Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 05/14/2010
Week ending May 14, 2010
Fiction | Nonfiction | Graphic Novels
Dugoni, Robert. Bodily Harm. Touchstone: S. & S. May 2010. c.384p. ISBN 978-1-4165-9296-9. $25. F
Attorney David Sloane (The Jury Master, Wrongful Death) is on the verge of winning a huge medical malpractice judgment against a pediatrician whose patient died. But as Sloane heads into court, a crazed young man, Kyle Horgan, thrusts a folder into his hands claiming he’s the one who killed the child. Perplexed, Sloane finds in the folder a design for a toy that is in preproduction testing. He also becomes the target of an ex-CIA agent–turned–assassin and suffers a devastating personal loss that leaves him with vengeance on his mind. Horgan disappears, the toy company stonewalls Sloane trying to protect its potential moneymaker, and then another child dies, probably from the same toy.
Verdict An intriguing premise incorporated with lots of action makes this a real page turner, but the courtroom is where the heart of this story lies. The combination of legal, corporate, and even some political thrills will appeal to fans of Richard North Patterson and Joseph Finder.—Stacy Alesi, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., Boca Raton, FL
McCall Smith, Alexander. Corduroy Mansions. Pantheon. Jul. 2010. c.368p. ISBN 978-0-307-37908-5. $24.95. F
Within one building in London’s eclectic Pimlico district, on three separate floors, live the seven tenants of Corduroy Mansions. William and his freeloading adult son Eddie inhabit the top floor. Four young women—Caroline, Jo, Dee, and Jenny—share the middle flat and are as different from one another as could be. And quiet, unobtrusive Basil Wickramsinghe lives alone on the ground floor. As they go about their daily business, friends, family, and coworkers are brought into the mix, and their lives are explored as well.
Verdict A bit of soap opera drama, a bit of thoughtful philosophizing, and a little canine comedy all mix into this slowly paced story of a disparate, engaging group of people. A nice choice if you’re looking for a smart beach book or a story to ponder on a rainy afternoon, but beware of the possible soporific effect of a few passages. Despite the languid pace, McCall Smith’s new series is off to a promising start, and readers will be particularly interested to see what will become of canine resident Freddie de la Haye. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/10.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
Metatropolis. Tor. Jun. 2010. c.288p. ed. by John Scalzi. ISBN 978-0-7653-2710-9. $24.99. SF
Far from an ordinary genre anthology, this book, originally released as an audiobook from Audible.com, features stories set in a single world, built collaboratively by several of sf’s rising stars: Jay Lake, Tobias Bucknell, Elizabeth Bear, Karl Schroeder, and editor and Hugo finalist Scalzi (Old Man’s War). Not since the “Borderlands” urban fantasy series have so many original voices created a shared world. This volume is particularly thought-provoking in its takes on the impact of current ecological crises on future cities, as well as distributed technology. One stand-out invention is Bucknell’s “turking”—a sort of ultimate freelancing in which everybody makes a few bucks doing a tiny part of a job—and no one knows enough to take responsibility for the consequences. Unfortunately, the new models end up eerily similar—in this future everyone but Bad Old Capitalists and their stooges form collectives that are antistuff, anti-authority, more than a little smug, and extremely vague on how everybody gets fed, decisions get made, and what happens when people disagree.
Verdict Recommended for fans of the authors and readers who want to follow the genre’s new stars, as well as anyone interested in cities of the future or “green” sf.—Meredith Schwartz, New York
Bruccoli, Matthew J. On Books and Writers. Univ. of South Carolina. Jun. 2010. c.320p. ed. by John C. Unrue. illus. ISBN 978-1-57003-902-7. $39.95. LIT
The legendary Bruccoli takes a hard look at American literature, writers and the profession of authorship, and books and collecting (whether privately or in libraries). He is curmudgeonly and courageous in his defense and criticism of that trinity in this gathering of 30 essays spanning almost 50 years. The late Bruccoli’s greatest strength as a critic and biographer lay in his not writing for other scholars, unlike many of his clan. He believed that literature belonged to the people who read it and was too important to be left in the hands of academics, making these essays easily accessible to lay readers. The book leads with his pet subject, Scott Fitzgerald, on whom Bruccoli is the burning bush. Other authors scrutinized include Nathaniel Hawthorne, John O’Hara, Thomas Wolfe, and Ernest Hemingway. Bruccoli was a self-anointed “bookman,” and here he salutes others of that faith: avid collectors, sellers, bibliographers, and librarians (he championed libraries and librarians and a section of this volume focuses on them). Being a bookman doesn’t simply equate to a love of fine literature and the people who produce it. Bruccoli worshipped books; the physical object of ink on paper was cherished above all things.
Verdict This sterling collection reaffirms that for his insights and the sheer depth of his research and breadth of knowledge of all facets of books and literature, Bruccoli was the best. All students and fans of American literature must read him; essential for lit collections.—Michael Rogers, Library Journal
Cerasulo, Tom. Authors Out Here: Fitzgerald, West, Parker, and Schulberg in Hollywood. Univ. of South Carolina. May 2010. c.216p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-57003-903-4. $29.95. FILM
Cerasulo (English, Elms Coll.) explores the time F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nathanael West, Dorothy Parker, and Budd Schulberg spent in Hollywood as screenwriters. He sets out to prove that “rather than being destroyed by the movie industry, their careers were invigorated by it.” For Fitzgerald, screenwriting was a difficult endeavor, but he used his experience for The Pat Hobby Stories and the unfinished Last Tycoon. Parker, beyond her short stories, is known as one of the screenwriters for A Star Is Born. West drew on his Hollywood background for The Day of the Locust, and Schulberg wrote the screenplays for On the Waterfront and A Face in the Crowd. Cerasulo links these four personalities, comparing and contrasting their styles and examining their relationships to one anther and to the Screen Writers Guild. Many quotations throughout and a substantial works cited section add value.
Verdict Although Cerasulo’s effort to show that Hollywood benefitted these authors’ careers is not entirely successful, this engaging study will be a good source for high school and college papers.—Barbara Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO
Codling, Stuart (text) & James Mann (photogs). Art of the Formula One Racing Car. Motorbooks: Quayside. 2010. 208p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7603-3731-8. $45. SPORTS
“The cars are the stars,” proclaimed Enzo Ferrari, and the drivers are of secondary importance and can always be replaced. In this lush collection of photographs by Mann, the automobiles gleam and shimmer as if they were Fabergé eggs in a museum showcase. Photographed against a stark black background, the cars appear sensuous and powerful in shots taken from the side, above, and in close-up of each curve and angle of these unique designs. Readers expecting a history of the sport will be disappointed—there are only a few photos of the cars in action or with the drivers and very brief notes on the number of wins, championships, and engine size. Automobile designer Gordon Murray provides commentary on each of the 18 vehicles featured, from the Alfa Romeo 158/159 to the McLaren MP4-23.
Verdict This sumptuous volume is the cashmere sweater of books—no one really needs it, but everyone with an interest in Formula One racing or automobile design will want it. For everyone who ever dreamed of a fast, red Italian sports car.—Susan Belsky, Oshkosh P.L., WI
Cohen, Lewis M., M.D. No Good Deed: A Story of Medicine, Murder Accusations, and the Debate Over How We Die. Harper: HarperCollins. 2010. c.272p. ISBN 978-0-06-172176-2. $25.99. MED
In January 2001, two staff nurses at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, were accused of murder by a nursing assistant at the same institution. This sad and gripping story is the first venture into popular literature for Cohen (psychiatry, Tufts Univ. Sch. of Medicine), who has published prolifically in medical journals and worked at Baystate for 25 years. His field, and the focus of this work, is end-of-life care of individuals who choose to forgo kidney dialysis, and he notes in his very first sentence that he will address accusations about “clinical procedures and decisions considered by most authorities and medical organizations to be both legal and ethical.” Cohen also touches on the influence of patients’ and providers’ ethnicity and religion, and includes chapters on international trends in end-of-life care, euthanasia, and the 2005 Terri Schiavo case.
Verdict A fast-paced read with medical information seamlessly integrated into the text, Cohen’s work focuses on nursing care, which differentiates it from other recent, well-received titles like William H. Colby’s historic overview Unplugged or Stephen Kiernan’s Last Rights, which takes a broader approach. Recommended for public and consumer health libraries. [ebook ISBN 978-0-06-198144-9.]—Martha E. Stone, Massachusetts General Hosp. Lib., Boston
Compton-Rock, Malaak. If It Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and 100+ Ways You Can Too. Broadway. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-0-7679-3170-0. $23.99. SOC SCI
In this part memoir and part practical guide, wife of comedian Chris Rock and humanitarian Compton-Rock gives readers helpful advice on how to find volunteer opportunity for youth, how to get children involved in service, and how to find charities. Drawn from her own service experience during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and her nonprofit initiative “Journey for Change,” which provides programming for 25 at-risk kids from Brooklyn, NY, and a ten-day trip to South Africa to participate in service projects, Compton-Rock describes how to start a nonprofit organization. Throughout nine chapters, interviews with other humanitarians like Terrie M. Williams, activist Bobby Shriver, and journalist Soledad O’Brien are also included.
Verdict An engaging and informative guide for young people and parents on how to get involved and address the issues they care about through volunteer services, community civic activities, and social responsibilities. Essential for public and school libraries. [See “Prepub Exploded,” LJ BookSmack!, 11/19/09; ebook ISBN 978-0-307-59006-0.]—Shin Freedman, Framingham State Coll. Lib., MA
Crosby, Molly Caldwell. Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic That Remains One of Medicine’s Greatest Mysteries. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-0-425-22570-7. $24.95. MED
Journalist Crosby follows her enormously popular debut American Plague with a fascinating look at encephalitis lethargica, the disease highlighted in the 1990 movie Awakenings. Reaching epidemic proportions during the first part of the 20th century, this disease received minimal attention in medical history but may have impacted as many as five million people. The disease is characterized by extended sleep and neurological changes, and the aftereffects for those who survive are significant, including physical symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease that are often accompanied by major personality changes. Using a wide variety of primary resources, including early medical journals and patient case histories, Crosby provides a personal look at the patients who fell victim to this destructive disease and the doctors who treated them.
Verdict Crosby’s writing style is light, and she goes to great lengths to describe the look and feel of 1920s New York City to make the stories come alive for the reader. Recommended for fans of medical history and health mysteries. [Ebook editions available.]—Tina Neville, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib.
Holmes, Martha & Michael Gunton. Life: Extraordinary Animals, Extreme Behavior. Univ. of California. 2010. 312p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-520-26537-0. $39.95. NAT HIST
In 2009, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, the BBC premiered the ten-episode television documentary Life to great acclaim (it recently aired on the Discovery Channel and will be rebroadcast on Animal Planet this summer). Written by the documentary’s producers, this impressive companion volume showcases species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, birds, mammals, and plants that have developed unique or unusual strategies for solving “the eternal problems of life”: finding food, escaping predators, attracting mates, and raising young. For some readers, this could be their first exposure to an array of exotic creatures with incredible survival behaviors. The basilisk lizard that outruns prey by sprinting across water on two legs and the bulldog bat that snags fish in its hooked claws as it flies over water at 40 miles per hour are just two of the book’s exceptional species.
Verdict With its dazzling photographs and superb narrative Life manages to be not only a fitting tribute to Darwin but very entertaining science. Even the most casual reader will be awed by the beauty, complexity, and ingenuity of nature as celebrated here. Highly recommended for all natural history collections.—Cynthia Knight, Hunterdon Cty. Lib., Flemington, NJ
Jubber, Nicholas. Drinking Arak Off an Ayatollah's Beard: A Journey Through the Inside-Out Worlds of Iran and Afghanistan. Da Capo. May 2010. c.368p. photogs. maps. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-306-81884-4. pap. $15.95. TRAV
In his latest work, Jubber (The Prester Quest) does more than just write a travel guide on Iran and Afghanistan. He blurs the lines between past and present by making the history of the people from Iran and Afghanistan come alive via his personal quest through both countries. Jubber presents his journey just as it happened, and the raw emotion and experience come through his words. One can almost feel sand on one’s face as Jubber travels through Afghanistan to learn more about the Shahnameh. He writes of a rich cultural history, one that is part of the daily lives of Persian people.
Verdict A fascinating travel documentary that juxtaposes past and present with engrossing dialog and narrative. For anyone interested in Persian culture, Middle Eastern history, and religion.—Rachel Winchel, Louisiana Tech Univ., Ruston
Nash, Gary B. The LibertyBell. Yale Univ. (Icons of America). May 2010. c.256p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-300-13936-5. $24. HIST
This is a well-researched history of an American icon, with the use of primary sources providing an outstanding historical and cultural overview. Nash (history, UCLA; The Unknown American Revolution) describes the trials and tribulations of this bell from its casting in England in 1751 to the present, including the full story of the crack, how the bell was almost turned into scrap metal, and its many journeys across the country (seven) during the 19th century. He also explains how the bell acquired its name and ruminates on the evolution of how Americans interpret the bell’s meaning. The controversy surrounding the proposed permanent site for the bell in Philadelphia (“…one of the most history-soaked pieces of urban ground to be found on the East Coast of North America”) is also addressed, taking us up to the current Liberty Bell Center (opened in 2003) as part of Independence National Historic Park.
Verdict This is an excellent choice for all American history buffs and high school and undergraduate students, teaching well the value of studying history through the story of particular objects and the meanings we attach to them over time. The maps and photographs add value as well.—Claire Franek, MSLS, Brockport, NY
Power, Nani. Ginger and Ganesh: Adventures in Indian Cooking, Culture and Love. Counterpoint. May 2010. c.240p. ISBN 978-1-58243-544-2. $25. COOKING
Long fascinated by the cuisine, novelist Power (The Sea of Tears) decided to pursue lessons in Indian vegetarian cooking—naturally, she posted an ad on Craigslist. Here, she tells the story of the people she met—mostly women, their families, their husbands—and the dishes she learned, woven into a narrative of her yearlong spiritual journey. The approximately 50 recipes range the geographic and cultural expanse of the subcontinent. Some, such as Mattar Paneer, Aloo Gobi, Bhindi Masala, and Chai Tea, will be familiar to many; others may not be as widely known. Instructions are thorough, although inexperienced cooks might find the numerous ingredients and new methods a bit overwhelming. Power ends with a chapter on the basics of Indian cooking, covering equipment, spices, and more.
Verdict In the same vein as Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, this book weaves together one woman’s encounter with Indian cuisine and culture and her own life, love, and spirituality. This descriptive, introspective narrative, with prose that tends to be flowery, is also informative for those wishing to focus on the food.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago
Sheehy, Gail. Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence. Morrow. 2010. c.416p. ISBN 978-0-06-166120-4. $27.99. HEALTH
Throughout her career, celebrity author Sheehy (Passages) has helped fellow boomers figure out how to live their lives. Now she gives them some advice about how to die and how to help loved ones in this final passage. One-third autobiography, one-third narrative about how families cope, and one-third suggested resources, her latest work describes the 17 years that she and her husband, journalist Clay Felker, dealt with cancer and the disabilities and discomforts caused by its treatment. She delves little into social policy but says two very important things: palliative care, not just hospice, must become a larger part of our thinking, and baby boomers should start planning for their aging because their numbers and inevitable needs will overwhelm our formal systems of care.
Verdict Sheehy’s family is not the norm, and they were able to call on financial and social resources few families have; this limits the book’s applicability but makes for a much better read. Oddly, there is not one word of epilog about Sheehy’s adaptation to life without Clay—will this be our next “passage” with her? [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/10, 150,000-copy first printing; ebook ISBN 978-0-06-199352-7].—Fran Mentch, Cleveland State Univ.
Homer. The Odyssey. 2010. 192p. adapted by Roy Thomas (text) & Greg Tocchini (illus.). ISBN 978-0-7851-1915-9. pap. $19.99. LIT
Stevenson, Robert Louis. Kidnapped. 2009. 128p. adapted by Roy Thomas (text) & Mario Gully (illus.). ISBN 978-0-7851-3532-6. pap. $14.99. F
ea. vol: Marvel. (Illustrated).
A great story never gets old, and Thomas offers up new adaptations of two classic adventures. The Odyssey begins here not with Odysseus starting for home after the Trojan War but with the troubles of his wife and son. This is a novel take for readers who know the story, but for newcomers it leaves Odysseus as a supporting character in his own tale and takes away some of the opening momentum. Still, once attention turns to Odysseus, things heat up quickly. Thomas handles the wealth of characters and events ably, keeping a quick pace without confusing the reader. Gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroes are all well imagined, and the action in the lush artwork equals the excitement of the story.
In Stevenson’s Kidnapped, another tale of adventure on the high seas and beyond, young David Balfour seeks out an unknown uncle after his father dies, but Uncle Ebenezer has him kidnapped to be sold into slavery in America. Fortunately, the ship encounters Jacobite Alan Breck Stewart, who helps David escape; unfortunately, David is soon implicated in murder and on the run with Alan, while trying to prove his innocence and reclaim his inheritance. Again, Thomas manages a bucket-load of plot, incorporating historical figures and details without losing narrative flow. The dialog and narration are nicely balanced, and the dramatic artwork successfully captures both action and characters.
Verdict Attractive visuals and well-written texts do justice to the original works and should appeal to a broad audience of older teens and adults. Recommended.—Julia Cox, Penticton P.L., BC
Lewis, Brett (text) & John Paul Leon (illus.). The Winter Men. WildStorm: DC. 2009. c.176p. ISBN 978-1-4012-2526-1. pap. $19.99. F
Kris Kalenov, once part of a team of Russian “rocket soldiers,” is now but a hard-drinking member of the Moscow police. When he discovers that an elite group—apparently Spetsnaz, the army special forces—has captured a young girl for some unknown reason, he becomes embroiled in a gruesome mystery spanning cultures, continents, and political regimes. The story bleeds with violence, gang lords, military secrets, and CIA spooks; every page is jam-packed with gritty, realistic portrayals of the Russian police, mafiya, militias, and underworld culture. Late in the tale, the reasons behind the disbanding of the rocket soldiers are revealed, and explanations for Kalenov’s heavy drinking, self-loathing, and ennui come to light.
Verdict Leon’s artwork, lavishly detailed and reminiscent of David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One, and its muted color palette convey the brutal and merciless elements of gang life and government corruption in stark detail. Darkly humorous dialog moves the plot along although readers have to work hard to keep up with all the twists and turns. Containing adult themes, nudity, and graphic violence, this original and intriguing twist on the international spy-thriller genre is highly recommended.—Jeff Hunter, Royal Oak, MI
