Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books

-- Library Journal, 7/10/2009 2:01:00 PM

Fiction | Nonfiction

Fiction

Kane, Cornelius. The Unscratchables. Scribner. Jul. 2009. c.272p. ISBN 978-1-4165-9641-7. pap. $14. M
In the vein of The Big Sleep or Animal Farm, Kane (the pseudonym of Australian author Anthony O’Neill) combines hard-boiled mystery and social satire. Unlike other animal sleuths (e.g., Lilian Jackson Braun’s Ko-Ko and Yum-Yum), these creatures live in a human-free world. Max "Crusher" McNash, a bulldog detective with the San Bernardo Slaughter Unit, teams up with Cassius Lap, a Siamese from the Feline Bureau of Investigation to track down the perpetrator of a series of gruesome murders (several rottweiler gangsters are offed, and a feral feline serial killer is suspected). Could the crimes be connected to the ambitions of fox media magnate Phineas Reynard?
Verdict A smart and entertaining read that will appeal to all noir readers—even those who normally detest animal mysteries.—Susan Hayes, Chattahoochee Valley Libs., Columbus, GA

Maron, Margaret. Sand Sharks. Grand Central. Aug. 2009. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-446-19611-6. $24.99. M
It’s hard to believe that Judge Deborah Knott is making her 15th appearance (after Hard Row). This time Deborah is attending a District Judges’ conference while her husband, Dwight, and stepson travel to Virginia to take care of Dwight’s first wife’s estate. Deborah stumbles over a dead body of an unpopular "bent" judge, and the plot thickens as a retiring judge is injured, an aspiring actor/waiter goes missing, and Deborah becomes the next target. Maron writes with such a strong sense of place that you can even smell the ocean air on Wrightsville Beach.
Verdict The plot, populated with enticing characters, moves swiftly; an essential read for Maron fans and mystery lovers.—Susan T. Hayes, Chattahoochee Valley Libs., Columbus, GA

Weiner, Jennifer. Best Friends Forever. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2009. c.384p. ISBN 978-0-7432-9429-4. $26.95. F
Addie has always been a good girl—especially compared with her freewheeling and far-more-popular friend, Valerie. When jock Dan Swansea sexually assaults Valerie, Addie comes to her rescue, only to be betrayed and humiliated when Valerie denies everything. Fifteen years later, on the night of their high school reunion, Valerie tries to make things right, only to end up turning their worlds upside down. In her revenge attempt on Dan, she runs him over with her car and leaves him for dead. Once again she turns to Addie for help, and the two set off on a run from the law. 
Verdict Weiner’s latest showcases her talent for creating richly drawn, realistic characters. She deftly weaves in multiple back stories and subplots and punctuates the story with plenty of humor. Highly recommended for all fans of women’s fiction.—Rebecca Vnuk, Glen Ellyn P.L., IL

Nonfiction

Armstrong, Karen. The Case for God. Knopf. Sept. 2009. c.432p. index. ISBN 978-0-307-26918-8. $27.95. REL
Armstrong offers a tour de force study of religiosity that expands on themes in her previous titles A History of God and The Great Transformation. Armstrong contrasts the "unknown God" of 30,000 B.C.E–1500 C.E. with the modern God (1500 C.E.–present) and burgeoning European atheism. Today, religion is supposed to provide answers, but in earlier times, faith functioned like art and was a source of joy and serenity in the face of mystery and challenges.
Verdict Highly recommended for readers willing to grapple with difficult but clearly articulated concepts and challenges to the "received" ways of perceiving religion. A classic book addressing some of the same issues is Wilfred Cantwell Smith’s The Meaning and End of Religion. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/09.]—Carolyn M. Craft, Longwood Univ., Farmville, VA

Brandt, Richard L. Inside Larry & Sergey's Brain. Portfolio. Sept. 2009. c.256p. index. ISBN 978-1-59184-276-7. $24.95. BUS
Brandt (Capital Instincts) profiles Larry Page and Sergey Brin, founders of the multibillion-dollar conglomerate, Google Inc., and the philanthropic arm of the company, Google.org. Unlike many other business histories, which focus on corporate successes and lessons, this book delves into the psyches of Page and Brin and describes their transformation from shy and socially awkward computer geeks to skilled business and technology leaders. Like many great entrepreneurs, they have an undying determination to succeed, a willingness to take risks, and, above all, a clear vision that energizes individuals around them.
Verdict This will appeal to a large readership as the public’s interest in Google and its future is broad and growing.—Caroline Geck, Newark Public Schs., NJ

Brewer, Susan A. Why America Fights: Patriotism and War Propaganda from the Philippines to Iraq. Oxford Univ. Jul. 2009. c.352p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-19-538135-1. $29.95. HIST
American presidents have repeatedly packaged military interventions or wars in terms that they hoped would mobilize the nation’s support. Brewer (To Win the Peace: British Propaganda in the United States During World War II) illustrates how President McKinley’s stated reasons for going to war in the Philippines were similar to President George W. Bush’s professed aims; separated by a more than a century, both presidents defended their decisions in the name of spreading democracy and American-style freedom.
Verdict This is an excellent primer for emerging politicians and opinion makers. Historians and anyone interested in the role of the media during wartime will want to study this book.—Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Lib., Fort Leavenworth, KS

Conlon, Patrick. The Essential Hospital Handbook: How To Be an Effective Partner in a Loved One's Care. Yale Univ. Jul. 2009. c.384p. index. ISBN 978-0-300-14575-5. $30; pap. ISBN 978-0-300-14576-2. $18. HEALTH
In many ways, hospitalization is comparable to travel to a foreign country—our entry is contingent on insurance, which functions like a passport, and once we’re inside the borders, we find the customs and language utterly unfamiliar. But with the abundance of health information resources available on the Internet, a better informed public is seeking more active participation in the care their loved ones receive—and hospitals are responding—with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Canadian journalist Conlon (No Need To Trouble the Heart) covers hospitalization from emergency room through surgery, intensive care, and recovery.
Verdict Conlon provides the information lay readers need to navigate their way through today’s hospital maze and to help professional health-care teams care for patients. His is a direct approach without the personal narrative of Brian and Gerri Monaghan's The Power of Two.—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

Dolgin, Kevin. The Third Tower Up from the Road: A Compilation of Columns from McSweeny's Internet Tendency's Kevin Dolgin Tells You About Places You Should Go. Santa Monica. Jul. 2009. c.336p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59580-043-5. pap. $16.95. TRAV
When you spend your work life traveling the world as Dolgin does, you tend to stumble upon some of the less touristy places on the map. Dolgin’s irreverent column, "Kevin Dolgin Tells You About Places You Should Go in Europe," has been published since 2003 at McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. The bulk of the humorous dispatches cover European and Asian locales. 
Verdict Reminiscent of the writing of Dave Barry or Tim Cahill, Dolgin’s observations will leave you wishing he was your traveling partner. Even though some of the shorter pieces include little actual travel advice, this book will make an excellent companion in your armchair or on your own adventure.—Sheila Kasperek, Millersville Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

Ehrenreich, Barbara. Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. Metropolitan: Holt. Oct. 2009. c.240p. index. ISBN 978-0-8050-8749-9. $23. SOC SCI
According to Ehrenreich (Nickel and Dimed), all forms of "positive thinking" are equal. Women with breast cancer who remain hopeful that their treatments will succeed are no different from manipulative motivational speakers. While Ehrenreich accurately points out that unjustifiable optimism can lead us into trouble (e.g., the recent financial crisis), her book is unbalanced and unfocused. Ehrenreich argues that Americans may do well to be more realistic, even skeptical, but she fails to develop a nuanced argument for a more thoughtful engagement with our world, if this is her goal (it is not easy to tell).
Verdict Ehrenreich’s latest is an angry, uneven narrative. Still, devoted fans will be looking for this one.—Elizabeth L. Winter, Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta

Griffin, Darrell, Sr., & Darrell "Skip" Griffin, Jr. Last Journey: A Father and Son in Wartime. Atlas & Co., dist. by Norton. 2009. c.304p. illus. ISBN 978-1-934633-16-8. $25. AUTOBIOG
Sgt. Griffin began this book before his tragic death in Iraq in 2007; his father finished it, and the result switches between their points of view and incorporates erudite discussions of philosophy and religion, autobiography, private correspondence, and journal entries depicting gruesome battles in and around Mosul and Baghdad. The graphic war scenes allow readers firsthand access to the horrors of the battlefield and the incalculable stress war places on combatants and noncombatants alike.
Verdict Part memoir, part white-knuckle war reporting, part philosophical meditation, this book is a valuable addition to the growing literature on the Iraq war and the sacrifices made by military families. Recommended for readers interested in current affairs, memoirs, and military history.—Dennis J. Seese, Jefferson–Madison Regional Lib., Charlottesville, VA

Katz, Alyssa. Our Lot: How Real Estate Came To Own Us. Bloomsbury, dist. by Macmillan. 2009. c.288p. index. ISBN 978-1-59691-479-7. $26. BUS
Katz (journalism, NYU; editorial consultant, Pratt Ctr. for Community Development) explains how the real-estate meltdown has been nearly four decades in the making. She reveals how public, private, and government sectors contributed to the economic crisis and provides cogent explanations of redlining, mortgage fraud with associated foreclosures, and rent-control legislation. Extensive bibliographic notes and a glossary of pertinent terms complete the volume.
Verdict Recommended for anyone trying to buy or sell a home in today’s market as well as readers interested in the (long) roots of current recession.—Bonnie A. Tollefson, Gainesville, FL

Malone, Patrick. The Life You Save: Nine Steps to Finding the Best Medical Care—and Avoiding the Worst. Da Capo Lifelong. Jul. 2009. c.304p. index. ISBN 978-0-7382-1304-0. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
Malone, a patient safety advocate, warns that "risk of needless death or serious injury confronts every family in the U.S." when dealing with the American health-care system. Although this may seem extreme, Malone has worked on many medical malpractice cases, and he distills his experience into nine steps that individuals can take to protect themselves (e.g., keeping copies of medical records and avoiding dangerous doctors and infections in health-care facilities). The advice offered is occasionally hard-to-follow (e.g., finding a primary-care doctor who doesn’t accept gifts from the drug manufacturers), but the underlying reasoning is sound. 
Verdict A thorough and up-to-date addition to patient-empowerment literature; recommended for readers interested in health, consumer, and legal issues.—Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Los Alamos Cty. Lib. Syst., NM

Morris, Charles R. The Sages: Warren Buffett, George Soros, Paul Volcker, and the Maelstrom of Markets. PublicAffairs: Perseus. 2009. 224p. index. ISBN 978-1-58648-752-2. $23.95. ECON
According to Morris (Two Trillion Dollar Meltdown), his three subjects were among the few prominent financial figures who foresaw the current credit crisis. He sketches each man’s professional career, focusing on how their approaches diverged from conventional wisdom: Soros built his legendary career on exploiting market inefficiencies; Buffett ignored day-to-day market noise to assemble a multibillion-dollar empire; Volcker broke with accepted economic principles in his successful campaign to control inflation during his 1979–87 term as Federal Reserve chairman. The book concludes by lambasting our modern financial system for repeatedly sowing the seeds of major crises. 
Verdict Morris’s succinct but insightful biographies and his provocative criticisms make this an informative and recommended choice for most general readers.—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

Wolffe, Richard. Renegade: The Making of a President. Crown. 2009. c.356p. ISBN 978-0-307-46312-8. $26. POL SCI
Journalist and MSNBC commentator Wolffe offers an absorbing narrative of Obama’s historic victory, using "Renegade"—President Obama’s Secret Service code name—to describe his ability to win the election while retaining his outsider’s status. Wolffe provides in-depth coverage of Obama’s campaign, detailing his hard fight with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, his loss of primaries in major states, the mobilization of young volunteers, and the problematic role of race, inflamed by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. 
Verdict This book is not quite comparable with Theodore H. White’s The Making of the President 1960 (mainly because the McCain campaign is largely ignored), but readers will find it to be it a compelling account in its own right.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

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