Xpress Reviews-The First Look at New Books
Jun 17, 2010Fiction | Nonfiction
Fiction
Gear, W. Michael & Kathleen O'Neal Gear. People of the Longhouse. Tom Doherty Assocs. (North America's Forgotten Past). Jul. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-0-7653-2016-2. $25.99. F
Set in a pre-European New York circa 1400 CE, the Gears' latest book in their "Forgotten Past" series (after People of the Thunder) focuses on the Iroquois society during a turbulent time of climate change and warfare. When food resources dwindle, neighboring tribes attack one another, burn longhouse villages, and kidnap the children as replacements for their lost young ones. After their Yellowtail village is destroyed, War Chief Koracoo and husband Gonda search for their stolen offspring, Odion and Tutelo. Frustrated by tracking a trail that often vanishes, Koracoo realizes that her children are captives of the evil sorcerer Gannajero, who sells kidnapped children to immoral warriors. In captivity, Odion and Tutelo witness warriors brutalizing children and decide to organize a plan of escape with the other captives.
Verdict In a saga brimming with intrigue and adventure, the critically acclaimed authors capture the essence of the struggles of the Iroquois and offer their fans another fascinating tale of early North America. Recommended for historical fiction fans.-Mary Ellen Elsbernd, Ft. Mitchell, KY
Keating, Mark. The Pirate Devlin. Grand Central. Jul. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-446-56390-1. $24.99. F
Patrick Devlin is a smart and capable young man ready to seize his place in the world of pirates. When he falls upon a French officer's treasure map, the new recruit sets off on a wild, brutal, and thrilling high-seas adventure of betrayal, revenge, and honor, a voyage that takes him from the African coast to the turquoise seas of the Caribbean. As the young pirate captain leads a cut-throat band of drunkards, murderers, and seafaring mongrels to a gold cache, the Royal Navy sends Capt. John Coxon, Devlin's former master on a British man-o'-war, to retrieve the gold; Coxon also seeks cruel revenge against his former servant.
Verdict With an appearance by the infamous pirate Blackbeard, this strong debut historical novel pays tribute to the Golden Age of Piracy in the 18th century and is sure to appeal to pirate fans and readers who enjoy swashbuckling adventure.-Ron Samul, New London, CT
Kuzneski, Chris. The Prophecy. Putnam. Jul. 2010. c.416p. ISBN 978-0-399-15659-5. $25.95. F
Kuzneski is no stranger to adventure novels (The Lost Throne, Sword of God) as frequent references to exploits in previous titles abound in his latest work. With a name-dropping nod to Clive Cussler, is Kuzneski attempting to invite comparisons between his characters and Cussler's? With a support team that includes a Pentagon techie, an Interpol director, and a St. Julien Perlmutter knockoff, lifelong friends and Special Forces alumni Payne and Jones have unlimited funds, incredible skills, and the charm of movie heroes. During a black-tie event, they get caught up in a mystery seemingly orchestrated by Nostradamus and soon must decipher a centuries' old secret while protecting its modern-day heir. Artifact-chasing novels typically instruct, but a delicate hand is required. The action is first-rate, but Kuzneski is pedantic in conveying details.
Verdict Payne and Jones have all the qualities necessary to be a literary superteam. The camaraderie, charisma, and bravery make them appealing to men and women, alike. If their author can control his inner know-it-all, he'll strike the perfect balance between facts and action achieved by the best artifact-chasing thrillers. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/10.]-Laura A.B. Cifelli, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., FL
Steel, Danielle. Family Ties. Delacorte. Jun. 2010. c.336p. ISBN 978-0-385-34316-9. $28. F
Young architect Annie Ferguson's life is turned upside down when her sister and brother-in-law die in a plane crash. Aunt Annie suddenly becomes the guardian of her sister's three young children and, at the expense of her love life, spends the next several years raising them and establishing herself as an architect. Once the kids (a fashion magazine editor, a law student, and an art student) are of adult age, Annie struggles to let them make their own decisions and mistakes. She also tries to let romance back into her life by way of a handsome TV news anchor.
Verdict After Steel sums up 16 years in less than 20 pages, she slows down and allows the reader to become somewhat invested in the characters' lives. Although it's predictable at times (OK, most of the time), this modern-day novel is not an unpleasant way to spend a few hours, thanks to the various characters and story lines. When it comes to Danielle Steel books, public libraries know what to do (i.e., buy multiple copies. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/10.]-Samantha J. Gust, Niagara Univ. Lib., NY
Nonfiction
Fisher, Antwone. A Boy Should Know How To Tie a Tie: And Other Lessons for Succeeding in Life. Touchstone: S. & S. 2010. c.240p. illus. ISBN 978-1-4165-6662-5. $19.99. SELF-HELP
Fisher (Finding Fish) guides young men in the basic skills necessary to be stylish and presentable and to reflect the man he is to become. Fisher serves as the father that readers wish they had as he shows them how to recognize their value, trust their intuition, keep their bodies healthy, and interview for a variety of jobs.
Verdict Fisher's tips are definitely on target (e.g., polish shoes and groom facial hair), but one wonders if the intended audience will be receptive. It's worth a shot.-Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
Katz, Rachelle. The Happy Stepmother. Harlequin. 2010. c.304p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-373-89225-9. pap. $15.95. SELF-HELP
As a stepmother herself, psychotherapist Katz writes from professional and personal experience as she leads other stepmothers in taking care of their own needs, setting healthy boundaries, increasing their chances of connecting with their stepchildren, and disengaging when necessary. Katz intersperses her text with relevant quotes from other stepmoms who have found a path through the same turbulent waters. She covers everything from handling finances and dealing with the "real" mom to celebrating holidays.
Verdict For those who are thinking of marrying a man with children, this is a warning; for those in the situation, it's a compassionate friend. Happy stepmothering just might be at the end of the rainbow.-Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
McGibbon, Amalia & others. The Choice Effect: Love and Commitment in an Age of Too Many Options. Seal, dist. by Publishers Group West. 2010. c.280p. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-58005-293-1. pap. $16.95. SELF-HELP
In what can be described as an anthropological look at twentysomething women in American society, McGibbon, Lara Vogel, and Claire A. Williams, all graduates of Stanford University, depict what happens when an entire generation of people have available one of the largest number of options in history. Pulling from psychological research and their own personal histories and their friends', the authors describe how their generation feels compelled to try all options available in terms of love, career, travel, and even diet and the inherent wins and losses.Verdict While the book offers camaraderie for "choisters," it also provides an informative inside look at a totally new generation.-Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
*Newman, Susan. Under One Roof Again: All Grown Up and (Re)learning To Live Together Happily. Lyons: Globe Pequot. 2010. c.256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7627-5859-3. pap. $16.95. SELF-HELP
In her author's note, Newman (The Book of No, Parenting an Only Child) compares the mystery of functioning families to the splitting of the atom and the prevention of global warming. Living in harmony with one's returning child and/or family or one's parents is about as complicated. To help with the resurgence of this phenomenon, Newman offers practical considerations, from protecting privacy and sticking to food preferences to dealing with money and respecting others' time.Verdict Newman covers all the bases, and her book is essential reading for those facing this situation. Following her advice can make the difference between enjoying the richness of another generation or simply tolerating it.-Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
One Week in June: The U.S. Open. Union Square: Sterling. Jun. 2010. 400p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-4027-6629-9. $19.95. SPORTS
With the exception of the introduction by Tom Kite, this book is a golf anthology of previously published material following in the vein of contributor Don Wade's previous collection, One Week in April: The Masters. What makes the volume interesting is that it covers key figures in U.S. Open history-often in their own words, offering perspectives on lost parts of the Open: stymies (a ball that impedes a competitor's putt) are an extinct species; caddies are no longer chosen by lottery; the last two rounds are spread over two days. More than anything, though, the anthology presents really good stories from golf's history: Walter Hagen's exuberance, the infamous Lee Trevino rubber snake, Tracey Stewart's recollection of her late husband Payne Stewart's round, and Ken Venturi's heat prostration. The book also delves into the U.S. Golf Association's obsession with making the U. S. Open the most difficult test of golf.
Verdict A good choice for golf buffs and many sports collections.-Steven Silkunas, North Wales, PA
Santora, Frank. Turn It Around: A Different Direction for a New Life. Howard: S. & S. 2010. c.224p. ISBN 978-1-4165-9757-5. $22.99. REL
Santora (Faith Ministries & Faith Preparatory Schools, CT; Identity Crisis: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You), an ex-Catholic, has written a touching book on error and recovery for the Christian. He identifies seven missteps, including feeling trapped, lifestorms, mistakes, and walking away from God, and offers pastorally reassuring, eloquently stated ways to retrieve ourselves, reminding us all the while that God's love is as effective as our errors and mishaps.
Verdict Skillful writing and a genuinely pastoral manner and approach lift this book well above the ordinary Christian spirituality title; it should bring light and comfort to Christian believers across denominational lines.-Graham Christian, formerly with Andover-Harvard Theological Lib., Cambridge, MA
Smalley, Susan L. & Diana Winston. Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness. Da Capo Lifelong. Aug. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 978-0-7382-1324-8. pap. $16.95.
Somov, Pavel. Present Perfect: A Mindfulness Approach to Letting Go of Perfectionism & the Need for Control. New Harbinger. 2010. c.192p. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-57224-756-7. pap. $16.95. SELF-HELP
Since the publication of Jon Kabat-Zinn's Wherever You Go, There You Are, the practice of mindfulness has been growing in popularity. Behavior geneticist Smalley and former Buddhist nun Winston interweave their orientations (science and reason, art and intuition) to show readers how the practice of mindfulness can improve various facets of their lives. Smalley and Winston gently guide readers in exploring the practice, providing exercises and encouragement along the way. Present Perfect, as one observes from the title, focuses on using mindfulness to overcome the perfectionism inherent in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Licensed psychologist Somov has found that clients can make progress in the areas of tolerating uncertainty, refraining from harsh self-judgment, and reducing anxious feelings by doing mindfulness exercises. Essentially, the more they accept the moment, the more they can accept themselves.
Verdict Both books are excellent. Fully Present offers one of the clearest introductions to mindfulness in the field, and Present Perfect, one of the most helpful in the OCPD self-help arena.-Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
Wells, Stanley. Shakespeare, Sex, and Love. Oxford Univ. Jun. 2010. c.304p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-19-957859-7. $27.95. LIT
A well-known exchange early in The Taming of the Shrew has Petruchio telling Katherine, who-after an initial bout of sexually charged bickering-attempts to end their conversation by walking out on him, "What, with my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again,/ Good Kate, I am a gentleman." As eminent Shakespeare scholar Wells (Shakespeare studies, emeritus, Univ. of Birmingham; Shakespeare's Words) notes in the introduction to this readable, evenhanded and oddly charming work, there has been no shortage of modern studies seeking to illuminate the abundant sexual language in Shakespeare's works. Perhaps best known is Eric Partridge's classic Shakespeare's Bawdy, now over 50 years old. A more recent take is Pauline Kiernan's sensationalistic Filthy Shakespeare: Shakespeare's Most Outrageous Sexual Puns, which, according to Wells, is pornographic, a book that "invent[s] rather than elucidate[es] sexual meanings." Wells is hardly a prude, however. He has no compunction about discussing, for example, hints of anal sex in Henry IV (both parts). He is simply less interested in talking about sex for the sake of sex than in what this bawdy talk can tell us about Shakespeare, his age, and human relationships.
Verdict This nuanced and fascinating work is an essential purchase for all Shakespeare collections.-William D. Walsh, Georgia State Univ., Atlanta
