Web-Exclusive Reviews: Week of 5/25/2009

-- Publishers Weekly, 5/25/2009

Nonfiction

Burn This Book: PEN Writers Speak Out on the Power of the Word
Edited by Toni Morrison. HarperStudio, $16.99 (128p) ISBN 9780061774003
In 11 short essays by some of the world’s premier novelists, this volume explores a simple question: why write? Contributor Paul Auster may put the query best: “Surely it is an odd way to spend your life—sitting alone in a room with a pen in your hand, hour after hour, day after day, year after year, struggling to put words on pieces of paper.” In response, Pico Iyer delivers a moving account of a Burmese trishaw driver living under political oppression, who for years composed (by candlelight) letters to the author, many of which were censored. Orhan Pamuk also explores this intense human hunger for stories and creative freedom with an anecdote from his March 1985 tour of Turkey, on which he introduced Arthur Miller and Harold Pinter to Turkish writers who had suffered “repression, cruelty and outright evil” in a military coup. Francine Prose, on the other hand, makes a lively attempt to separate literature from politics (in which she cops to her own political biases in her choice of examples). The disparate voices produce a complex of reasons that drive writers, though all agree that, as observed by Morrison (wearing both editor and contributor caps), it's a “bleak, unlivable, insufferable existence... when we are deprived of artwork.” (May)

The Canary Sang But Couldn't Fly: The Fatal Fall of Abe Reles, the Mobster Who Shattered Murder, Inc.’s Code of Silence
Edmund Elmaleh. Union Square, $22.95 (240p) ISBN 9781402761133
True crime conspiracy buffs have debated for years the 1941 death of Abe Reles, the mafia squeal who fell out a hotel window while in police custody. Years of shoddy investigation and cover-ups have made it impossible to determine exactly what happened to the “most effective [mafia] informer” law enforcement ever held, but it was clear that every mobster in America wanted him dead. In his only book, recently deceased crime writer Elmaleh (1959-2008) collects evidence from multiple investigations to piece together the events of November 12, 1941. The result is an exhaustive report heavy on detail, but light on excitement. Offering no revelations or climactic discoveries, Elmaleh instead sifts through conjecture and hypotheses that only serve to disprove the theory that Reles killed himself—an explanation none but the most naive accepted in the first place. Still, mob history buffs will be pleased with Elmaleh's attention to detail and hefty collection of transcripts. Unfortunately, it's beyond Elmaleh to satisfy casual true crime readers, if only because the Reles case remains far from solved. (May)

The Conservatives: Ideas and Personalities Throughout American History
Patrick Allitt . Yale Univ., $35 (336p) ISBN 9780300118940
Author and professor Allit (I’m the Teacher, You’re the Student, Religion in Americ Since 1945)probes the origins of American conservatism from a time when “conservative” was a descriptor, not a movement. Taking an even-handed approach, Allitt acknowledges the conservative tendency toward self-interest (pessimism and complacency being “characteristic vices”), but finds that, at its best, the conservative message illuminates “hidden or neglected insights about the human existence” (i.e, the realities of inequality and free-market justice). From present-day questions of taxation and big government, Allitt traces conservative principles to the earliest days of the republic. (The history of their specious abandonment is almost as old; Thomas Jefferson railed against Hamilton's big-government “loose construction of the Constitution,” before coming to power and using the same principle to justify the Louisiana Purchase.) Allitt charts the schism between Northern and Southern conservatives before, during and after the Civil War, bringing to light those forgotten abolitionists who also supported secession. Allitt also investigates the isolationists who, after WWII, became the leading cold warriors, and other latter-20th century issues like Civil Rights, desegregation and affirmative action. Cutting across the stereotypes of present-day conservatism, this nuanced, thoughtful history should educate the unaffiliated and help the disillusioned recover. (May)

The Earth Moves: Galileo and the Roman Inquisition
Dan Hofstadter. Norton, $23.95 (192p) ISBN 9780393066500
Hofstadter (Falling Palace: A Romance of Naples) draws upon his intimate knowledge of Italian culture, literature and art—as well as new material released from Vatican archives—for this political, scientific and psychological examination of the “first great clash of religion and science,” between Galileo and Pope Urban VIII, two seminal figures who were, incredibly, once friends. The context for Galileo’s 1633 trial involved political and scientific upheavals involving better technology (Galileo's major improvements on the telescope) and a 1616 Church edict against heliocentrism meant to protect the Scripture from the free interpretation of laypeople. Despite the political cost, Galileo produced a philosophic treatise on the subject, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems (originally licensed for publication by the Church) that championed the “banned hypothesis thesis” and suggested that astronomical references in scripture were metaphorical. Hofstadter tells the concise, absorbing tale of Galileo's persecution with both sides of the conflict in mind, charting with grace the genesis of the Western world's most persistent ideological divide. (May)

Friends of the Family: The Inside Story of the Mafia Cops Case
Tommy Dades and Micahel Vecchione with David Fisher. Morrow, $26.99 (272p) ISBN 9780060874261
The 2005 case of “mafia cops” Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa rocked New York and the brotherhood that protects it. Two crooked NYPD officers who, throughout their careers, worked as hitmen for the Lucchese crime family, the duo came to justice only after 20 years of effort from law enforcement officers determined to put together all the pieces. Dades, a detective on the case, and Vecchione, a prosecutor, tell the story of the professionals who actually broke the case in a thorough step-by-step procedural. Author Fisher keeps the narrative moving with a good balance of police work, politics and mafia drama, channeling with authority (and the coaching of Dades and Vecchione) the voices of the street as well as the police force. Those expecting a Sopranos-style mob narrative will find this heavy on the police work, but true crime fans should be happy to get past the hype and into the nitty-gritty of this infamous case. (May)

 Just Like Family: Inside the Lives of Nannies, the Parents They Work for, and the Children They Love
Tasha Blaine. Harcourt, $25 (336p) ISBN 9780151010516
Six months as a nanny left then-MFA student Blaine with a newfound respect for the in-home childcare worker and a book idea; after five years of research, she's produced a fascinating, intimate portrait of three nannies selflessly devoted to raising (and loving) other people's children. In a single, confident narrative, Blaine introduces Claire, worried that she'll soon be out of a job, and considering the first real steps toward her dream of becoming a nurse; Vivian, a former Nanny of the Year Award winner, who transforms chaos into “a methodical process in which every problem [is] anticipated, dealt with, and consistently managed”; and divorcee Kim, who finds the career helps fulfill her lifelong aspiration to be a mother. Like parenthood, nannyhood is not for the faint of heart or those without hefty reserves of self-esteem: besides comments like “nobody smart wants to be a nanny,” the narrative includes plenty of situations in which nannies attempt to help in family decisions, only to be rebuffed. Blaine doesn't draw any conclusions or force any confrontations, a la Barbara Ehrenreich, focusing on the emotional weight of her subjects' work. This gentler tone allows for a subtle, complex portrait of the nanny-family relationship, but those with a strong justice reflex may feel frustrated. (June)

The Lost Chalice: The Epic Hunt for a Priceless Masterpiece
Vernon Silver. Morrow, $26.99 (352p) ISBN 9780061558283
Focusing on a piece by the renowned ancient Greek vase painter and potter Euphronios, archeologist and journalist Silver presents a captivating tale of ancient art as a modern hot commodity. Euphoronius’ “lost” kylix (chalice) mysteriously reappeared in the early 1970s after 2,400 years, it was purchased at auction in 1990 by a man identified only as a “European dealer,” and again disappeared from public view. Silver deftly traces the intricate path of the chalice from Cerveteri, Italy, where robbers unearthed the Greppe Sant’Angelo tomb complex in 1971. The multifaceted story is grippingly revealed by Silver, who writes with verve and aplomb, along with the tale of a companion krater, or vase, by Euphronios, long housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and returned to Italy in 2008 under a landmark arrangement. Silver’s telling is infused with an infectious curiosity about the illicit art trade and an equally infectious appreciation of the art itself, adding up to a fascinating look at “the dealings of tomb robbers, smugglers, wealthy collectors, ambitious archaeologists, and corrupt curators.” (June)

The Real Book of Real Estate: Real Experts. Real Stories. Real Life.
Robert Kiyosaki. Vanguard, $19.95 paper (512p) ISBN 9781593155322
Even after the dramatic burst of the real estate bubble, Kiyosaki (Rich Dad Poor Dad) asserts that property assets still offer fantastic opportunities for investment and on-going cash flow. In this guide to navigating markets, leases, financing and taxes, Kiyosaki draws on the experience of his real estate advisors— experts in law, accounting, deal making and property management—who dispense practi-cal advice and straight-from-the-field wisdom. The content is unfailingly useful (and entertaining to boot) but the organization of the guide misses the mark. Each contributor has a markedly different style and the book reads more like a variety of stand-alone guides packaged together rather than as a coherent text. Despite the choppiness and some significant repetition in material, Kiyosaki’s latest has benefit for both novice and experienced real estate investors who want to learn how to make the most of the real estate market, especially during turbulent times. (May)

Lifestyle

How to Shop for a Husband: A Consumer Guide to Getting a Great Buy on a Guy
Janice Lieberman with Bonnie Teller. St. Martin’s, $22.95 (224p) ISBN 9780312549985
While far from romantic, this common sense dating guide from NBC’s Today show consumer reporter offers some charming—if simple—advice for spotting good deals on the dating market. For example, research on marital success indicates that “shoppers” should seek someone as similar in social status and background as possible; Lieberman makes this her Mirror-Image Rule (i.e, “Be Sure to Use the Mirror in the Dressing Room”). A chapter on “Good User Interface” asserts that “the killer app when it comes to guys is good communication.” Some may be turned off by the hyper-practical (some might say “traditional”) tone: “Marriers are guys who like to be married. They need a woman who will coordinate their social lives… their homes and just generally provide support.” Still, Lieberman provides enough hints and data to prove she’s done her comparison shopping; a careful analysis of modern methods for mate-finding (online, group events, professional matchmakers, flying solo) is exceedingly helpful and demystifying; the shocker is that face-to-face speed dating is the best option for busy professionals interested in high-quality dating candidates. Though at times familiar, this rational dating primer makes a solid, sound and self-aware alternative to The Rules. (May)

 Keel’s Simple Diary: Volume One
Phillipp Keel. Taschen, $15 paper (136p) 9783836512268 With an addictive design and curious text, this collection of fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, word associations, lists and esoteric koans give readers the “simple tools” to create unique, memorable daily records without all the heavy lifting of blank journals. The idea is simple: open to any of 100-plus form pages, fill in the date, and answer the list of prompts that follow. Each starts with three ill-fitting choices to describe the day (i.e. “a measure,” “drilling,” or “a treasure”?) and a request for an explanation. More or less random prompts follow (“Who gets away with it?”, “You get homesick whenever you...”, “It Is Too Exciting”) along with an often-bizarre, occasionally resonant meditation (“A wide selection, like perfection, generates confusion”). Artist Keel posits that these daily exercises help winnow a world of “too much information and not enough meaning”; if nothing else, this surprisingly compulsive form diary rescues journal-keepers from the tedium of a blank page and the headaches of a blog platform. (May)

The Spice Kitchen
Michal Haines. Interlink, $29.95 (192p) ISBN 9781566567541
New Zealand chef Haines presents a richly-layered, curiously organized (chapter titles include “Mezze,” “Luxury Sundays,” “Dinner at the Yees,” “Winter Blues”) tour of global spices and seasonings, leaning heavily on Asia, India and the Middle East. Fellow Kiwis will likely get the most out of the book, as few Americans have easy access to spices like kokum, green and brown cardamom, cassia bark, amchur and seemingly ubiquitous kaffir lime leaves; further, Haines offers no substitution suggestions. That said, those with patience and a good list of Internet sources should find plenty of flavorful projects to tackle, the most ambitious of which may be Siamese Mussaman Chicken Curry, a multi-step meal requiring 29 ingredients. Recipes aren’t all that complex; Simple Ginger Shrimp, for one, lives up to its name. Happily, some vibrant desserts make the cut, including Arabian White Coffee Ice Cream and a Spicy Chocolate Ginger Tart (sure to give brownie-lovers new perspective). Ideal for adventurous cooks with access to well-stocked ethnic groceries, though anyone uninterested in working to broaden their palettes might be frustrated. (June)

Illustrated

Jo Ann Callis: Woman Twirling
Edited by Judith Keller. Getty (Oxford, dist.), $29.95 (96p) ISBN 9780892369560
Accompanying an exhibit at The Getty Center in L.A, this volume highlights three decades of work (1970s-’90s) from “one of the first important practitioners of the Fabricated Photographs Movement,” Jo Ann Callis. Callis’s simple but troubling images of domesticity investigate its potential for both comfort and anxiety; in her introduction, senior Getty Center curator Keller notes Callis’s “Hitchcock-like bent to create a scene subtly loaded with the attractive as well as the horrible.” In a piece titled Woman and Lilies, a woman’s face appears in a bottom corner against a background of flowered wallpaper; her placement, lighting, looming shadow and her raised hand indicate, subtly an approaching threat or off-screen tragedy. Another image, Man and Plant, backgrounds its screaming (laughing?) human subject behind a potted house plant; the effect is similar, a ribbon of horror or madness mixed into the seemingly innocuous. A master of creating mood, Callis forces discomfort on an audience used to making narrative sense from a still photograph. Keller applauds Callis’s ability to “make the beautiful scary,” but this collection shows that the inverse—that Callis makes the scary beautiful—is equally accurate. 55 color and 15 b&w plates. (May)

Fiction

Dune Road
Jane Green. Viking, $25.95 (340p) ISBN 9780670020867
In the latest inviting summer read from bestseller Green (The Beach House), divorced mom Kit Hargrove learns about family, love, and the price of secrets while rediscovering passion for life and her small Connecticut beach town. As the off-season begins, Kit is still recovering from the breakup of her marriage (to solicitous but work-obsessed Adam), working for famously reclusive author Robert McClore, and practicing yoga with her new friend Tracy. Upheaval soon arrives in the form of a mysterious new boyfriend and a long-lost sister, as well as a scandalous secret regarding Kit’s much-desired employer. Green's newest has all the right elements for a sun-baked afternoon of reading: sandy locales, hints of sex and scandal, and lots of strong female characters. With three main plots, however, Green tries to pack in too much story, ultimately shortchanging her characters and her readers. (June)