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Reviewer's Choice
The Hades Project
Justin Gustainis
Brighid's Fire Books
P.O. Box 41, Sidney, NY 13838
www.brighidsfirebooks.com
ISBN: 0971327858 $19.95 1-607-563-7523
Phillip Tomasso III
Reviewer
Justin Gustainis' first novel, The Hades Project, is an explosive horror/thriller. There is no
questioning that Gustainis is an amazingly talented storyteller. The author knows how to create
three-dimensional characters, intensely plotted scenes, and then maintains a constant,
gut-wrenching
pace throughout.
Michael Pacilio was a military SEAL, trained to handle the toughest missions in Viet Nam. Years
after the war ended, Pacilio's career is working as a federal agent in charge of investigations for
the
government. But when he is called to Fairfax, Virginia to look into the brutal massacre of ten
scientists, everything in Pacilio's life is so badly knocked out of whack, that nothing from the war
or
his specialized training could ever have prepared him for all the horrors awaiting him. Though the
evidence suggests that the one scientist who had not been murdered and appears to be on the run
could be responsible for the murders, it is the easy-to-follow trail of bodies who suffered similar,
tortured fates as the unfortunate souls in Fairfax that keeps Pacilio on the right path.
When Pacilio learns that the scientists were working on a special, secret project he decides to visit
with an old friend for help. Father Eugene Grady was Pacilio's college professor, and he may
know a
thing or two about demonic possession. Together he and Pacilio believe a serious and deadly evil
has
been unleashed on earth. Teaming up with ER Doctor, Muriel Rojas, the three think they
understand
what is about to happen. And it is possible that if they fail in their mission, the entire world will be
sucked into the horrible living nightmares of Armageddon.
Dark and disturbing, The Hades Project demands the attention of the reader. You can set the
book
down, but it will be near impossible to walk away from. There are not many novels that I would
call
frightening. However, this is one of them. It will keep you up nights, afraid to shut out the lights
and
fall asleep. It is that grippingly real. If you like Stephen King, or Dean Koontz, you'll love Justin
Gustainis and may end up preferring him. This debut novel will captivate readers and leave them
anxious for a second novel.
Ground Zero and Beyond
J.P. McCarthy
TwoRivers Publishing Co.
1216 Bradley Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701
http://www.TwoRiversPublishing.com
ISBN: 1401088945 $19.95
Dan Shaurette
Reviewer
This September marked the second anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks that leveled the
World
Trade Center and scarred the Pentagon. The terrorists succeeded in killing thousands of people.
They also succeeded in awakening the American people to the very real menace that rules the
Middle East. They also succeeded in raising the level of patriotism and heroism that is only
continuing to rise.
Yes, the terrorists succeeded in changing America on September 11, 2001. Our war on terrorism
is a
constant topic of the news media. But the focus seems to have shifted from finding the Al-Qae'da
terrorists and their leader Osama bin Laden, to trying to liberate Iraq and Afghanistan and seeking
Saddam Hussein. More American soldiers have lost their lives since the main battles of combat
were
declared over than were lost when it was in full force. Now, the President is asking Congress to
set
aside $87 Billion for continuing the war on terror and rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan.
The question that crosses the minds of most Americans now is, "What about Osama bin Laden,
the
al-Qae'da, and the Taliban?" Two years have passed and we still don't know where bin Laden is, if
he's dead, or if his organization has more terror planned for us. How were four planes successfully
hijacked to be used against us? Did anybody in any branch of the U.S. government know anything
about their plans? Is there any proof linking the key players together?
All of these questions are expertly woven together and answered in a fantastic tale of espionage
and
heroism by author J.P. McCarthy. His first novel GROUND ZERO AND BEYOND tells the
story
of forensic dental expert and Vietnam Army Ranger Patrick Murphy, who's called to Manhattan
after the tragedy to lead the dental ID unit in their massive undertaking of identifying those who
did
not survive.
Murphy discovers a unique denture that was custom designed for the purpose of concealing a
micro
diskette with critical instructions for the al-Qae'da trained terrorists to not only execute their Sept.
11th attacks, but gave details about further plans to come. This disk was naturally sought by many
organizations, as it was the vital evidence needed to prove who was behind the attacks.
Fate brings Murphy back into a working and romantic relationship with a former flame, Marion
Masterson, who set up the computer center of the makeshift identification facility. She is the only
one Murphy can trust to help discover the contents of the disk. Once they do, they realize that
al-Qae'da, the Israeli Mossad secret service, and even traitorous FBI agents are after them to
recover the disk.
All of this builds to a fevered pitch as Murphy pits his patriotism and personal desires to exact
revenge versus his fears and doubts from his Vietnam experiences and the desire to be with his
new
love who's life is in danger.
The author brings his own military and medical experience directly into the book and this evident
throughout. His writing style grips the reader because the characters and events are so real you
hope
they will unravel the mysteries that are buried at Ground Zero and beyond.
I myself am not an avid reader of espionage books of such writers as Clancy. I normally read
fiction
that takes you away to a fantasy world for escape; where the goal is to make the unreal believable.
But McCarthy's book takes a tragic reality and brings a wonderful chance for hope and
inspiration.
Though this book is fictional, you can't help but want it to be true. To me, that is the mark of an
excellent writer. I am most definitely looking forward to the second Murphy novel, MURDER
ON
THE GREEN.
Eden Found
Steve Hart
Hart-Burn Press
ISBN Number: 0974031801 $15.00
Shirley Roe, Reviewer
www.allbooks.bravepages.com
Lenny Cronin, cocky, ambitious and on a quest for truth, receives what he believes is the most
boring news reporting assignment on the planet. However, once he arrives in the Holy Land, he
parts company with the scientists to whom he is assigned and finds himself embroiled in terrorist
activities. The Palestinian group leader, Assad has chosen Lenny to report the truth to the rest of
the
world. Assad is the villain we come to know and understand; the villain we feel compassion for
through the superb literary skill of the author. We soon learn the not-so-boring scientists;
Roxanne
and Bruce are on a covert mission of their own. Excitement, suspense and drama reign in Lenny's
life until he finds himself and his friends in grave danger. Steve Hart keeps the plot rolling with
just
enough suspense to keep the reader coming back page after page.
The background research for this book is impeccable. The subject of ancient artifacts could
become
a boring narrative however Mr. Hart cleverly introduces the scrolls and their origins in a story of
10,000 B.C running parallel to the current modern day tale. We are drawn into the drama of the
ancient people, their challenges and their successes. Both stories are linked through the ancient
scrolls and their final destination.
Eden Found is a thought provoking unbiased cross-section of modern day religion with all of its
turmoil and conflict. The Middle East conflicts are viewed from both sides revealing the deep
conviction and reverence of all Muslims, Christians and those of the Jewish faith. The subject
matter
is stimulating, encouraging the reader to find his or her own hidden truth. The characters are
familiar, vulnerable and caught up in a suspense filled plot.
The author, Steve Hart's keen interest in ancient artifacts and his research for Eden Found, has led
him to develop a presentation called, "Digging for Answers," which is available for group
presentation to libraries, civic groups, etc. Eden Found is an absorbing read.
Tell No One
Harlan Coben
Dell Publishing
The Official Harlan Coben Web Site
0440236703 $7.50
Kim Atchue-Cusella
Reviewer
David Beck is haunted every day of the eight years following his wife Rebecca's murder on their
13th wedding anniversary. Her body was found and identified by her father. Her killer
was apprehended and now awaits his fate on death row. All seems to be in order until one day,
David receives an eerie email with phrases that only his wife would know. Then the sheriff calls
with
news that two bodies have been found on his fathers land. Questions arise from both David and
the
police. Things are not as they seemed eight years ago.
The case of Rebecca's death is reopened with David as the main suspect. Rebecca's best friend is
found murdered just after David visits her. He goes on the run with an unlikely guardian to help
him.
As he visits different people connected to his wife, secrets come to light. Is Rebecca alive? Has
David been believing and trusting the wrong people for the past eight years?
Both David and Rebecca have kept secrets from each other. The characters weave a story that
keeps
you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. Rebecca's father is a strong
person
who will do anything to save the people that he loves. David is haunted by a secret he harbors that
could have lost him his one true love.
TELL NO ONE is a story filled with twists, turns and the unexpected. Harlan Coben grabs the
reader's interest from page one and pulls you in page by page. Harlan Coben has also written NO
SECOND CHANCE, GONE FOR GOOD and a series featuring Myron Bolitar. I would highly
recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mystery book to curl up with.
The Five Year Journal
Doreene Clement
DKC Enterprises, Ltd.
Box 15566, Phoenix, Arizona 85060
ISBN 0963713809 $29.95 US, http://www.the5yearjournal.com
Judy Brown
Reviewer
In my opinion, keeping a daily journal is the single-most important action anyone can take when
they
want to make a lifestyle change lifestyle to get more organized. When I begin working with new
clients, the first thing I ask them to do is to start recording their thoughts and feelings about their
particular organizing challenges and I suggest they do this on a daily basis.
Many clients have never written anything more than an email and they are rather intimidated by
the
idea of writing something everyday. The Five Year Journal is the perfect solution for these
reluctant
scribes. Open the book anywhere and you aren't greeted with the dreaded blank page that looms
so
large and bare. There are only three lines to record your thoughts for the day, even those who
don't
like writing can record something meaningful in just three lines. Instead of rambling on to fill a
blank
page, the client can focus on the really important thoughts and feelings to encapsulate their daily
progress.
Each month has room to make five years' worth of comments; so, it is easy to look back to the
thoughts of the same day in previous years. This not only gives you a progress record over a five
year period, by focusing on one thought for a month you can improve your thinking abilities. The
simple three-line statements you record will trigger memories of where you were and what you've
accomplished in getting and staying organized over each year in a five-year period.
Each month begins with a 'Focus Thought' which you can use as a theme upon which to
concentrate
your thoughts and feelings for that month. I suggest to clients that they use these prompts as a
springboard to generating ideas on some aspect of getting better organized. As an example, here
is a
Focus Thought for the month of July.
"Yesterday has passed forever beyond my control. Until the sun rises again, I have no stake in
tomorrow, for it is still unborn. ~ Og Mandino" (p.122)
This quote invites the writer to consider living more in the moment. Procrastination is one of the
leading causes of disorganization. When we put off work we should do today until tomorrow, we
waste today and tomorrow. A bit of thinking on the above quote encourages clients to realize that
whatever they procrastinate about today is just added to the burdens of tomorrow. Time wasted
today becomes an unproductive yesterday that will make us feel disappointed or guilty tomorrow.
Writing each day in your journal will keep you focused for a month on this thought to keep you
on
track every day. The Five Year Journal is an attractive book with a feel of permanence to it.
Printed
on acid-free paper, the flexible binding allows the pages to lie flat for easy writing. There is a
bookmark ribbon attached so you can quickly find your place.
There is a table of contents and the beginning of the book features the author's reflections about
journaling with guidelines for using the journal that includes an example from the author's own
journal pages.
Although I recommend the Five Year Journal to my clients as a tool to help them get organized,
the
Journal will be helpful for anyone who wants a simple, easy way to write and record their
thoughts
about personal growth of any kind. It would make a nice gift and you don't have to wait to
January
the first to start it, you can jump in on any date. Visit the author's website for more information
and
to order your copy of The Five Year Journal. http://www.the5yearjournal.com
Granny Dan
Danielle Steel
Delacorte Press
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
ISBN: 0385334273 $24.95
Henrietta K. Thomas
Reviewer
A New England housewife reconstructs her late grandmother's early life as a prima ballerina in
Imperial Russia.
Her name was Danina Petroskova, and her mother died when she was only five years old. Her
father
and older brothers were in the military, and didn't have much time to raise her, so when she turned
seven, they took her to live at the Maryinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg.
She cried, of course, but Madame Markova, the stern headmistress, didn't give her much
sympathy.
"You do not believe me now, my child," she said, "but you will be happy here. One day this will
be
the only life you will want or know."
And that is exactly what happened. For the next several years, Danina worked day and night to
become the best ballerina she could possibly be. Each year was better than the year before, and by
1914, she was a full-fledged prima ballerina and honored guest at the estate of Russia's royal
family.
Then she came down with the flu, and was in such bad shape that Madame Markova asked the
Czarina for help. The Czarina sent one of her personal physicians, Nikolai Obrajensky, to see
what
could be done. He and Madame Markova nursed Danina back from death to life, but she was still
extremely weak, so he took her off to Tsarskoe Selo to recuperate. And it was there that they fell
in
love.....
This tender love story is quite a tearjerker at times. Danina is torn between her love for Nikolai
and
her love for the ballet. Nikolai is torn between his love for Danina and his duty to the royal family.
Danina has Madame Markova to worry about as well, and Nikolai's wife refuses to give him a
divorce. And then, of course, there is the war and the rumors of a coming revolution.
Steel handles all of this with great skill in a very readable book. At all times, she keeps her focus
on
the two main characters and their problems. Everyone else is part of the supporting cast, including
the Czar and Czarina, whose real names are never used. And although the war and the revolution
are
both part of the story, they, too, are kept in the background as if they were just stage props.
Danina and Nikolai are happiest when they are away from the cares of the world at Tsarskoe
Selo.
The scenes are so idyllic, It's as if they are living in another world. But when Danina goes back to
Maryinsky, reality sets in and they wonder if they'll ever be able to have the kind of life they really
want. Granny Dan recounts their struggle to hold onto each other and their dreams as long as
possible in an uncertain world.
The Fortunate Four & Other Journeys of the Heart
Joy Kuby
Beaver's Pond Press, Inc.
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 216, Edina, MN 55439
www.BeaversPondPress.com
1592980074 $17.95 1-952-829-8818
Robert O. Barclay
Reviewer
The Fortunate Four begins with a story of four young women who make an eight thousand mile
trip
cross country in the Summer of 1935. They were all students at Hamline College in St. Paul and
thanks to the generosity of a wealthy benefactor they were able to travel by car from the twin
cities,
up to Duluth, north along the lakes into Quebec to visit Niagara Falls. Then onward to Maine,
New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, down to Cape Cod and the Islands, then to New York City, along the
east coast to Atlantic City and Washington DC and finally westward again back to
Minneapolis--arriving home on September 1, 1935.
They were allowed $2.50 per day per person, plus $2.50 per day for their car. This was a
wonderful
adventure for these young girls at a time when long distance driving was fraught with peril. The
author, Joy Kuby, has included many excerpts from a journal that was kept by Annette. All the
girls
were required to keep a journal, by Annette seems to be the only one who could find hers. The
entries were simple and straightforward, but Annete's clear writng brings the time and events to
life.
This first segment is the longest in the book, about sixty-five pages and because of the warmth
and
the richness of detail it is the best.
This is a collection of memoirs, reminiscences from the past; love lost and found; about a
generation
left behind, that suddenly has become very important to us. I admire the author for taking the time
to
go out and interview all these women and then to record their varied and sundry stories. She has
saved something that needed saving before it was lost forever. Many of these women have already
left us for that other place, that paradise of peace and rest that we hope will one day be our own
reward for a life well-lived.
There is a touching account of two young peolple, Donna Woods and Emil Grinvalds (a Latvian
Displaced Person) who meet and fall in love in a sanatorium during the early 50's; that's what they
called hospitals that treated patients who had Tuberculosis. Later, after they had both recovered,
they traveled to New York City to be married on television. A friend had helped them to apply as
guests on "The Bride and Groom Show".
Joy Kuby includes the story of Clarice "Chris" Matteson, who starts her young life in the
Hollywood
hills, grows up to hobnob with Hollywood's elite, then goes on to become a famous artist whose
work is shown in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol and is hung in the Governor's
Mansion.
Not all the stories are so grand nor the people so famous, but each gives their own special
account
of hardship and courage. And we do need, especially in this world that is torn by political division,
civil war, and terrorism, to make a connection with the past if we are to have any hope for the
future.
There were a few places where I thought the reporter (Joy Kuby) could have done more
reporting.
Some of the stories seemed to abbreviate and condense the history of the woman she was
interviewing and I found myself wanting to ask questions that she didn't ask. Nevertheless, this is
a
worthy endeavor and if the reader has any interest in the past, in reading about what life used to
be,
in coming to an understanding of what we have gained and what we have lost through the advent
of
modern technology, then by all means check this one out.
Most books seem to need a rating: good, or great, or excellent. That doesn't fit here. We're
talking
about real people and real lives; some were filled with the kind of adventure that only a few of us
get
to enjoy, others were less exciting, but somehow just as important. How do you rate that sort of
thing?
Let me include one excerpt. Part of a letter written long ago by Chloe Hulbert to her husband
Bud.
"Dear Bud,
I remember the long stream of cars that flowed around Lake Calhoun and the colored lights that
played on the fountains and the way the lamps looked against the trees at the side of the lake. I
remember sitting with you on the benches and kissing and stopping on the path to kiss . . . and
kissing again in the dark under the trees.
I remember the sweet smell of flowering bushes, the smell of the lake, and the smell of the rain. I
remeber how we walked in the rain until we were sopping wet and your Aunt Lizzie peering at us
out of a closed car . . . . ."
If this is the kind of reading that you enjoy then by all means add "The Fortunate Four to your
reading list.
Christina's Bookshelf
Childhood: It Shouldn't Hurt
Claire R. Reeves, C.C.D.C.
LTI Publishing, Inc.
Huntersville, NC
ISBN 0974304808 $21.95 146 pgs
In the short span of a few hours, readers can understand child abuse a lot better than it was
understood before. They can accomplish this by reading this book.
In Childhood: It Shouldn't Hurt; Claire Reeves shares with readers her findings on this fate, which
sometimes seems a kind of death that many children in the past, and unfortunately the present,
have
endured. She also tells what some groups of people are trying to do to help and what others can
do
to help extinguish this form of terrorism among children.
Beginning with a page entitled "The Inalienable Rights of Children;" Claire word paints a
descriptive
scene, which is all too common an event in an abused child's life. The abusing father getting into
bed
with the child. Ugly to think about, and look at, we quickly find that Claire is bound and
determined
to tell us all about the victim's world.
Very unsettling are the statistics presented early in the book. When 80% of the mothers of incest
victims were victims themselves--it is time to take a close look at this growing problem and find
out
what we can do; as women, as mothers, as individuals, as a nation, to protect our children. With
this
read, Claire Reeves shares what she knows.
When A Child Discloses, shares basic information of how to handle it if a child discloses that s/he
is
being abused. Claire accurately relates that shock and denial are both common reactions to such a
disclosure, but the child must be believed. If unexplained physical changes have taken place, like
ongoing vaginal infections, sexually transmitted diseases, or vaginal scarring--these are red flags
to a
parent that abuse is probably taking place. As far as the silent child, "All you can do is wait until
the
child is ready to talk." Reeves says.
Case study citations are used to illustrate what has happened when a child disclosed abuse and
Claire
also tells readers who is molesting the children. Rather, she shares the characteristics of a molester
in
an easy to understand way. This is very important information to possess when we hug our
children
goodbye each morning and send them into the unknown.
Perhaps the best feature of this book is its readability. Reeves has gone out of her way to make
this
subject of interest to a general public which can absorb what she says. Very important when
considering books which are usually full of educated jargon not easily understood.
In a chapter entitled Letter from a Male Survivor, Donald D'Haene tells readers that abusers
thrive
on the belief that child molesting is normal and the victims are not. Survivors will know that this
thought is all too true and needs to be abolished. How? You may ask. Reading books like this can
change ideas.
Claire Reeves is a nationally recognized expert on incest and child abuse. She has received many
honors for her work including one from the mayor of Los Angeles for her work with children. In
1992, she founded MOTHERS AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE (MASA) a nonprofit organization
dedicated to protecting children against sexual abuse. Childhood: It Shouldn't Hurt is only one of
Claire's contributions to helping.
Should you read this book? If you are concerned about children, have children or grandchildren,
work with children, have contact with children; I think you should. "Education is an enormous
part
of the answer (to this problem)," Claire says. Many will agree--she is right. Maybe someday
childhood won't hurt anyone.
A Job Ain't Nothing But Work
Emanuel Carpenter
PublishAmerica
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
publishamerica.com
ISBN # 1413703232 $16.95 108 pages
When I sat down to read this book, I was not in the best of moods. My dog had just bitten me, as
he
ran away from home. My mail was continually being delivered to my nosey neighbors and lots of
other stuff was going wrong. To put it simply, things in life had not been going too well for me
and
my demeanor was sullen and depressed.
By the time I reached page 4 of this light-hearted commentary which discusses finding work,
losing
work and the things in between, I was almost busting a gut laughing.
Though Carpenter's writing style seems kind of raw, readers soon find that this is the charm of his
work. Carpenter can almost be seen standing before the reader, telling about experiences most of
us
have shared at least once. His flowing writing style is one envied by even the most seasoned
writers.
To sum up, Carpenter has found his writer's voice and it is loud, clear and hysterically funny!
Beginning with why a person may want to go job hunting, including an unusual take on at-home
work ads and other classifieds, Carpenter uses his sharp wit to take the reader through a variety of
hilarious experiences all connected with the thing most of us love to hate: Employment. Pointedly:
finding, working, and losing a job.
Even Stephen King should identify with the experience felt when Carpenter finally secures
employment. Upon being told that his smile would be changing soon, Carpenter shares, 'Suddenly,
I
heard voices from the movie Carrie echoing, 'They're all going to laugh at you.' A couple of weeks
later, I discovered she was absolutely right.'
One familiar inhabitant of the work place is Suzy. I think we all know a 'Suzy.' She is that very
open
coworker who gets other workers to do the heavy labor of the job so she doesn't have to.
'I've often wondered what kind of person has such a public life they can tell you their whole life's
story during an introduction without provocation,' Carpenter questions following his introduction
to
Suzy. 'I found my answer: a psycho.'
Readers will most likely see several characters they recognize in Carpenter's tales.
Doesn't everyone know a 'Caffeinated Cathy' at work?
Though most of us have seen this variety of personalities of the workplace, reading Carpenter's
take
on 'The Stalker,' 'The Loner,' and 'The Former Used Car Salesman Type,' gives readers a whole
new
perception.
A Job Ain't Nothin' But Work also addresses some of the common problems of being in a new
job.
Dealing with Bureaucracy is discussed as early as Chapter 2. Getting Fired and The Exit Interview
are dealt with in the last chapter here.
Where did Carpenter get all of his information? An air force veteran, Carpenter spent over 13
years
in customer service, software, sales, transportation, and logistics. As if that isn't enough, then
maybe
being a resident in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio has added to his inspiration.
Whatever the cause, the effect is a book that is funny and easy to read. Once you read it, you'll
want
to keep the book around for a quick cheer-up when needed. You will probably want the hard
copy
as well as the ebook. Carpenter is definitely a keeper.
Christina Kiplinger-Johns
Reviewer
Christy's Bookshelf
Death Gets A Time-out
Ayelet Waldman
Berkley Prime Crime
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguinputnam.com
ISBN: 0425190145 $22.95 1-212-366-2155
Ayelet Waldman is a graduate of Harvard Law School and former public defender. She resides
with
her husband, writer Michael Chabon, and their four children in Berkley, California, where she is a
stay-at-home mom. Death Gets a Time-Out is the fourth in her Mommy-Track Mystery series
featuring (no surprise) public defender turned stay-at-home mom Juliet Applebaum.
In this installment, protagonist Juliet Applebaum has begun working part-time as a private
investigator with her friend Al Hockey. Juliet's famous-actress friend Lilly Green corners her at a
banquet and hires her to investigate the case against her half-brother Jupiter Jones. Although
Jupiter's identity has been kept a secret from Lilly's public, he is now facing capital murder
charges
for allegedly killing his stepmother, Chloe Jones. Lilly's agenda is for Juliet to uncover mitigating
factors that will keep Jupiter from receiving the death penalty. As Juliet begins to explore Jupiter's
past, she discovers Jupiter's father is Polaris Jones, cult leader of a new-age religious group which
is
quickly becoming very powerful. Her investigation takes her to a rehabilitation center, where
Jupiter
met and became involved with the woman he would eventually be accused of murdering. When
Juliet learns that her friend Lilly had been accused as a child of fatally shooting her own mother,
she
begins to examine the case against her friend, in hopes of absolving Lilly of a murder that has
impacted on her psychological well-being throughout her life. Interwoven throughout the book is
Juliet's somewhat jumbled predominant life, that of wife and mother, and having to come to grips
with the fact that she is once more pregnant.
Death Gets a Time-Out offers the reader two distinct mysteries: who killed the wife of powerful
cult
leader Polaris Jones, as well as who was responsible for the fatal shooting of Lilly's mother when
Lilly was a small child. Neither mystery is too intricate or convoluted to figure out. The book
moves
at an easy pace and is one that mothers across the globe can easily identify with as Juliet tries to
balance her working life with her family life. Waldman is writing from a place of experience and
shows humor in getting her points across. The only disconcerting area is the protagonist's use of
alcoholic beverages while pregnant.
Every Secret Thing
Laura Lippman
William Morrow (an Imprint of Harper Collins Publisher)
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.harpercollins.com
ISBN 0060506679 $24.95 1-212-207-7000
Author Laura Lippman, a former reporter for the Baltimore Sun, is best known for her Tess
Monaghan series, which has won the Anthony, Edgar, Shamus, Agatha, and Nero Wolfe Awards.
Lippman is also the recipient of the first Mayor's Prize for Literary Excellence where she resides
in
Baltimore, Maryland.
Every Secret Thing is Lippman's first standalone novel, a thriller dealing with children who
commit
crimes, the reasoning behind their criminal behavior, and the adults they ultimately become.
Alice Manning and Ronnie Fuller are convicted at the age of 11 of murdering a small child, who is
the granddaughter of a powerful black judge in their community. They are incarcerated in separate
juvenile facilities for seven years, then released with warnings to stay away from each other.
Ronnie,
who has always been looked upon as the "bad" girl, tries to engage herself in as normal a life as
she
can have. Alice, on the other hand, always considered the "good" girl who was simply following
Ronnie's lead, seems to be content to stay at home or take long, mysterious walks. Shortly after
their
return, small girls begin to disappear for short periods. When a young interracial girl is kidnapped,
the police begin to focus their investigation on Ronnie and Alice.
With the Tess Monaghan series, Lippman has become known for her witty dialogue and realistic
characters, but Every Secret Thing proves her ability to delve into more complex, darker
characters.
Her portrayal of Alice's mother is fascinating, as well as her depiction of the former, then present,
mental states of Alice and Ronnie. She weaves past with present as she tells the story of what
happened with the baby Alice and Ronnie are accused of murdering. A fascinating look at a dark
subject and a book which proves Laura Lippman is an author who herself stands out.
Ladies: A Conjecture Of Personalities
Feather Schwartz Foster
PublishAmerica
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1592863612 $21.95 1-240-529-1031
Ladies: A Conjecture of Personalities by Feather Schwartz Foster weaves fiction with historical
fact
for a fresh look at those First Ladies who are not as well-known as the more recent,
much-written-about "modern" First Ladies, from Jackie Kennedy forward.
The book begins with this country's very first First Lady, Martha Washington, wife of George
Washington, and ends with Mamie Eisenhower, who was married to Dwight Eisenhower, our
thirty-fourth President. Each First Lady is given her own chapter to write about herself and her
experiences while in the White House, with comments from other First Ladies colloquialized
throughout.
These First Ladies were as diverse physically as they were in regards to personality, and the vast
majority were intelligent, articulate women possessing great insight. It is interesting to note the
steady idealistic progression of women throughout our history, as seen through the eyes of these
First Ladies. Their differing views regarding slavery, suffrage, temperance, fidelity, and a woman's
role in the workforce are fascinating to read. Most of the First Ladies were very much in love
with
their husbands, although there were some who were not so enamored. Even though many of these
women enjoyed their days in the White House, there were those who abhorred it. Some wished to
stand apart and be remembered, while others desired only to return to what they considered their
real home life. The conversations among the ladies are interesting and fun to read, especially the
snippets between Abigail Adams and her daughter-in-law Louisa Adams, and Mary Lincoln and
Julia
Grant.
The only constant between this steady flow of women is that they were married to Presidents of
the
United States. It appears that more than a few were from the state of Ohio and that most of these
First Ladies outlived their husbands. The majority never dreamed they would one day inhabit the
White House, while there were some who strove to occupy that space.
An engaging, delightful read filled with historical facts and fun conversational tidbits among the
First
Ladies, such that at times, I felt as if I were in a room, listening to these women speak. This is a
grand concept by this author and a book I highly recommend to all readers, whether history buff
or
not.
Christy Tillery French
Reviewer
Daniel's Bookshelf
The Poetry of Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda
Edited and with an introduction by Ilan Stavans
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN 0374299951 $40.00
No living poet is as famous today as Pablo Neruda was in his lifetime. He was a world figure, as
famous as Robert Frost or T.S. Eliot, but with the added cachet in some circles of being a
politically
active man of the left. His poetry exerted an enormous influence throughout Latin America, and
he
remains beloved in his native Chile. We think we know him, with his sensuous songs of love, his
tender odes to the sea, his melancholy lyrics of loss, and his fiery political statements. But despite
its
popularity in this country, his work appeared here only in slim volumes or truncated collections
which provided mere snapshots of a larger, complicated life. Now, thirty years after his death, the
most comprehensive collection of his poetry is available in English. It brings us not only more of
the
poetry we know, but also previously unavailable material. We can appreciate his amazing
productivity and his willingness to experiment. We can follow his themes through the years, and
trace changes in his thinking. At nearly a thousand pages it shows us, like a crowded mural by
Diego
Rivera, a complete life.
The son of a railway engineer, Neruda wrote poetry from an early age and won prizes as a
teenager.
His first two books, self published and rather traditional, brought little attention from the public,
although they were well-crafted and polished. His third, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of
Despair
(1924), was considered unpublishable because of its frank celebration of sex. Only the
recommendation of one of Chile's most respected writers convinced a publisher to take it on.
Body of woman, white hills, white thighs, you look like the world in your posture of surrender.
My
savage peasant body digs through you and makes the son leap from the depth of the earth. (From
"Song I")
It caused a sensation, and made him famous at twenty.
The frank eroticism brought attention, but the books technical merits and emotional intimacy
made it
endure. Rimbaud and Baudelaire were strong influences, but Neruda's voice rang out clear. His
striking images capture the ecstasies and torments of young love. Looking back, we can see the
melancholy that followed him throughout his life, and the familiar themes, such as sex as a way to
unite with the earth, and love as a salvation from isolation. Twenty Poems remains his most
beloved
book; its sales reached one million in 1961.
Famous, but poor, he entered avant-garde literary circles in Santiago, where he could be easily
identified on the streets by his cape and wide-brimmed hat the very image of the poet. Seeking
adventure, he wangled an Honorary Consulship in Rangoon. Surrounded by foreign languages
and
an alien culture, without a literary community, he was lonely and disoriented, there, and at his
later
postings in Asia. "I learned what true loneliness was," he wrote. "Solitude, in this case, was not a
formula for building up a writing mood but something as hard as a prison wall; you could smash
your head against the wall and nobody came, no matter how you screamed or wept."
Neruda turned inward. His poems from this time, which were published as Residence on Earth
(1933), are pessimistic, filled with themes of alienation and isolation, haunted by death. They
contain
the nascent existentialism of that era. One can hear the inner dialogue of a man who is being
driven
deep within himself by a chaotic and absurd world. Nature is destructive, and sex is
depersonalized
and futile. The objects of mankind disgust him.
I happen to be tired of being a man.
I happen to enter tailorshops and moviehouses
withered, impenetrable, like a felt swan
navigating in a water of sources and ashes.
The smell of barbershops makes me wail.
I want only a respite of stones or wool,
I want only not to see establishments or gardens,
or merchandise, or eyeglasses, or elevators.
I happen to be tired of my feet and my nails
and my hair and my shadow.
I happen to be tired of being a man.
(From "Walking Around")
With the publication of Residence his name began to be known internationally, especially in the
Spanish-speaking world.
Salvation came in 1934, when he was posted to Spain. Welcomed by the literary community,
surrounded by the Spanish language, Neruda was once again in his element. However, his
happiness
was not to last. In 1936 General Franco launched the civil war. Neruda watched the bombardment
of Madrid, and lost his friend, the poet Federico Garcia Lorca, to Nationalist assassins. Politically
inactive before the war, Neruda committed himself to the Republican cause in the war's first
months.
He worked so strenuously for the Republic that Chile, officially neutral in the conflict, removed
him
from Spain.
Neruda wanted to put his gifts at the service of his politics. No longer would he scrutinize his
private
experiences of life's bitterness. The cause needed stirring and optimistic exhortations to fight. A
change in politics demanded a change in style. His poems would be addressed to the masses, and
therefore had to be simple and direct.
Madrid, alone and solemn, July surprised you with your joy
of humble honeycomb: bright was your street,
bright was your dream.
A black vomit
of generals, a wave
of rabid cassocks
poured between your knees
their swampy waters, their rivers of spittle.
(From "Madrid, 1936")
Many of his poems about Spain are moving, whether they are elegies or fierce attacks, but many
are
propaganda pieces that have lost any power they may have had.
Neruda had called himself an anarchist since adolescence. Spain changed him, and in 1945 he
declared himself a militant Communist. He publicly denounced his earlier, personal poetry. In
1948
Chile's President Gonzlez Videla banned the Communist Party and ordered the arrest of Neruda.
The poet who had represented Chile abroad for over ten years went into hiding in his own
country,
moving from house to house. Choosing exile, he left Chile on horseback. Staying off the trails, he
and his companions made the difficult journey through forests and rough terrain, up into the
snowy
Andes, into Argentina and freedom.
Canto general (1950) is a history of Latin America done in epic poetry, at times lyrical, at times
plain
spoken. It moves from prehistory through the Spanish Conquest, the revolutions and tyrants, into
the twentieth century. Much of it is polemical. The combination of plain language and history
filtered
through ideology is soporific, and the reader longs for some good old decadent Symbolism or
Surrealism to come to the rescue. But at times the poem does have a grand sweep, and a
cumulative
power that makes it one of his outstanding works.
Before the wig and the dress coat
there were rivers, arterial rivers:
there were cordilleras, jagged waves where
the condor and the snow seemed immutable:
there was dampness and dense growth, the thunder
as yet unnamed, the planetary pampas.
Man was dust, earthen vase, an eyelid
of tremulous loam, the shape of clay
he was Carib jug, Chibcha stone,
imperial cup of Araucanian silica.
Tender and bloody was he, but on the grip
of his weapon of moist flint,
the initials of the earth were
written.
(From "Amor America, 1400")
Chile issued an amnesty for Neruda in 1950. Upon his return, his poetry changed once again. The
epic vision of Canto general was replaced by odes to the plainest objects of daily life, a bicycle, an
apple, a pair of socks, once again in the plain style meant for the proletariat. (He once said that
the
greatest poet is the local baker.) Some of it is delightful:
I
turn
its
pages:
caporal,
capote,
what a marvel
to pronounce these plosive
syllables,
and further on,
capsule,
unfilled, awaiting ambrosia or oil
and others,
capsicum, caption, capture,
comparison, capricorn,
words
as slippery as smooth grapes,
words exploding in the light
like dormant seeds waiting
in the vaults of vocabulary,
alive again and giving life:
once again the heart distills them.
(From "Ode to the Dictionary")
Unlike Robert Frost, who married simple phrases to sophisticated thinking, Neruda combined
simple
phrases with simple ideas, and this airy style, although lovely, can become tedious in large
quantities.
Readers responded with enthusiasm however, and Neruda published four volumes of odes during
the
fifties.
In his last twenty years he produced an astonishing amount of work, much of it love poetry
inspired
by his passion for his third wife, Matilde Urrutia (his first two marriages ended in divorce). This
collection allows us to follow the evolution of his romantic sensibility over five decades. Whereas
the young poet described an adolescent, tremulous experience of romance, the older poet
possesses
a more mature love. In The Captain's Verses (1952), One Hundred Love Sonnets (1959) and
Barcarole (1967), happiness is not fleeting, but sustained. He appreciates, without fear of loss, the
shared love and sensuality that joins him to the earth and gives meaning to the world.
Today the tempestuous sea
lifted us in a kiss
so high that we trembled
in the flash of lightning
and, tied together, descended
and submerged without unraveling.
Today our bodies became immense,
they grew up to the edge of the world
and rolled melting themselves
into one single drop
of wax or meteor.
A new door opened between you and me
and someone, still without a face,
was waiting for us there.
(From "September 8" in The Captain's Verses)
In these years, Neruda wrote poignantly of aging and of his past. The theme of alienation,
self-censored in the forties, returned. He also wrote of his estrangement from people. The poet is
by
nature separate from others, he felt. Criticism of his political poetry and his wealth stung, and
further
alienated him. At times he felt embarrassed to be a poet surrounded by people who make useful
things. "I feel the world never belonged to me I was a child of the moon."
But in his poems from the fifties and sixties, solitude is no longer unbearable. He has a lovely
wife,
and a beach house where he draws solace from the sea. Death waits on the horizon, but only as
the
final, long-sought union with nature. These poems have an atmosphere of stillness and
contemplation, especially in contrast to the turbulence of his youth. It is as if he is settling into
himself as just a man, not a famous poet.
In 1970 Neruda was diagnosed with cancer, which surgeries failed to remove entirely. The last
three
years of his life were marked by official honors, the Nobel Prize, and an Ambassadorship to Paris,
but also by declining health, which isolated him from public life and eventually confined him to his
bed. Pinochet's coup d'etat on September 11, 1973 sent his health into sharp decline, and he died
twelve days later.
Time has revealed a dark side to Neruda's work. Some of his overtly political poems express a
bloodthirsty desire for vengeance. Some readers may not appreciate the un-feminist tone to his
poems. Women are often symbolic vehicles for the poet's salvation and self-discovery. But a large
quantity of great work overshadows these drawbacks. There is so much good material that an
editor
must make difficult choices. Ilan Stavans has done a Herculean job, combing through all previous
translations, occasionally presenting an alternate one, often including the original Spanish. In
addition, he invited several prominent poets to contribute new translations. But it is hard to justify
the expense of nine pages for an anti-Nixon tract when an early book, Venture of the Infinite Man
(1924), whose importance Neruda always stressed, is omitted.
In his willingness to experiment and change styles repeatedly, and in the way in which these
changes
released a flood of new work, Neruda resembled no one so much as Picasso. Contrary to what he
believed, the more personal he wrote, the more people he reached. He considered himself
primarily a
love poet, and readers will be reaffirming that assessment for some time to come. Who could
resist:
My words rained over you, stroking you.
A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body.
I go so far as to think that you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want
to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.
(From "Song XIV" in Twenty Poems and a Song of Despair)
Daniel Chouinard
Reviewer
Diana's Bookshelf
I.M. Internet Message
Stephanie Simpson-Woods
PublishAmerica
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN # 1413702287 $19.95
Since it's advent, the Internet has linked people to all manner of things; information on just about
every topic you can think of, buying and selling all types of wares, both legal and otherwise, and
talking to people all over the world spontaneously using what are called I.M.'s, or Instant
Messaging. However, in Stephanie Simpson-Woods debut novel, I.M., the Internet, is used in a
unique way-as a means to fulfill a destiny.
Lily Wagoner is haunted in her sleep by dreams that are gradually growing increasingly intense,
displaying a dark and frightening figure. By nature she is a loner and using the Internet as a means
to
try to exorcise the darkness of her mind, she finds a friend, Tristan, a seemingly kindred spirit, and
soon spends what free time she has online chatting with her new pal. The bond she develops with
him over several months of correspondence is strong, and she is excited and pleased that they
arrange for a get-together, and for it to happen soon. In a cunning manner, she gets her friends to
chaperone her rendezvous without them even being aware that she is, in actuality, going out for
the
sole purpose of meeting this stranger who she became so attached to.
More than just the bonds of friendship however draw Tristan to her, for he is more than he
appears.
After he finally meets her, he knows that he will fulfill both her own destiny and help him to fulfill
the promise he made to her dying mother. She is his and nothing will get in his way as he claims
her
and her soul, making her into a child of the darkness, a vampire like himself.
There is so much more at work here than what your initial thought might be as you read this
captivating story. Once she invites Tristan into her world, her friends begin to disappear at an
alarming rate and things really heat up. Eventually, her father is brought into the mix, being forced
to
face some old ghosts of his own as he tries to solve this puzzle before it is too late for his
daughter.
I.M. is a modern vampire tale without the weigh of myth exploration as is so often the case today.
The author has cut through all of the excess to bring to you a delightfully dark, highly entertaining
tale of sinister destiny. This is the kind of novel that grips you from the first word and takes you
for
a fast paced ride, dropping you breathless and full of wonder at the conclusion. The
characterization
is superb, with perfect detailing provided to the supporting cast allowing you a full picture of not
only the main characters life, but every one around her as well. I should also add here that sexy
and
mysterious Tristan is my idea of a bad guy; Ms. Simpson-Woods sure knows how to make her
female readers tingle with delight. This is a novel for all lovers of horror, with plenty of death,
blood, betrayal, and evil to make us all smile a wicked little smile.
I give my highest complements to Stephanie Simpson-Woods for creating an interesting and
enjoyable vampire tale, which is not an easy task. Allot the time needed to fully become one with
this novel because it is most definitely a page-turner that you won't want to put down. After
reading
this, the next time I'm on line, I wont be as quick to click on the accept button when I get an
I.M.-unless it's Tristan that is.
Crescendo
L. Marie Wood
Publish America
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
publishamerica.com
www.lmariewood.com
ISBN # 1592866689 $19.95
What exactly happens when a person loses their mind? When on the outside things seem normal
enough, your typical suburban lifestyle by all appearances; however, on the inside, darkness is
brewing a nasty treat. If you really want the answer, I invite you to look into the mind of James
Adams in the novel Crescendo.
In her debut novel, author L. Marie Wood allows her readers a close look at the struggles to stay
in
control of reality while his nightmares begin to take such a grip on him that he can hardly tell the
real
from unreal. His torment is so great, both mentally and physically, that as you read this gripping
work, your mind tries to solve the puzzle of just what exactly is going on. However, when you
think
you have it figured out, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find you are wrong.
Just what is the cause of his vivid dreams? Could it be the past coming back to haunt him? Is it the
guilt of his actions eating away at the very fiber of his life? It is when he starts to get close to
those
answers that Ms. Wood takes hold of the reader with such vivid details and drags them down
further
into the pit of horrors that has become Adams' life. His only grip on the real world is his wife
Andrea, but even that bond is threatened due to both his past actions and her growing concern for
the sanity of her husband.
The questions that will plague you as you read are ones sure to change your mind with each twist
and turn. Is he insane or are the dead really pulling him deeper into the bowls of hell?
At first the reader may be confused as they are introduced to the story via the deaths of some not
yet
explained characters and the haunted mind of James, but as they continue to read all is made clear
in
a delicious manner that turns into gripping storytelling.
This being a debut novel, I found myself quite impressed by the brush with which the setting is
painted, as well as of the character depth and readability. The attention to detail is outstanding
and
breathes life to the story with each passage. This is sure to be favorite among both lovers of
horror
and psychological thrillers alike.
Crescendo by L. Marie Wood is not for timid readers, or those that need held by the hand as they
delve into a story, which only adds to the enjoyment of the read. If you are up to the challenge
and
are willing to go where you have never been before as a reader, check out Crescendo, and be
prepared for a descent into the mind of madness.
Extremes 5
Brian Hopkins, editor
Lone Wolf Publications
13500 SE 79th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73150
www.lonewolfpubs.com
CD-Rom $17.95
Extremes 5 is an aptly named anthology featuring a wide gamut of stories which happen not only
at
extreme locations, but also carry your emotions from one extreme to another. All of the stories
selected by Editor Brian Hopkins work on not only the obvious superficial level of entertainment,
but also as triggers of deep thought. Not only that, but as with the other Lone Wolf products I
have
had the pleasure of viewing this too is loaded with extras offering a multimedia experience that is
not
available with a bound paper anthology. The following is a short rundown of the stories found in
Extremes 5.
The Cobia Kings, by M. W. Anderson, explores the lives of those lost at sea and so much more.
The
opening tale in this anthology is a multilevel exploration sure to raise questions in your mind,
creating a truly engaging journey for the reader.
Natural Order, by Jennifer Rachel Baumer, is a deeply moving tale told on many levels, of mythos,
real life and sacrifice, and sure to make you think twice about how you live your own life. Rarely
do
you find such power in a short story.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley, by Simon Bestwick, is a deeply disturbing tale filled with
wonderful imagery. The premise is integral to the enjoyment so I won't give away one bit;
however
suffice to say that it will most assuredly leave the reader with a chill and a sense of sadness.
Dagger in the Rain, by M. Lynn Booker, is a truly unique twist on curses and revenge. There is a
deep meaning to this tale, and the author has accomplished a great task in so few words, causing
the
reader to care for her characters in a strong and moving way.
Taghairm Close, by R. Michael Burns, examines the dangers of loving too much be it a person or
some other obsession. This is a very dark vivid tale, and truly disturbing. It is one of my personal
favorites in this astounding collection.
La Rage, by Marlissa Campbell, is a story of early rabies vaccinations and a perfect breading
ground
for implications and insinuations. Her style is so rich that it lends itself to total credibility and will
have readers tempted to pull out their history books. Kudos.
Descent of the Spirits, by Kristy Dark, is a story of love and death, mixed in a powerful and
disturbing combination. The author effortlessly whisks you away allowing you to view the events
unfold via the experiences of the main character, while wrapping you up totally in the
experience.
Ice Vermin, by James S. Dorr, explores extremes, in a delightful new way; and that is, when
exploring, one needs to remember this-no matter how cold and inhospitable the climate may be; it
is
always home to something. Not only is the story unique, but the telling of it is as well.
The Hags Picnic, by Paul Finch, is a beautiful but disturbing picture exploring suffering, and
proves
that when you think you have experienced the worst, there is still more to come. The narrative is
powerful and highly engaging.
Martyr's Music, by D.G.K. Goldberg, reveals the sad tragedy of a life unsung, and begs for the
reader to assess just what is important to them. This story reaches to the depths of your soul and
tugs with force.
These are the Moments I Live For, by Brian Hopkins, is written in a style that can be enjoyed as
both an entertaining tale or as an inspiration to think deeper. What is in a dream? What is in a life?
Profound piece of work.
Lifting the Veil, by Lisa Mantchev, proves in a chilling manner that nothing should be feared more
than a woman scorned. A truly delightfully dark tale that warmed my jaded heart.
Cable Street, by Simon Morden, is a story of what happens when we underestimate our enemies. I
especially enjoyed the characterization in this tale. The prose is engaging and action packed from
the
first word to the last.
Tinkle Tinkle Tiger Bells, by Julie Anna Parks, is a moving tale of the destiny of one's soul. Yet
another piece that takes place on both a superficial physical level and that of the soul.
Fall From Grace, by Chris Paul, is a search for answers to the age-old question, science or faith.
His
master craftsmanship of characters allowed my own heart to be burdened with the problems and
issues faced by his characters.
The Englishman, by Philip Robinson, drives home a point I have always stated; late night phone
calls
are never a good thing. This is a powerful tale of hate and insanity, which can be deciphered as
one,
the other, or both.
Cechas! by Judi Rohrig, speaks directly to the soul of readers. It tells of things lost and true empty
loneliness. The construction of words created an inescapable hold on my heart. Very nicely
crafted
story.
Honor, by Wrath James White, is just what the title says, a story about honor. Of course it is a
disturbing tale with a dark slant that gave me quit the chill. This was one that made me smile with
wicked delight.
The Laughing Place, by Dean Wild, reminds us that at times, even when otherwise tempted, it is
best
only to take pictures of things that interest us. The desperation in this story pulls you through to
the
breathtaking end.
More Than Words, by David Niall Wilson, closes the anthology with a truly deep and thought
provoking tale. What is in a word? A life? Or a soul for that matter? It has a compelling plot that
unfolds in an intriguing manner.
Art, by Keith Minnion, I found Keith's work to be a delightful treat, with a lot of range in his
talents,
from subtle to extreme. Snowman is one that I found extremely impressive. But by far my favorite
piece is the piece he did to accompany The Natural Order by Jennifer Rachael Baumer. Anyone
who
loves good art should give his website a browse, http://www.kminnion.com.
Fantasy and horror lovers alike will find the stories in this anthology to be so much more than
mere
entertainment. Kudos to Brian Hopkins for having selected such wonderful tales and to each of
the
contributors for their fine work. How soon until Extremes 6?
Dark Rhythms: A Collection
Steve Beai
Lone Wolf Publications
13500 SE 79th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73150
www.lonewolfpubs.com
CD-Rom $15.95
Dark Rhythms is a story collection on CD-Rom that shows how an author is capable of writing in
a
myriad of voices and tones. Creator Steve Beai has mastered the craft of writing so completely, so
effortlessly, that he can take his readers through all the ranges of emotion, from fear to laughter.
Reading this collection was like taking a moment to get to know the author and heightened by the
fact that if you take full advantage of the features available on the CD-Rom you can actually hear
Steve read the stories. Often as an author, I wonder if my inflections can be heard in my words.
This
wondering caused me to first read, and then listen to all of the stories; and as a master of words,
Steve managed to get both the inflection and tone in each of his stories with his written
word.
The stories that appear in the collection are the following:
Slipstream Season is one of those stories you read and think I wish I had written that. The
concept is
very original and the execution is superb. I am not going to begin to give away anything; I will
simply say this is one of the most fascinating short stories I have read to date.
Falling totally caught me off guard. This story of loss is told in such a moving and powerful
manner
that, as it nears the end, you will have to read as I did through the clouded view of tears filled
eyes.
The Scatterbrains is a delightful tale filled with poetic justice. The characters in this story come
alive
with the skillful talent of the authors' pen; making is a thoroughly engaging tale to the last
word.
The Midnight Sanctuary is spooky from start to finish. I thought I was reading just another tale of
love gone bad and was more than pleased as the layers of the story peeled back to revel I was so
very wrong.
The Virgin Method was an absolutely wonderful glimpse into he mind of a player, by that I mean
a
ladies man not a sports team member, full of rich detailed thoughts and experiences sure to make
every woman chuckle and every man cringe. The surprising element was that, the author still
managed to have me routing for Jim, the player, despite my feelings for his past actions.
The Mordant Theory of Bricklaying is yet another story in the collection where I was just blown
away as the tale unfolded in a way I never expected. The attention to character detail and subtle
nuance wraps the reader in the tale such that I am certain they will also be as pleasantly surprised
as
I.
Lundy's Lunch had me cracking up, but then I have been told I have a twisted sense of humor.
Nevertheless, I am sure this tale will be found by most to be dark satire at it's finest. This is
possibly
my favorite tale in the entire collection, bravo.
Who Wants To Be a Gizllionaire is not a story, but more of a skit play of silly television game
shows
that bombard the eyes of anyone not bright enough to turn off the TV, or at least change the
station.
Relax and enjoy the inescapable humor.
The Roach: again I am dazzled with the wit. However, perhaps there is a lesson to be learned
here.
We all know when we do things we shouldn't there are consequences. Okay that said; this story
was
plain and simple good fun-crafted as all the other tales to enable the reader's sheer enjoyment.
Memorial is first person narrative used in such a manner as to allow you insight into the mind of
the
speaker. It is hard to pull off first person but makes for a very spooky tale when done properly
and
this one was just that.
2000 Enemies is a unique telling of a vampire story. The author truly stretches his writing talents,
using excellent characterization and taking full advantage of the plot devices at his disposal, to
make
this a captivating and highly entertaining tale.
She Likes the Lights shows how a short tale can be just as engrossing as a longer one. There is
not a
word wasted in this story of the unanticipated. As mentioned in the introduction, and what is
perhaps the best compliment to a writer, I never saw it coming.
White Boy Blues takes regretting assumptions to a completely new level. Again, the author has
created a masterful tale full of charters that come to life, dragging you into their world and mind,
and taking you for a ride right through to the last period at the end of the last word in the last
sentence.
If you are looking to read a fresh voice, to have both the light and darkness meld perfectly, I must
recommend Dark Rhythms. Join Steve Beai as he tells you his tales; take the time to relax and
enjoy
each and every word.
I must also mention how Lone Wolf continues to impress me with both the talent of their authors,
as
well as the unique experience their products grant, which can't be found elsewhere. If you want to
enjoy the reading experience on a new level, no one can provide the full experience like Lone
Wolf.
Scarabus
Karen Koehler
Black Death Books
www.khpindustries.com
ISBN # 096792202X $18.00
What is it to truly be damned? Sadly, Scarabus or Tjanefer knows the answer. In her novel,
Scarabus, author Karen Koehler, takes the woefully overused 'damned immortal' storyline to a
new
level that is impressive in its freshness.
As Scarabus recounts what he is and how he became that way, the reader instantly falls in love
with
his charm and good looks; but he also quickly gains the empathy needed to allow them to still
love
him despite what he has to do, feeding on humans to sate the numbers within. He tells of how he
wasn't seeking immortality, nor power on any level; in fact, all he wanted was to paint tombs and
be
with his wife Miw. Playing on this devotion to his family, he is betrayed and forced to become this
creature, controlled by the hunger of what he is now made of.
As if his own damnation is not enough anguish, while he continues to seek out a way to undo
what
was done to him; his wife continues to be reincarnated. The love he feels for her makes it hard for
him to continue to end her torment, by killing her, each time he discovers her new
incarnation.
As the tale continues, the reader hopes along with him that as a collector, his next archeological
find
will hold the answer to his salvation, if such a thing is still possible, or at the very least allow him
to
live out this incarnation with Miw and finally find some rest for his soul.
Author Karen Koehler has a wonderful ability to make her readers feel what her characters are
going
through; coupled with the ability to paint a rich backdrop of both history and setting making her
story highly addictive. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Scarabus is the type of book that any reader can enjoy, since it is not stuck in one genre; there is
horror, but not drenched in gore, action and romance are perfectly balanced so neither
overshadows
the other. This, in my opinion, makes for a wonderful read; blending genres can lead to a
mismatch
when you attempt to read, but not under the skillful pen of Ms. Koehler. Scarabus has something
for
everyone, and you should check it out-and coming from this jaded horror reader, that is saying a
lot.
Diana Bennett
Reviewer
Fortenberry's Bookshelf
The Barefoot Fisherman
Paul Amdahl
Clearwater Publishing
P. O. Box 778, Broomfield, CO 80038-0778
ISBN: 0962781509 $14.95
Paul Amdahl has a unique ability. It's not that he's good at fishing, there is something more at
work
here. As his friend Jim Fay says in the introduction to The Barefoot Fisherman, "He knows how
to
think like a bug and think like a fish...." Its this unique ability that gives him an edge over the
usual
clod standing on the bank with a piece of stringed wood and a worm in his hand. One type knows
he
wants to fish and sometimes, accidentally, catches a few before the sun goes down. The other
type
knows fish, loves fish, and catches them like rain in a bucket. It seems to boil down, says this
book,
to something about your approach to the water. Amdahl knows fishing from the inside out and it
shows. He has tricks and techniques that work for all kinds of fish, in all kinds of waters, warm or
cold, river or ocean. Luckily, he's decided to share this talent with us all and produced a fun,
easy-to-read and easy-to-comprehend guide to fishing. I know the book says it is for kids, but
adults
can gain a lot from this book as well. Jim Fay made a salient point in the introduction when he
said,
"I kept wishing that he had written the book 50 years ago so the kid in me could have learned
from
this master fisherman." Well, mastery of anything takes a lifetime, and so now that Amdahl has
mastered the art, he is finally able to do just that, share it with the kids who will be tomorrow's
fishermen.
Amdahl has produced an amazingly concise guide to fishing. With fully illustrated chapters on
reels,
rods, line, tackle, lures, bait, fly fishing, and just about every type of fish worth catching, you can
see
he's covering the spectrum, yet he never bogs down. He breezes through these topics with tongue
firmly in cheek, giving us all the basics and insider knowledge only a master can glean, yet cuts
away
the dead wood, er, I mean fishheads, and accomplishes it all with dazzling flair in a mere 100
pages
or so. A perfect example of his wit is the deadpan delivery of "several things I've learned the hard
way" at the back of the book where he issues this commandment, "Don't ever step on wet rocks."
Seems that taking a hard fall off a rock into a river can, um, dampen "even the best day of
fishing."
Wisdom with a wink is just what kids love and the world needs more of. Laughter is good
medicine,
but even better is laughter from barefoot fishermen echoing along the shores of a beautiful lake or
river deep in the heart of nature. Now that's something to make even Thoreau want to take a walk
in
the woods. Amdahl casts a good book here and will snag many a reader. He's got a natural voice
and a God-given talent. Good thing he's sharing. Of course, reading this book makes us feel a
little
bit like old Stan, "...acting like a kid. He had his face pressed up against the glass of the car and
was
sort of making a whimpering noise, similar to a hungry dog." You see, Stan was eager to get to
his
secret spot, a fishing paradise. So, this book is a window to that secret spot that makes us slobber
up
the page wanting to get baited up. Thanks, Mr. Amdahl!
The Einstein Scrapbook
Ze'ev Rosenkranz
Johns Hopkins University Press
Baltimore, MD
[An earlier version of this book appeared as Albert Through the Looking Glass (Jewish National
&
University Library, Jerusalem, Israel, 1998)]
ISBN: 0801872030 $22.50
The Einstein Scrapbook is a brilliant book chronicling the life of a brilliant man. The production is
of
the highest order and each page of this beautifully bound "scrapbook" overflows with candid
personal and professional photographs, art, advertisements (such as one for Dry Sack sherry
showing a bottle of the product next to a picture of Einstein and the statement "Do one thing and
do
it well."), and reproductions of his writings (both typed and hand-written), letters (to and from
Einstein), and other mementos of an extraordinary life. We follow Einstein's development as
thinker
and common man, from his rough early years to his middle years of rising respect and escape from
war-torn Europe, and on into his later life of growing fame, fortune, and security. It is rather
unique
in that we have here a record of the development of a modern legend. Legends usually exist in and
of themselves, long after the actual events that spawn them, and hence seem to arise without roots
in
some cases and therefore emanate a ghostly unknowability that keeps it more mythic than real.
Think King Arthur and you see my fuzzy, romantic point. But here we have a life, fully
documented,
unfolding before us and evolving into a legend. As the book notes, Einstein has become "the
personification of supreme intellect, his name synonymous with genius." He is our culture's mythic
Thinker. Yet here we get a rare glimpse behind the curtain of myth to see the concrete man at its
foundation.
There are some very interesting moments captured here, many obvious or popularly recognized
with
others far off the beaten path and not generally known, that create a well-rounded and yet
sometimes bizarre portrait of one of our few modern legends. It is the best book of its kind I have
yet encountered. Einstein is an endlessly fascinating human being and this book does not fail to
live
up to the man. All bases are covered from his intellect to his romances to his other passions like
music and sailing. We have pictures of his family and friends and colleagues and rivals throughout
his life. We have letters from all sorts of people, many like the ones from Niels Bohr (with their
friendly rivalry over quantum mechanics which Einstein dismissed with his dictum, "God does not
play dice," to which Bohr responded "Stop telling God what to do.") or from Sigmud Freud
(expressing their thoughts on international peace -- not utopian dreams but concrete potentialities
involving cultural revision via schools, churches, and presses) are shown in the original languages
and translated. We have a look at his mythic status and his later use (appropriate or not) in all
ways
or forms, from scholarly debates to advertising to humor. We have, basically, details of all types
from Einstein's birth until his last will and testament. Something like a prism, this book refracts the
light of his life into a million parts so that we can behold all the myriad colors or facets of this
brilliant man's character. It is marvelous and breathtaking to behold from all its angles. We know
and
feel, page after page, that we are in the presence of a great man.
Somehow this scrapbook manages to be extremely thorough, yet thrifty and succinct at the same
time. All this crammed into only 200 pages? I applaud what Rosenkranz has accomplished: the
almost impossible task of capturing the entirety of a giant of a man who is both real and
abstraction,
a thinking man who moves beyond flesh and has become a concept unto himself. In its way, this
book is as simple an equation as Einstein's great E=mc2. Of course it is only simple after the fact
when we all nod gravely and say, "But of course!" How in the world Rosenkranz captured this
wild
and complex matrix of mind and matter in motion so completely between the quaint old covers of
a
book is just beyond comprehension. I give this book highest marks on my Must Read It, Own It
scale.
Thomas Fortenberry
Reviewer
Gorden's Bookshelf
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
J. K. Rowling
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
ISBN : 043935806X $29.99 870 pages
By now everyone knows that 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is the fifth installment in
Rowling's seven book series. The books have been consistent. In many ways the series is one
story
with the books being a division of a single year in the life of Harry Potter. Rowling is a great
storyteller and a good writer. The books are filled with characters you care about and details you
recognize. Everyone knows about the bullies, clumsy kids, the smart ones, the 'in' crowd, the
cliques, the other students, and the teachers. Everyone even knows about life and death. Rowling
uses what we know and takes us to a fantasy world where the good and evil are known and good
has the chance to stop the greatest evil.
Harry Potter is spending a miserable summer with his Aunt and Uncle at number 4 Privet Drive,
when both he and his cousin Dudley are attacked by dementors. He drives them off but the
Ministry
of Magic threatens to expel him from Hogwarts for using magic outside of school. The Ministry is
in
a fight to get rid of Dumbledore and is using Harry as pawn. Meanwhile, Harry and Dumbledore
are
involved in the true fight against the evil Voldemort. Everything you have loved about the four
previous novels is here, the fight against heavy odds, the exploration of a fantasy world that is
new
but filled with things you know, and the final battle where Harry and his friends overcome but
don't
win.
'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is a fantasy story for everyone. It is escapism that has
more about life and living than what we find around us. The biggest problem with the novel is that
we have to wait a few more years for the final two books to be written in the series.
'Lara Croft Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life'
Dave Stern
Pocket Star Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 074347709X $6.99
'The Cradle of Life' is a better novel than the first Lara Croft 'Tomb Raider'. The story is less busy
with a powerful fast paced storyline. Except for requiring a little pre-knowledge of the characters,
this story can easily stand as it is in the fantasy/action genre.
Lara is recovering from her last adventure when Bryce interrupts her with a satellite photo. An
earthquake near Santorini, a volcanic island between Athens and Crete, has brought to the surface
of
the sea a wooden object engraved with the eight pointed star of Alexander the Great. Lara thinks
she has found the location of the Luna Temple of Alexander. She leaves to find the temple and
runs
right into thieves, murders, terrorists, and traitors. The race is on to find Pandora's Box before
someone else opens it releasing a plague that could destroy most of the world.
'Lara Croft Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life' is a pleasant surprise. It is one of the best
fantasy/action
novels of the year. Cussler's Dirk Pitt has met his match.
2nd Chance
James Patterson with Andrew Gross
Warner Books, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0446612790 $7.99 400 pages
'2nd Chance' is a good sequel to '1st to Die'. The story is a little smoother but the cast of
characters
and plot are familiar enough that the story that has a little less spark than the first one.
An eleven year old girl is shot down in a hail of bullets in front of a church. Everyone assumes
that
the murder is racially motivated but nearly immediately homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer senses
that there is more to the killing. Lindsay must fight the politicians, the FBI, and the misleading
clues
left by the killer to stop him. She goes for help to the Women's Murder Club. Unwittingly, she
makes her friends targets of the killer.
'2nd Chance' is a strong detective mystery and is well worth reading. Patterson and Gross have
started a series of novels that the detective mystery reader needs to watch for.
S. A. Gorden, Reviewer
http://www.paulbunyan.net/users/gsirvio/content.html
Harwood's Bookshelf
Treatise on the Gods, Second edition
H. L. Mencken
Random House
available new or used from Amazon.com
080185654X $19.95
"The ancient and curious thing called religion, as it shows itself in the modern world, is often so
overladen with excrescences that its fundamental nature tends to be obscured. When we hear of it
in
everyday life, it is usually in connection with some grandiose pretension by its priests or
practitioners
or some unseemly scandal among them, religious only by courtesy." (p. 3) "In its pure and simple
form religion is not often encountered today. It is almost as rare, indeed, as pure democracy or
pure
reason." (p. 5) "It is highly probable, indeed, that the first priest appeared in the world
simultaneously with the first religion; nay, that he actually invented it." (p. 11) "The common
people
have always rejoiced over a show of piety in their rulers; it flatters them to have a sign that the
inferiority they must suffer on this earth has its compensation in equality before God." (p.25)
"That
is the hallmark of a priest to this day; he has a god working for him." (p. 34) "There is every
reason
for believing that this emergence of the priest as infallible law-giver goes back to the earliest days
of
religion." (p. 35)
Before anyone asks, "So what else is new?" let me point out that Mencken published the
foregoing
in 1930, when the promulgation of pseudoscience, hypocrisy and power-lust posing as religion
was
as prevalent as it is today, but far less widely recognized. Mencken was an innovator whose
willingness to be seen as a one-eyed man in the country of the blind set the precedent for literally
thousand of later writers whose definitive falsifications of every element of religion are no further
away from anyone in the western world than the nearest university library.
"So far I have said nothing whatever about the soul, nor about the theological theory, so familiar
to
modern man, that it never dies, but goes on serenely after the death of its owner, maybe in
Heaven,
maybe in Hell, and maybe lingering somewhere between. The omission has not been accidental
but
deliberate, for I can find no reason to believe that early man had any conception of such an
entity."
(pp. 36-7)
Today we know that the ancient Jews had no "soul" or "afterlife" concept until sometime after the
Babylonian Captivity. But for Mencken to separate "soul" from religion in 1930 was innovative
and
even daring. It would be unrealistic to say that without him, scholarship would not be where it is
today. But he set the precedent of "telling it like it is," and while critical analysis of religious
documents can still be labeled as "heresy" or "blasphemy" by the Sky Fhrer's most braindead
sycophants, the general public accepts even scholarship that tells them things they do not want to
know as a legitimate activity. At least to some degree Mencken (and Clarence Darrow of
"monkey
trial" fame) can be given credit for that evolution in human thought.
Mencken was one of the first writers to show that the "all gods are the same god" dogma requires
intensive self-brainwashing: "The God of the Episcopalians is an elderly British peer, courtly in
manner, somewhat beefy, and, in New York, vaguely Jewish. The God of the Mormons shaves his
upper lip, and believes in large families and a protective tariff. The God of the Methodists is an
agent
provocateur, forever fingering His pad of blank warrants. The God of the Baptists is amphibious,
and, in some of His aspects, almost identical with the Neptune [actually Poseidon] of the Greeks."
(p. 55) "When a Georgia Baptist drops ten cents into the plate of a touring rhetorician for the
Foreign Missions Board, it is not primarily because he yearns to save the Chinese from Hell, but
because he likes to dwell upon the fact that his own god is much more potent and respectable than
the Chinese gods." (p. 58) Perhaps out of prudence, given the necessity of placating his publisher,
Mencken did not point out that only the Christian god has three heads.
"The earliest records of all the historical peoples, from the Sumerians to the Celts, are full of
references to this Earth Mother, and she survives among savages today, and even in Christendom.
The Virgin Mary, in all probability, descends from her, for in very remote times she was already
looked upon as the mother of the other gods." (p. 61)
While Mencken did not identify any specific society as "savages," the very use of such a word
denotes a degree of cultural prejudice, as does his reference to "semi-civilized Hindus." (p. 59)
And
there is no lack of evidence in many of his writings of what is now termed anti-Semitism.
Fortunately, we no longer demand perfection from critics of religion, any more than we expect it
from politicians and other manipulators of the masses.
Historians certainly preempted him. But Mencken may have been the first writer to convey to a
mass
audience the reason God the Father replaced Goddess the Mother as humankind's presiding deity,
and fathers replaced mothers as family despots: "the greatest single discovery ever made by man,
to
wit, the discovery that babies have human fathers, and are not put into their mother's bodies by
the
gods . Primitive society, like many savage societies of our own time, was probably strictly
matriarchal . Man's view of the entire cosmic process changed as his view of the process of life
changed. He needed a new god to mirror his new sense of importance." (pp. 71-75)
Mencken goes on to describe the evolution of religion, in chapters titled "Its Evolution," "Its
Varieties," "Its Christian Form," and "Its State Today." He offers a reason why priests and other
professional pushers of god mythology respond to the discoveries of scientists and non-dogmatic
biblical scholars "by denouncing the proponents of the new spirit as no more than priests of a new
and heathenish cult . Science, we are told, has become a religion on its own account, with a
theology like any other." (p. 255) His explanation for incurable believers shutting out scientific
reality accepted even by an overwhelming majority of theists is, "In part, I suspect, it is simply
cowardice . Everyone can recall Presidents who carried the appetites and attitudes of the village
grocery-store or the small-town lodge of Elks into the White House." (p. 256) Again: So what
else
is new?
Mencken had no patience with the pathetic rationalizers whose delusion that reality and
superstition
could both be true was in recent times carried to its ultimate absurdity in Stephen J. Gould's
imbecilic Non-Overlapping Magisteria theory. Even seventy years ago, Mencken recognized that,
"The truth is that every priest who really understands the nature of his business is well aware that
science is its natural and implacable enemy." (p.257)
And so says every person with a functioning human brain.
Elmer Gantry
Sinclair Lewis
available new or used from Barnes and Noble
0451522516 $7.95
The timing of Elmer Gantry (1927) is consistent with its being a fictionalization of the careers of
Billy Sunday and Aimee Semple McPherson. But parallels with real-world history played little
part
in the book's success. At a time when a large majority of believers were repulsed by the antics of
flamboyant "hot gospel" evangelists, Elmer Gantry touched a lot of receptive nerves. If
McPherson
was the archetypal sucker-fleecing hypocrite on the "pin your contribution to the curtain and
you'll
be cured" faithhealing circuit, there were also plenty of others. And if McPherson did not suffer
the
fate of Sharon Falconer, a lot of moderate worshippers believed she deserved to do so.
When the movie, Elmer Gantry, was released, the suggestion was raised that Gantry was modeled
after Billy Graham. Since Graham was still a child when the book was written, the suggestion was
nonsense, but it probably sold a lot of tickets.
Ultimately, the identification of Gantry and Falconer as real people is peripheral, even irrelevant,
to
the book's appeal. Lewis portrayed barnstorming preachers as lying humbugs, and every time a
Jimmy Swaggart or a Jim Bakker is exposed as exactly that, persons tempted to write a book on
such a subject are faced with the reality that it has already been done incomparably. While Lewis
portrayed all religion as something less than a force for good, he did so in a low-key manner that
had
moderate believers rationalizing that the book's target was only extremist, flamboyant religions,
not
their own conservative sects. Lewis won a Nobel Prize for his literature, and Elmer Gantry leaves
little doubt that it was well deserved.
Judas, My Brother
Frank Yerby
available new or used from Barnes and Noble
0440142903 $TBA
Apart from Uncle Yeshu, Messiah, on which I cannot comment, since self-praise is not a reliable
recommendation, Judas My Brother is the only novel about Jesus the Nazirite that can be
recommended for its accurate depiction of the social conditions under which Jesus lived and died,
and for its artistic merit. The scene in which Jesus stands upright on a floating outhouse door,
giving
watchers the impression that he is walking on water, can be excused on the ground that, in a
historical novel, anything that conceivably could have happened is legitimate. And while the
equivalent scene was the closest the gospel author dared come to having Jesus emulate Joshua's
parting of the Jordan River, it nonetheless could have happened the way Yerby described.
Yerby depicts Judas the Sicarius ("daggerman") as the victim of bad press, and credits him with
noble motives for doing what the Christian gospels say he did. Yerby either was unaware, or did
not
agree, that the author of Mark invented Judas's betrayal for the purpose of convincing Vespasian
that the terrorist among Jesus' lieutenants was "really" Jesus' enemy and had ultimately betrayed
him.
The novel is not completely free from superstition. In what I can only interpret as an endorsement
of
astrology, Yerby's narrator reads Jesus' horoscope and tells him that he is destined to become the
greatest criminal in human history, with temples erected in his name, graven images made in his
likeness, and himself elevated to the status of a pagan god. He also tells him that his people,
meaning
the Jews, will one day "die in the chambers of the choking smoke." Was there no way, other than
by
validating astrology or "prophecy," that Yerby could have portrayed Jesus as the ultimate cause of
the atrocities committed in his name? Perhaps not. But the imperfections are minor. Judas My
Brother is good history and excellent storytelling.
We of the Never Never and The Little Black Princess
Jennie Gunn
available new or used from Barnes and Noble
$TBA
When author Jennie Gunn wondered why Bett-Bett "shutim eye quickfella" in the presence of her
uncle Goggle-eye, Bett-Bett explained, "Him little bit father belong me." In the 1920s that was as
close as Gunn dared come in print to acknowledging that, among the Aboriginal tribe on her
husband's acreage, a wife was automatically sexually available to all of her husband's male
relatives.
By Gunn's time, the fact that a child had only a single father was known. The "little bit father"
status
of all of her mother's intimates was a holdover from a much earlier time when it was still believed
that children were jointly fathered by every man who had deposited his sperm into the child's
mother.
The social conditions described in We of the Never Never no longer exist. The book is as useful a
source for a period of Australian history as is The Grapes of Wrath for American history, even if
Gunn is no John Steinbeck.
Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert Heinlein
available new or used from Barnes and Noble
0441790348 $7.99
Michael Smith was born on Mars to human parents, and after all of the other humans died he was
raised by Martians for twenty years before being returned to his home planet. And because Mike
was able to recognize what he found here as less than ideal, the reader is enabled to see it as
perhaps
he has never seen it before.
There is no more effective way to view the insanity of this planet's anti-sexual culture than by
looking at it through the eyes of a Martian. And when that perspective is spelled out by one of
science fiction's Big Three giants, it becomes so impossible to continue believing that victimless
recreation can be immoral, that only the incurable brainwashed can retain such a mindset.
For sixty years science fiction was the only genre through which ant rational moral philosophy
could
be sneaked past the theocratic censors. Clarke and Asimov did it effectively. But no one matched
the
unassailable logic of Robert Heinlein. Anyone who still believes that sexual recreation involves
moral
questions not applicable to tennis or golf either has not read this book, or is incurable.
Living History
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Simon & Schuster
Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY 10020
ISBN 0743222245 $28.00
The bad news is that Hillary Clinton is a godworshipper, and therefore a scientifically illiterate
ignoramus by definition. The good news is that she belongs to the only major political party
dedicated to preserving and protecting the basic human rights that the feebleminded, theofascist
serial killer in the White House is hell-bent on exterminating in the name of the imaginary
playmate
he shares with Osama bin Laden.
Ms. Clinton must have been keeping a diary since her childhood. It seems unlikely that she could
have written 562 pages of such detailed autobiography otherwise. Since she is a public figure, no
doubt that is what a lot of people wanted and expected to get. Bestseller status surely could not
have been attained if a majority of readers had found the book disappointing. Personally I do not
give a flying fig whom she had lunch with on the 93rd of May, 1981-and-a-bit. While I looked at
every page, I skimmed without really reading as far as page 524. On that page she wrote:
"In the end, Al Gore won the popular vote by over 500,000 ballots but lost the presidency in the
Electoral College. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 on December 12 to stop a recount of votes in
Florida, effectively sealing victory for Bush. Seldom if ever in our history has the people's right to
choose their elected officials been thwarted by such a blatant abuse of judicial power."
Clinton also spells out her views on the political atrocities of which she was an inside observer,
including the desperate efforts of morally retarded Republicans (tautology) to show that a
Republican president's attempt to overthrow the Constitution differed in no significant way from a
Democratic president's lying about an issue that should have been none of the law's business. That
was what I wanted to read, not simply because I agree with her, but because that is the kind of
writing that interests present and future historians. Unfortunately, such material comprises only a
small proportion of Clinton's book.
I recommend books that make significant points concerning contrary-to-fact belief systems, and
the
attempts by incurable dogmatists to impose their myths and delusions on whole populations that
disagree with them. On that basis, Living History does not qualify. But I do not dispute that the
book achieves what its author set out to do, and anyone who wants to know about the personal
life
of a prominent politician will find it here. While this book will not hurt Clinton's political career, it
is
unlikely to win her the support of persons who are not already her admirers.
Can Hillary Clinton become America's first woman President? She does not mention such a
possibility, but presumably does not rule it out. While she is unlikely to be influenced by the
opinion
of someone who is not even an American, I nonetheless urge her: Go for it.
William Harwood
Reviewer
Harold's Bookshelf
The Rush Hour Cook Presents Weekly Wonders
Brook Noel
Champion Press. Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400142 $16.00
"Weekly Wonders" is the newest in Brook Noel's Rush Hour Cook series of specialty cookbooks
designed for the time-constrained cook. In this book she has put together nineteen weeks worth
of
complete menus. Each of these weeks is a standard five-day working week, so it actually contains
recipes for five balanced, easy-to-make dinners. At the end of the recipe section for the week is a
grocery list that has all the items required to prepare that week's recipes. So instead of spending
your time figuring out that you need a half-pound of hamburger for one meal and a pound for
another there is a total of a pound and a half already listed in the grocery list. Grab the list, head
to
the store, and know that you have all the ingredients for dinner for the whole week.
In addition to the weekly recipes, the first part of the book includes information and recipes for
bulk
cooking. For example, how to prepare a base beef mix that can be used to prepare meatloaf,
Salisbury steak, or meatballs in a flash. It also contains some quick last-minute meal and dessert
recipes.
Brook Noel continues to follow her philosophy of only using ingredients that are easy to find at
the
neighborhood grocery store, the list of ingredients being shorter than the instructions, recipes are
easy to prepare by even the most inept cook, and tasty enough that even the most finicky child
will
at least eat a portion of it. This is a recommended book and is just the ticket for those crazy
weeks
that sometimes come up where there is just not going to be enough time to cook for the family
and
you don't want to do fast food every evening.
Power Desserts: The Ultimate Collection of Nutrition-Packed, Reduced-Fat Indulgences
Karen Pellegrin
Champion Press. Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400568 $TBA
Well, I have to admit that I was skeptical about low-fat, low-cholesterol, reduced calorie dessert
recipes tasting even remotely like dessert. I was glad to be proven wrong with this delightful
book.
The desserts are still calorie packed with most of them still having 300+ calories per serving.
However, this is still typically about a third less calories than the same dessert prepared using a
traditional recipe. Each one of the desserts has significantly less fat (often one third or less), has
almost completely eliminated the cholesterol, and has added nutrients and minerals. I have always
equated less fat with less taste simply because that has been my experience, now I can say that
less
fat can still mean delicious.
Some of the recipes that I really liked included Amaretto Cheesecake Brownies, Chocolate Peanut
Butter Crunch Bars, Hazelnut Fudge Cake, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter
Pie, and Maple Nut Fudge. If you are looking for a better alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth
or
just a healthier dessert you can't go wrong with this book. "Power Desserts" is a highly
recommended purchase for anyone looking to better their health and still satisfy their sweet
tooth.
Newspaper Caper
Max Elliot Anderson
Baker Trittin Concepts
Tweener Press Imprint
PO Box 20, Grand Haven, MI 49417
ISBN: 0972925651 $16.95
Tom Stevens could sell anything to anyone. He immediately reminded me of Tom Sawyer with his
ability to convince the other kids that it was fun and a privilege to paint the fence. Tom Stevens
had
the same gift of persuasion. In "Newspaper Caper" Tom soon convinces his friends Jimmy and
Matt
to help him with a newspaper route and the adventure begins.
When cars start disappearing from the neighborhood the boys decide to keep their eyes open for
anything unusual as they deliver their papers early in the morning. Their diligence soon pays off.
Ride along with them on their adventure as the story unfolds and the suspense continues to build.
Although it is more likely to appeal to boys than girls, it is an excellent story for kids around eight
to
twelve years old of either sex.
There is one section of the story that some parents are likely to find offensive. Near the beginning
there is an incident with a vicious dog. In dealing with the dog Matt prepares some fresh meat
with
jalapeno juice and Tabasco sauce and finishes it off by lacing it with laxatives. Needless to say it
makes an immediate impression on the dog and it no longer is a problem for them. In fact, by the
end of the adventure it is on a friendly basis with them. It would be a shame for a child to miss a
good story because a parent is offended by such a passage (although I can understand their being
offended). Taking the positive angle with the incident it could be used by parents to open up a
discussion of cruelty to animals or whether or not the ends justifies the means in many situations.
The same passage could be used as a reason not to allow your child to read the book or used as a
springboard for an important and educational discussion. Other than that one caveat, this is a
suspenseful, fast paced, story with the choice of words appropriate for pre-teen readers and a
recommended read.
Greek for the Rest of Us
William D. Mounce
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310234859 $34.99
Is it possible to engage in an in-depth word study of a New Testament passage without mastering
the Greek language? Author William Mounce would answer that question in the affirmative and in
his book "Greek for the Rest of Us" he proves his point. Many people know that with an
Interlinear
translation and a good concordance, Biblical Greek dictionary or similar tools they can see all the
possible meanings of a particular word. However, just knowing the meaning of a particular one is
only part of the puzzle of good Biblical exegesis. You also have to understand Greek syntax. It
can
make a big difference in the meaning of a passage to know whether something is an active or
passive
verb, a dependent clause or an independent clause, and whether words like "man" is inclusive of
mankind or just "men". There are a lot of things to know when trying to understand a passage and
the definitions of the words is only a small part of it.
The introductory material includes a section titled "What are translations?" that should be read by
every serious student of the Bible. In it he points out the problems of translation, differences
between literal and equivalent translations, problems of ambiguity, moving from implicit to
explicit
in order to fill out a passage, misunderstandings, sensitivity issues, and euphemisms. If you don't
read Biblical Greek as a primary language and rely heavily on a translation of the Bible for your
theology (as almost all of us do) then you have an obligation to at least understand these problems
of translation.
The rest of the book deals primarily with understanding syntax and the significance and
implications
of whether a word is nominative, accusative, imperative, or dative form, active or passive, or
whatever other form it might take. After reading through the book I would have to agree
wholeheartedly with Mr. Mounce, you don't have to be able to speak and read Greek if you have
an
understanding of the language and the right tools. This is a very highly recommended book for
anyone without the time to learn the Greek language but interested in deep scriptural study.
The God Who Hung on the Cross
Dois I. Rosser, Jr. and Ellen Vaughn
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310248353 $18.99
Autobiographical, biographical, inspirational, life changing, there are a lot of ways to describe this
book, but easy to put down is not one of them. It is the story of Dois Rosser who was raised as a
poor child in Appalachia and ended up building churches and establishing broadcast ministries
throughout the world. This is the story of the difference that one person, fully committed to God,
can make in the world. It is a living illustration of how sometimes things don't go the way that we
plan them but we find out later that they went just the way that God planned them.
The point of view switches regularly from that of Dois Rosser as he tells first hand what happened
to
that of Ellen Vaughn who reports the events as an outside observer. The writing style is graceful
and
flowing as it draws the reader into the story and the ministry. By drawing the reader into the
ministry
it creates excitement that can then be used to change your part of the world. This is one of the
purposes of inspiration, you become a part of something bigger; an ordinary person part of
something that is way beyond ordinary.
"The God Who Hung on the Cross" is an excellent read and highly recommended read for any
Christian seeking inspiration and verification that despite the bad news that is constantly played in
the media, God is working His will even in the remotest corners of the earth.
The Frantic Family Cookbook: (Mostly) Healthy Meals in Minutes
Leanne Ely, C.N.C
Champion Press. Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400118 $29.95
The days of the stay-at-home mother who has nothing to do but wait around for the kids to come
home from school and her husband to come home from work are long gone (if they ever really
existed to begin with). These days most mothers are juggling the kids, at least a part-time job,
after
school activities, and most of the domestic chores. So, how does she provide for dinner without
resorting to the local fast food drive through each evening? The answer to that question is in this
cookbook.
The recipes are delicious and you would never know that the cook didn't spend hours in the
kitchen
preparing it. I say "the cook" because the recipes are easy enough that even I can prepare them.
This
makes it perfect not only for the frantic mom preparing dinner but also the frantic college student,
or
anyone else with a desire for a good meal but a shortage of time to prepare one. Some of my
favorites include Fragrant Lemon Chicken and Potatoes, Chicken Stir Fry, Caribbean Chicken (for
those who like spicy foods), Calypso Red Beans and Rice, Double Baked Cheddar Cheese
Torpedoes, and Double-Chocolate Bread Pudding.
One of the things I have to comment on with this book is that it is in ring-bound form, which
allows
it to lie flat while you use it for cooking. While Champion Press, Ltd. has a wide variety of
specialty
cookbooks most of them are not spiral or ring bound or anything similar and so are tough to keep
open when preparing the food. This one is an exception and is a highly recommended
cookbook.
Day Tripping: Your Guide to Educational Family Adventures
Teri J. Brown
Champion Press. Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400410 $13.95
"Day Tripping: Your Guide to Educational Family Adventures" contains ideas for educational
trips
with (or without) your kids. Most people tend to know a few of the historic places in the area
where
they live, but with a little investigation and a little creativity the opportunity exists for many kinds
of
educational day trips. What about a trip with a culinary theme, or an artistic theme, or botanical
theme, or even governmental theme?
Author Teri Brown includes information on how to plan such a trip, including what not to do as
well
as what to do. She also goes over planning a group trip if there are others who would like to join
you on your educational adventure. While a short book, it is packed with good advice and some
very creative ideas on unusual places where you might not think of visiting on a day trip but might
prove to be very educational.
A Cutting Garden for Florida, Third Edition
Betty Barr Mackey, Monica Moran Brandies
B. B. Mackey Books
PO Box 475, Wayne, PA 19087
ISBN: 0961633891 $15.99
Living in Florida I can vouch for the difficulties of growing just about anything in the sandy,
nutrient
poor, water deficient soil. Starting from that less than perfect base Betty Barr Mackey and
Monica
Moran Brandies walk the reader through the various things they need to know in order to grow a
beautiful cutting garden. From finding the right place, to properly preparing the soil, to picking
the
appropriate flowers for soil, sun, and moisture conditions "A Cutting Garden for Florida" covers
everything you need to know to have a successful garden. It even covers germination times, when
a
particular flower blooms, how long it blooms, and other information so you can make sure that
when one flower goes out of season another is coming in. This is a highly recommended book for
anyone dealing with the daunting task of getting flowers to grow in Florida.
Crazy About Crockpots! 101 Recipes For Entertaining at Less than 75 cents a Serving
Penny E. Stone
Champion Press, Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400533 $12.00
"Crazy About Crockpots! 101 Recipes For Entertaining at Less than 75 cents a Serving" is an
unusual book in that it contains none of the stews and soups that you expect in a crockpot
cookbook
(actually you will find them in the companion book "Crazy About Crockpots! 101 Soups and
Stews
for Less than 75 cents per Serving"). Instead, this book contains a wide variety of unusual recipes
for using your crockpot to prepare casseroles, desserts, and even drinks. It has a great recipe for
BBQ Beef sandwiches (always a personal favorite meal) as well as really good recipes for
Seasoned
Chicken and Rice, Lemon-Herb Chicken Breasts, and Sweet and Sour Pork. There are several
pages
of dips as well as cobblers, puddings and sauces, and even drinks like Apple Cider, Wassail, and
punch. If you never really knew what to do with that crockpot sitting around the house other than
to
heat up soup this is the place to find out what you can do. The results are delicious and the book
deserves a recommended read designation.
Crazy About Crockpots! 101 Soups and Stews for Less than 75 cents a Serving
Penny E. Stone
Champion Press, Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400525 $12.00
"Crazy About Crockpots! 101 Soups and Stews for Less than 75 cents a Serving" is a cookbook
for
the busy cook who still wants to provide their family or their self with hearty meal that is much
more
than just heating up a can of soup. With recipes like Cream of Mushroom soup you can make
your
favorites from scratch. There are traditional recipes like Ham and Beans, Onion Soup, and Chili
that
you would expect and recipes like Cheese and Potato Soup (absolutely great), Cheesy Chowder,
or
Corn Chowder that are a bit more unusual. Most of the recipes are quick and easy to fix and taste
wonderful. If you want to know what to do with that crockpot besides heating up canned soup
you
are sure to find some great ideas and very tasty recipes in this book. "Crazy About Crockpots!
101
Soups and Stews for Less than 75 cents a Serving" is a recommended read for anyone with a
crockpot.
CNE Update to NetWare 6
David James Clarke IV
Novell Press
201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290
ISBN: 0789729792 $69.99
Since the purpose of this book is to teach the reader what is necessary to upgrade their Novell
CNE
5 certification to a Novell CNE 6 the review is rather simple and to the point. I read through it,
skimmed through it a second time, looked at the included CD and reviewed the questions at the
end
of each chapter, took the exam and passed it the first time. That makes it pretty clear that all the
information is in here to pass the exam, all you have to do is study it. Since it made upgrading my
certification a snap I would have to give it a very high recommendation to anyone seeking to do
the
same.
Climbing Gardens: Adding Height and Structure to Your Garden
Joan Clifton
Firefly Books, Ltd.
155 East 34 Street #5B, New York, NY 10016
ISBN: 1552976106 $19.95
Although I have enjoyed gardening for some time it never occurred to me to create a climbing
garden. In "Climbing Gardens: Adding Height and Structure to Your Garden" author Joan Clifton
provides solid advice on how to create such a garden. This is not just a rose trellis type of
climbing
garden, there are a myriad of forms a climbing garden can take and she illustrates and discusses
several of them. The book is illustrated with beautiful photographs of garden trellises, walkways,
arches, and other structures covered with flowering foliage. On a more practical aspect it contains
some more practical ideas such as the photograph of an archway covered with fruiting squash
plants.
It even has a few pictures and ideas for one of my favorite vines - wisteria. With instructions on
how
to build structures such as an obelisk or a living arbor, the book is very complete and a
recommended read for anyone looking to add a new dimension to their garden by adding height
and
other structure.
Cooking for Blondes: A Fun Collection of Gourmet Recipes and Menus for the Holidays
Rhonda Levitch
Champion Press. Ltd.
4308 Blueberry Road, Fredonia, WI 53021
ISBN: 1891400800 $27.95
The newest book in Rhonda Levitch's tongue-in-cheek series "Cooking for Blondes", this one
contains not just gourmet recipes for the culinarily challenged but ones designed specifically for
the
holidays. Each recipe is rated as Platinum Blonde, Golden Blonde, or Natural Blonde. The recipes
rated Platinum Blonde are very easy so that even a Platinum Blonde can prepare them. Those
rated
as Golden Blonde require a slightly higher level of ability. And those labeled as Natural Blonde
are a
little more difficult, but all are easy enough that even a blonde, of any type, can prepare them.
All the recipes are simple, using common ingredients and the preparation instructions are
generally
shorter than the ingredients list. Of course it has the usual divisions of beverages, appetizers,
soups,
salads, entrees, and desserts. What makes this book truly unique and a cookbook that should be in
everyone's collection is the section of complete holiday menus with grocery list. For example, A
Soulful Thanksgiving dinner suggests a meal of Soulful Greens, Elbow Macaroni & Cheese,
Candied
Sweet Potatoes, Soulful Cornbread Dressing, Turkey, Sweet Potato Pie, and Southern Pound
Cake.
Beside each of the items is a page reference where you can find the recipe and at the bottom of
the
page is a complete grocery list for all of the suggested recipes and a list of the staples used. Other
holiday meals include several Christmas Even dinners, Valentine's Dinner, and even a Superbowl
Sunday and Ladies Gathering meal. In short, if it is a common reason for people getting together
for
a meal (whether or not it is a recognized holiday) there seems to be a complete meal here. This is
a
wonderful way to prepare for the holidays without having to plan a meal from scratch and the
convenience of having a complete shopping list for all the recipes in the meal cannot be
overstated.
This is a highly recommended purchase for the person who wants a cookbook with simple recipes
and ingredients, complete meal plans, and even a section on what should be included in the
well-stocked kitchen. This is the best of Rhonda Levitch's "Cooking for Blondes" series to
date.
Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar, Second Edition
William D. Mounce
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310250870 $41.99
If you've read "Greek for the Rest of Us" by William Mounce and decided that you really wanted
to
learn the basics of Biblical Greek including vocabulary then this is the book that you will want.
William Mounce has a gift for taking the Greek language and making it approachable even to
those
who have tried before but not succeeded in learning Biblical Greek. While there are many, many
grammar details to learn such as whether something is dative, nominative, accusative, genitive,
active, passive, dependent, independent, etc. Mr. Mounce actually makes it interesting and finds
ways to keep the student interested and feeling positive about their progress. All those grammar
rules are very important in correctly interpreting the Greek texts and in understanding English
translation. Sometimes there is no English equivalent for a Greek word, sometimes we can only
approach a correct translation by approximating a similar word in English, but then our personal
prejudices and beliefs affect the word that we choose. Understanding Greek is important to a
serious
level of study of New Testament writings. This book gives you the basic ability to look through a
Greek text or Interlinear Translation of the Bible and understand not only what is said, but also
what
is actually meant but the text. This is a very highly recommended text for anyone desiring to learn
Biblical Greek and one of the best books on the subject that I have ever read.
Harold McFarland
Reviewer
Hodgins' Bookshelf
Necessary Betrayals
Guillaume Vigneault
Douglas & McIntyre
2323 Quebec St. Suite 201, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 4S7
$14.95, ISBN 1550549561, 188 pp.
tr. by Susan Ouriou from the French "Chercher le vent" ('Seek the wind'), Les Editions
Boreal,
Montreal, 2001 (no. pp., price, ISBN unknown)
The protagonist of this well told first-person story, with its unfunny (whereas a back cover blurb
omits the "un-"), sometimes spaced-out characters, is officially named Jacques (in English, James)
Dubois, but he prefers "Jack", which may be more chic in today's Quebecois French. He answers
to
either name, but "Jack" is shorter to write.
After a 2 1/2 page prologue, the book is structured in three somewhat meaningless Parts, of
which
Part One contains 30 nameless chapters; Part Two, 12; and Part Three, 9.
The reader may find it useful to know more than this reviewer does about Zen, and about New
Age
moeurs. "Necessary Betrayals", a name partially explained in the work's closing sentence, is at all
events a very readable, if sometimes confusing tale.
The confusion arises from facts in Jack's life which he finds impossible to confront, as the reader
will
eventually come to understand.
He has been divorced by ex-wife Monica, who, toward the end, says she could never have
forgiven
him. This softcover book is equipped with cover flaps, the front one of which puts the matter
thus:
"Peace comes at a price and sometimes that price means burning bridges. Jack and Monica broke
up
a long time ago, but there is still something broken inside."
It will in fact turn out even worse than that.
Jack is now in contact with Monica's neurotic (manic-depressive, Monica says) younger brother,
Tristan; again as the front flap puts it, "After years of silence ... Tristan, Monica's younger
brother,
reappears in Jack's life."
Something more like a fraternal relationship develops; these ex-brothers-in-law somehow know
more than seems likely about each other, especially given that they've been so long separated.
Jack is attached to his old six- (sometimes five-) cylindered Buick Regal in which, at the outset,
he
revisits Val-d'Or ("Valley of Gold", a Western Quebec town) to complete the sale of his and
Monica's former home. The back cover and the front flap both suggest this begins an on-the-road
yarn, but it's really a series of episodes set in fixed locales, any description of actual travel by
Buick
being minimal.
A Hasselblad Swedish camera is depicted twice to symbolize Jack's part-time work as a
professional
photographer: once on the front cover flap, and again at the frontispiece of Part Two. In the latter
Part, Jack discovers that valuable camera in the bilge of a secondhand fishing boat.
He also has a past in "general aviation", sometimes flying hunting and fishing parties into the
wilderness, or sometimes flying for personal recreation. He now somewhat mysteriously claims,
though, not only that he doesn't fly, but also that he doesn't miss it; he only misses the life he once
led, and the person he was when he also happened to fly.
In Chapter 6, selected haunting memories of his last, ultra-brief flight are revealed, complete with
the engine's dying shortly after takeoff. That time, Monica had been with him in the Cessna 172 -
an
aircraft only vaguely represented by the woodcut(?) emblem on the front cover and frontispiece.
Jack lacks the courage to tell the whole story, though, until about we're 2/3 through the book, 30
chapters on from Jack's first revelation of the crash - and even then he can't seem to put a name to
what he sees, but only gives a too-vivid if metaphorical description.
However, we do learn at last of that horrifying calamity, and of the immense weight of resulting
guilt
Jack carries, secretly preying on his mind, or at least affecting his outlook, throughout the
book.
At Chapter 17 Vigneault also first mentions a Beaver that Jack has flown. That's a DeHavilland
Canada bush plane or, if I may put it this way, a "flying SUV" of roughly similar configuration to
Jack's Cessna. The Beaver, though, is of no real importance in this story.
In Chapter 7 Jack tells Tristan, and us, "I'm forever getting over [Monica] ... That's all I do."
Their
break was not entirely caused by the crash, though; it also resulted from events to be recounted in
Chapters 18 & 19, involving Muriel, Jack's sexy, former photo-business agent.
As one of the results of Jack's accumulated guilt, he overdoses on a drug washed down "with a
full
glass of rum". After 15 hours of numb sleep, he stumbles out, naked, to the lake and comes close
to
knowingly if still numbly drowning himself, all while still under the influence.
Now the story seems to mutate into the promised on-the-road tale, perhaps as inspired by
Kerouac
(mentioned on page 104). Yet there will be little sense of actual movement; only of what happens
at
places visited.
Further, as things will turn out, Jack will travel mostly alone.
Following Jack's near-suicide, the following (abridged) discussion occurs between the flaky
narrator
and his oddball ex-brother-in-law:
"Okay, let's go," he [Tristan] said quite simply.
"Oh. Where?"
"I don't know, we're going, that's all. We'll worry about where later."
I looked out the window. The two surfboards were attached to the Buick's roof.
...
[I said,] "The fins are supposed to go to the front."
The two males get only as far as Montreal before chance adds a third adventurer, a young
Catalan-American woman named Nuna. First they meet her working in a pizza joint. Tristan is
quick
to proclaim he's in love with her, but they lose track of her.
Later, already stretching one's credulity, they spot her again hiking on a gridlocked highway,
where
she joins them in Jack's car.
Think that is coincidence enough? Read on!
The first leg of their journey takes them to Bar Harbor ("Harbour" on the back cover), Maine.
There, in a scene reminiscent of "The Sloop John B.", all three get into a drunken fight against a
huge, tough local character. ("We sailed in the sloop John B. / My grandfather and me; / 'Round
Nassau town we did roam. / We stayed awake all night. / We got into a fight. / Well I feel so
broken
up, I just want to go home.")
Surprisingly, the fight produces no sequel and our trio peacefully takes up rented residence in the
vicinity.
Nuna and Tristan become lovers; Jack happens upon them going at it, and waits for the groans to
avoid detection. That's just another reason for Jack to remain in mourning for his lost love,
Monica,
even after Nuna suggests Jack could make a triangle of her affair with Tristan.
All three play chess - likely an enthusiasm of the Vigneault himself - and interact while playing. It's
thus that Jack picks a quarrel with Tristan over the latter's writing to his "ex", Louise, with whom
Tristan has had a long, unhappy, perfidious, disjointed, yet unforgettable affair - only how can
Jack
be so knowledgeable about it, if he and Tristan have been apart for years? Louise herself sounds
all
too true to life, though.
The Louise controversy boils over, separating Jack from the others but creating an occasion for
him
to associate with May, owner of the place they'd rented and coincidentally a fan of Jack's
photography. May has now become a Nuna enthusiast, as well.
Everyone Vigneault imagines, even the ladylike, elderly May, seems about equally prone to
blurting
such expletives as "bullshit!" Writer Vigneault also makes May a writer - something of a cliche' -
but
to his credit he makes May only a minor character, whose chief functions are to introduce the "I
Ching" to Jack and to us, and to give him encouragement.
To earn most of her keep, May at present composes Hallmark greeting cards. These she describes
as
"antiliterature, almost like antimatter." That is, they do the opposite of literature which, she says,
"Start[s] with the specific to get at the universal;" for a greeting card aims to sell mass produced,
"universal", short messages which nonetheless look personal, or "specific".
(As a merely self-taught novelist, I hadn't thought of purposely working from the particular to the
general. One sees, though, how it works in Jerzy Kosinski's 1971 short novel, "Being There".
There
a clueless nobody, "Chance the gardener", through misinterpretations becomes a high Presidential
adviser known as "Chauncey Gardiner"; in the end Chauncey literally walks on water, at least in
Peter Sellers's film version. Under the star system of celebrity worship, so "Being There" implies,
any nitwit may find undreamed-of success, far and away above any actual merit he may possess -
thus working from the specific, "Chauncey Gardiner"-type case to the universal or "anyone"
case.)
The "I Ching", which May also introduces, cryptically urges Jack to "return"; to "Retrace your
steps
to meet what will resurface." Return to what or to whom, though?
The former trio has broken up; Tristan has returned to Montreal, and Nuna to her wealthy family's
spread in Florida. Nuna has however left her e-mail address for Tristan to pass on in a note to
Jack.
Now, has the "I Ching" advised Jack to return to Monica? to La Minerve? to flying? to
photography? to Tristan and/or Nuna? even to that major cause of trouble, Muriel? No doubt one
or
more of those options may apply, but how can the best choice(s) be isolated?
Both May and, more surprisingly, Tristan (who has left that note behind) vote for Nuna, noting
that
she clearly has taken a shine to Jack. Tristan also tries to absolve Jack of his earlier crimes by
writing, "Hey, Jack, quit burying yourself alive, okay? You've paid your dues."
Solo, Jack next drives south to Florida, apparently aimlessly, but actually in hopes of once more
finding Nuna. At the Disney place, "Sitting beneath a plastic tree in Mickey's kingdom holding
pink
cotton candy, I had a brief moment of lucidity ... I must be crazy even to think I could find Nuna
..."
(What? With her e-mail address in hand? It mightn't make as good a story that way, but in that
case
e-mail should never have been mentioned.)
In fact, against all likelihood - it goes a coincidence too far - Jack does see Nuna again, in a
passing
crowd. Yet for no stated reason he lies low, possibly feeling (a) unworthy of her, (b) no longer
interested, or (c) that she would simply stand in the way of his other options. Otherwise, perhaps
the
Zen was wrong, or something?
He tries a little Florida surfing, but finds he's growing older. Then his credit card maxes out,
although he has more funds in reserve at home. He again consults an "I Ching" book that May has
given him. For obscure reasons he sets out, still alone, for Louisiana.
There, in Part Two, he takes work "in a seedy snack bar for money paid under the table." The
outstanding event of that stay is a hurricane which destroys the little restaurant - a disaster for the
owners because their insurance company refuses to pay up ... until Jack secretly pulls strings
connected to his photography business. Slowly, he thus atones for wrongs of his earlier life.
In Part Three he has a very successful show in New York, while narrowing his choices to those he
can live with happily. Nuna herself visits the show in the work's closing pages. It must really be
love!
Finally Jack flies again. Here we read that it is natural for a plane to take off, to climb, to fly - but
to
make one land requires that the plane be tricked out of doing that for which it was designed.
"Landing is a betrayal. But with her tanks almost empty ... There are necessary betrayals."
It remains unclear, though, just how such a remark can justify Jack's betrayals of his unfortunate
ex-wife, Monica. It probably can't, but if Jack's existence can produce a net positive impact
overall,
he should at last be able to view himself as not a total schmuck.
Pete Hodgins Sr.
Reviewer
Judine's Bookshelf
90 Day Wonder: Darkness Remembered
Leon Cooper and Don Tait
1st Books Library
2595 West Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404-2782
www.1stbooks.com
ISBN: 1410728757 $14.50 1-800-839-8640
Who started the dirty rumor? I learned the simple rhyme in elementary school, and it has hung
around with me ever since. You know the childhood chant, "Sticks and stones/May break my
bones,/But words can never hurt me." Let me dispel this falsehood. Words can hurt. They stick to
our bodies like invisible glue. This is true for words spoken and unspoken.
"90 Day Wonder: Darkness Remembered," captures the ugly truth about how words can harm
and
mutilate souls. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor the military needed leaders, and Leon Cooper
describes his quick training as an officer in the US Navy directly after college. His first assignment
is
aboard the USS Harry Lee.
Once on deck, he stood at attention in Captain Joseph Boda quarters, answering routine
questions.
As Boda stands up from his chair, tossing a few coins rhythmically in his hands, one of the coins
falls
on the floor. Leon doesn't to pick it up, realizing this is a test. He reflects, "I was off on the wrong
foot with Captain Boda and my life aboard the Lee was to become a floating hell." (pg. 57) For
the
next four years, Leon survives Boda's verbal abuse, but Boda's words continue to circulate in
Leon's
mind. Even after Leon is honorably discharged from the Navy, the words plague Leon to the point
of threatening Boda's life.
At the height of the story's action, Leon causally recalls the time as a child, and how his parents
bought his brother Bill a bike, because had a paper route. When Leon whined for a bike also, his
mother soothingly replies, "Maybe next year." (pg. 123) At the time, the scene seems insignificant,
because one of his shipmates is waking him from a dream. But this dream of past reality describes
the crux of Leon's attitude towards Boda or anyone in authority.
After years of serving in military and hating Boda, Dr. Metzler his psychiatrist, describes the
situation perfectly, "You might have come out of the service okay, but you went in there with
problems you didn't know you had. You were the helpless victim at home with your big brother,
and
you became the helpless victim on shipboard where you ran afoul of Boda." (pg. 266) Leon
waited
too long to talk about his anger towards his parents. The time lapse caused those unspoken words
to
become deeply embedded in his body, causing a raging fire, which could not be squelched.
Leon Cooper and Don Tait keep the reader anxiously awaiting for the story to unfold. The action
often flips from the present to the past, but there is a smooth flow of events. The time line gets
fuzzy
towards the middle, when we were waiting for the birth of his second child. It is only at the end,
when I learned he had five children. And it is not definitely clear if the cause of his wife's death
relates to "the curse" (pg. 51) But, the physical combat and the mental battle keep the reader
interested. I recommend "90 Day Wonder: Darkness Remembered" to anyone who likes military
stories. It is also a good book for introverts to read about the danger of allowing words to hurt,
instead of them letting go.
Comment about review by author Leon Cooper:
Judine - I hope you won't take my reaction to your review the wrong way ... but it's not "words"
by
the commanding officer of Cooper's ship that is the principle message of the book. Rather, it's the
madness of sociopath Boda, including his reckless commands, that leads to the deaths of many of
Cooper's shipmates. In wartime, military organizations are forced to put misfits or worse, madmen
like Boda, in command positions -- this what leads to the conflict between Cooper, with his sense
of
justice, and Boda, with his absolute powers.
So, this is not a "war story" as such -- rather, it is the playing out of right vs wrong that happens
to
many of us during our lives. In this case, it happens to take place in a war setting -- and therefore
is
intensified -- but the main elements of the conflict happen often in less dramatic circumstances to
many of us.
Judine Slaughter, Reviewer
http://www.eybooks.com
Lori's Bookshelf
Making a Literary Life: Advice for Writers & Other Dreamers
Carolyn See
Ballantine Books
1745 Broadway, 15-3, New York, NY 10019
ISBN: 0345440463 $13.95
Carolyn See, novelist, memoirist, teacher, and book reviewer for the Washington Post, has
written a
wonderful volume about writing well while striving to live a literary life. Starting with a person's
first
glimmer of an idea about wanting to write, and then carrying on through the whole process of
writing, revising, and publishing, See shares her advice and often laugh-out-loud observations.
For
instance, writing about revising, she says: "Revision is when you first get to recognize the distance
between what you wanted to write, what you thought were were writing, and what you actually
did
write. That recognition often makes you want to throw up" (p. 177).
I loved this book! Carolyn See does a marvelous job describing the pitfalls and peaks of making a
literary life while at the same time telling the reader about her own process and
experiences sometimes as guides to follow and other times as cautionary tales. Her sage take on
things coupled with a unique voice and style make this book a joy to read. Whether you are
already
a writer or merely contemplating a literary life, this lively, touching, and entertaining book will
speak
to you. Highly recommended.
Born Free
Laura Hird
Rebel, Inc./Canongate Books, Ltd.
14 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1TE
http://www.laurahird.com/
ISBN: 1841950483 $12.95
As she did in many of her short stories in the collection entitled NAIL, Laura Hird has once again
mined the depths of a dysfunctional family. Vic and Angie, a bus driver and bookie's assistant
respectively, have two kids, Joni, 15, and Jake, 14, neither of whom is happy. The story of this
family, who live in Edinburgh, Scotland, is told from all four characters' points of view, and Hird
captures their voices perfectly. Jake's longings, Joni's petulance and savagery, their mother's
alcoholic binges and affair, and their father's resignation to his empty life are all rendered
flawlessly.
The prose is energetic and cutting; the story, by turns, ugly and bleak. But the novel is also darkly
comic, rising up into moments of hilarity. You can't resist laughing while at the same time feeling
appalled and uncomfortable by the events and attitudes of the characters.
Hird's take on this Scottish family is a frightening look at the characters' failure to connect with
one
another, to escape their dismal situations, or to even imagine rising above the circumstances they
face. They are alienated, angry, and unable to see any alternative solutions. In that way, there is a
universality in the theme Hird is illuminating: that of the desperation and lack of hope some
families
face and the destruction and misery that follows in their wake.
Lori L. Lake, Reviewer
http://www.lorillake.com/
Magdalena's Bookshelf
Cosmopolis
Don DeLillo
Picador
ISBN 0743244249 $37.95
Eric Packer is a young, well endowed, perpetually hungry rich stock magnate New Yorker. Using
the royal we, he decides that he must have a haircut on the same day that the President of the
United
States is in town, a rap star has his public funeral parade, a former employee is stalking him, and
rat
wielding anti-globalists are protesting. The forward motion of the story is provided by Packer's
cork
lined white limo as it moves very slowly through the gridlocked streets. While sitting in his limo,
Packer has his daily medical exam, including a prostrate check, and continues to buy Yen against
his
financial director's advice. He also has pitstops where he has lunch with his wife of 21 days whom
he
hardly knows, gets involved in and even cries at the Rapper's funeral, gets hit by a cream pie from
a
famous pie attacker, joins in a nude mass death scene of a film, kills his bodyguard with his own
gun,
and gets killed himself. None of these revelations are really spoilers, because the plot is so
distorted
and subservient to Packer's musing that it almost seems beside the point.
Unfortunately, the characterisation is unbelievable and also besides the point. Packer himself is
conceited, unlikeable, and so pseudo-erudite that he might almost work as an anti-hero if he
weren't
the only character in the book developed beyond a few sketchy outlines. His musings are so
inwardly
focused and he seems so self-centred that it is hard to do anything other than dismiss him. He
thinks
and feels in a kind of hyperbolic poetry which could be mythological if it weren't so
pretentious:
He studied the figural diagrams that brought organic patterns into play, birdwing and chambered
shell. It was shallow thinking to maintain that numbers and charts with the cold compression of
unruly human energies, every sort of yearning and midnight sweat reduced to units in the financial
markets. In fact data itself was soulful and glowing, a dynamic aspect of the life process. This was
the eloquence of alphabets and numeric systems, now fully realized in electronic form, in the
zero-oneness of the world, the digital imperative that defined every breath of the planet's living
bilions. Here was the heave of the biosphere. Our bodies and oceans were here, knowable and
whole. (24)
The writing itself is actually lovely, and set out in couplets, might make for a moving poem.
However, it not only doesn't fit the young stock magnate, but coupled with his constant yearning
for
a haircut, fornication, a hefty meal, and his 'stop and listen to my gorgeous pronouncements on
life'
prose make him unbearable. He floats in and out of his car while having a series of odd quickies
one involving copulation with one of his bodyguards, one involving sex with his wife, and one
involving a kind of thought sex with his Finance Minister. All the characters who briefly slip into
the
scene speak in almost the same mannered musings as Packer. Take his Chief of Theory, Vija
Kinski,
who materialises in his limo at one point for their weekly meeting, and begins to wax:
But you know how shameless I am in the presence of anything that calls itself an idea. The idea is
time. Living in the future. Look at those numbers running. Money makes time .(78-9)
Packer leads her out of the car where they stop to watch an electronic display of market
information:
Never mind the speed that makes it hard to follow what passes before the eye. The speed is the
point. Never mind the urgent and endless replenishments, the way data dissolves at one end of the
series just as it takes shape at the other. This is the point, the thrust, the future. We are not
witnessing the flow of information as much as pure spectacle, or information made sacred, ritually
unreadable. (80)
His Finance Director Jane, jogs in to the car for a meeting where he tells her that his: "mood shifts
and bends. But when I'm alive and heightened, I'm super-acute" (48) and then proves it by having
another interior monologue on the nature of his own strengths: "He felt these things. He felt the
pain. It travelled the pathways. It informed the ganglion and spinal cord. It was here in his body,
the
structure he wanted to dismiss in theory even when he was shaping it under the measured effect of
barbells and weights. He wanted to judge it redundant and transferable. It was convertible to
wave
arrays of information. It was the thing he watched on the oval screen when he wasn't watching
Jane." (48)
The only other narrator in the story is Packer's murderer, and perhaps the antagonist of the story,
Benno Levin aka Richard Sheets. There are two chapters devoted to his first person confessions,
which also have the same heightened pronouncements as Packers':
"People think about who they are in the stillest hour of the night. I carry this thought, the child's
mystery and terror of this thought, I feel this immensity in my soul every second of my life."
(155)
Aside from his ponderous confessions, Benno hardly seems like a different person to Packer, and
we
know little more about him than any of the other characters. His confessions appear random, and
the
way Packer finds him is odd, and overly convenient. Aside from the power and thrust of the
linguistics throughout the many monologues, conversation, where it occurs, is stilted and strange
following events like a riot that nearly tore Packers' limo apart with a Godot like:
"He said, "Did you see that?"
"Yes I did. What was it?"
He said, "I'm sitting. We're talking. I look at the screen. Then suddenly."
"You recoil in shock."
"Yes"
"Then the blast"
"Yes"
"Has this happened, I wonder, before?"(94)
The parallels between Benno and Packer are probably deliberate, as are those between Packer and
his "wife" Elise Shiflin, with whom he shares the odd bits of conversation, a meal, and a drop in
part
in a film shoot followed by a kind of faceless sex. Nothing seems to come together though the
characters seem disjointed, and their conversation and relationships fractals - a kalidoscope of
pretty
colours without symbiosis.
The setting is also problematic. While set in a "modern day" 2000 year, Cosmopolis hints at being
futuristic, and there are references to the obsolete ATMs, PDAs, spycams, and voice activated
guns.
Televisions and medical instruments are all old fashioned tools of the past as Packer makes his
pronouncements on the demise of technology:
"People will not die. Isn't this the creed of the new culture? People will be absorbed in streams of
information. I know nothing about this. Computers will die. They're dying in their present form.
They're just about dead as distinct units. A box, a screen, a keyboard. They're melting into the
texture of everyday life. This is true or not?"
"Even the word computer."
"Even the word computer sounds backward and dumb."(104)
One imagines that the cosmopolis from which the book is named is its setting - New York City,
but
it comes across as cold and impersonal as a batman like Gothem City. We have no sense of the
life
within it, of the people going about their everyday jobs of the beauty in everyday life. Instead
everything is magnified until it has become utterly unreal. DeLillo's New York is the setting for a
nameless film about mass death. It is the background for billboards. It is the place for performance
art the setting for the grand scale of a rappers funeral, a big protest against a global world or the
meaningless flash of numbers across a stock market display. Everything that makes New York
City
evocative is gone and replaced by a kind of mythological emptiness the people are gone replaced
by actors, by showmen, by limos and their drivers.
With poor plot, poor characterisation, and a poorly managed setting, one begins to wonder what
the
point of this novel is at all. Certainly this is not a pleasant book to read. It is possible that under
the
poor structure and pretty prose likes a deeper truth some vision about the world and what
matters.
Or perhaps we are to read into the book that nothing matters that in the end nothing makes sense
that life is already over that, like Packer, we are already dead: "How do we know anything?
How
do we know the wall we're looking at is white? What is white?" (206) There are plenty of
beautiful
sentences and deep reflections in moments, but in the end, this is a disjointed and difficult to read
novel which appears to have no centre. Despite his consistently cold, nihilistic view of the world,
DeLillo's oeuvre is considerable, and one would hope that this is simply a blip. Certainly he is
capable of much more than this pretentious eye candy.
Storymaze 5: The Minotaur's Maze
Storymaze 6: The Obelisk of Eeeno
Terry Denton
Allen and Unwin
ISBN 1741140889 /97 A$12.95
My six year old son reluctantly picked up book five of Terry Denton's Storymaze series The
Minotaur's Mae. After all, he had no idea what a minotaur was, and the book seemed fairly
lengthy
at 135 pages. But he loves mazes, and the brightly coloured cover and outrageous copy with its
warning to readers, "Lost? Well don't expect me to help you, this is a book about a maze, you
fool!"
intrigued him. By the end of page one he was hooked, and didn't stop reading, even when begged
to
come to dinner by his mean parents, until the book was finished two hours later. When Storymaze
6,
The Obelisk of Eeeno arrived, I barely had time to take the book out of the letterbox before he
was
into it, even though he didn't know what an obelisk was, and was once again unable to do a thing
until the book was finished in a single sitting. This was no quiet read though. Throughout the
book
my boy was laughing outloud, shouting out things like "Hey dad, listen to this," or repeating his
favourite bits again. The next day he decided to re-read The Minotaur's Maze, only this time
taking a
different "path." Kid-friendly? You bet. My son is an enthusiastic reader and doesn't generally
need
encouragement to pick up a book, but these books really fired his imagination in a way I haven't
seen before.
Both books are reasonably challenging in their subject matter, and although Denton parodies this
by
saying at one point, "books like this are so educational," he is right. Labyrinths, ancient Greece,
astronomy, mythology, and the art of narration are all dealt with amidst the characterisation,
suspense, and general fun. My son was inspired by these books to write his own stories, and the
influence of trick chapters, multiple storylines, and casual author-reader repartee were clearly
derived from Denton's style. These funny irreverent books will tempt even the most reluctant
reader
to dive in, forever banishing the notions that books are strictly for schoolwork.
So what's Denton's secret? First of all, the book contains a quirky narrative interspersed with
cartoons. These aren't the pretty pastel pictures they got with their preschool books though.
Denton's cartoons are only slightly more sedate than the old Robert Crumb Mr Natural series. The
well developed characters are utterly cool, wild, disgusting, and often (especially to a young boy)
hilarious. Another trick is the alternative storylines. Readers get choices: "I'll give you a choice.
Turn to Chapter 15, page 47, and ride out a violent storm with our heroes. Or advance to Chapter
16, page 52, and take your chances. It's up to you." One of the characters, MIT, speaks only in a
code 1/0 computer language, with a glossary of translations at the back. One chapter consists only
of a series of "ha ha's" with a note saying that there is no chapter 13 "tricked you," and another
is
all "Noooooo." The text is often bolded, with exclamations ("Plik!"), and notes to the reader like
"Anyway let's get on with it." The stories themselves have all the elements of good plot, suspense,
and even a touch of romance of a sort, and feature the cross-galactic hijinks of the funky Claudia,
Nico, Mikey, and MIT as they try to free a trapped but hunky (at least to Claudia) Minotaur from
a
maze, or find the best surfing competition for Nico.
The humour is a little toilety and ultra silly, which makes the books particularly suitable for young
males. Older children who need to improve their motivation to read will also gain great strides
from
these seriously funny books which will appeal to children ages 6 to 14 or so. There are two
downsides though. The first is that your young reader will learn some new phrases like "You
smell
lizard brains," or "holy haggis!" The second is that if your child is anything like mine, you will
have
to rush out and buy every title in the series. Oh well. At least the paperbacks are very reasonably
priced.
Magdalena Ball, Reviewer
http://www.compulsivereader.com/html
Marya's Bookshelf
Stop that Train!
Geraldine McCaughrean
HarperCollins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019
0060507497 $16.99 www.harperchildrens.com
Cissy doesn't quite know what to expect as she and her family clatter across the prairie in a train
towards Florence, Oklahoma. They are going to claim some land on the new frontier and start a
new
life in the township. One thing she doesn't expect is what she sees when they arrive. When Cissy,
her
father, her mother, and a handful of assorted other people get off the train, travel-weary and
unsure
of themselves, all they find is open prairie. Florence does not exist; it is a place that they have to
create for themselves.
At first the people feel totally unequipped for such a state of affairs. Cissy's own parents cannot
seem to get along at all, her mother being very upset that they came to this dreadful spot in the
first
place, and making her feelings vociferously and abundantly clear at frequent intervals. But, with
each
other's help, the founders of Florence begin their new lives and Florence begins to rise up out of
prairie. Then, a new problem presents itself. The townspeople agree that though they don't have
much of a town yet they are all sure it will grow once the train station is built. Commerce will
come
and Florence will prosper. However, angered by the fact that the people of Florence have turned
down his offer to buy their claims, the railroad owner refuses to allow his train to stop in
Florence.
He intends to cut the town off from the world. Now the townsfolk have to find a way to get that
train to stop in their town before the town dies. This is a gripping story which pulls one along
towards the unexpected and extraordinary finale. Part mystery, part western, with delightful
characters which leap off the pages, this book is hard to put down. With a delightful sense of
humor
and a keen understanding of human nature and many of its foibles, the author has created a book
which will entertain readers of many ages.
Old Ironsides Americans Build a Fighting Ship
David Weitzman
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
0618311157 $6.95 www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
It is 1793 and a desperate and angry President Washington has decided that American shipping
can
no longer tolerate being attacked by pirates and every ruffian on the open seas. It was now time to
"repel force with force" as Thomas Jefferson said. It was time to build some big ships to fight off
the
enemies of American shipping. The treasury could afford to build only six ships. These six vessels
would have to be the best and the strongest that American shipbuilders could craft. Young John
Aylwin, the son of a ship's carpenter, was delighted to find himself in the middle of the great task
to
build one of these ships. John is present when a draftsman is putting together drawings for what
would become the frigate called the U.S.S Constitution. Several years later he is also present
when
the great and beautiful ship slides down the ways and into the water, ready to do battle with
whoever threatens America. Filled with highly detailed and very beautiful black and white
drawings,
David Weitzman has created a book which brings to life the creation of a famous and
extraordinary
ship. By inventing a fictional boy who participates in the construction of the ship, Weitzman has
made the whole complicated process accessible and interesting. He also gives the reader a
wonderful
picture of the times. David Weitzman helps us understand how desperate those early years were
for
the young United States, and how much skill and hard work it took to build a ship on which so
much depended. A wonderfully fresh way to look at history.
The Cat Who Loved Mozart
Patricia Austin
Illustrated by Henri Sorenson
Holiday House
425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017
082341535X $16.95 www.holidayhouse.com
Jennifer has a great love in her life which is music. She dreams of becoming a concert pianist, a
great
concert pianist. Then, she meets someone who distracts her from this dream for a short while. On
her way home from a piano lesson Jennifer finds a stray cat. With much coaxing Jennifer gets the
cat, whom she calls Amadeus, to follow her home. With much reluctance Amadeus becomes
Jennifer's pet. He just isn't the cuddly affectionate type, which is rather a disappointment for
Jennifer
who longs to have a pet in the real sense of the word. Eventually Jennifer gives up and gets down
to
practicing for a contest she is playing in. It is when she is playing at the piano that Amadeus starts
to
warm to her and Jennifer discovers how to communicate with her grumpy and standoffish cat.
Beautifully told and well paced, this is a story which reminds us that there are more ways than one
to connect with others and that the bond between a child and an animal can grow to become
something very special and very powerful. The simple and unaffected illustrations lend intensity to
the story and give it an added quality of truth and beauty.
A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark
David Adler
Illustrated by Ronald Himler
Holiday House
425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017
0823417352 $16.95 www.holidayhouse.com
How often do we say to ourselves "Imagine if he hadn't met so and so..?" or "Imagine if such and
such hadn't happened?" We can say this about the young Meriwether Lewis having the great luck
of
being taken into the employ of his neighbor, a certain gentleman called Thomas Jefferson. If this
event had not taken place, one of the greatest expeditions in American history probably would
never
have happened. Jefferson was itching to find out what lay beyond what was then the western
border
of the United States. He also wanted to find a water route across the country to the Pacific
Ocean.
By the time the trip was organized and ready to go, Jefferson had concluded what was to be
called
the Louisiana Purchase, and the lands that the expedition were to travel through belonged to the
United States. Meriwether Lewis and an officer whom he met in the army called Captain William
Clark set off to fulfill Thomas Jefferson's dream and they had one of the greatest adventures of all
time. David Adler has told this extraordinary adventure story beautifully, simplifying the tale for a
younger reader and yet not losing any of the drama or vital information. This is an excellent first
biography for a younger reader, filled with beautiful paintings and appended with authors notes,
important dates, further reading, a selected biography, and recommended web sites. Readers may
want to look at further titles in the "Picture Book Biographies"series of which there are many
interesting titles.
Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who?
Teresa Bateman
Illustrated by John O'Brien
Holiday House
425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017
0823412857 $15.95 www.holidayhouse.com
If you have ever wondered how it is that the American flag is made up of stars and stripes or
where
Uncle Sam came from, you finally have a way to find the answers to these questions. In fact this
book discusses the origins of all the major American patriotic symbols that you can think of: the
Great Seal, the Liberty Bell, "The Star Spangled Banner", the Pledge of Allegiance, the Statue of
Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the White House, the Capitol, the National Mall, the Washington
Monument, the Lincoln Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial,
and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Well written in a light and almost conversational tone this is
an
easy and interesting read. The author has succeeded in making historical facts come alive which is
truly a mark of a real storyteller. The crosshatch black ink illustrations provide plenty to engage
and
amuse the eye, the illustrator's sense of humor coming through and providing light entertainment
as
we read.
Civil War Sub: The Mystery of the Hunley
Kate Boehm Jerome
Illustrated by Frank Sofo
Grosset and Dunlap
Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10014
0448425971 $3.99 www.penguinputnam.com
On August 8 2000 a wonderful event occurred. A piece of Civil War history was brought into the
light of day. The Hunley was brought up from the bottom of the ocean where it sank 136 years
ago.
The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in battle. Unfortunately for unknown
reasons, it too sank during its daring raid, and it took adventurers and treasure ship hunters many
years to find the extraordinary vessel. In this interesting early chapter book the author tells us the
story of this remarkable vessel and also gives us an excellent picture of the times. She shows us
how
brave and determined the crews who went into the Hunley were and what risks they faced in
those
days when submarine technology was so new. Now that the Hunley has been brought to the
surface,
scientists will have the opportunity to study the submarine and hopefully they will be able to
discover what happened on that cold night in 1864. Why did the Hunley and her brave crew of
eight
sink after it attacked the Northern ship Housatonic? This book is in the "All Aboard Reading"
series.
Leonardo Beautiful Dreamer
Robert Byrd
Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10014
0525470336 $17.99 www.penguinputnam.com
From a very early age, Leonardo da Vinci learned by observing things around him. He taught
himself
how to swim by watching the frogs in the pools and streams near the village were he grew up. It
was
by asking himself lots of questions, by seeking the answers, and by always wanting to learn and to
discover that Leonardo became one of the world's most extraordinarily brilliant, understanding
and
gifted people. There seems to be very little that Leonardo da Vinci did not study or write about,
that
he did not question or wonder at. He created paintings and statutes, designed buildings, invented
machines, dissected, studied and drew human and animal bodies, and told delightful and
entertaining
stories. Perhaps best of all is that he never stopped wondering and questioning. He did not seem
to
think that one grew too old to learn something new. The author has managed to convey the
admiration and respect that he feels for da Vinci, and in turn shows us the genius that lay at the
heart
of the great man. In what must have been a monumental task, he sifted through an enormous
amount
of material, and took from it descriptions of certain events in Leonardo's life which best illustrated
the great man's exceptional personality and remarkable intelligence. We are given a fully rounded
and complex picture of Leonardo the boy, the man, the artist, the inventor, and also are given an
in-depth and colorful picture of what Leonardo's world must have been like during his lifetime. In
addition to the text itself, Robert Byrd's incredibly detailed and very beautiful illustrations provide
a
wealth of information in themselves. In addition, the illustrations are often annotated and
throughout
the book the reader will find Leonard's own words in quotation form. Robert Byrd has truly
honored
Leonardo da Vinci through his labors. At the back of the book the reader will find an author's
note,
a timeline, and a bibliography.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom
Kathleen Kudlinski
Illustrated by Meryl Henderson
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0689857454 $4.99 www.SimonSaysKids.com
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born into a life of comfort. One could almost say into a life of
luxury. He had a beautiful home to live in, was tutored privately, had a pony to ride and a boat to
sail, went to Europe on vacations, and all in all was given the best that his father's money could
buy.
His mother was a woman who had very decided ideas about how she wanted her son to live his
life
and her word was very much the law in the Roosevelt household. Franklin went to a prestigious
boarding school and then on to Harvard, just as his parents wished. It was only when he was in his
twenties that he began to assert his independence. He decided that he wanted to marry the niece
of
the great "Teddy" Roosevelt, a relative, and the former President of the United States. "Mother"
was not pleased with his choice but Franklin insisted. He also insisted on something else. Franklin
had just begun his political career when he was struck down and crippled by polio. His mother
wanted him to go to the family home where she could care for him. Franklin decided to keep on
with
his political campaigning despite his handicap. He was not going to let the polio take away his
dreams, and he fought very hard to prove to the American public that he was strong enough to be
a
good candidate first for Governor of New York, and later for President of the United States. He
was
determined to show them that a person who had polio could still be a great leader and he did this
so
well that he was re-elected for President for an unprecedented four terms. He helped pull the
United
States out of the dark years of the Depression and led it through the war years. With a huge grin
on
his face he cheered the American public up when no one else could. In addition to telling us
about
all of his remarkable accomplishments as a leader, the author of this book shows us how truly
courageous Franklin Delano Roosevelt was. Kathleen Kudlinski shows us a bit about the private
Franklin, the Franklin who was afraid of fire because he could not run from it; there is the Franklin
who exercised for hours so that he would be able to do what was required of him as President.
There was the man whose leg braces hurt him terribly and yet he never said a word or
complained.
Franklin founded the March of Dimes, and his support help hundreds of polio victims. By the end
of
his third term in office Franklin was terribly tired and ill but he still chose to run again because his
country needed him. Kathleen Kudlinski brings Franklin Delano Roosevelt to life, giving him a
real
face, and heart, and smile. This is another of the excellent "Childhood of Famous Americans"
books.
Thursday's Child
Sonya Hartnett
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02140
0763622036 $7.99 www.candlewick.com
Harper Flute and her family have a hard life trying to making a living off land that is tired, dry and
unproductive. Her father, a veteran of the Great War, snares rabbits and somehow they seem to
get
by, somehow they seem to be happy. Then a series of calamities strike and Harper's world shifts
into
a gray place which threatens to steal not only her childhood and her innocence, but also her very
sense of self and even her sanity. First her brother Tin, always a quiet and reclusive little boy,
withdraws from the family into a life underground. Before the family quite realize what has
happened Tin no longer lives amongst them but can be found only beneath them, in tunnels of his
own making. Over time he turns into a creature of the dark, strange and even frightening. Then
the
great depression strikes down the whole country and even the already poor Flute family are
affected.
The poor find themselves even poorer. Added to this is a tragedy which profoundly affects every
member of the family. Harper finds herself very much alone, without anyone to give her the
support
and comfort she craves. Somehow Harper has to find a way to keep the family together and
functioning as a unit. Though this is a strange and disturbing story full of dark images, it is also
one
with a message of hope. Tin "born on a Thursday and so fated to his wanderings" may be
frightening
and beyond the reach of his family in most ways, but he does appear to help in times of trouble.
He
both causes problems and tries to solve them, and thus is a character who we find ourselves
pitying.
Bruna
Anne Cottringer
Illustrations by Gillian McClure
Bloomsbury Children's Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
1582348367 $16.95 www.bloomsbury.com/usa
No matter what Bruna does, at any time of year, at any time of day, she feels cold. Her lips are
pinched and her eyes look sad. She is always alone, wrapped up in so many layers of clothes,
coats,
a long scarf and hat that one can barely see her. It is really very sad to see Bruna trying so very
hard
to warm up. She seems to try everything imaginable to get warm and yet nothing seems to work.
Then one cold and icy winter's day something incredible happens. Bruna saves a bear that has
fallen
into the frozen river. She actually goes into the water to save the animal. Instead of being
freezing,
Bruna finds herself feeling quite warm. In fact, back in the house, as she takes care of the bear,
Bruna begins to take off her layers and layers of clothes for the first time. At long last Bruna's sad
and cold little heart has begun to thaw out. The warmth of friendship is beginning to do its magic.
With graceful and evocative watercolor illustrations this is a truly beautiful book. A delightful and
charming volume to read aloud, over and over again.
Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American West
Steven Knoll
Illustrated by Richard Williams
Holiday House
425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017
082341034X $16.95 www.holidayhouse.com
The United was still a young country in 1803 and its President, Thomas Jefferson, wanted to
expand
its borders. In an act of foresight, Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon
Bonaparte of France. This enormous piece of land spread west from the Mississippi to the Rocky
Mountains. Being a man who needed to know about places and people, Jefferson decided that this
new land should be charted and explored. Soon his young secretary Captain Meriwether Lewis
and
Lewis's former commanding officer in the army William Clark were leading an expedition which
was
called the Corps of Discovery. Its task was to find ways to open up the fur trade, find a water
route
across the continent, and to study animals, plants and the Indian peoples it encountered on its
travels. Steven Kroll tells this incredible adventure story in such a way that it is fresh and exciting.
We marvel at the bravery of the men who undertook this journey, and rejoice at their successes.
The
story of the extraordinary journey is beautifully illustrated with oil paintings which give the story
depth and vibrancy, both bringing it to life and providing information. The book is appended with
an
afterword which describes what happened to the people who participated in the journey once it
was
over, a list of important dates, and an index.
A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women
Lynne Cheney
Illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0689858191 $16.95 www.SimonSaysKids.com
"Remember the Ladies" Abigail Adams told her husband in 1776 in a letter. In fact she went so far
as to warn him that "If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to
foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or
representation." Unfortunately it was not until the 1900's before women were able to vote. Still,
women found many ways to make their mark, to have their say, and to get their way. Presented in
the form of an alphabet book, this is a remarkable collection of stories about women who have
made
a difference in the history of the United States; indeed many also made a contribution to the
world.
Each beautifully illustrated, often annotated, page is packed with information and quotes. We
meet
women who we have heard of before and others who are new to us. We are shown how women
have been able to make a difference in every aspect of life, despite opposition. They have been
fliers,
artists, business people, inventors, and have done just about everything you can think of.
Robin Preiss Glasser finds the most extraordinary ways to present the information; for example,
the
letter F is for "First Ladies." Each of the ladies has her portrait shown on a teacup, milk jug, sugar
bowl, coffee pot, or teapot. The ladies who made their mark in the press are shown on the front of
a
newspaper. Those who are performers of some kind are shown on a stage.
By the time we close this extraordinary book we feel empowered, knowing that women have
achieved so much in a world that has not always been hospitable to their successes. We can feel
proud, and we can also feel gratitude to this author and illustrator team for creating such a lovely
and meaningful book. At the back of the book the author has provided notes on the text which
gives
further information about the women pictured in the book.
Sir Cumference and First Round Table: A Math Adventure
Cindy Neuschwander
Illustrated by Wayne Geehan
Charlesbridge
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
www.charlesbridge.com
1570911525 $6.95 1-617-926-0329
Long ago, the beautiful peaceful land of Camelot was ruled by the great King Arthur. All was well
until the day when the people who lived in one of the neighboring countries, the Circumscribers,
were seen gathering at the border. King Arthur called his knights to him for a meeting to discuss
this
worrying development. Unfortunately his knights could not settle down to discuss the matter in
hand
because the table at which they sat was not of the right shape conducive to getting their full
attention. They were clearly a rather fickle lot and poor King Arthur found himself struggling to
figure out what was the best shape for the table. What follows is a series of interesting trials in
geometry which will amuse even the most mathophobic reader. Will the King be able to come to
the
correct conclusion that we already know about? The author manages to make even the most
mundane of problems amusing, and in the end throws in a few twists of her own to explain how
we
got the names for some of mathamatics' most commonly used names. A charming book with
bright
and cheerful illustrations.
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure
Cindy Neuschwander
Illustrated by Wayne Geehan
Charlesbridge
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
www.charlesbridge.com
1570911649 $6.95 1-617-926-0329
For many of us math is full of mystery and confusion. This need not be the case and here is a
wonderful story which will take you on a little adventure and open the door on one of the
mysteries.
It all began when, on a lovely sunny day, Sir Cumference and his son Radius were having a picnic
outside the castle walls. Sir Cumference suddenly got an awful stomach ache and told his son to
run
for the doctor. Radius did as he was told but found that the doctor was not in his room. Instead
Radius found a bottle with "Fire Belly" written by it. Wanting to help his father at once, Radius
took
the bottle and gave the 'medicine' to his father. Unfortunately Sir Cumference did not lose his
painful
belly ache but acquired real fire in his belly! he was turned into a dragon! Now Radius had a new
and truly desperate problem. He had to turn his father back into a human before the townsfolk
could
kill the dragon. Back in the doctor's room he discovered a riddle. If Radius can find the correct
answer to the riddle he would have the dosage for the medicine which would turn his father back
into a human. What Radius had to do was to figure out a problem and that is exactly what he did;
with the help of pies, wheels, lengths of cloth, and all sorts of other bits and pieces Radius came
up
with the solution. This is an amusing book which puts a novel twist on an ancient problem and
which
makes it thus accessible to those who find math bewildering. With colorful and cheerful
illustrations
this is a charming book to add to any library.
Ghost Light on Graveyard Shoal
Elizabeth McDavid Jones
Pleasant Company
P.O. Box 620991, Middleton WI, 53562-0991
www.americangirl.com
1584857625 $6.95 1-800-845-0005
Rhoda Midyette lives on a small island off the coast of Virginia with her mother, father and
sisters.
Her father is the keeper of the U.S. Lifesaving Station on the island and it is his job to rescue
people
from ships which get stranded or wrecked on the deadly shoals that lie just off the island. While
out
on the dunes one day Rhoda sees something which both frightens and disturbs her; she sees lights.
When she investigates further she finds footprints in the sand. Rhoda cannot help but think about
the
stories she has heard about wreckers, people who deliberately lure ships onto shoals and rocks so
that they can collect the salvage from the wrecked vessels. Wreckers give no thought to the lives
that are lost when they wave their lanterns at ships lost in a storm. Rhoda can hardly bear to think
that anyone on her island, someone whom she must surely know well, would do such a thing, but
at
the same time she cannot find any other explanation for what she has seen. Her father dismisses
her
ideas as being fanciful, being based on fisherman's tales. Despite her hurt feelings, undaunted,
Rhoda
keeps on looking for clues, thinking all the while that she cannot give up trying to find out the
source of the lights. After all, if there is a wrecker on the island, how could she live with herself if
she knew that she hadn't tried hard enough to find the answer to the mystery. At the back of the
book there is a very interesting section "Looking Back: 1895" in which the author discusses the
history of the Lifesaving Service and describes the men who dedicated their lives to it. The author
also talks about wrecking. Though it appears that no one is sure that wrecking actually occurred
in
the United States, the author fails to mention the wrecking activities that took place off the coast
of
England. It is believed that there wrecking was, in fact, an unfortunate reality and not a 'legend.'
All
in all this is a gripping and highly satisfying mystery.
Kathleen: The Celtic Knot
Siobhan Parkinson
Pleasant Company
P.O. Box 620991, Middleton WI, 53562-0991
www.americangirl.com
158485748X $7.95 1-800-845-0005
Kathleen Murphy, her younger sisters, her Mam, and her Da live in a grim and crowded tenement
in
Dublin. Her father is in and out of jobs, and poverty is a close companion to the family. When we
meet the lively, red haired Kathleen she is getting herself and her three younger sisters ready for
school, and making rather a mess of the job. In fact she makes such a mess of it that Mother
Rosario
asks to see Kathleen's mother for a talk. Kathleen is horrified; after all we all know that no good
can
come of such a thing. However, in this instance the parent teacher talk proves to be the exception
to
the rule. Once Mother Rosario is satisfied that all is well in the Murphy household, she suggests
that
Kathleen take Irish dancing lessons. The nun feels that Kathleen is musically inclined and should
take
advantage of her gift. It isn't long before they all see that Mother Rosario is quite right. Kathleen
seems to fly as she dances, and she finds that she has never been happier. However, Kathleen
soon
finds that her family's lack of means is going to be a problem, for there is to be a dancing
competition in the offing and she has to have a special outfit to wear. How on earth can her
parents
afford to pay for a special dancing dress and all that goes with it when they can barely afford the
basic necessities? Written with great poignancy and with a true understanding of the people and
the
times, this is an exceptional book. We are carried deep into the lives of the people who lived in
the
poorer parts of Dublin in the 1930's. In the back of the book the reader will find an excellent
section
entitled "Then and Now: A girl's life" which describes Ireland at the time of the story and what life
is
like in Ireland in the present day. There is also a glossary of words and a very interesting author's
note in which the author tells us a bit about how she related to the times about which she
wrote.
Bartlett and the Ice Voyage
Odo Hirsch
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
1582347972 $14.95 www.bloomsbury.com
The queen has all sorts of wonderful things in her palace and its gardens. Her people and foreign
dignitaries have sent her gifts of animals and plants, gems and fabrics, delicious fruits of every
shape,
color and taste imaginable. Indeed, the queen has tried almost every fruit that grows in her
dominions. And yet, the queen is not happy. There is one fruit that she has not been able to try.
This
is the melidrop, a fruit that grows far away and that has to be eaten almost as soon as it is picked.
Many people have sent her the melidrop, but it always arrives rotten and smelling foul. Despite
the
obvious limitations, the queen is determined that she must try this fruit. As a last resort, a famous
adventurer is sent for, a certain Barlett. Barlett is not keen on doing such an unadventurous task
but
is finally persuaded to do so.
What follows is a tale about an extraordinary adventure. We see how powerful determination,
imagination and hope can be. Bartlett never stops believing that somehow, an answer will be
found
to the problem of how to get the melidrop to the queen. The queen on the other hand, does not
have
faith, and has to learn a lesson.
By telling the story in the most simple and matter-of-fact way, Odo Hirsch makes this story seem
real, alive, and as plausible as something that one might read in a work of non-fiction. The
characters are true to life and warm, touching in their strengths and weaknesses. How many of us
can say that we haven't been impatient at some time or other? We therefore can identify with the
young queen as she paces up and down in her palace, wondering what Bartlett is up to and where
he
is.
This a delightful book, with the warm and compassionate understanding of human nature that we
have come to expect of this author. Readers of this book would also enjoy another book by the
same
author called "Hazel Green."
The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book Three Lucinda's Secret
Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0689859368 $9.95 www.SimonSaysKids.com
One would have thought that having the Field Guide to the world of Faerie would mean that one
would have the advantage over that world, the answers to its puzzles and mysteries.
Unfortunately
for Simon, Jared, and Mallory this is not the case. So far they have tangled with a truly pestiferous
house boggart, have barely escaped from an encounter with a troll and some extremely nasty
goblins, and have a very large and hungry griffin in their carriage house. Not only do they not
have
any answers, but they don't know what to do with the guide now that they have it. Thimbletack
the
boggart seems to think that it should be destroyed. Mallory agrees with him on this particular
point.
Jared, the self appointed keeper of the Guide, cannot bear to think of destroying the book.
The children finally decide that their only recourse is to ask the advice of someone who might
know
something about the Guide and its writer their great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. The only person
who
might know anything is Arthur's daughter, their Aunt Lucinda. The visit to Aunt Lucinda reveals
that the old lady knows all about the Faerie world, indeed she has been touched by it in a terrible
way. Jared also discovers that the Guide, which he thought was safe in his backpack, is no longer
there. What are the children to do now? They have lost the Guide and have learned that their
great
uncle Arthur was also lost; the man disappeared seventy years previously.
What follows is a bizarre journey and encounters with creatures unlike any that the children have
met so far. Once again Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black have created a book that perplexes and
carries one into a world where anything can happen. It is also a world where dark and evil
creatures
live and where children should be careful where they go if they want to survive. Irresistible and
enthralling, this is a book that is truly hard to put down. Filled with black ink line drawings and
several beautiful full color illustrations, and presented in a journal format, "The Spiderwick
Chronicles" will be treasured for years to come.
Marya Jansen-Gruber
Reviewer
Paul's Bookshelf
High-Tech Careers for Low Tech People
William A. Schaffer
Ten Speed Press
P.O. Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 94707
http://www.tenspeed.com
ISBN 1580080391 $14.95 258 pages
You would like to get a job in the high-tech field, but there is a problem. You're convinced that
you
are unqualified because your college degree (if you even have a degree) is in something like Early
French Literature, or you don't know the difference between a gigabyte and a trilobyte. Fear not,
help has arrived.
The average high-tech company consists of more than just engineers and computer programmers.
It
also consists of contract negotiators, customer service people, finance people, project
coordinators,
technical writers, web page designers and human resources people, among many others. These are
positions where abilities like analytical thinking and clear written and verbal communications are
more important than having a degree in a certain subject.
The usual rules about resume writing, networking and how to do a job interview still apply. Go to
the corporate headquarters, where the hiring occurs, not to a branch office. The most important
thing is to get your foot in the door, so take any job that is available. From there, you can transfer
to
the preferred area. The high-tech employee who stands still risks getting run over by fast-changing
technology. Always look for ways to expand your abilities and knowledge base (and increase your
value to upper management). Read the company's web site. Read professional publications in the
field. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Constant re-education is a must.
High-tech is very different sort of industry, so the author looks at what to expect. Can the
applicant
work long hours, in a demanding atmosphere with little or no supervision from above? If not,
maybe
another career is the answer.
If the opportunity comes along, consider working for a startup, even though the huge majority of
them are destined to fail. If it does fail, don't worry about it. Putting a failed startup on a resume is
a
good thing, because it shows that you're a risk taker.
This book is excellent. It's easy to read for non-technical types (like yours truly), and it's written
by
an industry insider. It allows the reader to pinpoint areas of interest, and areas to which their
backgrounds are best suited. It gets two strong thumbs up.
Real Life Notes: Reflections and Strategies for Life After Graduation
Kenneth Jedding
Double Rose Books
P.O. Box 180, New York, NY 10276-0180
http://www.doublerosebooks.com
ISBN 0967854539 $12.95 190 pages
So you've just graduated from college or are otherwise about to enter the workforce. Now what?
This book attempts to give some answers.
This book doesn't try to say that Career X will be the fastest growing in the next 10 years, or
entry-level jobs in Career Y will be worth a certain salary per year. It asks questions like: What is
your goal in life? A goal of "making lots of money" would seem to indicate a career in computers
or
the financial sector. What if you are not cut out for computers or the financial sector? Start with
something about which you are passionate, and brainstorm from there. A boring job, no matter
how
lucrative, is not worth it.
Everyone wants to find their ideal job immediately. Life doesn't work that way; it's supposed to be
a
learning experience. Every job, no matter how boring, is just one step closer to that ideal position.
Employers are more interested in real enthusiasm (passion) for a job or demonstrated abilities in,
for
instance, problem solving and logical thinking, than in a degree in a certain field.
When faced with an unsuccessful job interview, some people consider it no big deal and go on to
the
next one, while others get very depressed and upset with themselves. The difference is called
Perspective. Try cutting a huge task into smaller pieces, and be sure to reward yourself when you
accomplish those smaller tasks.
Why is it that, in a friendship, we can accept the other person, warts and all, and give without
thinking about it, but in a relationship, much more attention is given to how much each person is
giving or taking? Ignore the drumbeat of society which says that a person "should" be married or
in
a long term relationship by a certain age. Your time may come earlier or later in life. When it
comes,
you'll know.
If the relationship with the parents was difficult (in any sense of the term), consider forgiveness.
The
intention isn't so much to let them off the hook, as to let yourself off the hook. That way, you can
get past whatever emotional hold they had on you, and get on with your life.
This book is a keeper. It's recommended not just for college graduates (all of whom should read
it),
but for people who have been out of college for awhile. It's got a lot of insight that's good for all
ages. It's really worth it.
Beginning College 101: How to Achieve Real Success in College
J.B. Robson
The College and Future Company
136 East Golf Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
http://www.collegeandfuture.com
ISBN 0971489203 $12.95 164 pages
Going away to college is one of the biggest, and sometimes the most traumatic, moments of any
person's life. This book attempts to answer some of the questions on the mind of every incoming
freshman.
If the school is close enough, one of the first questions to be answered is: To live on campus or to
commute? Living on campus presents much greater opportunities for meeting people and getting
involved in school activities, but finances may dictate otherwise. Then comes dealing with your
roommate(s), who may be a different religion or skin color, or even from another country. If you
and your best friend go to the same college, just because you get along as friends doesn't mean
you'll
get along as roommates.
Once you're settled, you will find out very quickly just how independent a person you really are.
Can
you really take care of yourself, or do you still depend on your parents for cooking, laundry and
to
wake you up in the morning? If the latter, be ready for a sharp learning curve. The author also
looks
at alcohol (occasional partying is alright, constant partying is not) and sex (practice safe sex and
take
control of your own body) on campus.
If possible, declare your major early; if not possible, don't worry, you have plenty of time. You are
not limited in your course selection because of your major. For instance, an undergraduate degree
in
business is not required, or even preferred, in order to get an MBA. A skill that all successful
college
students learn very quickly is time management, when to study and when to relax. In college,
much
more of the work is done outside the classroom than in high school, so the worst thing a person
can
do is to put things off until the last minute. The author also looks at ways to get a head start on
your
career. Try an internship or study abroad for a year. Many colleges have a Career Services office;
use it. Money is a subject near and dear to the heart of every college student, both qualifying for
financial aid and managing finances while at school. Also covered here are personal safety, ways
to
reduce stress and how not to be a victim of the freshman fifteen (pounds, that is).
Any college looking for a book to give their incoming freshmen on what to expect in college
would
do very well to start right here. The sections are short and full of information and the author
knows
what he's talking about. It's well worth reading.
The Ig Nobel Prizes: The Annals of Improbable Research
Marc Abrahams
Dutton
375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014-3657
http://www.penguin.com
ISBN 0525947531 $18.95 242 pages
This book brings together two areas of human endeavor that don't normally go together: science
and
humor. The Ig Nobel Awards (actually held every year at Harvard University) honor those
achievements which "cannot or should not be reproduced."
Did you know that elevator music may help prevent the common cold? Companies like Enron,
Global Crossing, Tyco, Waste Management and WorldCom shared an award for adapting the
mathematical concept of imaginary numbers for use in the business world. A man from Lithuania
created an amusement park called Stalin World. To save money, the British Royal Navy has
barred
trainees at its top gunnery school from firing live shells and ordered them to shout "bang." It has
been determined that, biochemically, romantic love may be indistinguishable from severe
obsessive-compulsive disorder. A college professor from Pennsylvania fed prozac to clams (at the
cellular level, clams and humans show remarkable nervous system similarities), resulting in a
whole
lot of reproducing going on. A man from France is the only winner of two Ig Nobels, for
demonstrating that water has a memory, and that the information can be transmitted over the
phone
and the Internet.
Then there are the "classics," like the scientific investigation of why toast often falls on the
buttered
side; an Australian man who patented the wheel, and the Australian Patent Office who granted it;
a
man from Arizona who invented software that detcts when a cat is walking across your keyboard;
the Southern Baptist Church of Alabama for their county-by-county estimate of how many
Alabama
citizens will go to hell if they don't repent; the sociology of Canadian donut shops, and the optimal
way to dunk a biscuit. Last but not least, a solution has been found to the age-old problem of how
to
quickly start a barbecue. It can be done in less than four seconds with charcoal - and liquid
oxygen.
This book is hilarious. It's humor of a slightly more highbrow variety, designed to make people
laugh, then think. It's highly recommended for everyone, even those who think that they hate
science.
Disinformation: The Interviews
Richard Metzger
The Disinformation Company Ltd
163 Third Avenue, #108, New York, NY 10003
http://www.disinfo.com
ISBN 0971394210 $19.95 174 pages
For a couple of years, the Disinformation TV series was shown in Britain. It dealt with all sorts of
strange topics. Through a quirk of fate, it was scheduled right after Ally McBeal, an unintended
bit
of surrealism. In America, the show was bought by the Sci-Fi Channel, but never shown, because
they suddenly realized just what they had. The interviews reprinted here represent the tame
"intellectual" part of the show. The companion DVD contains the more bizarre bits.
Duncan Laurie discusses the science of radionics. Douglas Rushkoff looks at media viruses.
Howard
Bloom (The Lucifer Principle) talks about the coming biological apocalypse. Grant Morrison talks
about Hollywood's interest in underground culture and relates a very cool alien abduction story.
Artist Joe Coleman discusses his thinking on serial killers. Peter Russell looks at spiritual renewal
and ecological doomsday.
Robert Anton Wilson talks about Aleister Crowley and the Illuminati. Artist Paul Laffoley has a
solution to the housing shortage; grow houses from plants. A separate interview with Laffoley
looks
at a painting of his which is supposedly alive. Metzger, the interviewer, visits Kembra Pfahler,
New
York's most outrageous performance artist. Last, but not least, Genesis P-Orridge (of the band
Throbbing Gristle) tells what it's like to be the leader of your own cult.
Those who understand the previous two paragraphs need read no further; buy this book. For
everyone else, the people profiled here take their own paths through life. They visit places that the
rest of us don't even know exist. The fringes of modern culture are where they hang out.
Lest anyone think that this is just an interview book, there are plenty of pictures included. Some
of
them are quite disturbing, so this book is very much not for everyone. For those who are ready to
have their minds forced open, this book will do a very good job. It's highly recommended.
Paul Lappen
Reviewer
Peter's Bookshelf
Success in Store How to Start or Buy a Retail Shop, Enjoy Running It, and Make Money
Geoffrey Heard and Gordon Woolf
FAP Books, Inc., distributor
P.O. Box 540, Gainesville, FL 32602
http://www.worsleypress.com/
ISBN 1875750185 $22.95
If you're thinking of starting or buying a small shop, you'll learn a lot by reading Success in Store
How to Start or Buy a Retail Shop, Enjoy Running It, and Make Money by Geoffrey Heard and
Gordon Woolf.
Heard and Woolf cover many aspects of running or evaluating a shop including:
* The Importance of the Lease
* Licenses
* Recordkeeping
* Buying and Selling a Shop
* Dealing With Existing Staff
* Calculating Gross Profit Percentage, Markup, and Profit Margins
* Cash Flow
* Dealing With Customers, Including Shoplifting and Security
* Evaluating Stock
* Working With Sales Reps
* Purchasing Stock
* Promoting Your Shop
* Planning For the Growth of Your Business
* Deciding If You Should Purchase a Franchise, Start a New Shop, Or Purchase an Existing
Shop
Heard and Woolf give specific advice for running many different kinds of shops, including
bookstores, giftshops, clothing stores, antique shops, cafes, rental shops, and bakeries. The
authors
speak from experience having operated many types of shops. For example, Woolf owned (or
owns)
newspapers, a publishing company, a convenience store, a bookshop, and a small printing
company.
Heard and Woolf point out that nearly anyone can start or buy most types of shops, but there are
a
few limitations for example, only a pharmacist can operate a pharmacy.
Heard and Woolf write: "The first question to ask yourself is whether the business you are
considering requires specialist knowledge and whether you have that knowledge (or a substantial
part of it). There are businesses which require little specialist knowledge, but it is important to
know
how to obtain that small amount of knowledge if you do not already possess it."
However, many shops fail, possibly because it's so easy to start one. Heard and Woolf write:
"While
the majority of small businesses fail, and fail quickly, the business run by someone who seeks help
from experts and who is prepared to admit mistakes, and do something about them, stands the
best
chance of success."
Success in Store How to Start or Buy a Retail Shop, Enjoy Running It, and Make Money
provides new shop owners with the benefit of the authors' experience, including important, but
easily
overlooked topics.
For example, there is a great discussion about leasing space. The authors write: "One of the
fundamentals in which many new businesses go wrong is in signing an unsuitable lease."
Heard and Woolf warn new owners they might not get the same lease rate as some larger, more
established stores, called "destination stores," because people go to particular shopping centers to
shop at those stores. Thus, destination stores have more negotiating power.
In addition, Heard and Woolf address how running a business might affect your marriage and
family.
And, they address the important question: Will you make money with your own shop? And, how
can
you grow your business, if that's your goal?
If you're contemplating starting or buying a shop, I highly recommend Success in Store How to
Start or Buy a Retail Shop, Enjoy Running It, and Make Money.
Peter Hupalo
Reviewer
Pogo's Bookshelf
What's Wrong with Dorfman?
John Blumenthal
St Martin's Griffin
New York
http:\\www.stmartin's.com
0312311885 $12.95
Meet Dorfman. He's not just the guy next foor with the regular Joe-type-job, but one of those
nameless screenwriters whose works are pertpetually optioned for films. He spends his life by the
phone waiting to hear about break from Gavin, his agent. Even if you're feeling nauseous and
dizzy,
you don't break a date with a player like Ben Fogelman a mover and shaker even if arrested for
flashing old ladies In Griffith Park, he still shuffles the cards of fate and lays them on the table.
Just
ask Gavin the three hundred pound agent who likes to throw his weight around. Fogelman's the
man
with the inside line to Warners, Columbia, and Paramount for starters, while snubbing Fox,
Disney,
MGM and Universal to amke them feel left out on a tip for a new hot script ready to sell to the
gawking, unappreciative world. So much good news, you'd think that Dorfman would be singing
in
his shower like the blackbird heralding a spring morning. What's wrong with Dorfman, that he's
standing on his head with a case of vertigo and self-diagnosed multiple sclerosis?
"Tell me a bit about your childhood, Dorfman... Let's analyze your past. what are you hiding
inside
your head that you're afraid to share? " The scenes of childhood fall apart like the shrivelled
autumn
leaves blown about by a winter wind. Fragments float across the pages, filled with painful
memories.
Martin knows the symptons intimately well without looking at the MRI, CAT scan and upper GI.
He's sure that there's something definitely wrong in the winding tunnels and chamber below, well
outside the perimeter of his head.
"You're not going to like this, Martin," Dr. Margolis says calmly after I have described my
symptons
in the sort of professional-sounding medical mumbo jumbo that would make my father proud. "
but
it sounds to me like stress."
Stress! Oh please! What is this, Amateur Hour? Excuse me? Stress? For this you went to medical
school for four years? For this you pull in a quarter of a million bucks a year? Stress? Come on,
give
me a break. Stresss is a great waste basket of diagnoses. Everybody knows that! I'm a doctor's
son,
you're going to have to do better than that!" (p22)
Dorfnman initiates finding the magical remedy to his symptons like the Quest for the Holy Grail
without much success, checking into the encyclopedia for leukemia, Lou Gehrig's disease,
myasthenia gravis, colon cancer and three dozen other scientifically analyzed ailments. What can a
doc find to reassure a man who was terrified of germs and insanitary risks taken at Camp
Waywayonda as a child. Rather than risk tetanus by scratching his full moons on a rusty nail and
splintery wood in the camp outhouse, he dropped a load in his trousers and buried the evidence
somewhere in the woods like a dog might bury a bone. Anything more to tell his therapist about
his
past to get all the bottled emotion and anger out?
Should he call his father? Have a nice father-son chat to get the facts straight? After all, his father
is
a retired doctor who takes up painting in the attic as his hobby. Why bother with that? Doubts
creep
in. Why listen to an old geezer who always paints the same thing? Doesn't he remember how
wrong
his father's prognosis could be? Weren't they the only family in Highland Falls with a secret fallout
shelter? Packed with enough pharmeceuticals, Kaopectate and Coppertone to keep them tan and
functional on radioactive beaches after the Great Fallout? And what would they eat thereafter
when
they emerged from their bunker below to the desolated world outside, but radioactive pot-roast
from the local A & P? Did his father figure this one out?
And what about his father's opinion about his marriage? Wasn't marrying Ursula, getting in bed
with
a German? Why it's almost as bad as succumbing to the wiles of a Nazi. He ought to be shot at
daybreak for sleeping with the enemy. Isn't this the object of sending your son to Hebrew School?
A
genius! Another Einstein who challenges the rabbi with great theological questions after an single
hour in school.
Dorfman has problems. Real problems, not related to his head. Dr. Margolis is no help, but at
least
he dismisses the symptons as being psychosomatic. They're real. Hands tremble, knees shake and
the
brain is deluged by dizziness. There's always more tests they can take.
Salted with dry humor, John Blumenthal serves up Dorfman's beef with the world with a sprig of
cynicism. Formally introduced to Felix Dorfman, we meet a hypochondriac doctor, a frustrated
artist
and a failed father, terrified of his profession and obsessed with washing his hands. Obsessions, he
believes, should be passed down to the third generation like blessings or curses and genetic
defects.
Nothing is ever simple in Martin Dorfman's life, complicated by rituals passed on through Jewish
tradition including eating boiled shrimp with a requisitea screwdriver to pry them from their
shells.
A practicing Medical Terrorist, Felix takes the family blood pressures three times daily, ensuring
hypertension within the family members. Afraid to have a straight talk with his son before going
off
to college, he proffers Martin a large manila envelope to be opened upon arrival as a greenie
freshman. What's in it? You have to read it to find out.
Dorfman is a reflection of the social turmoil and internal illness within America. Disturbing,
Blumenthal writes a haunting novel of a lost soul, searching for hope and health within his world.
Through the eyes of Felix Dorfman, we see a twisted image of life as the distorted reflection
within
the House of Mirrors. Martin, raised with skewed vision, finds himself trapped inside a mirrored
room with no inkling which leads to a safe escape. Normal pleasures in his world become
tortures.
His father keeps lists of rivers poisoned by mercury, maintaining lists of prohibited foods.
Remember
to lather up whenever you wash.
Poignant, the book reveals the unnecessary sorrows and burdens that many carry, inherited from
parents regarding the dangers and risks lurking by the corner of life to grab them unsuspecting as
they pass. With emphasis put on the past, consequences of future actions are magnified with
intense
fear and suspicion. Who knows about the unknown elements drifting about --whether germs or
criminals. Written as a memoir, the narrative is effective, drawing the reader into the intimate
thoughts and fears of Martin's highly guarded life. Defensive, he protects his sanity as well as his
marriage, anticipating the worst in every situation, trained to submit to perennial pessimism and
cynicism of his father. He measures his life, not in the moments and pleasures, but by the minutes
that he has outlived Mozart.
"What's Wrong with Dorfman?" studies the anatomy of a worm, somewhat lower than the angels,
just crawling upon this earth and desperately attempting to climb the narrow, winding stair.
In the den of the Bearded Snakes and War for the Amazons:Two novellas
Adrian Onyando
ebooksonthe.net
an imprint of Write Words,Inc.
Cambridge MD
http://www.ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594310513 $TBA 93pp
Adrian Onyando paints a cinematic canvas of village life that teems with energy from dawn to
dark,
opening with a scene that should be accompanied by a soundtrack of E.M Forster's classic,
Passage
to India or Kipling's, The Man Who Would Be King:
"Except for the intermittant crowing of the cock, which can start as early as midnight, the savanna
is
silent at night and only bangs into life at dawn hen the sun splashes its way with red paint in the
east
and another birth seems to have occurred in blood. The birds wake up first and then the
humans.
I woke up with a dream in which the unusual hadd happened: the hundhwe bird had stopped
singing
and the other birds were asking, "Why? Why? Why'" (p9)
Like the splash of morning water on the face or the icy rainshower on a muggy, overheated day,
the
writing is fresh in a stale world filled with cliche and marketing hype, reminding us of the clear
voice
of Isak Dinesen (Countess Blixen), Out of Africa or Elspeth Huxley, Flame Trees of Thika with
the
lively voice of the young boy narrating the drama unfolding in an isolated village. Like the cat,
scenting the bait in the trap, we prowl through the pages, until we are trapped by the magical lure
of
his words. Without hesitation we plunge in the midst of it:
"The previous night, the elders had presided over and settled a dispute that had threatened to tear
the land asunder and attract the attention of the dreaded government security agents... Yaye
Odiya
and his daughter, Ochidanga, should be punished for their abominable activities..." (p10)
Taking up stones, the village men gather with firebrands to drive the socerer and his daughter out
of
the cave with the bearded snakes. Following the militants were the women and children, also
wanting to take part in the action, to hurl the stones and burn the hut to the ground. What if one
of
them were turned into a hyenae? What more evil could befall their village from the socerer's
precocious daughter with " the breasts that filled the cups of the hand"? How did she become
pregnant?
Defiantly, the chairman of the elders' council and the militant band together to cast out the evil
powers of Ochidanga, hidden in the cave of fierce snakes that had once been a place of ancestral
prayer where villagers took refuge from the tribulations and sorrows of this world.
The storytellers, known as the the "not exactly" people, thought that with the banishment of yaye
Odiya and his daughter, the source of stories from Hono Hill would dry up, leaving their lives dry
and barren with only chaff blowing in the wind; but with the discovery of the death of Odiya and
the
mysterious circumstances, a spring broke through the crust, running like a fresh brook that could
not
be quelled as the more theories and explanations made, the thirst inceased amongst the villagers to
satisfy their insatiable curiosity. Songs had to written to record history and the events that
followed
to be chanted from one generation to another. His death promised to fill the air with "words as
abundant as the fleece of sheep" for years to come.
Ochidanga could not be found, so explanations were made. for her disappearance. Tongues
wagged.
With the skill of a fabulist, the author weaves elements of allegory with cultural history,
dramatizing
the events of the village and describing the villagers,
"a blind man and a deaf man walked side by side, and after being rebuffed by the militants, happily
agreed that they would "see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears." (p11)
Ochidanga, cursed from the inception of life with a chameleon birth and a neglectful father, is
ostracized from village activities and rejected as an unwanted daughter of a dry man, to scavenge
among the ochidanga birds along the shoals of the Lake for the remains of dead fish to take home
for her father. Thus she receives the deprecatory name, Ochidanga, scavenger of dead fish.
Realistic, cinematic, thrilling with paint splashed on a silver screeen we watch entranced as drama
unfolds within the exotic landscape where reality and fantasy mix with superstition.
Pogo
Reviewer
Rick's Bookshelf
Looking for Canterbury
Jason Marks
Xlibris Corporation
436 Walnut Street, 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
xlibris.com
ISBN # 0738865273 $21.99 softcover 1-888-7-x-libris
"You may leave Nam, but Nam never leaves you." One of the characters in the compelling novel
'Looking for Canterbury' by Jason Marks says, and I have heard that before myself, many times. In
my opinion, what was done to our men and women that served their country during that time was,
and in many ways still is, reprehensible. We sent over boys that were only playing Army one day,
then fighting for their survival the next. I was too young to go, barely, and in all honesty, I don't
know what I would have done if my number had been called. Thank God I will never know the
kind
of horrors many I know still to this day suffer. In previous wars, the men came home en mass
together in a victorious march down Main Street, greeted with cheers and ticker tape. However,
when they came home from Viet Nam, they returned in dribs and drabs. There were no cheering
crowds, they were met instead by protesters calling them baby killers, rapists, and all kind of other
names. One night sleeping in the jungle, their lullabies the sound of gunfire and mortar shells, only
to
find themselves the next sleeping in a bed with cotton sheets and silence. There has been very little
help for the veterans of the war it seems everyone wants to forget, and it seems to me it is time to
right this wrong. Many Vets have had to find their own way back to sanity, some with drugs,
others
with counseling, others with support groups made up of those that experienced the same
atrocities
they did. It is the last group that brings me to my review for 'Looking for Canterbury'. Sorry for
the
rant, but Vietnam is a sore point with me.
Harry Baylor is one of those Vets that has never left the jungle fully behind. Although an
accomplished business owner, his personal life suffers. The love of his wife no longer his, he finds
solace only in the works of Chaucer, and his meetings with his support group of other Vietnam
Vets.
When Harry's wife kicks him out of the house, he takes half of their money and invites his
compatriots on a recreation of the famous Canterbury Tales, where each of them will tell a tale
that
will not only entertain, but might in someway allow insight into who they are, with a prize being
awarded to the best one. Resplendent in medieval accouterments befitting the recreation, the
ragtag
group of friends begin their adventure, regaling each other with tales that cause their compatriots
to
laugh, cry, and bond in ways none expected. Their lives would never be the same again may sound
cliche, but believe me; it's more than appropriate.
Author Jason Marks has done something that many would find daunting I'm sure, yet manages to
pull it off with seeming ease-that of taking a classic like the Canterbury Tales and updating it for
relevancy in our time. I don't know how many of you ever read Chaucer in school, for me it was
required reading. I will be the first to admit that Chaucer, like Shakespeare, can be intimidating to
some, and I will confess I was one of those readers. The bard caught my ear in ways that Chaucer
never did, but I guess that is, as they say, why they make chocolate and vanilla. Mr. Marks, in
updating the travelers and their tales, has made the story more entertaining to me than the
original
ever was.
It's not just that the story has to do with Vietnam, although to me it is a plus, but it is his style of
writing, his ease of characterization, and his conversational dialogue that sounds like something
someone would actually say. Too many authors in wanting to write conversations forget that it
needs to sound like two or more people speaking, but not Mr. Marks. His people actually convey
emotions on more than just the surface level, and for that alone he should be commended.
Find this book, and immerse yourself in the richness of the world that has been created between
the
two covers. Enjoy the tales that these travelers weave, you'll be enlightened more than you
know.
Ground Cover
Edith S. Marks
Publish America
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
publishamerica.com
ISBN # 1588515826 $19.95
Life is hard to write. Not the kind of real life that fills volumes of biographies and
autobiographies.
Not the kind that floods bookstores with page after page of adventures in far off lands or exotic
locales, but life as real as what you or your friends and neighbors might very well be experiencing.
This is the style of writing Edith S. Marks has mastered in her novel "Ground Cover", and she
should be very proud of what she has accomplished.
She, with not only her characters, but also the way they interact with each other, has crafted a
story
that feels almost voyeuristic sometimes. We see what they are going through, we agonize with
them
through the pain, and celebrate in the joys. There are not many stories that can pull that off so
completely. From the return of long absent friends to the dissolution of a once loving marriage;
from
the death of a dream to the deaths of family members, this story shows all the range of emotions
that
a human can bear, yet never once turns sappy or maudlin. This is not a soap opera, nor one of
those
books that are the equivalent of a Chinese dinner-after you've finished your wanting more again
before you know it. No, this story will stay with you long after you close the back cover.
It is usually in this part of the review that I tell a little about the plot, or give you some synopsis of
the story, but I have decided not to do that this time around. This should be a story that you
should
experience for yourself. If you feel you need details, email me and I will give you all that you
want,
all about Cleo and Karen, Gina and Adam, and Gus (wow-I never saw that coming) but believe
me,
it would only spoil your enjoyment. In the most simplistic of terms, it is the story of the Hart
family,
but that is like saying that Gone with the Wind is about the Civil War, or Grapes of Wrath is
about
farming. Of course, they are that, but to read them is to be on Tara with Scarlet, or at the center
of
the dust bowl with Tom Joad. Now before you think otherwise, no, I am not putting this book
into
the same category as those classics, I'm just trying to make the point that the characters in the
book
live, and that is the sign of a well written story. It is a shame that Oprah doesn't have her book
club
anymore; this would be a perfect candidate for her show.
I have been privileged since I have started doing this column to read many great books from
authors
that, even if they never write another word, have managed to grace me with experiences I never
would have had. With "Ground Cover", author Edith S. Marks adds one more to that
ever-growing
list. Thank you.
Hababy's Christmas Eve
Jamie and Joy Farr
Illustrated by Alice io Oglesby
Publish America
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN # 1592864864 $16.95
There are those of you who might know Jamie Farr as Corporal Max Kilinger on the classic TV
show M*A*S*H, or saw him on his many appearances on countless game shows. Well, now Mr.
Farr can add one more credit to his resume-that of an author of a wonderful new children's
book.
Mr. Farr, along with his wife Joy, have crafted a story which is a delight to read, even for this
many
decades past the intended audience reader. This is the story of a camel family in the Middle East:
the
father, Habeebee, the mother, Habeeba, and their child, Hababy. As they are preparing their
Christmas celebration, Hababy, along with three of his friends are treated to a story of another
Christmas Eve many years ago.
Filled with beautiful illustrations by Alice io Oglesby which perfectly convey and compliment the
words, this story will show young readers the story of the birth of the baby Jesus in a new point of
view. If that was not enough, they will also manage to learn a few things about camels and how
things are in another country, without even being aware that they are, a compliment to the authors
and illustrator to be sure.
This book is an enchanting tale, and one that will be read by younger readers year round, not just
during the holiday season. As a gift, or for your own children or grandchildren to read, pick up
Hababy's Christmas Eve by Jamie and Joy Farr-they will thank you for it.
Rick Mohr
Reviewer
Roger's Bookshelf
Right Risk: 10 Powerful Principles for Taking Giant Leaps with Your Life
Bill Treasurer
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
ISBN 1576752461 $15.95 1-800-929-2929
A book for the times, from an author with credibility
We live in interesting and exciting times. While tremendous opportunities are placed before us,
we are also surrounded (and influenced) by unparalleled uncertainty. Practically everything in our
lives seems fraught with risk. Is this the right thing to do? Is this the right time? Questions!
Questions!
Wouldn't it be nice to get some solid advice from a risk taker who knows what he's talking about?
Bill Treasurer understands risk from a variety of perspectives. He's a consultant who formed his
practice during the recession of 1991. Risk. Prior to that, he was a corporate executive with
income
in the six-figure range, yet he took the big leap of going into business for himself. From
1984-1991
he traveled the world as a member of the United States High Diving Team, performing some 1500
dives from heights over 100 feet (think ten story building). For years, he was also known as the
fire-diving superhero, Captain Inferno. He dove dressed in a costume with a cape drenched in
gasoline. With the strike of a match, he was transformed into a flying human torch. Risk.
You don't have to leap from tall buildings to take risks. They're all around us. The key, Treasurer
asserts, is taking the right risks at the right time for the right reasons. His ten principles about risk
taking, each presented in a separate chapter, guide readers through a process of evaluating the
risks,
obstacles, and the process to overcome fear and doubt in the right way. Each chapter presents
Treasurer's principle, illustrated with anecdotes from his life and risk-taking experiences of others.
Good stuff educational and thought-provoking. Each of the principle chapters concludes with a
set
of questions to stimulate additional thinking and assessment.
The closing statements of the book the final chapter emphasize the critical importance of being
authentic. Kidding yourself is the biggest risk of all. Treasurer shares some valuable philosophies
that put risk and its ramifications into perspective.
The book includes a good notes section and a surprisingly comprehensive index. As you consider
all
the risks that lie in your path in work, your personal life, family endeavors, and so much more, the
advice in this book will serve you well.
Why Did I Marry You Anyway?
Barbara Bartlein, RN, LCSW
Cumberland House Publishing
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
ISBN 1581823673 $12.95
Like Chatting with a [knowledgeable] Friend
Wouldn't it be nice to have a marriage counselor for a friend? And wouldn't it be nice to have a
friend as a marriage counselor? Everyone is who is married happily or aspiring to be happy needs
to continually examine and reinforce all those wonderful positive reasons you chose your mate
and
chose to stay with your mate for all those days, months, years, decades lifetimes. Marriage isn't
easy or perfect. It's a special relationship that you have to work hard to make work.
OK, so how do you make a marriage work? Well, first you shatter all the myths about skipping
down the daisy-lined paths along the white picket fence. Life isn't like what we see in some of
those
movies and television shows that make it all seem so easy. Barbara knows. She's been there, done
that and shares her life in personal disclosures that are comfortable and instructive. Readers will
feel that they are building a friendship with this author, sitting over a cup of coffee or herbal
tea at the table in cozy breakfast nook.
Barbara (we're feeling that first-name comfort now) will tell you what works and what doesn't.
Her
life and experience as a therapist, combined with her work as a consultant and professional
speaker,
will enable her to really get her points across in ways that we can understand, relate to, and put to
work.
Challenges in your marriage? Lay 'em out. Is the commitment really there? Can I count on you? I
married you because you were perfect; now change! You're just like your father, mother, brother,
sister, etc. Why don't we do things together? Money, intimacy, kids. Just about everything you
can
imagine will bubble to the surface in these pages. You'll read the myths and the realities. Stories,
case studies, tools and end-of- chapter quizzes enhance the value of this book. No index: doesn't
need one, but there is a helpful section of resources at the end of the book.
You'll learn. You'll laugh. You'll shake your head and nod your head. You'll read sections to your
spouse. And, as you share the concepts of this book, your marriage will become even stronger.
Extra note for business owners, executives, and managers, many of the things you read just might
have some application for a different kind of marriage: the relationship between employer and
employee.
Warning: Don't expect to read this book at one sitting. There's too much content to absorb that
quickly. Besides, because you'll want to share with others too frequently, your reading will be
constantly interrupted!
Becoming a Category of One: How Extraordinary Companies Transcend Commodity and Defy
Comparison
Joe Calloway
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5773
ISBN 0471274046 $24.95 1-800-225-5945
The Handbook of Definitive Differentiation
In today's intensely competitive world, being unique has value. Being positively unique has even
more value. Leading your category in the marketplace builds business through the image of that
coveted Number One status. Being so unique and so powerful that you're in a category all by
yourself is the ultimate achievement. That positioning sets you apart from all would-be
competitors
because you're something pretty special and people like to do business with suppliers that are
something pretty special. If you want to achieve superlative success, your goal should be to
become
a Category of One.
First step: Read Joe Calloway's book. Second step: Read it again. Why? You'll be so entranced on
the first reading that you'll miss a significant amount of valuable advice. Step Three: Start
applying
what you've learned from this book. Step Four: Read the book again, going back to all those
passages you highlighted. Oh, along the way, better buy copies for all your key people so they can
also get the message. [Snicker. After reading this book, you may have difficulty limiting who fits
in
that vital category of "key people."
Calloway is a management consultant who specializes in branding and competitive positioning.
Through his client interactions over the years, and his own personal experiences, he's accumulated
a
wealth of information and insight. He knows how to be so good that your would-be competitors
can't even touch you. In a surprising self-effacing gesture, rarely seen from consultants, Calloway
shares in the preface that he's not the expert; he's merely a reporter. I have difficulty believing that
he
doesn't have expertise, but he sure does a fine job of reporting what winning companies are
doing.
Each chapter is filled with advice, anecdotes, and inspiration. Very quickly, readers will "get" the
difference between organizations that are so good that they create their own category whether
they intend to or not. As you learn why, you'll become motivated to make some changes in the
way
you do business. You'll discover what branding really means. You'll appreciate the power of being
close to the customer. And you'll gain a deep understanding of how people can make the
difference if their leaders inculcate the values and drive for consistency that must be energized to
be a Category of One employer.
Note: while this book is intended for employers owners, executives, manager, and everyone else
on the team, there is also value for the individual who wants to make himself/herself highly
attractive. Looking for the perfect job for you? Looking for the perfect mate? This book is not the
end-all, but the principles Calloway teaches have wide application. Open your mind and open your
wallet. This is a book worth buying, reading, absorbing, and applying.
The Sales Bible: The Ultimate Sales Resource
Jeffrey Gitomer
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5773
ISBN 0471456292 $19.95 1-800-225-5945
"The Good Book" for Every Sales Professional
If ever there was a book written precisely for it's audience, this is it.
Sales professionals are always hungry for new and better ways to become more effective and
more
efficient in their work. Their livelihoods depend on their personal success. More than any other
occupational group, salespeople will invest in themselves, strive for self-development, and seek
opportunities to sit at the feet of the gurus in the field.
Jeffrey Gitomer is recognized as a guru in the field of sales and sales training. He unabashedly
proclaims himself to be the "best sales trainer in the world." While there are probably a few people
who would dispute that assertion, Gitomer said it so others have to go on the offensive to attempt
to
refute his claim. This high level of confidence and firm emphasis on action and self-improvement
are
part of the author's character and part of this book. The presentation is as strong and direct as you
might expect from someone who learned how to sell in the highly competitive environment of
New
York and New Jersey.
Salespeople reading this book, neophytes and seasoned professionals, will gain ideas, insights, and
reminders on practically every page. It is hard to miss the points: they're shot at the reader, zinger
after zinger. Short chapter after short chapter. Large print headlines grabbing your attention.
Fast-moving, like Gitomer's popular seminars (he'll tell you that himself!) held around the
country.
The point: successful salespeople are incredibly busy. They have precious little patience for fluff
and
usually don't have the time to sit down and read long chapters. Life is USA Today bite-sized
pieces.
The Sales Bible delivers just that way. The book designer did a fine job of capturing just the flavor
needed to reach the intended audience. Financial officers will be uncomfortable with the book, but
who cares! It's not written for financial officers unless they're selling.
The Sales Bible is similar to the more familiar Holy Bible, which has sold just a few more copies
than this book probably will. It's organized into Books. Genesis is here, but only to lead the reader
into The Book of Rules, The Book of Secrets, The Book of WOW, The Book of Cold Calling,
the
Book of Exhibitions. You get the idea. Read it straight through or pick the sections you want to
concentrate on during first or subsequent readings. The Table of contents is well-organized, with
depth, to help readers find what they want and "get" the message, and the comprehensive index
adds
to that value.
Expect to carry this book with you and refer to it often like when you're sitting in that traffic jam.
How many copies do you need? Home, office, car? This is a book you could wear out quickly. I
can
see sales managers starting each day with Bible readings .
The Five Secrets: What You're Not Supposed to Know Because it will Set You Free and Change
Your Life Forever
Pat Lynch
Potential Press
1042 Willow Creek Road, Suite A-101-250, Prescott, Arizona 86301
ISBN 0972809678 $19.95
Climb out of your rut and follow your dream
Have you become locked into a life that really doesn't satisfy you anymore if it ever did? Do you
dream about a different lifestyle that would be more fulfilling than just day-to-day existence? This
book will help you break out of your routine, hum-drum, and ho-hum stress-filled survival mode
and
into a much more rewarding experience.
Pat Lynch is a change agent who typifies the "been-there, done-that" knowledge base from which
to
advise others to go a different direction. The Five Secrets is a combination of advice and insight
from a helpful friend, admonition and chiding from someone who cares, and a workbook to define
your dream and design how you'll achieve it.
You can easily read through this entire book in one sitting, and you should. Then go back and
read it
again and again more carefully. Each time you read it, you'll discover something new. This is one
of
those books that's filled with a lot more wisdom than meets the eye in first reading. The Five
Secrets
are a guide to finding happiness during the balance of your life, wherever you are in the
process.
Generating Buy-In: Mastering the Language of Leadership
Mark S. Walton
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
ISBN 0814407889 $19.95 1-800-250-5308
Fast Read, Strong Lessons
My initial sense when I picked up this book is that is was thin, perhaps lightweight. In pounds, it
is
lightweight (good to stick in your briefcase for that next airplane trip). In content, it's
heavyweight.
The premise of this book is that leaders send their messages, inspire their followers, and achieve
results by using a particular type of language. The secret is astonishingly simple: tell stories,
strategic
stories. The key is to share a vision that people can buy into and they'll follow you to the ends of
the
Earth.
This disarmingly short book provides the insight into the technique, explains how this approach
works, shows you how to use it, and encourages you to use the system. It seems so easy one of
those things that's right there in front of us, but we never saw it. Walton, a former CNN journalist,
reports what he's learned, citing examples from the strategies of well-known executives.
Readers will benefit from clear explanations, how-to advice, and a sort of combination of
enlightenment and inspiration. This book will stimulate your thinking and change the way you
communicate. The illustrations, a glossary, and index provide added value.
What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Building a Highly
Successful Company
Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5773
ISBN 0471271144 $24.95 1-800-225-5945
Like Sitting at the Feet of a Guru
If you're an entrepreneur at any stage of the development of your business(es), you're hungry for
the secrets of the successful trail blazers who have gone before you. The opportunity to learn
from
someone who built a strong enough business to sell to the legendary Warren Buffett would be
particularly valuable. This book offers that coveted opportunity.
The author did not build his business all by himself. His father and grandfather preceded him in
building the three-generation family business of 143 retail jewelry stores in 23 states. A well-led
executive team made it all work beautifully. Helzberg Diamonds set the standard for customer
service, earning the loyalty of thousands of customers who contributed to the success of the
enterprise.
Helzberg starts his book by telling us that he's a plagiarist. He's collected ideas from many other
people, used them to grow his business, and shares them in page after page of philosophy and
advice. The book is organized into six sections: Managing, Decision Making, Hiring, Inspiring,
Communicating, and Focusing. Each section is a collection of short chapters that deliver this
effective CEO's secrets, illustrated with examples from what he and his company accomplished.
Each chapter's advice is complemented by a sidebar entitled "Mining for Diamonds" pithy
statements that provide powerful guidance for any business leader. Quotes from a wide range of
gurus, mentors, and leaders, offer an additional dose of thought-provoking and inspiring
words.
The book is easy for busy entrepreneurs to read. The chapters are short enough to absorb during a
break coffee, bathroom, or deep breath and tightly written enough so you can glean the concepts
quickly. A list of recommended readings and an index add value to the volume. The only feature
that
might have improved this treasure would be a complete listing in one place of all Helzberg's
"Mining
for Diamonds" advice. Too bad, you'll have to go through the book chapter by chapter to mine
those
gems for yourself. The experience will be worthwhile and probably repeated a few times to gain
the full impact of this down-to-earth, almost homespun, recipe book for entrepreneurial
success.
Roger E. Herman, Reviewer
http://www.hermangroup.com
Shelley's Bookshelf
The Poison Ivy Murders
William H. Reid
PublishAmerica
Baltimore, MD
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN: 1591294959 $19.95
William Reid is a scientist, has taught biology in the academic venue, and has taught in Israel.
Like
any academic, writing was probably something he did in the course of his duties, but he is now
going
at it full-tilt. His prior offerings include: Eagles Watch and North of Nowhere.
Mike Thatcher is a art graduate of Fields University. He works on the local police force, when he
is
not taking care of his two children and mother. But when an anatomy professor at Fields is found
disemboweled, Mike springs into action as the acute investigator that he is. The faculty are an
argumentative and petty lot, but one of them brings back upsetting memories for Mike. The
murders
continue to pile up, in a disconcertingly personal way as several professors are killed in ways
which
relate to their fields of research:
"'The important thing is that three of four people have been murdered in a way that, well, fits. The
anatomist gets gutted, the aquatic biologist is drowned, and a very big snake catches the
herpetologist by the nose.' Derek nodded. 'Three out of four is a relationship, yes.' 'Even Joe's
murder was appropriate to his life.'"
The Poison Ivy Murders is written with wit and insight. Mr. Reid presents the academic
community
as the ivory tower that it is, with some care taken for the jealousies and divisions that spring up
between people who are forced to work together for decades. Using his knowledge of various
branches of biology, Mr. Reid presents the reader with a Mel Gibson type of hero in Mike
Thatcher
(square jaw line; great bod) who is struggling to come to terms with his own past, even as he has
to
face some very unpleasant truths. Mike solves the murder, of course, and the reader is treated to a
plot with enough biological twists and turns to resemble some of the best horror and mystery
writers
of our time. It's also really funny!
Mr. Reid's character portraits are fresh and lovingly drawn. His plot sizzles and keeps the reader
on
edge. He knows his subject and treats the reader to the world of academic and biology. The
ending
is somewhat of a surprise, and the denouement is right on the money. All in all, The Poison Ivy
Murders is a wonderful effort that contributes much to the mystery genre.
She Scoops to Conquer
Robin Brandeis
New Victoria Publishers
PO Box 27, Norwich, VT 05055
ISBN: 1892281171 $11.95
Robin Brandeis is an Louisville, Kentucky native. She currently lives and writes in Atlanta,
Georgia.
She has fond memories of summer days with her grandparents on Kentucky farms.
Lane Montgomery is your typical journalist. She lives on a shoestring, is a champion of the
underdog, and decides to write a feature story on a young Afro-American teenager who is found
murdered. She is also madly in love with Ann Alexander, who works for a rival newspaper. Ann's
newspaper is into yellow journalism, featuring gory photographs and surface reporting.
But Ann herself is a dish who keeps crashing into Lane's universe as she begins to track a tangled
web of murder and drugs. In the meantime, Lane's character provides some humorous and erotic
insights into the world of lesbian dating:
"Although Mindy came across with a great image however peculiar, with the movie star look alike
thing and all that's all she had. Other women seemed to have figured out the same thing. It took
me
three dates to realize that Mindy was all image and no substance. I'm no psychologist, but I
suspected the actress imitation thing sprung out of the fact that Mindy Pincher had no idea who
Mindy Pincher was."
She Scoops to Conquer is a very savvy, witty, and enjoyable murder mystery. Lane Montgomery
is a
self-deprecating beauty who genuinely has no idea how gorgeous she is. She possesses a natural
femininity that constantly surprises in a very positive way. The plot moves right along with
urgency,
because there are children out there being killed by horrible drug pushers who have set themselves
up as icons in the community. Lane's mission is to write her article, save the child, and get the girl,
after she has scooped her.
Robin Brandeis is a talented writer who knows how to hold her audience. She is innovative,
intelligent, and ribald. Watch out world, this is a totally new take on the war of the sexes. An
entertaining read, with adult sex and ragtag situations.
Accidental Murder
Claire McNab
Bella Books, Inc.
PO Box 201007, Ferndale, MI 48220
ISBN: 1931513163 $12.95
Claire McNab writes two different series of mysteries: the Carol Ashton mysteries, Accidental
Murder occupies spot number fourteen in the series, and the Denise Cleever Thriller series. With
seventeen books to her credit, McNab has established herself as one of today's premier mystery
writers.
Captain John Trelawney fatally falls off of Sydney, Australia's North Head, a big tourist location.
When the insurance company is notified to make payment, they also note one other fact. There
have
been a series of odd accidents in a relatively short period of time, all with big insurance payouts.
Could it be just a coincidence? That is the problem presented to Detective Inspector Carol
Ashton.
Oh yes, and she is also ordered to solve the crime quickly so her supervisor can take all the credit.
Ashton is more than up to the challenge, even as she deals with her cherished Aunt Sarah's cancer
and the question of "commitment" with her current flame. Fortunately, she has the assistance of
her
friend and colleague, Detective Sergeant Mark Bourke:
"Bourke's fingers tapped the keys. He frowned at the screen, made a correction, then said, 'I'm
thinking there might be some sort of connection to the insurance companies. How about an
employee who's assessing possible clients and passing the information on to X?' 'That's possible,
although that would be a security risk for X. The more people involved, the more dangerous it
becomes. Okay, the next question is how X approaches the potential client. How would you go
about that?'"
Accidental Murder is a well scripted, and very well written mystery. Claire McNab deftly takes
the
reader through an insurance quagmire, replete with interesting characters, personal side trips of
Carol Ashton's, and a general whodunit atmosphere. She gives up the killer just a little before the
end of the story, but adds spice with an excellent denouement. All in all, Carol Ashton is an
attractive character who gets the job done using police skills that are admirable. She is, at the
heart
of things, a decent human being who cares about the important people in her life. We want to
know
how she is going to handle the challenges that come her way, and cheer for her when she solves
the
puzzle and overcomes the bad guys. An entertaining read.
Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer
Sullivan's Bookshelf
Thomas Paine, Common Sense, and the Turning Point to Independence
Scott Liell
Running Press
125 South Twenty-Second Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-4399
ISBN # 076241507X $l8.95 1-800-345-5359
This is the story of Thomas Paine's COMMON SENSE pamphlet, which was just 46 pages long.
Though brief, the writing was explosive. And it gave impetus to Jefferson's writing of The
Declaration of Independence and to America's break from Great Britain.
Most Americans had been wishy-washy in their attitudes about independence up until COMMON
SENSE was written. But after its publication, the tide quickly turned for freedom from the mother
country.
Until Paine's words became public, proponents of independence had directed their anger at the
British government, parliament to be specific. Few would have directed their ire at the monarch.
The
pamphlet, though, did just that.
Loyalist Americans, of course, were shocked and outraged at Paine's breech of good taste in
speaking out against the British Crown. Yet many other American citizens were emotionally
moved
to action for independence by the pamphlet's verbal attack on the king.
Thomas Paine was born and grew up in England. He had been in the colonies for only l4 months
before composing his epoch-making pamphlet. Ben Franklin, a colonial representative to England
before the Revolution had met Paine, been impressed with him, and had sent letters of
recommendation to Americans on behalf of the young Englishman.
He, by the way, took no money from the sale of his early-day 'best-seller.' Instead, he gave all
proceeds to the cause for independence. Thus, he further endeared himself to many American
forefathers.
This man did more than write for the cause, he also served in the military during the War for
Independence. After the conflict, he returned to Europe, wrote more pamphlets, all provocative,
got
embroiled in the French Revolution, almost was guillotined, but was saved by the intervention of
American Minister to France James Monroe, later to be the fifth U.S. president.
Though Paine returned to the U.S., his other writings, primarily the anti-religious AGE OF
REASON, had already reached American shores. Thinking him now an atheist, Americans
ignored
the man they'd formerly admired who had done so much for the new nation. Paine died in
obscurity.
"On January l0, l776, bookstalls in Philadelphia," writes the book's author, "began to sell the first
printing of a new pamphlet entitled COMMON SENSE. The small work publicly set forth for the
first time a diverse pro-independence credo that opened a compelling new line of argument that
went
far beyond anything advocated by even the most ardent independent. [...] In spite of a steep
two-shilling cover price, the pamphlet was an immediate runaway hit, going on to sell 120,000
copies in its first three months. In a country of less than three million people this was, and
remains,
an unprecedented success. [...[ As its reputation and popularity spread, individual copies were
read
and re-read to countless assembled groups in public houses, churches, army camps, and private
parlors throughout the colonies."
Scott Liell, the author, lives with his wife and children in Connecticut.
This volume is riveting reading.
Recommended!
Teacher The One Who Made the Difference
Mark Edmunson
Random House
ISBN # 0375504079 $23.95
Edmunson writes in his prologue, "When I encountered Franklin Lears, I was a high school thug.
I
was a football player, a brawler, who detested all things intellectual. The first time I saw this
meager
guy with his thick, swinging briefcase, I wanted to spit on the floor. He was absurd, a joke. If you
had told me that in eight months I would have decided to live my life in a way that was akin to
his, I
would have told you that you were crazy. I would have spit, probably at you. But that is exactly
what took place: I went on to become an incessant reader, a writer, a university professor.
Though the theme concerns that teacher, of philosophy, the book is more about a bunch of
unnruly,
underachieving seniors at Medford High School in Massachusetts. Consequently, this reviewer
felt
cheated by the book's title. As he read, he had the distinct impression of living through a TV
episode
of WELCOME BACK, KOTTER. The students sounded suspiciously like sweathogs, such as
Vinnie Barbarino and Horshak. Mostly, the characters in this tome were irritating to read
about.
The story is set toward the end of the l960s.
Civil rights, the Viet Nam War and its protesters, SDS
activiists, and many other causes were coming to the
fore. And the book's characters, in this case,
Doober, Walrus, Cap, and others filled the chapters
with their nonsense.
Then Franklin Lears enters their lives. He is a nerdy kind of guy. A new teacher, he wears ill-
fitting,
rumpled, out-of-date clothes. And it's all the more reason that his students pick on and try to
intimidate him. But the teacher ignores the kids' jibes. Yet Lears does ask the questions that the
students had never been asked before nor had ever thought about. And it piques their
interest.
Maddeningly, every time Edmunson begins to discuss Lears, the author goes off on a tangent
about
one of his buddies, a fellow student, or his own odd dad. Since, in reality, this volume is a memoir
and not just a saga about a boy and his inspirational teacher, the author is well within his rights to
put all this extraneous stuff betweem its covers. And though Franklin Lears is mentioned briefly in
almost all the chapters, it's only in the final one that he is at long last explained.
The author reveals that Mr. Lears left teaching after that one year (no surprise there!) and went to
law school, got his degree, and became a lawyer. He is today practicing somewhere in northern
New
England (perhaps hiding out from his former students!).
After reading this well-written book, one can clearly see why America's public schools are in such
a
mess.
An English professor at the University of Virginia, Mark Edmunson has also written
LITERATURE
AGAINST PHILOSOPHY and PLATO TO DERRIDA.
Jim Sullivan
Reviewer
Vicki's Bookshelf
Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being A True Account of the Good Gentleman's Life
Candace Fleming
Antheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.SimonSaysKids.com
ISBN 0689835493 $19.99
This remarkable overview of the life of Ben Franklin will do wonders to bring the pages of history
to
life for elementary and middle school readers. Modeled on Frankin's own "Poor Richard's
Almanack," this unique reference book is designed as a scrapbook capturing the statesman's
legendary personality as well as his vast accomplishments. The loosely grouped topics contain no
running text. Rather, they collect numerous sidebars that travel from his childhood memories and
family album, through his scientific journals and revolutionary memorabilia, to his voyage to
France
and final remembrances. Numerous black-and-white images pepper each spread period
illustrations, portraits, newspaper clippings, flyers, political cartoons, artifacts and more -- adding
tremendously to the appeal of the high-interest American figure. The nature of the subject is
engrossing enough, but the fascinating elements reported here is what makes "Ben Franklin's
Almanac" so much more engrossing than the average historic reference book for children. Who
can
resist Franklin's tongue-in-cheek anatomy chart that falsely told nave readers they could predict
their future by analyzing the functions of their body parts? Or his boyhood experiment of
skinny-dipping while flying a kite to sail across a pond? Or stories of his womanizing in "sinfully
extravagant" France? More than anecdotal, the zigzagging collection of stories serve to make the
legend immediately accessible to young students who will find themselves.
Sewing With Felt
Buff McAllister
photos by Hank Schneider
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, Penn. 18431
ISBN 1563979993 $19.95 www.boydsmillspress
"Sewing With Felt" is a fun lesson teaching kids (and grown-ups) the basic stitches to create more
than 60 colorful projects. It wisely keeps things simple sort of a crafty "Sewing for Dummies,"
really, using a fool proof material, a minimum of tools, and a long list of well-illustrated projects
that
even rank beginners won't be too intimidated to tackle. The sturdy hardback, coil-bound book is
colorful and appealing for parents and caregivers of elementary-age children, and self-readers who
can follow the simple instructions unsupervised. After an informative two-page how-to lesson in
six
common stitches, beginners can tackle "Very Easy" and "Easy" projects such as hand puppets,
tic-tac-toe games, book covers, bookworm bookmarks, and other decades-old standbys. More
whimsical suggestions include a fried egg placemat, foam-filled dollhouse furniture, a
color-blocked
jester's hat, and a complex play mat decorated with a vivid cityscape. More difficult projects are
clearly labeled as "A Little Harder" and "Challenging" so not to send newbies down the wrong
path,
although the book would have been more helpful if its projects were grouped by difficulty, or if
the
various levels were indicated in the table of contents. Once simple cut, glue and baste projects are
tackled, this inviting, simple-to-use guide will be the launching pad to more imaginative and
personal
projects of your own.
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame, illustrations by Inga Moore
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763622427 $19.99 www.candlewick.com
One of the best children's books for all ages continues to stand the test of time and does so
elegantly
with this gloriously illustrated new edition. The classic 1908 adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad and
Badger and their exciting daily lives in the English countryside, are revisited in this attractive,
classy
edition suitable for every library shelf. This is an unabridged edition that respectfully presents the
stories in their entirety, set in a generously-sized, easy-to-read serif font, set gracefully with plenty
of
illustration wrap-arounds. It's augmented beautifully by artist Inga Moore' s sepia-toned
illustrations;
filled with humor, warmth and tremendous detail, each image is a gorgeous wonder. The
illustrative
quality of Moore' s work is top-shelf, and the sheer number of illustrations with one to five
delightful images per spread generously surpasses two other major press editions of "The Wind
in
the Willows" published in the past 12 months. This Candlewick Press edition is a new best bet for
gift-giving and long-term keeping.
Life in a Rain Forest
Carol K. Lindeen
Capstone Press
151 Good Counsel Dr., P.O. Box 669, Mankato, Minn. 56002
ISBN 0736821023 $17.26 (list) $12.95 (school/library) www.capstone-press.com
This new educational publishing line under the "Pebble Plus" line of non-fiction emergent-readers,
focuses on life in different habitats around the world, for beginning readers in kindergarten and
first
grade, and with an expanded interest level of pre-K through second grade. Each of the eight titles
provides a very simple overview of a different inhabitable global environment, namely the desert,
forest, polar region, pond, rain forest, stream, wetland and ocean. In each, animal adaptations to
their environment is discussed, showing young readers how "Living in a Rain Forest" and it's
seven
regional cousins are excellent, straightforward introductions to the subject of biology, linking well
to
age-appropriate interests, understanding and curriculum. Each book contains color photographs,
clear table of contents, glossary, index, further reading suggestions, a global map showing
location
of the biome in discussions, close-up photo-text matches, parent/teacher notes, and access
information for web research via www.FactHound.com.
Penguins and Their Chicks
Margaret Hall
Capstone Press
151 Good Counsel Dr., P.O. Box 669, Mankato, Minn. 56002
ISBN 0736821090 $22.60 (list) $16.95 (school/library) www.capstone-press.com
Baby animals penguins and their chicks in particular -- are an excellent, popular curriculum topic
for classroom reading in kindergarten through second grade. This new Pebble Plus series about
animal offspring highlights the lives of little darlings, including how they are born, what they look
like, how they compare to mature animals, and how the eat, play, live, learn and grow. Designed
as
an educational line of high-interest for low-readers, it contains appropriately simple, no-nonsense
text, color photographs, a basic table of contents, glossary, bibliography, and index, close
photo-text
matches, parent/teacher memo and links to www.FactHound.com for further subject
investigation.
All six titles about cows, ducks, elephants, gorillas, tigers and penguins-- were written by a
single
author, resulting smooth consistency. The series is an excellent, sure-to-be-popular addition to
Capstone Press' Pebble Plus line of non-fiction educational self-readers.
The Telephone
Marc Tyler Nobleman
Capstone Press
151 Good Counsel Dr., P.O. Box 669, Mankato, Minn. 56002
ISBN 0736822186 $22.60 (list) $16.95 (school/library) www.capstone-press.com
Capstone Press' new "Fact Finders" series explores the historic development of modern
technological inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries. With the first six titles about the airplane,
automobile, computer, light bulb, radio and telephone, curious elementary school readers will
learn
about each great invention's creation, creators, historic context, and how the inventions have
changed our lives. Each book includes full-color photographs, a clear table of contents, glossary,
bibliography and index, diagrams, photo-illustrated time line of the invention's development,
interesting "Fast Facts" trivia, and related activity suggestions. In "The Telephone," for instance
the
author gives simple directions for making a classic toy telephone with paper cups and string, and
provides three-step instructions for learning more about the subject through the "FactHound"
internet search engine conveniently linked to the book's ID number. The publisher has gone the
extra
step of having it's own book fact-checked by a field expert in this case, a telecommunications
history consultant from Telephonymuseum.com giving extra credence to it's quality as a reliable
reference source for school research and reports.
Family Fun Home
Deanna F. Cook
Disney Editions
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 0786853999 $24.95 www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com
In the tradition of previous craft books from FamilyFun Magazine, this spiral-bound craft book
provides hundreds of fun and affordable ideas for decorating the family home. Much more than a
decorating book, most of the 200 projects are designed to provide a meaningful activity, either in
the
project construction, or execution upon completion. The entire family is encouraged to get
involved
in home improvement with projects such as making a family photo wall of fame, a skyscraper CD
tower, or a foldaway puppet theater. Kids rooms get spruced up with a hairstyling station, a quilt
made from old T-shirts, and glow-in-the-dark murals. Workspaces get organized with a family
message center, computer mousepad, and shoe bag craft center. "Family Fun Home" provides
snazzy ideas and how-to directions for can-do projects in every room of the house, a great many
of
which rival the costly items from such retailers/catalogs as Pottery Barn Kids. The suggestions are
infinitely more creative than traditional do-it-yourself crafting books, many have educational
value,
and all are freshly presented with clear text, directions, and lively color photos. With just the flip
of a
few pages, families will be itching to get started.
State-by State Atlas
DK
375 Hudson St., NY, NY, 10014
ISBN 0789492571 $19.99 www.dk.com
Appropriate for home, school or library use, "State-by-State Atlas" is DK's newest kids' guide to
the
people and places of America. Presented in the publisher's highly-visual style, the 128-page
hardback
presents a clear, comprehensive geographic atlas in a colorful, attractive package, then goes the
extra step to show and tell young readers who, what, whem, where, and why. More than 60
easy-to-read maps show the U.S. A. state by state and region by region, and another 750 color
pictures present a wealth of visual information. Must-have facts are presented on each state's bird,
flower, tree, nickname, capital, population, date of statehood, largest cities, and more. A "Key
Dates" timeline helps students place important events in context, "Did You Know" boxed items
reveal unusual, high-interest trivia, and famous people profiles are presented for each state.
Everything one would expect is here, plus fun, kid-friendly touches such as the fact that Mr.
Potato
Head is manufactured in Rhode Island, Harley-Davidson motorcycles come from Wisconsin, and
Nevada is the alien-friendly home of the Extraterrestrial Highway. With only 51% of American
students able to locate New York on a blank map, "The State-by-State Atlas" seems a worthy
investment for study by all elementary and middle school students.
The Green Dog: A Mostly True Story
Suzanne Fisher Staples
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374327793 $16.00 www.fsgbooks.com
The summer after fourth grade, a lonely girl wants just one thing: a dog. It's not that Suzanne
doesn't want human friends, exactly, just that she's comfortable in her own skin, and doesn't fit in
with typical girls her age. So while she's fishing, exploring the woods, and nurturing a mini-zoo of
lost and wounded critters, she finds herself fantasizing about her dream dog, and longing for the
company he would bring. "I imagine myself spending most mornings this summer with my feet
dangling off the dock, my dog stretched out beside me on the rough planks. He is black-and-tan,
with long silky fur, a big pink tongue, and chocolate brown eyes. His name is Jeff. He rests his
chin
between his front paws and looks up at me, wagging his fluffy tail." Although Suzanne has never
actually seen a dog like the one she longs for, she's sure he exists and that she'll thing of a way to
find him, despite the odds. Just when things look the bleakest, a charming dog finds her. It's an
emotional rescue, of sorts, for both of them, and they soon become inseparable. But this Jeff has a
nose for trouble that Suzanne didn't foresee, and her father rapidly loses his patience. "One more
incident, and that dog is going to the farm," he threatens, and the emotional struggle begins.
Author
Suzanne Fisher Staples ("Dangerous Skies" and "Shiva's Fire") has woven a gentle, traditional tale
of true friendship and the pain of losing it in this heart-warming tale that will win young
hearts.
M is for Music
Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Stacy Innerst
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152014381 $16.00 www.HarcourtBooks.com
A pint-sized Beethoven sits at a big, black grand piano. Suprisingly and interestingly it
illustrates
the letter "P" for "piano and practice, practice, practice." In this simple alphabet book by Kathleen
Krull ("Lives of Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times" and "Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar
Chavez") the ABC lesson doesn't end there. Illustrator Stacy Innerst' s acrylic and oil paintings
incorporate scattered word lists -- such as, in this case, percussion, pitch, prodigy, Prokofiev,
polka,
piccolo and performance. It's a harmonious blend of words and images, made much more
interesting
by the unpredictable letter associations which include musical terms, instruments, performers,
creators, genres, compositions, slang, and media. World cultures are represented, minor history
lessons imparted, and emotional responses to music are reflected, making this a much-more
fully-realized effort, despite it's simple appearance. The book opens with quotes about the power
of
music, from a facinating quartet: Friedrich Nietzsche, Charlie Parker, Helen Keller and Frank
Zappa.
And at the end, six pages of text provide detailed "Musical Notes" to answer the inevitable
questions
that will arise when young children encounter entries like "Hildegard" and "Klezmer." "M is for
Music" will be music to the ears of young pre- and emergent-readers.
School of Dreams: Making the Grade at a Top American High School
Edward Humes
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0151007039 $25.00 www.HarcourtBooks.com
Four is the magic number for the students of Whitney High School, one of the top public schools
in
the nation, where kids chase 4.0 grade point averages, and often get by on 4 hours of sleep, and
chug four cafe lattes to get through the day. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes
spent a
year immersed in an exceptional high school where students struggle to harmonize parents'
dreams
with their own goals, and while their teachers search for an elusive balance between creating great
test-takers and fostering great learners. Humes reveals the daily joys, disasters, stress and
struggles
of these special individuals of Whiney High, as well as those of their parents and teachers. The
result
is an honest and enlightening story of what life is really like for today's high-achieving high school
students and a revealing look at the state of education in America today. In an era where the
behavior of teens and the declining quality of public schools is continually criticized, these kids
possess everything citizens could ask of high school students: a love of learning, a sense of
mission
and SAT scores to die for. Humes's eye-opening, mind-expanding account is a refreshingly
hopeful
and human story, and a standout among bleak entries about the contemporary teen
experience.
Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Henry Holt & Co.
115 W. 18th St., NY, NY 10011
ISBN 0805017585 $15.95 www.henry.holt.com
"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" was such a tremendous success as both a
picture
book and emergent reader that it was virtually impossible not to continue the winning streak
with a
sequel. Enter "Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?" a nearly exact replica of it's
predecessor even more so than the previous "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?"
Sporting the same rhyming scheme, same rhythm, same painted collage technique and same, well,
everything, the latest bear book by the beloved team of Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle seems at
first a
Xerox copy of the original. Upon closer inspection, however, it's revealed that this animal parade
is
exclusively made up of endangered species, rather than a typical neighborhood or zoo population.
A
bald eagle soars, a spider monkey swings, a mararoni penguin struts and a red wolf sneaks
through
the rollicking, comfortingly repetitious text. It's dreamlike message is subtle and effective, its
images
graceful and original, and its presence in the lap of a loving reader, fabulous.
D.W.'s Guide to Preschool
Marc Brown
Little, Brown and Company
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0316120693 $15.95 www.twbookmark.com/children
Arthur the Aardvark's annoying sister D.W. is in nicer-than-average form in this picture book
introduction to preschool. Without a single characteristic whine, D.W. acts as a tour guide for
new
preschoolers, giving them a step-by-step explanation to the various activities they're likely to
experience when they begin their lives as a student. Separation anxiety? Not a problem for D.W.
who explains "The parents come back when we're finished. It's no big deal." None of the new
experiences are a problem for D.W. and her new friends, although a few are learning new lessons
in
sharing and taking turns, and a few funny mishaps liven up the mostly matter-of-fact storytelling.
In
a picture book market filled with competing books similarly designed to chase away the first-day
of
school jitters, "D.W.'s Guide to Preschool" wouldn't particularly stand out if not for the popularity
and familiarity of D.W. from the "Arthur" cartoons on PBS. Her confident manner and reassuring
presence, makes D.W. a naturally comforting friend to nervous toddlers.
Halloween Bugs
David A. Carter
Little Simon / Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689859163 $10.95 www.SimonSaysKids.com
Call the exterminator: the bugs are back. This small format pop-up book is the latest novelty
addition to children's book illustrator David A. Carter's series of popular "How Many Bugs In A
Box" books. This time, it's "Halloween Bugs," a trick-or-treat holiday charmer for gift-giving.
"Trick-or-treat. Smell my feet. Please give me something sweet to eat," it taunts, inviting guests
to
peek behind the dusty old door to fid "a luscious little Lollipop bug." Other creatively creepy
creatures pop out from a variety of doors: a very hairy Scary bug, a Bat-in-the-hat bug, a
one-eyed,
one-horned, Spotted People Eater bug, and so on. There are a few fun surprises, but, naturally
enough, none so charming or elaborate as those in the original, making this an
immediate-gratification, empty-calorie treat just like seasonal Halloween sweets themselves.
The Runaway Pumpkin
Kevin Lewis, Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Orchard Books / Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439439744 $15.95 www.scholastic.com
When three costumed country kids come across the biggest pumpkin they've ever seen, they
naturally want to harvest it for their farmstead Halloween, in the latest picture book by Kevin
Lewis
("Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo"). But when little Buck and Billy Baxter cut it loose, the orange
giant
starts to roll away uncontrollably. "'Round and 'round across the ground, making a thumpin',
bumpin'
sound, came that thumpety, bumpety, thumpin' bumpin' round and roll-y runaway pumpkin!"
Complications follow, naturally, when it rolls like an avalanche through the barn and chicken
coop.
Leave it to clever Poppa to figure out a way to stop the pumpkin, once and for all, and enjoy the
delicious fruits of his labor. The rollicking rhymes, and slapstick humor makes this a Halloween
treat
children will want to read again and again.
The Printer
Myron Uhlberg, illustrated by Henri Sorensen
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561452211 $16.95 www.peachtree-online.com
This unusually serious picture book tells the powerful story a young boy's admiration for his deaf
father's gentle heroism. Told first-person, from the boy's perspective, the narration is as stirring as
it
is personal. "As a boy, my father learned to speak with his hands. As a man, he learned to turn
lead-type letters into words and sentences. My father loved being a printer." But because he was
deaf, he was laughed at and ostracized by his fellow workers. Still, he took pleasure in working
hard
at the newspaper printing press, until one fateful day when a fire suddenly, silently, engulfed the
factory. The boy's deaf father was the first to notice, and quickly took action to alert the other
factory workers, leading them to safety. Based on real incidents, the story infers that because the
printer was deaf, his other senses were heightened, making it possible for him to save the day. It's
a
lovely real-life scenario of moralist fables about rising to the occasion, despite all odds, while
turning
the other cheek. Most young readers will not likely be engaged by the book's somber, repetitive
paintings, and won't comprehend all the layers contained in this subtle morality tale, but the
general
lesson will ring true about everyday heroes, and give comfort in the power of each individual to
do
good. Many will, however, be intrigued by the author's notes introducing readers to American
Sign
Language and the history of newspaper printing, and the how-to instructions to make a printer's
four-cornered newspaper hat.
Trickster's Choice
Tamora Pierce
Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0375814663 $17.95 www.randomhouse.com/kids/
Fantasy fans particularly teen girls -- will rejoice with the discovery of "Trickster's Choice," a
richly told tale that introducing a compelling new heroine worth cheering for. It features Aly, the
headstrong 16-year-old daughter of Alanna the Lioness, the famed character from best-selling
novelist Tamora Pierce's best-selling medieval fantasy "Alanna: The First Adventure." Aly dreams
of
working for the Tortallian intelligence, but when her parents forbid it she sails off in a rage only to
find herself captured by pirates and sold as a slave. In exchange for her freedom, she makes a deal
with Kyprioth, a Trickster god, then must protect the rightful heir of the Rajmuat throne until the
autumn equinox. Caught in a world filled with race tensions, corrupt rulers and more than a few
players vying for the throne, Aly must use all of her wit and cunning to make sure she and her
new
charge survive. Inspired by the tumultuous history of Tudor, England, the elaborate story appeal
to
both historical fiction and fantasy fans. Filled with adventure, suspense, intrigue, emotion and
exotic
settings, "Trickster' s Choice" is a genuine page-turner that will leave readers waiting impatiently
for
Pierces next sequel.
Rubber Stamp It!
Alicia Newman
Running Press
125 South Twenty-Second St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-4399
ISBN 0762415851 $19.95 www.runningpress.com
This new edition of "Rubber Stamp It!," from the new children's imprint Running Press, is
packaged
as a novelty gift item for children age eight and up. The sturdy box set contains an all-in-one
starter
kit for fun ink-stamping projects: two small ink pads, a carving tool, embossing powder, one
stamping block, five felt-tip markers, 14 rubber stamps and a 32-page "how to" paperback book
giving clear step-by-step directions for stamping techniques (coloring, embossing and decorating),
carving your own stamp (creating your own design or transferring a found design onto a blank
stamp), sample images and motifs for copying including a full alphabet and numerals. The second
half of the book is devoted to specific stamping projects, including holiday cards, picture frames,
decorative stationery, treasure chests, party bags, wrapping paper, pop-up cards and brooches.
The
stamp variety could have been more generous or cohesive. As it is the disparate images include
seven animals of unrelated species and style, three decorative figures, one floral design, one
Christmas symbol, a happy face, and, for some reason, a row of hen tracks. Somehow, the graphic
designer-author manages to make these random images work in her suggested projects, which
have
a more professional polish to them than one might expect.
Scholastic Dinosaurs A to Z: The Ultimate Dinosaur Encyclopedia
Don Lessem, illustrated by Jan Sovak
Scholastic Reference
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439365911 $22.95 www.scholastic.com
From the very biggest to the very smallest, "Scholastic Dinosaurs A-Z: The Ultimate Dinosaur
Encyclopedia" for ages 10 and up, is the publisher's most complete dinosaur reference book to
date.
With more than 700 entries and nearly 400 color illustrations, the heavyweight tome delivers an
earth-shattering wealth of information about when and where dinosaurs lived; what they may have
looked like; how big they grew; what they ate; what their scientific names mean; and how their
fossils were discovered. Also located throughout the book are mini-bios introducing the men and
women who pioneered the field of paleontology, and who continue to make breakthroughs today.
An introductory overview and timeline give background information about the prehistoric world
in
which they roamed, and endnotes provide a list of resources for further exploration. The author's
credentials as a dinosaur researcher is impressive, as are the considerable talents of Discovery
Channel and National Geographic illustrator Jan Sovak who's work fills every spread with thrilling
paintings of various dinosaur species in action, in close-up and in the afterlife as bone-fragments.
Recommended as an excellent, riveting addition to the home or school library.
The Horse Breeds Poster Book
Lisa H. Hiley, photos by Bob Langrish
Storey Books
210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
ISBN 1580175074 $9.95 www.storeybooks.com
Young horse fans will simply adore the idea of decorating their rooms with these gorgeous images
of horses from around the world. "The Horse Breeds Poster Book" features 30 generous 12" x 9
1/2", full color posters of 30 different horse breeds in their customary environments. A Quarter
Horse mare romps in a corral with her young colt by her side, for instance, and a trio of American
Mustangs is photographed as they roam wild in the west. Foreign breeds are well represented,
including the Belgian Draft Horse, shown in its element as a workhorse pulling a street trolley; the
German Trakehner showing off its athletic power in the competition ring; and a chestnut
Andalusian
dressed in a Spanish saddle and accessories. Kids who can't get enough of horses will particularly
enjoy that the back of every poster page provides an excellent overview of each breed, with a
general history, the correct pronunciation, an explanation of the horse's place of origination,
description of the horse's particular talents, and a fun trivia fact, such as the oddity that Peruvian
Pasos are always shown in competition without horseshoes. A must-have for the young horse
set.
One Witch
Laura Leuck
illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Walker & Co.
435 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0802788602 $15.95 www.walkerbooks.com
Young readers are invited to partake of the witch's gruesome gruel in this clever, rhyming picture
book by Laura Leuck ("My Monster Mama Loves Me So" and "Goodnight, Baby Monster"). One
witch begins the count by filling her empty cauldron with icky ingredients from two cats, three
scarecrows, four goblins, five vampires, six mummies, seven owls and so on. With her pot filled,
she
stirs it up, sends invitations to all the contributors in a reverse countdown, and the Halloween
party
takes off. Leuck's rhymes are spot on, the rhythm is infectious, and the surprises delightful. The
detailed drawings by S.D. Schindler ("The Ghost of Nicholas Greebe") have just the right humor
and
creepiness, bringing to mind such classic, macabre greats as Edward Gorey.
Vicki Arkoff
Reviewer
Taylor's Bookshelf
Race And Prayer
Malcom Boyd & Bishop Chester Talton
Morehouse Publishing
c/o Trinity Press International
4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
0819219096 $17.95 1-800-877-0012 www.morehousepublishing.com
Collaboratively compiled by Malcom Boyd (Episcopal priest and poet/writer in residence at the
Cathedral Center of St. Paul, Los Angeles) and Chester Talon (Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal
Diocese of Los Angeles), Race And Prayer: Collected Voices, Many Dreams consists of
impressive and
inspiring poems, prayers, and prose dealing with the transformation of anger and frustration to a
condition of reconciliation and healing. Enhanced with twelve cartoons by Los Angeles times
editorial cartoonist Paul Conrad, Race And Prayer is organized into five sections (Suffering and
Anger; Prejudice and Hatred; Diversity; Reconciliation and Healing; Growth in Understanding and
Sharing). Race And Prayer is important and highly recommended reading for all Christians
regardless of denominational affiliation or background.
Paul Among The Postliberals
Douglas Harink
Brazos Press
c/o Baker Book House
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
158743041X $23.99 1-616-676-9185 www.brazospress.com
Paul Among The Postliberals: Pauline Theology Beyond Christendom And Modernity by Douglas
Harink (Associate Professor of Theology at The King's University College, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada) seeks a dialogue between post-liberal theologians such as Yoder and Hauerwas and the
testimony of the "original apocalyptic theologian", the apostle Paul himself. A thoughtful striving
for
insight that transcends millennia, and written with a close eye on the Scriptures and their impact
on
Christianity in the present and future, Paul Among The Postliberals is a welcome and
recommended
addition to Pauline Studies and New Testament Studies reading lists.
The First Five Years Of The Priesthood
Dean R. Hoge
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
0814628044 $19.95 1-800-858-5450 www.litpress.com
Written Dean R. Hoge (Professor of Sociology at The Catholic University of America), The First
Five Years Of The Priesthood: A Study Of newly Ordained Catholic Priests) is the gathered
knowledge from interviews with five hundred priests who were within five years of ordination and
seventy-two recently ordained priests who had resigned. Examining both the reasons why 10 to
15
percent of newly ordained priests resign (loneliness, feeling unappreciated, problems with celibacy
and disillusionment are among the main causes) and the advice that active priests have for those
seeking to serve in ministry, The First Five Years Of The Priesthood is fascinating and strongly
recommended reading for anyone considering becoming a Catholic priest or who has an interest in
contemporary trends within clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.
Steps Of Transformation
Father Meletios Webber
Conciliar Press
PO Box 76, Ben Lomond, CA 95005-0076
1888212632 $14.95 1-800-967-7377 www.conciliarpress.com
Written by Father Meletios Webber (an Orthodox priest with a doctorate in counseling, and
currently the Pastor of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, Santa, Cruz, California), Steps Of
Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores The Twelve Steps correlates the twelve steps used
by
Alcoholics Anonymous with basic Orthodox Christian theology. Offering understanding, wisdom,
and insight to all who turn to God when weighed down by implacable addiction, Steps Of
Transformation is a sober, spiritual, and open-hearted work of benevolence which is especially
recommended reading for Christians involved in 12-Step programs for substance abuse,
compulsive
gambling, anger management, or any other behavioral or psychological disabilities.
Margaret Paton: Letters From The South Seas
Margaret Paton
Banner of Truth
PO Box 621, Carlisle, PA 17013
085151829X $23.99 1-717-249-5747
Margaret Paton: Letters From The South Seas is a companion volume to "John G. Paton:
Missionary To The New Hebrides" and offers an absorbing account of missionary life from the
perspective of Margaret Whitecross Paton, John Paton's second wife. Spanning the 1860s to the
1890s, and describing the spread and acceptance of the gospel in the New Hebrides, this revealing
personal testimony offers a candid description of life as well as the transitions that time and
persistence bring to a culture. Margaret Paton: Letters From The South Seas is very highly
recommended reading, especially for those interested in the Christian missionary movement of the
19th Century.
Greek For The Rest Of Us
William D. Mounce
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
0310234859 $34.99 zondvervan.com
Authoritatively and accessibly written by William D. Mounce (a professor of the New Testament
at
the University of Aberdeen), Greek For The Rest Of Us: Mastering Bible Study Without
Mastering
Biblical Languages is a straightforward guide to teaching oneself basic Greek in order to better
understand the Bible, but without the necessity of investing many years and thousands of dollars
in
advanced college courses. Solid instructions for beginners in learning to recite the Greek alphabet,
read basic words, comprehend the Greek noun and verbal systems, and more fill the pages of this
excellent self-teaching resource which is especially commended to the non-specialist general
reader
seeking to better understand subtle differences in Scriptural translation. An accompanying
CD-ROM
features the author's class lectures in audio, with text and overheads.
Find It Quick Handy Bible Encyclopedia
Ron Rhodes
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
0736905596 $10.99 1-800-547-8979
Author Ron Rhodes is the President of "Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries". In Find It
Quick
Handy Bible Encyclopedia Rhodes has compiled a concise, alphabetical reference offering a
wealth
of vital facts about (and definitions of) commonly used terms used in or referring to the Bible.
From
Apostasy to Zechariah, these candid and alphabetically arranged entries combine to make a superb
resource to browse prior to commencing the study of scripture, as well as a handy and "student
friendly" consult while in the process of reading Biblical scripture.
Where's Mom?
Dorothy Kelley Patterson
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
1581345348 $5.99 1-800-323-3890
Where's Mom? The High Calling Of Wives & Mothers by Dorothy Kelley Patterson directly
confronts the dilemma Christian women face between the lure of a professional career and the
demands that being a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker put upon one. Interpreting the
choice
from a Biblical perspective, Where's Mom? draws on God's word to show the fulfillment to be
found
within raising the next generation, above and beyond the endless rote demands of ordinary jobs. A
thoughtful and devout look at scripture, woman's role, and the path to happiness and spiritual
well-being, Where's Mom is highly recommended and inspiring reading.
Crossing Galilee
Marianne Sawicki
Trinity Press International
4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
1563383071 $23.00 1-800-877-0012
Crossing Galilee by Marianne Sawicki draws upon both archaeology and anthropology to reveal
to
contemporary readers the Galilee of Jesus' day, and to challenge readings of ancient Galilean
society
as economically stratified and marked with an "honor-shame" sociological interpretation.
Incorporating and extending beyond the latest research, Crossing Galilee pursues the truth of
what
life was once like in a thoughtful, detailed, and scholarly manner. Highly recommended for
Biblical
studies shelves, Crossing Galilee is an especially recommended title for non-specialist general
readers with an interest in Biblical Archaeology.
John Taylor
Reviewer
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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