Authors on the Air: American Buffalo; The History of the Snowman; Christmas Movies
by Diane Patrick -- Publishers Weekly, 12/23/2008
This morning on The Diane Rehm Show, outdoorsman and hunter Steven Rinella discussed his new book American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon (Spiegel & Grau, 978-0385521680, $24.95; Brilliance Audio unabridged CD, $32.99). From PW’s starred review: “In this spare, eloquent memoir, Rinella describes his fascination with the American bison, which culminated in his tracking, shooting and butchering one. Rinella writes with authority about the process of turning a living creature into steak, and easily renders an enormous amount of historical and scientific information into a thoroughly engaging narrative.”
The Leonard Lopate Show talked with scholar Arlene Davila, author of Latino Spin: Public Image and the Whitewashing of Race (New York Univ. Press, 978-0814720073, $19). PW noted “Her invaluable scholarly treatment unearths the competing interests and race-inflected ideological tendencies behind characterizations of Latino political identity in the mainstream media.”
On NPR’s Day to Day, activist Jason Del Gandio explained Rhetoric for Radicals: A Handbook for 21st Century Activists (New Society Publishers, 978-0865716285, $17.95).
Tomorrow on NPR’s Marketplace: Katy Lederer, whose second poetry collection The Heaven-Sent Leaf (BOA Editions, 978-1934414156, $16) meditates on money and commerce. PW found “the vibrancy of this series is found in the viscous push-pull between money and Eros; the tension sings.”
Christmas Day author appearances:
On Good Morning America, humorist Bob Eckstein reveals The History of the Snowman (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 978-1416940661, $17.95).
Authors on Christmas Day’s Leonard Lopate Show:
MIT professor Dan Ariely discusses Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions (HarperCollins, 978-0061353239, $25.95). PW said “Ariely's intelligent, exuberant style and thought-provoking arguments make for a fascinating, eye-opening read.”
John Burnham Schwartz, whose latest novel is The Commoner (Nan A. Talese, 978-0385515719, $24.95; RH Audio abridged CD, $29.95). PW’s starred review deemed it a “finely wrought fourth novel. Schwartz pulls off a grand feat in giving readers a moving dramatization of a cloistered world.”
Virginia circuit court judge Martin Clark reaches The Legal Limit (Knopf, 978-0307268358, $24.95). In a starred review, PW called it a “profound and moving third novel. Clark takes his storytelling prowess to the next level in what is his most substantial and thought-provoking work to date.”
Steve Dublanica (aka The Waiter) serves up Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip--Confessions of a Cynical Waiter (Ecco, 978-0061256684, $24.95; Brilliance Audio unabridged CD, $36.95). PW starred its audio review: “Dan John Miller is pitch perfect not only as the Waiter—who devolves from woebegone rookie into jaded veteran—but also as his customers, co-workers, bosses and brother. He shines when the Waiter is dishing it out, but even more so when he's taking it.”
On The Bob Edwards Show on Christmas Day:
Religion authority Karen Armstrong discusses The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions (Anchor, 978-0385721240, $15.95; RH Audio abridged CD, $44.95). PW’s starred review had this to say: “Accounts of the world's religions often present them as discrete entities developing apart from each other in a vacuum. Armstrong's magnificent accomplishment offers us an account of a violent time much like ours, when religious impulses in various locations developed practices of justice and love.”
Historian Michael Kazin, whose book is A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan (Anchor, 978-0385720564, $16.95).
Movies opening on Christmas Day:
Marley and Me, based on John Grogan’s best-selling memoir and starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Kathleen Turner and Alan Arkin. Grogan’s movie tie-ins include the original adult book (Harper trade paperback, 978-0060817091, $13.95; Harper mass market, 978-0061687204, $7.99); and for young readers is Marley: A Dog Like No Other (HarperFestival, 978-0061686085, $6.99; HarperChildrensAudio unabridged CD, $21.95).(for young readers) is Marley: A Dog Like No Other (HarperFestival, 978-0061686085, $6.99; HarperChildrensAudio unabridged CD, $21.95). From PW’s audio review: “[Neil Patrick]Harris turns in a energized and heartfelt reading of Grogan's adaptation for young people of his bestseller, Marley and Me. In this version, the story of Marley, the incorrigible yellow Labrador retriever who could eat the sheetrock right off the wall while retaining his heart of gold remains largely the same, sans the more adult subject matter: marriage, miscarriages, sex and crime. Harris's voice is crisp, sharp and precise, yet filled with warmth, a verbal approach that parallels Grogan's writing style. Here, author and narrator make a strong team; this presentation is a great family listen.”
Walt Disney Pictures’ Bedtime Stories, starring Adam Sandler, Laura Ann Kesling and Jonathan Morgan Heit. Movie tie-ins (all from Disney Press): Annmarie Harris’s Bedtime Stories: The Movie Storybook (978-1423115762, $8.99); Jeanette Lane’s Bedtime Stories: Skeeter’s Story (978-1423115779, $3.99) Bedtime Stories: Bedtime with Bugsy (978-1423115786, $3.99); Helena Mayer’s Bedtime Stories: School’s Out? (978-1423115809, $3.99) and Bedtime Stories: The Junior Novel (978-1423115755, $4.99).
The Spirit, based on Will Eisner’s classic comic strip and starring Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson. Movie tie-ins are Mark Cotta Vaz’s The Spirit: The Movie Visual Companion (Titan, 978-1845768324, $30) and Will Eisner’s The Spirit: A Pop-Up Graphic Novel (Insight Editions, 978-1933784465, $34.95).
The Other Man, based on the short story by Bernhard Schlink and starring Antonio Banderas, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson. The movie tie-in edition is The Other Man: And Other Stories (Vintage, 978-0307472960, $13.95).
Due to the nature of live programming, scheduling is subject to change.
Booksellers can order these titles through Ingram at ipage.
For information about author appearances on these shows and others as well as listings of book mentions and book reviews, visit TitleSmart at www.titlesmart.com.
Authors on the Air is compiled by Diane Patrick. To be included in this compilation, email author appearance information to DPatrickPW@aol.com (at least TWO days in advance, please).
