Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 01/22/2009
The week of January 20, 2009
Fiction | Nonfiction | Classic Returns
Fiction
Noise: Fiction Inspired by Sonic Youth. Harper Perennial. 2009. c.240p. ed. by Peter Wild. ISBN 978-0-06-166929-3. pap. $13.95. F
Verdict: Inspired by the art rock band Sonic Youth, the stories collected here might find a receptive audience in the right YA collection, but readers are advised instead to go straight to the source and consult the seminal album Daydream Nation.
Background: For this first entry in the new “Noise” series, editor Wild commissioned the likes of Mary Gaitskill, Shelley Jackson, and Tom McCarthy to dream up 22 short stories based on the songbook of Sonic Youth. Unfortunately, even those who appreciate the band’s place in rock'n'roll history and its vast influence on legions of great bands will probably find these stories too amateurish to stand on their own.—John Helling, Bloomfield-Eastern Greene Cty. P.L.
Adesman, Andrew, M.D. Babyfacts: The Truth About Your Child’s Health from Newborn Through Preschool. Wiley. Feb. 2009. c.288p. index. ISBN 978-0-470-17939-0. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
Verdict: This refreshing addition to the parenting shelf debunks many prevalent myths and is highly recommended for consumer health and public library collections.
Background: Drawing on research and the policies of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, pediatrician Adesman (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) rebuts 200 myths relating to the health and development of infants. The author addresses such hot topics as immunizations, breast vs. bottle feeding, sleeping problems, and toilet training; numerous sidebars explore issues ranging from “To bathe or not to bathe? With eczema, that is the question” to “How much TV should a child watch?”—coverage that makes this an up-to-date and well-rounded resource.—Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Los Alamos Cty. Lib. Syst., NM
Bad Idea: The Anthology. Portico: Anova Bks. 2009. 240p. ed. by Jack Roberts & Daniel Stacey. ISBN 978-1-906032-30-2. pap. $17.95. LIT
Verdict: Featuring the young talents of the British nonfiction magazine Bad Idea, this uneven collection may appeal to journalism students seeking creative inspiration and journalism professors wanting examples of contemporary work.
Background: This book’s content alternates between fresh, thrilling essays and more self-involved, solipsistic efforts. Some pieces, like the first-person account of a private investigator in LA or the brief portrait of the Jamaican gang scene, are finely detailed works of journalism. Others, like the short pieces that begin the book, are typical blog fare: dull dating and drinking anecdotes.—John Helling, Bloomfield P.L., IN
Hinshaw, Stephen P. with Rachel Kranz. The Triple Bind: Saving Our Teenage Girls from Today’s Pressures. Ballantine. Feb. 2009. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-345-50399-2. $25. CHILD REARING
Verdict: Drawing on recent studies and professional experience, Hinshaw compellingly argues that depression is increasing in teenage girls because of our culture’s overemphasis on achievement and success. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/08.]
Background: Hinshaw, the chair of UC Berkeley’s department of psychology, reveals sobering statistics on the mental health of teen girls (one-fourth of this population is at risk for some manifestation of depression), arguing that modern cultural expectations pressure girls to live up to two opposed ideals: traditional femininity and feminism. In trying to synthesize these ideals, young women conform to a narrow cultural standard that leaves little room for a genuine personality to shine through. The author offers advice on how to overcome the conflicting messages and achieve self-discovery.—Nick Fanklin, Brooklyn P.L., NY
Langman, Peter. Why Kids Kill: Inside the Minds of School Shooters. Palgrave Macmillan. Jan. 2009. c.256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-230-60802-3. $24.95. PSYCH
Verdict: A thorough analysis of recent school shootings and a helpful prescription for prevention geared to readers outside the psychiatric profession.
Background: In his first book on the subject, Langman, a psychologist and expert on at-risk youth, goes beyond sound bites to examine the full stories behind recent school-shooting cases and to describe the warning signs parents and schools should watch for. The author draws on the shooters’ diaries, facts, and testimonials to illustrate the varied—often concealed—motives and triggers for rampage violence.—Nick Franklin, Brooklyn P.L., NY
Leach, Penelope. Child Care Today: Getting It Right for Everyone. Knopf. Jan. 2009. c.352p. index. ISBN 978-1-4000-4256-2. $24.95. CHILD REARING
Verdict: Leach movingly argues that it is “because we haven’t abandoned the attitudes of 1959 that we are finding it so difficult to move forward in 2009.” Unparalleled in its comprehensiveness, this is highly recommended for academic libraries and should be required reading for those involved in policymaking regarding children and families. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/08.]
Background: Internationally acclaimed author Leach (Your Baby and Child) presents a dense and exhaustive summary of the current state of child care in major English speaking countries, lamenting that we are still looking over our shoulders for sole mother care as the gold standard. Relying on two major child care studies (NICHD-America; FCCC-British), she scientifically defines what type of care is available, who is using which type and why, and what the strengths and weaknesses are of each at various stages of childhood. She explains what the research can and cannot tell us (e.g., there are no census statistics on stay-at-home moms because they aren’t relevant to the labor force); and policy comparisons with overseas countries and their implications are outlined. The United States is pathetically behind other countries in most aspects of child care (mainly because it is structured more by parental work than service to children), but the raising of standards is prohibitively difficult owing to minimal regulation and limited public funding. Leach argues that asking whether child care is bad for children is asking the wrong question altogether and that we are guilty of assuming that the answer to bad child care is no child care.—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI
McGeough, Paul. Kill Khalid: The Failed Mossad Assassination of Khalid Mishal and the Rise of Hamas. New Pr., dist. by Norton. Mar. 2009. c.512p. index. ISBN 978-1-59558-325-3. $26.95. POL SCI
Verdict: A fascinating—if densely detailed—account of Mossad’s 1997 assassination attempt of Hamas’s boss, Khalid Mishal. Suitable for larger public and academic libraries.
Background: McGeough (former executive editor, Sydney Morning Herald; Manhattan to Baghdad) provides a riveting account of Israel’s botched poisoning of Mishal and the ensuing and desperate negotiations between King Hussein, President Clinton, unrepentant Israeli prime minister Netanyahu, the PLO’s Arafat, and various diplomats and spies. The book exposes the assassination’s ironic unintended consequences: far from wiping out Hamas, the incident gave the group credibility and an advantage in its civil war with the PLO. Despite efforts to humanize the politics (e.g., descriptions of Palestinian women selling their wedding rings for food during the blockade of Gaza), McGeough’s narrative can be ponderous.—Elliott Sparkman Walker, freelance journalist, Radnor, PA
My Little Red Book. Twelve: Hachette. Feb. 2009. c.217p. ed. by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff. index. ISBN 978-0-446-54636-2. pap. $14.99. PSYCH
Verdict: While many of the stories in this well-intentioned collection about first periods are touching or funny, they quickly begin to blend together and can be separated into two general camps: “Hurrah—at last I am a woman!” and “Yuck, this is messy and annoying.”
Background: This earnest book seeks to promote greater openness on menstruation, a topic rarely covered in popular fiction or non-fiction (Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret being the notable, and much cited, exception). Nalebuff, now a freshman at Yale, makes a laudable effort at addressing the experience and is donating her advance and royalties to charities promoting women’s health.—Amelia Brunskill, Dickinson Coll., Carlisle, PA
Ollila, Mape. Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography, 1996–2006. Bazillion Points. Jan. 2009. 320p. tr. from Finnish by Olga Pohjola. photogs. ISBN 978-0-9796163-2-7. pap. $23.95. MUSIC
Verdict: Any book about a metal band endorsed by Ian Christe, author of the preeminent book on metal, Sound of the Beast, is worth considering. And since this Nightwish biography comes from the publishing company he founded, you know the Finnish subject it covers is pertinent, albeit relatively unknown. This is a nice introduction to a band more American music fans should know. For large metal collections.
Background: Despite hailing from a country with fewer people than the state of Virginia, Nightwish is given the true rock star bio treatment. Insider Ollila follows the band through years of touring, struggles to reach the top of Finland’s music scene, and the dynamics of adult musicians’ drama, e.g., parenthood and countering claims of selling out. Ollila’s sense of band history and beyond-the-stage access elevate this book above a tourist’s guide to a foreign flavor. Yet, it doesn’t move far from fandom either—the prose isn’t especially probing, and pages of tour dates and a stage configuration diagram provide a yearbook vibe.—Robert Morast, Fargo, ND
Pantley, Elizabeth. The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways To Solve All Your Naptime Problems. McGraw-Hill. Jan. 2009. c.237p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-07-159695-4. pap. $15.95. CHILD REARING
Verdict: This parenting guide will be in demand by many readers—particularly where Pantley’s previous books (e.g., The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers) have been popular.
Background: Pantley offers comprehensive nap-time advice, covering everything from shifting sleep schedules, transitioning from motion sleep, and the dreaded catnap (or “one-cycle sleep syndrome”). Pantley assures parents that her solutions are not one-size-fits-all, and her nonjudgmental tone is reassuring.—Mindy Rhiger, St. Paul, MN
Rosenthal, Kairol. Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20’s and 30’s. Wiley. Feb. 2009. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-470-29402-4. pap. $16.95. HEALTH
Verdict: This eminently readable and engrossing guide to coping with cancer contains empowering anecdotes, tips, and resources for both patients and their caregivers. Highly recommended for all libraries.
Background: Over 70,000 adults in their twenties and thirties are diagnosed with cancer in the United States every year. Rosenthal was diagnosed at 27 with stage II thyroid cancer. With a minimal income, poor health insurance, and a sometimes erratic social support system, she faced further frustrations in failing to find resources appropriate to her age group. In this volume, she documents interviews with 25 young people with cancer for their insights and perspectives on the emotional and financial challenges, dating and relationship issues, struggles to obtain adequate treatments, coping mechanisms, employment, and spiritual trials.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa FL
Thomas, Evan & the staff of Newsweek. “A Long Time Coming”: The Inspiring, Combative 2008 Campaign and the Historic Election of Barack Obama. PublicAffairs: Perseus. Jan. 2009. c.256p. photogs. ISBN 978-1-58648-607-5. $22.95. POL SCI
Verdict: Dispatches from five Newsweek reporters are skillfully blended into this readable narrative of the 2008 election. While the book has the feel of a lengthy magazine article, it will appeal to general readers. Recommended for public libraries.
Background: Newsweek editor-at-large Thomas compiles events from the 2008 election—from Obama’s surprise success in the Iowa Caucus to his historic victory. There are also summaries of the election’s distinctive moments: Obama’s ability to attract young voters, McCain’s controversial selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, and the important roles played by Obama adviser David Axelrod and by his Republican counterpart, Mark Salter. Thomas also offers a new interview with Obama.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA
Tropiano, Stephen. Obscene, Indecent, Immoral, and Offensive: 100+ Years of Censored, Banned, and Controversial Films. Limelight Editions. Feb. 2009. c.376p. photogs. filmog. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-87910-359-0. pap. $19.95. FILM
Verdict: Tropiano tackles a century of film censorship, providing solid information, intriguing anecdotes, and fine analytical commentary. Film and popular culture enthusiasts will find this a valuable asset in academic and circulating libraries.
Background: Tropiano (Rebels & Chicks: A History of the Hollywood Teen Movie) explores major censorship targets—language, violence, sex, nudity, politics, and religion—and cites diverse examples of controversial films to demonstrate the impact of regulatory guidelines during various eras and to outline the breadth of questions and compromises that factored into ratings and related decisions. This study is not a recitation of rules and cases but rather a thoughtfully researched and presented analysis of a major facet of film culture.—Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ
Tyler, Patrick. A World of Trouble: The White House and the Middle East—From the Cold War to the War on Terror. Farrar. Jan. 2009. c.621p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-374-29289-8. $27. INT AFFAIRS
Verdict: A unique combination of policy analysis and historical narrative that illuminates the personalities and politics at the heart of U.S.-Middle East relations. A vital volume for both general and specialized readers.
Background: Journalist Tyler critiques American involvement in the Middle East in a comprehensive analysis of issues from recent decades, including growing recognition of Palestinian rights, ongoing tension with Iran, and the war in Iraq. He creates a coherent story from a diffuse series of developments and crises in the region, drawing on a wide range of archives and his own decades of reporting. Tyler’s effort is an important reminder of the strategic importance of the region and the necessity for consistent American engagement.—Elizabeth Hayford, former president, Assoc. Colls. of the Midwest, Evanston, IL
Liebling, A.J. The Sweet Science and Other Writings. Library of America. Mar. 2009. ed. by Pete Hamill. c.1050p. ISBN 978-1-59853-018-6. $40. LIT
Verdict: This collection contains not only some of Liebling’s best writing, but some of America’s finest journalism, period. Essential.
Background: Following up its volume of Liebling’s World War II Writings, the publisher here turns to his other journalism. This volume includes his famous boxing portrait The Sweet Science, voted by Sports Illustrated as the best sports book of all time, The Earl of Louisiana, The Jollity Building, Between Meals, and The Press.—Michael Rogers, LJX
Stoker, Bram. The New Annotated Dracula. Norton. 2008. ed. by Leslie S. Klinger. 613p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-393-06450-6. $39.95. LIT
Verdict: Though this is a remarkable bargain at $40, public libraries probably can pass, but academics should purchase.
Background: Like many works now staples and classics, Stoker’s Dracula debuted to mediocre sales and reviews, but, like the count himself, had something that has kept it alive for more than a century. Klinger, who scored a hit with his New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, provides an identical take on the big D. Using several previous annotations as a springboard, Klinger offers straight scholarly notes, but to give the book extra bite proceeds as if the characters and events were real, with names, etc., changed by Stoker to throw readers off (this tack no doubt will annoy some readers). Regardless, the text is weighty with annotations—in fact there are so many pages of notes that it’s sometimes hard to find the story—and illustrations ranging from period to current. The book also sports numerous appendixes dating the story’s events, Dracula in fiction and film, and Stoker’s short story “Dracula’s Guest,” which may/not have been a piece cut from the novel.—Michael Rogers, LJX
