Web Exclusive Reviews: Week of 5/19/2008

-- Publishers Weekly, 5/19/2008

Always by My Side: A Father’s Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other
Jim Nantz with Eli Spielman, foreword by George H.W. Bush. Gotham, $26 (320p) ISBN 9781592403615

In this sentimental look back, Nantz recounts his beloved father’s descent into illness during his own rise to success in sports broadcasting. Nantz’s early ambition was to announce sporting events, and he got his start by taking advantage of even the smallest opportunity; his first job was driving Houston Open announcers from the parking lot to the clubhouse. Meanwhile, his jolly, curious and encouraging father was fielding the first symptoms of Alzheimers; sadly, as Nance finds greater recognition within the industry, the man who inspired him becomes more distant. Nantz finds father figures in his friendships with George H.W. Bush and golfer/broadcaster Ken Venturi, and turns up charming stories of others he admires like Tony Dungy, Arnold Palmer and former college roommate Freddie Couples. Though it has a saccharine streak, Nantz’s on-the-job memoir fulfills his old man’s vision (“Good people with good stories… To him, that was what sports—and sportsmanship—were all about”) with a gentle, anecdote-heavy tour. (May)

Apocalypse: Earthquakes, Archaeology, and the Wrath of God
Amos Nur and Dawn Burgess. Princeton Univ., $26.95 (324p) ISBN 9780691016023 

Considering anew the archeological evidence of catastrophic destruction in Mexico and the eastern Mediterranean, geophysicists Nur and Burgess explore the overlooked role of earthquakes in the downfall of many well-known prehistoric civilizations—Tenochtitlan, the Hittite empire, Troy, Mycenae, Jericho and others—which archeologists tend to blame on invading armies or social factors. Nur and Burgess compare evidence from modern earthquakes with the structures, debris, human remains and (where possible) written records from ancient catastrophes, finding impressive and alarming support for their archeoseismic theory. Among other conclusions, the authors find evidence that severe earthquakes may occur in quick succession (what they call earthquake storms) separated by long periods of seismic quiet. They also look at the cultural legacy of earthquakes, like the tumultuous impact of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake on European politics and the long-term effects of the 1923 Tokyo earthquake. The authors’ most important point is that archaeologists, failing to understand these regions’ vulnerability, have failed to warn modern inhabitants of the danger they live in. With a dire prognosis sure to touch off controversy, this book will rivet fans of archaeology, geology and history. (May)

The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power
Jeff Sharlet. Harper, $25.95 (464p) ISBN 9780060559793

Checking in on a friend’s brother at Ivenwald, a Washington-based fundamentalist group living communally in Arlington, Va., religion and journalism scholar Sharlet finds a sect whose members refer to Manhattan’s Ground Zero as “the ruins of secularism”; intrigued, Sharlet accepts on a whim an invitation to stay at Ivenwald. He’s shocked to find himself in the stronghold of a widespread “invisible” network, organized into cells much like Ivenwald, and populated by elite, politically ambitious fundamentalists; Sharlet is present when a leader tells a dozen men living there, “You guys are here to learn how to rule the world.” As it turns out, the Family was established in 1935 to oppose FDR’s New Deal and the spread of trade unions; since then, it has organized well-attended weekly prayer meetings for members of Congress and annual National Prayer Breakfasts attended by every president since Eisenhower. Further, the Family’s international reach (“almost impossible to overstate”) has “forged relationships between the U.S. government and some of the most oppressive regimes in the world.” In the years since his first encounter, Sharlet has done extensive research, and his thorough account of the Family’s life and times is a chilling expose. (May)

The Not So Invisible Woman
Suzanne Portnoy. Virgin, $12.95 paper (240p) ISBN 9780753513958

An American living and working in London, pseudonymous author Portnoy is a hard-working single mom whose hobby is sex—usually with strangers. Here, she follows up her 2006 sexalogue The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker: An Erotic Memoir with more of the same: adventurous romps rendered in graphic detail. Picking up where she last left off, Portnoy finds success with her memoir and a new coterie of men with whom to mingle, but still has to deal with a full time job as a publicist and two teenage sons. In all arenas, Portnoy is anything but subtle; even the chapter titles are explicit: Three is Not a Crowd, Pleasure and Pain, The Gang Bang. Occasional diversions are a mixed bag; Portnoy includes the steamiest 6 weeks of abstinence readers could hope for, but she treats the potentially telling loss of a longtime friend, for better or worse, with her typical fast-paced candor. Though they might want it wrapped in a brown paper wrapper, daring readers and fans of erotic writing will be happy they picked up this sizzling tell-all. (May)

The Revolution: A Manifesto
Ron Paul. Grand Central, $21 (192p) ISBN 9780446537513

Congressman, Republican Presidential candidate and author Paul (A Foreign Policy of Freedom) says “Let the revolution begin” with this libertarian plea for a return to “the principles of our Founding Fathers: liberty, self-government, the Constitution, and a noninterventionist foreign policy.” Specific examples demonstrate how far U.S. law has strayed from this path, particularly over the past century, as well as Paul’s firm grasp of history and dedication to meaningful debate: “it is revolutionary to ask whether we need troops in 130 countries… whether the accumulation of more and more power in Washington has been good for us…to ask fundamental questions about privacy, police-state measures, taxation, social policy.” Though he can rant, Paul is informative and impassioned, giving readers of any political bent food for thought. With harsh words for both Democrats and Republicans, and especially George W. Bush, Paul’s no-nonsense text questions the “imperialist” foreign policy that’s led to the war in Iraq (“one of the most ill considered, poorly planned, and… unnecessary military conflicts in American history”), the economic situation and rampant federalism treading on states’ rights and identities (“The Founding Fathers did not intend for every American neighborhood to be exactly the same”). Though his policy suggestions can seem extreme, Paul’s book gives new life to old debates. (May)

LIFESTYLE

The Asian Vegan Kitchen: Authentic and Appetizing Dishes from a Continent of Rich Flavors
Hema Parekh. Kodansha, $19.95 (192p) ISBN 9784770030696

Because tofu and other vegan mainstays are part of their larders, and since they tend to be dairy-free by design, Asian cuisines lend themselves naturally to vegan cooking, and this handy cookbook does a beautiful job compiling attractive, tasty and uncomplicated vegan recipes from India to China and beyond. Take Japan’s Simmered Mixed Vegetables, a deceptively straightforward preparation made complex with a sauce of soy, sake and dashi, a kelp-based stock that’s the Japanese equivalent of chicken broth; exotic vegetables, including taro and lotus root, come alive in the salty-sweet braising liquid. Thailand’s Sweet Corn Cakes are another example of simple-on-the-outside, intricate-on-the-inside vegan cookery, an addictive spin on traditional corn fritters spiced with ginger, garlic and coriander, and served alongside chili sauce and cucumber relish. Unfortunately, the cookbook is a bit confusing; the recipes are separated by country rather than, say, main ingredient, and the fine, full-color photographs of the dishes are all crammed in the middle of the book. Though cooks may spend extra time searching for ways to use up surplus zucchini, it’s an appealing browse full of tasty diversions. (Apr.)

Cooking with Marie: On Any Occasion!
Marie Hejl. Bright Sky, $29.95 (160p) ISBN 9781933979106

Hejl, host of the television show Cooking with Marie, aims to give novice cooks confidence in this breezy and accessible collection of over 75 recipes. Organized by course, Hejl guides her readers through basic recipes for standards such as bruschetta, spinach and artichoke dip, broiled asparagus and bourbon pecan pie, including a photo-heavy crash course on pie crust for the timid. Most dishes require little preparation, especially salads, many of which call for only quick assembly and a dollop of premade dressing prior to serving. Hejl’s fans are sure to enjoy this (she shows up in numerous photographs) and entry-level cooks will find her recipes satisfying and confidence-building. (Apr.)

Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World
Lisa Lillien. St. Martin’s, $17.95 paper (336p) ISBN 9780312377427

Though she freely admits she’s neither a nutritionist nor a doctor, more than 400,000 subscribers rely on author Lillien’s “Hungry Girl” e-newsletter for healthy eating tips. In this congenial compilation, most of which is new to the book, she gives dieters a breakfast-to-dinner approach to eating lighter with scores of easy to prepare dishes. Lillien’s recipes enlist low-cal substitutes for traditional ingredients; diet lemon-lime soda and sugar-free powdered lemonade drink mix, for example, go into her Magical Low Calorie Margarita. In some cases, such as her Rockin’ Restaurant Spinach Dip, Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla and Dan Good Chili, she approximates high-calorie dishes without sacrificing too much in terms of flavor or texture. Unfortunately, those are the exceptions—the Ice Creamless Banana Split and Cheery Chocolate Cheesecake Nuggets (which calls for diet hot cocoa mix, Splenda, fat free cream cheese and sugar free chocolate syrup) taste more like punishment than dessert. Salads are well represented, though few are served with any kind of dressing, and meat dishes can run sky high in sodium. Tips for smart eating at the office, holiday parties, trips and the movies are appreciated, but the book would have benefited from the input of a licensed nutritionist or dietician. (May)

Terrine
Stephane Reynaud. Phaidon, $29.95 (168p) ISBN 9780714848488

Though the term technically refers to a glazed earthenware baking dish, most gourmands associate “terrine” with the rich, multilayered bake (typically featuring game, venison or other meats) made in it, the best known of which is paté. While French restaurateur Reynaud (Pork & Sons) includes a number of classic versions, he also includes inspiring riffs that feature vegetables, fish, cheese and even chocolate, fruit and meringue. Opening with a collection of vegetable-based terrines, Reynaud offers a Ratatouille Terrine, an Artichoke and Porcini Terrine (with caramelized porcini and pine nuts) and a luscious terrine of baby leeks before moving on to fish (red mullet with morels and fava beans, smoked halibut with horseradish and langoustine), with a handful of accompanying sauces. Meat-based terrines range from traditional chicken liver (supplemented with ground pork belly and brandy) to Pig’s Head Paté to Veal Sweetbread and Smoked Ham Terrine. Those averse to meat will find terrines like Gorgonzola, Mascarpone and Nut Terrine, Apple in Calvados Terrine and Milk Chocolate Crepe Terrine just as sumptuous and satisfying. Though ingredients such as brown onions, esoteric cuts of pork and pain d’epice may be frustrating to source, the majority of the recipes in this remarkable collection are straightforward and fairly easy to prepare, enabling even novice cooks to create impressive French delicacies. (May)

ILLUSTRATED

Gadget Nation
Steve Greenberg. Sterling, $19.95 (256p) ISBN 9781402736865

Greenberg, a writer and “innovation insider” who works the quirky device beat, looks into a number of those “why didn’t I think of that” (and “why did anyone think of that”) products in this colorful, fully illustrated guide. From the incredible (bird diapers) to the practical (mom’s third arm, a flexible bottle-holding device that attaches to car seats) to the ingenious (the slanket, a blanket with sleeves) to the goofy (a kitchen utensil for turning a hot dog into an octopus), Greenberg profiles odd products and the oddballs behind them, dutifully chronicling the ups and downs of inventor-dom. Though the products are interesting, the real story is in the arduous trip from garage to store shelf, a long, expensive and risky enterprise. Greenberg finds inventors in all stages of the process, many of whom face the chilling prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s the exceptions that drive them: Craig Ramsell’s Boomwhackers, a brightly colored children’s musical instrument; Bob Sotile’s Conedoms, ice cream cone holders that save fingers from drips; and Todd Greene’s Headblade, an ergonomic scalp razor, have all earned their creators millions. Non-inventors will enjoy the bizarre product showcase, while inventors will benefit from the case studies, back stories and Greenberg’s insightful tips on product development, trademarking and patents. (May)

POETRY

Hardheaded Weather: New and Selected Poems
Cornelius Eady. Putnam, $25.95 (224p) ISBN 9780399154850; paper $14 ISBN 9780399155116

This first career-spanning selection confirms Eady as a likable, if self-conscious, poet of uncommon variety, with a gift for the spoken vernacular. Since his 1980 debut, Eady has evoked the dilemmas of poetic vocation and the harsher dilemmas of race and poverty: “No rules, except for/ What’s always been:/ Do what you gotta do.” His short, jagged lines take up the legacy of the Black Arts poets, though his sensibility is less violent, his humor quieter, his sense of his social position more ironic: one mid-career poem even bears the title “Why Do So Few Blacks Study Creative Writing?” By the 1990s Eady could set his sense of responsibility to African-American history against his joy in music and in his own art. His best book, You Don’t Miss Your Water (1995), gathered clear, forceful prose poems that reacted to his father's death. Brutal Imagination (2001) adopted the voice of the nonexistent black kidnapper made up by the homicidal mother Susan Smith to explain her children’s disappearance. New poems of marital love and domesticity, though not Eady’s most original, come as needed leavening. This is a fine introduction to Eady’s worthy oeuvre. (May)

FICTION

Holly Would Dream
Karen Quinn. Touchstone, $14 paper (448p) ISBN 9781416573128

Wife in the Fast Lane author Quinn goes all Breakfast at Tiffany’s with the disappointingly un-Golightly Holly Ross, who has managed to become the director’s assistant at the National Museum of Fashion after a hardscrabble childhood. When socialite Sammie Kittenplatt, a woman who’s nasty, superconnected and “pruggly like Diana Vreeland,” beats Holly out for a curator’s job, she’s crushed. Then Holly’s relationship with dashing finacé Allesandro hits a very different brick wall, and she gets humiliated (by Sammie, natch) in front of major museum donor Denis King. Yet a make-or-break opportunity arises: if Holly can raise a mil for the museum while doing a speaking engagement on the ultra-luxe Tiffany cruise, she’ll finally get promoted. Holly brings along her scruffy, loveable Pops and she soon discovers big fish Denis on board. The madcap, caricature-driven antics go decidedly overboard as a trunkload of original Audrey Hepburn original costumes goes missing. Quinn’s latest offers only the all-too-occasional glint of magic. (June)

How the Other Half Hamptons
Jasmin Rosemberg. 5Spot, $13.99 paper (320p) ISBN 9780446194150

Having authored a series of New York Post columns about her Hamptons McMansion summer share experiences, Rosemberg here follows friends Jamie, Rachel and Allison as they plunk down upwards of two grand apiece for the privilege of sharing a bedroom and jockeying for bathroom space on alternate weekends, and set out to find the men of their dreams or, in Jamie’s case, passing fancies. Rachel hopes to duplicate too-perfect older sisiter Dana’s huband-hunting success; Allison locates some mixed feelings for her previously uninspiring ex-; Jamie’s not-too-friendly rivalry with flirtatious housemate Ilana colors her macking. First-time novelist Rosemberg has a sharp eye for telling details and an amusing way of limning the alcohol-soaked, sexually rampant funseeking crowd, but most of the characters blur together (especially the men), and the book never registers much emotional impact. (June)

Sierra Skullduggery
Jerry Drake. Avalon, $23.95 (256p) ISBN 9780803499003

A gripping plot, knuckle-biting adventure, and sharp delineation between good and evil distinguish this sequel to The Gunfighter’s Apprentice. Skilled gunman Tom Patterson, now in his early 40s and the owner of a small freight business near 1880s Placerville, Calif., is approached in town by a slick to be a hired shooter. When he refuses, a plot to ransom him into the job—via their kidnapping wife Betty—is revealed. Tom is immediately enraged, and getting to the bottom of the encounter leads him to murder, framing and land grabbing, all of which point in one direction: the powerful, corrupt railroad. The plot adds up, and Drake puts Tom—and Betty—in fine form. (June)

The Sign for Drowning
Rachel Stolzman. Shambhala/Trumpeter, $19.95 (208p) ISBN 9781590305874

As Stolzman’s character-driven debut opens, eight-year-old Anna Levy and her mother witness a horrific scene: the small boat that her five-year-old sister, Megan, is on with their father capsizes close to shore, and Megan drowns. In the immediate aftermath, Anna blames herself for not plunging into the water and joining the frantic search. She begins an imaginary, one-sided conversation in sign language with Megan that leads the grown-up Anna to adopt a deaf five-year-old (whom she mistakenly renames “Adrea” by incorrectly signing “Andrea”) and to a career working with deaf children. As Anna and Adrea grow into their lives together, watchful Anna is forced to confront ghosts from her past and to learn to stop living life as a spectator. Stolzman gives Anna a poetic soul (“words of sympathy had exhausted my tolerance for words themselves”), and a carefully constructed redemption that unfolds with vivid observational detail. (June)

AUDIO

Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living
Doug Fine, read by the author. Recorded Books, unabridged, four CDs, 4.5 hrs., $19.99 ISBN 9781428198029

In this memoir of mishaps and lessons learned, Fine shares his yearlong trek to turn his newly bought New Mexico ranch into a green and sustainable environment with as little carbon fuel as possible. From using two very lovable goats for his organic food production to transitioning into a biofuel engine for his truck and even installing solar panels, Fine balances the troubling decisions Americans must consider while also revealing a host of unexpected benefits. He advocates that a gradual process, despite having to deal with moments of hypocrisy, is essential for it to work. Fine’s wry narration blends well with his often humorous and sarcastic tone. The energy and enthusiasm of his reading indicates that Fine not only relished the events but is happy to share his experience with listeners. Simultaneous release with the Viking hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 7). (Mar.)

Irreligious: A Mathemetician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don’t Add Up
John Allen Paulos, read by Dick Hill. Tantor Audio, unabridged, four CDs, 4 hrs., $24.99 ISBN 9781400106301

After his advance calculations, math professor Paulos concludes that religion and, in particular, God just don’t compute. In challenging the precepts of religion and religious thought through the application of logical arguments and sometimes not so analogous comparisons, Paulos’s arguments prove quite compelling for those who are spiritually doubtful. However, the devoted are not likely to be persuaded by this sleight of hand with words. Dick Hill’s wavering tone creates a manic mood, as his pitch, speed and intensity tilt back and forth with the text’s various points. Generally, nonfiction narrators need a good deal of energy in their delivery, but Hill’s performance borders on the overdramatic. While Paulos’s discussion is intriguing, Hill narrates with an edge in his voice that is sure to increase the heartbeat of even the most sedate reader. While one doesn’t need to be a mathematician to understand Paulos’s arguments, sometimes his equations can be extremely challenging for listeners to fully visualize. Simultaneous release with the Hill & Wang hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 3). (Apr.)

Swim Against the Current
Jim Hightower with Susan DeMarco, read by the authors. Brilliance Audio, abridged, five CDs, 5 hrs., $29.95 ISBN 9781423363583

This charmingly irascible little book attempts to take on the powers that be and give Americans a new way of running their businesses, finances and lives. Hightower and DeMarco offer a straightforward reading that will intrigue listeners with their ideas and beliefs. Hightower’s narration is more upbeat and entertaining than DeMarco’s; she drones through her own antiestablishment rant in a monotonous tone that makes one wonder if she truly believes what she’s muttering. Hightower sounds less like he is reading and more like he is delivering a colorful speech, littered with his own disarming wit. Not for everyone, but certainly worth a listen for those looking for change. Simultaneous release with the Wiley hardcover (reviewed online). (Mar.)

CHILDREN’S