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Reviewers Recommend
Twilight of Love: Travels with Turgenev
Robert Dessaix
Picador
ISBN: 0330364995 A$40.00 275 pages
Dr. Ann Skea, Reviewer
http://www.ann.skea.com/
"One Saturday morning when I was about eleven or twelve years old, at about the time the first
sputnik began criss-crossing the sky, I went into a bookshop in a suburb of Sydney and bought
myself a Russian dictionary".
So, Robert Dessaix's obsession with all things Russian was born and "in the blink of an eye...the
whole course of [his] life changed". Dessaix studied in Russia, reads and speaks Russian fluently,
and knows Russian literature well but, until now, he has found writing about Russia
"extraordinarily
difficult". It is surprising then, that in Twilight of Love he chose to write about a Russian author
whose work he confesses to never having totally enjoyed, even though he know it
thoroughly.
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev, the man, however, has somehow become someone Dessaix feels a
kinship with. And following his footsteps around Europe, visiting towns he lived in and houses he
knew well, Dessaix feels empathy and "a glimmer of fellow feeling" for him. Turgenev, it seems to
Dessaix, shared his own feeling of dislocation and strangeness in the place in which he was born,
and
had a similarly strained relationship with the usual conventions of his society. Both, Dessaix
suggests, experienced situations which taught them to "know what wormwood tastes like".
Yet wormwood has little to do with the flavour of this book, which is anecdotal, humorous,
intelligent, literate and entertaining. Twilight of Love is a travelogue which reveals as much of
Dessaix's own character as that of Turgenev. Dessaix's various travelling companions and friends,
superfluous as they sometime seem to Dessaix's main journey, do reflect different aspects of
Dessaix's own life and offer a sort of modern parallel to Turgenev's life and times.
Dessaix begins his journey in Baden-Baden, where he teams up with an old friend (a sophisticated,
married German woman) to visit various Turgenev 'sites'. In France, with its more relaxed sexual
ambience, Dessaix meets a young Frenchman, Daniel, with whom he once had an affair and who
is
now in his "Buddhist phase". With this new companion and his very different perspective, he
tracks
Turgenev to Rozay-en-Brie and to Courtavenel, the vanished castle of which was the place where
Turgenev felt most at home. And in Moscow, it is Irina he meets again - a Russian woman with
whom he has been friends since their studies at Moscow University in the mid-sixties. Irina is
anxious that Dessaix approves of the recent dramatic changes in Russia, and his reminiscences of
earlier times are as interesting as his visits to St. Petersburg and Oryol, and to Spasskoye, to
which
Turgenev had eventually come home and where some of his best-know novels were written.
As well as writing about Turgenev's life and of his friendships with other well-known Russians,
Dessaix focuses his travels particularly on places associated with Turgenev's lifelong love of the
opera diva, Pauline Verdot. Theirs was a three-cornered relationship in which Pauline's scholarly
husband, Louis, was the third party. This unusual and long-lasting arrangement seemed to suit all
three, but whether Turgenev and Pauline ever became lovers has long been the subject of debate.
Dessaix speculates, but comes to no conclusions. Love is love, and it is expressed in many forms -
and whilst this book is a travelogue of sorts, and a literary biography of sorts, it has more the
product of Dessaix's own love of life and literature than of anything else.
Sometimes, like life, Twilight of Love is patchy, and sometimes Dessaix's reflections on his own
past
seemed to me to be random and irrelevant. Mostly, however, this book is an interesting, informed
and easily read meander through some of Turgenev's writing, through Russian history, and
through
the vast range of ideas which attract Dessaix's active curiosity. By the end of it you may, like
Dessaix himself, find yourself "warming to the idea of re-reading Turgenev": or, even, of reading
Turgenev for the first time with Twilight of Love beside you as a sort of rough guide to some of
Turgenev's eccentricities, tribulations and loves.
Higher Ground
Saxon Bennett
Bella Books
P.O. Box 10543, Tallahassee, FL 32302
ISBN: 1931513694; $12.95; 246 pages
Arlene Germain
Reviewer
Higher Ground
This new novel by Saxon Bennett tells the story of six disparate women living in Phoenix,
Arizona.
It spans a sometimes-tumultuous four-year period in their often-troubled lives. Vida, the outgoing
and personable fashion model, has a disapproving and dour mate in Kirsten. Edie, the main
character, writes timely articles for Phoenician magazine yet yearns to be a playwright. Her
conversation is often liberally peppered with vulgar and obscene invective while her love life, or
more accurately, her rapacious sex life is one brisk encounter, fling, and affair after another.
Laura, a
young and ostensibly innocent co-worker, is hopelessly in love with Edie. Rounding out this
sextet
are Bia and Juliette who have not only an unusual living arrangement but also a secret they
desperately want to keep forever shrouded. Over the course of the book, the lives of these women
intertwine and conflict in a somewhat soap opera fashion, but it is for the reader to discover what
each woman is seeking so tenaciously and at what cost. "How am I supposed to go on with my
life
thinking that part of my life was a total farce ?" asks Laura.
Bennett's previous books were by and large light and entertaining reading, and her latest book is
virtually the same. The plot development is quite simply stated so it is rather effortless to
differentiate between the characters. However, a novel's characters and its narrative should
seamlessly flow across the pages if it is to meaningfully engage and captivate the reader. At
various
times, the actions depicted here seem somehow too contrived, even stilted, to achieve these
goals.
The premise is appealing, the concepts of friends vs. lovers and real vs. desirable expectations, but
one wishes the author had developed these women in a less superficial manner. The progression
of
these women's lives as they moved through the chapters would have been much more satisfying
for
this reader had Bennett explored with greater depth and detail what it was that drove these
women,
what motivations controlled their lives. Perhaps, more scrupulous editing or an expanded storyline
would have rectified the aforementioned two points.
The dialogue is often humorous, witty at times, revealing more character delineation than the
narrative itself. Each character speaks her lines with those subtle telltale nuances of her
personality.
It is for the reader to decide if, in fact, she actually "likes" any of these women. Are they women
one
knows, admires, despises, or envies? Or, are they more often than not women without any
redeeming qualities? Are they merely products of the contemporary corporate scene or society?
Excess in varying degrees seems to be the byword for several of these women. Is that a good or a
bad thing? Bennett leaves it to the reader to decide.
Bennett remains true to a formula she has created so her fans won't be disappointed with this
latest
work. For those who haven't read her previous fiction, Higher Ground will offer an uncomplicated
bit of escapist reading for a few hours, an opportunity to meet some new characters, and to
experience another lesbian author's writing. Whichever the case may be, one should read this
novel
and determine for oneself what that "higher ground" actually is.
NEW Game Of Business
Mitchell Axelrod
Axelrod & Associates
14 Seaman Road, West Orange, NJ 07052, 800-729-3576
http://www.TheNewGame.com
ISBN: 0973527501 $14.95 90 pp.
Bonnie Jo Davis
Reviewer
If you think you've seen and heard everything there is to say, The NEW Game of Business brings
new distinctions and a fresh perspective to the world of business.
This slim, easy-to-read soft cover book is so good that it should be required reading in business
schools around the world. Every entrepreneur and every company employee, from the janitor to
the
CEO should read and reread this book..
The author's quote in Chapter Five quite nicely summarizes the topic of this book. Mitchell
Axelrod
says this "I help you get from where you are, to where you want to be." The new game in town is
that of reciprocity and no longer does the businessperson with the most toys win.
Consumers are tired of turning on the television every day to more bad news about badly run
businesses. Corruption and scandal seem to rule the day and all this negativity takes a toll on the
economy and well being of those who sell and those who buy. Mitchell Axelrod advises that
thinking
outside the box is so outdated that businesses need to throw away the box entirely and begin
playing
"The NEW Game of Business." This game is inclusive rather than exclusive and it is based upon
service. Reading this book will help teach you the value of throwing out the old rules and writing
a
new script for a new game. A game where everyone wins.
The chapters of this book include: Play by the New Rules... "Caveat Vendidor!" Design a New
Strategy... It's NOT just Business; It's Personal!, Practice New Economics... Good Deals are
Good
Business!, Seek a New Mission... Put People Ahead of Products and Profits!, Send a New
Message... What Business Are YOU In?, Chant a New Mantra... "Serve, Deliver, Serve Some
More!", Find New Solutions... Don't Fall in Love with Products or Services!, Acquire New
Skills...
Master the Tools of the Game!, Build A New Model... Integrate or Disintegrate! and Generate
New
Money... Profit is EVERYBODY'S Business!. The material covers everything a reader needs to
know about generating a profit while gaining lifelong customers and keeping loyal and happy
employees. Apply these proven principles used by companies such as Nordstrom and Starbucks
and
you will find your business growing exponentially while you achieve your dreams!
Mitchell Axelrod is a consultant, professional speaker, talk show radio host and frequently
published
author on the topics of marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, life skills and playing the new game.
For
over twenty-five years Mitch has been consulting with Fortune 500 companies, banks, insurance
companies, small businesses and individuals on how to boost income, increase sales and profits
while
deriving more fun, fulfillment and satisfaction from work.
The Whole Hog
Lyall Watson
Smithsonian Press
ISBN 1588342166 $24.95 261 pages
B. A. Brittingham
Reviewer
For those too young to remember, NBC's Tonight Show was not always MC'd by Jay Leno. Once
there was Johnny Carson. During his thirty-year stint as host, Carson and sidekick Ed McMahon
sustained a casual joking disagreement on the subject of animal intelligence. At the time,
McMahon
was the paid spokesman for Anheuser-Busch (think beer wagon drawn by a team of magnificent
Clydesdales) so his insistence that horses are smarter was understandable. Carson, who
maintained
that pigs possessed more brainpower, once brought an exchange to a quick close with, "Yeah, did
you ever see a pig run back into a burning barn?"
Now we have it on good authority that Carson was correct. We might like to believe the graceful,
noble steed is cleverer than a creature we have come to associate with gluttony, mud and all
manner
of "lesser" barnyard functions, (none of which seem to bother us when we are ordering breakfast)
but naturalist Lyall Watson tells us otherwise. We also learn that there are a good many varieties
of
pig other than the one we've become accustomed to seeing on our plates.
Hogs may look like an improbable subject unless one is familiar with the broad spectrum of topics
covered in this author's previous writings. Watson has given us an in-depth look at the wind
("Heaven's Breath" 1984), a discourse on Japanese wrestling ("Sumo" 1988), and has dealt with
the
interplay between morality and biology ("Dark Nature" 1996.) This, like all his other books, has
its
own unique structure, one designed specifically to support the subject matter.
It would appear that people/ pig history is solidly intertwined. Our evolutions may have even
paralleled one another during the last several million years. Pigs were finally domesticated
sometime
around 9000 BC and Watson lists a number of reasons why this was an advantageous
arrangement.
Pigs are omnivorous, capable of foraging on their own but they also happily recycle kitchen and
field waste. "Pig behavior is far more like ours . . .(they) enjoy company, even that of other
species .
. . (and) are easily trained to come and go . . ." The benefits of this relationship are tilted decidedly
in
favor of humanity, there being are no recorded instances of pigs indulging in a person roast.
Not only have they provided food --- possibly as far back as the late Stone Age --- but there have
been fiscal advantages as well. During the emergence of Amerrica as a country, pig reproductive
proficiency and the ease with which they could be raised saved many a settler from financial ruin,
thus nudging the nation towards prosperity. The growth of Mid-America in general and the city of
Chicago in particular --- you may recall Carl Sandburg's phrase "hog-butcher to the world" ---
was
fostered by the corn-fed pig industry.
And if all that were not enough, there is the matter of medical technology. Due to the similarities
between their circulatory systems, human organ transplants have been facilitated by knowledge
garnered through pig experiments. Because they develop many of the same illnesses we do,
treatments can be tested on them for a look at how people might respond. "There is hardly any
medical discipline that is not already benefiting from studies on specially bred pigs that can cram a
generation into a single year, providing answers to the use of new drugs and procedures that
would
take 20 years to assess in human subjects," writes Dr. Watson.
There is much here to make the reader smile. For all the seriousness of his arguments, one gets
the
impression Watson has a great deal of fun writing. If there is a middle ground between the
author's
assurance that "this is not a textbook" and general informative entertainment, then Lyall Watson
has
staked it out. He makes a convincing case in favor of reassessing something we have grown so
used
to, we have ceased to see or even value it. That pigs are long-used, unappreciated, intelligent
organisms should cause us to speculate on the depths of human callousness. Our large brains
aren't
the only things that conveyed us to this point in our development; we had help from an array of
sources beyond ourselves.
In a society noted for cherishing the under'dog', the pig is long overdue for its turn in the
limelight.
The Final Frontiersman
James Campbell, Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0743453131, $25.00, 300 pp.
Coletta Ollerer
Reviewer
Heimo Korth is a young man whose heart has always been in the wilderness. He longs for that life
while experiencing a type of it as he spends much of his free time enjoying the woods near his
home
in Appleton, Wisconsin. An unhappy home life with a demanding and insensitive father gives him
the
wanderlust for Alaska. He is among many young men who venture into the northern frontiers for
the
adventure in the 70s. What makes him different is that he is only one of the very few who
manages
to make a living there, a rather meager one but a living nonetheless. He builds a cabin in the bush,
in
fact he builds a few. He traps for fur and hunts for food.
The story is respectfully and lovingly told by Heimo's cousin, James Campbell. James visits Heimo
often and spends weeks at a time living at Heimo's place. He shares with the reader what it is like
for
him to live in the bush and anecdotally for Heimo and his family. Edna, an Eskimo woman and
Heimo's wife, loves the wilderness. The family does look forward to spending six weeks in town
during the short summer season. They have two daughters, Rhonda and Krin, who were raised on
the frontier and know no other kind of life.
On December 2, 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) was
signed
into law. That changed everything for Heimo and others like him. "They granted renewable
five-year
permits to anyone who built his cabin before 1978".(p191) That meant that Heimo and his family
could continue living in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge until the death of the last immediate
family member. Hence the title, The Last Frontiersman.
The girls are home schooled but Rhonda wants to go to High School in Appleton. Her adventures
there are complicated by her unusual Eskimo appearance. While she is an out-going and happy
girl,
she has to deal with racism and new surroundings of her uncle's home and family. He and his wife
have problems controlling her activities and Heimo returns to bring her back to Alaska. Heimo
and
Edna reluctantly decide to leave the bush and go to live in Fairbanks in order to meet the needs of
Rhonda and Krin as they go into their teens increasingly hungry for the company of children their
own age. Heimo plans to go back to do some trapping occasionally but he and Edna realize that
part
of their lives is over.
Anyone interested in a wilderness existence will enjoy this book. The long cold winter, no
electricity,
water retrieved from the river in large buckets once or twice a day. Food consisted of caught
animals and any basic stores they were able to afford on their infrequent trips to town. Meals were
cooked outdoors in the Arctic summer, on a wood burning stove in the winter. Always the danger
of
a roaming grizzly while outdoors. The only way in or out of their part of the country is by air in
small bush planes. The first cabin Heimo's family occupied was ten by twelve feet. Later he built
one
a little larger. The last frontiersman will be gone from the state of Alaska permanently in a few
years.
This book tells us what it was like.
The Warm Wind of Palestine
Scott Crye
Athena Press
Queen's House, 2 Holly Rd., Twickenham TW1 4EG, United Kingdom
ISBN: 193207757X US $14.95; UK 10.99 254 pages
Jason Crye
Reviewer
It is said that familiarity breeds contempt. With this in mind I hesitantly picked up my father's first
novel, The Warm Wind of Palestine, expecting to know who he based each character on, see
through the nuances in the plot, and ultimately know the ending by the first couple of pages.
Happily, I was wrong.
Mr. Crye has written a heart-warming tale of true friendship. His characters are faced with
situations
that test the limits of their courage, and their trust in each other and themselves.
Dr. Jenna Haabeb is a Palestinian doctor living in middle-America. She lost her family in an
accidental bombing on the West Bank, and to forget about the tragedy, she plunged herself into
her
work, becoming a highly respected researcher in her field. Being an ethnic Palestinian in a post
9/11
America she is forced to deal with prejudice, hostility, and piercing curiosity. She is also strikingly
beautiful, and reminded me of a more innocent version of Hemingway's Lady Ashley in The Sun
Also Rises in that there is not a male character in the book that finds her unattractive. However,
unlike the licentious Lady Ashley, Dr. Haabeb is more disposed to sipping her tea alone than
dominating her would be lovers and painting the town red.
Other characters include: Jack Larsen, who wants to be a father figure to Jenna, but struggles
because his own tenderness makes him feel weak; Steven, the bumbling police officer who is
attracted to Jenna but his advances are stalled by his own prejudice and chauvinism; and
Catherine,
the all-American mom who will do anything for anybody.
Mr. Crye takes these characters on a number of adventures: parties and picnics, a trip to Paris,
and a
tragic accident. Through their discussions and reactions to what befalls them
The Warm Wind of Palestine serves as a vivid picture of the world today. Mr. Crye lightly takes
on
cultural prejudice, women's issues, and Mid-Eastern violence, never preaching, he seems to know
exactly what to say to leave you thinking about the major issues of our times. Sometimes the jabs
are so subtle you almost miss them, for instance there is a joke made about gambling at Bill
Bennett's expense, but only the careful reader will catch it.
The story is slow at first, but it is almost as if you have to slow yourself down to get into the
rhythm
of the narrator's life. The simple prose is easy to read and engaging, though at times one wonders
whether anyone could really be so easy going.
I began reading this book with the assumption that I would dislike it, but its simple style, subtle
humor, and heart-warming story won me over. Let it win you over too.
A Filthy Business
David Compton, Behler Publications
22365 El Toro Road, #135, Lake Forest, CA 92630
ISBN 1933016043, $15.95, 275 pages
Dee Power
Reviewer
"A Filthy Business" by David Compton, sucks you down into the cold war of the sixties to where
you can smell the cigarette smoke and almost taste the cold coffee. Based in Germany, Anders
Desruisseaux is an agent handler for the U. S. Army Intelligence. His job is to recruit and manage
private citizens to spy for the allies as they cross the borders into East Germany and back. He's
nearly ready to hang up his holster and retire when one of his recruits bolts to the bad guys. The
ensuing pages can't turn fast enough as Anders pursues his nemesis, Klaus Auerbach, to a
surprising
but satisfying end. The story is interlaced with insider glimpses of Anders' early training as an
agent.
Fiction based on fact, "A Filthy Business" does a fascinating job bringing to life the stereotype of
"Agent Bond 007" in a believable fashion where the reliance has to be on patience, instinct and
cunning rather than high tech gadgets. One small criticism is that while the bits of German dialog
sprinkled throughout the book may add realism for some, it slowed down the pacing for this
reviewer. If you've ever wondered what the life of a secret agent was really like, "A Filthy
Business"
is a must read.
Affirmations: Joyful and Creative Exuberance
Paul Kurtz
Prometheus
ISBN 1591022657, $10.00 120 pp.
William Harwood
Reviewer
Only a very small percentage of the population have any idea what Humanism is or what
Humanists
stand for. Not only King George's Theofascists, but also an overwhelming proportion of the
moderate majority have been brainwashed that Humanism is a euphemism for dogmatic atheism.
Not
so, explains Paul Kurtz.
After coining the word eupraxsophy, from Greek roots meaning literally, "positive practice of
wisdom," Kurtz explains, "There is no word in the English language that adequately conveys the
meaning of humanism. It is not a religion; it represents a philosophical, scientific and ethical
outlook.
I have accordingly introduced a new term eupraxsophy in order to distinguish humanistic
convictions and practices from religious systems of faith and belief." (p. 35)
Humanists believe in the positive practice of wisdom. "We do not reject any claim to knowledge
prior to inquiry. We insist, however, that claims be framed in testable form and that the burden of
proof rests primarily with the party asserting the claim." (pp. 23-24) In other words the onus is on
persons who believe the universe is produced and directed by an all-powerful god to offer a
reasonable modicum of proof. Unless they can do so, they can no more be taken seriously than
Velikovsky or von D„niken.
"The methods of critical inquiry used so effectively in science need to be extended to all areas of
human interest. Beliefs should be treated as hypotheses and be tested by evidence, logical
coherence,
and experimental consequences. All claims to knowledge should be open to revision in the light of
inquiry. As a result, there is a progressive growth of knowledge." (p. 21) Can anyone oppose the
growth of knowledge? Trick question. Proponents of both religion and the paranormal have
systematically suppressed all knowledge that falsifies their dogmas for as long as they have
existed.
Humanism endorses "common moral decencies." Among them are, "We should not kill or rob;
inflict
physical violence or injury; or be cruel, abusive, or vengeful." (p. 45) Don't the Jewish
Testament's
Ten Commandments embrace similar prohibitions? Not quite. Humanism repudiates such
treatment
of all humans. The Big Ten only prohibited killing, robbing or abusing other Jews.
Humanism embraces tolerance, a word not be found in Theofascist dictionaries: "We may not
agree
with them, but each person is entitled to his or her convictions as long as he or she does not harm
others or prevent them from exercising their rights." (p. 47) Also, "We respect the right to
privacy.
Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to
exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed healthcare, and to
die
with dignity." (p. 16)
Humanism recognizes that "sin" by any other name means unnecessarily hurting someone.
Obviously, engaging in joyful, shared, nonconsequential, uncoerced recreation does not qualify.
"Yet
there are the disciples of 'virtue' and the crusaders against 'sin' who consider the main problems in
life to be the extirpation or control of the erotic. Erotic-phobia is only one aspect of a broader
hedonic-phobia, or distaste for pleasure. Those who oppose the erotic are the enemies of human
life." (p. 80)
Probably Kurtz was unaware just how literal that last statement really is. If the joy-haters of the
Theofascism currently crippling America and other countries are not stopped, they are going to
exterminate the human race by overpopulating Planet Earth until humankind can no longer feed
itself. Will the current greatest threat to the survival of the human species be flushed down the
toilet
of history on November 2? We can only wait in dread.
Kurtz concludes his advocacy of sanity in the words, "It is time that we turn away from the
ancient
dogmas and doctrines of the past, and reach out to a new future. Using science, reason, and free
inquiry blended with empathy and caring, it is possible to build a new civilization not mired in the
false illusions spawned in the infancy of the race .. Humanism can help humankind achieve a new
stage of human development."
Between Trapezes: Flying into a New Life with the Greatest of Ease
Gail Blanke
Rodale Press
Rodalestore.com Betweentrapezes.com 800-848-4735
ISBN: 1579549284 $22.95 256 pages
Peter Hupalo
Reviewer
Between Trapezes: Flying into a New Life with the Greatest of Ease by Gail Blanke is written for
people in transition who are looking for guidance and inspiration.
Blanke says people seldom appreciate the opportunities created by changing life conditions.
Rather,
we want to be in a settled, predictable, stable state. Blanke writes: " the real thrill in life is not in
the landing it's in the flying. The really exciting parts of life appear when you've left the past
behind
but you don't yet know what the future looks like."
Blanke argues that the time between trapezes is magical, but that most of us don't like in-between
times. "These 'not knowing times' present opportunities to open yourself up to an infinite array of
new possibilities. These are the times when you get to decide, and when you get to create a new
self any self that you want to create, without limits."
Yet, we often imagine the worst-case outcomes, or at least a really bad outcome. While on the
Oprah show, Blanke walked on stage, and Oprah told her staff to "Get the bench." Blanke
immediately thought this must be akin to "Get the hook," but rather saw that Oprah was going to
sit
with the audience and allow Blanke the full hour to talk from the stage. Instead of meaning she
was
being benched, it meant Oprah trusted her with the show.
"We swim in a sea of interpretation. Something trivial happens, and we being only
human instantly imbue it with meaning, not always correctly," says Blanke.
Blanke writes: " sometimes it's a good idea not to think too much about some things. Sometimes
it's just a good idea to get out and do it."
Blanke suggests five steps to help you build a new life:
1) "Build the castle first." Picture what your ideal future looks like. Blanke suggests writing down
a
list of ten things that constitute your dream life.
2) Let go of the old ideas and concepts that no longer serve you. Blanke suggests you "cast
yourself
against type." For example, if you see yourself as shy, become gregarious.
3) Discover new possibilities.
4) "Never confuse falling with failing."
5) "Get the bench! Practice distinguishing between fact and interpretation."
In addition to using her own experiences as a public speaker, author, coach, and Avon executive,
Blanke discusses stories about other people going through life changing experiences.
When speaking to college majors, Blanke said they shouldn't worry too much about their major
and
deciding a future. Blanke writes: "The greatest value of education is that it enables you to form a
habit of discovery, a habit of learning, a habit of opening up to new possibilities, despite the fears
that we all share in confronting the unknown."
Between Trapezes: Flying into a New Life with the Greatest of Ease is a good book to help
people
struggling with change in their life who are looking for inspiration and motivation.
Too Dangerous To Teach
Isobel Kleinman
Trafford
ISBN: 1412002761 $25.49
Ben Jonjak
Reviewer
While reading "Too Dangerous to Teach" I couldn't help but think of my own experience in high
school. During the course of my high school career, there were three student suicides. Because I
graduated from a class of 106, I have to assume that this has to be some astronomical
magnification
of the national average. The local newspapers and families kept calling these events tragedies, but
somehow that word didn't seem appropriate to me. An attempted suicide is a tragedy and a failure
involving many levels of a child rearing community. One achieved suicide is negligence, two is
gross
negligence, and three is criminal.
To my perspective, these "tragedies" were happening primarily due to the way students were
being
mistreated by the incompetent, power-hungry and self-deluded faculty and administration of my
high
school. Many students were depressed and confused, much to the indifference of the
administration.
The administration simply allowed a truly horrible environment to develop, one in which children
were treated with disrespect and unintentionally led to exhibit spiteful, backstabbing behaviors
rather
than caring or nurturing ones.
But when I spoke out to this effect, people were appalled. Who was I, a sixteen year old know it
all,
to make these suggestions? How dare I be so disrespectful. How dare I speak out.
Similarly, at the heart of "Too Dangerous to Teach" is a discussion of the consequences of
speaking
out against the majority and holding firm to a higher moral standard than is being exhibited. After
reading it, I believe that if Isobel Kleinman (or her alter-ego Elizabeth Feinman as it appears in the
book) had taught in my school, there would have been at least one pair of open ears willing to
hear
my concerns. And who knows, maybe one responsible voice could have made all the
difference.
"Too Dangerous to Teach" is a very interesting recollection of the frustrations of a Phy. Ed.
teacher
during the course of a full career. The book is refreshing in its openness and honesty; although, it
does not really resemble a true novel in its organization. Each chapter is a series of anecdotes
surrounding the difficulties of things such as: the inherent dangers and problems of teaching
archery
to fifty children, getting funding for extracurricular activities, and, of course, run-ins with
administrators who really don?t have the first clue as to what you are dealing with. There is a
common thread to the book, but this is not a "plot-driven" novel. This is more an example of
literary
non-fiction, and the draw of the work is the documentary style insights you get from Kleinman's
experience. Reading it is very much like sitting down with the an experienced teacher and listening
to her impart to you virtually everything she learned about her profession, both comical and sad,
during the course of her lengthy career.
The book is written in a clear, if not especially daring voice. The stories are told in a
conversational
tone that isn't at all preachy, and the events dealing with human behavior are of the type that are
too
absurd to be made up. You never doubt the work's authenticity, and although this book does
nothing
special stylistically, it doesn't need to. This is a recollection of events told in a way to gain
credibility,
and stylistic experimentation would have detracted from that.
Above all, this book feels very true. The atmosphere of a modern school is recreated, and I had no
difficulty visualizing the faces of my teachers and principal in the places of those that Kleinman
described. Being a single person's account, it is natural to begin to suspect that the author could
have intentionally or unintentionally misconstrued or misrepresented various conflicts in her favor.
However, the accuracy of what is presented is unimportant in the matter of details. What is
important is that the main character of the story is clearly very responsible and conscientious
regarding the care of her students, and that the currently accepted standard of school
administration
got in the way of her doing her job to the best effect.
I think this book would resonate strongly with anybody in the teaching industry whether they are
the
type of responsible teacher Elizabeth Feinman is or not. I could see this book being of great
interest
to anyone who is starting a career in teaching, and I can foresee that books like this will be great
for
sociologists four hundred years from now who are trying to reconstruct the sources of the flaws
in
our culture.
It is hard to pinpoint exactly what it is in human nature, or culture, that makes such a mess of our
school system. Part of it comes from people who lose track of just what it is they are trying to
accomplish, that is, they forget that the children come first. Part of it might be from a socially
conditioned drive for power and stature. I don't know, and neither, do I think, does Isobel
Kleinman,
but in "Too Dangerous to Teach" she provides the raw material from which a conclusion might
one
day be drawn.
"Too Dangerous to Teach" contains a lot of material, and, in all fairness, probably runs a bit too
long. I couldn't help but think that somebody could make a great fictional novel from this vast
work
of recollections. There are so many characters that I began to lose track of who was who. A more
"Hollywood" version of this story would combine the personality traits of various groups and
present them in a single antagonist. The advantage of that would be that the more important
themes
of the work would be brought to the surface where they might be more effectively explored.
However, having personally seen enough Hollywood garbage, I found the raw quality of
Kleinman's
writing to be rather relaxing. It is nice when you can enjoy a story without feeling
manipulated.
After my own experience in high school, there is really no criticism of modern schooling that is
too
strong for my liking. Both teen suicide and school shootings are major issues today that were
almost
unheard of as recently as fifty years ago. "Too Dangerous to Teach" is both funny and frustrating,
and it only goes to further show that there is something inherently wrong in the system. Changes
must be made, but unfortunately, the public reaction is far too frequently a scolding of the
messenger
rather than an acknowledgement of his/her report. Sure, a major overhaul of public education is a
big time undertaking. But in the end, don't you think the kids are worth it?
A Bit On The Side
William Trevor
Viking
375 Hudson Street, New York,NY 10014
ISBN 067003343X $24.95, 245 pages
Peter Lamal
Reviewer
As exemplified in the collection A Bit On The Side, William Trevor is one of the few masters of
the
short story. In common with such other great short story writers as Alice Munro, Hemingway,
and
Updike, Trevor's short stories approach the depth and complexity of novels. This is particularly
true
of a collection of short stories when they are linked, as in A Bit On The Side, by an underlying
theme. In Trevor's case the theme of individuals who have experienced deep disappoinment,
frustration, and rejection. Trevor's main characters lead lives almost devoid of positive social
reinforcement.
The economy of speech of Trevor's characters is a central feature of the economy of his writing.
In
"Big Bucks", for example, a character hears "a statement made through what was being left
out."
Another characteristic of Trevor's writing is his detailed descriptions of characters' immediate
surroundings, particularly when they are most strongly experiencing disappoint and frustration.
"Big
Bucks" also provides examples of this.
Sometimes we cannot determine whether a character's stated reason for doing or not doing
something, is the real reason. Just as in our own lives. Is the reason Michael gives in "Big Bucks"
for
not marrying the young woman he left behind in Ireland the real reason? In "On the Streets" a
man
accosts his ex-wife on the street from time-to-time. He is unable to recover from a long-ago
humiliation he suffered at the hands of a couple, which he has repeatedly described to his wife,
now
ex-wife. He now describes the revenge he finally exacted on the couple. Or is his claim of revenge
false? In either case, he has, if only briefly, been able to to have the attention of another
person.
Trevor was born and spent his childhood in provincial Ireland and much of his writing conveys the
extremely circumscribed lives once led by the rural Irish. Most of them, as in "The Dancing
Master's
Music," accept, sometimes not willingly, their barren presents and the certainty that their futures
will
be nothing but more of the same.
In addition to other short story collections William Trevor is the author of the highly regarded
novels Felicia's Journey and The Story of Lucy Gault.
Dreaming of Amerika
Gabe G. Kubichek
Llumina Press
PO Box 772246, Coral Springs, FL 33077-2246
1-866-229-9244, orders@llumina.com
www.llumina.com
ISBN 1595262741 $26.95 320 pp.
Liana Metal
http://lianametal.tripod.com
Very Highly Recommended
Gabe Kubichek tells his true story about his childhood dream to go to America. His life story
starts
in 1933 in Hungary and ends now, in America. More about Gabe's dream at
http://www.llumina.com/store/dreamingofamerika.htm
DREAMING OF AMERIKA, Gabe's first book , is set both in Hungary and America. Gabe
grows
up in Hungary during the years of the Depression, World War 2 and the Russian occupation, but
his
dream is to flee to freedom. After the failed Revolution of 1956, he flees to Canada and becomes
an
American citizen in 1970.
The book is divided into 19 chapters , all of which include historic events combined with the
author's
memoirs of the different periods of time he describes in detail. It is a well-constructed story of
excellent quality whose high authenticity of facts makes it an interesting and enjoyable read. The
content originality is enriched by the historic references and the photographs the author presents
throughout his book. The style of presenting the story is highly appealing ,yet simple and clear at
the
same time, showing that Gabe is able to achieve his goal, that is, to inform readers about the
turbulent events he witnessed and entertain them as well.
It caters to all adult non fiction lovers, especially those who are keen on history or/and memoirs
from people who managed to fulfill their dream fighting against odds. However, the target
audience
may be wider: This book will also appeal to the female readership who enjoy reading love stories,
as
this story is packed with Gabe's love affairs and it is interesting to see a man's perspective on this
issue. There is also a tint of the 007 spy character that adds mystery and action to the whole story
and makes it more interesting.
DREAMING OF AMERIKA is undoubtedly a good story that has also got historic value and will
satisfy the demanding reader. This book is available from Llumina Press, Ingram, and Baker
&Taylor.
The Submarine: A History
Thomas Parrish
Viking Penguin
ISBN: 0670033138 $29.95 576 pp.
Michael Riggs, M.D.
Reviewer
Thomas Parrish is one of those rare writers who writes to invite, and despite the title of his latest
work, he demonstrates that the best writers of the history of science do not produce the last word.
The Submarine, like the author's previous Encyclopedia of the Cold War and American
Codebreakers, leads readers into sharing a sense of fascination, into an urge to dig deeper and
know
more. Parrish's particular area of expertise is military history. It seems to me that, especially
recently,
we have been deluged with books about this subject, and as a person who normally prefers other
kinds of history, I avoid the "chaps and maps" books with nearly the same enthusiasm that I do
Tom
Clancy. Had I not received The Submarine as a gift, and had I not read the first few pages in the
presence of the giver, I would have missed a great book.
I do like books on the history of science and technology, especially recent ones. Science has a
social
dimension, a story, and the history of technology has become, especially lately, almost coextensive
with the social history of organizational culture. Bureaucracies determine funding, and the history
of
bureaucracy is much more to my taste than is yet another map of the Battle of X. When someone
writes a sentence such as "Something on the surface of the earth has always made us try to leave
it",
however, I am well and truly hooked.
Replete with anecdotes, aphorisms and warnings from Leonardo Da Vinci, tales of corporate and
contracting scandals, The Submarine commanded my attention for more than five hundred pages,
taught me more about naval warfare than either a history degree or any of my previous reading,
and
made a mockery of my firm resolutions to read for no more than an hour past bedtime. For
general
readers, and for those who, like me, must learn history by other means, The Submarine is the
vehicle
of choice.
The Miradors-Descensions Of a Man
B. Elwin Sherman
Publish America
ISBN: 1413718833 $19.95 163 pp.
Shirley Roe, Reviewer
www.allbooks.bravepages.com
A MIND LOST OR A SOUL DISCOVERED? This is the question this reviewer asks after
reading
B. Elwin Sherman's memoirs. The portrait of a time when nurse becomes patient, analyst becomes
the analyzed and the tortures and tribulations of Ego attempt to conquer the emerging Muse of
the
Soul.
I feel the fullness of being empty
Right now there is comfort in feeling numb
Empty space is not the same as no space.
(And later-)
I'm living in a glass ship
Outside, it is night and a storm whips up
On the deck of my ship, someone lights a lamp
It flickers, then is gone.
But on the far horizon, a beacon sweeps the sky.
The Miradors is a literary work, set apart by its originality of thought and style. It reads like
narrative mixed with poetry; varied, free verse and rhymed sometimes reaching didactic
proportions.
From gut wrenching emotion to light and humorous observation the reader is enlightened and
exposed to a subject, often avoided. The author's personal experience gives life to his work and
his
literary skills are beyond reproach. He carries the reader along on his tumultuous journey with the
subtle, gentle hands of the caregiver. Each reader will draw a different experience from this book,
but the words will haunt you long after you close the cover.
Do not let the subject matter keep you from one of the best reads on the market today. Most
impressive, highly recommended.
Writing Basics
Liana Metal
http://www.ebookad.com
http://lianametal.tripod.com
Ebook $4.50, 90 pp.
Bill Savanis
Reviewer
Very Highly Recommended
Would you like to write for online and print publications but you are not sure how to go about it?
Read this ebook which is specially written for new writers, and learn all the basics you need to get
started. You won't miss!
WRITING BASICS is an innovative writing guide for new writers and not only. It is simple and
clear and it is a 'must' for those who wish to break into publishing, both in print and online. There
is
a market roundup included, as well as tips from various writers.
The author, Liana Metal, uses her own experiences to show readers how to achieve a good
presentation of their work and how to promote it, and there is reference to a lot of other essential
issues such as rejection, creating an ebook, and ways to market your articles/book.
WRITING BASICS caters to all writers, old and new, who are not familiar with online
publishing.
However, some parts of the book focus mainly on the new writer, giving away tips and
suggestions
on a variety of topics which are the 'essentials' in this competitive field. This book is s real
page-turner!
You can get it from http://www.ebookad.com
Related Titles: Where to Promote your Book Online, Dallas Franklin
Bethany's Bookshelf
Hope For The Home Front
Marshele Carter Waddell
One Hope Ministry
PO Box 68188, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23471-8188
0972948805 $12.00 www.hopeforthehomefront.com
Written by the devout Christian wife of two decades to a career military sailor and commissioned
officer in service to America, Hope for the Home Front: God's Timeless Encouragement for
Today's
Military Wife is a faith-inspired testimony and advice guides for dealing with the particular trials
and
tribulations of spouses separated by their loved ones by vast distances and even the threat of death
in
service to one's country. Topics addressed include how to confront fear with faith, raising children
when their father is absent for long periods of time in service to one's country, learning how to
stay
together when duty forces a couple to be apart so much, and more. A deeply powerful testimony
that combines personal experience, trust in God's plan, and practical wisdom into a heartfelt
whole.
Keeping Company With Jesus
Jackie L. Smallbones
Augsburg Publishers
100 Fifth Street, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
0806651571 $9.99 1-800-328-4648 www.augsburgbooks.com
Written by Jackie L. Smallbones (an associate professor of religion and Christian education, who
has
taught biblical studies for more than twenty years in her native South Africa and the United
States),
Keeping Company With Jesus: Reflections on Gospel Stories is a straightforward guide to
developing a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. The author's navigated rough times in her life,
including dealing with unemployment and breast cancer, by holding fast to the words of Jesus and
reflecting on his love, and the suffering he endured for all of humankind. Each chapter reflects
upon
a specific passage of the gospels, and a different aspect of how keeping company with Jesus
affects
both one's worldly and spiritual life. Questions for reflection and discussion round out this
thoughtful work of love, reverence, and devotion.
Ditch The Diet And The Budget
Cynthia Yates
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
0736914609 $10.99 1-800-547-8979
Award-winning humor columnist Cynthia Yates presents Ditch the Diet and the Budget ... and
Find
a Better Way to Live, a no-nonsense guide to helping oneself trim expenses, cook and eat
healthier
foods at lower cost, and improve the overall quality of one's life in large and small ways alike.
Yates
explores seeking a Christian reconnection with the Holy Spirit of God, reconstructing one's
patterns
of interacting with others so as to take more control over one's own life, applying the 50 percent
principle to cut one's expenses in half, and much more. A postive, can-do attitude and resource
for
engineering penny and pound-wise savings in one's life.
A Good Friend For Bad Times
Deborah E. Bowen and Susan L. Strickler
Augsburg Publishers
100 Fifth Street, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
0806651512 $12.99 1-800-328-4648 www.augsburgbooks.com
A licensed social worker and a professional bereavement counselor pool their years of experience
in
A Good Friend for Bad Times: Helping Others Through Grief, a Christian resource for helping
friends and loves ones cope with terrible loss. Offering both general and specific advice, especially
for dealing with the cruel reality of death, A Good Friend for Bad Times emphasizes the
importance
of being there, and describes helpful means of emotional and physical suppport in the first weeks,
the
first month, and the first year after experiencing a death. Highly recommended.
Fasting
Carole Garibaldi Rogers
Sorin Books
PO Box 1006, Notre Dame, IN 46556-1006
1893732649 $12.95 1-800-282-1865 www.sorinbooks.com
Fasting is a spiritual guide, and not intended specifically as a medical or scientific treatment of the
subject - biological matters pertaining to fasting are only briefly summarized. It focuses upon
religious and spiritual motivations for fasting; issues of fasting for weight loss or due to starvation
and poverty are left to other books. Exploring the ancient spiritual tradition of opening one's eyes
through limitation, Fasting discusses the practice as used in Christianity, Islam, during Yom
Kippur,
Lent, and Ramadan, for the purpose of making political statements or simply for personal
discipline
and enrichment. A reader-friendly guide that incorporates history, the personal experiences of
those
who fast, the mind-body spirit connection that can be obtained through fasting, and more.
Total Truth
Nancy Pearcey
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
1581344589 $25.00 1-800-323-3890 www.crossway.com
Total Truth: Liberating Christianity From Its Cultural Captivity questions the modern American
cultural attitude of keeping religion a private matter. Claiming that Christianity's truth is best
served
by being brought into the public sphere to maximize its influence, Total Truth delves into complex
theological and behavioral questions. Examining how feminism contributed to the privatization of
Christianity, the power of evangelicalism, flaws in modern scientific theory, and more. While the
ideas presented in Total Truth are strong, and sometimes appears to discount the unshakeable
reality
that America is and always will be a nation of plural faiths, the passion in the author's conviction
to
improve human life on physical and spiritual levels through the power of religious virtue is
undeniable.
Let Me Hold You Longer
Karen Kingsbury, author
Mary Collier, illustrator
Tyndale House Publishers
PO Box 80, Wheaton, IL 60189
1414300557 $14.99 1-800-323-9400
Let Me Hold You Longer is a beautiful, rhyming picturebook about the all too transitory joys of
childhood and growing up. Warm, playful color illustrations add depth to the wistful verses that
are
a joy to read aloud to young ones. "The last piano lesson, / last vacation to the lake. / Your last
few
weeks of middle school, / last soccer goal you make. // I look ahead and dream of days / that
haven't
come to pass. / But as I do, I sometimes miss / today's sweet, precious lasts...
A Is For Ark
Colleen & Michael Glenn Monroe, authors
Michael Glenn Monroe, illustrator
Story Time Press
c/o KSB Promotions
55 Honey Creek, NE, Ada, MI 49301
0975494201 $17.95 www.storytimepress.com
A is for Ark: Noah's Journey is an alphabet book that combines the basic letters with the Biblical
tale
of Noah's voyage to save all the animal species on Earth from a great flood. Whimsical color
illustrations of the many birds and beasts as well as Noah himself add a charming touch to this
simple story, told with humor and grace. A truly fun way to introduce young ones to the
alphabet.
The Color Of Me
Linda L. McDunn, author
Barbara Knutson, illustrator
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
0814629520 $16.95 1-800-858-5450 www.litpress.org
The Color of Me is a picturebook that deals with a powerful theological question: What color is
God? Amid a peaceful rain and a large gathering, a small child discovers the answer. God's
creation
and goodness embodies all people, all races, all colors. The starkly vivid illustrations, featuring
thick
black outlines and rainbow hues, underscore a profound message of faith, acceptance, love, and
spiritual wholeness.
God Believes In You
Holly Bea, author
Kim Howard, illustrator
Starseed Press
c/o H. J. Kramer
PO Box 1082, Tiburon, CA 94920
1932073086 $15.00
God Believes in You is a children's Christian picturebook with an abiding message of faith and
love.
Following the adventures of a bull mastiff named Buddy, who must cope with a day at obedience
school, the veterinarian, an unfriendly encounter with fire department dalmatians, and more, God
Believes in You closes with the profound message that even though life can be challenging, God
is
always there for Us. Slightly stringy and whimsically enjoyable color illustrations bring the
heartwarming tale and its simple message to vibrant life.
Susan Bethany
Reviewer
Betsy's Bookshelf
Living With Grief
Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D.
Champion Press
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
1891400088 $8.95 1-877-250-3354 www.championpress.com
Living With Grief: A Guide for Your First Year of Grieving is a brief yet compassionate book
written by expert authors who have dedicated their lives to working with people who have
survived
great loss. Simple tips and advice for dealing with difficult times and seemingly overpowering
emotions reverberate with timeless wisdom - don't worry about contacting people, expect to be
distracted, understand that grief has no schedule, counsel on how to deal with troublesome
dreams,
what to do when faith is shattered, and more. A plain-terms guide to coping with an often harsh
reality, highly recommended.
What's A Parent To Do?
Henry David Abraham, M.D.
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
0882822500 $14.95 1-800-533-7978
Written by a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, What's A Parent To Do? Straight Talk on
Drugs and Alcohol is a no-nonsense self-help guide to the extremely difficult task of preventing
and dealing with epidemic drug abuse among children. Drawing heavily from the author's thirty
years of experience treating substance-abusing young people and their families, What's A Parent
To Do? covers how to protect one's children from drugs ranging from tobacco, alcohol and
marijuana to acid, anabolic steroids, narcotics, psychostimulants, and other unsavory body- or
mood-altering chemicals. Written in plain, non-judgement terms that focus primarily on helping
families stay clean and healthy, What's A Parent To Do? is an absolute "must-have" for any parent
or caretaker in today's unfortunately drug-saturated culture.
Betsy L. Hogan
Reviewer
Betty's Bookshelf
Color Play: Easy Steps to Imaginative Color in Quilts
Joen Wolfrom
C&T Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
www.ctpub.com
157120105X $27.95 144 p.
If your quilting problem is poorly thought-out color schemes, then Color Play: Easy Steps to
Imaginative Color in Quilts (by Fox Island [WA] resident Joen Wolfrom), may be just the help
you
need, to take your quilts from "Whatever..." to "Wow!" Wolfrom spends the first two chapters of
Color Play taking apart and explaining the various colors that are found in nature and how they
are
combined, using the Ives Color Wheel (the yellow-magenta-turquoise color wheel used in
fabric-dying, print-making, and photography) to show you exactly why they work so well
together.
In the next six chapters, she explains and demonstrates how to use color to express moods,
feelings,
and seasonal images, while the last chapter includes instructions on how to use color to produce
illusions of depth, luminosity, luster, shadows, highlights, and transparency. Scattered throughout
the book are pages and pages of gorgeous color photos of quilts made by various quilters and
textile
artists that show the various principles of color usage, worked out in fabric.
Smashing Sets: Exciting Ways to Arrange Quilt Blocks
Margaret J. Miller
C&T Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
www.ctpub.com
1571201106 $23.95 96 p.
Are the patchwork sampler blocks that you've made in various classes languishing in a drawer
somewhere because you can't face putting together one more boring quilt top - and frankly, if
you've
seen one sampler top, you've seen them all? Well, you need to go out and buy a copy of Smashing
Sets: Exciting Ways to Arrange Quilt Blocks, by Seattle professional quilter/author Margaret J.
Miller.
Miller doesn't believe in boring quilts, and throughout her book's pages, she encourages quilters to
"reach for the unexpected" when putting blocks together, by showing them how to use various
methods of setting blocks in their quilts' interiors as well as innovative ideas for bordering them.
Smashing Sets includes graphed design ideas, color photos of finished quilts, appendices of
reproducible blocks, and a resource/bibliography list, and is filled with ways to make viewers take
a
second look at your next quilt top, even if it does include traditional blocks.
Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles
Anthony Swofford
Scribner / Thomson Gale
PO Box 9187, Farmington Hills, MI 48333-9187
http://www.gale.com/scribners/
0743235355 $24.00 272 p.
Anthony Swofford begins his war narrative with these words: "As a lance corporal in a U.S.
Marine
Corps scout/sniper platoon, I saw more of the Gulf War than the average grunt. Still, my vision
was
blurred -by wind and sand and distance, by false signals, poor communication, and bad
coordinates,
by stupidity and fear and ignorance, by valor and false pride. By the mirage. Thus what follows is
neither true nor false but what I know [italics his]." And what he knows about war now bears
little
resemblance to what he thought he knew on the day he enlisted at the tender age of seventeen and
a
half.
Swofford and his siblings were raised on military bases by a highly disciplinarian father who'd
served
in Vietnam and, according to Swofford's own remarks, taught his kids the meaning of unattainable
expectations and failure and subsequent punishment. This made Swofford long to prove his
manhood by joining the military. And in his mind, only the Marines (at least, the heroic mirage
he'd
made of it for himself) would do. "...I needed the Marine Corps to save me from the other life I'd
fail
at - the life of the college boy hoping to find a girlfriend and later a job."
And when Desert Storm began brewing and the U. S. Marines of Surveillance and Target
Acquisition Platoon, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on
August
14, 1990, Anthony Swofford was right in the middle, wearing cammies the color of desert sand
and
a high-and-tight haircut so short his head looked like a jar with a lid of hair twisted on. He was
going to war, to kill rag-heads and impress girls and become a man! He had only been twenty for
two days.
Then, gradually, reality began to intrude. He discovered that he no longer had freedom of speech:
Marines do what they're told and say what they're told. He found sand in his food, his gear, and
even
his body crevices. He watched as comrades-in-arms turned from decent human beings into
animals,
desecrating corpses and abusing each other. And surrounded by pain and death and fear and
ugliness, he found out that the mirage of manhood he had expected to find at the operating end of
a
sniper rifle was a myth.
Jarhead is the story of Swofford's arrival at this disillusionment, stripped of macho posturing and
told in searing, grit-edged words that seesaw between poetic expression and acidic vomit. It
leaves
very little to the imagination and will surely gross out the weak-stomached, upset the easily
offended, and disgust the ultra-patriotic, but maybe-for a moment- it will also give other tortured
war survivors a place to say, "I was not alone. Someone else felt like that, too. Thank God."
Being a soldier is an honorable and necessary occupation, but it isn't glamorous. Those who want
to
offer several years (or perhaps all) of their lives to the military need to do it with their eyes wide
open. They need to see the thrill and the service to your country and the chests swelled with pride
and the snappy uniforms side by side with the vomiting and the crying and the fear and the stench
of
death. And they need to know that being a soldier isn't either/or, it's both. There are many books
and
movies that will show them the first part. We need movies like "Saving Private Ryan" and books
like
Jarhead to show them the rest. It's important.
One last thought: R.I.P. ["Rest In Peace"] is traditionally placed on graves in which the dead lay.
This has never made much sense to me. Dead bodies do not thrash about, looking for peace; only
the living do that. After reading Jarhead, it makes even less sense. It's not those who die in war,
but
those who survive it, who need peace. Anthony Swofford went off to college when he left the
Marines, and he became a teacher. Now, he lives in Portland, Oregon, where he is currently
working
on another book. Rest in peace, Anthony Swofford. You need it, you've earned it, and I hope you
find it.
Betty Winslow
Reviewer
Buhle's Bookshelf
The Financial Universe
Christeen Skinner
The Alpha Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
1898595445 $25.00 1-800-944-6190 www.isbscatalog.com
The Financial Universe: Planning Your Investments Using Astrological Forecasting is not a
typical
financial guide. It deals specifically with using planetary bodies to predict cycles in the
marketplace,
both positive and negative. Offering suggestions and warnings that potentially reverberate up
through the year 2020, The Financial Universe even contemplates the astrological sign of America
as
a nation, and considers the implications of this birth sign on the future of American finances as a
whole as surely as what this means for one's own private investments. A fascinating compendium
for
astrology buffs, although lacking in economic advice other than astrological forecasting - the
reader
is already presumed to be familiar with the basics and the risks of the financial market.
Wall of Silver
Richard Kellogg
Avery Color Studios
511 "D" Avenue, Gwinn, MI 49841
1892384280 $16.95 1-800-722-9925
Former air force man and outdoors lover Richard Kellogg presents Wall of Silver, a
treasure-hunting
memoir. Following his instincts into an abadoned mine, he kicks off an amazing adventure
interlacing detective work, memories, and a keen command of knowledge; it reads as fast-paced
and
fluidly as a novel. An introductory disclaimer warns the reader that Wall of Silver is meant strictly
for entertainment value, and the sites it describes are private property, protected by trespass laws;
neither the author nor the publisher sanction any activity taken to locate the property or places
referred to. Wall of Silver is intended expressly for entertainment value only, and lives up superbly
to
that purpose.
Inside a U.S. Embassy
Shawn Dorman, editor
American Foreign Service Association
2101 E. Street N.W., Washington, DC 20037
0964948826 $12.95 1-202-338-4045 www.afsa.org
Inside a U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works for America is an anthology of brief
essays
and personal testimonies penned by experienced professionals and published by the American
Foreign Service Association itself, that reveal the role a U.S. embassay plays oversees and the
demands placed upon its public servants and diplomats. Focusing on individual stories rather than
cold facts or an excess of statistics, Inside a U.S. Embassy Includes profiles of the wide range of
U.S. embassy responsibilities, from ambassador and mission director to refugee coordinators,
consular officer, security officer and more. Brief true tales include typical days in the life of the
foreign service as related in one-day journals from individuals worldwide, and amazing glimpses
of
the foreign service in action during moments of crisis. A fascinating revelation of the tireless men
and women who labor to represent America abroad.
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer
Christina's Bookshelf
Welcome To Fred
Brad Whittington
Broadman & Holman Publishers
535 Maddox-Simpson Pkwy, Lebanon TN 37090-0756
ISBN# 0805425551 $12.99
Think clean can't be engaging? Not after reading this story. Whittington addresses an age old
question while providing a playful read.
Being the son of a preacher who moves around a lot sure can alienate a guy. Mark struggles with
other dilemmas too. For one, he's entering adolescence and for another, he's not so sure he
believes
the Bible is completely correct. An uncomfortable place to be. Add a town no bigger than a
postage
stamp that's behind the times when hippies and bell-bottom pants are cool, and you get sufficient
ingredients for an intriguing state of affairs.
This is a coming of age story written in first-person through the eyes of the main character, Mark
Cloud. He's eleven when the story begins and in his later teens when it ends.
Mark tolerated most everything about being the son of a Baptist preacher, except for one. He'd
grown accustomed to spicy conversations halting when he walked by and to being at the church
often, but he didn't like moving. They moved from house to house and from town to town, more
than Mark figured they needed to.
When they moved from Fort Worth Texas to Ohio, the place was a land of stylish 60's. Life for
Mark became grand. He even made a best friend named Marc. Because he and his friend shared
the
same name, only the spelling was different, Mark came to naming Marc "M." "M" was an
African-American boy, which didn't matter, and lived next door. They did things together like
hitting
nails to watch sparks fly, riding their bicycles to the library, exploring, and reenacting episodes of
the
television series, I Spy. One late Saturday afternoon while playing, I Spy, Mark accidentally
discovers a homeless woman who lived in a box down an alley behind a theatre. "M" didn't feel
comfortable around her, but Mark felt drawn, probably just curious. He decided she needed him
and
did things like bringing her food and giving her money, what little he had. He soon learns she's
using
the money to buy alcohol so, doesn't give her any more. He takes to calling her The Creature, but
not to her face, only with himself and "M." When The Creature becomes ill, he cares for her and
learns her real name, and of how she came into her situation. This nauseates him for he's eleven
years old after all. Little does Mark realize he'd eventually learn more about this woman years
later.
Just as school ended for the summer, Mark's father announces they're moving back to Texas, this
time to a place called Fred. He'd broken his own rule and become attached to this home. They'd
lived in Ohio longer than a year. Mark didn't want to go.
Fred is different than Fort Worth and like a different planet when compared to Ohio. The guys
wore
their hair short and chewed tobacco, even the one's Mark's age. He felt like an outsider and they
called him a Yankee.
Before long, Mark finds himself again dealing with his situation and the male Fredonian
equivalents.
He doubts if he'll ever fit in, yet does find a way to make a few dollars. He sells copies of a
newspaper called GRIT. He also doubts if he'll work up the courage to tell Jolene how he feels
about her, or live if he takes another ride with Darnell Ray in his pick-up truck.
He'd just about given up on being cool when his father decides they're taking a family trip to
California. Mark's hopes rise, and he feels this might be his last chance to mingle among the cool
and
hip. He searches for trendy clothes, helps fix the ever-failing station wagon along the trip, and
keeps
his patience with his two sisters.
Time in California turns out differently than Mark had hoped, but he learns a few things, and finds
an
answer to the question he'd carried for years. The response and solution is no where near what
he'd
guessed, and neither is the source. That's surprising as well.
An unordinary story readers will thoroughly enjoy. It's impossible to read without laughing or to
put
down. Charming. Witty. Fun.
Milton's Dilemma
Patricia Gatto & John De Angelis
Illustrator: Kenneth Vincent
Providence Publishing Company
834 Tanglewood Drive, Tanglewood Lakes, Greentown, PA 18426
ISBN# 0965166198 $15.95 32 pgs.
Think bullying is just a right of passage and harmless? Think again. We've all experienced either
being bullied, being the bully, or standing idly by while someone else was. The child bully has been
around since the beginning of time. If the picking and bullying isn't stopped, victims may take
matters into their own hands, and that could mean with a gun or a knife.
Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis describe a bullying as aggressive behavior repeatedly targeted
at
a child of lesser physical or emotional strength.
"There are three types," says Gatto, "physical, verbal, and social. Remember, a bully needs an
audience, tends to be over confident, have a low frustration level, needs to be the center of
attention,
lacks empathy, and portrays a fearless nature and physical strength, qualities often admired by
their
peers."
Their book, Milton's Dilemma, was born when Gatto and De Angelis felt compelled to help
victims.
They present the reader with an age-old problem. The audience aim is mainly grades K-5, parents,
educators, and anyone dealing with children.
Ten-year-old Milton Hastings, Jr. recently moved. His mom said things would be different, but
this
move proved to be the worst. Milton had lost his dad, and his mother seemed to have
changed.
Before long, a bunch of boys at school began to tease Milton. They thought it an entertaining
game.
Milton eventually attempts to tell his mother because he can't take it any longer, however his
mother
is busy with her new job at a bookstore. She's the sole provider and must not loose her new
position.
Milton retreats to a far corner of the bookstore and falls asleep. When he wakes, a large worn
book
sits floating in the air before him. As if that weren't magical enough, a gnome springs from the
pages
and tells Milton he'll help him with his bully problem. Milton enjoys his revenge on the three boys
until one of them is in real trouble. Meanness isn't in Milton's makeup and he flees to the bully's
aide.
Can he help or is it too late? Will he be sorry? Maybe the gnome decides it is too late. The deed is
to
be finished.
Along with their book, Gatto and De Angelis visit schools, and provide tips for intervention by
adults. They believe every child has the right to a safe and healthy learning environment. They also
visit community events, wrote a screenplay called, 'Relocating Tony' and an article called 'Brace
Yourself for the Bully.' They are members of the society of Children's Book Writers &
Illustrators,
are founding sponsors of the 'Two River Film Festival,' are members of Penuinters, Inc., are active
in
a number of community and charity events for children, and are currently pilot testing a program
called Author Pal involving authors and children.
Endorsements include:
--Judge Marjorie O Rendell, First Lady of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
--Robert S. Conquest, MSW, a Certified Therapeutic School Social worker who provides the
'FORWARD' of Milton's Dilemma.
--The book is listed as resource material on the US Department of Health and Human Services
(HRSA) website, 'Stop Bullying Now!'
For more information visit:
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
and the Gatto and De Angelis' website:
http://www.joyfulproductions.com
A Few Facts To Consider:
22% of kids in grades 4-8 say they have trouble with their studies because they are teased and
bullied by other kids.
- TIME For Kids, Oct. 27, 2000
Each day about 160,000 kids miss school because they're afraid of being picked on.
--TIME For Kids, Oct. 27, 2000
School psychologist and psychotherapist Israel Kolman says adults have some mistaken attitudes
toward children's aggression and that, unless real injury is involved, adults should allow children
to
get along by themselves and "should refuse to get involved in children's disputes and send them to
work it out with each other instead."
--American Teacher, Feb. 2001
More than a quarter of teen students who responded to a survey in Fall 1999 by USA Weekend
(the
largest survey of its kind) report that they don't feel safe from violence on school grounds.
Some Survey Results:
4 in 10 students live in homes that have guns; more than half say they could access those
weapons.
* 7 in 10 would feel happier if schools were safer; more than half say they would learn more.
* 1 in 10 say students carry weapons at school.
--USA Weekend, April 2000
Gatto and De Angelis' book and programs are insightful, entertaining, and important. Our children
are precious and deserve the freedom to be themselves, to get an education without fear and to be
safe. An anti-bullying program needs to be implemented wherever children and teens gather such
as
in schools; one of the largest places of offences.
Milton's Dilemma is recommended for those with children and/or who work with them. Children
need adults who care about them no matter who they are, where they're from, or what they look
or
think like.
One of the most important topics for a book, or program, I've ever reviewed.
Moon Days Creative Writing About Menstruation
Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D.
Ash Tree Publishing
P.O. Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498 USA
ISBN# 1887714405 $12.95
Some cultures regard woman's puberty as taboo and something we should be ashamed of; not all.
Steele profiles various cultures' ways of viewing womanhood, especially the Western one. Here, a
woman is to look, act, think, and dress like a man. How did this come to be and who says
so?
This book is about ending the silence and stigma that occurs concerning menstruation. Many
women
today still grow quiet when the subject comes up. Steele's book brings voice, an openness on the
topic.
The book moves through four phases, just as a woman and their bodies do. The first phase is
"Early
Moons" those first periods. The second phase is "Waxing Moons: Coming to Light." It moves
from adolescence to adulthood; of feelings, dreams and consciousness. It also discusses the
position
our culture places women in as daughters, wives, mothers, sister, and patients dealing with sons,
husbands, fathers, brothers, and doctors. The third phase is "Full Moon Celebrations." This
section
provides the differences in how mainstream cultures differs from "natural" or "normal." The forth
phase is "Re-entering the Dark: Poetry and Prayer." Here, poetry emphasizes the power of being
female, suggests menstruation is more than physical. The back of the book contains notes, a
bibliography, and a listing of contributors, including their picture and Biography. There are 27
contributors in all.
As a woman reading Steele's book, I nodded often and said, "Hmm-hmm, yes, that's true" often.
Steele removes the baggage and gets to the bare truth. I liked her book so much I shared it with
my
daughters; ages seventeen and twenty, as well as women friends and relatives. I've always wanted
my daughters to be comfortable and proud of being female, to not view themselves as weak or
less
than men. Women and men are just different. One is not better than the other. We discussed being
women, shared our thoughts, concerns, and dreams. Steele provided a springboard.
Readers will find themselves nodding in agreement, and recalling their first period and everything
happening around it. Most will smile, some shed tears, but all will feel a kinship with other
women.
A book to be treasured and shared by females everywhere. Like having a conversation with a
wise,
strong and loving mother. Perfect for mothers and daughters, or as a gift. Empowering and
passionate. Highly recommended.
Dark Challenge
Christine Feehan
Dorchester Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000, New York, NY 10016
ISBN# 0505524090 $6.99
Julian Savage was a dangerous Carpathian who had spent century after century away from his
people in order to protect his twin brother. He was a powerful hunter who learned how to do his
job
well which was to hunt and destroy vampires. His was a lonely existence though and he felt
weary.
He knew his future was bleak. The Carpathian species was dying out due to a lack of females. The
males desperately needed a lifemate. If they didn't find one, and most didn't they were left to either
give in to the mounting urge to become a vampire or end their existence by meeting the
dawn.
Just as Julian decided he couldn't take the bleakness of his world any longer he is given an
assignment by the prince of his people. He is to find and protect a certain Carpathian female who
is
rumored to be the target of a society of human vampire slayers.
As Julian neared this female a need jumped in his heart. There came an excitement in his soul he'd
never experienced before. Was it possible? After all of the gray centuries with no color, the
struggle
to hood onto emotion, to not become numb and void, and eventually loose his soul, could it be his
lifemate? Only a handful of the males were blessed to find their lifemate, their other half.
Desari had lived a long time too and unlike many Carpathian females she had time to learn her
own
mind, a chance to grow and know who she was before being pressured into finding a mate. Too
many females had mated young in order to ensure the continuation of their race. Desari enjoyed
her
career of singing and she controlled her own destiny thank you very much.
This book is a mixture of genres. It's classified as paranormal romance. If you like blends and
romance too, you'll enjoy this story.
NOTE: This book is the fifth of a series, although each stands well on it's own.
Christina Francine Whitcher, Reviewer
http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com
Christy's Bookshelf
Dr. Zastro's Sanitarium - for the Ailments of Women
Ludmilla Bollow
Behler Publications
22365 El Toro Road #135, Lake Forest, CA 92630
www.behlerpublications.com 800-830-2913
ISBN 1933016019 $16.95 346 pages
Ludmilla Bollow has authored plays produced in more than fifty theaters across America and the
world. The recipient of numerous play-writing awards, she has written two books of published
plays
as well as published articles, short stories, and poetry in magazines and journals. Her latest
writing,
Dr. Zastro's Sanitarium, draws the reader into the world of medicine and women during the late
1800's.
Dr. Zastro, a renowned physician of the 1880's, specializes in hypnosis and electromagnetic
healing
utilizing machines that employ electrical stimulus. Every year, Dr. Zastro selects six women, each
with a different ailment, for treatment at his sanitarium for a period of three weeks. Although Dr.
Zastro is devoted to the care of women, he holds the popular belief among males of the 19th
century
that females are the inferior sex. As a disciplined, self-isolating physician, Dr. Zastro is initially
irritated by independent, free-spirited Yana Kejako, who has come to his sanitarium for treatment
of
an arm injury due to a horse-riding accident. Half-gypsy and half-Irish, Yana is an anomaly among
women of the late 1800's: she is not afraid to speak her mind or question those in authority and
does
not submit to males. Although the two are diverse culturally and in mindset, they are drawn
together
with a passion that cannot be denied and which is freeing for both. When it seems they have found
common ground through their love, an unforeseen event threatens to separate them forever.
Ms. Bollow has written a spellbinding story filled with yearning desire and heart- wrenching loss.
Her characterizations are deftly portrayed and her depiction of the developing romance between
Yana and Dr. Zastro delivered with sensitivity and sensuality. This historical peek into the views
and
practices of the medical field during the late 1800's regarding the treatment of women is
fascinating
to read, as is the manner in which females were perceived and treated by men. A compelling
book, recommended without reservation.
Jeannie, a Texas Frontier Girl, Book Four
Evelyn Horan
Publish America
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, Maryland 21705-0151
www.publishamerica.com 1-301-695-1707
ISBN 141373443X $14.95 116 pgs.
At the young age of 17, Jeannie moves to her horse ranch and begins to live her life's dream, with
the help of Slim, her ranch foreman. Changes take place in Jeannie's life over the next three years
with her friends and family. She faces a personal loss and must decide what to do about the oil
found
on her property. She receives two marriage proposals, which is surprising to Jeannie, who has
been
concentrating on running her horse ranch and nothing else.
Will Jeannie decide to marry, and if so, who? Will she pump oil on her land? You'll have to read
the
book to find out!
The last in the Jeannie series, this book will bring tears and laughter but leave the reader with that
warm, comforting feeling of having visited with an old friend. An outstanding series for adult and
child alike, filled with characters who have become family, with plenty of warmth and love, and
rounded out with enough historical information to edify while entertain. Highly
recommended.
Hidden Prey
John Sandford
G.P. Putnam's Sons
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
ISBN# 039915180X $26.95 393 pages
Lucas Davenport is now working as a statewide troubleshooter for the Governor of Minnesota.
Married to Weather, their son, Sam, is growing like a weed, and a new member has been added to
their home: Lucas's 12-year-old ward, Letty West.
A Russian is found shot dead with fifty-year-old bullets, and Lucas finds himself heading the
investigation with the aid of the FBI and Russian agent Nadezhda Kalin. Although the case seems
a
dead-end at first, slowly the clues start to come together, leading the investigators back to an
earlier
time period when there was a strong Russian underground in Minnesota. As the case unfolds and
the
investigation draws closer to the truth, more murders are committed. Could the Russian mafia be
at
play, or the Russian underground? Or was it simply a case of an attempted burglary gone bad?
One
eyewitness holds the answer but that person is not forthcoming and Lucas isn't having much luck
locating this witness.
Gone is the edgy and somewhat randy Lucas Davenport from the past. Although Lucas is
mellowing
and beginning to happily settle into a contented family life, he is as fresh and vibrant as ever. A
little
disconcerting was the absence of Letty during the entire book as well as one small referral to
Lucas's
first daughter. It would be nice to see more of these two characters, presumed to be an integral
part
of Lucas's life. The plot is a good one, the pace is snappy and fast, and the characters, as always,
never disappoint.
Hear No Evil
James Grippando
Harper Collins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
www.harpercollins.com
ISBN# 0060564571 $23.95 310 Pages
Attorney Jack Swyteck is reluctant to represent Lindsey Hart in the murder charge against her
until
she reveals that he is the biological father of her adopted son. Lindsey has been indicted for the
murder of her husband, Oscar Pintado, a naval officer stationed at Guantanamo, Cuba. Oscar's
father, Alejandro Pintado, owner of Brothers for Freedom, a group that rescues Cuban refugees,
is
strongly pushing for the conviction of his daughter-in-law.
Jack's investigation leads him to Cuba several times, with twists and turns around every corner
and a
client who is not above lying to her lawyer. As Jack attempts to unravel the mystery behind the
murder of Oscar Pintado, he also begins to try to search for more information about his Cuban
mother, who died giving birth to Jack.
This installment may be considered by some to be the weakest yet in the Swyteck series. Although
Jack is described as being "among the best Miami's criminal trial bar had to offer," he has a
propensity to let questions go unanswered, does not confront his client over lies told, and when an
important clue is revealed early on in his investigation, does not follow through. Jack comes
across
as depressed, slightly jaded, and cynical. In prior books, his best friend, Theo, has offered some
comedic relief, but doesn't help much in that regard this time out. There are no "warm" characters
other than the adopted son of Lindsey and Oscar, who is deaf. Although the plot is good, this did
not quite measure up to the former books in the series.
Christy Tillery French
Reviewer
Debra's Bookshelf
A Puzzle in a Pear Tree
Parnell Hall
Bantam
ISBN: 0553584340 $6.50 349 pages
As Christmas nears in small-town Bakerhaven, Connecticut, both Cora Felton--the public face of
the
syndicated Puzzle Lady column, though not the brains behind the operation--and her
cruciverbalist
niece Sherry Carter are roped into participating in Yuletide festivities. Cora finds herself miscast
as
one of eight maids-a-milking in a production of The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Sherry is one
of
a number of young women playing the Virgin Mary in a live Nativity. When a series of acrostics
(not
crossword puzzles in this fourth installment of the series) is found with clues threatening the
"leading
lady"--apparently Becky Baldwin, star of the play and Sherry's rival for the affections of
newspaper
reporter Aaron Grant--and when one of the Virgins Mary turns up dead, Cora is more than eager
for
another round of amateur sleuthing. Also joining Bakerhaven's small and ineffectual police force
in
trying to solve the town's most recent rash of murders is Englishman Jonathan Doddsworth, a
detective with Scotland Yard who happens to be in Bakerhaven visiting his estranged family.
Meanwhile, regular cast member Harvey Beerbaum, Bakerhaven's other cruciverbalist, appears to
be
as suspicious as ever of Cora's alleged puzzle-solving abilities. In the future, however, he is apt to
be
more trusting: this time around Cora is finally forced into solving a puzzle in the presence of
onlookers, an occasion in the Puzzle Lady's universe similar in import to Clark Kent having to
change clothes in a crowded locker room.
The mystery in Hall's A Puzzle in a Pear Tree will keep readers happily guessing to the end,
though
they may be disappointed finally in a solution that is difficult to credit. But the most surprising
thing
about the book is the dramatic change in the character of Cora Felton. Portrayed in the first three
books of the series as a chain-smoking lush, Cora doesn't pick up a cigarette or a bottle for the
first
200 pages of this installment, and we never see her drunk. It is odd that this change in Cora's
habits--if it is indeed to be a lasting alteration in her character--has occurred without comment,
but it
is nevertheless welcome: Cora's more usual celebration of her self-destructive habits and the
author's
treatment of them as charming, even comical, have been serious impediments to my enjoyment of
the
series. In A Puzzle in a Pear Tree we get the clever crime solver without, for the most part, the
unfortunate habits that would render her noisome and obnoxious--and too close to an early
death--in
real life.
The Grim Grotto
Lemony Snicket
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0064410145 $11.99 352 pages
The eleventh book in Lemony Snicket's wonderfully miserable Series of Unfortunate Events opens
with the much oppressed Baudelaire siblings hurtling down the freezing waters of the Stricken
Stream atop a toboggan. Rather than meeting their deaths by cracking their heads against one or
more sharp rocks, however, as one might suppose likely, our heroes soon find themselves aboard
the
Queequeg, a leaky submarine under the command of the boorishly loud Captain Widdershins. The
craft is manned by the Captain's stepdaughter and by Phil, the unusually optimistic former
employee
of the Lucky Smells Lumbermill whom the Baudelaires first encountered in The Miserable Mill,
the
fourth book of Mr. Snicket's series. (Of the Gorgon Medusa, for example, a figure of Greek
mythology whose glance turned people to stone, Phil says, "She was probably nice, when you got
to
know her." His rosy view of the world is comical, but it is not an attribute one looks for in an ally
when one is fighting an evil villain and his henchmen.) As has been usual for them since the day
they
learned of their parents' death in a fire, the Baudelaires are hounded throughout this newest
installment in the series by the wicked and shiny-eyed Count Olaf and his stylish girlfriend Esmee,
both of whom have developed a new and presumably "in" villainous laugh with which to frighten
the
non-villainous. The Baudelaires are troubled as well by various horrific phenomena, most notably
the
Medusoid Mycelium, a poisonous mushroom that waxes and wanes dangerously in the grim
grotto
of the book's title.
The mysterious Mr. Snicket, as in previous volumes of his researches into the Baudelaires'
misfortunes, amuses with his clever wordplay, educates with his tangential discussions of
vocabulary, and, indeed, alarms us on his behalf with hints dropped into the narrative of his own
harrowing life on the run. ("And a small, ceramic bowl, with a tight-fitting lid to keep something
important inside, might be difficult to find in the laundry room of an enormous hotel," Snicket
writes, for example, "particularly if there were a terrible villain nearby, making you feel nervous
and
distracted." Clearly Snicket has lived to tell the tale, but at what cost?) In the end the Baudelaires'
lives remain miserable, but perhaps slightly less miserable than they had been, and they are at least
a
tiny bit closer to uncovering the secrets of the VFD, the enigmatic organization that is a force for
good in their world. They are closer too, we must hope, to finally defeating Count Olaf and his
troupe of wicked henchmen. There are, after all, only two books remaining in the series.
While written for pre-teens, the Snicket series (penned in fact by author Daniel Handler, who has
also written some delightful books for adults) is bursting with allusions that will amuse parents.
The
books are fantastically clever and a joy to read aloud. (If you don't have children to read them to,
you may want to rent some.) The Grim Grotto is slower going in its first third than it might be--it
should perhaps have been shortened--but it is yet a delightful addition to the series. I urge readers
unfamiliar with the books to give them a try. (Don't count on the soon-to-be-released movie
version
to retain the linguistic playfulness of the original, which is the series' principal charm! Read the
books first.)
Suspect
Michael Robotham
Doubleday
ISBN: 1582881294 $TBA 351 pages
The suspect of Michael Robotham's title is Joe O'Loughlin, a perceptive and well-meaning
psychologist who, at the age of forty-two, has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The
news sends him into a spiral of self pity until a more immediate and terrible threat arises. Joe finds
himself cast as the prime suspect in the unusually vicious murder of a young woman with whom
he
happens to have had an unpleasant history. Joe assumes at first, as we all probably would, that his
innocence will eventually become evident to the dogged detective who has taken a dislike to him.
But as the evidence against O'Loughlin adds up, the possibility of a lifetime of incarceration
becomes
terrifyingly real. With the police unwilling to credit his claim that a volatile patient of his is
somehow
behind the crime, Joe is forced to try to unravel the real killer's elaborate plot against him while on
the run.
Robotham tells the story of Joe's descent into a nightmarish conspiracy in spare, highly readable
prose that advances the plot quickly. Joe's back story is fleshed out in brief reminiscences that
never
interrupt the flow of the narrative. The only disappointment in the book comes in the pivotal
scenes
of its penultimate chapter, when the dramatic action is too rushed and as a result difficult to
follow.
That aside, Robotham's Suspect is a gripping, well-written thriller that readers will be loath to put
down.
Mixed Nuts
Lawrence J. Epstein
PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1586481908 $26.00 305 pages
In his highly readable book Mixed Nuts, author Lawrence Epstein tracks the history of the
comedy
team from its origin in minstrel shows, through vaudeville, radio, and film, to its current
incarnation
in television sitcoms. Along the way Epstein discusses a host of old favorites--from Burns and
Allen
to Laurel and Hardy, Hope and Crosby to Martin and Lewis--as well as many teams readers will
probably never have heard of. The book provides brief accounts of the teams' backgrounds and
history, sometimes quoting material from their acts (Epstein provides, for example, a version of
Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First," which was a pleasure to read), and explaining the teams'
appeal given the social milieu of their eras. Gracie Allen's likeable character, for example, a
non-threatening woman who maintained her dignity despite her trademark illogic, was "a perfect
symbol for women caught between Victorian morality and modern mores." Jackie Gleason's Ralph
Kramden, struggling to afford the accoutrements of middle-class life in the post-War period,
appealed to an audience that was striving for, or had only recently achieved, similar goals.
Comedy
teams were affected not only by the historical circumstances of their times, of course, but more
specifically by technological change. The advent of radio, free entertainment for the masses, is
said
to have killed vaudeville, but old vaudeville stars who could adapt to the new medium--whose
rate
of delivery was right for performance on air, whose humor did not depend on visual cues and
appealed to a broad audience--teams such as Burns and Allen, thrived in radio.
Epstein's account of the comedy team is a quick and absorbing read. Though it is the product of a
mountain of research, including dozens of interviews (with the likes of Jerry Stiller, Sid Caesar,
and
Soupy Sales), the book wears its erudition lightly. Mixed Nuts is filled with interesting bits of
information, from the poignant--the tragic death of Lou Costello's infant son--to the just plain
neat:
Homer Simpson owes his "D'oh," for example, to Laurel and Hardy. Most importantly, however,
in
tracking the development of the comedy team, and in identifying for readers the strands that link
current comedy teams--such as Frasier and Niles Crane of the sitcom Frasier--to their comic
forbears, Epstein enriches our appreciation of comedians present and past.
Oracle Night
Paul Auster
Picador
ISBN: 0312423667 $14.00 243 pages
Writing twenty years after the fact, the narrator of Paul Auster's Oracle Night tells readers in
detail
about a nine-day period in his life, in 1982, that began with his purchase of a particular blue
notebook, unusual for having been made in Portugal. The narrator, novelist Sidney Orr, is
recovering from a near fatal illness at the time of the purchase, and he hasn't written anything for
months, but the graph-paper pages of the notebook inspire him and he writes in it feverishly for
hours on end, transported by the notebook such that he becomes wholly unaware of his
surroundings. Sidney writes a story about a certain Nick Bowen, an editor at a successful
publishing
house who responds to a nearly fatal freak accident by abandoning his life and setting out to a
randomly selected location, Kansas. He takes with him only what he happens to have been
carrying,
a manuscript of a previously unknown work--entitled Oracle Night--by a long dead novelist. Nick
reads the manuscript repeatedly, and Sidney's would-be readers (and Auster's real-life readers) are
told the story of this Oracle Night, that is, the novel within the story within Auster's novel.
Auster's Oracle Night, as the above suggests, is a Russian nesting doll of a novel. In addition to
the
principal stories mentioned above--Sidney's own story told twenty years hence, his short story, the
novel within that story--other tales are slipped into the narrative--the reminiscences of various
characters, stories told second-hand, Sidney's account of his courtship of his wife, delivered in
footnotes. In some cases we are given cause to doubt the veracity of the stories, thus removing
them
that much further from the present "reality" in which narrator Sidney Orr is writing his account.
(There is cause too, I think, for doubting Sidney's own story, which may be the point of the whole
exercise.) What is remarkable about Auster's book, apart from this clever nesting of tales, is that
each of the stories one encounters in the novel is so compelling, so vivid in the telling, even the
brief
ones, that one tends to forget while reading them that they are part of a larger whole. Written in
deceptively simple prose, Auster's novel is a complex rumination on truth and storytelling,
interesting enough to read in a single sitting, complicated enough to inspire late-night dorm room
conversations about what he's really getting at.
Miriam the Medium
Rochelle Jewel Shapiro
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743244788 $23.00 309 pages
Phone psychic Miriam Kaminsky may be able to predict the future and to ask advice of the
occasional visiting spirit, but she has at least as many problems as the rest of us. Her husband's
pharmacy is hemorrhaging money. Her previously overachieving daughter, who is too
embarrassed
by her mother's profession to mention it to her friends, has taken up with Great Neck's resident
bad
boy, a shaven-haired hoodlum who doesn't "do" parents. And Miriam herself has become an
object
of interest to a broken-hearted client, thuggish restaurateur Vince Guardelli, who just may have
fitted an acquaintance or two in his past with cement shoes. As her family's financial difficulties
escalate, Miriam must decide whether to sell her psychic abilities on a larger stage, a lucrative
option
which might further alienate her daughter and disappoint the spirit of her paternal grandmother,
her
psychic mentor, whose shimmering image appears to Miriam frequently.
Rochelle Shapiro's charming debut novel introduces readers to the unusual demands and
work-a-day
business of an occupation with which most of us won't be familiar. Her Miriam is a fully
sympathetic
character whose psychic ability is portrayed as more often a curse than an advantage. Not only is
the
information Miriam receives psychically often incomplete and misleading, but her talent colors
people's perceptions of her: Miriam is either fraud or freak, psychic spy or potential savior. It is a
burden with which Miriam's creator is herself familiar, for the book is at least to some extent
autobiographical: Great Neck resident Rochelle Shapiro is likewise a psychic whose talent was
first
recognized by her paternal grandmother. Let's hope there's another great read waiting for us in
Ms.
Shapiro's future.
The Bookshop
Penelope Fitzgerald
Flamingo
Gerald Duckworth and Co. (c) 1978
ISBN: 0006543545 16.99 pounds 156 pages
Having lived for more than eight years in the East Anglian coastal town of Hardborough, Florence
Green determines, in 1959, to purchase the aptly named Old House, a damp and decrepit and
indeed
haunted property more than 400 years old. Her decision to open a bookshop in the building, while
approved by a certain Edmund Brundish, the town's most respected scion, is opposed by an
unfortunately more influential resident of Hardborough, Violet Gamart, who has the vague plan of
turning the Old House into an art center. Florence's defiance of Mrs. Gamart's will begins an
undeclared war between the two women, only one of whom knows for certain that a war is in fact
being waged. Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop chronicles the quiet but persistent opposition
Florence faces in opening and running the shop as well as her encounters with the odd cast of
presumptuous characters who populate Hardborough.
The Bookshop offers some very nice writing, as Fitzgerald's description of a horse forced to
submit
to having its teeth filed: "Once released, the horse sighed cavernously and stared at them as
though
utterly disillusioned. From the depths of its noble belly came a brazen note, more like a trumpet
than
a horn, dying away to a snicker." But the book as a whole is not entirely satisfying. The characters
are too outspoken to always be credible, including the precocious eleven-year-old who works in
the
bookshop with Florence. The poltergeist who punctuates the silence of the Old House with its
rapping serves no obvious narrative purpose. And the jumps in the narrative, with motivations and
intervening action left to the imagination, make the story feel incomplete.
Debra Hamel, Reviewer
http://www.tryingneaira.com
Diana's Bookshelf
Science: True Tales Series
Children's Press, A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
1-800-621-1115
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
www.scholasticlibrary.com
ISBN# 0516233939 $21.50 Set of 5 books $107.50 48 pgs.
Awesome Science by Katherine Gleason ISBN# 0516237276
High-tech Inventions by Mary Packard ISBN# 0516237284
Medical Marvels by Catherine Nichols ISBN# 0516237268
Natural-born Killers by Linda Casterline ISBN# 051623725X
Up Close by Louise A. Gikow ISBN# 0516237292
If ever there were a set of books tailor made for me, this is the one. Science has always held a
deep
fascination for me. I remember as a child in junior and senior high school taking as many electives
of
the subject as were offered a trait that stayed with me throughout college. However science is
not
always as loved by children as it was by me; why even my own daughter has taken a favor to
subjects of a less technical nature. This series helps to show everyone the fun and magic found in
the
different aspects of Science, while unmasking some of the mystery and making it widely accessible
for children in, but not limited to, grades two through four.
All of the books in this set have a durable hard binding, with sturdy pages. In addition to being an
informative chapter book, they each have a glossary and section with information on how to find
out
more about the things covered. Throughout the book the glossary words are darkened to make
spotting them and thus discussion of the new vocabulary easy.
Awesome Science is broken into four chapters. The first covers the fascinating study of DNA,
explaining the basics of this complex topic in a way that a child can easily grasp, yet covering
ideas
that I remember from my high school studies. In Chapter Two we look at the battle against fat
and
obesity. With this being an ever-increasing problem in our society, it is great to show children that
Scientists are doing their part to help us all overcome the battle of the bulge, as well as showing
ways they can handle that battle for themselves. Chapter Three looks at Dolly, the worlds most
famous and controversial sheep, and introduces children to the fascinating study of cloning.
Chapter
Four starts with an introduction of the last known thylacines or Tasmanian tigers and discusses
the
efforts that are being made to bring back this wonderful animal using the processes of cloning the
DNA.
High-tech Inventions is also broken into four chapters. Chapter One gives children a great look at
the way computers used to be and even explains their inner workings, making it an utterly
fascinating read. Chapter Two looks at the use of cockroaches in robotics technology, giving a lot
of
information that was used in making many robotics items. I wasn't aware that so much work had
been done with the very insects that I as a Floridian try so hard to vanquish. Chapter Three looks
at
the environmentally friendly mode of transportation called the Segway HT, which operates
without
the use of a steering wheel, only by using a gyroscope. Chapter Four tells readers about Michael
Moshier who designed his own personal flying machine, using his knowledge of past machines
and
modern technology.
Medical Marvels a four-chapter book as well. Chapter One looks at the amazing story of Phineas
Gage, a man who had a metal rod enter his left cheek, pass through his brain and exit through the
middle of his forehead, cracking his skull. Although he fully recovered, he was a different man in
terms of personality and endeavors to explain why the transformation happened. Chapter Two is
the
story of conjoined twins Mohamed and Ahmed Ibrahim, who were joined at the head. It is the
miraculous story of how modern medicine allowed these brothers to finally look at each other.
Chapter Three is the heart warming story of Diamond Excell, born without shoulders or arms, and
of inventor Ivan Yaeger who created the electronic arms that would allow her to hug her mother.
Chapter Four is a story that is so near to my heart and one that has very recently come to an end,
that of the only man who will ever be Superman to so many people, Christopher Reeve. The
chapter
tells the story of his tragedy and struggle to recover straight through to the triumph of his
movements, something that is miraculous indeed for a quadriplegic. He was a great man that did a
lot of work for the betterment of life for all in his position. Although he may be gone from us
now,
his courage and perseverance still lives on, and there may yet be those to recover from their own
tragedies due to the hard work he did for them all.
Natural-born Killers is you guessed it four chapters. Chapter One is about the work of William
Withering who is responsible for the medical use of foxglove to treat dropsy and other heart
related
conditions. I found it to be rather interesting that a poisonous plant can actually be used to heal.
Chapter Two is about Bill Haast and his work with snake venom. He had the correct assumption
that snake venom could be used to treat health conditions in humans. Chapter Three is about John
Daily who studies poisonous frogs, and maps his research using the compounds of the poison to
make a strong painkiller that will have fewer side effects. As someone suffering from arthritis I
found his work to be of particular interest. Chapter Four is absolutely fascinating. It is about
foods
made from Bt plants. These are plants that contain Bt, which is a pesticide that kills insects that
eat
the plants. Currently the dilemma is that these foods are not labeled and thus consumers aren't
fully
informed about what they are eating.
Up Close is a chapter book, with four chapters. Chapter One is about Antony van Leeuwenhoek
and
his fascination with studying things under his homemade microscopes. It is interesting to see that
he
was so ahead of his time as well as being so detail oriented. Chapter Two is about the scientist
and
tools they used to study the belemnites eaten by the giant ichthyosaur. After research it was found
that like many of today's animals, after eating they would regurgitate the hard shells as to not hurt
any of their own internal organs. Chapter Three is about Kellar Autumn and his study of the
gecko
and its ability to climb walls. This study may well be something we all find a use for, in a more
powerful adhesive gecko tape. Chapter Four is about Dennis Kunkel and his study of how places
such as Mount St. Helens can recover after a natural disaster. It is curious indeed to watch as life
begins to reemerge in a previously lifeless area.
All of these books are geared toward teaching second to fourth grade students Science and
accomplish this in a way that makes learning fascinating, as it should be. Even as an adult reading
the books, I found that each and every chapter offered me a bit of new information in such vivid
words and pictures that the experience will stay with me long after I close the covers. This
collection
is something that should find a home in all classrooms as well as homes with children of this age
range, even a little younger and older would surely benefit from this learning adventure. This is
Science made fun, no easy task in this world of MTV, Video Games and instant gratification. Yet
it
gives the still wannabe Scientist inside of me a glow like that of a Bunsen burner that books such
as
these might just open the door for the next generation or explorers of information and seekers of
answers to step through.
Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents Series
Mike Venezia
Franklin Watts, A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
1-800-621-1115
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
www.scholasticlibrary.com
ISBN# 0516296701 $26.50 Set of 6 books $156.00 32 pgs.
George Washington ISBN# 0516226061
James Madison ISBN# 0516226096
James Monroe ISBN# 051622610X
John Adams ISBN# 051622607X
John Quincy Adams ISBN# 0516226118
Thomas Jefferson ISBN# 0516226088
I remember as a child how intimidating it was learning about the presidents. We were spoon fed
cold
hard facts regarding their lives and deeds, then expected to memorize and regurgitate them on
demand. Up until now there really hasn't been a fun and non-intimidating way for kids to approach
this until Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents Series written and illustrated by Mike Venezia,
which
is sure to set the standard for a long time to come.
What makes this series so special is a writing style, which blends historical facts with humor,
making
it fun to learn. As a parent, I know my child retains a lot more when they are attentive and the
best
way to hold her attention is to make things either fun or funny, which Mr. Venezia has down to a
science. In addition to the text being designed with a child at heart, the illustrations are absolutely
hilarious and adorable.
The books themselves are sturdy and designed in a way that they will last for many generations. If
there had been tools such as this when I was a child, I am certain learning about the presidents
would have been among my favorite parts of history. This is truly the child's presidential reference
set that no home or school should be without.
Watching Nature Series
Edana Eckart
Children's Press, A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
www.scholasticlibrary.com 1-800-621-1115
ISBN: 0516255665 Entire set of six $96.00
Watching the Moon, 24 pgs Hardback $16.00 ISBN# 0516275984
Watching the Seasons, 24 pgs Hardback $16.00 ISBN# 051627600X
Watching the Stars, 24 pgs Hardback $16.00 ISBN# 0516276026
Watching the Sun, 24 pgs Hardback $16.00 ISBN# 0516275976
Watching the Weather, 24 pgs Hardback $16.00 ISBN# 0516276018
Watching the Wind, 24 pgs Hardback $16.00 ISBN# 0516275992
Catching the attention of young children long enough to read them a book is often a chore. It's
hard
to compete with the likes of Spongebob Squarepants, Pokemon, or whoever is hot right now.
Usually when I receive a book to review I like to test it on the target audience if that audience is
someone other than myself, and that is exactly what I did with this series. Our test subject-my
rambunctious never sits still for a minute niece-age three.
From the very first volume, she was absolutely captivated by the stunning photos, which held her
attention long enough for me to slowly read the text on the page to her, allowing the words and
their
meanings, as well as how they interact with the corresponding picture to fully sink in. Even when
I
was done reading to her, she would often continue looking at the photos and commenting on each
one, as well as asking questions not only what they showed, but what I read as well. I have to tell
you that having a book that instigates as well as encourages such participation in reading from a
child is a treasure, and one that a young reader, or a child which a parent or teacher wishes to
encourage to develop into a reader would be blessed to have.
Each of these wonderful books give a bountiful amount of information, as well as including a list
of
words for the child to learn and additional ways to find information on each topic covered
between
the covers, helping the child to learn without even being aware they are something that is no easy
feat, yet pulled off here beautifully. The series covers, the moon, seasons, stars, sun, weather, and
wind; all topics of interest to a child who is trying to understand how the world around them
works.
I highly recommend these volumes to anyone with children up to second or third grade, as well as
being an excellent resource for daycares and schools. You and your young reader can't go wrong
with the Watching Nature series written by Edana Eckart.
You Wouldn't Want Series
Illustrated by David Antram
Franklin Watts, A Division of Scholastic, Inc.
Box 1795 Danbury, CT 06816
www.scholasticlibrary.com 1-800-621-1115
Each book 32 pgs, Hardback $26.50
You Wouldn't Want to Sail With Christopher Columbus by Fiona Macdonald
ISBN# 0531123553
You Wouldn't Want to Sail on a 19th-Century Whaling Ship by Peter Cook
ISBN# 0531123561
You Wouldn't Want to be an American Colonist by Jacqueline Morley
ISBN# 053112357X
You Wouldn't Want to be a Mammoth Hunter by John Malam
ISBN# 0531123545
Sometimes being a parent has some really cool perks. I have always enjoyed reading to my
children,
and books like the ones in the You Wouldn't Want series always put a smile on not only my face,
but
my daughters' as well. These books are some of the best I have come across with illustrations,
which
are sure to bring a smile to your face and make your children chuckle. The text is highly engaging
and so much fun to read to your children, and they will enjoy reading them to you as well.
The new additions to this series are:
You Wouldn't Want to Sail With Christopher Columbus speaks of young boys in the late 1400's
and
their dreams of exploring the world. It tells of the perks of traveling by sea as well as the various
goods you can acquire and sell. Readers will also see why exploring was different than they might
have expected, and not at all as glamorous as they might have thought. Explorers had to seek
funding, prepare fleets, sail the ship which is no easy task in and of itself, navigate with some
rather interesting tools, work hard and live in unpleasant conditions, help your crew deal with not
only being homesick but also being stuck on the ship for months at a time, deal with the peoples
of
unexplored areas, load the ship and then make it home safely. When it is all over I would venture
to
guess that most who explored would have to seriously wonder if it was worth it and if they would
really want to do it again.
You Wouldn't Want to Sail on a 19th-Century Whaling Ship tells the story of a 14-year-old boy
who
is embarking on the whaling ship named the Essex. It is his dream to be a whale hunter, but little
does he realize what it entails. Such as, having to pay for any clothes that you may need, swabbing
decks, serving meals, dealing with bitter cold weather, killing whales, slipping around in whale
blood
(yuck), the ship being rammed by whales, and facing starvation and the distinct possibility of
cannibalism. While this story may be filled with some gruesome bits that might bother squeamish
children, it is action packed and informative.
You Wouldn't Want to be an American Colonist teaches about the lost colony of Roanoke and
then
about the hardships of the next voyage. In no way does it sugar coat anything, detailing the trials
and
tribulations experienced, starting with the hard voyage over. It talks about the problems with the
land, the weather and the bugs. It tells of many of the things they suffered and possibly killed half
of
the settlers, such as polluted water, and invasions from both the Natives and the Spanish. It also
gives an idea of what happened when the settlers branched out and explored the area and were
hampered by famine and starvation. This is guaranteed to get across much of the same
information
we teach our younger children in a way that they will retain it.
You Wouldn't Want to be a Mammoth Hunter, now that is something I knew without reading the
book, but then I never have been much for physical labor. This book starts by showing the various
animals present during the ice age and also how people lived during this time. The description of
the
dance that the mammoth hunters would do had both me and my daughter laughing out loud. The
tools used to hunt these massive beasts are also discussed. It also looks at the uses for various
parts
of the animals aside from the meat, such as bone houses made from their bones, and clothes made
from their skin. There is a great fun section about the mammoth and its habits followed by the
hunt
and kill. Aside from the dangers involved from beast itself, you have to be weary of others who
want
to steal your catch, but then there is the feast! This book, as all the others, is a lot of fun and
packed
with loads of information.
All of these books give a real glimpse into various lives in a way that puts them into perspective,
but
also entertains children while they learn. When it comes to this set of books I can't express enough
just how much fun they are. This is definitely a reading experience that neither you nor your child
will want to miss.
Diana Bennett
Reviewer
Emanuel's Bookshelf
Burned Alive
Souad
Warner Books
ISBN 0446533467 $24.00 227 pp.
Honor killings are an every day occurrence in many countries such as India, Israel, and Palestine.
Unfortunately, over five thousand of these horrific murders plague the world by victimizing
women
throughout the world. "Burned Alive" is just one of many tales of these atrocities.
In this book, author Souad tells the tale of what is was like growing up an unwanted female in a
violent, patriarchal society. In her village, men are treated like kings while women are treated like
garbage. The birth of a female child is cause for grief, not celebration. In her small village, her
brother and only male in the family is treated like royalty while she and her sisters are exposed to
treatment worse than slavery. The author describes her own father as an evil and abusive man.
When
the author recalls a time when she accidentally let the sheep escape, she writes the following about
her father:
He pulls me by the hair and he drags me on the ground into the kitchen. He strikes me while I
kneel,
he pulls on my braid as if he wants to pull it out, and he cuts it off with the big scissors used for
shearing wool. I have hardly any hair left. I can cry, yell, or please but I'll get more kicks.
When the author does the unthinkable and shames the family by getting pregnant before marriage,
her brother-in-law is given the duty of killing her. She describes in great detail how she had been
doused with gasoline, lit on fire, and left to die. Her escape from her family, her village, and
ultimately her country is a source of motivation.
"Burned Alive" is not the best book written on the subject of honor-killings or on atrocities
committed against women. While the topic is important for readers to become aware of, the
writing
is the book is rather lackluster for such a powerful subject. However, for readers who are not
aware
of how thousands of the female population is murdered simply for being female, the book will
serve
as an interesting introduction to this shameful yet important issue.
Gettin' To The Good Wood
E. Joyce Moore
LessisMoore Publishing Company
http://get.me.to/goodwood
ISBN # 1883111757 $20.00 340 pp.
When I first started reading "Gettin' To The Good Wood" by E. Joyce Moore, I have to admit
that I
was a little skeptical. As far as I was concerned, the book already had two strikes against it. 1) It
is
self-published, which in this industry can be synonymous with poor quality. 2) The author does
not
necessarily have the credentials to write a self-help book on relationships. But as I began reading
this
author's work, I realized that my pre-conceived notions were wrong. Dead wrong. In fact, by the
time I was done, I was thoroughly impressed and had learned quite a bit.
"Gettin' To The Good Wood" is a unique collaboration of essay-styled advice and personal
experiences meshed with poetry in between. The book is divided into four sections titled Your
Relationship With You, Relationships and God, Male/Female Relationships, and Other
Relationships.
In Section One, Moore stresses the importance of knowing yourself before exploring relationships
with others. She delves into subjects such as anger management, the need for closure from
previous
relationships, and the need to forgive.
In Section Two, the author discusses the need to have a relationship with God and the reason to
pray for a mate, primarily from a Christian perspective. She gives biblical examples and quotes
passages from various scriptures.
In Section Three, my personal favorite, the book digs deep into the male/female relationship
phenomena. The author elaborates on the dating scene, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases,
the
realism of cohabitation versus marriage, and the difference between love and sex. Moore even
reveals her humorous side when she suggests using the following approach after a man insists on
sex
before a woman is ready: "Great. Let's plan the wedding for this weekend. We'll need to make a
list
of what we need to do; I'll call my Mom tonight. What's that? What am I talking about? Well, you
want to have sex. I don't want sex before marriage, so I thought you were asking me to No?
Okay,
well, you've answered your own question."
In the final section, the author discusses other relationships, such as those in the corporate world,
relationships with other family members, and even relationships between races.
While Moore readily admits that she is not necessarily a relationships expert, she still does her
homework and quotes experts like Dr. Phil when proving her point. The book does have a few
problems though. It could use some fine-tuning from a professional editor. The poetry seems a bit
out of place. And the writer's Christian perspective can be a turn-off for those who may not have
the
same belief. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. The good definitely outweighs the
bad. The author takes a complicated subject and explains it in everyday, plain English so that you
won't have to run to a dictionary after reading every other sentence. It's the kind of book you
would want your son or daughter to reference when they start thinking about having sex. To sum
it
up, "Gettin' To The Good Wood" is a heavily researched, easy-to-read, and thoroughly
entertaining
book on how to deal with all types of relationships.
Recommended.
The Root of All Evil
Joylynn M. Jossel
St. Martin's Griffin
http://www.joylynnjossel.com
ISBN 0312328605 $12.95 326 pp.
When Klarke Taylor's husband leaves her for another woman, her world catapults into one filled
with turmoil, bills, and loneliness. But when Klarke discovers the personal e-mail address of a
best-selling author named Reo Laroque, she figures life is giving her a second chance at lust,
riches,
and maybe even love. Although Reo enjoys the company of groupies who admire his work and his
money, he longs for a woman he can bring home to his parents. The pair begin a series of steamy
e-mail exchanges that leaves them both longing for the real thing. Klarke convinces the writer that
they've met in an airport, when in actuality, they have never met. Of course, that will have to
change.
This premise sets the stage for Joylynn Jossel's (Dollar Bill) latest novel, "The Root of All
Evil."
When Klarke's best friends Jeva and Breezy are introduced, we learn that they are having
relationship problems of their own. Jeva longs for marriage with her long time live-in boyfriend,
even though he is not ready to make that permanent commitment. She also struggles with the
circumstances of her adoption, since she never knew her biological parents. Breezy, on the other
hand, balances two men, one of them poor but a dynamic lover, the other one married, abusive,
and
paid. When the latter decides to break things off, she offers revenge a la Fatal Attraction.
"The Root of All Evil" is an interesting read, full of twists, turns, and a very unpredictable ending.
Jossel even infuses some clever humor in the story, like when she writes the following:
"You didn't!" Jeva whispered.
"I knewed it!" Breezy exclaimed. "You gave him some Boyz N the Hood pity sex?"
"Evan lucked up on some life-crisis drama sex like Cuba." Jeva laughed.
Although I would recommend this book to those who are interested in a combination of street lit
and chick lit, I did have a few problems with the book. While the Columbus, Ohio native and
Capital
University graduate knows how to craft a good plot, she seems to cross the thin line between sexy
and vulgar, which may turn some readers off. Another problem I had with this book is the
authenticity of the dialogue, especially when slang is mixed with proper English, all in one
sentence.
This combination makes for an awkward read. Yet even with these minor problems, I would still
give this books a thumbs up because both the main characters and the peripheral ones are just like
everyday people who deal with real-life situations, the plot is fast-paced and interesting, and the
story is quite original. "The Root of All Evil" makes an entertaining read that many people will be
able to relate.
Recommended.
Emanuel Carpenter, Reviewer
http://www.geocities.com/emanuelcarpenter
Fortenberry's Bookshelf
Review of Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet
James Mann
Penguin
New York
ISBN: 0670032999 $25.95, 426 pp.
Rise of the Vulcans is an extremely important book. As its subtitle explains, this book explores the
history of the current war cabinet operating out of the White House: Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell,
Wolfowitz, Armitage, Rice, etc. It is absolutely essential to have an understanding of the people
who
have shaped and controlled our government, especially its foreign policy, for most of the last
thirty
years. These individuals first rose to power under Nixon but have returned to power now through
the Ford, Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II administrations. Their interconnected relationships and
deep
commitments to each other and their common hawkish agenda have been well-known but little
studied in depth. James Mann has provided a rather comprehensive and fascinating study of this
group of policy hawks who call themselves The Vulcans (this misnomer, by the way -- whether
because of their desire to be seen as fire-wielding forgers of the new or simply as a joke spawned
by
the massive Vulcan statue in Rice's hometown does indeed sound better or perhaps more serious
than what their name truly should be: The Martians).
Mann, in a deft biographical and intellectual history, explores the long-term working relationships
of
the Vulcans, some from school on up, and the dogged way they return each other to power.
Regardless of who succeeds amongst them, they are committed to each other and forcibly bring
along the crowd wherever they go. This clannish behavior is almost unique in the annals of
political
history, where parties have always favored their elites and powerbrokers and cronyism is almost
synonymous with political career, but never has a single group accomplished such repetitive
ascent
over the course of decades. It is rather frightening when you dig into their collective history and
discover the same handful of names and same handful of goals recurring as if in a feedback loop.
This gives new meaning to the current mantra of "staying on message" -- it borders absolute
obsession. It also strongly suggests that progress will never occur until the feedback loop is
broken.
One of the great strengths of democracy has always been its ability to field a thousand diverse
voices
and reach compromises between opposing ideologies. There is great natural balance in democracy
that never occurs in dictatorships or closed societies. Hence the maxim "from many, one." This
does
not and cannot occur in a feedback loop. A single message defines itself; striving for a single goal
has no other possible destination. This narrow one-way loop cancels out broad-based democracy
and drives the nation further and further into a funnel, a corner, or a cul-de-sac.
This study of the newly re-christianed "neocon knights" is incisive, detailed, and downright
frightening at times. No, make that very frightening. It was eerie reading about Vice President
Dick
"undisclosed bunker" Cheney designing and and testing just such a secret government in a highly
classified Reagan-era project to create a secret government outside the bounds of the Constitution
just in case of emergency, which at that time they felt would be the nuclear war with the Soviet
Union they were themselves preparing to launch. Scary is the fact that on a yearly basis
throughout
the '80s he and Rumsfeld and other Vulcans (including such criminals as Oliver North) would
disappear from Washington and operate a shadow government run by themselves practicing
things
like nuclear holocaust in secret bunkers they had built and designed for just that purpose. Snap
forward to today and it throws a new light on Cheney constantly disappearing into bunkers
throughout the Terror War plus also the questions about a shadow government currently
operating
and if President Bush II is really the one calling the shots. It seems rather like what it is: a neocon
game plan carefully laid out, repeatedly practiced for more than a decade, and now being
executed.
And when we review their history next to our repeated dabblings in and wars with Iraq and
Afghanistan, we find familiar patterns between their theories and our reality. Itis absolutely
scare-the-pants-off stuff that seems more like fiction than reality.
Sadly, this book is all too true. This is a glimpse into the minds of the group that dominates
American foreign policy and has repeatedly led us into war over the past thirty years. It is vital to
understand what and who is going on in Washington. The Vulcans' policy is clear: to create an
American empire or hegemony where world policy is determined solely by us, is unchallengeable,
and enforced by our overwhelming military might. Worldwide everyone will either fall in line
behind
us or be run overby our tanks (wit us or agin us). These wars and policies effect everything
globally
-- from the economy and environment down to our prestige and trade relations. Why, how, and
who
is operating the machinery behind the curtains? The Rise of the Vulcans chronicles "the pursuit of
unrivaled American power" by a single group over many decades and it is an astounding read. For
anyone interested in current events, global geopolitical strategy, war, politics, or any tangent and
intersection thereof, this book is a vital resource.
Newspaper Caper
Max Eliot Anderson
Tweener Press
Winona Lake, Indiana
ISBN: 0972925643 $9.95 135 pp.
Read all about it! NewspaperCaper hits the stands! The headlines should scream. This book is a
must read! It begins: "Anybody who knew Tom Stevens was sure of one thing. The boy was
going
places." The author isn't lying. This book features a strong-willed protagonist in a thrilling
mystery
that is going places from word one. It is one of the better kid's adventure novels I have read in
years
with a non-stop, relentlessly driving pace. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, just like the good
old days, but this is a smooth, intelligent story, and not the herky-jerky schlock we're sadly used
to
in the adventure genre. The lead player, Tom, is one of the most memorable characters I have
ever
read in this genre. He's a real go-geter and is in trouble up to his eyes, but he never flinches and
plows straight ahead. The action does not lets up and builds to an amazing finale brought about
byTom's brilliant strategies and breathless, daring work. In fact this is the best story of its type I
have
read since The Gold Ogre by Kenneth Robeson, a novel of the Doc Savage series of the
1930s-40s
pulp era, that also featured a group of juvenile protagonists.
Newspaper Caper is the first ina new series of kids adventures by Max Eliot Anderson. The series
is
Tweener Adventures, billed as Christian but not overtly so in thetext, and this premier book is a
smashing success. It features streetwise, take-charge kids and is written for those sometimes
disenfranchised, always aching-for-adventure kids scattered about Suburbia like so much
collateral
damage of the modern age. This series is a refreshing take on the Hardy Boys-esque mysteries,
fully
modern and unique in that each novel is a stand alone tale without the same characters or
locations
being repeated. I'm not quite sure how that will play out over the coming years, if there will ever
be
any recurrent themes, characters, or storylines, but regardless of the direction it takes, Mr.
Anderson
has set himself avery high bar for the rest of the series.
I recommend this book for all school age readers looking for some adventure to spice up their life.
They'll learn a lot from these kids, who run their own businesses, live up to their responsibilities,
and
aren't afraid to reach for and grab their own dreams. That regardless of anything else, is a great
lesson to take to heart. There is one thing I greatly appreciated in these books. Mr. Anderson
doesn't
preach. He doesn't ram rod themoral and destroy the story along the way. He doesn't write down
to
kids. These are fresh, alive, and honest characters that leap off the page in an exciting world. Kids
can truly relate to their lives, respect their choices, and simply sit back and enjoy the thrill
ride.
Prague Pictures: Portraits of a City
John Banville
Bloomsbury
New York
ISBN: 1582343829 $16.95, 244 pp.
Prague Pictures is, to use a description from the book, an "ecstatic paen of amor urbi." The is a
literary, sensual travelogue, heavy on art history, which journeys down the backstreets and
alleyways
of mankind to explore the mysterious nature of all cities via the lens of Prague. John Banville, in
sinuous, often magically elusive language, explores a city that is identical in style. They make a
good
couple and his longing for her is palpable. But he shows his youthful enthusiasm and she reveals
her
deep experience and vast age, which turn the relationship into a dalliance of almost courtly love
between a wily old queen and her peasant-of-the-moment, which surely cannot last.
This book has many aspects. The text is musical and beautiful, you can chew over every single
passage and savor the alien flavors found, and yet, there is an invisible layer beneath the surface
paint, a quiet music within the score that whispers constantly to the soul. There are a lot of details
and history captured here (and sometimes the asides and footnotes intrigue so much I long for
entire
books on these subjects to be vulgarly inserted into the text). Not only does Mr. Banville capture
the
fascinating ancient history behind the city and its people, but he relates first hand the drab
oppression
of the recently deceased Soviet era, and the crazed new blossoming freedom of a people lost and
searching the modern age for a new direction out of the fast food wilderness. Designed to emulate
the pocket books of old, these pictures of the city are so illuminating and joyful to experience I
wish
for a volume twice the length.
Overall, there is a pervasive melancholy atmosphere. The nature of the book is of a lost love or a
lover that always has eluded him. In fact Banville notes how most cities are like lovers spreading
their limbs before us, but that Prague is more coy: "When I seek another word for mystery," he
quotes Ripellino, "the only word I can find is Prague. She is dark and melancholy as a comet; her
beauty is like the sensation of fire, winding and slanted as in the anamorphoses of the Mannerists,
with a lugubrious aura of decay, a smirk of eternal disillusionment." This city has many masks and
all
of them reveal a side of the city, but none of them reveal the true nature beneath the surface.
"There
are as many Pragues as there are eyes to look upon it more: an infinity of Pragues." This is a line
that seems to come directly from Michael Moorcock and his multiverse (that brothel in
Rosenstrasse
especially), but it also evokes the same forlorn conclusion about the lover mourning his loss, of
never being able to truly possess his love. Prague is lost to everyone by the end of the book. The
sadness of that final portrait, after the devastation of the 2002 flood (the Vltava living up to its
ancient Celtic name), is heartbreaking. His ending statement is a wish, a tearful demand, "Prague
always survives."
American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush
Kevin Phillips
NYC: Penguin
ISBN: 0670032646 $25.95, xiv + 397 pp.
This is quite possibly the single most important political biography in modern American history.
American Dynasty, by conservative intellectual Kevin Phillips, is a vast, detailed study of the Bush
dynasty, which has become without doubt the most powerful family in American history. He
studies
all aspects of their rise to power, from the early 1900s down to the early 2000s. What is most
disgusting though, is the outlandish (in what they have done and gotten away with) recurrent
themes
of criminality, corruption, and greed that pervade almost a century of various Bush machinations.
The fact that this is all studied and exposed by a Republican heavyweight makes it all the more
disturbing and damning.
At the heart of everything Bush lies deceit. There is a frightful, appalling record of abuses within
these pages. And the scary part is that some portions of it, like the full details of Bush I's
scandalous
presidency and Bush II's entire presidency, are still harshly guarded secrets, thanks to George W.'s
reversal of the policy for the release of presidential papers. But even what little is publicly known
is
devastating and criminal. Phillips uses terms such as Texanomics and megalomania to discuss
aspects of Bushist thought and policy. War profiteering seems to be the main criminal enterprise
of
all generations of the Bush empire, but a fascist philosophy of life is the true root evil. The web of
connections and actions taken throughout the decades are disturbing in the highest order.
Fascism,
as Mussolini defined it, is state corporatism, which is indeed the mantra of the Bushes. It is the
subjugation of the individual to the machine with profit as the sole motivating factor. The Bushes
espouse this publicly and follow it literally in their policies and government reforms. Furthermore,
to
protect their interests and to cover their activities, the Bush regimes follow a strict Machiavellian
"security state" policy of covert operations and secrecy above all else. This rival philosophical
stance
to democracy is indeed a serious, and, sadly, apparently a growing threat. Secrecy and fascism are
fundamentally opposed to everything we stand for. It is the one thing that most shakes America to
its core.
The one point of the book I reject is Phillips conclusion that the entire American political system
has
taken a decisive turn towards an old style aristocracy, that we have witnessed the rise of a
dynastic
system in Congress and the Presidency. Though this is somewhat true on the surface, and while
the
Bush family is indeed a dynasty and Senatorial chairs (among others) have become in some ways
hereditary, I believe American democracy to be much more vigorous than expected. The common
man, though much maligned and subjected, will never allow the ascension of outright aristocracy.
Even now we see the slow awakening and push back against such over reaches in terror power as
the Patriotic Act, etc., so that over time much damage may be undone. The question is whether
the
people as a slow-moving inertial masscan act quickly enough to stop a single family from
abolishing
democracy. History reminds us that the occasional coup can indeed work. The public's awareness
to
this imminent danger need merely be awakened and I believe corrections are possible. That is, it is
merely a small group of extremists forcing their narrowly focused agenda, rather than a broad
based
shift in American policy. I believe this book goes a long way towards the waking of America to
the
truth.
Given the urgency current political season, this book is an immediate must read. American
Dynasty
tells us something deeply troubling is occurring in America, tells us that we have taken our eye off
the ball and allowed something fundamentally terrible to happen with the ascendancy of a
powerful
crime family. However, it does warn us and it is not too late. This book is political dynamite. It is
impossible not to be profoundly shocked and substantially altered by reading it.
Worse Than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush
John W. Dean
Little, Brown & Co.
New York
www.twbookmark.com
ISBN: 031600023X $22.95; xvii + 254 pp.
Worse Than Watergate is a powerful criminal indictment of the Bush administration. This
document
of the most dangerous and secret of all American presidencies is a must read, but also a sad, bitter
pill to swallow. How could America have been so hijacked, so subverted, so duped? It is hard for
a
citizen, a patriot, to read of these incessant crimes and machinations by this Machiavellian group
of
militant power brokers. The malignancy infecting the current administration is disheartening and
stunning. The only hope offered is the overwhelming evidence of criminality Mr. Dean has
assembled and the knowledge that Nixon was brought down by the Watergate scandal. The Plame
scandal alone is worse than that. Perhaps, slim though it is, there is a possible reprieve: the tidal
wave of corruption they revel in will also bring down this president and end this dark chapter in
American politics.
Mr. Dean, speaking from first hand experience with administrative criminality as President Nixon's
former counsel, states that the Bush administration is "surprisingly Nixonian." Not only the
obvious
fact that most of the administration is made up of neocons who got there start with Nixon and
have
served en masse in every Republican administration since, but in their policies and beliefs. Dean
chronicles Bush's secrecy and the Bush family penchant for seeking revenge against any who dare
speak out against them. Friends and associates are openly afraid of them. But far worse than
Nixon
is the Bush administration's belief in absolute secrecy as the exclusive right and primary tool of the
office. Stonewalling is merely like breathing and they use secrecy as a weapon -- to both attack
opponents from behind as fortification but also simultaneously to defend themselves from any
possibility of assault. It gets psychotic though. Their love of secrecy runs to obsession and they
have
grown increasingly irrational in their declarations of entire segments of information and society as
top secret. This has led them to repeatedly violate the law as well and overstep their authority,
even
going so far as issuing presidential decrees overturning existing laws (which is patently
unconstitutional) in order to protect his father's papers and policies from review.
It is too detailed to get into all the points Dean made about the Bush administration's crimes,
hidden
agenda, scandals, and worse. One senses though that the book could have been a 1,000 pages
long
and not run out of material. But what is here is damning. Dean's assertion that these "high crimes
and misdemeanors" of the president are far "worse than Watergate" not only have legal merit, but
they have the moral authority of one who knows first hand about the evils of presidential politics.
As
he notes, regardless of their wall of secrecy or the outcome of the next election, history will be the
true judge of this president, his administration, and their policies. This book is a first step towards
recording that history.
Thomas Fortenberry
Reviewer
Gary's Bookshelf
Silver Tales Book One
Margaree Mayne and "Friends"
Madison Books
An Imprint of The Rowman and Littlefield Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706
www.maggiemayneshow.com 1-800-462-6420
ISBN 1568332580 $17.95
The book is a compilation of five women who tell their life stories. All five are average females
who
show that even through the worst of times they all could make out ok and go on in life. Each of
the
ladies has a driving spirit that keeps them going. Their lives are inspirational in this first volume. I
hope to see more books of the series in the future. "Silver Tales" should be required reading for
courses at colleges across the country.
Nine Lives Too Many
John F. Rooney
Senneff House Publishers
P.O. Box 11601, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33339
www.senneffhouse.com
ISBN 0975275682 $14.95
With all the interest in terrorism today, this book comes along at a very good time. Rooney is a
very
fine writer who tells his story of domestic terrorism with a strong believable character and robust
writing. The book is filled with non-stop action of a cat and mouse chase against the backdrop of
time. The book dashes along to its final smashing ending. If, as the press material that came with
this
book says, this is the first of a series of novels, I would love to see what the author has in store,
because this is an excellent page turning thriller.
Mr. President Private Eye
Martin Greenberg and Francis M. Nevins Jr. Editors
Ibooks, Inc
24 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
www.1books.net 212 645 9870
ISBN 0743487397 $6.99
What if the president solved mysteries in addition to being president of the United States? That is
what all of the authors of mystery and sf in this collection had to come up with, and all did in a fun
collection of stories. I love collections like this, especially when Greenberg is one of the names as
editor.
Reckless Abandon
Stuart Woods
Signet
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
ISBN 0451213173 $7.99
Stone Barrington is back in this novel and better than ever. This one has something a little
different
that adds a bit of spice to the mix of an already great character. This time out Woods has Holly
Barker from the "Orchid Beach" series on a case that begins in New York. This is not the first
time
Woods has brought these two strong characters together. They first met in the book "Cold
Paradise"
when Stone had some business in the Palm Beach area. One missing element here is, the sex is
very
much toned down and I, for one am glad because it tends to take away from the story. Woods is a
great fast read for anyone who wants a quick paced book that is also good clean fun.
Battlestar Galactica Destiny
Richard Hatch and Brad Linaweaver
Ibooks, Inc
24 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
www.1books.net 212 645 9870
ISBN 0743486854 $22.95
Well, I really tried to like this continuation by the same two authors of the very fine book
"Paradis"
but shortly into "Destiny" I found that I was just plain bored with the whole story. It has many of
the
same characters but it just does not have the zing that other books by Richard Hatch and whoever
had. I don't know why, because the idea of finding out Baltar's place in life was interesting but
something is just not there for me at least in this new installment of the original "Battlestar
Galactica
" saga
Law & Order Dead Line
J. Madison Davis
Ibooks, Inc
24 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
www.1books.net 212 645 9870
ISBN 0743497988 $6.95
Being a fan of this great show helps but you don't have to ever watched the TV show to enjoy this
first novel. The author follows the progression of the series but I especially liked the story for it's
behind the scenes exposure of the world of publishing, as well as a good tale of murder mystery.
One good thing with this novel is that you do not have to hear the actor who plays McCoy, who
in
my judgment tends to over act his part.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Sidney Sheldon
William Morrow
10East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
ISBN 0060559349 $25.95
I have for a long time been a fan of this author because he tells a story that is easy to get into and
fast paced. This one is one of his best. From the first page it held my interest all the way through.
There are some surprises and a plot that could be classified as science fiction. His beginning where
several people are killed for at the time, no apparent reason becomes very clear by the end, when
the
author also ties everything up in a very convincing package.
Bar Code Tattoo
Suzanne Weyn
Scholastic Inc
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
www.scholastic.com 212 343 6100
ISBN 0439395623 $5.99
In the near future at a certain age every one must have a bar code branded onto our person. This
is
the way for government to keep a record of everyone. A girl named Kayla does not want to
participate, so she fights the system. The author is telling a very timely story for how people
follow
like sheep. Two examples are Nazi Germany and the present situation of how our government is
handling the war in Iraq. This novel, for me at least, is very reminiscent of Orwell's 1984 or
"Logan's
Run." Weyn fills her tale with interesting characters and a not too distant future that could very
well
happen.
The 9/11 Commission Report
W.W. Norton
www.wwnorton.com
ISBN 0393326713 $10.00
This is the official report of the committee that President George W. Bush did not want to ever be
formed to look into the events of the terrible day that changed the course of the world forever.
Maybe he didn't want it shown as they do, that his administration dropped the ball on terrorism
unlike any other. They totally ignored the information that was given to them well in advance of
9/11. The report traces terrorism from the mid 1970s to the present. Every President except
George
W. Bush made it a priority to fight terrorism. Bush on the other hand, was wrapped up with Iraq
and
Saddam. Bush himself was warned by out-going President Bill Clinton that Bin Ladin was the
number one enemy of this country. Bush's administration was further warned numerous times that
Al
Quaeda and Bin Ladin were planning something big to take place in the United States. The
commission has very carefully detailed the events of 9/11 and how they unfolded as well as made
recommendations that all should be followed by our federal government in order to fight terrorism
and make this nation safe.
Hello Darkness
Sandra Brown
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
www.simonsaya.com/mhclark 1-800-456-6798
ISBN 0743466756 $7.99
All I can say is wow what a great thriller. Brown has been writing in the suspense realm for a
number of years but this is by far one of her best. A DJ of a popular radio station gets a very
strange
phone call while she is broadcasting. She is so worried about this call that she calls the police.
This
sets up the rest of this chilling novel that moves along briskly to its final chapter. Brown fills the
book with likeable characters. She also has generous doses of mystery elements that keep the
novel
interesting. It is also interesting to me that Ms Brown like Mary Higgins Clarke has used a song
title
for her book.
Fantastic Cat
Andre Norton and Martin Greenberg Editors
Ibooks, Inc
24 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
www.1books.net 212 645 9870
ISBN 0743487265 $11.95
Cat fancier Andre Norton (The Agatha Christie of SF) was a purr-fect choice to edit with
Greenberg
this collection of cat tales. Some of the authors are C.S. Friedman, Tad Williams, Mercedes
Lackey,
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, and there is even a story by Norton who does not usually write short
fiction.
Super What?
Jax Abbott
Smooch
Dorchester Publishing Co. Inc
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
www.smoochya.com
ISBN 0843953853 $5.99
What do you do when you are in high school and the super powers you have begin to go out of
whack? Such is the problem for the narrator of this novel who has to be careful that her super
powers do not reveal who she really is. She is like the animated movie "The Incredibles" just
trying
to fit into society. The novel touches on teenage problems in general, but also has its own conflict
to
be resolved. I would love to see more stories by this fine author.
White House Horrors
Martin Greenberg Editors
Ibooks, Inc
24 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
www.1books.net 212 645 9870
ISBN 0743487311 $6.99
The White House can be a strange place, as evidenced by these great stories by some of the best
sf,
fantasy, and horror writers in this fine collection. Greenberg has impeccable taste for choosing the
best stories for his anthologies.
The Lone Star Plague
Kate Birch
Leisure
Dorchester Publishing Co. Inc
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
www.dorchesterpub.com
ISBN 0843953853 $5.99
I love medical thrillers and this one is a great one. People are dying of a new disease and plague
specialist Dana Sparks has a very short time in which to figure out how to stop this dreaded new
threat to humanity. Birch hooked me from the first page all the way through with strong
believable
characters and a great conflict.
Star Trek the Case of the Colonist's Corpse
Bob Ingersoll and Tony Isabella
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
www.simonsaya.com/mhclark 1-800-456-6798
ISBN 0743464974 $6.99
Normally I do not get very excited about "Star Trek" novels because there are so many of them
out.
But this one is very different starting, with the title, the red outer pages, and the character Samuel
T.
Cogley who defended Captain Kirk in an episode of the original series, and you have the reasons I
wanted to get into this unusual story. The authors have taken the look and the kind of title that
were
a part of the Perry Mason books by Erle Stanley Gardner and updated them into the "Star Trek"
universe. The story is a good mystery as well by fans of both genres.
Gary Roen
Reviewer
Gorden's Bookshelf
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
K.J. Anderson
Onyx
New American Library, division of Penguin Group Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ISBN: 0451411633 $6.99 246 pages
'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' is a movie novel based on 1930s comic books, science
fiction pulp stories and the movie serial genre. Today it would be considered an alternate history
action fantasy. It holds too closely to its heritage. The 1930s movie serial would change locations
with the change in scene. This instantaneous travel between locations/scenes is one of the biggest
drawbacks in the storytelling. Anderson doesn't modify the movie story enough to bring it
smoothly
to book form.
'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' is about reporter Polly Perkins of the Chronicle and her
investigation of a megalomaniac creator of robots trying to destroy the world. The only man able
to
stop the robots is Sky Captain of the 'Flying Legion.' The story is pure hokum. But it is the fun
hokum of 'Buck Rodgers,' 'The Shadow' and all those other fantasy stories of the 1930s.
'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' is a storytelling miss. You can still read and enjoy it if
you
take the story as is, with all of its faults. It is a fun afternoon reading. Anderson has flashes of
brilliance modifying the screenplay but is unable to sustain the writing for the whole novel.
The Teeth of the Tiger
Tom Clancy
The Berkley Publishing Group
A division of Penguin Putman Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguinputnam.com
ISBN: 0425197409 $7.99 480 pages
'The Teeth of the Tiger' is what you expect in a Tom Clancy novel. The high stakes suspense story
starts from the first page. The technology is a little lighter than in his other novels but the rich
storyline is complex enough to hold the tale together. Clancy does have one annoying writing
trait.
He repeats the same explanations over and over. A writer might need to do this for technical
details
but Clancy repeats motivational and other general story details more times than needed.
'The Teeth of the Tiger' starts with a terrorist killing an Israeli agent and the latest events in the
lives
of two brothers, one an FBI agent and the other a marine. The story traces these dissimilar events
into an organization setup outside the government but tied into the intelligence community. The
purpose of the organization is the finding and elimination of threats to the US that can't be
handled
by the standard agencies, such as the FBI and CIA.
Clancy excels in creating an espionage thriller that demands the murder and mayhem action we've
learned to expect in fiction since the 'James Bond' novels of a half-a-century ago. His original
characters have gotten too old for the action stories he writes. In 'The Teeth of the Tiger,' he
introduces Jack Ryan Jr. and his two cousins. Jack Jr. has the familiar part of the reluctant thinker
forced into an action role and his two cousins are the covert warriors.
If you liked any of Clancy's other novels, 'The Teeth of the Tiger' is a must. Readers who enjoy
the
espionage genre should not miss this book. It is one of the smoothest and most logical spy
thrillers
written in the last few years. Clancy writes stories that you feel could be happening today.
S.A. Gorden, Reviewer
http://www.paulbunyan.net/users/gsirvio/content.html
Henry's Bookshelf
In the Dark
Ruth Stone
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.coppercanyonpress.org; angela@coppercanyonpress.org
ISBN 1556592108 $22.00 110+x pp.
Ruth Stone is 89, and nearly totally blind. At this age and with this condition, memories make up
the
substance of her life. For her, memory is virtually a sensation; memory brings her into an intimacy
with her surroundings and her past. Feelings and moods are not transient for her. Rather, they are
entire universes of different aspects of the world and existence. The "sadness of things/speaks for
you." (from "Interim") The flower beds and lawns of a small college--one where Stone likely
taught
at one time--intone the "quiet authority of culture." (from "Border") The title is somewhat ironic,
for
Stone illumines her subjects in an almost preternatural way.
The Color of Me
Linda L. McDunn
illustrated by Barbara Knutson
Liturgical Press
PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
phone 800-858-5450; fax 800-445-5899
www.litpress.org; sales@litpress.org
ISBN 0814629520 $16.95 32 pp. ages 3-7
God creates a world filled with color. "Then God blessed the colors with love, life, and purpose."
But there comes the time when the people God created on the Earth start to argue about what
color
God is--green like the plants, blue like the sky, and so on. It isn't long before they are saying that
God has the color of their own skin--black, red, yellow, etc. Their disagreements lead nowhere,
until
a rainbow forms across the sky and, as one of the people says, they all realize that God is not any
one color, but is the "same colors as we are, [and] everyone is made from God's colors." McDunn
works at a monastery for Benedictine Sisters in Minnesota. Knutson's vivid full-page illustrations
accentuate the simple story's lesson about the equality of all races in the eyes of God.
The Nutcracker Backstage - The Story and the Magic
Angela Whitehill and William Noble
Foreword by Wendy Whelan
New York City Ballet
Princeton Book Company
614 U. S. Highway 130, Hightstown, NJ 08520
www.dancehorizons.com; pbc@dancehorizons.com
ISBN 0871272644 $29.95 120 pp.
The authors of "A Parents Guide to Ballet" focus on Tchaikovsky's timeless ballet the
"Nutcracker"
which has delighted generations of children and parents. This book is for both children and
parents
about what goes into putting on a rewarding performance of the "Nutcracker." In this, it
familiarizes
children with auditions, costuming, professional and volunteer production staff, and staging if they
should be interested in becoming involved in ballet. The mostly inherent, but occasionally explicit
guidance for parents is how they can help children become involved. Bright color photos capture
dramatic and colorful scenes from the play; while others equally as bright capture the varied
behind-the-scenes activities. Tchaikovsky's music is briefly discussed to round out this
introduction
to the ballet.
Food Wars - The Global Battle for Mouths, Minds, and Markets
Tim Lang and Michael Heasman
Earthscan
London
distributed in U. S. by Stylus Publishing, PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
800-232-0223 www.earthscan.co.uk
ISBN 1853837016 $99.95 265+xvi pp.
ISBN 1853837024 $35.00 trade paper
Lang and Heasman's book "offers a panorama" of the modern-day, global food industry to
impress
on policy-makers, decision-makers in the industry, and the public that there are alternatives to the
current practices which deliver much unhealthy food and at times leave food shortages in places.
At
the core of their recommended alternatives is a "new conception of health...linking human and
ecological health." A professor and researcher respectively at London's City University, Lang and
Heasman have a comprehensive grasp of the structure and workings of the food industry that
goes
beyond the perspectives and policies of any particular government or region. With this impressive
grasp, they are able to propose workable alternatives to problems such as obesity, diabetes, and
starvation caused mainly by shortsighted practices and ends of major institutions in the food
industry.
Koto - A Traditional Instrument in Contemporary Japan
Henry Johnson
Hotei Publishing
Amsterdam
distributed in U. S. by Stylus Publishing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
800-232-0223 www.hotei-publishing.com, publishers@kit.nl
ISBN 9074822630 $78.50 199 pp.
"The koto...is a thirteen-string Japanese zither." The traditional koto is about six feet long with
thirteen movable bridges placed under its strings. The player sits at the end known as the "head."
Nontraditional kotos can vary in length as well as some of the design details. As with many
objects
and activities in Japanese society, the koto and the playing of it have been used to signify the
social
class and certain social situations. Varied individuals such as aristocrats, blind male professionals,
and female amateurs indicated their status by how they played the instrument. An
ethnomusicologist
at the U. of Otago in New Zealand, Johnson ranges through the construction and design of the
koto,
music for it and the performance of this, the koto's place in Japanese culture, and changes in these
as
Japanese society has changed. Color photographs of different perspectives, including close-ups
when
called for, accompany the technical, historical, and sociological topics. With the size and quality
of a
coffee-table art book, this work makes this somewhat specialized subject readily accessible to
readers with different interests about Japanese culture and musicology.
Journeying East - Conversations on Aging and Dying
Victoria Jean Dimidjian
Parallax Press
PO Box 7355, Berkeley, CA 94707
www.parallax.org; Travis@parallax.org
ISBN 1888375361 $16.00 158 pp.
Dimidjian found that four themes stood out in interviews she had with recognized spiritual leaders
during her sabbatical from teaching. These are: interest in the subject of aging is growing as the
Baby-Boom generation, to which the author belongs, ages; the integration of ideas from Eastern
and
Western cultures is continuing to grow; living and dying are intertwined; and lastly, what we
"know"
is never complete and is not in itself fulfilling. Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Chan Khong,
Norman Fischer, and Michael Eigen are among the nine she interviewed. Seeing the interviews as
extensions of her role as a teacher, Dimidjian helps to shape the interviews by thoughtful
questions
and perceptive comments.
Mechanical Occult - Automatism, Modernism, and the Specter of Politics
Alan Ramon Clinton
Peter Lang
Switzerland
www.peterlang.net; publicity@peterlang.com
0820469432 $63.95 225+xi pp. appendix, notes, bibliography, index.
Clinton sees the automatism attracting much interest in late 18th/early 19th century society as
combining the modernist social elements of spirituality and psychology with the modernism's
development of machinery and regimentation of factory workers to maximize machinery's
potential.
For the automatists to access the spiritual realm, they had to follow quite rigid steps or techniques
of
mind control and bodily discipline. But Clinton takes the subject of early 20th-century automatism
outside of its association with magic, kinds of parlor entertainment, and seances communicating
with
the dead to connect it to literature and broader social activities. Yeats is the writer most readily
connecting to automatism. But T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound were also intrigued by automatism and
to
considerable degrees affected by it. Clinton does not just look for evidences of this influence in
these
major writers' works, but in how they created their works. The author sees similarities between
these
authors' work of creation and the techniques of the automatists. Social critics such as Freud,
Adorno, and Horkeimer recognized the strong influence of automatism or something akin to it on
modern individuals and the culture, including Hollywood in its early days. "Mechanical
Occult"--by
an author who is a postdoctoral fellow in the Dept. of Literature, Communication, and Culture at
Georgia Tech with published articles on the subjects in the book--is a fascinating cultural study of
a
phenomenon which readers will come to realize, is not a bygone curiosity, but a multifaceted
cultural
element which continues to have effects on society.
Lawrence C. Goldsmith - A Life in Watercolor
Foreword by Mel Gussow
Introduction by Carl Little
Hudson Hills Press
74-2 Union St., Manchester, VT 05254
www.hudsonhills.com; artbooks@hudsonhills.com
ISBN 1555952429 $45.00 94 pp.
Goldsmith has been painting his watercolors since he graduated from Yale in the 1930s after
studying under the noted watercolorist Eliot O'Hara. His travels to the Caribbean, Central
America,
and Southeast Asia after graduation infused his characteristic paintings done mostly in Maine and
Vermont with a use of color both deft and delicate and an almost calligraphic sense of line and
organization. Carl Little's title "Passion of Place" for his Introduction refers especially to
Goldsmith's
use of color. As Little notes, Goldsmith's paintings are essentially evocative rather than
representational even though scenes are recognizable in them. Drawn early in his career to
Turner's
watercolor sketches, Goldsmith himself allows this. Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth are other
detectable, but indirect influences. All but a few of the 62 full-page, full-color plates were done
after
1990, Goldsmith's mature period when his distinctive, absorbing style was fully developed.
Street Saints - Renewing America's Cities
Barbara J. Elliott
Templeton Foundation Press
5 Radnor Corporate Center - Suite 120, Matsonford Road, PA 19087
800-561-3367; www.templeton.org; tfp@templeton.org
ISBN 1932031766 $24.95 320+xxvii pp.
Founder of the Center for Renewal in Houston, Elliott was able to do over 300 interviews with
persons who are leaders in successful civic organizations. Although their ethnic, social, and
religious
backgrounds vary widely, there is a common thread running though all the diverse
activities--namely, improvement of urban life in general or some specific group in particular. And
the
many individuals Elliott portrays on the basis of her interviews do this with singular and
exemplary
imagination, commitment, and effectiveness. Elliott goes beyond only praising the individuals by
uncovering their motivations and describing their work to also go into the founding of their
programs, how the programs are run, their interactions with communities and government at
different levels, and the keys to their survival and success. Thus, readers are given not only
engaging
portrayals of exemplary social activists, but also outlines of their innovative, relevant programs
which can serve as models for ones in other urban centers.
The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution - The Bloodiest Decade, 1910-1920
Charles H. Harris III and Louis Sadler
U. of New Mexico Press
MSC01 1200, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
800-249-7737; www.unmpress.com; asutton@unm.edu
ISBN 0826334830 $37.50 673+xiv pp.
During the decade of 1910-20, tensions between Mexico and the United States over incidents
relating to Pancho Villa's threat to Mexico's president Venustiano Carranza and U. S. incursions
into
Mexico led by General John Pershing had become so tense that the "situation was not dissimilar
to
that of Jewish settlers in the West Bank"; with the small number of white Texans along the border
being compared to the Jewish settlers surrounded by a much greater number of resentful
Palestinians. In this situation, the Texas governors of this decade--Colquitt, Ferguson, and
Hobby--used the Texas Rangers to protect Texas citizens and combat the tactics of Mexicans
directed by Carranza and in some cases acting as vigilantes. The unique and in ways controversial
activities of the Texas Rangers in this complex, volatile, and fluid situation is the subject the
authors
hone in on. Harris and Sadler, both former professors at New Mexico State U., bring to light
little-known dimensions of the historical events, which continue to affect relationships and feelings
between the white Texans and Hispanics in the area. There was much lawlessness on both sides.
Mexican Army troops dressed as civilians crossed the border to raid Texas communities. After
Texas Rangers executed two Mexican agitators after taking them by force from the F.B.I., the U.
S.
Attorney General issued an order that all prisoners henceforth be held by the U. S. Army. The
situation was especially complicated not only because of points of opposition between Texas and
the
U. S. Federal Government, but also because of Mexican president Carranza's desire for
recognition
by the U. S. while trying at the same time to stand up to it. While concentrating on the unique role
of the Rangers in this complex historical situation, Harris and Sadler also construct the context in
which their activities took place.
In Search of P. D. Ouspensky - The Genius in the Shadow of Gurdjieff
Gary Lachman
Quest Books/Theosophical Publishing House
PO Box 270, Wheaton, IL 60189-0270
ISBN 0835608409 $24.95 329+xi pp.
Partly a biography of Ouspensky and partly an examination of the similarities and differences in
his
spiritual beliefs and those of his mentor Gurdjieff, Lachman's work basically searches for the
reasons
for or causes of the eventual estrangement between these two spiritual leaders of the early
twentieth
century. Lachman places them in the company of Madame Blavatsky, Rudolf Steiner, and Aleister
Crowley. Ouspensky and Gurdjieff first met in Moscow; their lives were disrupted by the Russian
Revolution; and both eventually ended up in London. Gurdjieff has the claims to greater fame and
influence in the areas of the occult and mysticism. Although Lackman does not completely dismiss
the bases for Gurdjieff's higher reputation, he does bring light to Ouspensky's originality,
independence, and influence. Gurjieff's higher standing in relation Ouspensky is seen as a result of
his craftiness, which is a type of worldliness whereby he managed his image to try to make for an
assured and favorable legacy. While the relative stature of each in this vein of modern spirituality
can
finally be only opinion, in his search to establish such stature, Lachman opens up many dimensions
of
the modern-day spirituality espoused by these two, both of whom were undeniably influential.
Lachman has written two previous books and has appeared on BBC programs on topics related to
his writings of social critique and modern spirituality.
Cheeses of the World - A season by season guide to buying, storing and serving
Roland Barthelemy and Arnaud Sperat-Czar
photography by Czap and Jacques Guillard
Hachette Illustrated/Octopus Publishing Group
2-4 Heron Quays, London
distributed in U. S. by Client Distribution Services
193 Edwards Dr., Jackson, TN 38301-7716
phone orders 800-343-4499; fax orders 800-351-5073
ISBN 184430115X $29.95 213 pp.
Numerous cheeses are dealt with according to the season when they are made, with mention of
why
the particular season is the right time. The four major sections contain general material and
information on the specific cheeses of the season. Color photographs of varying sizes from
double-page and full-page to smaller complement the entertaining and informative text. The
photographs of particular cheeses are not only appealing, but also make for a useful illustrated
buying guide. Back matter includes a section on "1,200 cheeses from around the world" where the
countless cheeses are grouped by family--e. g., The Chaource family, The Parmesan family. The
majority of the cheeses are French, with cheeses from other European countries included also.
Barthelemy is a cheese supplier who also has a hand in the ripening of cheeses. Sperat-Czar is
editor-in-chief of the magazine "L'Amateur de Fromage." The photos are taken by photographers
with backgrounds in high-quality, glossy general-interest and gastronomic magazines. "Cheeses of
the World" is a work of an encyclopedic range with a focus on the enjoyment of cheese and
background such as the making of cheese which can add to this enjoyment. Anyone from the
long-time cheese lover to novice will learn something from it and consult it regularly as a guide in
exploring the world of cheeses.
Florida's Lost Tribes
Theodore Morris, with commentary by Jerald T. Milanich
U. Press of Florida
15 NW 15th St., Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
800-226-3822; www.upf.com
ISBN 081302739X $29.95 70 pp.
The middle section is a gallery of the artist Morris's realistic colorful paintings of members of
different tribes of Florida's Native Americans in daily activities in natural settings. In the paintings,
their clothing and in some cases the dwellings and weapons, utensils, and other objects are shown.
Below each of the many paintings, Morris tells about its subject; the activity pictured as a part of
the
broader society, including in some cases its historical reference; and details such as feathers for
ornament or material of pieces of clothing. The text of the book is anthropological and historical
material on Florida's number of tribes. Readers will find there were more than the Seminoles who
became known mainly for their conflict against the U. S. in the 1800s. Both the paintings and the
text cover Florida's tribes from pre-Columbian times to today. With Milanich's text relating all
sorts
of interesting facts about varied tribes in a readable style and Morris's bright pictures and brief
informative comments, one learns about the diverse and thriving Native American cultures of
Florida. Morris's paintings have been featured in solo exhibitions throughout Florida. Milanich is
curator in archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History and author of previous books in
Native Americans on the Southeast.
Arkham House Books - A Collector's Guide
Leon Nielsen
Foreword by Barry Abrahams
McFarland & Company
Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28540
800-253-2187; www.mcfarlandpub.com
ISBN 0786417854 $39.95 194+ix pp.
Books published by Arkham House are especially desirable with science-fiction and fantasy book
collectors. The books have exceptional value not only for their scarcity, but because of the
publisher's historical significance in this genre. Arkham House was started in 1937 by the writer
August Derleth to publish the works of his friend H. P. Lovecraft who had recently died. With the
success of this first venture, the House took on other authors, among them Lord Dunsany and
Robert Howard. In 1947, it published Ray Bradbury's first book, "Dark Carnival." After
introductory general material on the collecting, buying, and selling of Arkham House books, there
are annotated bibliographies of every book published by Arkham as well as its two imprints,
Mycroft
& Moran, and Stanton & Lee. The detailed annotations identify the contents of the respective
book
and point out bits of information important to collectors; and they end with current prices for first
printings of first editions of the book in its best condition with a jacket and without a jacket. But
that's not all--following the three comprehensive bibliographies are sections on the 35 most
valuable
Arkham House books; its books ranked by scarcity; and a listing of the publisher's catalogs, which
are also of interest to collectors, though not nearly so valuable as the books, the most desirable of
which can cost a couple of thousand dollars. Nielsen is himself a collector of Arkham House
books.
This up-to-date, comprehensive, and easy-to-use handbook is plainly of interest to any collectors
or
dealers of Arkham House books and of books in the science-fiction and supernatural/fantasy
genres.
Ordinary Mornings of a Coliseum
Norman Dubie
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.coppercanyonpress.org; angela@coppercanyonpress.org
ISBN 1556592132 $15.00 121+x pp.
Dubie's poems are infused with a paganistic energy--vivid, simple, preternaturally alert, free from
any psychologistic traces. The volume's cover has a mask from a Roman fresco associated with
initiation into the cult of Dionysus staring out wide-eyed. "Lizards with sails are screaming to her
while the green spade/opens a whole nursery, a powdered vault of spotted dinosaur eggs/racked
with loose hexes of eight,..." (from "The Young Professor of Wyoming Wears a Red-Banded Skin
of Snake on the Spirit Finger of Her Right Hand That Shakes...") This could all be some kind of
surrealism, except that it's more complex than surrealism. It doesn't just try to net the wayward
detritus of dreams, but also to continuously evoke irrational but keenly felt fears, mysteries, and
hopes.
Subway Style - 100 Years of Architecture & Design in the New York City Subway by the New
York Transit Museum
Introduction by Joseph Giovannini
Original photography by Andrew Garn
Stewart, Tabori & Chang
115 West 18th St., New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com; cmorgan@abramsbooks.com
ISBN 158479349X $40.00 241+ix pp.
The official book of the Museum of New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), "Subway
Style" brings together hundreds of objects relating to all aspects of the subway system since its
creation more than 100 years ago--from ironwork gates to promotional posters, subway cars to
platform benches, tokens to decorative tiles. From the system's beginnings, in the designs for such
diverse objects playing a part in the appearance and workings of the subways, the objects were
intended to reflect the Art Deco, Machine Age, and other popular styles of the modern age.
Annotations with the hundreds of color photographs cite not only aesthetic points about the
objects,
but also historical facts. This makes for greater appreciation of the various signs, car designs
(including overhead straps), etc., familiar to the millions of daily riders, but also introduction to
subway memorabilia no longer a part of the system, including maps to follow its growth. As
Joseph
Giovannini remarks in his "Introduction," more than New York City's towering skyscrapers, its
subway system has the greater claim to representing the city because it is older and has a larger
and
more lasting part in unifying the city and in the lives of its inhabitants.
Classic Garden Plans
David Stuart
Timber Press
Haseltine Building, 133 S. W. Second Ave. - Suite 450, Portland, OR 97204-3527
www.timberpress.com
ISBN 0881926434 $29.95 160 pp.
Color plans of 16 noteworthy and in some cases famous gardens from around the world are filled
in
with the plants in particular spots, and in many cases the pools, stonework, and other features of
them. These plans are complemented by luxurious color photos of the plants in bloom. Stuart's
work
is not only to highlight the classic gardens, but to aid gardeners in recreating them. Most of the
gardens are seen as meeting some purpose of their creators. A Japanese garden is meant to offer
surroundings for meditation; an Indian garden is for the concubines of a Hindu emperor; Monet's
water garden in France was a place for him to paint and to find inspiration and solace toward the
end
of his life. A herb garden and an orchard are also included. The oversize "Classic Garden Plans"
serves as a guide for garden design or a gift to a garden enthusiast. Stuart is a Scotman with a
background in botany and writing who has done previous books on plants in history.
The Jamestown Adventure - Accounts of the Virginia Colony, 1605-1614
Ed Southern, editor
John F. Blair, Publisher
1406 Plaza Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
www.blairpub.com; byerly@blairpub.com
0895873028 $11.95 253+xviii pp.
The 20 collected writings relating to the English colony of Jamestown in Virginia, the first English
settlement in America, are arranged chronologically from 1605 to 1614. This covers the time just
before the arrival of the first colonists on three ships to the marriage of John Rolfe and
Pocahontas.
The variety of historical documents collected by the editor, a graduate of Wake Forest U., brings
out
the many sides of the venture of Jamestown. The struggle of the first colonists and mysteries
surrounding the fate of some of them are the usual focus of the Jamestown colony. But besides
these
familiar subjects, Southern includes in this anthology Spanish documents evidencing concern over
the colony; English papers voicing the interests and worries of investors; and references by
Shakespeare to Jamestown.
Castles in Medieval Society - Fortresses in England, France, and Ireland in the Central Middle
Ages
Charles Coulson
Oxford U. Press
New York
www.oup.com
ISBN 0198208243 $99.00
ISBN 0199273634 $45.00
Coulson seeks to revise the understanding of castles as basically military structures to an
understanding of them as images of the primary factors and the complexity of European society in
the time from the fall of Rome to the late Middle Ages. This society was basically hierarchical and
aristocratic. Today's conventional conception of a castle as more or less a fortification is a largely
romantic notion bearing little relation to the true place of castles in medieval society. In medieval
Europe, towns, ecclesiastical areas, estates and mansions, and even temporary earthworks of a
traveling army were regarded as castles. The word "fortalicium" originally used for "castle" meant
"element" or "sign" of fortification more than strictly a military fortification. In the medieval
society,
this was understood to mean above all "a symbolism of aristocratic armed power." As symbols of
this power, castles were also social centers where most of the interaction of the different social
classes took place. As Coulson remarks, there is no military history associated with most castles.
In
his revision of the conception of castles, the author elaborates on the presence of high-rankng
women in many of them. Coulson is a research fellow at England's U. of Kent. He does not
undercut
the significance of castles in medieval society; rather, he shifts the understanding of what their
significance was.
The Logic of History - Putting postmodernism in perspective
C. Behan McCullah
Routledge
29 West 35th St., New York, NY 10001
phone 800-634-7064; fax orders 800-248-4724
www.routledge.com
ISBN 0415223989 $104.95 212+viii pp.
ISBN 0415223997 $32.95
In this time of postmodernism, history, along with other methodical, painstaking, disciplines, has
been marginalized, if not regarded as passe and irrelevant. For some readers, McCullagh's work is
an
introduction to the different tasks, considerations, and perspectives making up well-founded
history.
These include the study and weighing of documents and texts, grasping motives of individuals,
and
understanding societies and larger contexts in which individuals act and events take shape. For
other
readers, the work is a reminder of how history is done and what it is. In different places, the
author
faces the postmodern notions that because there are no objective truths, language is deficient, and
all individuals have biases or unacknowledged agendas, there can be no history providing reliable
or
relevant information on human affairs and the course of time. But as the author remarks,
"Historians
as a profession have a social responsibility to protect the community from false and biased
propaganda. Individual historians will have their own personal biases no doubt, but the profession
has standards of rational justification...which can be applied to correct most personal biases."
"The
Logic of History" is an ideal explanation of what history is all about by an author mindful of the
discipline's value to society. McCullagh is a lecturer in philosophy at La Trobe U.
Winter Music - Composing the North
John Luther Adams
Wesleyan University Press
215 Long Lane, Middletown, CT 06459
www.wesleyan.edu/wespress; selliott@wesleyan.edu
ISBN 0819567426 $24.95 204+xxiv pp.
Adams taps into sources of his music in the natural surroundings of Alaska, where he presently
lives
after periods of teachings at Bennington College and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He is also a
contemporary composer whose work has attracted much attention. Additionally, Adams notes the
influences of modernist artists such as T. S. Eliot, the artist Mondrian, and Charles Ives. "Winter
Music" is an eclectic collection of writings that includes diary-like entries, vignettes, and essays.
There are also several music scores for appropriately trained readers to make the connection
between finished music and its diverse sources of imitation, influence, and inspiration as divulged
by
the author.
Henry Berry
Reviewer
Jennifer's Bookshelf
Grandma Spoils Me
Mary H. Wright
Bluebonnets Publishing
ISBN: 0964549344 $16.95
Many parents feel that grandparents spoil their children. But what do the children think?
Henry knows that his grandma spoils him, but he isn't sure if she spoils him with love or with
buying
him things. He calls her whenever he gets angry. She cuddles with him as they watch scary movies
together, and she hugs him when he is hurt. What do you think Henry decides?
The text is easy-to-read, bouncy, and children can easily relate to the situations in the book.
Parents
and grandparents will love the questions, comments, and feelings that their children will be left
with
upon finishing the book. Children will love the vibrant full-color illustrations by Bill Megenhardt
that
are fun and creative. This delightful, heartwarming book would work wonderfully for teachers as
a
"read-out-loud" book on Grandparent's Day.
This reviewer and her children highly recommends GRANDMA SPOILS ME by Mary H. Wright
for
children ages 2 and up and suggests that you purchase a copy to share with your children. This
book
would make a loving and most-cherished gift.
Emma's Strange Pet
Jean Little
HarperCollins Publishers
www.harperchildrens.com
ISBN: 0060283505 $15.99
Categorized as "An I Can Read Book" EMMA'S STRANGE PET is perfect for readers in grades
1st and up.
Max wants a puppy like his friend Josh, but his sister Emma is allergic to animals with fur. All
seems
lost until Emma tells her parents that she too wants a pet. So for her birthday they take her and
her
brother, Max, to the pet store where she adopts a lizard they name "Stranger." Max relates to
Stranger as he is adopted too.
This book is wonderful in many ways as it talks about the affects of life-long allergies, adoption of
children and pets, as well as the special bond siblings share, parent love, and how to compromise
without giving in or creating hurt feelings. I found EMMA'S STRANGE PET by JEAN LITTLE
inspirational, heartwarming, and fun to read with my younger children ages 7 & 8. After reading
this
book, my children asked several questions regarding adoption and different kinds of pets.
This splendid book would make a wonderful addition to any library and classroom for discussion
on
any of the topics I have mentioned here.
This reviewer (and her children) highly recommends Little's book EMMA'S STRANGE
PET.
Jennifer LB Leese, Reviewer
www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff
Jody's Bookshelf
Millard Fillmore, Mon Amour
John Blumenthal
St. Martin's Press
New York, NY 10010
ISBN: 0312323689, $12.95, 309 pp
After reading the highly acclaimed "What's Wrong with Dorfman," I wondered if John Blumenthal
could live up to my expectations. He succeeded.
Much like I fell for Dorfman in his earlier works, Plato G. Fussell is just as lovable and
neurotic.
Plato has a few minor problems. When he's around beautiful women his language takes on a life of
its own. Spoonerisms, where the first letter of words are mixed, such as, "I'm not a mar, cadam,"
for
"I'm not a car, madam."
Worse, Plato tends to spew a few words backwards, calling his dachshund "Allebasi" instead of
"Isabella."
In addition to the spoonerism and reversed words, (Plato doesn't care for words like Bob, noon,
etc.) enough puns were peppered throughout the book to keep this reader entertained enough that
a
plot wasn't necessary.
Obviously, Mr. Blumenthal felt playing with words wasn't enough for this book. It's loaded with
surprise twists and turns.
It's not uncommon for me to see an event in a story long before the author reveals it to the reader.
Not so with the adventures of Plato G. Fussell. From the shocking discovery of Plato's new love
interest identity, to the story of his ex-wife and concluding with the hidden family secrets, this was
a
touching, yet laugh out loud story.
Readers who enjoyed "What's Wrong with Dorfman" won't be disappointed. Nor will anyone who
enjoys a good romp with a quirky cast of characters who first make you smile and then
laugh.
Additional details about the author and his other works can be found at
http://www.johnblumenthal.com
The Stone Prince
Gena Showalter
Harlequin Books
http://www.HQNBooks.com
ISBN: 0373770073, $6.50, 368 pp
I found this book at my local grocery store. The cover hinted the contents would provide pure
entertainment. I wasn't disappointed.
Katie James doesn't want much from a man. Is it asking too much for him to be taller than her?
Obviously it is if her previous dates are an indication.
After years of the dreaded "Second Date Syndrome" and the short men she's met, Katie finds the
perfect man. Too bad he's made of stone just like the mount he stands atop in the garden of the
newest house she's purchased to renovate.
As Katie lusts after the statue, her brothers attempt to set her up with their friends. In a moment
of
desperation or insanity, Katie isn't sure which it is, she kisses the statue. "If you were real, I'd
gobble
you up in one tasty bite."
"Then a deep voice whispered next to her ear, 'I believe that can be arranged.'"
The curse is partially broken for Jorlan en Sarr, a warrior from another planet and time.
This alien-man, who spent the last 900 years watching humans, must win Katie's heart within two
weeks or he'll return to stone for eternity.
There are many funny moments, such as when Jorlan raids Katie's supplies for weapons. Soon he's
totting around a spatula for protection. Which doesn't off much protection against her brothers
when
they introduce him to alcohol.
"The Stone Prince" is a romance, but it goes beyond the typical romance when Ms. Showalter
tossed
in a gorgeous hero from another planet. The mix of an alien hero in a romance provides an
appealing
treat for the reader.
This is Gena Showalter's debut novel. For information about future books, visit
http://www.genashowalter.com
Jody Pryor, Reviewer
http://www.jodypryor.com
Kimberly's Bookshelf
P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet
Carol Crane
Illustrated by Helle Urban
Sleeping Bear Press
310 North Main Street, Suite 300, Chelsea, MI 48118
ISBN: 1585361348 $14.95 40 pages
Across the Atlantic Ocean,
A lone ship on a vast sea.
Ablaze with new hope,
All praying to be free.
Carol Crane's delicious verse and Helle Urban's vivid illustrations take us back in time to the first
Thanksgiving and the rich history that surrounds it. No one does alphabet books as well as
Sleeping
Bear Press. They seem to have one for almost any interest. What makes their books special are
the
simple rhyming picture book texts that engage very young audiences and the more in-depth,
detailed
sidebars that capture the interest of older children and adults. I'm not ashamed to admit that I
always
learn something new when I pick up one of their titles!
A Turkey For Thanksgiving
Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Diane de Groat
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0899197930 $15.00 32 pages
While setting the table with candles and a paper turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, Mrs. Moose
wondered aloud, "I wish we had a real turkey. Everyone always has a turkey for Thanksgiving.
Everyone but us." Mr. Moose saw how disappointed his wife was and decided to set about
making
his wife's wish come true. With the help of some of his forest friends, he tracks down a nice plump
turkey. Turkey is forced to Mr. And Mrs. Moose's house where he thinks he'll become their
dinner.
However, he soon realizes that he's mistaken when Mrs. Moose offers Turkey a chair at their
table
rather than a roaster in their oven. Just as Mr. And Mrs. Moose wish to share their Thanksgiving
bounty with everyone, you will want to share this book with every child.
Thank You, Thanksgiving
David Milgrim
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0618274669 $9.95 32 pages
Follow one little girl through her Thanksgiving Day. She takes time to appreciate simple things
that
help her along in everyday life. From her warm boots and the beautiful music made by the birds,
to
the neighborhood park and the sliding hill, we see this child express her thanks, and in the end,
share
some of what she has with others. David Milgrim's subtle text is offset by his gorgeous
illustrations
that were executed in digital oil pastel.
Kimberly Hutmacher
Reviewer
Levine's Bookshelf
Mysterious Chills and Thrills
Laura Hickey
LH Publications and Productions
P. O. Box 914, Center Harbor, NH 03226
www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com www.laurahickey.com
ISBN: 097490130X $5.95
Laura Hickey's Mysterious Chills and Thrills will arouse the imaginations of the young adult
fiction
audience, speaking to six-year-olds and up in language natural to that age group. The ten stories
chronicle adventures with a haunted house, attaches from an evil twin, jewelry that grants wishes
for
people to disappear, a costume that sentences the wearer to life as a shadow, and more equally
bizarre outcomes. Hickey teases the reader with Twilight Zone like prologues accompanying each
tale. Although the introductions were enticing, I did find myself disappointed that many of the
stories did not appear fully developed, leaving me longing for a little more plot before being hit
with
an inevitably twisted ending. But, since I am further "up"there than the intended age range for this
short story collection, I enlisted a second reader for additional feedback: My eleven-year-old son.
He
gave every story a "cool" rating. For Ms. Hickey I would say that translates into mission
accomplished.
Drifting
Stephanie Gertler
Nal Accent/Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com www.stephaniegertler.com 1-800-755-6262
ISBN: 0451212630 $6.99
The bond between a mother and her daughter can be stretched until it is nearly severed, but
somehow the delicate threads withstand the trauma and continue to provide an avenue of
connection. Author Stephanie Gertler explores this mother-daughter connection in its variant
forms
in her novel Drifting.
Dr. Claire Cherney finds herself steeped in the discomfort of empty nest syndrome after her
youngest
child, Natalie, goes off to college. The quiet and emptiness off the small bed and breakfast where
she
and her husband, Eli raised their daughter and son, Jonah while catering to patrons allows for
thoughts of Claire's lost mother to creep into the forefront. Sulie walked out on Claire and her
father
when her daughter was not quite two years old, leaving a gaping want in Jack and a simmering
anger
in Claire. Her devotion and fierce love for her own children brings up the issue of how her mother
could leave her.
As Claire takes steps to force herself out of her funk, Nicolas Pierce and his daughter, Kayla,
check
into the inn. It is the off-season, so Claire is taken aback but welcoming. The father-daughter duo
reminds her of her beloved father who died eighteen years earlier. After recovering Kayla, who is
blind, from an excursion on the beach near the inn, Claire becomes caught up with the pair and
even
more questions about her own mother surface as she wonders on the whereabouts of Kayla's
mother. When Claire shares information Nick confided in her with Eli, who is suspicious of Nick
from their first meeting, the father and daughter leave the inn quickly while the owners are out.
After
a little research, Claire and Eli discover the truth of why Kayla's mother was not traveling with
her,
sparking Claire to seek out her own mother and finally face the woman for whom she has
harbored
resentment for over forty years.
Gertler is a writer who is able to communicate emotion that expresses itself as a nearly tangible
object to be held and manipulated, allowing the reader something to cling to. Drifting has a
heartbeat, each page pulses with anticipation, fear, and hope. The writer has developed real life
characters with real life problems that go beyond being believable: they are actual situations that
can
be read in a newspaper, seen on a television news show, or watched as they unfold in one's own
family. The author exhibits impressive control over very difficult but timely subject matter.
Drifting
is an excellent read penned by a skilled, thoughtful writer.
Melissa Brown Levine
Reviewer
Lori's Bookshelf
Above All, Honor
Radclyffe
Bookends Press
PO Box 14513, Gainesville, FL 32604
http://www.bookendspress.com
ISBN: 0972492623 $17.50 216 pgs
Blair Powell is an artist living in New York City. She has spent years in the limelight, first as the
only child of a governor, then after her father becomes president, as First Daughter to the
widowed
Powell. She's one of the most recognizable women in the world and must behave perfectly, assist
her
father, and periodically attend state dinners and international functions. Blair can hardly remember
a
time when she wasn't trailed by a contingent of Secret Service agents. But she has grown tired of
this gig especially because she has spent years hiding something very important. The daughter of
the president of the United States is gay.
How can Blair have a life, a relationship, or any privacy at all with a protective detail shadowing
her
every move? She becomes adept at slipping away from her protectors, and this becomes a major
problem. Every seedy bar she enters, every apartment she sneaks off to, every unscheduled visit to
a
store or gym could potentially spell disaster for her. But to have freedom is more important to
Blair
than her own safety.
And then the attractive, honorable, and imminently capable Agent Cameron Roberts is brought in
to
whip the team into shape and crack down on Blair's incorrigible actions. No longer can Blair be
allowed to run free. This doesn't square with Blair's needs and desires. She believes that "the
handsome agent saw her only as an assignment an object to be moved, contained, and controlled
on some giant chessboard. Blair might be the queen, but she had been stripped of her power. She
was ruled by pawns, and she hated it. Especially when her keeper was a woman so attractive that
she
felt a twinge of desire every time she saw her" (p. 56).
Chess is a good analogy for the game of feints and dodges that goes on between the two women,
one determined to keep Blair safe at any costs, the other determined to maintain her autonomy
and
freedom. Cameron is honorable and plays by the book. She will not surrender to her own
emotions,
even as she begins to feel more for Blair than she thinks she should. Neither woman fully realizes
the
danger that surrounds them, for there are forces at work behind the scenes that could bring death
and disaster to Blair and anyone around her. Will Cameron be able to protect Blair? And can she
protect her own heart from the growing affection she feels?
This is a classic lesbian romance with all the angst, all the action, and all the twists and turns that
any
reader could want. Not only did Radclyffe nail the Secret Service details and all the procedural
issues facing a team responsible for such an important assignment, she is also right on with both
of
these engaging characters. Cameron and Blair are multifaceted, sexy, bull-headed, and downright
fascinating. No wonder the author has been able to write a whole series. I look forward to reading
the next book, HONOR BOUND. Highest recommendation.
The Gift
Verda Foster
Intaglio Publications
PO Box 357474, Gainesville, Florida 32635
www.intagliopub.com
ISBN: 1933113030 $17.50 212 pgs
Charming Cross-Genre Romance
Lindsay Ryan, a redhead who looks like "an older, Irish version of Shirley Temple," has no family
to
speak of and has been a loner for much of her life. It's not due to her looks she's a nice-looking
mid-thirties-aged gal. But she's hiding a secret, which has kept her from getting close to anyone.
She
has recently moved to a new town and hasn't been at her job for many months when she is
confronted with a vision so compelling, so palpable, and so frightening that she is moved to warn
the
family of a child she keeps "seeing" victimized.
Police detective Rachel Todd is sent out to investigate a stalker case and meets Lindsay, the
alleged
stalker. The two take an immediate dislike to one another, especially when Rachel decides
Lindsay is
some sort of lunatic and has her jailed. Rachel has been alone for the last few years after losing the
people most important to her, and she's not too good with the touchy-feely stuff. She's focused on
the day-to-day of her gritty, demanding job.
Both women's lives are turned upside down when Lindsay's visions start coming true. Rachel has
to
decide whether to believe Lindsay or not and before a plot of murder, kidnapping, and abuse is
exposed, Lindsay will have to draw on reserves of strength she didn't realize she had. Rachel, too,
must learn to trust in this cross-genre action/romance about two hearts who have loved and lost,
but
with any luck at all may be found once again. Entertaining and recommended.
Everyday Calm: 30 Ways to Soothe Your Inner Beast
Eric Maisel
Red Wheel Book Publishers
368 Congress St. 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02210
www.redwheelweiser.com
ISBN: 1590030796 $12.95 30 pgs
Do you often feel uptight? Unable to relax? Not finding it possible to have time for yourself to
unwind and create a place of serenity?
With this latest card deck, creativity coach, writer, and psychologist Eric Maisel says, "Today is
the
day to be calm. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow." Maisel's simple, easy-to-use daily program to
"soothe your inner beast" will help you achieve little moments of calm and serenity in your day.
Each
card contains a truth about being soothed, of finding calmn in the midst of chaos.
In an introductory section, Maisel tells us that using these cards will "teach you strategies for
quieting your mind chatter, eliminating your negative self-talk, relaxing your body, and reducing
your overall stress." All you do is take one card each day randomly or in order and reflect upon
the advice and affirmations there. It's really quite simple and fast, too. After using these cards for
the last few weeks, I can say that they've made me stop and think about how frenetic and crazy
things can get. The first step toward becoming calmer is realizing when we aren't calm. As Maisel
says, breath awareness, self-forgiveness, selective inattention, lack of sleep and many other things
get in the way of feeling calm and serene.
Get these cards and try them out. You can use them with your partner or kids or friends or
coworkers. Each one offers valuable advice and information that is well-worth discussing with
people in your life. Or you can reflect upon the issues and ideas on your own. Either way,
"Everyday
Calm" is a great tool to use to find little corners of peace in a demanding and frustrating
world.
Lori L. Lake, Reviewer
http://www.lorillake.com/
Margaret's Bookshelf
Moving Again Mom
Angela Sportelli-Rehak, author
Gregg Hinlicky, illustrator
Abidenme Books
PO Box 144, Island Heights, NJ 08732-0144
0971451524 $16.95 www.unclesamskids.com
The second book in the brand new Uncle Sam's Kids series, Moving Again Mom is the
picturebook
story of a family who must relocate. The youngest child is sad because she will miss her best
friend.
Learning to make the best of life's hardships, and cultivating one's inner strength in forging lasting
connections, is a theme brought through the narrative text and inviting color illustrations. Highly
recommended reading, especially for families who need to acclimate young children to the
unfortunate reality of having to move.
The Land of Sokmunster
Mike Kunkel and Randy Heuser
The Astonish Factory
c/o Sphinx Group - Florida Office
14104 Beauville Court, Tampa, FL 33624
0972125922 $14.95 www.theastonishfactory.com
The Land of Sokmunster is a wildly adventurous and remarkably wordy picturebook about a
young
boy's adventure in the Land of Sokmunster, where a lost sock learns of friendship, an old sock
king
discovers forgiveness, and a boy ingrains the meaning of responsibility and caring for others. The
sketchy artwork and its splashes of color help spell out the convoluted tale, which at fifty-five
pages
is lengthy by picturebook standards and of almost intermediate reading level, perfect for young
people about ready to make the transition from picture books to more complex stories.
Zollie Goes West
Gary Consilio, author
Andrea Karcic, illustrator
Safari Express
PO Box 25592, Garfield Hts., Ohio 44125
0974262307 $15.95 www.zollie.net
Zollie Goes West is the first of a picturebook series meant to teach children valuable life lessons.
Following the imagination of Zollie the Zebra as he goes to the library and learns about the
amazing
world of the West, as well as the connections between himself and a donkey - though they look
very
different, they are at heart similar. A powerful message of tolerance, acceptance, and the
importance
of striving for self-improvement pervade this upbeat children's book. Highly recommended.
What Are Parents?
Kyme Fox-Lee and Susan Fox-Lee, authors
Randy Jennings, illustrator
StoryTyme Publishing
7909 Walegra Road, Suite 112, PMB 178, Antelope, CA 95843
0975369903 $15.95 www.StoryTymePublishing.com
What Are Parents? is an upbeat, friendly picturebook follows the questions of an infant to
journeys
through a birthday hospital wondering, "What are Parents"? Clear, bright color illustrations
sharply
contrasted with thick outlines bring to life the celebrations of parenthood and new mothers and
fathers of all types sharing the joy of holding their newborn children, and embarking upon the
long,
difficult, and ultimately rewarding experience of raising a human being. A delight to read aloud
and
share with the very young.
Musical Storyland
David Bowie, author
Jamilla Naji, illustrator
Worlds In Ink Publishing
3707 Fifth Avenue #132, San Diego, CA 92103-4221
0974556807 $19.95 www.WorldsInInk.com
Musical Storyland is a sing-along book featuring an enclosed CD with song tracks written by
author
and popular music artist David Bowie. The picturebook offers thrilling color artworks reminiscent
of
murals, illustrating each sing-out-loud song. An upbeat joy to experience and share. "When I Live
My Dream": When I live my dream I'll take you with me / Riding on a golden horse / We'll live
within my castle with people there to serve you / Happy at the sound of your voice...
John's Smiley Faces
Gina Ditta-Donahue, author
Anne Catharine Blake, illustrator
Magination Press
PO Box 92984, Washington, DC 20090-2984
1591470005 $14.95 1-800-374-2721 www.maginationpress.com
John's Smiley Faces: A Story About Anger is a book for parents and children alike that doubles as
a
useful teaching tool that instructs children in the importance of learning how to manage anger,
and
shows adults ways to help children channel their emotions into productive forces. Offering a
"smiley
faces" program that reinforces rewards for acceptable behavior and has limit-setting consequences
for inappropriate physical expressions, John's Smiley Faces combines a simple narrative and a
powerful step-by-step instructional that is extremely useful for teaching young people valuable life
lessons. In a note to parents, a psychologist discusses both the value of anger and the critical
importance of developing good coping skills early.
Learning To Slow Down And Pay Attention
Kathleen G. Nadeau & Ellen B. Dixon, authors
Charles Beyl, illustrator
Magination Press
PO Box 92984, Washington, DC 20090-2984
1591471559 $14.95 1-800-374-2721 www.maginationpress.com
Expert clinical psychologists Nadeau and Dixon have created an absolute must-have for young
folks
struggling to get a handle on their own ADHD. Now in its third edition, updated with more notes
and resources for parents, Learning To Slow Down And Pay Attention is a straightforward
self-help
book written especially for children with Attention Defecit Disorder with Hyperactivity. The
friendly, no-nonsense text offers practical advice and tips, for learning to relax, staying focused,
remembering stuff, getting homework done, making friends and more, all without talking down to
its young audience. Whimsical black-and-white cartoons help illustrate and reinforce the offered
guidelines.
Mommy, Is It Kwanzaa Yet?
Barbara Ann Johnson-Stokes, author
Jumaah I. Johnson, illustrator
Baad Publishing Company
PO Box 1234, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-0034
0972592105 $11.99
Mommy, Is It Kwanzaa Yet? is a picturebook that teaches young people about the holiday of
Kwanzaa - an event that celebrates the abolition of slavery and the remnants of culture
African-Americans have retained from their African heritage. The text is of intermediate level,
though it presents understanding of the holiday through a young person's eyes it does deal with
some
fairly advanced and abstract concepts. The artwork is very simple, akin to what a gifted child
could
create with basic materials, and reinforces the youth-appeal and identification message of this
educational introduction.
Ingrown Tyrone
Tolya L. Thompson, author
Brian Harrold, illustrator
Savor Publishing House
6020 Broken Bow Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621
0970829620 $16.00 1-866-762-7898 www.savorpublishing.com
Ingrown Tyrone is a simple children's picturebook that teaches young readers about a common
health problem, as well as valuable lessons of self-esteem and acceptance. Ingrown toenails are, of
course, a common podiatric problem treated among children of all ages, and young people often
learn the hard way how critically important foot care and footwear is. In Ingrown Tyrone, the
exploits of a young African-American boy learning to take proper care of himself and respect
himself
are presented with dazzling, jump-off-the-page full color illustrations meant to captivate the eye
and
drive home the story. An excellent book to share with young people, whether for storytime,
bedtime,
or general learning about good health habits.
Arthur
Kathleen Duey
Big Guy Books, Inc.
7750 El Camino Real, Ste F, Carlsbad, CA 92009
1929945051 $15.95 1-760-334-1222 www.bigguybooks.com
Book four in the "Time Soldiers" series originally created by Robert Gould, Arthur is a truly
fantastic picturebook about a group of children called upon to serve the greater good through
different amazing eras. Previous storybooks transported them to ages of dinosaurs and pirates;
Arthur brings them to the time of Arthur's destiny, and they must dodge villains and even face a
greedy, fearsome dragon to keep the wondrous events of history and mythology in balance.
Perhaps
the most distinctive feature of the Time Soldiers series in general and Arthur in particular is its
absolutely stunning visuals - illustrated with full-color photographs, some mundane, some
caputring
magical beings all with a passion that leaps off the very page and impresses the simple story into
one's heart. Highly recommended.
The Greatest Gift
Rainey, author
Karin Huggens, illustrator
DreamDog Press
3686 King Street, Suite 160, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1921
0966619935 $9.50 www.dreamdog.com
The Greatest Gift is a combination book and sing-along CD that teaches young people about the
joy
of giving, rather than just focusing on "I want..." or "Give me...". Colorful creatures CiCi and Ace
discover the value of reinforcing friendship by exchanging homemade gifts and cherishing each
moment together. In addition to being splendidly illustrated with cheery color paintings
throughout
the picturebook, the song lyrics are all repeated inside the back cover to facilitate sing-along fun.
An
educational and uplifting, character-building picture book meant to be shared.
The Sidewalk Rescue
Hazel Hutchins, author
Ruth Ohi, illustrator
Annick Press Ltd.
c/o Firefly Books Ltd.
4 Daybreak Lane, Westport, CT 06880
1550378317 $19.95 1-800-387-5085 www.annickpress.com
Award winning author and illustrator duo Hazel Hutchins and Ruth Ohi present The Sidewalk
Rescue, an amusing picturebook about sidewalk chalk drawings, adventurous and imaginative
tales.
Lighthearted color illustrations and and enthusiastic writing style characterize this upbeat tale,
which
encourages the development of creative thinking and storytelling. Delightful to read and share,
and a
fun introduction to the pleasnt pasttime of sidewalk chalk art.
You're Wonderful
Debbie Clement
Rainbows Withn Reach
c/o Express Fulfillment (dist.)
1000 F Taylor Station Rd., Columbus, OH 43230
0970598742 $19.95 1-614-856-9595 www.rainbowswithinreach.com
Written and composed by Debbie Clement, winner of the Ella Lyman Cabot Award for her
excellence in music programs for young children with special needs, You're Wonderful is a song
and
picturebook for promoting self-esteem. An included music CD offers both vocal and instrumental
versions of a very simple esteem-building song: I think you're wonderful / I think you're
marvelous /
I think you're beautiful, and magical / and filled with curiosity and dreams. The book is filled with
colorful abstract art mosaics that captivate the eye along with the written lyrics. An amazing
multimedia experience meant to share rapport with young people and teach them to have pride in
themselves.
The Girl on the Yellow Giraffe
Ronald Himler
Star Bright Books
The Star Building, 42-26 28th Street, Suite 2C, Long Island City, NY 11101
1932065938 $15.95 1-800-788-4439 www.starbrightbooks.com
Featuring gentle watercolor illustrations by accomplished and award-winning artist Ronald
Himler,
The Girl on the Yellow Giraffe is a simple story about the power of imagination, and the
wondrous
visions a young girl sees as she travels a busy city neighborhood with her mother. Ordinary streets
are transformed into avenues from a fairy tale, in this delightful and adventurous picturebook. An
excellent story blending daily life and fantasy, meant to be read aloud.
Margaret Lane
Reviewer
Medb's Bookshelf
Schott's Original Miscellany
Ben Schott
Bloomsbury USA
ISBN: 1582343497 $14.95 144 pages
Untimely Death of Musicians
Chet Baker, death by defenestration, aged 58
Marc Bolan, overdose of tree while driving, aged 29
Buddy Holly, killed in "that" plane crash, aged 22
Gene Vincent, general rock'n'roll excess, aged 36
Denis Wilson, drowned; Beach Boy not Buoy, aged 39
excerpt from "Untimely Death of Musicians", page 28, Schott's Original Miscellany by Ben
Schott
The deceptively thin Schott's Original Miscellany is a large and delightful collection of bizarre,
interesting, or even sometimes useful bits of trivia such as how to wrap a sari, the knights of the
Round Table, a discussion on pencil hardness and a the "to be or not to be" speech presented in
Pig
Latin.
Schott presents his facts in a completely serious manner that disguises a bit of dry wit. I read the
book from cover to cover, sometimes laughing, sometimes saying "I didn't know that!" and
sometimes just agog at the fact that such information is collected in one tome. I mean, where else
could you find instructions for measuring bra size on the page facing the schematic of Dante's
Inferno?
This is a five star book all the way and would make a perfect gift for any trivia fan. I'm just sorry I
waited so long to buy it and I'm not sure how I ever lived without having the Irish Code Duello or
Archaic Golf Club Nomenclature or various Sesquipedalians at my fingertips. Thanks Mr. Schott I
look forward to the next two!
Evening in the Palace of Reason
James R. Gaines
Fourth Estate (to be released March 1, 2005)
ISBN: 0007156588 $23.95 288 pages
In music and virtually every other sphere of life in mid-eighteenth-century Germany, Frederick
represented all that was new and fashionable, while Bach's music had come to stand for
everything
ancient and outmoded.
Evening in the Palace of Reason is a joint biography of J. S. Bach and Frederick the Great two
prominent, and very different, historical figures. Gaines begins his tale with their first and only
meeting. Frederick, the Enlightenment's poster child, scorns Bach and his music as old fashioned,
unsightly and worst of all religious. He presents Bach with two musical challenges, which Bach
responds to in his typical fashion.
After this initial introduction, Gaines begins the biographies of these two great men, recording
their
extreme dissimilarities and showing how these would culminate into Fredrick's difficult test, and
Bach's equally difficult rejoinder. Into their stories, Gaines weaves many different threads musical
history, musical theory, theology, religious history, philosophy and the basic history of their time
and
place to create a complex background on which to place the two, making for a detailed and
fascinating story.
There were few "dull" places, though I did find some of the music theory hard-going, due to my
lack
of pre-knowledge. However, I came away from reading Evening in the Palace of Reason with a
firmer grasp of not only Bach and Frederick, but counterpoint, Lutheranism, the 18th century,
Prussian history and many more things I knew nothing about before I picked up the book!Though
this is a scholarly work, Gaines did not target a purely scholarly audience, and as a result it can be
enjoyed by layperson or historian alike.
I did find a few faults with this work, the most aggrieving being the lack of dates. Though I am a
history enthusiast myself, I still need solid, concrete dates to place an incident within the
framework
of what was occurring in other parts of the world. Despite knowing when the Enlightenment
"occurred", I would have preferred dates on the essential issues, such as the year of their births,
the
year in which they met, the year in which anything occurred. I found this lack of dates to be a
continual frustration.
Otherwise, except for a few passages that were simply not well written, Gaines has done an
admirable job with Evening in the Palace of Reason. This is a great read for amateur social or
music
historians, or biography aficionados. I thoroughly enjoyed it and rate it a solid four out of
five.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves: the Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Lynne Truss
Gotham Books/Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ISBN: 1592400876 $17.50 240 pages
"That imaginative chap Charlemagne (forward-looking Holy Roman Emperor) stirred things up in
the 9th century when Alcuin of York came up with a system of positurae at the ends of sentences
(including one of the earliest question marks), but to be honest western systems of punctuation
were
damned unsatisfactory for the next five hundred years until one man one fabulous Venetian
printer finally wrestled with the issue and pinned it to the mat. That man was Aldus Manutius the
Elder (1450-1515) and I will happily admit I hadn't heard of him until about a year ago, but am
now
absolutely kicking myself that I never volunteered to have his babies."
Eats, Shoots & Leaves (The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation) by Lynne Truss
Lynne Truss is a Punctuation Stickler, Her "zero tolerance approach" encourages other sticklers
to
go out into the punctuationaly-challenged world armed with White-out, sticky apostrophes,
markers
and the like to change signs and posters and get punctuation correct. She even advocates more
drastic measures such as weapons and wishes for natural disasters: "If you still persist in writing,
'Good food at it's best', you deserve to be struck by lightning, hacked up on the spot and buried in
an
unmarked grave."
Eats, Shoots and Leaves is not the typical punctuation instruction manual. It is a lively and
spirited
book filled with humorous, yet entirely appropriate, examples to make her point that good
punctuation is extremely necessary; it's not just about sticking to the rules, it's about writing
intelligibly. For instance, "a woman, without her man, is nothing" has a completely different
meaning
than when those same words are punctuated as "a woman: without her, man is nothing." Wow, I
said. She's right! Punctuation IS important.
Truss gives easy to understand instructions as to where and when and how to use such wonderful
marks as apostrophes, commas, dashes, colons, semicolons, exclamation marks, ellipses,
parentheses, brackets, and more. In addition, she gives a brief and fascinating history of the
amazingly recent creation and use of punctuation. I had no idea punctuation was so new!
Truss also tickles the funny bone with example after example of punctuation misuse and abuse.
Her
chapter on the correct use of dashes and ellipses made me quite ashamed of my email habits, as I
saw myself in many of her bad examples.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves is a cheery, enjoyable read about a subject I never expected to find
cheerful
or enjoyable. I have to give this book five stars, because not only did I come away much wiser
and
more vigilant about punctuation, I was highly entertained during the entire book. Thanks, Lynne,
for waking me up and (hopefully) re-educating me about proper punctuation!
Auriel Rising
Elizabeth Redfern
G. P. Putnam's Sons
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ISBN: 0399151052 $24.95 386 pages
"To Auriel, I will give the gift of gold. After the night of long and false captivity, the golden SUN
is
about to rise, and all this by the power of the Stone, lapis ex caelis; for be sure that as Auriel rises
the LION shall fall."
So began the letter that would change Ned Warriner's life, that winter of 1609. He found it inside
a
leather volume that he had won at dice; after a bit of research, he determines it to be an
alchemist's
letter, the recipe for gold. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, though, and this letter had the
uncanny ability to bring death to those who saw it and talked about it.
Ned has just returned to London from exile and his former patron isn't as patronizing as Ned had
anticipated, the love of his life has married one of his ill-wishers and his brother's business and
life is in danger. Not exactly the homecoming he had expected.
His interest about the Auriel letter goes no farther than curiosity, but as he soon discovers, there
are
others that find it of much more significance. Ned finds that he has endangered his friends and
family
and a whole host of innocent others as this search for Auriel's gold becomes the center of political
intrigue.
Having read Redfern's first novel (The Music of the Spheres), I was pleased to see the publication
of
her second novel. The plot of Auriel Rising is sound and thorough, bringing together many
different
points that seemed to have no possible connection. Ned Warriner is a likable protagonist, he and
most of the other characters are convincing and on the whole the novel was fully credible. As an
mix
of alchemy and treason, it makes an intriguing read and I rate it a solid four out of five.
Medb, Reviewer
http://www.arachibutyrophobia.com/bibliophilia/
Molly's Bookshelf
We Both Read About Dinosaurs
Sindy McKay
Robert Walters, illustrator
Treasure Bay
17 Parkgrove Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080
www.webothread.com www.amazon.com
ISBN: 1891327532 $3.99
Exciting Read . Recommended .. 5 stars
About Dinosaurs is another in the We Both Read series. Writer McKay has crafted an excellent
tool
for parents, teachers and children alike. With the advice of dinosaur specialist and paleontologist,
Dr
Matthew Lamanna and talents of paleo artist, illustrator Robert Walters, McKay's nicely crafted
work is sure to please. McKay offers the reader a peek into lives of many of the hoary beasts we
know as dinosaurs. Size, color, food and eating habits, mode of walking, protective strategies,
possible coloration are all offered for reader consideration.
Text used may be challenging for the youngest readers however; most children are fascinated by
dinosaurs, and have little problem tackling even the 'hard' words in a book about the critters.
About
Dinosaurs offers page after page of dinosaurs. There is factual information concerning them and
opportunity for parents or teachers and children to read the work together. The joint reading
format
causes dinosaurs to be more reachable for even the youngest children even as it allows weaker
readers the opportunity to attempt reading the 'child' page after Mom or other adult has read the
'adult' page.
Reading level suggested is grades 1 to 2; the book should not be restricted to only these two
grades.
Younger children will also enjoy looking at the pictures and hearing some of the information
found
on the pages. The 6 and 7 year olds will enjoy reading in the both read mode while older peer
mentors will have a fine time reading the 'adult' page to the younger kids. Because the book is not
a
'story book,' About Dinosaurs lends itself to use as a whole, or as a page or two at a time. I
particularly like the addition of a photo or two of modern dinosaurs. And, as a teacher I liked the
pages detailing 'other words to know' and Name Roots.
About Dinosaurs has a place in the home library, the school library and in classroom science units.
Children will enjoy reading the book together as they work on a specific science study.
Nicely done, happy to recommend.
Tea and Chocolates
Jo Janoski
Publish America
PO Bx 151 Frederick MD 21705
ISBN: 1413725937 $12.95
Interesting read . Recommended 4 stars
The year was 1914. Two houses stood near one another on a Pittsburgh street. In one was a girl
living in luxury. In the other was a girl living in poverty. The lives of Emily McNamara and Gracie
Rooney were to be intertwined despite Gracie's dogged attempts to see that they were not. The
girls
met first as children entering school for the first time. Emily's wealthy mother did not appear to
see
her child's loneliness. Mrs Rooney only looked in envy at the big house where Emily lived as she
imagined what Mrs Mc Namara might think and do. Each child was shaped in part by her mother's
words and feelings for the life of the other. Gracie's near overwhelming jealously for the life she
believed Emily to live grew until she was nearly overcome with it. As the years passed and the
girls
became women Emily quietly went about doing what she thought was good for those around her
while Gracie allowed herself to be used by a man bent upon artifice. Gracie was unaware that
Emily
was the one who provided the refuge Gracie needed when she was the most desperate. Gracie's
marriage to a kindly doctor provided some of the style and money Gracie had long sought.
However, her resentfulness toward Emily continued unabated. The Great Depression, widowhood
and loss of much of what life has to offer are all part of this tale of two women who live lives
close
in proximity, distant in substance.
Jo Janoski has woven a puissant tale around the lives of two very different women. Writer Janoski
is
a poet, photographer and now a writer of compelling novels. Tea and Chocolates is an absorbing
tale featuring a well written and interesting premise. Reader attention is caught from the opening
lines as we meet Emily preparing for school. Energy moves the narrative along. Dialogue is used
to
introduce the reader to the character of each of the major players. Backgrounds are filled with
enough detail to draw the reader into the setting. The characters of Emily and Gracie are well
fleshed, plausible and forceful. Janoski has deftly snared the basic nature of variance inherent to us
all and presents a full picture of human nature with wit and style in this easily read fast paced
work.
Gracie, who is depicted in the full ignominy of a woman consumed with wanting what she
believes
someone else has, is a calamitous figure. Gracie sets out to better herself only to find that she has
worsened her state even more. Emily too knows suffering before the tale runs its course.
Dialogue is masterfully directed as the various players interact with one another. Writer Janoski
presents a excellent and highly entertaining work in Tea and Chocolates.
A book to be enjoyed by high school age young women and by adults alike. Happy to
recommend.
Molly Martin, Reviewer
http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin
Nancy's Bookshelf
Everybody Scream!
Jeffrey Thomas
Raw Dog Screaming Press
ISBN 0974503193 $15.95 290 pages
Everybody Scream! is very much like a carnival. On the outside it's a whole world of eye candy,
visually appealing colors, unique people, smells of greasy concession stands, and the thrill of the
rides. Inside the carnival it is very different, secretive, disturbing, and rarely what it seems. Amid
the
bevy of faces, the smiles hide the demons, and they never work alone. All walks of life are
welcome,
but there are still the freaks among the freaks. Jeffrey Thomas gives us an unusual but eventful
day
of an annual fair set in the neurotic and infamous Punktown.
We're introduced to a surfeit of characters that manage to get themselves into one catastrophe
after
another. Where one addiction starts, another follows, like a worm that eats its way through their
apple-flesh. No one is spared, but that's all part of the deranged fun. Behind the rides, among the
roller coasters and flying machines, the inhabitants of Punktown troll the fair with all their angst,
insecurities, and disgust for life tucked not so neatly away. It's about the next thrill, the next
victim,
and the next conquest while life itself becomes the blur you experience on the super fast
rides.
The body count rises, people are missing, suspicion mounts, and still the park is alive and full with
the melodic sounds of screams to mask the truth. From Del and Sophi, a couple with a multitude
of
problems in their relationship, to Pearl a performer with a parasitic twin, an entity she both takes
care of and envies; they are just a few of the racy pawns in this wild game of a story.
Jeffrey Thomas has a surreal ability to get to the heart and deep in the headspace of every emotion
his characters experience. Each sentence is a clear depiction of thought and inner voice to make
me
care about the person, even if I don't want to. For every vile act, there is still the human inside,
and
whether I agree with their actions or not, I'm along for their journey. Throughout the book I'm
either
cringing or smirking at its taut balance of lyrical disorder. Everybody Scream! will speak to
everyone
a little different. Full of edge, honesty, pain, and eroticism, it will satisfy any insatiable appetite
looking for a damn fine read.
Ray McMickle and the Kentucky Vampire Clan
Steve Zinger
1st Books
ISBN 1414044631 $14.95 212 pages
Ray McMickle and the Kentucky Vampire Clan is a quick and satisfying story, with enough
suspense to get your blood going. A loner doesn't fear being lost; it's actually quite familiar
territory.
The fear comes to fruition when you find an evil force that threatens to pull you in without
consent
or choice. Welcome to Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. Roy Stanich makes the mistake of venturing
into a desolate old town that is known more for it's odd Woolly Worm Festival a little event to
take advantage of some quick tourism. Right from the start things go wrong, and his presence is
both unwanted and very much craved. Things aren't quite what they seem in Lebanon Junction
and
neither are the people.
All Roy wants to do is get to Meridian, Mississippi, but for some unknown reason, and by some
mysterious force, he is unable to leave. Nightmares plague his mind, he hears strange voices, but
nothing makes sense.
Enter Ray McMickle leader of a group of vampires, servant of the Black Hand. He believes in his
ceremonies, and takes great pride in making others do what he wants. But even he has his limits.
Once he sets his sights on the newcomer, he threatens to remove Roy of his soul. He is a
dangerous
creature with the ability to spread nothing but pure evil.
We are introduced to one unusual character after another. Mesmerelda is the beautiful redhead of
the whorehouse, with her own secrets and stories. Scooter, the bartending Rastaman, tries to help
Ray but instead puts his life on the line. Milly, an elusive woman who appears whenever she
pleases
is linked closely to an old ghost story rumor. And Smelly Jesus is an eccentric gent with the ability
to
see things and reeks of something foul.
Between the engaging dialogue, haunting sensuality, and the darkness that plays with your mind,
it's
a brilliant read. Steve Zinger has an eye for honest Southern detail and true gothic style. The
ambience seeps right through the pages as you read, to the point you might as well reach out and
grab a handful of it. Ray McMickle and the Kentucky Vampire Clan reads with sheer velocity,
enough to have you to the end in one sitting.
This is an author to keep your eye on. His imagery, detail, and unique stories of vampires are
exceptional. Make sure to also check out The Sab, another gothic gem that packs a hell of a
punch.
Slayer
Karen Koehler
KHP Publisher
ISBN 0974768014 $15.00 308 pgs
Sexy and dangerous. Those words aren't only to describe the writing style of author Karen
Koehler,
but also to describe Slayer, a vampire novel that will leave you breathless by the end. Not only
intelligent and thorough, Slayer opens you up to a world of the dhampiri's; creatures that have
evolved from what we know as vampires. Trust me when I say this is completely different even if
you are absolutely convinced you couldn't stand to read another book on vampires I promise you
will find yourself entranced from the get go.
We are first introduced to Alex Knight, the quintessential vampire hunter and a master at his art of
assassination. He slays vampires with skill, wisdom, and rogue panache. His supernatural powers
enable him to be the best at what he does. For the fallen, the weak, and the brigade of vampires he
is their enemy and demands the very poisonous essence they hold inside. It is a sleek ride into the
underworld and what happens when it collides with our world.
Slayer has a rare complexity in its intense plotline. There is nothing repetitive of other vampire
novels; it is in a class all its own. Vampires are my favorite and I've been reading several books
about them as of late. Each one touches on a mere myth of the vampire and fully evolves into a
story
brimming of unique and imaginative settings. From the first paragraph I was swept away into a
whole new world and damn did I enjoy the escape!
Karen Koehler brings a stylish touch to Alex Knight. Not only do you delve into his dark world,
but
you also get caught up in the action that plays out almost before your eyes. I was also enraptured
by
the ancient ways the vampire hunter honors. There is a lot of history here, which makes it even
more
intriguing to read. It doesn't let your mind stop working, or your blood stop pumping. Your
adrenaline will get a workout. The characters are an amazing depiction of each and every one of
us;
lone characters that roam together or apart, each with individual traits. In any world, even the
underworld, there are those fueled by thoughts, obsessions, cravings, desires, and danger. To say
this is thrilling would be a severe understatement.
Everything within the realm of Slayer is detailed. From the weapon of Alex's choice; a
400-year-old
Double Serpent Katana sword, to his reasons for the attack on vampires, to the very dark alleys
he
protects, you gain a strong sense of understanding and clarity. I found myself holding my breath
more times than I care to mention. When I get locked into a character's headspace, than I know
I'm
reading about a character I will care about and continue to think about, even after I've finished. It
also shows me that the author knows what she is doing, and I can certainly say that about Karen
Koehler.
The Lost Village
Mark Edward Hall
Page Free Publishing Inc.
ISBN 1589610601 $19.95 508 pages
Between the never-ending battles of good vs. evil, there stands a secluded patch of land known as
James Village, Maine. The Lost Village takes us on a quest, an exhaustive journey of human
emotions, pain, suffering, and wanderlust. It takes us on an inner exploration of those very
themes,
and the inhabitants that reside there. From the haunting cover, rich with the infusions of blood
stained tears of lost children, to the final page where one can actually catch their breath this is a
genuine must read!
Mark Edward Hall is an insightful author with the ability to craft a brilliant story to speak to any
reader of all genres. Throughout the prolific and sometimes somber story, the readers will be
forced
to question their own level of thought and conscience. He bestows upon each individual his vast
ideas of a unique frame of mind, where you hope to wake up, but find solace in the realm
between.
It's a multifaceted story where you want to pay attention, because things go on many different
routes. Each character is realistic with their own set of baggage, desires, despairs, and secrets.
With
absolute attention to detail, setting, and ambience, you are along for an incredible ride.
James Village is home to a plethora of strange and unexplained events, giving it a history that is
dark
and unpleasant. Sadly children have gone missing, yet the lack of grief among the families is
unsettling. The ambience of the village is reminiscent of a walk through a forest late at night with
a
thick fog, disabling your view and fueling your imagination with disturbing apparitions. It's the
unnerving realization someone or something may be watching you, but still you stumble on in the
dark, hoping you don't lose your way or your mind. The Lost Village also suggests we as humans
are far too removed from our past, ignoring it and seeing only what we're told to see. When we
take
a step back and dig from our insides, we may not like the outcome, but it's a part of us. The
legacies
and ancestry behind us may be a wake up call for the here and now.
The characters are well developed and thought out with qualities that allow you to forgive
whatever
sins they have. Within the pages of The Lost Village are the disappearances of the children, as
well
as their return. It's a constant uncovering of times, places, and the forgotten, with an ending that
will
surprise you. The most terrifying part of this compelling and supernatural story is that it borders
on
reality. I look forward to reading all of Mark Edward Hall's work.
BoyFistGirlSuck
Hertzan Chimera and Alex Severin
Massacre Publications
Vile001 $15.99 212 pages
BoyFistGirlSuck is a collection of twenty-eight stories that twist, mesmerize, abuse and play with
your mind and senses. It's difficult to walk away from these without feeling a bit imbalanced and
off
kilter, though it's also the pure fun of it as well. While sometimes an extravagant descent into
brutal
inner thoughts and poignant dark matter, it also speaks clearly to the heart and soul of what it
means
to be human. From the creative mind and body of two innovative writers, Hertzan Chimera and
Alex
Severin, this is an explosive read.
Separated into three parts: Hors 'd oeuvres, Main Course and Dessert, there's bound to be
something to get your finicky palate going. Of the twenty-eight offerings, I will touch on the ones
that have stayed with me most.
There is poetry and grace to "Koda" both surreal and mesmerizing. Meiki ghosts roam, visions of
love and death, sex and death, and the afterglow of death. Here are thoughts of someone who
waits,
thoughts that scour their lust for the dead. It's bittersweet humanity.
While "The Coat of Many Cunts" has an abrasive title, it is a favorite. It's a very open and honest
depiction from a woman, a being, a vessel that has been lost on a journey, though knew very little
of
its true origin to begin with. I think there are many that can relate to the thoughts here, written
with
potent emotional power.
"The Compelling Iridescence of her Flesh" also shows shades of beauty. The story reads to me as
if
this "flesh" is somewhat like a flaw or scar. So ugly to one, yet so enchanting to another. It's
almost
like the way society puts a spotlight on a flaw, magnifying it until it's bigger than life. And there's
the
man who has become obsessed by it, lives and breathes it, until it's the reason for his existence. It's
almost a parody of the way many people, vain and diluted, never see things as they really are, but
rather, make it into what they want it to be, or who they want them to be.
"Gestation" is probably one of the most repulsive stories I've ever read, but I say that with a
devious
smile and it's meant as a high compliment. It takes a lot of imagination and clarity to create
something this divinely insane. Can't say I'd read this to a loved one over dinner, it gets a little
fishy.
"Red, Red, Wine" is about as gritty as the streets the Vampyres walk along. Some may be quite
familiar with this one, it's certainly another favorite.
Other standout ditties to dine on include "Drumskin", "Face Seventeen", and "You Die Tonight
Chisao".
Throughout all the stories, there are many different themes. Acceptance, isolation, denial, angst,
fear, insecurities, wonder, loneliness, and also coping with shame; allowing one permission to
think
and share their dark thoughts. This is a collection where the rules of society aren't allowed, and a
person has the right to just "be". The descriptions are vivid; very real yet lend an otherworldly
texture to them. Sure it's not the kind of reading for everybody, but it has a lot to offer and
perhaps
some may not want to admit how often strange fluidities roam in their own minds. For an
alternative
read with raw emotions and mental fluctuations, BoyFistGirlSuck will fuel you for hauntingly wet
dreams.
Loose Diamonds
Daria Karpova
Loose ID LLC
ISBN 1596320281 $3.99 ebook
Once in awhile I'm looking for a little something different to read, a moment to give my mind a
creative break and just sit back with a glass of wine. I was looking for an escapade. Loose
Diamonds
delivers like a breath of fresh air. Thick with exotic settings, surreal locales, eccentric characters
and
sexy mystery, it more than pleases the short attention-spanned reader. For something saucy, Daria
Karpova works her magic.
Sure there are the stories with the rogue guide who saves the pretty girl and whisks them away on
his muscle-bulging body, basically playing hero. Well there's a little different scenario going on in
Loose Diamonds, and she goes by the name of Cherise. Our vivacious and lust for life heroine is a
girl after my own heart. With plenty of charisma, wit, and splashy dialogue, she makes the suave
debonair Bond-style attitude work for her. While we do have the dashingly handsome rogue, Leif,
he can't quite get a handle on the fashionable vixen and the two have more than a mere quarrel
here
and there. Things do get spicy somewhere but when and with whom I'll leave for you to
explore.
Spicy however is an understatement as we are treated to a heist, an intriguing vampire, steamy
erotica, and some rather expensive diamonds. Who has the diamonds and where is anybody's
guess,
and the reader gets the delight of being caught up in this wild goose chase. Daria Karpova brings
back some fun to the literary forum with a dose of action mixed with adventure, opposites and
attractions, and a little whodunit for good measure.
This is a quick read, fast paced, and keeps you glued to each word. Loose Diamonds is a sweet
little
package of a novella, guaranteed to bring a little color to your cheeks, a rush of adrenaline
through
your body, and a smile to your face. Daria Karpova incorporates a snappy style that I look
forward
to reading more of.
Nancy Jackson
Reviewer
Paul's Bookshelf
Inner Coach, Outer Power
Keith Varnum
New Dimensions Publishing
11248 North 11th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020
http://www.thedream.com
ISBN 0972269908, $16.95, 320 pages
Using the author's own experiences, this book tells how anyone can free themselves from
emotional
and psychological boundaries and embrace the possibilities inherent in this thing called life.
There are lifelong spirit guides that Varnum calls Ascended Masters, nonphysical beings who
impart
their wisdom to him. Occasionally, they have to use the equivalent of a kick in the rear end when
the
author isn't "listening." Perhaps the author's bout of blindness, from which he cured himself, was
some sort of mainfestation of him going in the wrong spiritual direction. There are a number of
experiences which most of us would call "coincidence" or "just one of those things," but Varnum
realizes is his inner coach pointing him in the right spiritual direction.
In his continual quest for spiritual education, Varnum gets much too close to what turns out to be
a
soul-destroying cult. Among the things experienced in this book are: talking to nonphysical
teachers,
out of body travel, time travel, near death experiences, reliving other lifetimes and experiencing
miracles. Then there were the times that the author communicated with plants (and they
communicated back), and he completely healed a very broken wrist within just a few minutes
using
reiki healing.
The old saying goes something like, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." I must not
be
ready, because I had a very hard time "getting" this book. Whatever the reason, I don't mean to
imply for a second that this is any sort of terrible book, because it isn't. I am sure that this book
has
helped, and will help, a lot of people; I am just not one of them.
Such Men are Dangerous: The Fanatics of 1692 and 2004
Frances Hill
Upper Access Inc Book Publishers
87 Upper Access Road, P.O. Box 457, Hinesburg, VT 05461
http://www.upperaccess.com
ISBN 0942679288, $22.95, 234 pages
This book compares the men behind the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 to the Bush II
Administration. The comparisons are distressingly close.
Massachusetts of the 1690s was a very rigid sort of place. Those in power were ideologues who
believed that their version of Calvinism was the only way and the only truth. Everyone who came
to
Massachusetts was required by law to attend Puritan services. Belonging to any other church was
forbidden, on pain of banishment or hanging. All dissent was equated to bonding with the devil.
The
Puritans believed you were "either with us or against us." Since Massachusetts thought itself a
place
where anyone could find work, poverty was considered a sign of general immorality and probable
damnation.
America in 2004 is a place where those on the bottom are blamed instead of helped. Prisons are
full
of victims of poverty, and each year scores of Americans are legally executed. It stems from a
point
of view of self-seeking masquerading as righteousness, without regard for social justice.
Selfishness
is a virtue. Those who can't make it economically are wicked and contemptible. Today's leaders
are
as inhumane and self-righteous as those of 300 years ago.
Paul Wolfowitz and Minister Cotton Mather tried to emulate their famous fathers. They both also
see only what they want to see, and are slippery and self-serving in argument. Deputy Governor
William Stoughton and Donald Rumsfeld both hold rigid ideological views, lack humanity and
mercy, and are war mongers and hypocrites. Stoughton and Dick Cheney are willing to bend their
view of the world to accommodate their pursuit of wealth and power. Magistrate John Hathorne
and
Richard perle were not part of their respective elites, but they were the first to push their
respective
agendas. Governor William Phips and George Bush were intellectually lacking, but they did have
a
talent for forming alliances and cultivating people. They also had very foul mouths and furious
tempers, and owed everything to family connections.
It's disheartening to know that Americans have evolved so little in 300 years. This is quite an
eye-opener of a book. An interest in Massachusetts of the 1690s would be a big help, but this is
still
fascinating and thought-provoking. Highly recommended.
Staking Out the Home Landscape
Paul E. Stake
Touchstone Farms
P.O. Box 142, Bozrah, CT 06334-0142
http://www.touchstonefarms.com
ISBN 0971917205, $18.75 348 pages
This book consists of a series of newspaper columns on gardening, published between 1995-2002
in
the Willimantic, Connecticut Chronicle. Stake was a professor in the University of Connecticut
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for more than 25 years, until failing health forced
his
early retirement.
A surprisingly large number of topics in the areas of gardening and landscape management are
covered in this book. Gardening is not something that happens just during warm weather. The
author looks at making plants go dormant over the winter, to storing seeds from one year to the
next, to the care and feeding of christmas trees.
Subject areas in this book include flowers and vegetables, gardening mulch and fertilizers, weeds,
herbs and wildflowers, trees and shrubs, lawn care, food safety, and enjoying birds. Some of the
individual columns explore carpenter bees, earthworms, potting soil, russian sage, spaghetti
squash,
how to control aphids, herbs like goldenrod and purslane, chamomile, maple sugaring, pussy
willows, apple disease and pest management, controlling moles in the lawn, selecting firewood,
thanksgiving food safety and winter shelter for horses, among many others.
This is a fine example of, for lack of a better term, one stop shopping concerning trees, flowers
and
gardens. It's good for those who care about the scientific name of a plant, and those who just
want
to know when and where to plant. In one respect, this book is meant to be used in Connecticut,
but,
in another respect, it can be used anyplace. Both novice and experienced gardeners should read
this
book.
The Fluoride Deception
Christopher Bryson
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
http://www.sevenstories.com
ISBN 1583225269, $24.95 374 pages,
"If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, get medical help or contact a Poison
Control Center right away." Those words, or something similar, are on every tube of fluoride
toothpaste sold in America. What could be in it to cause such a warning? According to this book,
it's
the fluoride.
Fluoride is not some safe, innocuous substance that happens to fight cavities. It is used to enrich
uranium for nuclear weapons, to prepare Sarin nerve gas, to produce high octane gasoline, also to
make refrigerant gases and Teflon plastic. It is also used in drugs like Prozac and Cipro. Fluoride
is a
potential workplace poison and grave environmental hazard.
Since the 1930s, fluoride has been linked, in Europe, to a number of illnesses, like central nervous
system disorders, breathing problems and a number of arthritis-like ailments. But during the Cold
War, with help from researchers funded by the government and industry, no such problems were
reported in America. It is as if "American" fluoride and "European" fluoride have two different
sets
of properties. Can anyone say "scientific fraud?"
Fluoride may actually help the teeth, but the evidence is not clear-cut. Cavity rates have fallen
dramatically since the 1940s, but also in countries that don't fluoridate their water. Perhaps good
nutrition, better dental care and antibiotics can explain it.
The vast majority, nearly 90 percent, of the fluoride added to drinking water is actually industrial
waste, scraped from the smokestacks of Florida phosphate fertilizer mills. The companies are
spared
the expense of treating this "fluosilicic acid" as toxic waste. Instead, it is sold to towns all over
America. Shipped in rubber-lined tanker trucks, it is dumped into municipal reserviors, supposedly
to fight cavities.
On several levels, this book easily reaches the level of Wow. This well-written tale of public
relations whitewash and corporate/government collusion at the people's expense has over 100
pages
of footnotes, and is very much a Must Read.
In Praise of Slowness: How a Worldwide Movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed
Carl Honore
Harper SanFrancisco
http://www.harpercollins.com
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
ISBN 006054578X, $24.95, 310 pages
We live in an era of speed, where everything moves faster than ever before. Ever since the
Industrial
Revolution, the idea has been to cram more into each minute of the day. Any unoccupied time
during the day, whether for adults or children, is considered a reason to panic. At what cost?
Imagine the time spent, over a lifetime, sitting in commuter traffic, or being placed on hold.
Imagine
the health care dollars spent on stress-related illnesses. The average American adult spends only a
half-hour per week making love. There is an alternative, called the Slow movement.
Now a growing worldwide phenomenon, the Slow movement is not a Luddite call to abandon
technology. Cellphones and email can be very good things. Nor does it suggest that people should
live their entire lives in slow motion, while the rest of the world acts like a video tape stuck on
fast
forward. Occasionally, Fast is necessary. Slow strives to find a balance in people's lives.
Sometimes,
slowing down leads to more energy.
Not everything in this book is possible for everyone but here are some examples. Cook a meal
from
scratch once a week. Eat a homemade tossed salad (made with locally produced vegetables) along
with take-out Chinese food. Set the table for take out pizza, instead of eating in front of the TV;
in
fact, no more dinners in front of TV. There are a number of cookboooks that specialize in quick
meals. When cooking, prepare more than is needed and freeze the rest.
If your child isn't doing well in school, a possible reason is that every spare moment out of school
is
filled with activities. It leaves them no time to relax or just be a kid. Ask them if that's what they
really want. Turn off the TV.
There is a growing movement of health professionals who think that spending more time with
each
individual patient is not a bad thing. Consider trying alternative medicine, in addition to, not
instead
of, regular medicine. For those who need to lose a few pounds, try walking. It's free, you don't
need
to join a health club, and you may be surprised at what you will find in your own
neighborhood.
This book is much needed, and I really enjoyed reading it. Stress seems to be endemic in the 21st
century. Here is an antidote. This is very highly recommended.
Dragon Tamer
Cole Barton
Trafford Publishing
Suite 6E, 2333 Government Street, Victoria BC, V8T 4P4, Canada
http://www.trafford.com
ISBN 1553952766, $15.95 248 pages
Blake Morgan is a DEA agent. He is involved in two major arrest operations, one involving drug
running in Mexico, and the other involving drug and people smuggling in Seattle. Both are solid
arrests, the kind where convictions are practically guaranteed. That is, until both suspects are
released, and granted immunity from prosecution by someone very high in the CIA. Supposedly,
they are also good sources of information for the Agency. Blake knows that something very
strange
is happening.
Blake was born in a Japanese concentration camp in World War II Hong Kong. His parents, a
Welsh
father and a Hispanic mother, did not survive the war. Blake was adopted by Wang Chan, a rising
member of the Hong Kong business community. Soon before the arrests mentioned above, Wang
Chan is found murdered. Like most Hong Kong businessmen, there are rumors that he was
involved
in illegal activities. Unsatisfied with the pace of the official investigation, Chan's son, Raymond,
goes
to the Hong Kong triads (gangsters) and asks for their help in avenging his father's death.
While all this is going on, Blake gets word of a proposed alliance between one of the triads and a
Mexican drug cartel, assisted by whomever in the CIA is in the habit of releasing drug dealers
from
prison. Profits are down, so it is proposed that they get together and market an ancient, and quite
powerful, Mayan drug called jfuri. Just to make things more interesting, Blake has fallen in love
with
DEA Special Prosecutor Angela Townsend. It is up to Blake to fight his way through the
conspiracies, corruption and general lying to get to the bottom of this, once and for all.
This is an excellent novel. Thriller readers will love it. The reader will be involved from start to
finish, it feels very plausible, and the author knows what he is talking about, having actually been
born in a World War II concentration camp in Hong Kong. This gets two thumbs up.
Bookstore Tourism
Larry Portzline
Bookshop Junkie Press
P.O. Box 6067, Harrisburg, PA 17112
http://www.bookstoretourism.com
ISBN 0975893408, $10.00, 104 pages
Bookstore Tourism is a new way to help independent bookstores by marketing them as tourist
destinations and encouraging booklovers to plan bus trips to towns with unique bookstores.
Instead
of, for instance, taking a bus trip to the Statue of Liberty, why not take a trip to the bookstores in
Greenwich Village?
The book looks at the present situation for the independent bookstore. The news is not very
good.
While some store are able to survive, even thrive, more stores are closing every day. There are a
number of reasons, including the coming of the chains, the economy, skyrocketing rents and the
internet. Another problem is the sheer number of new books published, reaching 175,000 in 2003
from over 78,000 publishers.
What can indie bookstores do to survive? First and foremost, customer service is everything.
Selling
used books creates more profit than new books. Get creative with entertainment and special
events.
Consider a makeover of the decor to find that balance between fun and functional. Including a
cafe
encourages customers to linger and buy more books. Get involved in the community. Perhaps
shrinking the store is the way to go. Cross promote with neighboring businesses.
The book also explores the mechanics of setting up a bookstore tour. Included are things like
making sure that the destination stores are still there, anyone can plan a bookstore trip, handling
reservations, the best day to go, the best kind of transportation, seeing if the destination stores
will
hold special events during your trip, where to eat, things to do while in transit, publicizing the trip
and dealing with the bus company, among many others.
Bookstore tourism is a wonderful idea (anything that helps independent bookstores is a wonderful
idea) and this is an excellent book that ended much too soon. I really enjoying reading it. The
author
mentions that more books on independent bookstores are planned in the future. I can't wait.
Paul Lappen
Reviewer
Pisano's Bookshelf
Five Little Monkeys Play Hide-and-Seek
Eileen Christelow
Clarion Books, a Houghton Mifflin Company imprint
215 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0618409491 $15.00
The "Five Little Monkeys" are back in action and inspiring laughs in their sixth fun-filled
adventure.
Their mother is out dancing and babysitter Lulu wants them to sleep, but the Five Little Monkeys
want to play hide-and-seek. Finally, Lulu, the sitter gives in, but the Five Little Monkeys, won't
quit
until they win. They play one game, then another, both at a loss, then the Five Little Monkeys,
show
Lulu's who's boss.
This active picture book, told in rhyming text with the help of humorous pen, ink and acrylic
illustrations by the author provide little ones with something to look for on the colorful
pages monkey fingers or toes, eyes or nose. In addition, the story reinforces counting skills and
provides written numbers to point out.
There's always something fun in Eileen Christelow's books, and again, she doesn't disappoint.
Buildings in Disguise: Architecture That Looks Like Animals, Food, and Other Things
Joan Marie Arbogast
Boyds Mills Press, Inc., A Highlights Company
815 Church Street Honesdale, PA 18431
ISBN: 159078099X $16.95
Children and adults will enjoy Joan Marie Arbogast's nation- wide pictorial tour of buildings that
don't look like buildings. A map of all featured buildings makes this book a must have on any
cross-country road trip. Whether readers follow the guided text tour or browse through the
intriguing pictures in this coffee table quality picture book, they are sure to find something of
great
interest.
There's a whole chapter devoted Lucy, the Margate elephant built in 1881, the oldest existing
example of mimetic architecture. Following chapters highlight gas stations (you'll can gas up at a
gas
can, teapot, tee pee and more), and lodgings (you can stay in a windmill, teepee, or ship),
restaurants
(you can eat at a dog, milk bottle, ice cream cone and other fascinating food forums). The
Flanders
Duck gets to flap its wings in its own chapter. Next, are marvelous chapters on entertainment
complexes (dinosaurs and other exciting event locales) and office buildings, where you'll see a
bureau, a bulldozer. In each chapter are wonderful examples of amazing architecture and lots of
interesting facts.
Arbogast ends her book tour with Sweet Willy the beagle, the youngest example of mimetic
architecture (erected in 2003). Before closing, she shares her thoughts on the future of mimetic
architecture and challenges the reader to design one of these buildings of his/her own.
Zak's Lunch
Margie Palatini
Illustrated by Howard Fine
Clarion Books, a Houghton Mifflin Company imprint
215 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0395816742 $15.00
The author ( of the hilarious, punny picture books THE WEB FILES, EARTHQUACK, BAD
BOYS, MOOSETACHE, BROOM MATES and more) and illustrator (UPSTAIRS CAT by
Karla
Kuskin) who brought the infamous, award-winning PIGGIE PIE now team up to serve ZAK'S
LUNCH.
When Zak complains about the old ham and cheese sand- wich served for his lunch, his mother
replies, "This is not a restaurant." Soon, Zak is lost in a world with his very own restaurant, with
no
old ham and cheese sandwiches and a frizzy-haired waitress named Lou. There, Zak can order
anything he wants, even a triple-decker, super-duper burger deluxe!
Palatini's vivid imagination in ZAK'S LUNCH provides food for thought but leaves only a
mouth-watering hunger at the end. While not the most-outstanding example of the author's humor
and wit, die-hard Palatini fans like myself will appreciate the menu as well as the twist. Of course,
Howard Fine's water- color illustrations add fun and festivity to simple meal.
Lynne Marie Pisano
Reviewer
Pogo's Bookshelf
Millard Fillmore Mon Amor
John Blumenthal
St. Marten's
Griffin, New York
http://www.johnblumenthal.com, http://www.stmartins.com
0312323689 309 pp. $12.95
Plato G. Fussell, a self-made millionaire through a lucrative obituary dotcom, fumbles his way
through life with the obligatory shrink, Dr. Wang to assist him wiht his many neurosis and
personal
problems. Having sold the obituary business, life becomes tedious as Fussell has nothing to
occupy
his time, and has a mental breakdown in his late twenties resulting from the anxiety incurred from
the loss of his business in 1994.
Facetiously, Fussell explains his millions:
" Like I said, a no-brainer. But as the imaginary achievements of my own somewhat overblown
obituary plainly indicated, I was all of twenty-six years old and hadn't accomplished very much in
life.Then I had what turned out to be a highly lucrative idea that capitalized on the brand-new
Internet craze. I would write short, pithy biographies of famous people who, although not terribly
old, were likely to die prematurely. People like rock stars with serious drug habits or criminals on
death row or inept boxers or nearsighted ski jumpers or alcoholic authors who smoked three
packs a
day, that sort of thing. I'd construct a database and put the information along with my obituary
template on a Web site called Obit dot com. Newspapers around the world could subscribe for an
outrageously exorbitant annual fee and get instant obituaries seconds after these death-prone
celebrities had met their Maker, thus completely eliminating the need for obit writers. I had
nothing
to lose. The whole enterprise cost me exactly $2,500, which I borrowed from my father, and most
of
that was spent designing the Web site and obtaining a mailing list. When it came time to pay him
back a year later, I presented him with a check for $10,000." (p.76)
Unfortunately no-brainers have a tendency to lose the interest of the audience as the narration
sprawls over three hundred pages with details of obsessive compulsive details of washing the
flatware and spraying the house with Lysol to ensure that no germs thrive in his mother's house.
Cumbersome, the narrative too often looks as if it's a hybrid of Woody Allen's Owl and the
Pussycat
without Barbra Streisand and the bathtub or a bad imitation of Yann Martel's Life of Pi,
mimicking
the name-game ploy. Plato G. Fussell suffers from taunts as a child with his name construed as
"Play-Doh" the colored putty used in play-schools, echoing the far more lively banter of Pi
explaining the origin of his name coming from the Parisian Olympic-sized swimming pool, Piscine
Moliter, and the twist on the name as it is pronounced "pissing:" Pi skilfully using it to his
advantage
as an irrational number, 3.14159265. Repeated throughout the book, the pun on silly putty
becomes
lumpish and worn as the author fills up the pages with meandering disclosures regarding his
mother's
bowel habits and obsession with constipation and Lysol.
Married and thwarted early in life by a wife who uses the marital bed like a tennis court to take
all,
Plato suffers from additional ticks and neurosis whenever he's around beautiful women, mixing his
syllables, spouting spoonerisms and reversing letters so that Daisy Crane comes out with Craisy
Dane. Perhaps this could be used for hilarious word games in the hands of another writer, but it
becomes tiresome repeated page after page with the insistance that such disorders are
symptomatic
of neurosis, possibly insulting every person who's ever suffered dyslexia or similar problems
arising
from concussions. The narrative becomes tedious with the oft-repeated Otalp and mirror writing
which Dr Wang associates to Plato's excessive shyness. Personally dyslexic and given to letter
reversals, I find the humor juvenile, not witty and certainly not scintillating.
In a complicated foil to regain the miffed beloved, Plato packs to visit New York to research
Milliard Fillmore, his new passionate concern, in hope of finding the origin of a seemingly steamy
personal letter, signed "L.M." as an attempt to "play hard to get." He packs three medium sized
suitcases, a carry-on duffle-bag and a briefcase to make the short term journey, taking inventory
that's listed over two pages which the reader happily skips. Coincidental that it looks like a
chapter
from Pi? But it misses the humor as Plato insists on taking two bottles of Lysol, three hotel-sized
pillowcases and bedsheets as well as an assortment of over-the-counter pharmaceutical supplies
that
could be better obtained at the local drugstore. He barfs on the plane. The difference is that
crossing
the Pacific aboard a lifeboat shared with Richard Parker is novel and the chapter of inventory
justified by the sudden trauma and conditions of the journey, just as survivors of El Capitan
explain
their rationing of food supplies. Here, the reader finds it difficult to justify the endless stuffing of
words on a page to fulfill the obligatory number required by the publisher as the plot is admittedly
as
transparent as the plastic sheet spread over an abandoned picnic table in winter.
Fussel's neurotic, hooked on Xanax and addicted to wasting his life and money on shrinks.
Wealthy
beyond accountability, he tosses money about like confetti, getting entangled with Dr. Wang's
estranged and also neurotic wife and introduces his mother to a home-care nursing assistant,
enthusiastic about making his mother's bed. The scenarios are those rerun on American sitcoms,
duly
played out by characters without character, each monotonously reading the writer's cue. Fussell's
mother, an agoraphobic, fills conversations by charting bowel movements. His father is a
travelling
salesman, who in the last pages is revealed to be an CIA agent in a bigamous marriage. Plato, rich
from his obit dotcom, grandly tosses a few thousand to the other wife, presumably a Russian
double
agent serving in the CCI, for child support-- as if double agents ever live impoverished lives. How
much is the US tossing out in Afghanistan and Iraq for false tips from informers regarding the
whereabouts of the elusive, you-know-who, middle-eastern Dr Fu Manchu? When it comes to
financing spies and wars, the US always has plenty of money to keep the disinformation system
running. Plato ends up marrying the Craisy Dane and everything ends up happily ever after
without
the running commercials of Xanax and Lysol at the end sliding over the television screen--with so
many insertions, it could easily have been a subsidized book.
As a television sitcom, it might work placing the burden of personalities on the actors, but as a
novel
it bumbles. The players stumble through their daily lives, collecting every possible neurosis
available
like Freudian devotees collecting rare fossils. Humorous? Funny? Ha-ha? Maybe, but more likely
tedious.
Simply, the humor is beyond me as well as the testimonials on the covers.
Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
McClelland and Stewart
Toronto
0771008139 $TBA 324pp
Handmaid's Tale is set in the Republic of Gilead where the government is established on a twisted
interpretation of Biblical laws interpreted by Christian fundamentalism. Controversial, the novel
explores extremism of religious zealotry as isolated sections of the Bible get applied to daily life in
a
stringent society. Unlike Cat's Eye, the text is devoid of the elaborate structure of nuanced
imagery
and allusions which create the psychological web of Elaine Risley's anxiety, but adopts parsimony,
frugal in wordplay and images, suitable to the puritanical atmosphere of the rigidly controlled
society.
Accustomed to societies where clothing designates professions, red reminding us of firemen's
uniforms, dull blue of surgery scrubs, navy blue of police and navy uniforms, the reader accepts
the
new society with its delineated classes. Credibility is established within a few pages as we see the
world through an anonymous speakers eyes, glancing her appearance in a fish-eyed mirror as her
uniform envelopes her from head to foot. Marthas are garbed in dull green, the drudges of
household chores while Handmaids are ostentatiously hung in scarlet. Red the color associated
with
menstrual bloood, fertility and death with literary allusions to Hawthorne's choleric outburst at
Puritanism in Scarlet Letter. We learn through her eyes of her role in the household as the
Handmaid
to the Commander, restricted to being the obligatory breeding rabbit to be impregnated to
continue
the ruling classes. Her social position is derived from a perverse interpretation of the Biblical story
of Abraham and Sarah, designating Hagar as the Egyptian concubine to be driven away into the
wilderness.
Trained into her new position by Aunt Lydia, a mix of sadistic Brownshirt and Madam, the
speaker
is subjected in a society that regiments her existence down to the details of formal greetings and
acknowledgements, deprived of intellectual freedom. Reading is prohibited, viewed as stimulating
individualistic thinking that may challenge the oppressive regime. Although biblically based, God
is
replaced by the state's restrictive theocracy instituting its own form of omniscience through a
system
of spies, regulations and constant surveillance. Physical movement is restricted as Handmaids
appear
publicly in pairs with strict agendas regarding their presence outside their respective houses,
regulated by time and duties. A necessity to the state for progeny, they are easily disposed and
subject to Salvagings:
"In the past," says Aunt Lydia, "it has been the custom to precede the actual Salvagings with a
detailed account of the crimes of which the prisoners stand convicted. However, we have found
that
such a public account, especially when televised, is invariably followed by a rash, if I may call it
that,
an outbreak I should say, of exactly similar crimes. So we have decided in the best interests of all
to
discontinue this practice. The Salvagings will proceed without further ado." A collective murmur
goes up from us. The crimes of others are a secret language among us. Through them we show
ourselves what we might be capable of, after all. This is not a popular announcement. But you
would never know it from Aunt Lydia, who smiles and blinks as if washed in applause. Now we
are
left to our own devices, our own speculations. The first one, the one they're now raising from her
chair, black-gloved hands on her upper arms: reading? No, that's only a hand cut off, on the third
conviction. Unchastity, or an attempt on the life of her Commander? Or the Commander's Wife,
more likely. That's what we're thinking. As for the Wife, there's mostly just one thing they get
salvaged for. They can do almost anything to us, but they aren't allowed to kill us, not legally. Not
with knitting needles or garden shears, or knives purloined from the kitchen, and especially not
when
we are pregnant. It could be adultery, of course. It could always be that.
Or attempted escape." (p 276)
Chillingly realistic, Atwood draws her perverse totalitarian state from historical precedents: the
Nazi
dream of world domination and the ruthless Taliban subjugation of women with its extremist
punishments and public demonstrations of stoning or dismemberment. Although presented as a an
advancement of religious fervor and enlightenment, the Salvagings are as brutal as the
Bacchanalian
orgies with maenads tearing apart their victims for human sacrifice.
Presented as a diary from an anonymous source, Atwood extends the farce through the Historical
Notes of Professor Pieixoto as he discourses on its possible archeological significance. The diary,
he
discloses was unearthed in an area once known as Bangor, Maine. Relying on
pseudo-documentation he establishes credibility by making a comparison to the so-called "A B
Memoirs" and "Diary of P" excavated in the vicinity of erstwhile Syracuse, New York.
Atwood sustains the farce convincingly through the use of literary allusions of Chaucer's
Canterbury
Tales, but also distinctly to Thomas More's Utopia. The concept of sharing women as breeding
rabbits is no new idea, being discussed as far back as the Platonic dialogues; it is the integration of
historical events with fiction that makes the novel so unsettling with its reminders of Nazi
Germany
and its aspirations of creating a super race and the unspeakable experiments of Dr. Mengele and
the
transport vans used for gassing victims. The Guardians of tyrannical states tapping at the doors
resounds of the mysterious disappearances of citizens in South America.
Critical of religious fanaticism and fundamental extremism found in secret societies such as the Ku
Klux Klan or the Aryan Nations, Atwoods courts controversy and vitriolic debate as she
challenges
the reader to consider the significance of separation of state and church in a constitutional
government. Certainly not cloying to become a favorite among born-again Christians, she exposes
the weaknesses of literal interpretation of biblical text. Stripped of its traditional Oral Law and
Talmudic interpretations, Biblical law can become a dangerous instrument in the hands of fanatics,
resulting in the state becoming omnipotent, contradicting the basic midrashic lesson of the Tower
of
Babel. Diversity is essential to survival: intellectual freedom and equal rights should extend to all
regardless of sex or social class.
Pogo
Reviewer
Rick's Bookshelf
Dandy & Company
Derrick Fish
Out of the Doghouse
Big Pond Comics
No ISBN Number $14.95 128 page
Running with the Big Dogs
Big Pond Press
No ISBN Number $14.95 128 page
Anthrology
Mainstay Studios
No ISBN Number $3.95 28 pages comic book sized magazine
All black and white interiors with full color covers
There are those that take the funny strips in the newspapers very seriously. Every time there is a
change made, the fans cry out in anger and frustration. Sometimes it is something there is no
control
over, like the death of Charles Schultz, and the adventures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest
of the cast now told only in repeated strips from days gone by. Sometime it is that the creator
decides to take a break, as in the case of Berke Breathed, and his beloved Bloom County yet
when
they return, they are but a shallow shadow of their once greatness. Poor Opus the penguin now
having to appear in the appropriately named strip Wasteland is but a caricature of what he once
was.
Then again, sometimes, the artist just has run out of things to say, or is just tired, as in the case
with
Calvin and Hobbes. And I have to admit, even though it has been several years since the last new
strip was printed, I still miss the adventures to the boy and his, for a stuffed toy animal, very
active
tiger.
But now I wallow in the despair of strips that try to claim the throne of greatness no longer with
the
discovery of the only rightful heir the web based strip Dandy & Company by Derrick Fish, now
at
last presented in two beautifully bound trade paperbacks, and a comic book sized magazine
entitled
Anthrology.
Yes, you read that correctly, web based. The place to find some of the brightest strips around, no
longer hampered with syndication and distribution problems, creators are free to tell their stories
the
way the want to and with that freedom comes some of the best the medium has to offer. I have
sampled many that the on line world presents, and for my money, the best hands down, is Dandy
&
Company.
This is the tale of Dandy, a talking dog that is anything but cuddly, instead filled with an attitude
that
would give any a good reason to visit the pound like they would want him anyway. His foil
throughout the adventures is his, I dare not say owner or master, least Dandy track me down, so
let's just say his boy, Bernard. It is obvious that Bernard loves his dog, always willing to forgive
and
forget the sometime mean spirited but always-hilarious pranks and jabs he suffers at the paws of
his
canine companion. The world in which they exist is rich with many supporting characters,
including
Dandy's little so cute you want to just pick him up and give him a hug brother named Mistake,
and
the female that makes Dandy's heart go pitter-patter, Maryweather, Bernard's parents, and many
more, each as richly fleshed out and made alive as any character I have ever seen in any
strip-period.
One of the things I love about these collections, besides the fact that I can hold them in my hand
and
read them as opposed to staring at my monitor, which I do too much as it is, is that in larger
doses,
you can see how it all fits together, how the world they live in exists and thrives, and the
continuity
of the strip and the adventures of a dog and his patsy, er, I mean boy.
It is obvious also that Mr. Fish, besides being a great artist and storyteller, is a fan of not only the
medium he works in, but of popular culture as well. The strips are ripe with parodies on
everything
from Star Wars to Spider-Man, and all points in-between. But it is with the epics such as Beanie
Quest (don't ask, just read) is where his talents shine even brighter. In my opinion, to turn a
humor
strip into an adventure strip and tell a compelling story without losing any of what makes this strip
unique just goes to show what a master of the craft he is. I was also very impressed that he has no
problem with breaking the fourth wall, inserting himself in a manner of speaking, into the strip
where
need be very reminiscent of the classic Daffy Duck cartoon Duck Amuck by the late great Chuck
Jones. Mr. Fish even on occasions goes so far as to show us the process he uses to create that
which
we enjoy reading so much, which does not distract, only adds to the enjoyment and we are
allowed
peeks behind the curtain. Unlike The Wizard from Oz, we should pay attention to the man behind
the curtain there is a major force brewing on the comic scene there.
Filled with in-jokes, filled with action and adventure, and most of all filled with actual laugh out
loud
humor, the entire Dandy and Company collection should be on the shelf of anyone who enjoys
comics, or just enjoys to laugh. The adventures continue at www.dandyandcompany.com seven
days
a week where you can join me and thousands of others reading that day's fix while we wait for the
next collection to come out something I hope will not be long in coming.
The Harvest
Scott Nicholson
Pinnacle Horror
www.kensingtonbooks.com
ISBN# 0786015799 $5.99 383-pages paperback
As a fan of horror I am always timid about moving to a strange place because we all know that if
the
house you buy isn't haunted, then there is either something wrong with the townspeople or
something evil about to descend upon them. Maybe Tamara and her family should have taken that
into consideration.
Tamara, a psychologist, and her family moved to a small town in the Southern Appalachian
Mountains. Lately she has been experiencing an increase in strange dreams and visions that she
has
been haunted with since childhood. In the past she had tried to ignore this, which she refers to as
'Gloomies' but after the lose of her dad she simply cannot ignore it, despite the fact her husband
Robert doesn't believe her and it is putting strain on their marriage.
As her experience increase in strangeness, other members of the town are also having strange
things
occur as well. Something in the mountain is growing and it is using the townspeople as fuel to
feed
that growth. What is left of those fed upon is a husk, a zombie if you will, which in turn is sent
out
to do the alien's biding.
Tamara and an eclectic group of people are the towns or the world's only hope. That may
sound
cliche, but trust me, this is a scary book and should ultimately be read at night when your window
is
opened so you too can jump at all of the sounds outside.
There are two things about this work that are impressive, one being the author's ability to blend
smoothly the genres of horror and science fiction, and two, the ability to balance a very large cast
of
characters successfully. In fact, in some cases, the readers hardly know the characters before they
meet their fate but even so, readers have already made a connection wither it be someone they like
or would like to see gone.
I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed reading The Harvest by Scott Nicholson. Why this
author's name is not up there with the likes of King and Koontz is beyond me he is that good.
Pick
up a copy for yourself and you can see what I mean. You can thank me later.
The Manor
Scott Nicholson
Pinnacle Horror
www.kensingtonbooks.com
ISBN# 0786015802 $5.99 320 pages
Sometimes awards aren't all they are cracked up to be!
Having been awarded a grant to work on his sculpture free for six weeks, Mason Jackson heads
out
to the Korban Manor. The manor once belonged to Ephram Korban a creative pursuit enthusiast
who ended his own life. It is here in the home he built that the extraordinary cast of guests'
gathers.
Most of the cast are what you would expect to see in a situation like this, with the exception of
Anna Galloway, the parapsychologist who has dreamed of the manor long before she knew it was
a
real place, and Miss Mamie, who runs the manor and has some secrets of her own. But by no
stretch
of the imagination are the supporting characters boring, anything but, they are lively and add fun
to
this horrifying read.
The guests will soon find out that the manor is not built with the intentions of giving them a nice
relaxing get away so much as it is to serve the purpose of the owner and the spiritual guests are in
for just as much fun as the living guests. There is something in the house, something that wishes
life
and is willing to use everything and everyone necessary to obtain that goal. Mason and Anna must
rush against time if they wish to stop this from happening, as the October Blue Moon nears their
chances draws to a close.
This great story is filled with atmosphere that is perfect for a ghost story and a cast that comes to
life on the pages. It is haunting and thrilling and should be read with munches close by so that
readers aren't tempted to chew off their nails.
The Manor by Scott Nicholson should be required reading by not only every fan of horror out
there,
but by any who fancy themselves a writer of the genre to see how it should be done. I've said it
before and it bears repeating, buy anything you can by Scott Nicholson that way when people
tell
you about this writer they just discovered, you can look at them, smile, and ask what took them
so
long.
The All-Star Companion
Edited by Roy Thomas
Twomorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC USA 27614
www.twomorrows.com
ISBN# 1893905055 $21.95 207 pgs
In the 1940's America as well as most of the world was at war. Patriotism was running high, and
among those leading the charge were the comic book companies. All-American Comics, later to
be
owned by DC Comics was a company on the forefront of that charge, with their many
super-heroes,
or as they were called by many, mystery men, battling the many spies and saboteurs which tried to
undermine the US and thwart the war effort.
But as great as their four-color adventures were individually, so much more so were they when
they
teamed up as The Justice Society of America, the first, and to many fans (including myself), the
greatest gathering of heroes ever assembled.
And what a gathering it was: Hawkman, the reincarnation of an Egyptian prince who flew using
the
wonderfully mysteriously named nth-metal. Armed with ancient weapons, this fierce protector of
the
skies served many times as the chairman of the group. The Atom, although short in stature, this
powerful pint sized hero made up in courage and fortitude what he lacked in height. The Flash
Jay
Garrick became the fastest man alive after inhaling the vapors from 'hard water' (I don't know
what
that means either, I don't think anyone does). Dr. Mid-Night, a brilliant surgeon who lost his sight
due to the act of criminals, yet able to see in darkness and with the use of special goggles to see
during the day, now fights crime with the help of his ever-present owl, Hooty. Green Lantern, he
who wears the mystical ring of power whose green flame takes the shape of anything he can
create
with his mind, vulnerable only to objects made from wood. Dr. Fate was a master sorcerer, earths'
protector against all things mystical. Black Canary, a female martial arts master in a pair of fishnet
stockings. Hourman -- who gained super-human abilities for one hour thanks to his creation of his
miraclo pill. Johnny Thunder said the magic word "cei-u' (pronounced 'say you') and a magic pink
genie like thunderbolt would appear to do his bidding. The Sandman, wielder of powerful knock
out
gas that would place criminals sound asleep. Mr. Terrific was such a champion of fair play that he
even had the words emblazoned across his chest like an insignia. Wonder Woman, the Amazon
Princess who came to Man's World willing to fight to show the way to peace. Starman, the
creator
of what he called his gravity rod, allowing him to do things lesser men could only dream of. The
Spectre, endowed by the Almighty to reap vengeance against the souls who would do humanity
harm. The Red Tornado, a woman with more heart than ability, yet always ready to join in to
help,
and Wildcat, former world champion boxer, now using his fists to give criminals the 'old one-two'
Later they were joined by the last son of Krypton, Superman, and the Dark Knight Detective,
Batman. As I said, truly a collection of the mightiest heroes that era had to offer.
Their original adventures ran in issues of All-Star Comics from 1940 thru 1951, sometimes
bimonthly, sometimes quarterly, yet always filed with action and adventure crafted by some of the
biggest and best creators the era had. Boys and girls knew that when the put down their ten cents,
they were in for excitement second to none. Even today, the team, now referred on the cover of
their best selling monthly comic as simply JSA, features the cream of the crop with art and story
other titles only wish they had.
Editor Roy Thomas, whose love for those characters and that time in comics' history has, with the
creation of The All-Star Companion, created a veritable encyclopedia of information on the
premier
super team. The history of the team, the characters, the companies that published them and the
creators themselves, all showcased with obvious respect for their history and the pop culture
importance their creation encompassed. Filled with interviews and overviews, as well as beautiful
art
in scrumptious black and white interspersed throughout the pages, this is the perfect book not
only
for fans of comics' history but for fans of popular culture in general as in perfectly captures the
moods of the times.
The All-Star Companion has earned a valuable place on my shelf, not only as a reference tool, but
also for the enjoyable reading it contains. You should make a place for it on your shelf as
well
Rick Mohr
Reviewer
Roger's Bookshelf
Weirdos in the Workplace
John Putzier
Prentice Hall
ISBN 0131478990 $17.95 194 pages
Offbeat and Educational
The title of this book alone will catch your attention and probably plant a seed in your mind that
this is not a book you want to waste your time with. Weirdos? This sounds like a negative term,
but
it's actually not. Putzier, an experienced and respected human resources professional, consultant,
and
professional speaker, defines "weirdos" as people who are not like you. This assessment means
that
they are abnormal if we assume that you are normal.
The first section of this book is devoted to presenting a foundation-setting perspective that the
workplace is a microcosm of society. Society is in the process of change, moving through the four
stages of Stifling, Tolerating, Accepting, and Rejoicing. This same progression occurs in the
workplace, seen as The Age of the Organization Man, The Age of Diversity, The Age of the New
Economy, and The Age of the Individual. Those of us who have watched the shifts in attitudes
and
relationships have observed the shift from conformity to expansion and inclusion, to an honoring
of
expertise and performance. Now, with varying degrees of comfort, we are moving jerkily into an
honoring of individuality
In the second section, Putzier describes over thirty different people that could easily be
categorized
as "weird." Another descriptor might be "unique." The colorful pictures he paints will stir
memories
in the minds of the readers, reminding them of the unusual co-workers we have all encountered
over
the years. Putzier takes diversity to a whole new level. In his vignettes, our author observes that
each of these people and many more that we might call weird have something significant to
contribute. And they all have the potential to be high performers, though not always in the same
way
that mainstream employees are superior achievers.
The weirdos are presented in a way that catches your attention and may cause you to smile, shake
your head, or roll your eyes. And human resource professionals will bob their heads, recognizing
similar situations. But Putzier goes further. Each description is a accompanied by an analysis that
includes perspective and advice that stimulates thinking and may influence some more appropriate
responses to unusual behavior in the workplace.
The book continues with insights into high performers an understanding of what makes weirdos
tick and accomplish so much. Behavioral change maps guide the reader in valuable
methodologies.
This is a book that will introduce you to what the author calls "the new normal." Indeed, the
workforce is changing and will be populated by more free agents and regular employees who will
certainly be recognized as individuals in every sense of the word. Understand how weirdness is a
positive and you'll change your perspective on the world of work.
Listening Leaders
Lyman K. Steil & Richard K. Bommelje
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 216, Edina, MN 55439-2129
ISBN 1592980732 $29.95 380 pages
How to Listen Your Way to Leadership Success
The belief that listening is a key ingredient to success as a leadership sits on the same pedestal as
Motherhood, Apple Pie, and The Flag. However, just because we respect the importance of
listening
doesn't mean that we know what to do or do it very well. Now we have a guidebook.
Steil and Bommelje are widely respected as experts in the fine skills of effective listening, so they
are
well-qualified to write this book. Their credentials are impeccable.
The book presents ten "golden rules" of listening leadership, organized as Preparation, Principles,
and Practices which lead to taking Meaningful Action. The authors nicely tie together good
listening skills and leadership, showing how each skill contributes to and supports the other.
Effective listening enables you to be a good leader, and effective leadership encompasses good
listening.
Page after page is filled with teaching, practical advice, and examples of how real leaders use their
listening skills to enhance their work. I was struck by the broad variety of leaders cited and with
what they had to share through the authors. The wise range of people used as examples in the
book
serves to reinforce the universality of the principles. The way the teachings of the exemplary
leaders
are intertwined with the balance of the text enriches the readability of the book: it's almost
storytelling a highly readable novel or collection of vignettes.
Adding value to the book is a list of the cited leaders, providing each individual's title and
organization and the chapter where the leader's advice or experience is shared. The book also
provides a list of resources for further research and a helpful index. Summaries at the end of each
chapter make it even easier to acquire the vast knowledge included in these pages.
Recommended for current and future leaders who seek to strengthen their listening skills and
their leadership effectiveness.
The Genomics Age
Gina Smith
AMACOM
ISBN 0814408435 $24.00 262 Pages
Valuable Introduction into DNA & Implications
We've all heard about DNA. It's an issue, a science, a research endeavor, a discovery, a
breakthrough that affects all of us. DNA is in the news, in some context, practically every day.
Science is unquestionably a central part of our lives today and in the future. But why did
AMACOM, a publisher of business books, produce a book on genomics? This doesn't sound like
a
business topic.
Going beyond our initial reaction, we quickly see that the recent discoveries and their
applications are indeed vital to business development. DNA won't tell you how to manage your
people or your finances more effectively, but this book will deliver insights and simulate thinking
that will influence thousands of businesses for years to come.
DNA research, with relatively recent discoveries, will drive the development of business
endeavors
that are the next wave of corporate birth. New companies will spring up to engage in more
research
in this emerging field, ushering in an era of business development built around DNA, genomics,
biogenetics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education, and other aspects of our lives. Gaining a
fundamental, yet comprehensive, understanding of genomics will give present and future
corporate
leaders at least an intellectual edge. Having read this book, I can better appreciate what I'm
reading
in the newspapers and magazines each day about this exploding field.
So who's the author? It's not some little-known scientist who will obfuscate the topic with
complicated terminology. This book for Everyman was written by one of America's best-known
science and technology journalists. Gina Smith was the technology correspondent for ABC news
and
has amassed over a decade of experience in researching and writing on technology for the Los
Angeles Times, Wired, Popular Science, and other print and broadcast news sources. Even
though I
am not a scientist, I found the book easy to read and understand. Sure, there are some parts that
get
a little complicated, but a careful reading will produce significant comprehension. And, if you get
confused, there's a 30-page glossary at the end of the book, before the eight-page index, to
enlighten
you.
Following a helpful introduction, Smith presents ten chapters to organize her material. She begins
with an explanation of the basics of the DNA sciences, and then traces the evolution of genomic
science from initial discoveries to future opportunities. Applications of DNA knowledge fill the
next
two chapters, before the book launches into an exploration of specific fields of opportunity. You'll
learn about biogerontology the use of DNA research and manipulation to extend life. Combating
cancer, cloning, stem cell research, and gene therapy are all explored. The closing chapter on
DNA
and Society examines some of the ethical issues that face us as we race into the future with new
discoveries and applications.
Leaders will gain valuable knowledge that will help them understand this new field of research and
development. A little corporate thinking and it won't be much of a stretch will stimulate your
thinking about business opportunities. The quotations that are interspersed in the chapters are a
little
bit of a distraction, but do break up the text to make the flow more readable. I offer a strong
recommendation for this book, which will appeal to a wide audience.
Roger E. Herman
Reviewer
Sherry's Bookshelf
Space: Frontier of the Mind, From Triangle to 10th Dimension
Ludwig Auer
National Printers
2005-1500 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Canada, Ontario, K1G 4J4
ISBN: 0973116501 $29.95 625 pages
Space: Frontier of the Mind is high-grade educational entertainment. This is an incredible volume
written in layperson's terms so that all can enjoy this remarkable collection of information.
If you have ever lain on a blanket gazing up at the sequined dancing night stars contemplating life,
you will enjoy this book. Ever wonder why the planets orbit the sun in harmonic ratios or about
the
life cycle of the star? How about the Zodiac Circle or Einstein's prediction? This book is the
ultimate
gatekeeper to all those secrets.
I was fascinated from the first page. In the first chapter you are entranced with how Thales of
Miletus, a great Ionian philosopher (624 to 547 B.C), managed to predict a solar eclipse far in
advance. It is more than mind boggling to peer into the minds of great philosophers such as
Pythagorus. Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Sir Isacc Newton, and Albert Einstien. Better yet, the
author's writing lets the information really penetrate and compute.
I never thought I would be so excited and intrigued by such a book and I never thought I would
come away with such profound understanding of the mysteries that lie beyond. You feel like
Columbus discovering America for the first time except you are discovering a whole New World
of
the heavens.
Anyone with an interest in astronomy, theories, religion, and/or astrology should treat yourself to
this spellbinding beautifully written volume of intriguing information.
A Flamboyant Disarray of Dreams
Joy Lee Rutter
Behler Publications
22365 El Toro Road #135, Lake Forest, CA 92630
www.behlerpublications.com 1-800-830-2913
ISBN: 1933016027 $15.95 281 pages
To understand the extent of brain injuries is to possess the understanding of what it takes to work
in
a neuro-rehab. The main character, Joleen Cumberland, deals with hostile patients, verbal and
physical assaults, miracles and her own personal burn out. Joleen is at her wits end after seven
years
of working at the rehab center, Rivers Edge. Everyday she had "a fear as if she was entering the
belly of a gigantic sleeping monster".
Between her irritating co-worker, Brad and her new patient Mitch Stevens along with his brother
Geoff, life starts to take an interesting twist. There are many gripping moments all through out the
book. One in particular is when Joleen is kicked in the head by one of her patients. There are
times
when patients leap into rages, toss off prosthesis body parts and attack with toys. Through all this
chaos, workers maintain their sanity, make major leaps in helping their patients and Joleen finds
love.
The author has done a splendid job of bringing to life engrossing characters. The patients,
co-workers and families are all substantial in description and dialogue. A Flamboyant Disarray of
Dreams is a highly intelligent provocative novel. The book is enticing with its wild disarray, weird
magical moments and plagued with paranoid delusions. A fast paced excellent read with an
intriguing theory on the Roadrunner cartoon.
The Monster Run
MyLinda Butterworth
Illustrations by Matthew Mercer
Day to Day Enterprises
Oviedo, Florida
www.daytodayenterprises.com Books@daytodayenterprises.com
ISBN: 1890905232 $14.95 for ages 3-8
This irresistible book tackles the nasty monsters that live in every child's (and some adults)
imagination when the lights go off. Nicole, like most children, is afraid of the dark. She is certain
peculiar grotesque creatures live in every nook and cranny in her room. Soon as the off switch for
the lights would click, the monsters inch out of their hidey holes to engage in what monsters do
best
- scare the bejebbers out of her.
One night her grandparents visit her and as only a grandpa can, he soothed her and chased her
demons away with a special ceremony.
Every grandparent should own this creative book. This enchanting tale based on a true story,
reveals
the importance grandparents can play in a child's life. The book is vibrantly illustrated and will
soothe any child's imagination. The Monster Run is a gatekeeper to keeping those pesky night
monsters away!
Magical Peace - One Nation Under Love
Tarin Frances
Sirene Impressions
3712 East First, Long Beach, CA
Sireneimpressions@earthlink.net
ISBN: 0967444934 $14.95 151 pages
The author, Ms. Frances, shares her wisdom and philosophies for living a life of love and inner
peace. This inspirational guide is broken down into three main areas. The first area challenges you
to
get re-acquainted with yourself. Ms. Frances invites you to explore who you really are and how
you
think. The second area is dedicated to radiating out to the others around us. The third section
offers
enlightening instruction on how to encounter our world and achieve an open heart.
Magical Peace is an exercise in facing the truth. By understanding fear, anger and judgment, the
author desires to put the reader on a path of harmony and trust. Most intriguing are the
accompanying black and white smudgy drawings. They delighted my imagination and engaged me
in
my own interpretations.
When a book inspires your thinking or ignites action to change your life in a positive manner it is
an
exceptional work. Magical Peace is definitely an instructional joyride to better living.
Making Right Turns in Your Relationship
Myron D. Lewis, MSW
Hansyd Publishing
PO Box 557, Harbor Springs, MI 49740-0557
(213) 242-0682 hansydpublishing@tm.net
0975489615 $16.95 208 pages
Making Right Turns in Your Relationship is a necessary guide for all people - whether married or
not. Communication is key in life and after reading this easy to follow book, you will find ways to
enhance all the relationships in your life as well as the one you have with yourself.
Through the author's own yearning to have a successful solid marriage, he researched on the
subjects of marriage, love, communication, conflict-management, team work and self-esteem, to
name a few. He now has packaged this wealth of information into a concise easy to understand
format. This is a well organized book that will have direct positive impact on the quality of your
relationships.
The twelve chapters illustrate how to construct a strong foundation for a healthy thriving
connection. One of the important areas the author covers is on understanding, setting and
managing
boundaries. Mr. Lewis points out the importance of dealing with your emotions and body
language.
He generously shares experiences from his own life to highlight the importance of his discoveries.
Through out the chapters, he offers enlightening exercises to benefit the couple in attaining their
goals for forming a bond based on honesty, respect and love.
I have been married for over thirty years and have worked for over twenty years as a Grief
Management Specialist, I have seen first hand the devastation that lack of communication, respect
and boundaries have on a family. This is an excellent book benefiting all who read it.
Living Through Cancer: A Caregiver's Journal through his Wife's Surgery, Chemotherapy and
Radiation
Kenneth R. Dickson
Jawbone Publishing Corporation
2907 Paddington Way, Kissimmee, Florida 34747
www.jawbonepublishing.com (407) 396-4245
ISBN: 1590940687 $14.95 163 pages
A seasoned couple living the luxury of a quiet retirement experienced the scare of their lives.
After
50 years of weathering storms and sharing rainbows, the author's beloved wife was diagnosed
with
invasive bloodthirsty breast cancer. Like grim faced detectives, the author and his wife boldly
faced
and challenged their enemy with a determination to see it surrender to vigorous treatments and
spiritual conviction.
Living Through Cancer takes you on a day by day account of how a tender devoted husband,
equipped with a sense of humor and a sense of purpose, helped his strong willed wife battle this
cancerous war. He opens his admittance window to his soul and allows the reader to witness his
frustration, concerns and his innermost fears.
This genuineness of his truth creates a very unique helpful tool for many readers who are living
with
cancer. There is no formula for getting through such a crisis but there is an impressive
resourcefulness in another person's story. It isn't often a man exposes his emotional self to explain
his side of how he faced up to the truth, how he coped and how he interpreted his incredible wife's
coping skills.
This book is purposeful and written from the heart in a detailed diary fashion. The author is
absorbed by the promise to help others who find their lifeboat sailing against the wind.
We all think we are living on a safe foundation built on a rock that will never shatter but
unfortunately, rocks do shatter. If your rock is shattered in your family by disease, this is a must
have book.
Sherry Russell
Reviewer
Sullivan's Bookshelf
What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America
Thomas Frank
Metropolitan Books
ISBN# 0805073396 $24.00 306 pages/indexed
How did hardworking Kansans go from voting in their own interests as Democrats to becoming
and
voting as Republicans? The author, founding editor of The Baffler magazine, who was raised in
Kansas returned to his home state to learn what or who was to blame for this dramatic
turnaround.
Kansas is now overwhelmingly one of the so-called 'Red States" in the U.S., voting almost solidly
for the GOP party. Yet economic conditions for the working classes have not improved. In fact,
they've worsened. Why, then the political contradiction, which Frank refers to as 'The Great
Backlash'?
The answers, the author found, were twofold. The Republicans have appealed to workers' sense
of
morality. Abortion, same sex marriage, taking prayer out of school, removing the 10
Commandments from the public arena, and the teaching of evolution in public school, among
other
things, have been condemned over and over by conservative politicians, fundamentalist preachers,
and many right-wing grassroots organizers. Economic conditions have been totally ignored in
their
arguments.
This center-of-the-U.S. state's population has always had strong religious leanings. Many religious
zealots, like John Brown, the renowned Abolitionist, have been claimed by Kansans as one of
their
own. So the religious far right of the Republican Party has had a strong base in the state. Those
are
the Conservative members. Then there's the traditional bunch of Republicans, known as the
Moderates, or business class. Most former Democrats are now considered in the Conservative
group.
At the same time, the Democratic Party has been neglecting the poor, down-trodden, homeless,
Union men and women in recent years. That's because the party of the working people and the
poor
has, more and more in recent years, shifted its focus to the center of the political spectrum.
That all began with the creation of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). As it wanted the
big
corporate dollars that Republicans had been getting with seeming ease, the Democratic Party
moved
its political positions rightward to be more favorable to big business. In doing so, the traditional
worker was left behind.
President Clinton was the primary exemplar of the new DLC politician. Yes, he was successful in
raising big corporate bucks, and in getting elected and then re-elected. But he also was he
president
who signed into law the Welfare Reform Act, which shocked many Democrats.
Frank fills his well-written volume with humorous anecdotes of right wing zealots, unthinking
working people who now vote Republican, and politicians who wear their religions and morals on
their sleeves.
In some ways, especially when the reader sees how easy many Americans can be duped politically,
this volume can be downright depressing reading about the future of the Democratic party. Yet it
is
strangely uplifting, too, for Frank has finally put a finger on the problem and its cause that until
now
was hard to understand and to know exactly why it was happening.
"There is," writes the author, "a lesson for liberals in the Kansas story, and it's not that they, too,
might someday get invited to tea in Cupcake Land [a wealthy, imaginary county almost totally
Republican]. It is, rather, an utter and final repudiation of their historical decision to remake
themselves as the other pro-business party. By all rights the people in Wichita and Shawnee and
Garden City should today be flocking to the party of Roosevelt [FDR], not deserting it. Culturally
speaking, however, that option is simply not available to them anymore. Democrats no longer
speak
to the people on the losing end of a free-market system that is becoming more brutal and more
arrogant by the day."
Thomas Frank has written two other books. He's also contributed writing to The Nation and
Harper's magazines.
This read is highly recommended to Democrats and Republicans alike.
The Little Red Writing Book: 20 Powerful Principle of Structure, Style & Readability
Brandon Royal
Writer's Digest Books
ISBN # 1582973369 $16.99 160 pages
This is a slim volume on English grammar and subjects related to the correct writing of the
language.
The book alludes by its title to Little Red Riding Hood, which it isn't connected with, by its hard
cover to Chairman Mao's Little Red Book, which is unrelated, and by its briefness, subject matter,
and layout to Strunk and White's Elements of Style, which it isn't. But this volume comes the
closest
to the last mentioned.
Basically, this new book details the accepted rules and regulations for writing in English. This
read,
however, is more elemental than Strunk and White's guide to the language. Perhaps sophomore
English class (high school that is) would be the appropriate grade level to start using this handy
new
reference.
If the truth be told, though, most adults don't know these rules very well, if at all, either. So the
help
this little work can give to those of all ages, writing in what is to be hoped looks and reads like
English, would be beneficial. Some of its advice, though, is pretty shallow and confusing. To wit:
"Rule I: WHO vs. WHOM If he, she, or they can be substituted for the pronoun in context, the
correct form is who. If him, her, or them can be substituted, the correct form is whom."
On the other hand, many inexpert writers are intimidated by standard English language texts that
go
into much more detail. Perhaps, then, this little writing book would be more welcome as a
beginner's
guide.
Recommended as personal buy or a gift for those who, or whom, are just starting out to compose,
whether they be 9 or 90.
Though he's written eight books, and taken courses in fiction and scriptwriting at Harvard, Royal
is
actually an accountant and CPA. He's also a graduate in business from the University of Chicago.
Royal resides in Hong Kong.
Jim Sullivan
Reviewer
Taylor's Bookshelf
Purity Of Heart
Pope John Paul II, author; adapted by Sam Torode
Philokalia Books
PO Box 65, South Wayne, WI 53587
0972535829 $13.95 www.philokaliabooks.com
Purity of Heart: Reflections on Love and Lust is the second book of a four-part series, "Pope
John
Paul II's Theology of the Body in Simple Language." These transcribe a series of the pope's
fifteen-minute talks, given from 1979 to 1984, which draw upon the Bible to offer an antithesis to
the "sexual revolution." Stressing that true Christianity aims to redeem sexuality, not repress it,
Purity of Heart points the way to redemption of the body through Jesus Christ, warns against
"legalized sin" and the slippery slope of ignoring or minimizing the repercussions of adultery, the
importance of honoring the body, the task of building a culture of purity, and much more. Each
vignette is brief yet directly cuts to the quick of John Paul's philosophy and understanding. An
absolute "must-have" primary source for Catholic Studies reference and resource shelves.
Seven Songs of Creation
Norman C. Habel
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Avenue, East, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
0829815937 $28.00 1-800-654-5129 www.pilgrimpress.com
Written by the chief editor of the Earth Bible Project, Seven Songs of Creation: Liturgies for
Celebrating and Healing Earth is a resource intended to help worshipping communities develop
liturgies to revere, honor, love, and serve Earth. Seven Songs of Creation is not meant to make
the
Earth the theme of worship, but rather to forge a way of worshiping God and Jesus Christ that
takes
into account the wonder and miracle of all living things. Song of Sanctuary, Earth, Sky, Waters,
Sophia, Life, and Healing are presented in full musical notation, along with hymns, alternative
prayers, litanies, blessings, confessions, reflections, and special text for celebrating the Eucharist.
Especially meant to fuse reverence for God's natural creations with Christian service, Seven Songs
of Creation is a superb resource for broadening spiritual depth and awakening the awareness of
one's
congregation.
Religious Thought And The Modern Psychologies
Don S. Browning and Terry D. Cooper, second edition
Fortress Press
100 Fifth Street, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
0800636597 $25.00 www.fortresspress.com
Now in an updated second edition, Religious Thought and the Modern Psychologies is a close
study
of how ethical and even religious assumptions have played a powerful underlying role in the
formation of modern psychology - perhaps too powerful. Hermeneutical theory is applied in
chapters
discussing underpinnings of Freud, Skinner, Jung, aspects of Christian Anthropology, and much
more. A scholarly text for intermediate to advanced psychology students, practitioners, theorists,
and teachers, Religious Thought and the Modern Psychologies is an excellent resource and focus
for
discussion in the search to better understand the human mind, and the often fallible venues
pursued
to do so.
A Handbook of the Christian Faith
John Schwarz
Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55438
0764229060 $13.99 1-800-328-6109 www.bethanyhouse.com
Author John Schwarz applies both his worldly experience, his degree in Christian studies and his
years of experience as a teacher at a Christian college and local church to A Handbook of the
Christian Faith, a condensed, foundational text that discusses basic scriptures, history, beliefs, and
practices that distinguish Christianity from other religions. Briefly touching upon many variants of
Christianity from Catholicism to Pentecostalism to Mormonism, A Handbook of the Christian
Faith
is at heart a didactic and instructional text, enthusiastically recommended to anyone looking for a
solid overview of what Christianity is all about. An easy-to-follow, well-researched, neatly
presented, and all-around excellent basic reference.
The Fiery Throne
Walther Zimmerli
Fortress Press
100 Fifth Street, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
0800636201 $16.00 www.fortresspress.com
The Fiery Throne: The Prophets and Old Testament Theology collects writings by Old Testament
professor Walther Zimmerli (1907-83), skillfully translated into English. Especially focusing upon
the experiences, messages, traditions, and legacy of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, The Fiery
Throne presents in-depth theology supplemented with extensive notes and bibliography for each
essay to reveal how discussion on the issues has continued. A superb resource for advanced
students
and instructors of Old Testament theology.
Losing A Lost Tribe
Simon G. Southerton
Signature Books
564 West 400 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-3411
1560851813 $24.95 1-800-356-5687 www.signaturebooks.com
Losing A Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church explores the discoveries
of
recent DNA research, which correlates what the Church of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have
taught for 175 years - that Native Americans and Polynesians are descended from ancient
seafaring
Israelites. Molecular biologist and contributor to LDS missions Simon Southerton explains both
the
theology and the science, and the interplay between the two, in this fascinating, unfolding web
adding to both physical and spiritual understanding of human history. An excellent, well-reasoned
treatise and discussion.
Spirit In Drama
David W. Eggebrecht
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
0758603126 $26.99 1-800-325-3040 www.cph.org
Spirit In Drama: A Practical Guide for Churches and Schools is a straightforward guide to
creating a
positive and spiritually uplifting experience in religious theater. From choosing the right script to
putting together a staff, casting, managing rehearsals, performance anxieties, and taking down the
set, Spirit in Drama is an excellent overview and introduction, that tempers its practical
instructions
with emphasis on the power and grace of God that allows all involved to pool their talents and
proclaim their faith. According to Spirit in Drama, "the function of religious drama is to make
clear
the message of the Bible"; the solid, no-nonsense instructions aid the reader in doing precisely
that.
The Trouble I've Seen
Bruno Chenu
Judson Press
PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
0817014489 $20.00 1-800-458-3766 www.judsonpress.com
Written by Assumptionist priest and theology professor Bruno Chenu of France, The Trouble I've
Seen: The Big Book of Negro Spirituals is an extraordinary exploration of the origin and history
of
Negro spirituals. Studying the origins of the spirituals particularly during the North American
slave
trade from the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, and the common themes found among
approximately 6,000 different spirituals, and drawing upon the personal testimonies of free and
former slaves to flesh out its extrapolations, The Trouble I've Seen offers a unique and profound
contribition to religion and spirituality history and reference shelves. The full text of 200 spirituals
and a music CD of eighteen spirituals round out this truly remarkable and devoted
compendium.
The Truth Will Set You Free
Samuel L. Hoard
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
0758605471 $9.99 1-800-325-3040 www.cph.org
The Truth Will Set You Free is Samuel L. Hoard's autobiography. Beginning with his childhood
in
St. Louis, Missouri, going on to his college years in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and continuing with his
service to people from all walks life as a pastor and military chaplin, this personal memoir is laced
with anecdotes revealing the subtleties and cruelties of racism both with society and withing the
church. The Truth Will Set You Free is an account of an enduring passion for communicating the
Gospel despite social, cultural, and racial roadblocks. The life story of Pastor Samuel L. Hoard is
strongly recommended reading, especially for those engaged in their own struggle against injustice
and discrimination both within the Christian community and the broader secular society.
Loving In The Master's Footsteps
Michael Fonseca
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
0877939942 $12.95 1-800-282-1865 www.avemariapress.com
Loving In The Master's Footsteps: God's Dream For Us is a testimony of faith. Written as a
sequel
to Living in God's Embrace, Loving In The Master's Footsteps searches for ways in which one
can
love and devote oneself wholeheartedly. Chapters are supplemented with excerpts from scripture,
presented first in literal translation, then summarized to be more accessible to the lay reader, then
enhanced with a suggested session to reflect upon one's faith and relationship with Jesus, and
ending
with a poignant reflection. A moving and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be
Christian.
The Dolorous Passion Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Anne Catherine Emmerich and Clemens Brentano
Anvil Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 2694, Tucker, GA 30085-2694
0970497539 $16.95 www.anvilpub.com
First published in 1833, The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ is a work based on
visions
of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a stigmatic German nun of the Augustinian order expected to be
beatified soon, as recorded by author Clemens Brentano. Perhaps most widely known for its
influence upon Mel Gibson's blockbuster movie "The Passion of the Christ". This new edition of
The
Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ features an introduction that discusses individual
passages that were applied to more than 40 scenes in the movie, as well as relating how the
authors'
lives interconnected and examining the history of Passion devotionals - a history that is not
spotless,
as some anti-Semitic Passion Plays become popular in the Middle Ages. A soulful rendition of a
classic work of faith.
John Hus
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA19490
156-364-7834 $19.99 Catalog #4783D www.visionvideo.com
John Hus was a Catholic priest and a christian scholar in the 15th century central European
country
of Bohemia. Living one hundred years prior to Martin Luther, it was John's relentless dedicated to
the pursuit of Biblical truths that planted the seeds for Luther and the Protestant Reformation that
took place during the following century. A beloved pastor, John Hus was nevertheless condemned
as a heretic at the Council of Constance for his uncompromising belief in the final authority of the
Bible. Despite relentless pressure, John refused to recant and was burned at the stake in 1415,
despite having been guaranteed safety by the emperor. He is reported to have died singing, a true
martyr to his Christian beliefs. John Hus is a 55 minute, full color, live action film that is highly
recommended viewing, especially for teenagers and adults. This DVD format is enhanced with the
viewer's choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French narrations, with or without English
subtitles. For Sunday School and Seminary students, there are also available in a pdf format a
"Christian History" magazine article on John Hus, and study guide pages from "Reformation
Review".
John Taylor
Reviewer
Terry's Bookshelf
Night of Rain and Stars
Maeve Binchy
Dutton
ISBN: 052594754X $25.95 294 pages
Recommendation: ****
Maeve Binchy Never Disappoints
I liked this book enough to read it in one sitting. I'm not sure what other readers found, but
having
spent a lot of time in Greece and in the Greek Isles, I was enchanted by the story of four
strangers,
all running from something, who land on the magical Aghia Anna, forge friendships and confront
their demons.
Binchy is a master at creating colorful supporting characters, so it's no surprise that this book's
color
goes to the wild Vonni (reminiscent of the teacher in EVENING CLASS).
I enjoyed every moment of the book and would recommend it to anyone who loves great stories,
well-told.
Enjoy!
The Prince of Beverly Hills
Stuart Woods
Putnam Publishing Group
ISBN: 0399152202 $25.95 315 pages
Recommendation: *****
Woods is BACK!!!!
Although I've been disappointed with several of his last offerings, Stuart Woods is back in the
game
and has hit a home run with THE PRINCE OF BEVERLY HILLS, a lush tale about Hollywood
in
the late 1930's.
Former Beverly Hills detective Rick Barron has been demoted - - due to a messy liaison with his
boss' niece - - and just happens to be in the right place (Sunset Boulevard) at the right time (about
2
in the morning) when a major movie star wrecks his car and, if the press finds out about it, his
brilliant career.
Barron ends up on the movie studio payroll as the "clean up" guy and finds there is more to films
than acting. He has to insure the movie star finishes his picture, despite a proclivity for alcohol.
His
predecessor had some pretty smarmy contacts, the remnants of which are left in the studio's safe.
Even mobster Bugsy Seagall enters the scene.
Toss in a bevy of beautiful starlets, a lot of interesting story lines and Woods has given his fans a
great read.
I look forward to more stories about Hollywood's Gilded Age and watching Woods develop Rick
Barron into a movie mogul.
Enjoy!
Terry Mathews
Reviewer
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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