AltWeeklies Wire
'See You in Court' Makes the Case for More Democracynew
What starts as an argument that Republicans are responsible for out-of-control litigation ends up as a sharp critique of the entire American system.
Chicago Reader |
Noah Berlatsky |
11-05-2007 |
Nonfiction
'The Bone Sharps': A Study of Conflictnew
Based on the true story of Charles Sternberg, the visionary fossil collector who found his El Dorado among the Drumheller hoodoos, The Bone Sharps is both a historical novel, rich in period detail, and a poignant meditation on dreams.
The Georgia Straight |
Alexander Varty |
11-02-2007 |
Nonfiction
Don't Be a Wussnew
Howard Dully never wimps out. The eloquent, non-self-pitying narrator of this fascinating, disturbing memoir is one of the youngest lobotomy recipients on record.
The Georgia Straight |
Patty Jones |
11-02-2007 |
Nonfiction
Standing Against Google's Book Projectnew
In his short polemic, Jeanneney, president of France's Bibliotheque nationale, expresses a wide range of European concerns about Google's initiative to digitize the world's printed heritage.
Metro Silicon Valley |
Michael S. Gant |
11-01-2007 |
Nonfiction
George Saunders's Magazine-Inspired Missionnew
Five years and a few National Magazine Awards later, we have this sparkling new essay collection, The Braindead Megaphone, which sends up a powerful warning flag about what the shouters and screamers of our contemporary mediascape are doing to American culture.
Weekly Alibi |
John Freeman |
10-30-2007 |
Nonfiction
'The Oprah Phenomenon': Winfrey or Losersnew
The academic critics in this collection accuse Oprah of not only being a self-help snake oil peddler, but also chief salesman for an unrelentingly conservative view of the American dream.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Staff |
10-29-2007 |
Nonfiction
Unconventional Faithnew
Nancy Mairs writes about being a practicing Catholic on the outside of the hierarchy looking in.
Tucson Weekly |
Margaret Regan |
10-25-2007 |
Nonfiction
It Takes a (Mexican) Villagenew
Will the new critical biography of Josefina Niggli compel Chicana and Chicano writers to embrace her as their literary madrina?
San Antonio Current |
Pablo Miguel Martinez |
10-24-2007 |
Nonfiction
'Storm' Captures More Tales of Fleetwood Mac Dysfunctionnew
Carol Ann Harris' moribund autobiography is a relentlessly insipid read. Her story begins right after the most interesting period in Fleetwood Mac's history: What follows is a largely predictable tale of '70s rock 'n' roll excess.
Baltimore City Paper |
Richard Vernon |
10-23-2007 |
Nonfiction
Garibaldimanianew
Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garbibaldi's story should make for a hot read. Unfortunately, Riall's bloodless writing doesn't describe his clearly fascinating life with any kind of colorful detail, as she's chosen to focus on the mundane political machinations behind his public and private expressions of passion, strength, and weakness.
Baltimore City Paper |
Anne Howard |
10-23-2007 |
Nonfiction
Most of 'Chasing the Rising Sun' is Ted Anthony's Existential Dilemmanew
Most books on the history of a single song would be quite slender, but not when the song is The House of the Rising Sun. Anthony writes more about what he discovers about himself than the music.
Shepherd Express |
Martin Jack Rosenblum |
10-22-2007 |
Nonfiction
George Saunders' Elements of Stylenew
The essays in The Braindead Megaphone are full of optimism and prescriptions for better living -- it's not self-help, but humanity-help: keys to getting on better in the world by getting on better with others.
The Texas Observer |
Josh Rosenblatt |
10-22-2007 |
Nonfiction
Broadsides from Left Fieldnew
Zirin has managed to stake out formidable territory at the intersection of "SportsWorld" and "RealWorld": a dimly-lit place where our purest ideals are laced with fear, violence and exploitation in the manufacturing of the American dream.
Jackson Free Press |
Matt Smith |
10-22-2007 |
Nonfiction
Examining Hugo Chavez & the Conundrum in Caracasnew
Two veteran Venezuelan journalists take on the complex personality of a man who emerged from relative obscurity to become one of Latin America's most influential and controversial leaders.
The Texas Observer |
Susana Hayward |
10-22-2007 |
Nonfiction
Sam Quinones Looks at Both Sides of the Bordernew
This new collection of stories shows that Mexican immigration isn't just transforming the U.S. -- it's also transforming Mexico.
Chicago Reader |
Linda Lutton |
10-22-2007 |
Nonfiction
