Tuesday, May 21 2013
‘Fear of Food’ by Harvey Levenstein
Raised on a lifelong media diet of “good” and “bad” foods, some Americans tend to approach the dinner table in a state of panic.
Jonah Berger’s ‘Contagious’ Shouldn’t Cause an Epidepmic
As with many marketing books, Contagious verges on pop psychology.
Monday, May 20 2013
Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow: Julian Cope’s ‘Copendium’
This is one of the best books about music ever published. It's an absolute delight to sink into and thrash around in, and it comes with a rigorous and righteous sense of wild-eyed-and-eared enthusiasm, and enough exuberant 'motherfuckers' to make Tarantino blush.
‘It’s Only Slow Food Until You Try to Eat It’
A pretty good food book from a guy who doesn't enjoy cooking, will eat almost anything, is cheap, and doesn't much care for food books.
Friday, May 17 2013
‘A Delicate Truth’, An Ugly Business
The moral outrage felt by the Foreign Service whistleblowers in John le Carré's 23rd novel isn't matched by their corrupted superiors.
Thursday, May 16 2013
‘All That Is’ Is Surprising but Inevitable
James Salter has waited several years to publish his most recent novel. The result is unusually intelligent and graceful storytelling.
Robert Olmstead’s Korean War Novel, ‘The Coldest Night’, Succeeds on Many Levels
With a reserved, laconic style that relies heavily on simple declarative sentences and striking imagery, Olmstead's voice is at times reminiscent of fellow superstar Cormac McCarthy, although somewhat less bleak.
Wednesday, May 15 2013
Growing Pains and Gains: Coming of Age ‘‘On Sal Mal Lane’
War is not just fought between armies, as the characters on Sal Mal Lane choose to believe, but it's fought in the home, at school, and at work. In fact, every character here is at war with himself or herself in some way.
What, Exactly, Is Defiant in ‘Defiant Brides’?
This text is more about the history of Peggy (Benedict Arnold) and Lucy (Henry Knox) in concurrence with their husbands, rather than focusing on the women’s autonomous identities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013
‘See Now Then’: An Explication of Intimate Oppression
There's an anger towards women in many liberal, sophisticated, erudite men. It's important to be reminded that resentment is usually anchored in a feeling of similarity with the resented.
Monday, May 13 2013
Frustration and Lack of Respect: ‘The Stone Roses: War and Peace’
The story of the biggest British band to never make it in America gets a thorough, honest, and fair recounting.
Fiddling While Rome Burns: ‘The Perfect Meal’
John Baxter, an Australian writer living in France, is distressed at the death of haute cuisine, and thus sets out to discover France's remaining "real" foods. It's an onerous task.
Friday, May 10 2013
‘Napalm: An American Biography’ Is Insanely Readable
There is no bias here, no leftist or conservative agenda. This is simply an exhaustive history of napalm, from its beginnings as kind of a scientific puzzle for technocrats to one of the most widely despised symbols of war.
Thursday, May 9 2013
A Studied Aesthetic: ‘Temperature’s Rising: An Oral History of Galaxie 500’
"I was always drawn to the simple and the well proportioned rather than the flashy." Naomi Yang's aesthetic speaks for her band in this handsomely assembled presentation of words and depictions about their memorable music.
Charlie Cullen, Angel of Death: ‘The Good Nurse’
Charlie Cullen is the most prolific serial killer in American history. Here is his appalling, all-true story.
Wednesday, May 8 2013
Poetic or Introspective Registers Carom Off R-Rated Vernacular in ‘The King of Good Intentions’
The King of Good Intentions depicts scenes that have not yet vanished, although most of its record stores have, on shady blocks off Melrose or Wilshire.
Tuesday, May 7 2013
Hello Kitty’s Silent March toward World Domination: ‘Pink Globalization’
For all of her meticulous research and personal communications with fans, Sanrio employees, authors, and others, Christine Yano does an exceptional job of mining the Hello Kitty multiverse.
Monday, May 6 2013
Wire Never Propped Up Punk’s Posing Corpse: ‘Read & Burn’
"With the meaningless luxury of hindsight", Wilson Neate echoes back at the band its own detachment -- and its dry wit. This reverberates with his own sharp, honest, but affectionate reaction to Wire's sounds and moods.
Miracles in Plain Sight: Grace McCleen’s ‘The Land of Decoration’
In her debut novel, Grace McCleen treats heavy subjects with a light hand, showcasing her talents through an endearing narrator and thoughtful story.
Friday, May 3 2013
Beyond the Beard and the Birdbath: André Vauchez’s ‘Francis of Assisi’
André Vauchez's presentation of this Umbrian knight turned "poor and begging" imitator of Christ proves as fascinating and debatable as the Man from Galilee whom the Poor Man of Assisi tried to emulate.
