Web Exclusive Reviews: Week of 3/16/2009

-- Publishers Weekly, 3/16/2009

Nonfiction

NONFICTION

Aereality: On the World from Above
William L. Fox. Counterpoint, $27 (320p) ISBN 9781582434292
In this fascinating, ultimately frustrating meditation on how humans visualize their environment, poet and author Fox (Terra Antarctica) considers the sweep of human history, art and technology. Largely concerned with how modern artists, particularly photographers, use the aerial perspective, Fox first flies with photographers Michael Heizer and David Hansen over the deserts, open-pit mines and military installations of the American West, describing their post-modern experiments with perspective, light, color and angle. He also joins Heizer and geographer Denis Cosgrove for aerial tours of the Los Angeles basin, comparing past and present aerial views of planned suburbs from the 1950s. Back East, he joins Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art director Joe Thompson for a trip over post-9/11 New York, and a discussion of the artists who had studios in the World Trade Center towers. Fox’s last destination is Australia, to examine and contemplate the paintings of Aborigines, which are almost always aerial landscapes. Though dense with ideas and the philosophy of human geography, this panoramic study is repeatedly undermined by inadequate illustrations, including a paucity of reproduced art works (of the dozens Fox discusses, just 16 are included) and, most aggravating, a complete lack of route maps. 16 color plates. (Mar.)

Corvus: A Life with Birds
Esther Woolfson. Counterpoint, $25 (336p) ISBN 9781582434773
Shortly after settling with her husband and two daughters in a rambling Edwardian house in Aberdeen, Scotland, the gift of several pairs of doves inspired UK novelist and nature writer Woolfson to convert her new coal shed into a dovecote. The doves were followed by housebirds: a cockatiel for their daughter, a flightless rosella parrot the pet store couldn't get rid of, and a succession of unfledged birds rescued by neighbors. Woolfson learned how to care for everything from infant birds to elderly parrots with dysfunctional backgrounds; the menagerie eventually includes a swearing starling, a young rook named Chicken, and Spikey the magpie. Describing how her birds communicate (nearly all the house birds talk), she reveals distinct personalities and idiosyncrasies; she also discusses birds in the wild and natural history, and her neurologist husband is particularly keen on bird brains. The highly intelligent Corvus genus, including crows, magpies, rooks and ravens, fascinate Woolfson the most, and she transmits their appeal with startling clarity. Additionally, Helen Macdonald's beautiful illustrations add resonance to each chapter's subject. A satisfying read from a masterful stylist, this will appeal to any fan of nature writing or personal essays. (Apr.)

The End of Materialism: How Evidence of the Paranormal is Bringing Science and Spirit Together
Charles T. Tart. New Harbinger, $24.95 (240p) ISBN 9781572246454
A faculty member at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, scientist Tate (Altered States of Consciousness, On Being Stoned) spent more than 50 years studying the paranormal. In this challenge to traditional science and spirituality, Tart employs scientific skepticism and an open mind (both essential to interpreting results “as objectively as possible”) to question the seeming contradiction between “the formal, rational rules of science, which have worked so well in understanding the physical world” and “behaviors that cannot be reduced to materialistic explanations.” To substantiate his thesis, Tart analyzes a number of scientific paranormal experiments: distinguishing the color of face-down cards, testing the hypothesis that feedback training improves telepathic ability, attempts to show a relationship between electromagnetism and clairvoyance, etc. Elsewhere, Tate makes intriguing comparisons between out-of-the-body experiences and near-death experiences, both of which support (but don’t prove) the phenomenon of “postmortem survival” (children who “remember” past lives are also examined). While admitting that he has no “final, absolutely certain, and wonderful answers,” Tart covers a wide range of phenomena (remote viewing, psychic healing, mediumship) and leaves readers much to ponder. (Apr.)

The Forbidden Apple: A Century of Sex and Sin in New York City
Kat Long. IG, $18.95 paper (284p) ISBN 9780981504001
From brothels on the Bowery to the crusade to retake Times Square, journalist Long (“chief writer” of the guidebook Sexy New York City) examines the bawdiest characters and exploits in New York City's history, and those determined to ruin the fun. Contextualizing the gritty, bopping, libidinous culture that most associate with New York in the 20th century, Long introduces readers to outcasts of all kinds, outraged moralists like Anthony Comstock and Ed Koch, popular Prohibition-era dances (the Charleston, the Black Bottom, the Lindy Hop), and iconic phenomena like the film Deep Throat. Long also covers civil rights milestones for gays and women (the 1969 Stonewall Riots, the 1970 Women’s Strike for Equality), and her reach, for much of the book, is far enough to make an apt general history of the city from Reconstruction. Unfortunately, Long's fastidious research hasn't discouraged a decidedly liberal bias (“free love” gets unconditional respect, Gov. Giuliani’s clean-up initiatives are condemned on sentimental grounds). Further, the final chapters focus narrowly on Times Square, devolving into a somewhat tiresome diatribe/eulogy. Long should capture the interest of New York history aficionados, but only if they tend to share her lefty permissiveness and it-was-better-when sentimentality. 11 b&w photos. (Mar.)

The Gods that Failed: How Blind Faith in Markets has Cost Us Our Future
Larry Elliott and Dan Atkinson. Nation, $26.95 (304p) ISBN 9781568586021
Latest in the parade of where-were-they-a-year-ago expert financial authors are economics editors Elliott (of the Guardian) and Atkinson (of Britain's Mail on Sunday). Likening Wall Street professionals to “New Olympians” who opened a “Pandora’s Box” of financial evils, the two are less than skilled with their analogies, but possess great knowledge and a perspective encompassing London, Wall Street and Washington DC. While it's true that free-market philosophies have been increasingly adopted, even by the left (Jimmy Carter's deregulation of airlines and telecommunications, Bill Clinton's NAFTA), the authors blame the current mess, somewhat fantastically, on an international group of 38 economic theorists (including Friedrich von Hayek, Karl Popper and Milton Friedman) who, meeting in Switzerland in 1947, set the course for “classical liberalism” to fight back against “what was seen as the tyranny of the collective.” Aside from this, the authors provide an excellent, witty explanation for the past few years of economic boom and bust, with a broad approach that makes clear the multiple forces working to sink the economy (rather than focusing exclusively on, say, Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve). Though it's not impartial, this is a well-written, well-informed guide to today's crisis and a sharp critique of free market philosophies. (Feb.)

Henry Austin: In Every Variety of Architectural Style
James O’Gorman. Wesleyan Univ., $35 (272p) ISBN 9780819568960
A fresh look at the work of mid-19th century architect Henry Austin, this enjoyable, nicely illustrated volume focuses on his wide range of aesthetic styles and genres. Wellesley College art historian O’Gorman (Connecticut Valley Vernacular) begins with Austin’s early work in Connecticut, and organizes his decade of work from 1840 to 1850 by purpose: domestic, ecclesiastical, and public/commercial buildings (a final chapter looks at later work). One of O’Gorman’s themes is the inspirational role played by international literature and painting, with specific examples to illustrate: in one house, Austin “touches on the nineteenth-century love… for Orientalism, that distortion of Eastern cultures that also found its way into the painting and literature of the period.” Austin’s shifts in scale and aesthetic are marked with some bold entries; his public building work “began with a bang… an Egyptian Revival gateway at the New Haven Burial Ground.” Though the overriding theme is nothing new—plenty of architects possess an eclectic style that changes with the times—O’Gorman’s contention that Austin “produced his own reflection on the culture of his era” is well supported, with solid details and focus. 100 b/w illus, 32 color illus. (Mar.)

The Secret Temple: Masons, Mysteries and the Founding of America
Peter Levenda. Continuum, $16.95 paper (224p) ISBN 9780826430007
With all the mystery surrounding the Freemasons, along with the recent vogue in secret societies (see The Da Vinci Code and its many followers), it's hard to see how historian Levenda (Unholy Alliance: A History of Nazi Involvement with the Occult) managed such a dry treatment. Though it's perfectly acceptable, even laudable, that Levenda seeks to dispel the mythic, romanticized construct of the Freemasons in favor of provable facts, he drains the magic from their history without answering any of his questions—most notably, “Is it possible to understand Masonry without being a Mason?”—in a meaningful way. Without a narrative line, Levenda skips from tangent to tangent, producing what is more or less a catalogue of his unsynthesized research. Whole sections pass without any conclusions being reached, and while Levenda certainly isn't responsible for all the answers, readers will expect more than a complex set of historical data jazzed with occasional factoids and appearances from other secret societies like the Illuminati and Yale’s Skull and Bones. Readers interested in the secrets of Freemasonry will be surely disappointed, and history buffs will grow quickly frustrated with Levenda's poor organization and sleepy prose. (Apr.)

Science Next: Innovation for the Common Good from the Center for American Progress
Edited by Jonathan D. Moreno and Rick Weiss. Bellevue Literary, $16.95 paper (288p) ISBN 9781934137185
Bioethics professor Moreno (Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense) and science reporter Weiss, both of the Center for American Progress, have compiled a compact volume exploring the status and future of many hot topics in science and public policy today, which should leave readers appalled at the past eight years and hopeful for the next. Despite subsidized Big Oil, infrastructure collapse, food inspection system failures and ever worsening wildfires, this volume brings hope into focus with reports of innovation that will enhance lives, from caregivers to those running out of fresh water, from No Child Left Behind to university research. Concise, informative contributions include internet co-creator Vinton Cerf on why the U.S. should respond to climate change like it did to Sputnik, and CAP senior fellow Rick Weiss proclaiming bluntly that “federal tax dollars should not be supporting schools that persist in teaching myths in science classes.” There's also numerous recommendations from CAP's 2008 National Innovation Agenda for enhancing the utility, visibility and “sexiness” of science in the U.S. (Apr.)

LIFESTYLE

The Flavor Of Wisconsin: An Informal History of Food and Eating in the Badger State
Harva Hachten and Terese Allen. Wisconsin Historical, $29.95 (400p) ISBN 9780870204043
When journalist Hachten joined Wisconsin’s State Historical Society in 1973, she inherited a regional cookbook project; after 10 years of work, Hachten produced a comprehensive cookbook attached to an important, definitive account of the immigrant pioneer experience and the evolving view of food and community in the Midwest. In this update, Wisconsin food columnist Allen expands the opus without upstaging Hatchen or muting her voice, taking the development of Wisconsin cuisine from wild gooseberry gathering and Native American gardens to current, ballooning demands for organic produce. Many engaging diversions crop up, including fascinating day-to-day accounts of pioneer life; after a tragically difficult transatlantic voyage (little fresh water, inedible food), future Wisconsin was more than welcoming, and settlers began recreating their native dishes as soon as it was economically feasible. Early settlers from Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland and elsewhere gave the state iconic foods such as pasty (for meat pies) and the beloved brat, as well as community traditions like the fish fry. The 450 recipes, including traditional dishes like Bohemian Sausage and Lutefisk alongside homey favorites like Aunt Nellie’s Drop Cookies, are the icing on this already-satisfying cake. (Mar.)

Good Date, Bad Date: The Matchmaker's Guide to Where the Boys Are and How to Get Them
Marla Martenson. Hampton Roads, $14.95 paper (168p) ISBN 9781571746009
Author and dating authority Martenson (Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting) uses her years of experience as a professional matchmaker (and, apparently, a copy of The Rules) to help women understand what men want out of dating and relationships. Sprinkled liberally with personal anecdotes, transcripts of emails from her matchmaking clients and feel-good spiritual clap-trap, this book offers little advice that won't strike readers as old hat (or even plain common sense): don’t lie about your age, make him dinner every once in a while, don’t be obvious when going for his wallet, try to develop some self-esteem. Moreover, these ideas are presented as grand epiphanies: “In the dating game, staying slim and trim is probably the most important thing you can do” (emphasis Martenson's). Anecdotal evidence is heavily skewed, as Martenson's matchmaking service is for wealthy men who want to meet beautiful women; stories largely concern women uncomfortable dating men who can’t provide amenities like private jets. Needless to say, this will hardly help average women who want to understand the men in her life. (Mar.)

Honor Yourself: The Inner Art of Giving and Receiving
Patricia Spadaro. Three Wings, $14.95 (240p) ISBN 9780981603308
The latest effort from author and “practical spirituality” proponent Spadaro (co-author, Your Seven Energy Centers, with Elizabeth Clare Prophet) is a tightly woven guide to achieving inner peace with help from East and West spiritual traditions. The depressed, the alienated, and those recovering from a toxic relationship will undoubtedly appreciate the analogies from all corners of the globe; anyone suffering from self-doubt will find Spadaro’s unwavering faith and enthusiasm encouraging; and the perpetually stuck will want to consult Spadaro’s chapters on “giv[ing] yourself away,” including a handy look at the idea of “flow,” a psychological work state currently in vogue among efficiency experts. Though at times repetitive, Spadaro’s nurturing, worthwhile endeavor will prove helpful to readers attuned to her perky cheerleader approach. (Apr.)

What I Wish I Knew When I Was Twenty: A Crash Course on Finding Your Place in the World
Tina L. Seelig. HarperOne, $22.99 (208p) ISBN 9780061735196
Seelig, executive director of the entrepreneurship center at Stanford's School of Engineering, presents a thoughtful, concise set of observations for those making the unsteady transition to adulthood. While the majority of her advice is intended for would-be entrepreneurs, her accessible lessons should come in handy for those in any field, as well as those still trying to decide on a field. Culled from her personal experience as an entrepreneur and teacher, as well as the stories of entrepreneurs and students she knows, Seelig avoids (and at times dissects) cliché and provides informative discussion throughout, despite a narrower focus than readers might expect. A chapter on acknowledging, learning from, and even seeking out failure (“Fail fast and frequently”) provides valuable advice and comfort for the fearful, including Seelig’s own “failure resumé” (broken into professional, academic and personal failures). The chapter titled “Don’t listen to career advice” helps readers avoid the pitfalls of oft-heard, wrong-headed maxims like “follow your passions” and “stick to the plan.” Readers will either be relieved or frustrated that Seelig doesn’t provide any numbered steps, bullet-pointed recaps or self-assessment quizzes, but she makes the most of her knowledge and authority with a friendly, efficient voice. (Apr.)

ILLUSTRATED

Unleashed
Catherine Eaton Skinner. Woodland Park Zoo (dist. by Univ. of Wash.), $45.95 (92p) ISBN 978029588764
This full color, hand-stitched volume contains prints of 27 encaustic (wax-based) animal paintings from Seattle artist Skinner. Each piece focuses on a different species. “Falcon,” which appears on the cover, is arguably the strongest; against a black canvas, the subject appears in the lower right quadrant, looking over his shoulder to cast an unsettling gaze back at the viewer. Skinner experiments with different framing techniques throughout, focusing in on the eye of a raven and a horse, or setting a tiger’s visage above his muddled reflection. Of the minimal text, Skinner contributes a preface less than 10 lines long (“If we listen [to animals], together we may survive on this earth”); neither the foreword (an excerpt from Calvin Luther Martin’s The Language of Wildness) or the afterword (from Woodland Park Zoo animal curator Dana Payne) speak directly to the work. Skinner’s broad color palette and expressionistic brush strokes are inventive, the images themselves compelling and occasionally disturbing, but the overall effect is lacking; textual analysis or a more complete artist’s statement would go a long way toward improving the volume’s impact. (Mar.)

FICTION

The Exchange Rate Between Love and Money
Thomas Leveritt. Simon & Schuster, $15 paper (368p) ISBN 9781416597261
A cast of aimless thirtysomethings vying for love and cash inhabit Leveritt’s Bosnian war romance. Best friends Bannerman and Frito decamp to Sarajevo in 2003 to make their fortunes in a city flooded with redevelopment funds. No sooner are they settled than Bannerman falls in love with Frito’s girlfriend, Clare, a Swiss war crimes investigator. Frito, who’s a little bit crazy, becomes obsessed with the local beer and later draws Bannerman into a pharmacy scheme with a black marketer. Clare eventually warms to Bannerman, and her preoccupation with finding war criminal Petar Rankovic draws Bannerman into her professional life—and into cahoots with a crew of Anglo-American “security consultants.” The novel’s multiple plotlines and chronologies, choppy text and Balkan sensibilities create a unique reading experience, though the characters’ moral and emotional poverty beg for a more nuanced treatment. So many characters “hanging onto decades-long adolescences” are wearying, and the intrigue angles are more confusing than they should be (there’s a glossary). It’s a noble effort, but this brew of lad lit and Le Carré is very much an acquired taste. (Apr.)

Future Missionaries of America
Matthew Vollmer. MacAdam/Cage, $24 (250p) ISBN 9781596923126
This debut short story collection unveils the subtle beauty in raw grief and general disappointment with being. Vollmer plays with absurdity, the loneliness of daily existence, and the importance of taking chances. Nine of the dozen stories have appeared in journals and magazines, but the collection maintains a natural cohesion, with terrifically dark but strangely sweet characters and plotlines. One centers on a deadbeat dad who, while visiting his straightedge son (a rising X Games star), is forced to come to terms with his self-disappointment. In another, a recent widow takes an impromptu retreat to the family lake house, only to discover her estranged son sequestered with an unfamiliar man. The title piece is narrated by a teenaged punk atheist, Alex, who has developed a crush on her staunchly Christian best friend and home economics partner, David Melashanko. Though the two share every surreptitious desire and potential misdeed, Alex is heartbroken to learn that Melashenko has been keeping a secret. Vollmer masters distinct personalities and surprising plots, writing deftly from many points of view, but in most cases the story ends just as the reader becomes invested. (Feb.)

Stranger in Paradise
Jackie Griffey. Five Star, $25.95 (258p) ISBN 9781594147531
In this lackluster romance, 23-year-old Laura’s life is turned upside down when her great aunt’s will demands that she take a break from work and book a romantic vacation. As Laura experiences the splendors of Puerto Rico, she instantly falls in love with a sexy stranger. But it turns out that Laura can’t speak Spanish, and Esteban can’t speak English. Regardless, their flimsy romance defies the odds, and the two share their thoughts and feelings via gestures and expressions, and soon Laura is planning their future family. But when Esteban suddenly takes off, gesturing to Laura that he’ll be back, Laura is consumed with doubt about their love and returns home, where she weighs the strength of their relationship against the steadfastness of her hometown suitor, a process that brings surprises about Esteban’s identity. While the ending ties together all of the unknowns, the romance lacks passion, the characters are undeveloped and the plot is incredulous. (Mar.)

Ulterior Motives
Mark Andrew Olsen. Bethany House, $13.99 paper (320p) ISBN 9780764202759
Best known for his novel Hadassah (which was made into the film One Night with the King), Olsen packs everything Christian thriller fans enjoy in his newest. Greg Cahill is an ousted FBI agent called back for a dangerous mission for the U.S. government: thwarting a terrorist plot. Christian readers will find the interplay of faith and counter-terrorism interesting as Cahill shares his faith with a radical Muslim terrorist. But dialogue is clunky (“…since you people are so stinking familiar with all of my past pronouncements, then draw up an interrogation plan that’s as aggressive as possible…”), and the author stumbles over finding believable ways to depict real characters while still writing for Christian readers. A month-long countdown to a terrorist attack builds suspense, but action is often summarized in a few sentences rather than used to build scenes. The climax includes a shocking decision of faith and sacrifice, but it comes five pages before an abrupt ending that doesn’t exercise the heart muscle as much as thriller fans expect. (Mar.)