The Dog with the Chip in His Neck: Essays from NPR and Elsewhere

The pieces in this latest collection from Codrescu, writer (The Muse Is Always Half-Dressed in New Orleans) and commentator for National Public Radio's All Things Considered, either have been published previously or were parts of radio broadcasts. The author emigrated to the U.S. in 1966 from Romania, and several of these incisive essays deal with conditions in the post-communist world. An admitted Luddite, Codrescu takes on computers, cyberspace and virtual reality in a series of ironic and witty articles that criticize the electronic revolution for, among other things, inhibiting creativity and eroding freedom and leisure time. He includes entertaining remarks on talk shows, airline travel and the experience of visiting the Coca-Cola Museum. This is informed and entertaining commentary that, despite the humor, makes clear the author's deep concern for his adopted country and for the future of humanity. (July)