Review: Into the Arena: The World of the Spanish Bullfight

Into the Arena: The World of the Spanish Bullfight by Alexander Fiske-Harrison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This Brit writer fell in love with bullfighting and even went down the path to be a matador-in-training. Along the way he introduces to recent bullfighting history, some important figures and behind the scenes elements, especiall bull breeding and traing. The author makes some convincing arguments that the "sport" (it is really sporting, like hunting?) is more humane than factor farming beef cattle, but in the end I am not convinced actually killing the bull for entertainment is defensible.



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Review: Scenes of Santa Fe Night Life

Scenes of Santa Fe Night Life by Eli Levin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Introductory text places printmaker Levin in the historical narrative and techincal discussion of his intaglio technique is enlightening for the animated works can appear to be lively drawings. Arranged chronologically, the works of sordid and rapidly developed into a pneumatic and active style between Pieter Bruegel the Elder's peasant celebrations ("Dance Hall", here) and Robert Crumb's works. The plumb figures head toward even Fernando Botero Angulo, but the desperate, pained figures have walked out of Bukowski's mind and haunts: crude, hopeless as well as cartoonish ("Dirty Joke", "Copping a Feel"). Boozing, brawling, and generally boisterous barroom behavior caught in engaging compositions by Levin, all of which are autobiographical to some degree.



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Review: The Post-American World

The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



As one would expect from Zakaria, one of the most intelligent cable journalists of our time I think, this is a sage and insightful look ahead of the future of America, reluctant empire and insuecure hyperpower. Fareed focuses much on China, more patient and emergent than many realize, and India. Fareed was born in India and has a personal assessment of this billion-member democracy that is a natural ally to America who can have a sooner (economic) impact and should probably be embraced. Fareed also has cogent remakrs on the American educuational system with a focus, accurately I think, on state-managed 2- and 4-year colleges and universities.



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Review: The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Two things made my return to re-read this classic, although I didn't real need much encouragement to re-discover its charms: [1] Reading [b:J. R. R. Tolkien: Architect of Middle Earth|77134|J. R. R. Tolkien Architect of Middle Earth|Daniel Grotta|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1219867191s/77134.jpg|841231] made want to specifically read this authortized Ballantine version that figure into the contractual story of the work outlined in that book and the corrections Tolkien made for observant readers, and [2] I am getting excited about the upcoming Peter Jackson movie!

From [1] I especially enjoyed Tolkien's kindly admission to some slight repairs and the short note that "Those who approve of courtesy (at least) to living authors" will buy this edition. Of course, that fits very well with the avuncular tone of the story-teller and his endearing creation, Bilbo Baggins the hobbit. This humble hero "blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck" will be forever remembered, I hope, for his reluctant burlging, battling riddle wits with Smaug and Gollum and his resourceful and kind nature.

One small nit-picking I will make of my own: In the tunnel to Smaug's lair (Thorin's former home), Thorin spoke: "Let us try the door!" he said. "I must feel the wind on my face soon or die. I think I would rather be smashed by Smaug in the open than suffocate in here!"

Personally, I feel that the mining dwarves and certainly not their leader would have snapped first, I think it more likely Bilbo would have complained about the claustrophobic situation, as he was the perennial complainer anyway and Thorin was, basically, at his old home.



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Review: The Hoax

The Hoax by Clifford Irving

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is really engrossing for the details of the hoax perpetrated and how Irving and Suskind became passengers on a runaway train of their own invention. Along the way, some amazing luck happened for them (I suppose, can I trust the admitted hoaxter?) but one amazing thing was the proof of the old adage about criminals that they often seem to have the drive and energy to be legitimately successful, if only the put their energies to legal ventures. In this case, the pair could have done a very good unauthorized biography, if it wasn't for greed and vanity, that is hubris. The nemesis of American and Swiss law eventually comes down on them and in all Irving seems modestly contrite for his betrayals and lies, but he really seems to over no self-analysis on why decided to burn so many bridges and why he went so far...



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Review: Mad Shepherds

Mad Shepherds by L. P. Jacks

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Mr. L.P. Jacks' very remarkable book, "Mad Shepherds," gives an account of one Toller of Clun Downs, who went deranged, took to the moors and lived for a considerable time, stealing sheep and poultry. The book is populated with other such characters on the fringes of rural, English society such as shepherds waxing both mystical and atheistic about the stars and one that communes with a silent, invisible fell shepherd. This 1910 work is fresh and engaging today and entertaining due to Jacks' amazed, wide-eyed, and even at times jocular delivery.



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Review: Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign

Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign by Stephan Talty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is very engaging history of the The Brethren, Capt. Henry Morgan's real Pirates of the Caribbean. Along with the drama of a fireship ruse and a city-destroying earthquakes, it is interesting the actuality of buccaneer life. Rather than a criminal navy, they were more like a criminal marine corps: ships were a conveyance to get them to coastal settlements and departure points for laying siege, such as the pivotal struggle for Panama City having marched over 50 miles inland.

While it is not develed into detail, buccaneer psychology is partly analyzed. Why did they continue after even having money, instead choosing to be profligate and tying themselves to their lives of kidnapping, slaving, ransoming, torture, and theft. It actually appears they were an anarchistic collective of murderous sociopaths.



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Review: Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From the Road

Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From the Road by Willie Nelson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die is a road journal that has the feel of Reader’s Digest and the faint aroma of ganja. Half road diary, half autobiography, half lyrics reprints, this ManBearPig tome can be read anywhere. The jokes, thoughts (including some on Occupy Wall Street), and memories range from the wry observations (“do it wrong until it feels right”) to enlightened advice (a vaporizer is better on a singer’s lungs than smoking marijuana).

Yes, Willie beats the re-legalization and Farm Aid drums (as well he should) and also waxes wistful about a spiritualized Christianity and how things were better when he was young. But, even in this mode, Willie never sounds like an old man telling stories. However, he does repeat himself, as on poker with Ziggy Marley and Woody Harrelson in Edenic Maui.

Many of the vignettes that introduce us to Willie’s family and organization are written by others, which adds variety and often seem to shed more light on Nelson than he himself will reveal. Introduced by Texas troubadour Kinky Friedman, this small whimsical and wise review of Willie’s greatest influences (Django Reinhardt!) and journey will fit in the smallest room of your house for regular reading.


See my review on Motor City Blog.



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Review: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



An amazing tale of one of the supreme actors for positive change, American humanitarians, of our time, someone I put on the same level as Dr. Paul Farmer ([b:Mountains beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World|10235|Mountains beyond Mountains The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World|Tracy Kidder|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320524223s/10235.jpg|1639628]). Mortenson's tale of transition from army medic and mountain climber and success beyond harsh odds made even worts by 9/11 and the War on Terror to promote basic education for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Waziristan and Baltistan!) gives me hope for our entire species.



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Review: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A really successful analysis of individuation in those clumsy, awkward years of progress from teen to adult. (Part of it made me think of Napoleon Dynamite!) This is painted with a broad brush of suffocating Catholicism and institutions of learning top heavy with religion and tradition. I think Joyce could have done without much of the centrally located sermon which beyond, well, sermonizing, breaks the dream-like flow of memories abstracted.



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Review: Dark Legend: A Study In Murder

Dark Legend: A Study In Murder by Frederic Wertham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is the work of a psychiatrist that supported a decision of not-guilty by reason of insanity for a young matricide. Roughly in four parts, this work covers:

1] Recounting the crime and confession, literally "red-handed"
2] The killer Gino's own words on a murder as honor killing he felt his life led to irrevocably
3] The psychiatrist's Freudian interpretation of the motive and guilt entwined artfully with Hamlet and Shakespeare. Be sure to read the Notes in the back as they are encountered for further details on such lethal impulses Wertham finds reflected in literature and even some interesting historical overview of Hamlet productions.
4] A summary, including Gino's reflections in prison.

All-in-all, this has such an erudite, non-sensational and sophisticated voice that it comes across as unique in the true crime works I have read and it should be recommended for that.



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Review: Reflections on the Civil War

Reflections on the Civil War by Bruce Catton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



After a brisk overview that is a mash-up for talks the Michigan Civil War chronicler gave, the book becomes special and unique starting with the reproduced drawings of Federal Army engineer John Geyser. Geyser's drawing are stark, haunting, and deeply personal. Make sure to look for Catton's remarks on each picture which make up a final chapter while the pictures themselves are gathered in the middle and spring up without herald. Toward the end of the book, Catton treats us to a military history of the engineering units Geyser (and his brother) participated in, and then outlines Geyser's post-war biography from Pension Board correspondence and more.



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