Arts & Humanities

This straightforward work introduces the major creators of American Indian jewelry working today. Arranged by artist, the book includes a biography of each of the 65 profiled jewelry makers accompanied by a photograph of the artist and his or her tribal affiliation. There is almost no discussion of the artists' work, although art dealer Bahti (Collecting Southwestern Native American Jewelry) provides beautifully reproduced photographs of each artist's pieces. The illustrated jewelry is striking and demonstrates the distinctive artistic iconography and heritage of each tribe; viewing how similar motifs are handled by different artists is fascinating. Bahti also includes a useful glossary of terms and a list of Indian markets and fairs with locations, organized by month. This is a helpful book for dealers and collectors, providing insight into an important aspect of modern jewelry design in the United States.—Martin Chasin, Fairfield, CT

Superheroes rely on fashion to back them up—morphing from street clothes to extraordinary, body-clinging gear, wearing capes that allow them to fly, sporting masks that conceal their true identity. Fashion, in turn, relies on the promise of superheroes, that we will experience the same transformative, even erotic power when we put on an item of clothing. Fantasy, the key word in this catalog, sums up the book's playful metallic cover, its glossy and revealing runway pictures of comic book—inspired designer garb, and images of various superheroes (277 illus. total, most in color). Pulitzer Prize—winning author Michael Chabon contributes an essay on "unitard theory," while Bolton, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, which hosted the Superheroes show earlier this year, focuses on the pop corpus of superheroes. Chapters range from "The Patriotic Body" to "The Virile Body" to "The Postmodern Body." If all the cultural references and extreme outfits seem a bit of a stretch, isn't that what fantasy (and Superman's spandex) is for? Recommended for specialized fashion or comic art collections.—Prudence Peiffer, Washington, DC

This catalog of the comprehensive exhibition of British art held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium, is about an artistic tradition rarely examined on the Continent. Director of the museum, Hoozee includes essays considering two defining characteristics of British art—observation and imagination—within the context of society, landscape, and the visionary. Introductory essays by curator and critic Timothy Hyman and John Gage (Color and Culture) provide a fascinating overview. As Britain became a global economic power, its culture became an inspiration and influence in the art of continental Europe. This artistic tradition was an alternative to the predominance of Paris from 1750 to 1950. Specific influences and themes are discussed but limited to their beginnings owing to space constraints. The influence of Flemish and Dutch artistic traditions on British art is explained as the relocations to England of such artists as Anthony van Dyck. This beautifully produced and scholarly volume, containing 350 color plates and a comprehensive bibliography, makes an original contribution to modern British art. Recommended for every college and art library.—Martin Chasin, Fairfield, CT

Perhaps no other prominent American artist has been photographed more than painter Georgia O'Keeffe, who moved to New Mexico in 1949 and lived to the age of 99. Photographer Alfred Stieglitz first met her in 1916; over 20 years, she was his subject for more than 350 portraits, including the famous hand studies. Later, many more legendary artists also photographed her, including Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Philippe Halsman, Arnold Newman, and Irving Penn. Danly, a curator at the Portland (ME) Museum of Art, collects several decades of O'Keeffe portraits by a wide range of photographers, which she pairs chronologically with O'Keeffe's paintings and sculptures. Coinciding with a major traveling exhibition, this historical presentation gives us a view of the artist through several lenses. Featuring an introduction by Barbara Buhler Lynes, curator at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and an extensive essay by Danly, the book also includes an O'Keeffe chronology and an exhibition checklist. Similar in scope to Two Lives: Georgia O'Keeffe & Alfred Stieglitz (1992), this catalog is recommended for all collections.—Shauna Frischkorn, Millersville Univ., PA

Published to accompany a major traveling exhibition, this work records a fertile and innovative period in Spanish art history. The court of Philip III (1578–1621) ushered in a time of elaborate celebrations and religious festivals, a major expansion in new building, and an unprecedented rage for art collecting in the Spanish court. Spain's art became more naturalistic and expressive; the royal portraits are masterpieces of detailed elegance, and the religious figures have reality and solidity new to the genre. By treating not only the best-known artists but also less-well-known contributors to the changing approach to painting, Baer (senior curator, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) and Schroth (senior curator, Nash Museum, Duke Univ.) offer a series of elegant and enlightening essays. This is far more than an exhibition catalog: it is an impressive exposition of a significant transition period in Spanish art and culture. With splendid illustrations (170 color plates), detailed biographies of the exhibited artists, and extensive notes, this is an important contribution and deserves a place in every art library, academic library, and large public collection.—Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York

This exhibition catalog studies the lives and work of Thomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner, who became preeminent silversmiths in the early years of the republic. After moving from Boston to Philadelphia in 1811, their business prospered, and their fame and the quality of their silver pieces grew with the commissions they received for huge, exquisitely executed tributes for the heroes of the War of 1812, which established the firm's national reputation. They sold household silver and jewelry and other luxury items. Fennimore (curator emeritus, Winterthur Museum, DE) and Wagner (associate curator of decorative arts, Winterthur Museum) include, e.g., an illuminating chapter on the precious metal trades in Philadelphia and one on the antique models for the firm's pieces. Part 2 is a catalog of the traveling exhibition, featuring detailed photographs of each piece with a full description and indication of provenance. A result of the pioneering research of the authors, this first book-length study of the firm redresses a serious omission in the history of American silver. Despite lacking footnotes and prominent listings of the dates and places of the exhibition, this volume deserves to be in every academic and public library.—Martin Chasin, Fairfield, CT

This monograph with a capital M—at over 500 pages and with 400 color illustrations—presents an exhaustive look at mask culture in Guro society. Fischer (former director, Museum Rietberg, Zurich) takes an ethnographic approach to his research on Guro masks, discussing how they are used in performances and what they represent to the Guro people. Fischer also focuses on the early Guro masters of mask carving and living sculptors. Some of the most fascinating chapters combine artist interviews and photographs to document carving techniques. Fischer translates and expands his earlier Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste; both books are based on fieldwork in Guro from 1975 and 1984. Other good publications that examine African masks include Peter Stepan's Spirits Speak: A Celebration of African Masks and Iris Hahner-Herzog and others' African Masks: The Barbier-Mueller Collection, but none focuses so thoroughly on the Guro people as Fischer's book. Recommended for all collections (both anthropological and art historical) that include cultural objects from the Ivory Coast.—Kraig Binkowski, Yale Ctr. for British Art, New Haven, CT

Grimberg, a psychiatrist and art historian, has authored and edited several books and exhibition catalogs on the poignant life and works of Frida Kahlo. In these two recent books, Grimberg focuses both on Kahlo's creative process and on how her works, self-portraits and still lifes, complement each other and serve as windows to consider the artist and her other paintings. Song of Herself centers on a series of interviews between Kahlo and Olga Campos, a psychologist and Kahlo's friend; Kahlo's words have been grouped together to present her revealing musings on a variety of subjects, such as children, sexuality, politics, and her own body. Following the interviews are two brief sections, one that details the artist's medical history and the other, an assessment of the artist by a modern-day psychologist. In the landmark book Still Lifes, Grimberg critically examines each of Kahlo's documented still lifes (all 40 that are known are reproduced here), showing how they complement the self-portraits and reflect the character of the artist just as well. In addition to color reproductions of Kahlo's striking art, these two titles include black-and-white photographs of the artist. Offering original perspectives on Kahlo's life, art, and mind, Grimberg's books are recommended for academic and special libraries with art history, psychology, or gender studies collections.—Jennifer Pollock, Yale Ctr. for British Art, New Haven, CT

The enthusiasm of archaeologist and prolific author Hawass radiates from this book. Hawass is the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, and he discovered the tombs of the pyramid builders at Giza and identified the mummy of pharaoh Hatshepsut. His presentation of objects in this book follows the path of the tomb chambers in their order of excavation by Howard Carter. Hawass tells the story of the tomb's discovery as seen through the eyes of Carter and of the Egyptians who worked with him. Many of the 26 foldouts show top/bottom, front/back, and side images of objects pictured elsewhere from only one viewpoint. Although lavishly illustrated (featuring 324 color illustrations) with photographs by Vannini, who has contributed to many other archaeological volumes, this is no mere coffee-table book. Not to be outshone by the magnificent images, Hawass's text provides a history of the process of Carter's discovery. Recommended for high school, public, academic, and special libraries.—Nancy J. Mactague, Aurora Univ. Lib., IL

This slip-cased, oversized book, weighing 20 pounds and containsing over 2000 illustrations, summarizes the life and work of the most important modern architect of the 20th century: the legendary, controversial, and confrontational Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier was not exclusively an architect but an artist (painter and sculptor), urbanist, author, furniture designer, world traveler, and media figure. What is most impressive in this volume are the huge-scale photographs drawn from the Le Corbusier archives at the Fondation Le Corbusier in France. These photographs are personal, professional, indicative, anecdotal, illustrative, and symbolic of the entire saga of Le Corbusier's life and career over 60 years. They make this book an absolute gold mine for anyone wanting to understand and steep themselves in the spirit and character of this greatest modern architect of the last century. The written material is also first-rate: Jean-Louis Cohen, France's best-known historian of modern architecture, contributes an informative introduction, and Tim Benton, a well-known British architectural historian, writes opening texts for individual chapters. Recommended for architecture and art libraries as well as public libraries with serious art collections.—Peter S. Kaufman, Boston Architectural Ctr.

This unusual volume is part political statement, part art book. Self-taught painter McClancy pairs her portraits of current and recent Democratic Party leaders with texts and speeches by her subjects. McClancy's portraits are extreme close-ups, displaying a greater emphasis on capturing character than on artistic breakthrough. Politically, the book pulls no punches; John Kerry's foreword is a frank celebration of the party, and an essay contributed by Peter Frank (senior curator, Riverside Art Museum, CA) calls the current American exercise of democracy "foolish" and "venal," and he states, "Like so many of us, [McClancy] has watched the federal government corrode under the weight of fatuous ideology." Figures included are not surprises—Howard Dean, Al Gore, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, along with 14 other Democratic luminaries. Speech transcripts and thumbnail biographies of each accompany the portraits. Libraries interested in the book's political or artistic content should purchase, with the understanding that it presents a decidedly partisan point of view.—Kathryn Wekselman, MLn, Cincinnati

Best-selling novelist Banks's (Cloudsplitter; The Sweet Hereafter) first work of nonfiction was developed from a television interview with a French documentary producer two years ago, which was translated into French and is now available in English in the United States. Originally directed to a French audience to describe the history of the American people, the content is nonetheless enlightening to Americans, too. The book presents, essentially, an interdisciplinary overview of America from Colonial times to the present and America's development out of spiritual, ethical, and materialistic impulses. Banks's narrative is not always flattering, as he dissects our national myths and exposes the realities, but it may nudge readers to take an introspective look at themselves and our nation. The book is also not comprehensive, but it is a condensed and holistic construct of American history, eloquently written and highly readable. Banks ends with an implicit warning about our nationalism, which he describes as a destructive force, a fervor and mass hallucination, that can control our thinking. Recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Mark Alan Williams, Library of Congress

Drawn primarily from lesser-known publications and blogs, the 28 pieces in this collection together reflect an attempt to introduce writers outside the mainstream, new voices on the literary scene. In his introduction, Gutkind, founder and editor of the literary journal Creative Nonfiction, writes that the pieces "demonstrate the versatility and strength of this genre we call creative nonfiction." Highlights include Laura Sewell Matter's "Pursuing the Great Bad Novelist," in which she tracks down the author of some pages found on the beach in Iceland, and Pagan Kennedy's portrait of Alex Comfort, "The Dangerous Joy of Dr. Sex." On the other hand, there is Donovan Hohn's "Moby-Duck," about plastic toys gone astray in the ocean, which starts interestingly enough but goes on interminably, and Stefan Fatsis's "My Glove," about the writer's baseball mitt, which did not hold this reviewer's attention, even as a baseball fan. There is certainly a lot of variety here, but the selections included don't reflect this reviewer's idea of "the best." A better selection of creative nonfiction can be found in The Best American Magazine Writing 2007.—Gina Kaiser, Univ. of the Sciences Lib., Philadelphia

Trying to deconstruct Kafka's writing is an ambitious undertaking. Kafka's stories and characters, not to mention the term Kafkaesque and its evocations, are familiar to millions of people, many of whom have never read anything he wrote. It's easy for readers to come to Kafka with a prefabricated impression—e.g., he was a genius writer, neglected in his lifetime, who ordered that all his works should be destroyed; he was lonely, stuck in a dead-end job, and tormented by fear of sex. The focus of British novelist Hawes's (Speak for England) book is to debunk these myths of Kafka, an ambitious, earthly lawyer and literary figure who lived an adjusted life—and even enjoyed "expensive porn." Taking a satirical approach, Hawes intends to reveal the truth beneath the image academics and critics have maintained and to restore Kafka for a general audience using "long-lost dynamite" never presented before. This includes reproductions of pictures and drawings, most of an erotic and pornographic nature. Despite the humorous style, this book is an original, fact-based study presenting some provocative ideas that will be of interest to Kafka scholars and students. Highly recommended for research and comprehensive literary collections.—Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ. Lib., Ithaca, NY

Coming late to fiction writing, Maclean (1902–90) wrote his first book, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories, at age 70, after he had retired from a 45-year teaching career at the University of Chicago. That book, consisting of two novellas and a short story, brought rave reviews and even more acclaim after Robert Redford's film adaptation. This book introduces readers to Maclean's life and writing, collecting previously unpublished essays, stories, letters, and selections from his two books. Rooted in his native Montana, where he returned every summer to the cabin he had helped his father build, the man who emerges from these pages is funny, irreverent, and thoughtful. He was homeschooled until he was 11 and absorbed his father's lessons in writing lean, penetrating prose. Of particular interest are Maclean's letters, which give careful, insightful writing advice to friends and former students. This book will appeal to those who love fly-fishing, hunting, the Forest Service, and, above all, good writing.—Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

This entertaining and informative book is not about the unknowable "anonymous," but the use of anonymity and pseudonymity by known authors. Noting that there is no simple or consistent set of rules—e.g., some authors would publish certain works anonymously and others under their name—Mullen (English, Univ. Coll. London) illustrates a variation on the use of anonymity. Thus, for instance, there is "mischief," as in the cases of Swift, Scott, and, more recently, Joe Klein, where the "anonymous" writer encourages speculation. There are others such as Lewis Carroll who were concerned about privacy rather than concealment. Mullen also includes those who preferred anonymity out of modesty or when there was an issue of danger, especially when authoring inflammatory works. He also treats the cases of women who wrote as men and men who wrote as women, as well as of the 19th-century practice of anonymous reviewing. Highly recommended.—T.L. Cooksey, Armstrong Atlantic State Univ., Savannah, GA

George Orwell (1903–50) is best remembered for his dark and prophetic political novels, Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949). In addition to four other novels, he also produced some of the best book-length nonfiction of the modernist era, including Down and Out in Paris and London (1933) and Homage to Catalonia (1939). Harcourt is now republishing in two volumes his collected essays, compiled by Packer (The Assassin's Gate: America in Iraq). What is most astonishing about these essays are their continuing freshness and relevancy more than half a century after Orwell's death. All are worth reading for some combination of literary, historical, or cautionary merit. His criticism of art and politics (and sometimes both) remains spot-on, and the "unpleasant facts" he considers, including war, poverty, homelessness, lack of adequate medical care, and even schoolboy bullying, are unfortunately still familiar topics. Orwell's crisp and clear journalistic writing style remains highly accessible to 21st-century readers, with the occasional, now obscure reference illuminated by Packer's notes. Essential for academic libraries; highly recommended for public libraries.—Alison M. Lewis, formerly with Drexel Univ. Lib., Philadelphia

Solotaroff has been a magazine and book editor, reviewer, essayist, and writing instructor and has authored various books, including two memoirs (Truth Comes in Blows; First Loves). This collection includes previously published essays, some of which have been revised for this volume, as well as newer ones. Divided into five parts, the book in the first four sections primarily contains reviews—of fiction, biographies and autobiographies, poetry, and Jewish writing. Although they are well written, amusing, and judicious, they may not appeal to general readers. A major exception is Solotaroff's moving, personal, and thorough appreciation of the American critic Alfred Kazin, offering a balanced survey of his career. The final section, which includes five general pieces on authorship, presents expert and sympathetic advice and will be of interest to any young writer; especially good is the author's essay on the reasons he decided to abandon what would have been his first novel. This collection sheds light on the state of American literature and authorship. Recommended for upper-level and graduate academic collections.—Morris Hounion, New York City Coll. of Technology Lib., Brooklyn

In this short, poignant, and thoroughly engaging memoir, Amherst professor and Latin American literary studies scholar Stavans takes us on his own personal journey to understand the reemergence of Hebrew as a vital and necessary step in his own intellectual and emotional development, as well as an important milestone in the origins of the modern state of Israel. His journey is also a quest to understand better the secularist Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, who at the end of the 19th century sought to revive Hebrew, engaging in a "linguistic resurrection." Stavans's intellectual journey parallels his search for concrete traces of Ben-Yehuda in Israel, ending with a visit to his gravestone. This personal memoir is supplemented with an informative acknowledgments section that will enable readers to find the sources for Stavans's immense knowledge of Ben-Yehuda's life and the history and development of Hebrew, Zionism, and the interrelationships with other languages and cultures. While an index of terms and names would have been helpful, the abbreviated chronology is a welcome addition. Recommended.—Herbert E. Shapiro, Empire State Coll. of the State Univ. of New York, Rochester

On August 21, 1939, the Kern County (CA) Board of Supervisors voted to ban The Grapes of Wrath from its schools and libraries to the chagrin of librarian Gretchen Knief. Wartzman (The King of California: J.G. Boswell and the Making of a Secret American Empire) uses the ban of Steinbeck's best-selling novel as a springboard to discuss the forces that led to it—forces that had more to do with politics than morality. He uses the censorship case as an opportunity to shine a wider light on the political and economic climate of south central California in the wake of the 1930s dust bowl migration, exploring the larger issues that divided radicals and reactionaries, labor and management, social reformers and anticommunists. Detailed portraits of the local businessmen, politicians, and labor leaders caught up in the struggle enliven the text. Recommended for research libraries, especially those with strong collections in labor history and American studies.—William Gargan, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., CUNY

Celebrated American composer and conductor Adams's memoir chronicles his life from his upbringing as a talented clarinetist in rural New England to his countercultural coming-of-age as a Harvard undergraduate in the 1960s to his embrace of the musical life and vibrant scene of the Bay Area. Adams writes candidly of his compositions and those of his contemporaries in language accessible to the lay reader. Adams—through his engaging orchestral works, such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning On the Transmigration of Souls and his several landmark "docu-operas" like Nixon in China and Doctor Atomic (opening at the New York Metropolitan Opera this October)—has emerged as one of the most admired of all living composers. His book proceeds chronologically, but Adams frequently pauses to reflect on the nature of composing and the state of contemporary music. As one of the most inclusive of contemporary composers—his palette covers pop, jazz, and myriad global idioms—he shares his unique perspective on the multiple traditions that inform his musical language. Adams writes articulately about his life and works and the larger social context from which they emerge. Highly recommended for all collections.—Larry Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, PA

Tango has been the subject of several recent books, from Marina Palmer's Kiss and Tango to Irene D. Thomas and Larry M. Sawyer's The Temptation To Tango to Robert Farris Thompson's Tango: The Art History of Love. Cookbook author and novelist Cusumano, as her web site (www.camillecusumano.com) declares, "is a writer who dances tango," and here she recounts her journey toward self-awareness set in the context of an extraordinary year spent in Buenos Aires. According to Cusumano, tango—like yoga and Zen, which she also practices—is a way of life, and her keen and colorful observations of everything from the milongas (tango dance halls) and her dance wardrobe to the people she met and danced with to the neighborhoods she lived in and the foods she ate create a thoughtful account redolent with the sights, sounds, and tastes of her own tango experience. Cusumano's book is recommended for public library collections serving dancers, armchair travelers, and literary-essay fans.—Carolyn M. Mulac, Chicago P.L.

Essayist and fiction writer Epstein (Snobbery: The American Version; Fabulous Small Jews: Stories) turns his discerning gaze to the legendary dancer and star Fred Astaire. Although he presents general biographical details, Epstein's chief concern is with Astaire the artist, and he thoroughly scrutinizes all aspects of his talent. Epstein devotes attention to every facet of the Astaire image, discussing at length his physical characteristics and unique sense of style. He also spends a good portion of the book addressing Astaire's dancing partners and the varying success of each. Most biographies tend to focus on the sensational details of the life lived; Epstein, however, places the magic of Astaire's art front and center, which results in an astute and ardent examination. The author's passion for his subject makes this an engaging read, even for those with only cursory knowledge of Astaire. Essential for all dance collections and recommended for all performing arts collections in universities and large public libraries.—Katherine Litwin, Chicago

Python confidant and author Johnson (The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close) chronicles the five-week Tunisian shoot for the Monty Python classic Life of Brian, with day-by-day reminiscences from September and October 1978. A fan and fanzine writer, Johnson eventually met members of the British comedy troupe and was invited to join them and record his observations during the filming of the movie. Johnson's accounts—of, e.g., the ingenuities of set creation, changeable North African weather, late-night gatherings in hotel bars and restaurants, and even a cameo from former Beatle (and film producer) George Harrison—are presented in a workmanlike yet easygoing and readable style. Including interviews he conducted on set, Johnson conveys the excitement of being a fan who gets to witness his heroes creating art. Indispensable for Python fans, this book should also appeal to film buffs in general; those less fanatical or not familiar with the film would do better to start with general histories like The Pythons: Autobiography. Recommended for larger public libraries and academic libraries with film collections.—Jim Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ

Admirers of jazz should be deeply thankful for Ratliff, New York Times jazz critic and author of Coltrane: The Story of a Sound. Jazz is perhaps the most elusive art form to discuss and critique, and Ratliff's latest book fills a vacuum in the realm of understanding jazz. Originally published as a series in the New York Times, the 15 conversations presented here consist of Ratliff sitting down with such diverse and talented luminaries as Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Paul Motian, and Dianne Reeves. The treasure of these conversations is not just their fluid and intimate manner but their focus on the recordings that had the greatest influence on the artists and their musical paths. Ratliff's insight that one may understand musicians more by discussing the music that moves them rather than the music they have created results in a unique rendering of some of the major jazz artists of our time. An added bonus is the recommended-listening section, in which Ratliff shares his list of his subjects' seminal recordings. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA

Is it possible that a kitsch-infused, over-the-top gangster flick that at the time of its release 25 years ago was considered a piece of unmitigated dreck is in fact an iconic cultural linchpin? According to Pulitzer Prize-nominated critic and Entertainment Weekly editor-at-large Tucker, it is, and he may be right. The confluence of director Brian de Palma, screenwriter Oliver Stone, and star Al Pacino yielded the perfect 1980s Sturm und Drang of gangster ethos and has been incessantly imitated in all facets of contemporary pop culture. Tucker's text is divided into two main sections. The first explores the film's inception and development and the personalities involved. The second half details historical and cinematic antecedents, pop culture manifestations, and significance. Replete with interesting interviews, insider anecdotes, and trenchant critical commentaries, Tucker's book is recommended for all cinema and popular culture collections.—Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX

Slavitt, a poet and translator of over 80 works of fiction, poetry, and drama, presents a new translation of this philosophical classic directed at general readers. Written under the threat of Boethius's impending execution, the work comes on the cusp between the classical and medieval worlds. In alternating prose and verse, Boethius spins a dialog concerning the harsh vicissitudes of fortune and the lasting happiness provided by the life of the mind. Slavitt's prose translation is accessible and makes frequent use of colloquialisms. His poetic translations—too often paraphrased in earlier editions—are not weighed down with attempted fidelities to ancient meter and use contemporary forms to evoke the gravity and grace of the original. While the book does include a brief biographical and textual introduction by Seth Lerer (English & comparative literature, Stanford Univ.), its lack of textual apparatus makes this edition less than ideal for students. It does succeed, however, as a springboard for personal reflection and a source of literate pleasure. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.—Steven Chabot, Univ. of Toronto

In this short work, Lukes (sociology, NYU; Power: A Radical View) examines moral relativism and the possible responses to its claims. He explains that there are two important parts of arguments for moral relativism: the diversity of moral views in different cultures and how our moral judgments are relative to the society in which we live. According to Lukes, moral relativism is not easily dismissed and raises issues like ethnocentrism and the clashing of cultural values; however, acknowledging that different cultures have diverse and at times conflicting values should not lead to the acceptance of moral relativism. Instead, Lukes presents an alternative that allows for a range of values and yet realizes that there are some values that are universal for all humans and there are certain standards that we can use to create moral norms. Overall, Lukes does a terrific job of presenting a brief but informative examination of moral relativism that will reward general readers and students of philosophy. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Scott Duimstra, Capital Area Dist. Lib., Lansing, MI

Influenced by the same 1950s abstract art scene that forged the improvisational aesthetics of John Ashbery and other New York School poets, Guest (1920–2006) nevertheless eschewed the overt playfulness and "personism" of her male counterparts for more oblique modes that combined, say, Marianne Moore's painterly visual sense with H.D.'s and Gertrude Stein's concern with conceptual experimentation. Venturesome and exploratory throughout, Guest's work suggested directions for both "language" poetry and the postmodern lyricism that followed it, performing "a drama of exacting dimension" that questioned and refocused familiar poetic forms—lyric, narrative, prose poem—as if they were "composed with magic and euphony." In an insightful introduction, Peter Gizzi notes that Guest's poems "evoke the joy of being found," and the appearance of this omnibus, gathering the contents of Guest's published volumes from The Location of Things (1960) through The Red Glaze (2005), offers a grand occasion for that discovery. Recommended for most collections.—Fred Muratori, Cornell Univ. Lib., NY

Despite its title, Stewart's latest is neither a children's book nor does it concern children's games, except very peripherally. Just as Columbarium (which won the 2003 National Book Critic's Circle Award) refers to a mausoleum while being suggestive of the school massacre at Columbine, this book probes the nightmarish quality of violence. Understated and Zen-like, these are carefully rendered poems. Setting a prayerful tone and somber theme, Stewart looks back to the Garden of Eden with a stunning evocation of the creation story and the murder of Abel. In between, she covers everything from the Crucifixion to the 2006 massacre of Amish schoolchildren in West Nickel Mines, PA. Although a few of the poems seem unnecessarily opaque, Stewart generally provides sufficient context through allusions to nature, news events, mythological occurrences, biblical characters, metaphysics, and literature—from Plato to Homer to Chaucer to Ben Johnson. Overall, Stewart uses figures of speech and sound not just as a way to provide glitter but as a way to create contemporary versions of classical tragedy. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Diane Scharper, Towson Univ., MD

Father Mychal Judge (1933–2001), chaplain of the New York Fire Department, was one of the nearly 3000 killed on 9/11. His death certificate was numbered one—the first official death in the terrorist attack. The Franciscan friar was almost a legend among NYFD firefighters, a man who spent his years tending both physically and spiritually to the sick, injured, and the families of the fallen. This book, powered by dialog—sometimes of conversations said to have taken place decades ago and evidently re-created by Daly (New York Daily News) from his interviews—reads with all the immediacy of a novel. Its anecdotes, sketches, recollections, and episodes, which superficially seem unrelated, coalesce into a book that combines biography and inspirational testament. Although skeptics may question the quoted dialog, Daly, a friend of Father Mychal, offers a compelling and moving human portrait of a man dedicated to God and duty. If only each of the victims of 9/11 had a Daly to tell their stories. Recommended for public libraries.—Glenn Masuchika, Pennsylvania State Univ. Libs., University Park

A recognized scholar of the historical Jesus, Fredriksen (Aurelio Professor of Scripture, Boston Univ.; From Jesus to Christ) explores Augustine of Hippo's journey into his own particular understanding of Scripture and of the place of Judaism in the Christian world. She particularly focuses on Augustine's commentaries on Paul's letters, the Psalms, and recorded disputations with the Manicheans whom he had once embraced. Over time, Augustine (354–430) arrived at his ideas of a just God and of human freedom, which in turn led to his teaching that Jews, divinely chosen, were necessary witnesses in the development of Christianity. The author draws especially on Augustine's Confessions and City of God and also references writings of contemporaries such as Ambrose and Jerome. She points out that despite the early development of anti-Judaism in the rhetoric of the day, the populations of urban Mediterranean cities intermingled socially, with Jews practicing their religious traditions, holding civil office, etc. Featuring textual analysis of a very high caliber and an extensive bibliography, this worthy contribution to the literature on Augustine is recommended for scholarly and religion collections.—Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., NY

Turning to sources such as the New Testament and the writings of Josephus, Hanson (Judaic studies, Univ. of Central Florida) traces the history of the family of Jesus following his death. On the surface, there is nothing new here; readers should be wary of the somewhat misleading title. For instance, when Hanson briefly mentions James, the brother of Jesus, and the recent discovery of an ossuary purportedly containing his bones, he shows respectful skepticism but states that the final verdict on the ossuary has not yet been rendered, whereas its inscription has largely been dismissed as a modern forgery. Hanson does raise some provocative but long-standing questions: Was not early Christianity a Jewish sect? Why does the New Testament say so little about Jesus's relatives, especially those who might have been his disciples? Where did the idea of hell come from? Was the Messiah regarded as a God? Were there not many "Christianities" in the early centuries of the so-called Christian movement? And was Paul an interloper? One problem here is that ideas simply pile up on ideas. There are catchy subtitles, but for general readers connections between the sections are not easy to grasp. Frequent flashbacks to centuries-old history do not help illuminate the points Hanson makes. The traces of the Jewish roots of Christianity, especially vis-à-vis the members of Jesus's family, seem to have melted into the sands of history; certainly Hanson has demonstrated how difficult it is now to find this history. He offers a good bibliography and a limited index. Recommended for research libraries with large collections in religion.—James A. Overbeck, Atlanta

Lewis (Near Eastern studies, emeritus, Princeton Univ.; The Crisis of Islam) and Churchill (former president, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia) offer an accessible introduction to Muslims and their faith. In clear language, the authors cover the faith's development, its five pillars, Scripture and tradition, law, the mosque, diversity, sectarian divisions, government, economics, women, dress, language, war and peace, and radicalism. There are three particular strengths. First, Lewis and Churchill insist that Islam cannot be reduced to extremes as either a bloodthirsty creed or solely a message of peace. The Qur'an advocates a range of responses according to specific circumstances. Second, the authors humanize Islam by including insets on "Islamic humor" in every chapter. Third, the book replaces dangerous characterizations of Islam as an enemy with an understanding of Islam as a faith intimately connected to Christianity and Judaism. Through understanding Islam, readers may see that the minority who espouse a radicalized totalitarian version of Islam represent neither the faith nor most of its followers. Highly recommended for all libraries.—William P. Collins, Library of Congress

McGoogan (Fatal Passage) frames this exciting biography in terms of the mythological concepts of the hero and the transformative quest. Trained as a physician, Elisha Kent Kane served in the U.S. Navy in locales around the globe, describing the geography, cultures, and his experiences in his journals, which were later published. Kane is most famous for his participation in two Arctic expeditions, 1850–51 and 1853–55, launched to find and rescue Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin's expedition of 1845 that had disappeared while searching for the Northwest Passage. Selected to lead the second rescue expedition, Kane was also challenged to locate the Open Polar Sea, a geographic concept since debunked. McGoogan discovered three previously lost journals Kane wrote during the two Arctic expeditions. These journals fill in many previously missing details and help answer criticisms regarding Kane's decisions that led to two men's deaths. Forced to turn back on both expeditions, Kane and the rest of his men survived an 800-mile trek south to Greenland. Although the nation mourned when Kane died of ill health not long after, he has languished in relative obscurity since. McGoogan's readable biography ensures Kane's place in the pantheon of polar explorers. Highly recommended.—Margaret Atwater-Singer, Univ. of Evansville Libs., IN