Web Exclusive Reviews: Week of 1/12/2008

-- Publishers Weekly, 1/12/2009

Nonfiction

The Ballad of Blind Tom, Slave Pianist: America’s Lost Musical Genius
Deirdre O’Connell. Overlook, $24.95 (288p) ISBN 978159020142
Documentary filmmaker O’Connell recounts the engaging story of slave prodigy, entertainment sensation and national curiosity Blind Tom (1849-1908). The son of slaves, Tom displayed early musical acuity and a fierce attachment to his owners’ family piano, amazing onlookers with his ability to emulate music, dialog and sounds in nature; from age five, Tom was entranced by storms, which he could perfectly mimic, and later was able to play two tunes at a time with his back to the keyboard. Classified as an idiot, yet possessed of remarkable skills (including the ability to perform odd athletic feats), Tom’s 40-year career enriched his owners and managers, especially as the effects of war and the opening of northern venues broadened Tom’s audience (which included famous commentators like Mark Twain). Tom himself, of course, would struggle under the control of others his entire life, culminating sadly in a debilitating, career-ending stroke. O’Connell’s vivid, carefully researched narrative reflects the tenor of the times, the culture of the Old South, the chaos of emancipation and Blind Tom’s single-minded devotion to his performances. (Jan.)

The Deepening Darkness: Patriarchy, Resistance, and Democracy’s Future
Carol Gilligan and David A.J. Richards. Cambridge Univ., $29.99 (352p) ISBN 9780521898980
Gilligan and Richards leave few stones unturned in this exploration of patriarchy throughout time, beginning with ancient Rome, focusing on its diametric relationship with democracy: “we lack a critical public understanding of this tension, in part because... Roman patriarchy has been absorbed into our religion and political culture.” The authors examine patriarchy in many literary sources, from Oedipus Rex and the Bible to Hemingway, Joyce and Freud. Among other themes, they find repeatedly that “exposing the psychology underlying patriarchy touches a nerve so sensitive that it becomes inflammatory,” for reasons that include “the dynamics of shame and violence... how closely questions of honor are aligned with questions of gender,” and “how intricately gender is woven into the body, into language, and into identity and culture.” Authors and gender scholars Gilligan (Kyra, In a Different Voice) and Richards (The Case for Gay Rights, Disarming Manhood) make it clear that patriarchy is omnipresent in our society; discussion of matriarchal societies and literature would have made an enlightening counterpoint. This exhaustive study will be of particular interest to gender studies professionals and students. (Dec.)

Me and the Biospheres: A Memoir by the Inventor of Biosphere 2
John Allen. Synergetic (Baker & Taylor, dist.), $39.95 paper (336p) ISBN 9780907791379
Poet, playwright and activist Allen developed his love of nature growing up on an Oklahoma farm: “I always considered me—that part of myself that was so connected to Nature—as much smarter than [A-student] John.” A determined polymath with an incurable wanderlust, Allen held many jobs before coming to the edge of breakdown at age 34; working in three fields at once—enterprise, theater and biospheric geology—Allen had “gone bonkers with multi-phrenic intensity.” In 1963, after two transformative, peyote-fueled “shamanic experiences,” Allen hopped a freighter to Tangiers. A few years later, he and a companion started an avant garde touring theater group, which provided the core members for Allen’s next venture, the Biosphere’s direct predecessor: “biospheric studies” at Synergia Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M. In 1973, the team built a boat to study remote rainforests and oceanic ecology, and by 1984 were ready to initiate Biosphere 2. The sealed artificial environment, 70 feet high with a 3.15 acre footprint, was designed as a kind of Earth-in-miniature, meant to test whether an “artificial sustainable biosphere could be built… capable of operating under a broad range of conditions.” Eight people lived there from 1991-1993, an extraordinary accomplishment that Allen covers all too briefly, preferring to ramble in a detailed and self-congratulatory tone through his pre-Biosphere years. (Jan.)

Rejected: Tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Canceled
Edited by Jon Friedman. Villard, $14 paper (272p) ISBN 9780345500960
In this comic anthology of short essays, rejection veteran Friedman (creator of popular New York reading series “The Rejection Show”) brings together a double-handful of writers and comics (Michael Ian Black, Neal Pollack, Mandy Stadtmiller, David Rees, Tom McCaffrey, Kristen Schaal) to share rejected work and their thoughts on it. The criterion for entry is an unpublished piece that has been rejected at least once; rejecting parties range from the New Yorker to television’s Saturday Night Live to the perfect boyfriend to the suddenly silent agent. Entries include sketches abandoned by members of TV’s The State to spectacular bachelor party failures to small, triumphant moments of rejection rejection (for one actress, hope makes a comeback at the local Pottery Barn).The overall quality of the work is remarkable; Friedman allows his writers immense latitude in style and substance while keeping his theme front and center. Though a bit New York-centric, the collection has something for everyone, laughs on just about every page, and an ultimately uplifting spirit; if every rejection is an opportunity, then the chance to be a part of this fine, funny collaboration was probably worth it—especially for readers. (Jan.)

Servants of War: Private Military Corporations and the Profit of Conflict
Rolf Uesseler, trans. from the German by Jefferson Chase. Counterpoint/Soft Skull, $15.95 paper (256p) ISBN 9781593762025
Even in tragic times, someone always profits; in this exposé from author, scientist and anti-organized crime activist Uesseler, he looks at the private military firms that benefit quite directly from war—the messier, the better. The author ably details the ways these companies seek out business, such as the way Lockheed Martin subsidiary MPRI benefits from its parent company’s close ties with the Pentagon: “Although the industry enjoyed near-total employment thanks to the ‘war on terror’… companies themselves began looking for new threats to U.S. interests.” With help from lobbyists and a number of interests lining up for their share—arms manufacturers, technology developers—private militias and their partners have manufactured Pentagon dependence on their equipment and expertise: “The arms industry had pushed these developments to the point where no weapons other than light arms could be used without [the industry’s proprietary] electronic systems and IT networks.” Uesseler effectively shows how these companies have solidified their grip on profits, using war as their business model. Unfortunately, Uesseler’s style is textbook-dry, but his reporting is compelling and sure. (Jan.)

Test Tube Families: Why the Fertility Market Needs Legal Regulation
Naomi R. Cahn. New York Univ., $29.95 (288p) ISBN 9780814716823
A lawyer who teaches family law at Georgetown Univ., Cahn (co-author, Contemporary Family Law) presents a fascinating look into the workings of reproductive law by exploring the complex process by which, for an increasing number of modern families, “biology, medicine, human determination, and the law bring babies into being.” Artificial Reproductive Technology—in vitro fertilization, surrogate mothers—has become a multi-billion dollar industry that is, in the U.S., comparatively unregulated. Because family law differs across states, everything from the liability of fertility clinics to the rights of donors, donor children and the hopeful couples create a thicket of legal issues. Complicated contesting claims include a 2006 case in which an Ohio couple, James Flynn and Eileen Donich, sued their gestational carrier, Penn. resident Danielle Bimber, when she refused to give up her triplets. The case was tried in both states, and ultimately decided in favor of Flynn—the biological father—but not Donich, who was accorded no standing by the court. Cahn’s case for a uniform, federal legal code is compelling and vivid. (Jan.).

True to Life: Twenty-Five Years of Conversations With David Hockney
Lawrence Weschler. Univ. of Calif., $50 (304p) ISBN 9780520243750; $24.95 paper 9780520258792
Weschler, as an art scholar and staff writer for The New Yorker, had the opportunity not only to observe David Hockney’s artistic progress over 30 years, but to maintain a personal, decades-long dialogue with the multi-talented artist. Hockney’s quest for the perfect perspective has led him to test the limits of painting, photography and photo-collage; he believes that Cubist paintings come far closer than photography to reproducing the perspective of the human eye, leading him to experiment with photography through a Cubist lens and, later, to stage-designing and directing for the opera (Weschler describes his Tristan and Isolde as “Beethoven meets Matisse”). Hockney is a fascinating and surprising character, claiming that the stakes are no less than “the utter subversion of the tyrannical hegemony of traditional one-point perspective,” but also grounded enough to declare, “if art isn’t playful, it’s nothing.” The mutual fondness between author and subject comes through in long passages from Hockney detailing his ever-evolving process, the importance of Cubism and other digressions that would test the patience of less confident or invested interviewers; thankfully, Weschler rewards his readers with lengthy quotes, an overwhelming wealth of knowledge and a lively narrative style. 100 b&w illus., 60 color photos. (Jan.)

Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability
Daniel Sperling and Deborah Gordon. Oxford Univ., $24.95 (320p) ISBN 9780195376647
This look at the global automobile industry explains how such a staggering number of autos came to be, and how we can sustain them all and the planet at the same time. The range of topics is wide; one of the most interesting chapters looks at the psychology of hybrid vehicle purchasers: “at least for the early buyers... [it’s] about the symbolism of ‘doing the right thing,’ even if the individual contribution is infinitesimally small.” The fortunes of fuel-sippers are also considered in relation to gas prices: in the year GM launched the Hummer brand and Toyota unveiled the Prius, gas prices at “near historic lows” made the Hummer ubiquitous in cities and suburbs. Elsewhere, Sperling and Gordon examine the problem of China’s car ownership explosion, but return repeatedly to the “pioneering role” of California. Sperling and Gordon are upfront with their California ties(Sperling serves on the California Air Resources Board, Gordon has worked with the California Energy Commission, Gov. Schwarzenegger provides the foreword), and though they profile somegenuinely groundbreaking work, it can read more like public relations than objective reporting; further, some proposed solutions (personal “carbon budgets”) read like parodies of Left Coast eco-liberalism. Luckily, there’s enough grounding global perspective to save the text from too much California dreaming. 15 b&w photos. (Jan.)

Walking the Precipice: Witness to the Rise of the Taliban
Barbara Bick. Feminist, $14.95 (167p) ISBN 9781558615861
Bick’s enthralling memoirs of her time in Afghanistan begin with her first travels in 1990, at the age of 65, and continue through two more visits, which gave the American activist and author (Culture and Politics) the rare opportunity to experience Afghanistan under the Communist, Taliban and Karzai regimes. While there, Bick traveled with a number of Afghan women, learning about their complex role in society, and developing a keen grasp of the fluid political rivalries. Bick’s final trip was to attend a conference affirming the Constitutional rights of Afghan women, a first, ceremonial step toward instigating positive change for women throughout the war-torn country. In her tale, Bick produces a comprehensive political history of modern Afghanistan that distills deeply rooted tribal conflicts into terms Americans can easily grasp. While tracing her journey from the outside in, she makes her readers insiders too—without shying away from the drastic changes in perspective she gained on the way; in one of her most compelling and emotional episodes, Bick is witness to the assassination of moderate mujahadeen leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, a regional hero for many. By the end of the short but dense narrative, readers will have a far greater understanding of the region and the stakes under which its people labor. (Jan.)

What Would Lincoln Do?: Lincoln’s Most Inspired Solutions to Challenging Problems and Difficult Situations
David Acord. Sourcebooks, $13.99 (192p) ISBN 9781402217906
Acord, an editor, journalist and Lincoln enthusiast, has produced a delightful little book whose jokey title doesn’t do credit to the careful historical research within, including dozens of Lincoln’s letters in part and in whole. Acord cleverly turns Lincoln’s words into lessons on dealing with coworkers and demanding bosses, telling friends “no,” facing critics and responding to rumors, always carefully explaining Lincoln’s winning strategies. A beguiling writer as well as an embattled president, the Great Emancipator’s wit and patience served him well, whether writing to friend, foe, relative or underling. For example, his letter to political associate William Butler begins, “You were in an ill-humor when you wrote that letter, and, no doubt, intended that I should be thrown into one also; which, however, I respectfully decline being done.” Also included is Lincoln’s letter of advice to young lawyers, written in 1850, which famously closes, “if, in your own judgment, you can not be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.” Such good advice is just one gem to be found in this practical and Presidential handbook. (Feb.)

Why Dirt is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends
Mary Ruebush. Kaplan, $19.95 (208p) ISBN 9781427798046
In her first book, microbiology and immunology teacher Ruebush demonstrates a lively mastery of her subject, providing a better education in immunology than a convincing case for the idea that “the most delightful sights for a parent should be a young child covered in dirt from an active afternoon of outdoor play.” Her thesis, reiterated throughout, is that obsessive cleanliness is counterproductive: a “young, naïve immune system” needs exposure to germs “to build [the] ability to produce the right response quickly.” Arguing that evolution has conditioned us to coexist with the microscopic threats around us—a human body typically harbors “some 90 trillion microbes”—Ruebush considers the legacy of “superbugs” bred through the overuse of antibiotics and cleaning products, and dismisses vaccination fears as ridiculous (“not even a question”). Ruebush presents a step-by-step guide to the workings of the immune system that should inform readers new to the subject, but her breezy and repetitive approach to arguing her thesis probably won’t win over any doubters. (Jan.)

Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper When They Create Widespread Empathy
Dev Patnaik with Peter Mortensen. Prentice Hall/Financial Times, $24.99 (272p) ISBN 9780137142347
A veteran business strategist and adjunct faculty member at Stanford Univ., Patnaik explores the role of empathy in successful companies, producing a thoughtful, practical meditation on the power of walking in someone else’s shoes. Though he utilizes examples from his work with Harley Davidson, Cisco and Nike, his skills in the classroom get a good showcase too, with lessons on history and biology, as well as revealing exercises from his class (called Needfinding) with “aha” revelations like: “For thousands of years, people made things for other people they knew”; it was the Industrial Revolution that divided producer from consumer. Essentially, Patnaik proposes that a successful company must cross that divide and learn about their customers’ needs by interacting with, understanding and, in some cases, hiring them. Incorporating some familiar ideas—the power of “framing,” the golden rule—Patnaik manages to keep his text fresh and brisk, making this a cagey but compassionate guide for execs and business students. (Jan.)

Lifestyle

After Work Cook: Fantastic Food, Minimum Fuss
Carina Cooper. Collins (IPG, dist.), $19.95 (208p) ISBN 9780007274543
While food writer Cooper (The Notting Hill Cookbook) has found an audience in her native UK, her appeal doesn’t quite translate in this collection of ostensibly easy-to-prepare meals. A roundup of 150 recipes meant for “busy people who want to eat well,” most of these dishes will only serve up additional stress, particularly regarding Cooper’s reliance on arcane (at least for the U.S.) ingredients, most of which are central: one can’t make Baked Passion Fruit Crunch without fresh passion fruit; Summer Pudding requires white, black and red currants (“removed from stalks”); and even a side of roasted potatoes calls for goose fat (“most butchers should supply you... or you can find it in larger supermarkets”). Significant sourcing problems aside, few of her dishes will disappoint: her roast duck, Field Mushrooms with Thyme on Fried Bread, and goat cheese “baby tarts” are straightforward and sure to satisfy, as will most others. Though seasoned cooks may pick up a trick or two, the book’s odd focus and ingredient list (undyed smoked haddock, Toulouse sausage, Spanish quince paste, Calasparra rice) will make a frustrating experience for most. (Feb.)

Cookies to Die For: The Complete Guide for Cookie Lovers
Bev Shaffer. Pelican, $26.95 (288p) ISBN 9781589806108
Cookie monsters, sweet-tooths and venturesome bakers take note: the litany of treats in this inventive collection may make it the last cookbook you need (at least until you have to buy a replacement volume for your dog-eared, butter-stained original). In nearly 200 recipes organized by method (rolled, refrigerated, filled) and theme (“cookies with a heritage,” “celebration cookies”), Ohio chef and cookbook author Shaffer makes time for classics like gingerbread, black and whites and amaretti (as well as riffs on biscotti, shortbread and oatmeal cookies), but devotes the majority of her tour to tasty new classics like tender Tart-Topped Lemon Cookies, Chocolate-Topped Marshmallow Bars and a rich, walnut-studded banana bar covered with a rich browned-butter frosting. Though names like Cinnamon Sugar-Topped Anise Crisps and Lacy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies with Orange Glaze may intimidate, bakers will find Shaffer’s instructions to-the-point and her ingredient lists mercifully short. Readers who overlook Shaffer’s text in their rush to break out the stand mixer will be missing salient (but brief) tips on various cookie styles and avoiding doughy, crumbly or burned cookies, proving this comprehensive volume’s subtitle is no lie. (Feb.)

Flirtexting: How to Text Your Way to His Heart
Debra Goldstein and Olivia Baniuszewicz. Skyhorse, $12.95 paper (176p) ISBN 9781602393677
Arguing that “boys text; therefore girls need to know how to flirtext,” first-time authors (and, presumably, BFFAEs) Goldstein and Baniuszewicz show the next generation of single women how to entertain suitors with the art of text message flirtation. Taking a healthy cut from The Rules (“playing a little hard to get, to get what you want”), the duo schools readers on timing replies, canceling dates and, perhaps most importantly, how to avoid “mis-texting.” Dissecting every possible text-based interaction (often with multiple examples), Goldstein and Baniuszewicz’s overwrought guidebook will be received, depending on one’s perspective, as either indispensable or hopelessly immature. Walking readers through all facets of text message craft (including enlisting the aid of friends), the exuberant authors also supply plenty of sample responses and conversations, a litany of guy-centric movie quotes (because “guys love to quote movies”) and a guide to common abbreviations (including BFFAE: “best friends forever and ever”). With this guide at hand, young singles won’t be at a loss for words—at least until the next F2F (face to face) encounter. 20 color illus. (Feb.)