Arts & Humanities

After Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus, Aruz (curator, dept. of Ancient Near Eastern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art)—with assistant curators Kim Benzel and Jean M. Evans—has again created a colossal exhibit catalog with textual contributions from numerous international scholars. While the objects illustrated here are stunning, the contributors put them into an overall historical context of cross-influences that imparts additional significance. The luxurious (e.g., gold and silver), the exotic (e.g., ivory and lapis lazuli), the practical (e.g., ceramics), and critical components for Bronze Age weaponry (tin and copper) were traded by merchants and exchanged in diplomatic situations by many different cultures across huge geographical areas—Afghanistan, Persia, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria, the Levant, Egypt, Mycenaean Greece, and Minoan Crete. Cemal Pulak's (anthropology, Texas A&M Univ.) discussion of the oldest known seagoing ship and the objects found onboard epitomizes the "unity through diversity" theme of the book. This catalog is essential for libraries with Art of the First Cities and enthusiastically recommended for others.—Anne Marie Lane, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie

This handsomely produced and generously illustrated book explores the praxis of medieval Castilian culture inherited by Catholic kings. Iberia's great medieval cities—Córdoba, Seville, and Toledo—forged via the confrontations of the existing Arabic, Jewish, and Latin cultures a unique cultural identity from the 11th through the 14th centuries. Dodds (The Art of Medieval Spain, A.D. 500–1200) and others closely examine the arts, architecture, and literary products created in "Christian" Castile and make a compelling case for the so-called whole being greater than the sum of its parts. This impressive work of scholarship offers a vision of a complex albeit paradoxical relationship among the monotheistic religions that was so essential to the production of the cultural artifacts produced in pre-Columbian Iberia. In fact, it becomes obvious that the remarkable "golden age" of arts and culture of 16th- and 17th-century Spanish culture could not have existed had it not been for the multilingual culture that had preceded it. An important addition to the scholarship of medieval Iberia.—Herbert E. Shapiro, Empire State Coll., SUNY Rochester

Three of the principals of Troika, a graphic-and-product design firm based in London (not synonymous with Troika Design Group, the TV branding agency in Hollywood), compiled, wrote, and designed this catalog. Made up of an impressive selection of over 100 objects that embrace digital technology, from the quotidian (a toaster, a telephone, and toys) to the robotic (a drawing machine and a chair that self-destructs and reassembles itself), the book begins with an introductory essay on the impact not only of technology but also of science fiction, postmodernism, and narrative form on today's most innovative designers. Divided into four unintelligibly titled sections, the beautifully illustrated—if overdesigned—entries are accompanied by brief introductions to the artists' and designers' work, as well as clear descriptions of the objects featured. The key contribution of this book is the view of the designer not as practical problem solver but as dreamer, inventor, and commentator. Recommended for larger design collections.—Paul Glassman, Felician Coll., Lodi, NJ

Issued by the General Contractors Association of New York (GCA), this attractive centennial volume chronicles 20th-century Big Apple infrastructure construction beginning in 1909, when the GCA was formed. Presenting historic photographs (more than 100, some never before published), time lines, contemporary news, and anecdotes, the book moves chronologically from the openings of the Queensboro and Manhattan bridges to improvements in mass transit, roads and tunnels, water and sewers, urban renewal, and rehabilitation. Its appealing visual format strikes a favorable balance between information excess and readability. A GCA directory, which names founding companies and modern offshoots, and photos of past association presidents and memorabilia take up about 20 pages at the end. This informative and well-designed publication, particularly of value for historical ready-reference facts, photos, and in-the-trenches perspectives, is recommended for academic and larger public libraries.—Russell T. Clement, Northwestern Univ. Lib., Evanston, IL

In this memoir, Holladay displays her vision, stamina, and tireless determination in founding the first museum for women artists in America, which opened in 1987 in Washington, DC. She documents her experiences of finding and renovating a building that could serve as its home, fund-raising and establishing an endowment for the museum, the many generous women and men who helped her shepherd this unique venture—including prominent individuals, socialites, royalty from all over the world, and her brilliant staff choices—and, of course, the dazzling world-class women artists whose works gracefully embellish the spaces. The lavish and plentiful illustrations (170, most in color) reveal many carefully selected paintings, sculptures, prints, and pottery by women around the globe. Holladay provides answers to critics who would argue against segregating art into genders and offers amusing anecdotes and charming details about her travels and discoveries. The museum and this splendid book will serve as a focal point for rescuing the works and reputations of extraordinary women artists who otherwise might be obscured by time. Essential for all art history collections.—Ellen Bates, New York

Admired in 16th-century Italy for combining the aesthetics of religious devotion with the sensuous allure of "modern" painting in his altarpieces that graced northern and central Italian churches, Federico Barocci (c.1535–1612) was influenced by great Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian. He developed a distinctive style of painting that incorporated retrospective visual elements as well as "modern" ones of composition, figural display, coloring, facture, and symbolism that manifested contemporaneous aesthetic concepts. Lingo (Renaissance art, Univ. of Washington, Seattle) closely studies the artist's works and career, examining them in terms of the various artistic, cultural, and social tensions that shaped them as well as by means of documents ranging from letters and contracts to artistic treatises. Generously illustrated with at least 100 black-and-white and 100 color reproductions of many of Barocci's masterpieces, as well as well documented with endnotes and a selected bibliography, this significant monograph is meticulously and expertly presented. Strongly recommended for large public and all academic libraries.—Cheryl Ann Lajos, Free Lib. of Philadelphia

Photographer, pilot, and author MacLean has produced a book of aerial photography that gives the reader a bird's-eye view of the environmental impact of human development on urban and rural landscapes in the United States. The book includes a brief introduction (by environmental writer Bill McKibben) and commentary throughout by MacLean. Although the comments are useful, the photographs and the brief descriptions accompanying them stand alone just fine. Owing to the distant nature of aerial photography, the absence of the human figure creates from nearly all of the photographs a ghostly series of images that serve as harbingers of a world damaged by humans but devoid of life. From above, patterns of destruction emerge in views of factories emitting smog, roads cutting across barren deserts, tangled interstate highways, destructive farming practices, and absurd housing and construction practices. Highly recommended for public libraries.—Valerie Nye, Coll. of Santa Fe, NM

There is a fine line between hyperrealism and kitsch, and Palmore, who has been exhibiting works for nearly 40 years, seems to have stepped over it with at least one foot. Although his paintings of the animal world are accurate down to the last whisker or feather and the settings offer witty commentary, one cannot imagine living with any of Palmore's works or spending any more time with them than a look and perhaps a smile. Homage to those with whom we share the planet is a worthwhile aim, but these paintings do not go beyond parody. There is nothing majestic about a gorilla on a mat in a pseudo-Bonnard pose or a frog on the head of a bust of Homer. McGarry (The Art of Charles W. Thwaites) and Adam Harris (curator of art, National Museum of Wildlife Art), who contributes the foreword, refer frequently to Palmore's vision and imagination, but it is a hard sell. Laughter and wit are to be prized, but not as replacements for artistic integrity and creative energy. An optional purchase.—Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of New York Lib.

This catalog accompanying an exhibit of 15th- and 16th-century portrait painting from northern and southern Europe includes nearly 200 reproductions of well-known works by Arcimboldo, Giovanni Bellini, Botticelli, Dürer, Ghirlandajo, Pontormo, Raphael, and others, as well as lesser-known works such as Quentin Massys's An Old Woman (Ugly Duchess), which inspired John Tenniel's Alice in Wonderland illustrations. Concentrating on the most popular media for portraiture—panel and canvas, sculpture, and medals—the book also includes artists' preliminary sketches. The catalog follows the cross-pollination of ideas and styles both geographically and temporally. The essays by curators and academics are easy to read, well documented with endnotes, and well illustrated with in-text images. Authored catalog entries are arranged thematically under the topics of remembrance, allegory, friendship, family, beauty, drawings, and rulers. Each entry includes at least one image, notes, and a select bibliography. Recommended for larger public, special, and academic libraries.—Nancy J. Mactague, Aurora Univ. Lib., IL

Since the mid-1990s, architect and educator Spiller (architecture & digital theory, Bartlett Sch., Univ. Coll. London) has been writing about the intersections between architecture and technology; his Visionary Architecture documents the history of technology and architecture in the 20th century, and in Digital Dreams he explored the possibilities of the developing digital world. His latest book illustrates current digital architecture by 40 architects from the United States and Europe. Three or more projects from each architect are accompanied by short descriptions of the designers and their work. Projects range from spectacular built works and exhibition pieces to fantastical unrealized designs. Brief entries in the biographies section in the back of the book provide additional information about the architects, and a glossary helps readers unfamiliar with the terminology. Useful as a snapshot of current work in this field and a road map of influential or emerging architects to watch; recommended for architecture libraries.—Amy Trendler, Ball State Univ. Libs., Muncie, IN

This concise, deeply thoughtful, well-written, and visually first-rate exhibition catalog considers the differences and similarities between sculpture as an independent work of art and as decoration in architectural spaces and on furniture. Drawing on the deep and rich collections of French and English 17th- and 18th-century furniture at the Temple Newsam House in Leeds and the Getty Museum, English and American curators and scholars present a great deal of fresh thinking, showing not a break or value difference between fine and decorative arts but a spectrum of continuity. Despite its rather narrow, ostensible subject, this outstanding example of close looking and object-based art history is recommended for all art collections.—Jack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago

This concise biography features Thomas Jefferson's architectural output: Monticello, Poplar Forest, the Virginia State Capitol, and the University of Virginia campus. Wills (Destination America; America's Presidents) discusses his illustrious life to put these designs into context and follows the ownership and condition of these distinctive buildings up to the present, including the latest restorations and historical research. A lively layout with sidebars and color pages makes for stimulating reading. The book is well illustrated with engravings and photographs, including panoramic foldouts. The interaction mentioned in the subtitle involves pockets containing loose facsimiles of documents by Jefferson, from selected journal entries and letters to floor plans and elevation drawings. The documents add immediacy to the experience of reading about Jefferson's architecture. Because of its vulnerability to damage and loss of parts, this book (which includes a slipcase) is recommended for academic and special collections only.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C.

Bailey, author of a biography of Richard Yates (A Tragic Honesty) and editor of the Library of America's John Cheever: Complete Novels and John Cheever: Collected Stories and Other Writings, presents a massively detailed biography of the man. Bailey had access to letters, journals, and other writings by the author as well as cooperation from Cheever's wife, children, and close friends and colleagues, which makes this biography more complete than Scott Donaldson's 1988 John Cheever. Bailey's portrait of Cheever as author, family man, lover, and public figure contains everything readers would want to know about this important figure in American literature. The biographer is sympathetic toward his subject but presents all sides of Cheever's complex character, including his alcoholism, bisexuality, fears, struggles, and often turbulent relationships with fellow writers and family. Bailey also provides close readings of all of Cheever's novels and many of his short stories. Highly recommended for all public and academic library collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.]—Morris Hounion, NYC Coll. of Technology Lib., CUNY

George Bernard Shaw mused, "Everything we know about Shakespeare can be got into a half-hour sketch," and this is the challenge Bate faces in writing this biography. Shakespeare's writings have survived through the ages, but much about the author has disappeared, so there is little on which to base a biography. Bate's previous work, The Genius of Shakespeare, was a "traditional" biography, relying upon facts and anecdotes to reconstruct the Bard's life. In this "intellectual" biography, Bate uses Shakespeare's own example of the seven ages of man for structure: survival and environment for the infant; book learning for the schoolboy; the nature of sexual desire for the lover; war and social unrest for the soldier; law and politics for the justice; wisdom and folly for the old man; and the art of facing death for the age of "oblivion." Bate is able to reveal the world in which Shakespeare moved and in the process lend depth to what would otherwise be a two-dimensional rendering of the man himself. This is not only an outstanding scholarly accomplishment but also a pleasure to read. Recommended for all libraries.—Mark Alan Williams, Library of Congress

At the age of 27, Beha, assistant editor at Harper's magazine, was not having the best of times. Although he won a battle with cancer, other areas of his life were falling apart. In the midst of his difficulties, Beha set a goal to read all volumes of the Harvard Classics within one year. Also referred to as the "Five-Foot Shelf," the 22,000 pages of the 1909 collection were meant to provide the common man with an education. As Beha speeds through the volumes, details of his personal life are intermingled with his understanding of the texts. Time constraints permit little reflection on his readings. It is likely for this reason that Beha's own story becomes more interesting than his comments on the classics. He reads Shakespeare, Milton, Darwin, Locke, and countless others at a breakneck pace. Near the end, he questions if a slower and more meditative focus may have been a better strategy. He is probably right, but such an approach would not have produced this charming odyssey. Recommended for public libraries.—Stacy Russo, Chapman Univ. Libs., Orange, CA

Fresh out of graduate school with her MFA, Guillette has big plans for her literary life in New York City. Her first book will be about people's embarrassing moments, an idea her newly found agent, Jack, enthusiastically supports. Her relationship with him moves beyond the professional into a steamy flirtation, carried on while she has a steady boyfriend. As her love life heats up, it saps her concentration and writing time. Soon, she finds herself dealing with the stress by smoking and drinking far more than is healthy and prudent, especially because she works at a nonprofit health agency. Despite her problems, she continues interviewing anyone willing to share his or her embarrassing moments. Guillette tells her story with wit and honesty, capturing human weaknesses, including her own, that range from bathroom problems to spilled food and credit card rejections. But this self-discovery memoir of a 30-year-old facing romantic problems may have limited appeal. While readers may admire Guillette for her candor and writing skill, libraries on tight budgets might want to pass on this one.—Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

By interspersing interviews and anecdotes from her life in Italy, Hales, an American journalist and health writer (An Invitation to Health), interweaves her story of learning to speak Italian with highlights of the language's development. Hales explores political history, biographies of powerful artistic contributors, the widespread and continued use of local dialects, and, of course, food. Likewise, readers are treated to interviews with the likes of the president of the revered L'Accademia della Crusca, where Hales touched the society's first dictionary, nearly 400 years old. She portrays riveting performances of Dante and Verdi in Rome and Milan, and she describes how she could consistently hear from the mouths of ordinary Italians Dante's or Verdi's beautiful lyrics specifically crafted to be read aloud or sung. A word lover yet not a linguist, Hales offers helpful but not in-depth or technical linguistic background, so the bibliography is valuable. An enthusiastic cultural tour guide and introduction to Italian, this is recommended for public libraries.—Marianne Orme, Des Plaines P.L., IL

The first letter in this first of four volumes is by Samuel Beckett (1906–89) to the illustrious James Joyce, Beckett's muse and mentor. The letter is concise, informative, and gracious, nothing more—not unlike many of Beckett's letters to friends and associates. The countless letters collected here are newsy, chatty, sometimes caustic, challenging, and even disillusioned. Other times, they are charitable, hopeful, and actually sweet in tone. The subject often deals with business matters, but also with poetry, music, and art. It is obvious that Beckett appreciated writing and receiving letters; his way of handling practical matters was another way of being creative. Most of all, letter writing for Beckett was the best way of staying engaged. The reading of the letters is benefited by the thorough research and care of the editors, including a chronological presentation, the naming of the recipient, and the place of origin. Of course, the soul of the book is Beckett himself: his will, his doubts, his intransigence, his need for recognition, his angst, his mind, and his heart. Recommended for all libraries.—Robert Kelly, Fort Wayne Community Schs., IN

In this definitive collection of short nonfiction essays by Michaels (1933–2003), author of Sylvia and The Men's Club, we find two smaller collections of essays—critical and biographical. Michaels analyzes story parts and the origins of the word relationship and its deeper meaning in literature; he pays tribute to an anonymous author, all the while philosophizing and quoting Sartre, Genet, Plato, Joyce, Montaigne, and the Bible. The author writes of being the son of Jewish Polish immigrants, learning English from a neighbor, and growing up in New York City, and he describes his time spent in Michigan, California, and France, among other places. Although the literary references can be overwhelming, there is no arguing that Michaels is an intelligent author, philosopher, and critic of popular culture. Michaels explains that we write about ourselves to learn about ourselves, and he acknowledges that trying to write nonfiction is an act of insanity. This collection, edited by Michaels's widow, is recommended for academic and larger public libraries.—David L. Reynolds, Cleveland P.L.

Sutherland (English, Univ. Coll., London) presents a collection of little-known facts and literary trivia that should appeal to fans of Jeopardy!, Trivial Pursuit, and the like. Categories include writers' gastronomic preferences, oddities of body parts and illnesses (e.g., brain size and the relationship of asthma to genius), who really wrote what, and the recent practice of "product placement" (i.e., naming actual brands of merchandise) in literary works. The section on reading preferences of U.S. presidents is of particular interest—for instance, we learn that Reagan enjoyed the techno-thrillers of Tom Clancy, while Eisenhower read westerns by Zane Grey. Although the concept of this book is appealing, it is not well suited to American readers since it contains many references to obscure British concepts, writers, and works. In addition, topical references will limit its shelf life, and occasionally convoluted sentences make sections difficult to read. The main problem is that the book is too academic for most public libraries but not scholarly enough for academics. Buy if needed.—Denise J. Stankovics, Rockville P.L., Vernon, CT

Character actor Warren Oates (1928–82) appeared in many television shows and films, including such classics as In the Heat of the Night, The Wild Bunch, and Badlands, while working with directors from Peckinpah to Spielberg during a fertile time in American film history. Novelist Compo's (professional writing, Univ. of Southern California) comprehensive and fluidly written biography is the only available book on the actor's life and work. Drawing from original and previously published interviews as well as articles and books, Compo's narrative spans Oates's childhood, his early theater and TV work, and roles in the 1960s and 1970s that defined the hard-living actor; Compo seamlessly melds together quotations, analysis, and description. She discusses Oates's private and professional life, and her details on the creation of individual movies and involved personalities will appeal both to fans of the actor and to those interested in the cinema of the era. Recommended for larger public libraries with film collections and academic libraries with film studies departments.—Jim Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ

Poet Conners begins this part memoir, part social history with his middle-class upbringing in upstate New York and his allegiance to the high school stoners. After a 1987 Grateful Dead concert, he became addicted to the band as well as the Deadhead trappings of LSD, marijuana, tie-dyed shirts, Volkswagen campers, and good karma. He finished high school; attended, dropped out, and then re-entered college; sold drugs; and worked odd jobs—always focusing on the next Grateful Dead concert. After 1992, Conners became progressively disenchanted with the scene, turning to jam bands such as Phish, playing his own music, and beginning a writing career. Beyond his engrossing personal story and breezy style, Conners never explains his motivation to embrace the hippie ethos and follow a band that had defined an era, 20 years earlier. His quest for an alternative countercultural family, which eventually turned sour, seems anachronistic and simply the result of a misspent youth. Recommended for Dead followers and rock music fanatics.—Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle

In the fourth, and possibly last, volume in the series, Freund (theater history, emeritus, Fordham Univ.) covers the age of Baroque (loosely the early 17th century to the end of the 18th)—European and Russian plays and playwrights from Pierre Corneille to Beaumarchais, from Wycherley to Sheridan, and from Goldoni in Italy to Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov in Russia. Freund, who died in 2007 at 99, leaves behind a body of work, in clear prose with little academic jargon, that is breathtaking in scope and detail and showcases his love of theater. He includes information about the theaters, as well as detailed descriptions of more recent international stagings of the plays, including experimental 20th-century stagings. While coverage of northern Europe and Russia might have been more fully developed, the inclusion of these areas creates welcome context. Of particular interest is Freund's ability to provide pieces of information that give life and zest to the text. Recommended for academic libraries and all libraries with theater collections.—Susan L. Peters, Galveston, TX

Leachman has won an Oscar (The Last Picture Show) and nine Emmy Awards, placed third in the Miss America Pageant, and raised five children. Despite years as Phyllis on TV's The Mary Tyler Moore Show and memorable roles in films, she's probably now best known for her comedic turn on Dancing with the Stars, in her eighties, no less. The devil-may-care, unpredictable persona she exhibited there seems to embody the real Leachman. She shares her career and marriage highs and lows (her ex-husband is coauthor and the love of her life, though they are not together) and dishes on actors and lovers (e.g., Brando, Gene Hackman, Bobby Darin) in an entertaining though distracted way. She studied at the Actors Studio but came up with her own philosophy, "Acting is make-believe… Have fun" and "Don't be afraid you're going to make a fool of yourself." She lives what she preaches. Recommended for all public libraries and acting collections.—Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA

How does a genre of music seem to appear suddenly, grow and develop, and be taken seriously by listeners, businesses, and scholars alike? Rivera (Ctr. for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter Coll.; New York Ricans from the Hip Hop Zone), Wayne Marshall (Florence Levy Kay Fellow, ethnomusicology, Brandeis Univ.), and Deborah Pacini Hernandez (anthropology, Tufts Univ.; Bachata) cover this and more in a densely packed collection of articles by experts on cultural and sociological aspects of this emerging underground music. Out of the barrios of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Panama, mixed with other Caribbean and U.S. music such as rap and dance hall, this rich aggregate has puzzled the Latin music industry of Miami, befuddled authorities in Cuba, and provided the music for a generation of young dancers throughout the Caribbean and in U.S. cities with major Spanish populations. Exceptional coverage of gender relationships, life in slums across these areas, and how young musicians have coped and created something new out of a variety of older music makes this a fascinating study.—William G. Kenz, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Moorhead

Simon and Kelley (coauthors, Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture) provide postcardlike snapshots of alternative, punk, emo, hard-core, straight-edge, and other music scenes in diverse locations such as New York, L.A., Seattle, and Lawrence, KS. Simon's descriptions, assessments, and guide to styles, clubs, and record companies are quite brief and written in the language of the scenes themselves; this is a self-described ethnography, filled with irreverent humor. Readers who are part of one of these scenes and fans of a particular genre who will be visiting one of the locales will find this a quick and useful read. Those who aren't won't get it: Simon presupposes an intimacy with the music and associated lifestyles. Her book gives an entertaining glimpse at nonmainstream music of today and the recent past. Because it's so focused on contemporary pop culture, it could become obsolete fairly quickly, but the price is forgiving. Contains some strong language. Recommended for all public libraries and academic pop culture collections.—James E. Perone, Mount Union Coll., Alliance, OH

Samurai films have been a popular subgenre of Japanese cinema throughout much of the world since the 1950s. Their basic stories, played for everything from intense drama to farce comedy, are usually colorful admixtures of historical pageantry and swordplay. They have been adapted for American cinema and in other countries, the Italian spaghetti Western being a well-known offshoot. In his first book, Thorne writes from the point of view of an enthusiastic fan, providing a brief history of the samurai and snapshots of a few prominent directors and stars. He examines a relative handful of films, ranging chronologically from the seminal Seven Samurai (1954) to Love and Honor (2006), providing credits, a plot summary, analysis, and what he terms "the verdict" (invariably a positive one). Well-received recent histories of the samurai film include Patrick Galloway's Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves and Alain Silver's The Samurai Film. Given Thorne's severely limited coverage and somewhat amateurish style, this is an optional purchase.—Roy Liebman, formerly with Los Angeles P.L.

In this remarkable book, Rowlands (Sci-Phi: Philosophy from Socrates to Schwarzenegger) describes his life with Brenin, a wolf he purchased as a cub more than a decade ago, from Brenin's initial training and growth to maturity and death. Using this experience to make philosophical claims, Rowland argues that human beings have an apelike intelligence based on viewing the world, including other people, as a means to attain one's goals, which, when carried into practice, involves duplicity and cunning. Wolves don't see the world in this way, and Rowlands believes we can learn valuable lessons from their alternative style of intelligence. Rowlands also contends that accounts of evil often overstress motive. We too often ignore "epistemic evil," the failure to think about the consequences of what we do. Cruel experiments on animals, for example, stem from a refusal to think about the pain the animals undergo, not sadistic impulses toward them. Rowlands writes with a beautiful simplicity; a moving and insightful book, highly recommended for all collections.—David Gordon, Bowling Green State Univ., OH

Wogaman (Christian ethics, emeritus, Wesley Theological Seminary; Christian Ethics: A Historical Introduction) adds to the academic literature on moral decision making with a brief and accessible work directed to Christian students. Intending to help readers debate ethical issues and make sound moral judgments in a Christian context, Wogaman proposes that God acts as a value center connecting ethics with the universal, allowing us to escape some of the problems of moral relativism. In the book's second half, Wogaman explores some difficult moral dilemmas such as abortion, affirmative action, and environmentalism. The author's liberal perspective comes through, and he does address some common conservative religious and secular arguments. However, the work would be more useful if he could adequately account for how two individuals holding the same Christian presumptions can come to radically different moral conclusions. Of little practical value for those who feel secure in their choices without recourse to theology, this work can help members of the Christian community come to their own moral conclusions while remaining true to their faith. Recommended for academic libraries.—Steven Chabot, Univ. of Toronto

If you like wordplay, Duhamel's new book of poetry (after Kinky) will give you a run for your money, for money—how we earn it, how we lose it, and how we have built our self-image as a nation upon it—is at the heart of these poems. In this time of bailouts and stimulus packages, Duhamel explores how the dollar is the one-armed bandit at the center of American life. This is a serious and even gripping book, but the poems are dealt out to us in inventive ways: prose poems written to fit play money $100,000 bills, a sestina that pokes fun at the limits of form and language, and an "Anagram America" poem that is a tour de force. The poems also explore chance and the chances we take. The most potent section is the compelling story of an escalator accident in an Atlantic City casino that plunges the author's parents and family into an underworld of hospitals and morphine drips, lawyers and depositions. At a time when medical expenses are a leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, Duhamel takes an up-close and personal look at the system. Recommended for both public and academic libraries.—Susan Kelly-DeWitt, Sacramento, CA

Guillory (English, emeritus, Millikin Univ.) presents 61 poems composed as in Abraham Lincoln's voice as Lincoln journeys across his lifetime—and ruminates on his own death. Guillory the poet precedes each poem with an extensive headnote by Guillory the teacher, providing historical context—though, in fact, these poems can stand on their own. The verses show Guillory's understanding that, in juxtaposition to the weight of Lincoln's presence in our conscience, Lincoln's voice here will have its greatest effect when it speaks of the smaller moments of a large and complex life or of subtly observed episodes in the natural world. It is from such moments that Guillory's Lincoln draws simple but illuminating parallels to his and our greater preoccupations. When the lines are distilled with some flavor of a Thoreau or a Dickinson, readers may feel most rewarded: "Ordinary robins and spattered starlings/ Gossiping in strange Northern dialects,/ Debating the sectional politics/ Of land use and ownership, here/ In this grove of choke cherry, fruited/ With berries that are acid on the tongue./ They sing of boundaries and the ending/ Of the day, an unmistakable note of sadness/ That lingers, even in translation." Recommended for high school and public libraries. [Guillory was a longtime LJ poetry reviewer.]—Margaret Heilbrun, Library Journal

Among the most difficult skills for a poet to cultivate is the ability to lend presence to events and figures of the distant past. When a poet takes on themes as well worn as Roman gods or Puccini's Madama Butterfly and reanimates them for a contemporary audience whose attentions have never been so furiously contested, he may have staked a claim that his talents can't justify. Here, however, McClatchy (Hazmat) shows that his penchant for seamlessly combining the classical with the contemporary is virtually unmatched. McClatchy is operating in familiar territory, one whose sensual qualities map well to his own proclivities. This new volume deals with the geography of the body as it travels through time, from the archaic environs of Ovid to the imagined narratives of postwar picture brides. Penning a mixture of the mythical and the earthly, McClatchy makes us forget which is which: we know only the rich sensual textures and pithy plays of phrase as we move clockwise through this new volume, which will be a solid addition to most public and academic library collections.—Chris Pusateri, Jefferson Cty. P.L., Lakewood, CO

The central question that drives Downey's (philosophy, St. Mary's Coll., CA) text is whether the heart, or core, of every human is evil and how this philosophical perspective affects political structure. He frames his answer to this question as a discussion of three primary conflicting human desires: to have, to be seen, and to know. Downey spends little time interacting with a broad range of classical philosophers; instead, he focuses most of his work on an interaction between Plato and the Bible. Additionally, dissenting opinions on humanity's inherent "evil" are not voiced here, thus creating the impression that classical political philosophy aligns more closely with biblical interpretations. Downey's predictable conclusion is that conflicting desires are brought into harmony in the person of Jesus Christ; however, he only vaguely applies this conclusion to political philosophy. While Downey offers a novel idea about the epistemological connection between Christianity and political philosophy, his work is more directly suited to Christian apologetics than political analysis. Optional for academic libraries and specialized collections.—Dann Wigner, Wayland Baptist Univ. Lib., Plainview, TX

Jefferson (The World of Chief Seattle: How Can One Sell the Air?) purports in this work to provide an "in-depth" examination of the reincarnation beliefs of North American Indians. What is actually proffered are snippets about the beliefs of certain Native peoples, drawn largely from ethnological reports and secondary sources, that are loosely tied together using belief structures from religions around the world and disparate writings from authors such as Carl Jung. The slender research and the book's lack of organization are exemplified by the entry on Christianity, which is found in the chapter on the "World's Great Religions." The author notes that modern Christianity has no reincarnation beliefs so he writes briefly about Gnosticism. He then concludes the section with two paragraphs about Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. This monograph is not recommended.—John Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY

Jesus Christ advised his followers in John 17 "to be in, but not of" the world. Yet some of today's Christians are icons of popular culture and lead churches with the savvy and skill of corporate titans. Twenty-first-century pastors and evangelists are akin to CEOs or master marketers who create brands such as Kleenex and Coke. Sociologist Lee and historian Sinitiere here analyze the U.S. "religious economy." The authors profile five celebrity-like figures in American Protestantism: Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Brian McLaren, and Paula White. These evangelical innovators are household names, thanks in large part to their multimedia know-how, but they preach a conservative message—often regarded as antiquated. Most important, their ministries supply existential fulfillment to existential demands. This book (especially the bibliographic essay "Theory of Religious Economy") will most appeal to scholars and students. However, curious readers will enjoy it as well. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries.—C. Brian Smith, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL

In recognition of the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth in 1509, Selderhuis (Inst. for Reformation Research, Theological Univ., Apeldoorn, Netherlands) has written a standard biography of the 16th-century French-Swiss Protestant reformer. Although the author claims that his biography differs from others because he depended on correspondence as his chief source, there is little documentation to substantiate this claim. He offers a chronological account of the life of Calvin, showing that Calvin was not on the cutting edge of reform but a second-generation reformer. Selderhuis states that Calvin is most often associated with two serious errors, the doctrine of predestination and the willingness to burn heretics (those who did not agree with him) at the stake, Servetus being the most notable example. Redefining predestination as a doctrine of election doesn't soften the idea that God elects some to be saved and others to be damned. Calvin made few attempts to work with Lutheran reformers or to encourage Anabaptists to join his cause. Hence, the Protestant movement was left badly divided and, in the minds of some contemporaries, hardly better than the Roman Catholic Church: when Calvin returned to Geneva, he ruled both church and state with a tyrannical hand. Recommended for seminary libraries.—James A. Overbeck, Atlanta

Shandler's insightful analysis of the impact of modern media on religious beliefs and practices primarily focuses on American Judaism since 1945. Although many American history textbooks give short shrift to religion in 20th-century America, Shandler (Jewish studies, Rutgers Univ.) demonstrates how religious institutions, such as the Jewish Theological Seminary, used radio after 1945 to broadcast religious messages, which were positively received by both Jews and gentiles. Shandler's analysis goes beyond the various Jewish denominations and provides important interfaith comparisons. Of particular interest is his explication of how film, radio, and television inform American Holocaust remembrance. Shandler is more sympathetic to TV and film coverage of the Holocaust than many other commentators who are often distraught at the redemptive message of many American productions (i.e., a happy ending to a Holocaust story). Shandler points out that redemptive messages are found in both the Exodus story and the Christian Passion narrative, while turning tragedy into triumph also reflects American optimism. That many American media outlets run Holocaust programs on the eve of Passover, therefore, is not too surprising. Recommended for all libraries.—Frederic Krome, Univ. of Cincinnati Clermont Coll.

So much has been written on Islam that it is a challenge to write something fresh. What makes this book somewhat distinctive is that Tawfiq was a Roman Catholic priest before becoming an Islamic scholar. Thus, he has a good understanding of both the Christian and the Islamic faith. Tawfiq also writes as an insider to the Islamic faith, which is helpful: one can sense the depth of his commitment to Islamic beliefs and practices. This having been noted, the book as a whole is not significantly different from many others seeking to introduce Islam to a general audience and to show that Muslims are devout and nonviolent. Two works that would provide more thorough overviews are John Esposito's What Everyone Needs To Know About Islam and his earlier Islam: The Straight Path. Not recommended.—John Jaeger, Dallas Baptist Univ. Lib.

Garrity, a sportswriter best known for his contributions to Sports Illustrated and Golf magazines, tells of his genealogy in a memoir of how golf was overwritten onto his family's DNA. A key element of his narrative is his sabbatical in Ireland near the homestead of his ancestors. Along with his search for roots, Garrity has the opportunity to play the new, old-style Carne golf links and provides interplay between Carne and the Wisconsin golf course where his father had a membership. The golf enthusiast will appreciate Garrity's quest to play only the 17th hole at Carne, as well as the details on the creation and construction of the course. His book has a number of endearing qualities: life in a sometimes dysfunctional family, the relationship to an older brother who played on the PGA tour, and the realization that many supposed family myths actually did occur. In the final analysis, Garrity tells a most interesting story. While it may not be of lasting importance for every sports collection, it could be for libraries collecting in genealogy or family memoir.—Steven Silkunas, North Wales, PA