Arts & Humanities

Adams, partner at AdamsMorioka in Beverly Hills and president of AIGA, the professional association for design, has compiled an evocative volume that pulls together the work of top international design firms, focusing on their approaches to logos and identity. Space is allotted to one or more of the chief members of each firm for a succinct overview of the underlying design philosophy driving projects. The text becomes somewhat repetitious with minor variations on generally agreed-upon principles; however, the approaches used in dealing with clients and the changes in design viewpoints to address newer technologies will be of interest to students and those new to the field. The numerous, striking illustrations make up the heart of the book, and seeing the evolution of such familiar icons as the NBC peacock alongside dozens of equally compelling designs brings home the point that the successful simplicity and memorable quality of a design for which all these firms strive are often hard won. Recommended for any library with an interest in graphic design or the graphic arts.—Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY

Steuber's (Asian art curator, Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art) years of experience with Asian art are clearly apparent in this book, in which he arranges double-page juxtapositions of visual objects (mostly painted hand scrolls and wall scrolls but also stone and wooden sculpture and archaeological artifacts) with literary selections. His choices are intriguing because some individual poems or prose excerpts were written hundreds of years earlier or later than the creation of the art objects with which they are paired. Others are from the same time period; occasionally, the writings and the art are by the same person (e.g., the 20th-century ink painting of mountains by Gao Xingjian, the first Chinese author to win the Nobel prize in literature). Steuber's paragraph-long annotations for each set are extremely useful for nonspecialists. Unfortunately, about one-fourth of the pairings have no explanations. However, the gorgeous artistic images, the compelling literary works, and the impressive breadth of time make this a total immersive experience into universal life themes, particularly the importance of nature and religion. Recommended for public libraries.—Anne Marie Lane, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie

This catalog of an exhibition at the Portland Art Museum (WA) conjoins images of Degas's dancers with those of two artists that he influenced greatly—his student Jean-Louis Forain and his contemporary Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, whose images of cabaret and dance hall girls rival Degas's own dancers in popularity. Dixon's (curator, prints & drawings, Portland Art Museum) introductory essay anchors the catalog and begins to illustrate the complex relationships between artist and subject that are more fully explored in the four subsequent essays, contributed by Chapin, Jill DeVonyar, Richard Kendall, and Florence Valdès-Forain. The authors delve into the lives of the dancers, illuminating individual histories and presenting a vivid picture of social tensions in Paris during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The 100-plus objects in the exhibition (drawings, posters, prints, and a few paintings) are supplemented by over 150 additional full-color illustrations, making this publication a visual treat. The intelligent essays, time line, bibliography, and full exhibition checklist will appeal to researchers, but the subject matter has broader appeal. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.—Kraig Binkowski, Yale Ctr. for British Art, New Haven, CT

This collection of photographs records the people who, 40 years ago, turned out to greet the passing train that conveyed the body of Sen. Robert Kennedy to his grave. His murder—weeks after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Tet Offensive's escalation of the Vietnam War—was the nadir of what journalist Jack Newfield called "the murderous spring of 1968." Look magazine photographer Fusco was aboard the train and documented RFK's final journey from New York to Washington and his nighttime interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Thousands of mourners lined that route, and in their diversity one sees the spectrum of hope that Kennedy generated. The images feature back-of-house, rail-yard settings; eloquent, poignant details; and a compelling mixture of largely working-class Americans whose colorful clothing pinpoints the era and season. Few words need adorn such material, so the turgid and solipsistic introductory essay by Norman Mailer is skippable. Fortunately, the full text of Edward Kennedy's eulogy precedes the photos depicting the St. Patrick's Cathedral memorial. Evan Thomas (Robert Kennedy: His Life) and photography critic Vicki Goldberg also contribute essays. Devoid of pomp yet permeated with emotion, this tribute has a deeply inspiring impact.—Douglas F. Smith, Berkeley P.L., CA

Photographers Gross and Daley have documented their distinctive perspective on the decay of rural Schoharie County in upstate New York. As architectural photographers and residents of Schoharie County, they illustrate their subjects—schoolhouses, barns, churches, Masonic halls, firehouses, and general stores— in a style that avoids kitsch and sentimentality. The photographers respectfully pay homage to the eras they are representing; there are no digital shots in this reverential documentary series. Gross and Daley shoot with a simple wooden camera and glass plates, a style that is in keeping with the historical nature of their architectural subjects. There are surprises that invite a close look—a doghouse covered in early 20th-century New York license plates, a 1940s-era car abandoned in an orchard, a farmhouse hidden by overgrown weeds. The book features a fine introductory essay by novelist Jeffrey Lent and a photographers' note on the actual locations in the photographs. The authors have published seven earlier books, including Old Houses and Creole Houses. Recommended for general collections.—Shauna Frischkorn, Millersville Univ., PA

For the 20 Indian women profiled in this book, art is the expression of their identity and power in the domestic realm. An art historian and anthropologist, Huyler (Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion; Painted Prayers: Women's Art in Village India) reveals his subjects' creativity through his vibrant photography representing, e.g., the manual building of humble mud-brick houses and the work of overseeing art cooperatives in rural India. The extraordinary painted house decorations using techniques and patterns passed from mother and daughter are most indicative of the traditions Huyler is privileged to document. Each portrait includes color photographs with a short text highlighting the woman's story and craft. Although helpful, the included map, resource list, index, glossary, and travel information do not substitute for a more scholarly treatment of this important subject. Of interest to larger public libraries with strong collections in women's art.—Nancy B. Turner, Syracuse Univ. Lib., NY

There are many books available on graffiti, but most focus on specific places or time periods, or they are of the coffee-table variety with numerous photos but little content. Lewisohn, a London artist, attempts the first global history of street art and graffiti, which he defines as two distinct concepts. He dedicates too much of the text to pondering the differences between the two art forms—in short, he explains that graffiti are text based and appeal mainly to an inner circle of graffiti writers while street art is more pictorial and directed at a wider range of passersby. Although the book seems to aim for comprehensiveness, it has clear strengths and weaknesses. Lewisohn's discussions of New York City graffiti in the 1980s and its influence on street art in Brazil, Europe, and Australia are good, and his thoughts on the cultural differences between graffiti artists and people in academic art history are effective. However, a section on graffiti in antiquity is underdeveloped and perhaps unnecessary. Overall, this is recommended for academic and larger public libraries.—Eric Linderman, Euclid P.L., OH

Years ago, Diane Keaton photographed hotel lobbies—collected in 1980 in Reservations—lovingly, carefully, and with not a thought but to dignify their peculiarity. A freelance journalist and editor at Loft Publications, Quartino uses this hefty book to market the notion of the corporate lobby as entry. Quartino shows these new lobbies as preludes to the organizations to be entered, the corporations above; the thrill of the posh is engineered as a moment of branding that will wow visitors. Some of the lobbies in this volume appear to be otherworldly, showstopping, even intimidating. These entry points are boldly photographed to their best advantage in light and angle. They are indeed impressive, but that's to be expected—they're the work of designers who offer visual power over good design. Featuring 45 projects, architectural plans, and a directory of architects, this book would be a good buy for those who run architectural firms seeking clients in big business. For a library, it's not essential. Recommended for the obscurity of the subject.—David Bryant, Rancho Mirage P.L., CA

The Arizona State University Art Museum has focused on ceramics from the beginning. Numerous donors have helped elevate its ceramic collection to the top in the nation for 20th-century works. Held, curator of ceramics at the museum, introduces his longtime friend Shaner as "one of the most talented American ceramic artists of the 20th century." This catalog, covering the life, influences, and art of Shaner, includes 74 illustrations (66 in color). Shaner's art is influenced by the American West, Henry Moore's sculpture, Hopi pottery, and nature; color plates are presented in the order of their creation. Shaner's work started out conservative, and his mastery of the clay is reflected in his craftsmanship. He received numerous awards and was an honorary member of many prestigious ceramic and craft organizations. Both the artwork and the photography representing it are excellent. An exhibit history and a listing of selected public collections are also included. Recommended to public, academic, and special libraries.—Karen MacMurray, South Piedmont Community Coll. Lib., Polkton, NC

The American artist James McNeill Whistler stated, "Paint should not be applied thick. It should be like breath on the surface of a pane of glass." This catalog of a 2008 exhibition at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA, explores this aesthetic as seen in the work of Whistler and other American artists active from 1870 to 1920. These artists, sometimes called tonalists, used thin layers of paint to create soft, indistinct compositions. The introduction by Simpson (curator of American art, Clark Art Inst.) is followed by essays on Whistler, George Inness, a group of younger artists working in a similar manner, and tonalist techniques and materials. The 41 color plates include both paintings and photographs; each work is presented on its own page. Two essays conclude the catalog—the first on abstract expressionist artists who worked much as the tonalists did, and the second on the 1972 exhibition The Color of Mood, which first described tonalism as a uniquely American movement. This informative catalog is highly recommended for art history collections.—Martha Smith, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY

This collection of short essays, most of them two or three pages long, continues Angelou's themes in Even the Stars Look Lonesome and Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now by combining personal experience with prescriptions for a meaningful life. Dedicating the book to the daughter she never had, Angelou recounts her childhood in Stamps, AR, where she endured the oppression of racism, an experience that has left its indelible mark on her. When she became pregnant during high school, she chose to have the child and raise him herself despite the difficulty, which taught her independence at a young age. She emphasizes the need for cultural tolerance and doesn't hesitate to reveal her own cultural missteps—e.g., in Morocco, mistaking raisins in her coffee for cockroaches and walking on the tablecloth in Senegal. Angelou is at her best when she departs from popular views, as in her chapter on violence, in which she disagrees with those who see rape as solely about power and not about sexual violence. This collection will appeal to Angelou fans and those looking for short essays that offer important truths. Recommended for large collections.—Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

Freelance journalists Bond and Sheedy discuss the details and events that shaped the creation of 50 of the most beloved books of the Western world, including Gone with the Wind, Jaws, and War and Peace. They illustrate some magical ingredients behind these works, from passion for the craft of writing to struggles to achieve success. One tidbit regarding The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—Mark Twain wrote 400 pages in less than a month and then set the book to rest for three years; it was a trip to Twain's boyhood hometown of Hannibal, MO, that inspired him to finish the novel. Readers will enjoy this informative journey through the minds of writers and the experiences that led the authors from ideas to novels that became amazing treasures in the literary world. Those interested in researching or learning the rich details behind literary classics will be especially rewarded. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries, this would be a great resource in literature collections.—Susan McClellan, Shaler North Hills Lib., Glenshaw, PA

The 400th anniversary of the birth of the great English poet John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, has brought a resurgence of popular interest, especially in his radical social and religious views. Leading Miltonists Campbell (Renaissance studies, Univ. of Leicester, U.K.) and Corns (English, Bangor Univ.; The Cambridge Companion to English Poetry) bring two lifetimes of scholarship to this new biography of the poet. Their work is informed by a careful reexamination of the vast archival sources coupled with a thorough knowledge of the changing historiographic understanding of 17th-century historical, social, political, and religious currents. Neither hagiography nor sensationalism, the book places Milton's life and work into the shifting contexts of his times, tracing the stages of his radicalization. Campbell and Corns's biography is more historical than literary in focus. An essential contribution for Miltonists and those interested in the period; it is also accessible to general readers.—T.L. Cooksey, Armstrong Atlantic State Univ., Savannah, GA

Dickerson (environmental studies & computer science, Middlebury Coll.) and O'Hara (philosophy & classical Greek, Augustana Coll.), coauthors of From Homer to Harry Potter: A Handbook on Myth and Fantasy, here convincingly argue that the Christian fantasist C.S. Lewis draws up a compelling and consistent environmental ethic in his Chronicles of Narnia and other novels. Although part of the publisher's series "devoted to the exploration and articulation of a new agrarianism that considers the health of habitats and human communities together," this is not written in stiff academic prose. Dickerson and O'Hara's style is rather a utilitarian one meant to illuminate how the noted Christian apologist bridged the traditional gap between antimaterial Christian ethics and belief in the basic goodness of our material world. Dickerson and O'Hara demonstrate how one man, well before the fad, established his own code of ethics "in which nature is enchanted by something that transcends nature and provides a transcendent morality, in which exploiting the earth, the water, or our fellow creatures is not merely inconvenient but morally wrong." Recommended for all libraries.—Charles C. Nash, formerly with Cottey Coll., Nevada, MO

Reflecting on the historical trauma that preceded the birth of his young country and conditioned its citizens' response to subsequent threats, Israeli novelist and essayist Grossman writes of his childhood in the 1950s: "In my neighborhood, people screamed every night from their nightmares." Besides being powerful imagery, that quote explains the environment in which Grossman operates. This slim book may seem limited in its appeal—four essays are on writing fiction in Israel, two on the need for peace with Israel's neighbors—but Grossman's ruminations are pertinent to us all. What can the fiction writer offer us in a world under continual siege, where external threat deadens our response to others' suffering and we dehumanize our enemies to make it easier to deal with them? Fiction writers, argues Grossman, have the rare opportunity to see other people as people, resisting the impulse to demonize them. "To write about the enemy means, primarily, to think about the enemy…even if he [the writer] is absolutely convinced of his own justness and the enemy's malice and cruelty." These essays are all worth reading, but the four on writing are exceptional. This heartfelt book, with a lasting impact, is enthusiastically recommended for larger general collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/08.]—David Keymer, Modesto, CA

This is a humorous yet well-researched study of the importance of the dot in written language. The Humez brothers, writers who between them have authored both reference works and poetry, have mined a wealth of information on this seemingly unassuming mark. The book features chapters on the dot in its various incarnations and meanings, from the origins of the decimal system to the dot-com phenomenon, from musical notation to proofreading annotations. Not chronologically arranged, the book jumps around in history, providing funny anecdotes and absorbing asides that all cement the importance of the dot. The authors are obviously well read in wide-ranging areas, as evidenced by the text's extensive notes, yet they maintain an informal, conversational style and always relate their more obscure findings to the everyday. Perhaps not a work warranting serious study, this is nevertheless an engrossing collection of curiosities that rewards dipping in and out at one's leisure. Suitable for larger public libraries.—Rebecca Bollen Manalac, Sydney, Australia

If you have ever wondered about the people mentioned in the author dedications of your favorite books, you may find an answer here. Curious about the dedication in Grace Metalious's Peyton Place, author and teacher Wagman-Geller began delving into the author's history and the background of numerous other authors. Through her research, she discovered the stories behind the dedications in over 50 well-known books. Was Mrs. Samuel Clemens a prototype for Mark Twain's Aunt Sally in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Was Harry Potter based in part on a local bully? And how did Amy Tan's mother's Alzheimer's trigger the author's own memory? This collection of intriguing accounts about the people behind the books speaks to the idea that truth is stranger and far more complex than the fiction it spawns. Wagman-Geller has done extensive research on each author and provides a generous list of references. Recommended for public libraries.—Nedra Crowe-Evers, Sonoma Cty. Lib. Syst., CA

Marlon Brando, Hollywood's first rebel, is a favorite subject of biographies (over 18 bios and an autobiography have already been published). Kanfer (Stardust Lost: The Triumph, Tragedy, and Mishugas of the Yiddish Theater in America; Ball of Fire: The Tumultuous Life and Comic Art of Lucille Ball) has written the defining biography of Brando. Beginning with his troubled childhood, Kanfer traces the career and exploits that made Brando a legend. Unsatisfied with his life and profession, he became obsessively self-destructive. He had a chaotic relationship with his abusive father, failed marriages, many affairs, and the double tragedy of his son's murder trial and his daughter's suicide. Kanfer exposes the dark side of Brando as well as his attributes as an actor. This biography has much more detail about people and events in Brando's life than previous books and was written after the star's death. For a more concise, enjoyable read, try Patricia Bosworth's Marlon Brando. Kanfer's biography is recommended for its thorough coverage for most performing arts collections.—Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., FL

This well-illustrated companion to the PBS television series features concise yet captivating insights on the art of comedy in America and the men and women who have made us laugh for over 100 years, including expanded information and biographical narratives beyond the series. Maslon and Kantor (coauthors, Broadway: The American Musical) cover stage, radio, television, and film personalities, dividing the group into six categories: "Knockabouts," "Satire & Parody," "Smart-Alecks & Wise Guys," "Nerds, Jerks, Oddballs & Slackers," "Breadwinners & Homemakers," and "Groundbreakers." Contemporary colleagues add to the text with behind-the-scenes comments to honor those comedians who influenced their professional careers. The book reveals how Charlie Chaplin created his famous tramp character, how Harpo Marx finally spoke at his last performance to announce his retirement, and how Redd Foxx gained popularity through the "party records" phenomena. The authors include to-the-point analysis of such comedy greats as stone-faced Buster Keaton, scandalous Mae West, lovable Jack Benny, controversial Lenny Bruce, trailblazing Phyllis Diller, off-the-wall Mel Brooks, radical George Carlin, and adorable Gilda Radner. Recommended for all public, academic, and special libraries with film study collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 8/08.]—Richard Dickey, Washington, DC

Miles Davis is often thought of as a mystery man or a prince-of-darkness type. His prickly personality intimidated many, and his sometimes-lurid lifestyle led some to view him as above the average mortal. Yet as Maher (Jack Kerouac's American Journey) and poet and playwright Dorr show with this collection of interviews conducted over an extended period of time, Davis was consistent in his desire to give passionate music to his audiences and to help younger musicians develop into great musicians. He also liked to put people on. But from 1957 up to nearly the year he died (1991), many journalists and authors were able to delve deeper and discover a much more nuanced and brilliant musician behind Davis's public facade. Maher and Dorr bring together 28 interviews, some transcribed for the first time, which taken together give a fine portrait of Davis, demystifying him to a large extent. While many of these interviews can be found in a variety of publications, it's pleasurable to have them in this one handy and thoughtfully edited volume.—William G. Kenz, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Moorhead

The first scholar to gain access to Prokofiev's sealed files in the Russian state archives, Morrison (music, Princeton Univ.; Russian Opera and the Symbolist Movement) reveals new and captivating information about a period of Prokofiev's life that has been little known. Concentrating on the years between 1936, when Prokofiev returned to Russia from his exile in Paris, and his death in 1953, the book explores the issues of what he composed, why he returned, the kind of reception he received, and how his genius both suffered and profited under Soviet control. The composer's artistic life, as seen through his letters, diaries, speeches, and a thorough analysis of his compositions, is an absorbing story of idealism, deception, and clashing values, as Prokofiev strove to reconcile his creative genius and his deep Christian Science beliefs with the crushing godless dictates of Stalin's Soviet Union. Enthusiastically recommended for public and academic libraries.—Timothy J. McGee, Trent Univ., Peterborough, Ont.

British journalist Rees recounts his quixotic attempt to develop sufficient skill on the French horn (after 22 years away from the instrument) to perform a Mozart concerto at the annual British Horn Society Festival. In much the same fashion that George Plimpton chronicled a tryout with the Detroit Lions in Paper Lion, Rees explains just how hard it is to operate at a professional level; yet, his performance at the festival was certainly more of a success than Plimpton's famous scrimmage. Along the way, Rees imparts the history of the horn, describes life in a horn camp in New Hampshire, hobnobs with great horn players around the world, and expounds generally on the lore of the instrument. He writes in an engaging style, and much of the charm resides in his struggle to discipline himself for a goal largely aesthetic. While not as consistently delightful as Catherine Drinker Bowen's classic book on amateur musicianship, Friends and Fiddlers, this is a great read for all amateur musicians and all lovers of the French horn. Recommended.—Bruce R. Schueneman, Texas A&M Univ. Lib., Kingsville

How can we live a fulfilling and meaningful life? According to Irvine (philosophy, Wright State Univ.; On Desire), modern academic philosophy cannot help us answer this question because it is more concerned with theoretical problems than how to live a meaningful life. He explains that we must look back to the Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome to establish a philosophy of life. Using the writings of Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, Irvine shows how Stoic ethics and psychological theories can help us overcome negative emotions and determine what is truly important for living a fulfilling life. These sections cover a wide range of topics from how to deal with insults to how to confront death. In the last sections, Irvine explains the impact of Stoic philosophy on his own life and offers advice for individuals who want to live by Stoic doctrines. Irvine's intended audience is nonphilosophers, but everyone can profit from his clear presentation on the benefits of using philosophical doctrines to live a meaningful life. Recommended for academic and public libraries.—Scott Duimstra, Capital Area Dist. Lib., Lansing, MI

This collection from Arroyo (creative writing, Univ. of Toledo) contains poems from his first 13 books, plus 19 new poems covering 20 years of his poetic output. Proudly Puerto Rican (though born in Chicago) and unabashedly gay, Arroyo re-creates an autobiographical trajectory with poems that are fresh, brief, direct, and nonexperimental. Permeating the retrospective are his major themes of his experience as a Puerto Rican living in the United States ("Columbus's Children") and as a gay man ("Details as Revelations"). He pays homage to the influence of literary figures—Pablo Neruda, Walt Whitman, Hart Crane, and, with an almost idolatrous admiration, Reinaldo Arenas, the noted exiled Cuban writer who killed himself before AIDS did—and of contemporary pop culture figures like Enrique Iglesias, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen. A good introduction to Arroyo's work that may entice readers to consult the full body of the works included; libraries will appreciate the double whammy of a candidate equally at home in Latino collections as in gay ones.—Lawrence Olszewski, OCLC Lib., Dublin, OH

The title of this foray into poetry by experimental novelist Everett (The Water Cure) echoes that of Wilhelm Worringer's influential 1908 defense of nonrepresentational art, Abstraction and Empathy. In poems that function both as homage to and as praxis of modernist thought, Everett invokes the spirit and processes of impressionism, cubism, and other challenges to realism, fashioning minimalist meditations that often adopt the faceted repetition characteristic of Gertrude Stein ("the painter/ paints the painter/ painting only/ paint") and the declarative certainty of the cultural manifesto ("all the performing becomes becoming"). That may sound like an academic enterprise, perhaps even belated in its preoccupation with avant-gardes long assimilated into the mainstream, but Everett's piercing focus on his subject commands attention, and so sincere is his desire to distill and to clarify the conceptual dimensions simultaneously exemplified and hidden beneath the surfaces of canvases by painters we think we know (Picasso, Manet, Gauguin) that the poems achieve an unforced but forceful organicism. Recommended for larger poetry collections.—Fred Muratori, Cornell Univ. Lib., Ithaca, NY

Raz borrows the title of her new collection from a Diane Arbus quote: "All odd and splendid as freaks and nobody able to see himself, all of us victims of the especial shape we come in." But Raz's poems are much sweeter than Arbus's famously bizarre photographs. Editor of the literary journal Prairie Schooner, a seasoned Nebraskan poet, and coauthor with her son of a memoir about his sex change, Raz rises beyond frail, changeable physicality and transforms Lear's famous five "nevers" into her own pentameter line: "for love for love for love for love, for love." Raz's best poems have an intense presence: one feels that one is in the room while a girl, age three, comes with a bleeding finger to be bandaged: "I shape the gauze around the cut./ And kiss her hair. She never smiled./ Not once. Nor wept. Nor does she now." Friends and family appear with exceptional decorum; rituals prevail, particularly those of childhood: "She takes one side, I take the other. So our childhoods pass." The cat that visits the speaker's lap is feral, torn between comfort and escape. These readable poems are about facing and mastering fear and coping with heartrending change. Recommended.—Ellen Kaufman, Dewey & LeBoeuf Law Lib., New York

In this new collection, award winner and Clinton inaugural poet Williams asks the big questions: "What is existence? What does it mean to be?/ How did existence come to be from nothing?/ Is nothing lying still at the core of being?" And these, it turns out, are those he asks his barber. But while big is important, it should be noted that "nothing," to Williams, is small. As he tells his dog, "I know that you know more than I recognize,/ and slowly I have almost learned to read/ vocabulary and grammar in your eyes." It may be "hard to be understood and make that look easy," but that is exactly what Williams does. His is a simple, colloquial poetry, deceptively so, set to measured lines and fixed forms. He finds resonance in science and religion, in marriage and family, from a life lived. In a single lyric, he can link Copernicus, Darwin, Einstein, and Heisenberg, and "we were barely learning to live with it/ when here came Flannery O'Connor and Hank Williams/ to tell us that no one has ever been loved/ the way everybody wants to be loved,/ and that's hard. That's hard." Smart, witty, and memorable, these poems confirm Williams's place among the most important poets of our era. Recommended for all contemporary poetry collections.—Louis McKee, Painted Bride Arts Ctr., Philadelphia

In her first book, Chater takes readers through her childhood in the 1970s with a dogmatic father who believes the reforms of Vatican II will cause an apocalypse called the Holy Chastisement, a practical mother, and (eventually) ten siblings. In 1972, the family leaves liberal California for Fatima, Portugal, hoping for a Catholic utopia. Unfortunately, Portugal has also adopted Vatican II, and the business that would support them never materializes, so it's back to California. For the next several years, the family moves around in search of traditional Catholic schools, churches, and societies and other counterrevolutionaries against Vatican II. Chater's father is too easily persuaded by other traditional Catholics, even sending two of her brothers to a cultlike seminary and training program. Throughout the book, Chater struggles to balance her love for her family with her increasing doubts about their beliefs. A final chapter and an epilog bring resolution to the tale, summarizing the family's status today. This memoir is recommended for most public libraries.—Erica L. Foley, Clinton-Macomb P.L., Clinton Twp., MI

A memoir of religious conversion cannot be effectively written all that soon after the event. How can any writer communicate this sort of all-transcending shock so quickly without being weepy, stunned, or overwrought? He cannot, and Eszterhas, screenwriter of such blockbusters as Basic Instinct, still hasn't achieved this more than eight years after his conversion. His memoir has all of these emotional reactions and more. At times it's just too much. With throat cancer, with the necessity of instantaneously giving up smoking and drinking, with the rejection of his former ways of thinking and living, with the intrusion of an experience of the divine—and also with his experience of being rejected by many family members and friends, Eszterhas had a lot to cope with. For readers who can withstand all this emotion, his memoir is worth reading and instructive about getting through very difficult circumstances. However, note that the author, while intelligent and educated, is not a theologian and has no particular background in Catholic spirituality: his views on Catholic doctrine and practice are not always reliable. Recommended with these caveats for both academic and public libraries.—James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA

Kloppenborg (Univ. of Toronto; Excavating Q) is an international authority on the Q Gospel, a "sayings gospel" that is thought to be a source (from the German Quelle for source) for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. No copy of Q has been found, but scholars have re-created it through analysis of the three synoptic Gospels, looking for common elements and focusing on the sayings of Jesus. This book is a succinct introduction to Q, addressing questions about its composition and importance. As with the Gospel of Thomas or the Gospel of Judas, the existence of Q as a different kind of gospel points to "real diversity at the beginnings of the Jesus movement." A complete reconstruction of Q is included as well as notes and a bibliography. While Marcus Borg's The Lost Gospel Q provides a more popular introduction, and Burton Mack's The Lost Gospel contains more detail about structure and context, Kloppenborg's book offers the most accessible overview of Q and its importance. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Diane Harvey, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College Park

Have you ever had breakfast with Sally? Perhaps not, for in this case Sally is short for the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Bremerton, WA. Former successful businessman Richard LeMieux has lived better than the average American, but descended, through economic and personal failures, to homelessness for almost two years. Writing of life on the streets with his dog, Willow, he introduces a cast of characters from his experiences and reminds us that each struggling person has a life story that speaks of his or her humanity and value. He notes that he found that, "given help and a sense of direction, most will help themselves and even help others." Along the way, he also discovers the value of public libraries and that he has a talent for writing that he wants to share with others. This inspirational political and social memoir can offer readers hope for a renewal of faith—in God and humanity. All public libraries will want this book for their collections.—Nancy Richey, Western Kentucky Univ. Lib., Bowling Green

Marsden (history, Univ. of Notre Dame), author of the definitive biography Jonathan Edwards: A Life, has written this shorter, more accessible biography for general readers. Aimed at students and interested lay readers, this is not an abridgement of his larger work but a new account of the life and significance of this great American theologian of the 18th century. Edwards, known to many of us from the sermon "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God," was really a proponent of personal commitment to a loving God and the life-transforming results of such a relationship. His writings were highly regarded in his lifetime and formed the foundation of what has become modern evangelicalism. As a loving father and a dedicated pastor and missionary, Edwards lived what he taught. Marsden compares Edwards with his contemporary Benjamin Franklin and speaks of him as the Thomas Jefferson of the spiritual revolution of the period known as the Great Awakening. A readable and illuminating introduction to this important figure in American religious history; recommended for public and academic libraries.—C. Robert Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, IN

In this meticulously researched tome, Savage (history, Univ. of Pennsylvania) recounts the circuitous journey along which black religious sentiment and political ideology have conflicted, converged, and sometimes melded throughout the 20th century. She presents this sociohistorical study chiefly through an engaging series of portraits of individuals who combined African American religious and political sensibilities in innovative ways, including W.E.B. DuBois, Carter Woodson, Benjamin Mays, E. Franklin Frazier, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Nannie Helen Burroughs. The author focuses primarily on the period leading up to the Civil Rights Movement, as this era has not been as comprehensively treated historically or sociologically. Savage also tackles complicated issues, such as the ambivalent role of black ministers, the unsung epic of black women as the backbone of black churches, and the circumspect dismissal of the "Black Church" as a monolithic entity. While the author offers intimations concerning the dichotomy between the rural South and the urban North, she rarely presents any direct contrast between these sociological worlds. Recommended nonetheless to all libraries.—Dann Wigner, Wayland Baptist Univ. Lib., Plainview, TX

Gnosticism is a subject of broad interest not only because of its impact on Christianity in the early centuries but also because of the recurrence of its themes in later centuries and even to the present time. In particular, Gnosticism's emphasis on mind/body dualism and its focus on spiritual knowledge have been highly influential. Smith has written well-regarded books on Gnosticism and early Christianity (e.g., Gnostic Writings on the Soul), and his new book fits within the same framework. What sets him apart from other authors who write on this subject is his appreciation for Gnosticism: while other writers tend to view the movement as problematic in itself and in its impact on Christianity, Smith sees value in its unorthodox ideas. His appreciation allows him to write about Gnosticism without any negative bias and helps make the work that much more interesting to read. Comprising 11 chapters, it addresses such topics as Gnostic mythology, psychology, scriptural interpretation, behavior, and origin, followed by later chapters dealing with historical movements associated with Gnosticism, such as the Manichaeans, Cathars, and Mandaeans. Recommended for all libraries.—John Jaeger, Dallas Baptist Univ. Lib., TX

In his first book, lawyer and pro basketballer wannabe Fromm offers an entertaining and often hilarious account of his year in Prague playing point guard in a semipro league and attending political science courses at Central European University. Fromm was 23 years old and admits that he was unready for law school or the demands of full-time employment. So instead, in the fall of 1994, he embarked on a thoroughly unplanned trip to a country he barely knew, with a language he couldn't speak. He somehow stumbled upon a league and a team, and while struggling to learn Czech and Czech customs, get along with his teammates, and earn a degree, Fromm found love, or what he first thought was love. Fromm recounts his adventures with candor and self-deprecating humor, crafting a modest, worthwhile book about discovering yourself and following your passions. The lengthy and numerous basketball game recaps can grow tiresome, but this is an otherwise brisk and breezy read. Recommended for public libraries.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

You might think that, since the game of golf has been around for a long, long time, it would stand to reason that the profession of golf course architect has also been around for a long, long time. You would be mistaken. The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) dates only from the late 1940s. As you might expect, the organization has a small membership. You might also assume that, with golf as a gentleman's game, golf course architecture would be the ultimate gentleman's profession. In truth, the aura exceeds the reality. What Shiels (who has coauthored books with Larry King and Donald Trump) has done is to give brief observations, stories, and insights from 118 members of the ASGCA (which sponsored the book). Of particular note, many of the golf course architects "happened" into the field, and these stories are particularly interesting. The book covers a raft of viewpoints on design issues, construction problems, client egos, and professional golfers whose sole contribution to course design is their name. Dipping into this book is sort of like meeting a new friend in a lounge for a drink and sharing a story or two. Shiels has managed to take individual observations and create a seamless story bolstered by drawings and spectacular photographs. Recommended for sports collections.—Steven Silkunas, North Wales, PA