Michael Connelly Fighting the Good Fight May 29, 2007
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I have long loved the book sections of the newspaper. It is the reason I buy papers. I come for the books, stay for the rest. Now that there is downsizing of this section throughout the country, one man is doing something. By relating his tale, he shows that there might be another great novelist or writer in the wings that will not be found without the reviewer.
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New York Mag: Best Books You Never Read May 29, 2007
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Man Burns Books So that You Will Read May 29, 2007
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Tom Wayne is starting the bonfire of the vanities- 21st centruy style, burning books to get you to read. It is a shame that there are so few readers in the world and fewer every year. I cannot tell you just how many people do not seem to read or see any point to reading. Computer and video games and tv seem to hold the interest of these people. Less than half of adults now read for pleasure and this is dangerous to our society. Society can only progress through knowledge and reading is a fundamental sign of knowledge and mental accumen. This bodes ill for all of us.
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Killing Book Reviews Not the Answer May 24, 2007
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Some people claim that blogs are obssesed with traffic and I agree. And to be fair- traffic is also a huge player in papers, commercials and radio. Fees and ad rates are set by trafficing. Newspapers ARE DYING, but it is because of their own dumb
choices and mistakes. Circulation is down- way down. The AJC is bleeding cash and readers yearly- the issue is how to stem the tide. They believe that they need to limit expenses and make cuts in features, writers and coverage. Guess what- that is why they will die. People want more features and talented writers. It seems so easy but as these papers are controlled by Large Meglo companies it will not end. They see it as a dollar sign and not for all that the papers can be.
It is odd that Wall street Journal was the only Major paper to see
an increase in not only revenue but subscriptions. They also are
leading the wave of the migration to an online world. I do not see the papers lasting a long time unless they strive to IMPROVE and gutting book and arts sections are not the answer.
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One An Eagle May 21, 2007
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Anton Myrer’s masterpiece was re- published in 2002 and can still be found in bookstores. At 1312 pages, it can seem daunting, but the words flow as you are transported away into history. The book covers the life and career of Sam Damon as he leaves home to join the army before WWI and receives a battlefield commission. The book follows his ups and downs until Vietnam where he is a two-star General. Sam Damon is the hero we all wish we could be, principled and rooted in common sense, he never forgets his roots, contrasted with a West Pointer who is a careerist Officer with sadistic streak and shows us the other side of the Damon coin. The book works on so many different levels that it is no surprise that it is still required reading on the Marines and sometimes at West Point. Showing the officers that there will be differences in command style, one can still be humane and fair and get to the top while destroying the enemy.
This book is a wonderful layered story that should be read by all. It is a shame that a book of this type would not be found in schools today and we are a little worse for it as a nation. Stories of our military and the men who are asked to fight and sometimes to die for us should be read. These lessons are applicable to any mode of life, as we all can be more humane and fair.
The Jew Store May 21, 2007
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The Jew Store
The Jew Store by Stella Suberman is a fine memoir of growing up in rural Tennessee during the twenties and after as the only Jewish family in the area. It is a fine tale of the trials and tribulations that were a part of their everyday life. The town was filled with colorful and complex people and the tales of the Ku Klux Klan and the poverty are at times heart wrenching. This is a great book for learning little discovered truths of the Jewish plight in our country.
Mark Steyn’s Passing Parade May 21, 2007
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Mark Steyn is the greatest current essayist working today. His witty and charming style is apparent in every word that he prints and that is so true of this collection of Obituaries that are collect here for the first time. Steyn had long been a writer of the dead for the once great The Atlantic Monthly leaving recently over an undisclosed dispute (but to be fair the mag has hired some nutters as of late). His obits were must reading and now you can read them all.
The book can be purchased at steynonline.com or Amazon.com. It is well worth the price for a better collection of writings would be hard to find. These columns show that obituaries can be an art form unto themselves. And his training on Fleet Street is evident in the exciting style of prose that enlivens such stories. Great examples are the works on President Banana and Madame Chaing Kai-shek. Read it for your self…
Jackie Mason’s Schmucks May 19, 2007
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Collins an inmprint of HarperCollinsPublishers has released a funny albeit wrong book by Jackie Mason and Raoul Feder. This is basicly a list of people they do not like and why. It is funny and most will agree with them, but at the same time is it worth the price to buy? I love Jackie but even I would only check this out of the library- good thing both authors have day jobs.
Making War To Keep Peace May 19, 2007
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This is Jeane Kirkpatrick’s final work before her death and that is a shame. The book is a review of the last 15 years of U.S. foreign policy and the reasons why we are where we are at. The book unfortunately is quite boring for those that are avid news readers, but could really be a boon to the reader who has been in a coma for quite sometime.
I am so sorry that this is her last work, but I will be content to read her articles from the past.
Bob Newhart Book Great For Non-Fans May 18, 2007
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I picked up the Bob Newhat’s New book “I Shouldn’t Be Doing This”. I read the book in two and a half hours, for 232 pages. It is a recap of his act and career up to this point (I hope he has many more years to come). I have long been a fan of Newhart, loving his stand-up and all the sitcoms (including “Bob”) I have followed his career fir most of my young life. I always loved his wit and the fact that he is a clean comic, never having to be crass to get a laugh.
As much as I enjoyed the book, there was not much new there for the avid fan. It is a great introduction to Bob for the newcomer to the Button Down mind. I hope everyone makes this book a bestseller, it deserves to be so.
