Web Exclusive Reviews: Week of 9/01/2008

-- Publishers Weekly, 9/1/2008

Web Pick of the Week

The Good Pirates of the Forgotten Bayous Ken Wells. Yale Univ., $24 (224p) ISBN 9780300121520 Author and journalist Wells, a native of Louisiana bayou country, was a Wall Street Journal reporter when Katrina struck in 2005. Arguably more horrific than the scene in New Orleans were the bayou parishes, particularly St. Bernard and Plaquemines, where the eye of Katrina came on land. After hitching a National Guard helicopter to St. Bernard Parish, Wells meets Ricky Robin, whose ancestors had been hunting, fishing, and pirating the bayous for over 250 years. Robin became Wells’s guide, relating harrowing stories of the storm, as even the parish president and his staff were trapped, their emergency vehicles flooded or washed away entirely; the first outside help to reach them was not FEMA, but a squad of Canadian Mounted Police. Wells also examines the disaster’s “unnatural causes,” like the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, a shipping canal dredged from Lake Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico, which provided an inland channel for the Category 5 storm surge driven by Katrina. Afterwards, the failed levee system prevented filthy, polluted water from draining back to the ocean, turning much of the bayou into a cesspool. Vivid prose, first-hand testimony and solid, heartbreaking reportage make this disaster debrief hard to put down, and worth the attention of every U.S. citizen. (Sept.)

NONFICTION

Abortion & Life
Jennifer Baumgardner. Akashic, $16.96 (176p) ISBN 9781933354590
Activist, filmmaker (of I Had an Abortion) and co-author (Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future) Baumgardner dedicates her work to spreading awareness about abortion. Graced with black and white photo portraits by Tara Todras-Whitehill of women wearing Baumgardner’s shirt, reading simply “I had an abortion,” the emphasis is on the testimony of these patients, revealing not only how common the procedure is (one in three women, according to the Guttmacher Institute) but how diverse those women and their situations are. Baumgardner begins with a brief history of abortion legislation in America, from pre-Roe v. Wade restrictions to clinic workers and doctors protested, threatened and murdered (as in the case of Buffalo doctor Barnett Slepian). Still, as Baumgardner says, it’s the record of “our lives [that] might provide the best road map to strengthening women’s reproductive freedoms.” Included is a comprehensive listing of abortion resources, and 10 percent of the book’s profits go to the New York Abortion Access Fund. (Sept.)

Between Virtue and Power: The Persistent Moral Dilemma of U.S. Foreign Policy
John Kane. Yale Univ., $40 (416p) ISBN 9780300137125
Kane presents an impressively nuanced vision of the difficult choices faced by American leaders over generations of international conflict. This book offers a narrative in which the philosophical ideals of the nation’s founders and successive presidents are compromised and mutated by the necessity of protecting American interests around the world. The presentation is dense, but the prose and arguments remain clear and fluid, even when Kane delves into something as unwieldy as the complex repercussions of Jay’s Treaty of 1795. Kane finds a perfect case study for his chosen dichotomy in the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, who struggled to reconcile his vision of world peace with the horrors and consequences of WWI, and whose attempts to balance diplomacy and military force are echoed in ensuing presidencies: Roosevelt overcoming “the inertial force of nonentanglement” in order to preserve democracy, Carter attempting to work the levers of soft power in the name of human rights. Kane is admirably resistant to paint heroes and villains—even the polarizing presidency of George W. Bush is given the rigorous, cold-eyed assessment of the scholar rather than the partisan. (Sept.)

Falling Behind: Explaining the Development Gap between Latin America and the United States
Edited by Francis Fukuyama. Oxford Univ., $29.95 (336p) ISBN 9780195368826
Fukuyama (The End of History) has compiled essays which collectively dispel the myth that “vast cultural difference or the consequences of U.S. domination” are solely responsible for the economic disparity between North and South America. In 1700, North and South America had similar per capita income; today, per capita income in Latin America is 20 percent of U.S. figures and more than one-third of the population lives in poverty, a wealth disparity that many authors finger as leading to frequent political turmoil and a weakened rule of law. Most of the essays pit the “Washington Consensus”—the 1990s effort to globalize—against the region’s pesky penchant for electing populists, notably Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez. Famous for his contention that civilization is moving inexorably toward capitalist liberal democracy, Fukuyama comes nowhere close to making such broad claims about Latin America’s evolution here. He dismisses recent comprehensive explanations that take into account geography and technology, but this uneven collection adds little to the argument that Latin America’s economic status the exception to the rule, rather than the United States’. (Sept.)

Going Hungry: Writers on Desire, Self-Denial, and Overcoming Anorexia
Edited by Kate Taylor. Anchor, $14.95 paper (352p) ISBN 9780307278340
Shedding light on anorexia and other eating disorders, Taylor gathers the personal stories of a range of writers, producing an occasionally inspiring but repetitive collection. Though gifted contributors (Jennifer Egan, Louise Glück, Joyce Maynard) offer honest, occasionally insightful accounts, many are is a strikingly similar; most can remember day they began their dark journey into anorexia and/or bulimia with striking clarity. Most see anorexia as a chronic affliction, shaping their relationships with food and loved ones, but in no way precluding happy, fulfilling lives. Powerful moments come from Amanda Fortini, medical writer Trisha Gura (who meshes her story with insight into the latest theories on anorexia) and John Nolan, but Taylor’s collection is decidedly WASP-heavy: tales of ivy league schools, living abroad in Italy, auditioning for prominent ballet schools and living up to the expectations of glamorous, high-profile parents do little to deflect the stereotype of anorexia as an affliction of affluence. Still, those struggling with an eating disorder are sure to find among these personal essay at least one that will help them better understand their own condition, and provide company and hope (if not necessarily a plan for recovery). (Sept.)

Jewish Wisdom for Business Success: Lessons from the Torah and Other Ancient Texts
Levi Brackman and Sam Jaffe. Amacom, $24 (256p) ISBN 9780814412749
With an eye to gleaning savvy business tips from the Torah, Rabbi Brackman and columnist Jaffe cover a span of topics—”Conquering Fear,” management styles (referred to as “Patriarchal Business Models”), negotiation and “Dealing with Failure.” Each chapter includes an illustrative story from the Torah, a real-life corporate example, insight for business and personal life and a meditation—evoking both The Art of War for Executives and The Secret (a chapter addresses the power of positive thinking, albeit divinely guided). The corporate examples are relevant and timely (right down to the implosion of Countrywide Financial) and the proposed practices contain pearls of wisdom such as a weekly “audit of the soul” where strengths and weaknesses are assessed in terms of recent actions and are examined for mistakes, correctable by a four-step process. The authors outline sound principles and provide ample strong examples in this solid business primer. (Sept.)

Of Parrots and People: The Sometimes Funny, Always Fascinating, and Often Catastrophic Collision of Two Intelligent Species
Mira Tweti. Viking, $25.95 (368p) ISBN 9780670019694
Trenchant analysis woven together with colorful personal narratives from expert scientists, conservationists, eccentric pet owners and amateur animal rescuers reveals the deleterious consequences of mankind’s penchant for keeping exotic birds. Tweti (Here, There and Everywhere) begins by debunking the myth of the “bird brain,” citing the story of Alex, an African grey research parrot who was proven to have the cognitive skills of a toddler, not uncommon for his breed. The author’s research illuminates the staggering variety of the thousands of species of parrots and indicts the individuals who breed, sell and smuggle birds to feed consumer demand. (“Parrots are a luxury item, deprived of liberty purely for human amusement. No one needs to keep a parrot.”) She discusses the unacknowledged crisis of a species being hunted to extinction despite the frequency with which they are abandoned by pet owners. Tweti’s account is factual and passionate—she likens even the prettiest bird cage to “a slave’s shackles”—but she makes it clear where the science ends and her opinions begin. Tweti’s work is a valuable resource of astonishing thoroughness, richness and accessibility—despite the occasional ideological inconsistency. (Aug.)

Speaking Treason Freely: Anti-Racist Reflections from an Angry White Man
Tim Wise. Soft Skull, $16.95 paper (208p) ISBN 9781593762070
In this absorbing compilation of essays, Wise (White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son), an anti-racist activist and writer, continues to plumb white privilege, racism and responsibility. The first grouping, “Challenging White Denial,” (“White denial has been a hallmark of the nation’s racial history”) considers the mechanisms utilized by white people when dealing with the concept of racism: minimization, rationalization, defection, and competing victimization; the second, “Confronting White Privilege” reviews the historical and current exercise of white preferential treatment and assesses the costs to whites in contemporary American life (“detrimental in the long run to [their] economic, social, cultural, and community-related interests”). Wise’s reflections are often stimulated by current headlines (e.g. Don Imus, Barry Bonds, Jeremiah Wright, the Duke Lacrosse case) and repetitions slip in; the essays are best read as they were written—in small doses. While those who disagree with White will probably avoid it, his bracing and bold arguments might inspire sympathetic readers to join his “fight for an end to racism and privilege, not merely as an act of altruism toward others, but for our own sakes too.” (Sept.)

Wired For Survival: The Rational (and Irrational) Choices We Make, From the Gas Pump to Terrorism
Margaret Polski, intro. by James Woolsey. Financial Times, $24.99 (176p) ISBN 9780132420280
A longtime political economist at the forefront of the interdisciplinary field of neuroeconomics, Polski’s iconoclastic treatment of orthodox economic models (which treat people like “hyper-rational Vulcan brainiac Dr. Spock”) combined with her witty observational style (“our brains are like jazz musicians in search of a good groove”) opens up this important but complex survey of modern decision-making and its pitfalls in the face of the world’s thorniest problems: highly competitive global markets, terrorist attacks, and environmental threat. Beginning with a dry but brief overview of world markets and the human nervous system, Polski goes on to illustrate, fascinatingly, how “[s]ustainable growth and change involves changing the way we think and choose,” moving away from a system of intuitive thinking (“unconscious spontaneous activity” developed to avoid falling rocks) and toward a new map of transparent, logic- and community-based thinking (and the end of “fruitless control strategies such as fiat, proselytizing, finger-wagging, sanctions, side-payments, and force”). Polski carefully delineates the characteristics of intuitive and logical thinking, the way that minds learn and interact with each other, and the real-world possibilities opened up by her peculiarly outsider economic perspective. (Sept.)

X-Films: True Confessions of a Radical Filmmaker
Alex Cox. Soft Skull, $17.95 paper (312p) ISBN 9781593761936
Veteran West Coast indie filmmaker Cox examines ten of his films in this frank and refreshingly impartial retrospective. While readers will probably be most familiar with Repo Man, Sid and Nancy and Straight to Hell, Cox’s at-times bizarre perspective is reigned in with a funny, conversational style and eye for detail that propel all ten of these fascinating nuts-and-bolts essays. Behind-the-scenes stories about actors being mistaken for real-life bank robbers, executives sleeping through screenings and the many moods of underpaid talent will give readers a deeper appreciation for the role of director (and the virtue of patience). Cox’s honest, detailed account will appeal to anyone with an interest in his work. Cox covers in-depth each movie from start to finish, covering everything from the writing, location scouting and casting to the minutiae of postproduction and release, focusing on the unglamorous (copyright intricacy, shot location logistics, dealing with financiers) without losing steam or his sense of humor. Cox’s war stories will also benefit eager up-and-comers, as well as anyone who appreciates the fringe-dwelling, indie-film tradition. (Sept.)

LIFESTYLE

Au Pied du Cochon
Martin Picard, intro. by Anthony Bourdain. Douglas & McIntyre, $40 paper (198p) ISBN 9781553653912
Even if readers have never set foot in Montreal’s Au Pied Du Cochon, known for its rustic and decadent comfort foods, a few minutes with this extraordinary book will give them an intimate feel for the place, its colorful owner and its wild charm. Bursting with photos and irreverent, whimsical cartoons, owner Picard and designer Tom Tassel bring the bustling restaurant to life, showcasing decadent dishes like Cipaille, a baked pie stuffed with a hare, duck, beef marrow, quail, pork shanks and a medley of spices, one of the establishment’s specialties. An unabashed love of foie gras results in decadent takes on pizza, burgers, hot dogs and sushi, as well as the rich Foie Gras Poutine for which Picard is known. Picard estimates that Cochon goes through two pigs a week, and he puts the entire animal to use, from Beans and Meatballs (which incorporates piglet heads) to Stuffed Pig Stomach to multiple takes on pig feet. While most home cooks won’t have the wherewithal to recreate many of these dishes, knowing the steps are sure to deepen their appreciation for Picard’s technique and detail. He generously gives credit to his influences, sharing the spotlight with fellow restaurateurs, meat and seafood purveyors, and his staff. The feeling is welcoming and occasionally conspiratorial, as wild illustrations juxtapose the diners’ Dionysian pleasures with caricatures of animals’ violent ends. In all, it provides a madcap sense of Picard’s approach to dining and life, a warm and telling portrait of a unique restaurateur and his one-of-a-kind establishment. (Sept.)

ILLUSTRATED

Amazing Baby: The Amazing Story of the First Two Years of Life
Desmond Morris. Firefly, $40 (192p) ISBN 9781554074198
The author of the bestselling 1967 book, The Naked Ape: A Zoologist’s Study of the Human Animal, Morris here presents a beautiful and useful guide to the first two years of a baby’s development. With full-sized, gorgeous photos, the book begins with the newborn’s body and follows with chapters on “learning to sit” “learning to walk,” “self awareness,” “moods,” etc. There are many wonderful transparent sheets of anatomical drawings that show the internal organs lined up with the body and brain of a baby, and the simple, concise text actually contains everything you need to know. There are many books about childhood and stages of development, but this one is easily digested and lovely to look at—a perfect gift for a new mother when you want to skip the usual onesies. (Oct.)

FICTION

Shifting Skin
Chris Simms. Orion (IPG, dist.), $19.95 paper (304p) ISBN 9780752873657
An all-too-familiar serial-killer plot drives British author Simms’s underwhelming second police procedural to feature Det. Insp. Jon Spicer (after Killing the Beasts). The “Butcher of Belle Vue” takes his name from the Manchester neighborhood where he dumps his female victims’ flayed corpses. Spicer, who’s on tenterhooks with his boss, Detective Chief Inspector McCloughlin, after his maverick efforts to catch the Chewing Gum Killer in Killing the Beasts, suspects that his new partner, Rick Saville, may be a plant to get the goods on him. That concern doesn’t prevent Spicer from bending the rules as he sees fit, like obtaining an unauthorized DNA sample from a suspect. Not many readers will be shocked at the revelation of the Butcher’s true identity. A competent writer, Simms needs to imbue his books with more depth and imagination if he’s to stand out in the crowded serial killer subgenre. (Sept.)

Street Judge
Greg Mathis. Atria/Strebor, $24 (288p) ISBN 9781593091729
Mathis, a juvenile delinquent turned judge and courtroom reality show host in Detroit, Mich., delivers his unfortunate first novel, a trite thriller featuring a crusading Mathis as the protagonist. The action begins as Mathis uncovers corruption in the seductive form of ambitious assistant D.A. Carolyn Otto, who has begun an affair with Mathis’s good friend, Gram Olson, in an attempt to swindle Gram’s wife’s money. Carolyn (whom Mathis refers to as “black widow” ad nauseam) reaches the apex of evil as she blackmails Olson and tries to bribe Mathis himself. Simultaneously, Mathis is searching for the killer of Sheila Morgan, a single mother who was decapitated. Unfortunately, the narrative is disjointed and comically hokey, and the prose is less than lackluster. (Sept.)

AUDIO

All We Ever Wanted Was Everything
Janelle Brown, read by Rebecca Lowman. Random House Audio, abridged, five CDs, 6 hrs., $29.95 ISBN 9780739358269
An unexceptional reading makes the audio version of this satiric work of women’s fiction a pleasantly neutral experience. Paul Miller’s announcement of his intent to divorce his wife leaves his accomplished housewife-socialite feeling empty and purposeless. Meanwhile, 28-year-old daughter Margaret attempts to hide from the catastrophic failure of her feminist magazine, and 14-year-old Lizzie deals with the consequences of believing that having sex with six guys in three months will make her cool. Rebecca Lowman reads expressively and unobtrusively: she doesn’t detract from the text, but she doesn’t enhance it, either. This smooth abridgement is acceptable, if not particularly diverting. A Spiegel & Grau hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 7). (June)

The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein, read by Christopher Evan Welch. HarperAudio, unabridged, six CDs, 7 hrs., $34.95 ISBN 9780061565403
Christopher Evan Welch has a knack for delving into heart-wrenching material with finesse. Stein’s tale of family, loss, redemption, and fast cars—recounted entirely from the perspective of a retriever-terrier mix named Enzo—ups the ante on the recent trend of high-concept anthropomorphism in popular fictions. Once listeners buy into Stein’s premise, Welch faithfully delivers the goods. He is particularly effective in scenes where Enzo navigates the blurry area between his human-like thoughts and his base animal instincts (like when abandonment issues during a family medical emergency compel him to wreak havoc on a stuffed animal). Welch re-creates Enzo’s pivotal moment of sheer bliss—riding on the track with his racecar driver human companion Denny—with evocative detail. The musical interludes at the start and end of the CD help preserve an earnest and dignified atmosphere. A Harper hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 28). (June)

Executive Privilege
Phillip Margolin, read by Jonathan Davis. HarperAudio, unabridged, 10 CDs, 11 hrs., $39.95 ISBN 9780061555831
What a concept: the President of the United States as a possible serial killer. And ace suspense writer Margolin pulls it off beautifully, with the help of narrator Jonathan Davis, who is the perfect choice to cool off a hot concept and make it human (as he did with Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash). Davis’ fine third-person narration is matched by his performance as Dana Cutler, a beautiful and sharp D.C. private detective who is hired to follow a young college student who ends up dead after a secret meeting with president Charles Farrington. Davis also excels as an Oregon lawyer who is working on the Death Row appeal of a convicted killer. The inmate says he was framed for the murder of a teenager who, at the time of her death, worked for then-governor Farrington. A Harper hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 7). (June)

Fidelity
Thomas Perry, read by Michael Kramer. Tantor Audio, unabridged, nine CDs, 11 hrs., $34.99 ISBN 9781400106646
Perry’s tale of murder and love in various forms—genuine, unrequited, illicit and perverse—begins with the killing of a philandering private eye, then concentrates on the effect of the death on his adoring wife, the oddly conflicted paid assassin, and his employer, a wealthy, insane child molester. As the focus hops from one to the other, Michael Kramer marks the changes with subtle delivery shifts. He picks a higher pitch for the widow, a cautious but determined approach for the hit man, and a smooth, almost velvety vocal for the smug, arrogant pedophile. Perry is that rare combination of storyteller and stylist and Kramer matches him with an unforced, well-modulated, smartly paced rendition that lulls listeners along until, suddenly, a glass door is shattered and guns are firing. A Harcourt hardcover (Reviews, Apr.7). (June)

Free Fall
Robert Crais, read by Mel Foster. Brilliance Audio, unabridged, seven CDs, 8 hrs., $34.95 ISBN 9781423356516
Crais’s old fashioned detective tale centers on investigators Elvis Cole and Joe Pike as they attempt to uncover a plot against a decorated L.A. police officer. Mel Foster’s hard boiled narration creates a strong sense of noir throughout, making it at once a classic mystery and a modern day cop drama. Foster’s voice is deep, dark and dry, which brings a likeable, tough persona to Cole and immediately draws listeners into the story. There is a subtle sense of nostalgia in this story as well, sure to please fans of the genre as Foster manages to capture certain trademark characteristics of stock detectives without sounding clichéd. A Crimeline paperback (Reviews, Mar. 29, 1993). (June)