Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 02/15/2007
Week of February 13
Nonfiction | Graphic Novels
Nonfiction
Chambers, Veronica. Kickboxing Geishas: How Modern Japanese Women Are Changing Their Nation. Free Pr: S. & S. 2007. c.288p. ISBN 0-7432-7156-4 [ISBN 978-0-7432-7156-1]. $25. SOC SCI
This is a sprightly account of what the author calls her "love affair with Japan." It all began with reading Banana Yoshimoto's 1989 short novel, Kitchen, which, says Chambers (distinguished writer in residence, Univ. of Hawaii, Manua; Mama's Girl), was the model for her own first novel, Miss Black America. When Chambers finally ended up in Japan—after a detour in Paris and a stint as an editor at Newsweek magazine—she was ready to hear everything hot and trendy about Japanese women. As she ticks off the obligatory topics, the focus is as much on her own reactions as on Japanese women. Bright anecdotes illustrate how young women take advantage of economic independence and no longer sacrifice themselves but still face frustrated careers. This will not surprise anyone who follows the newspapers, nor does Chambers set her snapshots into the panorama of Japanese women's modern history. But she comes across as sympathetic and engaging, if sometimes annoyingly self-centered, so the book is still a good read for those who want an introduction. Recommended for comprehensive collections.—Charles W. Hayford, Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL
Cummins, Joseph. History's Great Untold Stories: Larger Than Life Characters & Dramatic Events That Changed the World. National Geographic, dist. by Random. Mar. 2007. c.367p. illus. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-4262-0031-5 [ISBN 978-1-4262-0031-1]. $30. HIST
The tales found within this book have been selected as those that often do not make the cut in a standard history book and yet may have contributed, however unintended, toward pivotal events that followed. Cummins (The Greatest Search and Rescue Stories Ever Told) delights in delving into these more obscure yet arresting episodes, intending to draw in readers who might otherwise pass over a classic examination of historical events. The stories cover a range that includes the history of the fertilizer guano and the Nazi pseudoscientific efforts to trace Aryan origins to Tibet. Cummins's main goal of illustrating the law of unintended consequences, so often observed in history from ancient times to the present, is nimbly achieved with gripping stories and lively writing. The book contains numerous paintings contemporary to the stories, and maps, as well as a bibliography and index. Recommended for public and undergraduate academic libraries.—Sean Fleming, Lebanon P.L., NH
Groopman, Jerome, M.D. How Doctors Think. Houghton. Mar. 2007. c.320p. index. ISBN 0-618-61003-0 [ISBN 978-0-618-61003-7]. $25. HEALTH
Physician Groopman (Dina and Raphael Recanti Chair of Medicine, Harvard Medical Sch.) tackles the question of how we as patients insure that doctors are making the correct decisions. Although doctors are trained to make a diagnosis using logic and reasoning, often they do not have the time to do so. Instead, doctors come to quick decisions based on their experiences and even on their emotional state. Usually, these diagnostic decisions are correct, albeit hasty, but sometimes they are wrong. Because physicians are overworked and bombarded with information, we as patients must slow down the physicians' thought processes enough to ensure they properly hear our symptoms and communicate their thoughts to us. This quick read, both engrossing and informative, delivers on its title and describes what might go wrong. Although it does not provide any easy-to-use tools for consumer health readers, the narrative could be dissected to reveal helpful hints on how to approach one's doctor. Recommended for larger consumer health collections in public libraries and premed or medical school collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/06.]—Rachel M. Minkin, Graduate Theological Union Lib., Berkeley, CA
Rieff, Philip. Charisma: The Gift of Grace, and How It Has Been Taken Away from Us. Pantheon. Feb. 2007. c.288p. index. ISBN 0-375-42452-0 [978-0-375-42452-6]. $27.50. PSYCH
Sociologist Rieff (1922-2006; The Triumph of the Therapeutic) challenges Max Weber and Sigmund Freud and decries the modern emptiness of charisma, a concept that has degraded to extol celebrity and political success. He writes that this change leaves culture without essential interdicts (prohibitions), grace, and inwardness. Jewish and Christian biblical texts, Kierkegaard, Kafka, and Keats are brought to bear. Rieff extols covenant, the importance of restraint, responsibility, and principled enforcement of law. He warns of the limits of knowledge, especially science, which lacks interdicts and cannot distinguish between good and evil. Rieff elaborates his own definition of the therapeutic but fails to confront thinkers like Carl Jung, Otto Rank, Ernest Becker, and James Carse, who also engage deeply with religion, therapy, guilt, death, heroism, terror, and soul. This provocative, often eloquent jeremiad ranges from aphoristic clarity to daunting obscurity. Accessible to intrepid lay readers, it is essential for large libraries and collections in history, social science, philosophy, and religion.—E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Potomac, MD
Zinn, Howard. A Power Governments Cannot Suppress. City Lights, dist. by Consortium. 2007. c.288p. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-87286-455-3 [ISBN 978-0-87286-455-9]. $29.95; pap. ISBN 0-87286-475-8 [ISBN 978-0-87286-475-7]. $16.95. POL SCI
Zinn (political science, emeritus, Boston Univ.; A People's History of the United States) is an implacable critic of those who do not to live up to the American ideals of justice and equality in domestic and foreign affairs. Here, he presents a blistering attack on the political, corporate, and military elites who represent all that is wrong with America in his eyes. Zinn also takes a hard look at the class conflicts too often ignored by more conventional media and scholars. This book is a penetrating analysis of the failures and weaknesses of our rulers, current and historical. However, like many works by this author, it is a bit hectoring and negative in tone. Zinn champions the common man, but his stridency can be off-putting to the less-than-convinced reader. Nevertheless, as a cogent and detailed critique of conventional views on America's past and present, it is recommended for public and academic library current events collections.—Duncan Stewart, Univ. of Iowa Libs., Iowa City
Asamiya, Kia. Junk: Record of the Last Hero. Vol. 1. DrMaster Publns. 2006. 199p. tr. from Japanese by Yoshihiro Watanabe. ISBN 1-59796-107-8 [ISBN 978-1-59796-107-8]. pap. $9.95. F
Hiro, a teenaged boy who has been abused and bullied at school so violently that he has locked himself away from the world for months, receives a package in the mail. It's a prototype suit with superpowers to use as he wishes, as long as he records the results for the creator. Will he become "a god or a devil"? Hiro—a teen tormented into an asocial, amoral state in which his only world is the computer—provides an interesting viewpoint to the story; for him, "great power" and "great responsibility" are emotionally disconnected. In this wild blending of Guyver and Death Note, Asamiya's writing is clever, making Hiro a believable character in an unreal, sci-fi world. Asamiya drew a short run on Uncanny X-Men and an original Batman graphic novel, but it is in the world of manga that his work stands out. The artwork is well suited—sharp and clean in "real life" parts of the story but weird and surreal in the battle scenes. This belongs in collections aimed at high school–aged readers and up.—Nick Smith, Pasadena P.L., CA
Delano, Jamie (text) & Goran Sudzuka & Goran Parlov (illus.). Outlaw Nation. Image Comics. 2006. 456p. ISBN 1-58240-707-X [ISBN 978-1-58240-707-4]. pap. $15.99. F
Delano (Hellblazer; Animal Man; 2020 Visions) borrows William S. Burroughs' division of humanity into "Johnsons and Shits" for this sprawling, American-road movie-style graphic novel, which collects the complete 19-issue run. Outlaw chronicles Story Johnson's efforts to reunite with his Johnson cousins after 25 years MIA in Vietnam. Possessed of a strange longevity (Story is over 100, although he looks 30), the Johnson cousins live by their own moral code that puts them at odds with the federal government and other authority figures (the Shits). Story, an author of 1930s pulp fiction glamorizing the mostly criminal adventures of the Johnson clan, returns to discover a son who has been kidnapped, a father who has been hunting other Johnsons to harvest their blood, and a world of paranoia and disillusionment. The novel's strength is the rich characterizations of the unique and somewhat twisted Johnsons, save Story, who seems swept along by the narrative. Illustrator Sudzuka's vivid black-and-white line drawings bring the characters to life, but the background frequently lacks compelling detail. Overall, an entertaining, if occasionally meandering read best suited for adult collections where Vertigo titles are popular, owing to nudity, violence, and adult themes.—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois Undergraduate Lib., Urbana
Hino, Matsuri. Vampire Knight. Vol. 1. Viz Media. 2007. 200p. tr. from Japanese by Tomo Kimura. ISBN 1-4215-0822-2 [ISBN 978-1-4215-0822-1]. pap. $8.99. F
At Cross Academy, an elite boarding school, the human Day Class is unaware that the Night Class is populated by vampires, and the Disciplinary Committee of Yuki Cross and her foster brother, Zero Kiryu, struggle to keep the classes separate given the beauty and magnetism of the vampires. Even Yuki is not immune: she has a crush on Kaname Kuran, the vampires' leader, whose tender feelings for her are suspicious and mysterious. Although Zero despises vampires because they killed his family, he is turning into one, and when Yuki realizes his secret, she protects him from the Night Class and his self-loathing. Fans of Hino's Meru Puri may carry over, though she reveals in her sidebars that this is a "serious" work, possibly a tragic love story, unlike the enchanting Meru Puri. The artist plays with light and dark costuming between Day and Night Classes and uses strict geometric designs to show the regulation and confinement of Cross Academy. The characters are typical—bubbly heroine, grumpy companion, and the idol—but the detailed character design and the mysteries of characters' pasts and motives create intrigue. Violence and sexuality are minimal in this volume, but later episodes serialized in Shojo Beat suggest future turmoil. A good addition to the popular teen vampire genre.—Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton
Inoue, Takehiko. Vagabond. Vol. 24. Viz Media. Feb. 2007. 208p. tr. from Japanese by Yuki Oniki. ISBN 1-4215-0827-3 [ISBN 978-1-4215-0827-6]. pap. $9.95. F
This manga retelling of one of Japan's most popular novels—Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa—depicts the 17th-century master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. The youth Takezo, one of the few survivors of the Battle of Sekighara, embarks on a journey to defeat the greatest swordsmen in Japan. He faces an orgy of bloodshed, but as he matures, his journey becomes one of self-discovery as well. In Volume 24, Takezo, now called Miyamoto Musashi, rests before a scheduled duel with Master Denshichiro, leader of the Yoshioka School and killer of Musashi's brother. Musashi is drawn outside by the sounds of someone practising swordplay and encounters another swordsman—one who neither talks nor seems to hear anything Musashi says. The swordsman begins to remind Musashi of his former self, and their playful sparring prepares him for his duel with Denshichiro. The black-and-white artwork is spare but in no way lacking. Whether Musashi is meditating, sparring with a snowman, or in full-fledged bloody battle, Inoue's brush is perfectly balanced, and Musashi's hesitation and corresponding attraction to an inevitable encounter are palpable. This volume is a pivotal moment in Musashi's quest, and the series, rated for mature audiences because of graphic violence, is highly recommended for adult manga collections. [Volume 3 was reviewed in the Graphic Novels column, LJ 5/1/03.—Ed.]—Ruthanne Price, Vaughan P.L.s, Ont.
Lee, Ki-Hoon (text) & Seung-Yup Cho. Phantom. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2007. 200p. tr. from Korean by Woo Sok Park. ISBN 978-1-59816-770-2. pap. $9.99. F
This science fiction manhwa begins as a mixture of giant robots, police procedural, a tinge of Bladerunner, and a little bit of Area 88. The central character, K, is a police officer in Neo Seoul and his police vehicle is an outdated suit of battle armor which is outclassed by private agencies and criminals alike. Only his skills get him through the dangerous streets. On an assignment to stop a heavily equipped terrorist, he becomes part of a three-way fight involving a corporate security force. Suddenly, he finds himself on the wrong side of the law, faced with frightening information about the world around him and mysteries about his own past. The story and the art pay tribute to cultural icons ranging from Gundam to John Woo films, and the pacing is quick and enjoyable. No sex and lots of violence but minimal gore, mostly in two gunfight sequences, make this suitable for teen collections with a demand for science fiction or serious manhwa.—Nick Smith, Pasadena P.L., CA
Mihara, Mitsukazu. IC in a Sunflower. Tokyopop. 2007. 200p. tr. from Japanese by Beni Axia Conrad. ISBN 978-1-59816-769-6. pap. $9.99. F
Alternatively titled The Sunflower Quality of an Integrated Circuit, this uneven collection of short stories addresses the human condition by looking at those on the periphery of existence. The first story involves a futuristic world in which an anti-AIDS vaccine has robbed young people of all sexual desire. In the second and most powerful story, a young woman, molested as a child, seeks to create a normal life for herself as an adult. Other stories deal with mental illness, cloning, and unwanted pregnancy. Mihara strives to find the unexpected twist in each of his stories with varying degrees of success; despite that, most are good and one is exceptional, making this manga a worthwhile read. As with all Tokyopop publications, it is well bound and very nicely illustrated in black and white. Rated for ages 18+ with a parental advisory for explicit content, this manga contains nudity and sexuality, and is worth considering for adult collections.—Diane Gallagher-Hayashi, Stelly's Sch., Saanich Sch. Dist., Saanichton, B.C.
Oh, Se-Kwon. Utopia's Avenger. Vol. 1. Tokyopop. 2006. 192p. tr. from Korean by Woo Sok Park. ISBN 1-59816-670-0 [ISBN 978-1-59816-670-5]. pap. $9.99. F
Creator Oh lays a strong foundation for, potentially, one of the best martial arts action manwha series of 2007. In the war-ravaged kingdom Yuldo, two powerful bounty hunters, Gil-Dong and Danu, work to raise funds to rebuild Yuldo and to locate the bandits responsible for the destruction. The duo uses their supernatural martial arts skills to stop a trio of bandits from kidnapping a wealthy merchant's daughter, and they escort her home hoping for a reward. The powers, pasts, and temperaments of the main characters emerge as they dispatch a shape-changing beast, discuss the current predicament of their kingdom, enjoy some comic relief, and fight bandits. The well-crafted plot contains a clear conflict and a few mysteries, and the art features strong lines and remarkable shading. The characters are well developed, highly stylized, and expressive, with detailed outfits that support the ultramodern environment, depicted with diverse science fiction–inspired backgrounds. The martial arts is captured so well that sometimes it's more like action-packed anime than manga, and the magic-infused fighting scenes are some of the best of the year. On its way to becoming an essential series, this will raise the bar for excellence in manga. Contains some graphic violence. Highly recommended for grades 10 and up.—Raphael E. Rogers, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
Ueda, Rinko. Tail of the Moon. Vol. 2. Viz Media. 2006. 200p. tr. from Japanese by Tetsuichiro Miyaki. ISBN 1-4215-0815-X [ISBN 978-1-4215-0815-3]. pap. $8.99. F
Klutzy, spunky Usagi is hopeless as a ninja, so her grandfather sends her to a neighboring village to marry Lord Hanzo and bear his children. Although Usagi is reluctant at first, she soon falls in love with Hanzo but finds him standoffish—he prizes skill and discipline above all else, and she is far from qualifying as a ninja. As Usagi pursues Hanzo, she vows to complete her ninja training. Complications arise when Usagi's ex-fiancé, Goemon, returns and decides he wants her back. The love triangle is further complicated by other suitors, princesses, palace intrigue, and a contest for a love potion. Usagi, despairing over her lack of progress in her ninja training and also in winning Hanzo's heart, decides to leave and accepts an apprenticeship as an herbalist. Accident-prone Usagi is a cute and likable heroine, and romance, drama, and humor make this fluffy, addictive fun with heaps of teen-girl appeal. Dynamic panel design complements the eye-catching artwork. This series is rated age 16+ for brief nudity and some ninja violence. Includes a glossary to help explain historical references and the mysterious ways of the ninja. Recommended.—Emily Williams, Metropolitan Lib. Syst., Oklahoma City
Urasawa, Naoki. Naoki Urasawa's Monster. Vol. 6. Viz Media. 2006. 224p. tr. from Japanese by Noriko Watanabe. ISBN 1-4215-0499-5 [ISBN 978-1-4215-0499-5]. pap. $9.99. F
Everything was going well for talented Japanese surgeon Kenzo Tenma in 1980s West Germany until one decision cost him his career, his freedom, and nearly his life. Now Tenma is on the run, searching for Johan, the boy he saved who has since become the monster in the title of this popular suspense manga. Midway through this volume, Urasawa introduces college student Karl Neumann, whose connection to Johan and Tenma is slowly revealed. It becomes clear that Urasawa is setting up a complex, multicharacter thriller that will roll out over many volumes (reportedly 18). Tenma is committed to saving lives, yet his desire to rectify his great mistake by killing the young man he once saved sets up the series' fundamental conflict. The story is well written, and the art is clean with many details. The European setting and characters are a nice change of pace, though many of the characters share a slightly evil look from the overuse of thin, arched eyebrows, beady eyes, and hooked noses. The books are marked for older teens for violence and occasional nudity, though neither is gratuitous here, but Monster is a dense, rewarding thriller directed for an adult audience and would be an excellent addition to any adult collection.—Mark D. Richardson, Cedar Mill Community Lib., Portland
Yabuki, Kentaro. Black Cat. Vol. 6. Viz Media. 2007. 208p. tr. from Japanese by JN Productions. ISBN 1-4215-0610-6 [ISBN 978-1-4215-0610-4]. pap. $7.99. F
As Black Cat, Train Heartnet was an infamous, ruthless, and matchless assassin working for the Chronos group to enforce order by any means necessary. Black Cat's reputation remains legendary, but Train, along with former investigator Sven Vollfied (and, soon after, girl-shaped superweapon Eve), works as a bounty hunter—a nonfatal, if bloody, enterprise. They deal with everything from thieves and murderers to pet dinosaurs; however, Train's dark past soon catches up with him. Former Chronos colleague Creed Diskenth has megalomaniacal plans that include Train as his right-hand man, and Train will inevitably be caught up in Creed's madness. Soon, the disruptions of Creed and his apostles, as well as old faces from Train's Chronos days, displace our heroes' jobs; Creed's purpose is sinister, and Train may be the only one who can stop him. In the tradition of Rurouni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, and Trigun, this series offers genre-hopping action-adventure with a charming protagonist, unusually muscular foes, and the ultimate conclusion that everyone must face their demons. With Yabuki's cool characters, striking art, and pleasing blend of comedy and darkness, Black Cat makes no mistakes and is recommended for older teens owing to Creed's weird obsession with Train and plenty of cleavage.—Rebecca Schaffner, Saline Dist. Lib., MI
Yuki, Kaori. Godchild. Vol. 4. Viz Media. Feb. 2007. 200p. tr. from Japanese by Akira Watanabe. ISBN 1-4215-0478-2 [ISBN 978-1-4215-0478-0]. pap. $8.99. F
Cain, the 17-year-old Earl of Hargraves, lives a life of mystery and danger in 19th-century London. His fiercely loyal manservant, Riff, helps him pursue the truth behind a secret society known as Delilah and several dark family mysteries, including the untimely death of Cain's father. Cain is opposed by his demented half brother, Doctor Jizabel Disraeli, who has the disturbing hobby of collecting human organs. In this volume, an evil force ransacks a grave and appears to Cain as a younger version of his dead cousin. Riff is kidnapped and poisoned, and Cain's only way to obtain the antidote is by swearing his allegiance to the evil power. A backstory explores Jizabel's relationship with his mother. Bizarre plot twists, frenetic action, and complicated character histories make this a fascinating read that requires full attention. Cain is arrogant and flawed, but his impulsiveness and cocky attitude have appeal. This series will appeal to fans of Gothic lit, dark mysteries, suspense, and horror. Best suited for older teens and adults for graphic violence and adult themes. Recommended.—Emily Williams, Metropolitan Lib. Syst., Oklahoma City
Week of February 6
Fiction | Nonfiction
Fiction
The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction. Solaris: BL Pub. Feb. 2007. c.416p. ed. by George Mann. ISBN 1-84416-448-9 [ISBN 978-1-84416-448-6]. pap. $7.99. SF
This inaugural title of Solaris, a new science fiction, fantasy, and dark imprint of BL Publishing, offers a diverse collection of sf stories ranging from space opera and satire to Martian mysteries and war stories. In the introduction, editor Mann (The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Science Fiction) states that Solaris aims to include new writers, an admirable goal in a genre as indebted to unknown and lesser-known writers as sf. One major problem with such an approach, however, is that the quality of untested writers varies tremendously. The best stories included here are certainly earnest, if imperfect, touching on such classic sf themes as race, class, and human ambition. Other selections are awkward and uninspired and would have been best omitted. For large collections.—Fred Baerkircher, Twinsburg P.L., OH
Wilson, Andrew. The Lying Tongue. Atria: S. & S. Feb. 2007. 320p. ISBN 0-7432-9397-5 [ISBN 978-0-7432-9397-6]. $24. F
With his debut novel, Wilson proves he learned something about psychological suspense when he wrote his biography of Patricia Highsmith (Beautiful Shadow). His protagonist, Adam Woods, is a young Englishman who recently graduated with an art history degree and a deep desire to write. He takes a tutoring job in Venice and plans to spend the majority of his time working on his first book. When the tutoring job falls through, other work magically appears when aging English recluse and former literary star Gordon Crace hires Adam to be his companion. Adam is initially curious about his employer and then determined to uncover his secret—so that he can be the one to write Crace's biography. On the surface all is well, but Wilson infuses Adam and Gordon's cat-and-mouse game with a creeping menace. Neither man is all that he seems (or is perhaps much more so), and the author uses their mind games to suspenseful effect. Recommended for all public libraries.—Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI
Boroch, Ann. Healing Multiple Sclerosis: Diet, Detox & Nutritional Makeover for Total Recovery. Quintessential Healing. Mar. 2007. 392p. index. ISBN 0-9773446-0-6. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
Here, Boroch, a naturopath and certified nutritional consultant, recounts her struggle with MS and her frustration with allopathic treatments, outlining an empowering holistic self-treatment plan. Boroch exposes the role of Candida albicans in MS and offers a clear overview of other risk factors, such as vaccinations, antiobiotic use, and environmental and emotional stress. Featuring delicious recipes, food lists, and a comprehensive supplement protocol, Boroch's five-week nutritional makeover promises to correct acidic diets and curtail yeast and fungus overgrowth. A section on spiritual and psychological health includes affirmations and encouraging words for those embarking on the journey to wellness. Offering the personal narrative and approachable science of Howard L. Weiner's Curing MS, the nutritional emphasis of Roy Laver Swank and Barbara Brewer Dugan's The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book, and the behavioral focus of George H. Kraft's The MS Workbook, Boroch's book is an excellent resource for people who have MS or any other autoimmune disorder. Recommended for all public and health libraries.—Blanche Angelo, Livermore P.L., CA
Lyon, Erica. The Big Book of Birth. Plume: Penguin Group (USA). Mar. 2007. c.352p. illus. index. ISBN 0-452-28768-5 [ISBN 978-0-452-28768-6]. pap. $15. HEALTH
There are a plethora of books available on the topics of pregnancy and childbirth; however, few are devoted entirely to the stages of delivery from the end of the third trimester through postpartum. Here, Lyon (childbirth educator; founder & director, Realbirth Ctr., New York) addresses this critical time. She states in the first chapter, "This book will help you to understand how to trust your body, protect your baby, and navigate your journey to motherhood." Her book is not only thorough but written in a warm, coaching style, which makes for easy reading. She takes women through the stages of labor, providing information on everything from pain medications to relaxation techniques to choosing your midwife or doctor. Line drawings and clear illustrations augment the text; personal anecdotes are well used throughout. Lyon's straightforward style makes this book a welcome addition to consumer health collections; highly recommended for public libraries. (Index not seen.)—Mary Grace Flaherty, Sidney Memorial P.L., NY
See the February 1st Xpress Reviews.
