "let's see who has
the best idea by putting them to a test" to "Your mouth doesn't run on shutters, it runs on biscuit
cutters," meaning "shut up and eat; you talk too much", Echoes from the Hills is an extraordinary
guide to rural sayings and language which is especially recommended reading for "city folk" who
need a brush-up on country lingo, as well as writers looking for an extra dash of zest or
authenticity to add a rural dialogue.
English-Russian Dictionary-Phrasebook Of Love
Marina Frolova and Robert Powers
Rodnik Publishing Company
PO Box 46956, Seattle, WA 98146-0956
1929482019 $24.95 1-206-937-5189
Collaboratively compiled and edited by Marina Frolova and Robert Powers, English-Russian
Dictionary-Phrasebook of Love: Words And Phrases To Win Hearts, Stir Desire, And Express
Feelings is a vast and extensive 800 page collection of words and phrases to express the desires of
love and romance. English entries are listed in alphabetic order, and each entry offers a rendition
of the appropriate word or phrase into Russian. Twenty-one appendices offer a wealth of vital and
basic information on pronouncing the Russian alphabet, common holidays, and so much more.
English-Russian Dictionary-Phrasebook Of Love is a solid, reliable, highly recommended
linguistic guide, as well as a useful and "user friendly" reference for learning how to communicate
with one's significant other about practical matters as well as matters of the heart.
Blowing Up Russia
Yuri Felshtinsky and Alexander Litvinenko
S.P.I. Books
99 Spring St., #3, New York, NY 10012
0914488163 $19.95 1-201-840-4926
Alexander Litvinenko is a 20-year veteran of the Russian military, achieving the rank of
Lieutenant-Colonel and serving in the KGB Department for the Analysis of Criminal
Organizations, only to be arrested for disclosing a number of illegal orders he'd received and
imprisoned. He escaped from Russia and received political asylum in Britain in May 2001. Yuri
Felshtinsky studied history at the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute and immigrated to America
in 1978 where he obtained a doctorate in history from Rutgers. Felshtinsky is a recognized expert
on Soviet Affairs and the other of several books on Russian history and politics. In Blowing Up
Russia: Terror From Within, Litvinenko and Felshtinsky collaborate to reveal a scathing
accusation of the Russian special services, holding them responsible for acts of terror,
kidnappings, contract killings, and efforts to steer Russia back to being a dictatorship. Blowing
Up Russia also strenuously denounces the war in Chechnya for its deleterious toll on human life
and freedom. A sobering, persuasively charged account, Blowing Up Russia is an essential text
for Soviet Studies academic reference collections, and should be mandatory reading for anyone
having political, cultural, or economic dealings with present-day Russia.
Sailing around the World
Guy Bernardin
Sheridan House Inc.
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
1574091484 $24.95 1-888-743-7425
Sailing Around The World: A Family Retraces Joshua Slocum's Voyage is a thoroughly enjoyable,
attention engaging travelogue by expert sailor Guy Bernardin, about his embarking upon a grand
journey across the waves with his wife and 3-year-old-son, and learning about the thrill of life
itself in the process. Black-and-white photographs and descriptive text immerse the reader in the
ups and downs of a captivating journey. Sailing Around The World is highly recommended
reading for armchair travelers and anyone who has every contemplating the adventure of sailing
around the world.
How To Beat The Democrats
David Horowitz
Spence Publishing Company
111 Cole Street, Dallas, TX 75207
1890626414 $27.95 1-888-773-6782
How To Beat The Democrats: And Other Subversive Ideas by political strategist and
commentator David Horowitz is a biting, determined, severe, and unquestionably partisan political
manifesto. Sharply blaming Democrats and the political left for "undermining America's security"
and contributing to a climate that allowed the September 11 attacks, How To Beat The
Democrats pulls neither punches nor opinions. The majority of this politically conservative book
consists of harsh attacks upon the left for being "unrepentant" in its too-light treatment of accused
and convicted criminals, too-lax defense policy, too-much spending, and worse. While How To
Beat The Democrats presents numerous strongly worded arguments, with plenty of anecdotal
illustration, it is emphatically not a "how-to" book that teaches the reader tips and techniques for
winning elections against Democratic opponents. Rather, How To Beat The Democrats is a book
of ideas, powerful and unrestrained. Though Horowitz's specific political assertions may be
challenged and countered by opposing political views, his emotional honesty in speaking so
unambiguously is beyond dispute and really quite refreshing.
The Hit Men and the Kid Who Batted Ninth
David Siroty
Diamond Communications
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706
1888698438 $26.95 1-800-462-6420
The Hit Men and the Kid Who Batted Ninth by sports writer David Siroty is an involved and
involving study of the lives of Craig Biggio, Mo Vaughn, and John Valentin, three renowned
baseball players, each of whom earned MVP honors, Gold Gloves, and more, -- as well as the life
of Marteese Robinson, a friend and college teammate of the three men who was left behind from
the professional baseball world. Robinson would eventually find a way to join his friends; just not
a way that any of them expected. The Hit Men and the Kid Who Batted Ninth is an engaging tale,
featuring an aside with a quotable quote from the men it spotlights on almost every page, as well
as an inset section of black-and-white photographs. The Hit Men And The Kid Who Batted Ninth
is a very fine read -- especially for baseball fans.
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer
Burroughs' Bookshelf
Recurring Fictions
Wendy McGrath
The University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1 Canada
0888643896 $16.95 www.uap.ualberta.ca
Recurring Fictions by Wendy McGrath is a unique and literate novel a young woman's
adolescence, written in the format of numerous short entries much like a daily journal. Blending
voices from the girl's family members with her own experiences and revelations, Recurring
Fictions offers a day-by-day look into the challenges of learning the responsibilities of
adulthood.
Tales from Two Pockets
Karel Capek (Norma Comrada, translator)
Catbird Press
16 Windsor Road, North Haven, CT 06473
0945774257 $14.95 1-800-360-2391 www.catbirdpress.com
