1990 Books

i am not a big fan of the author's especially after the book on grace kelly but her book on ava gardner was very engaging...she tells of some very interesting stories, especially the one of the time in africa when they were making mogambo and she lifted the natives cloth

A must have! For all you comic collector's This is an awsome one to add to your collection!

A great, passionate collection of rock criticism penned by one of the best writers of the genre. Paul Williams loves music. He also loves his job and, more than anything else, that love is projected in his writing. Williams portrays a zesty sense of enthusiasm that is sorely missing in present day rock journalism.

While his style is exuberant, Williams never slips into the holier-than-thou stance that has become all too familiar amongst rock scribes. In fact, reading "Miracle Factory" is like hanging out with an older sibling or friend who has an amazing record collection and who, instead of making you feel stupid, wants to share the wealth with you. Sifting through an eclectic mix of artists including Pavement, Neil Young, Liz Phair, Uncle Tupelo and the Grateful Dead, Williams digs deeply into the music. He encourages the reader to open his/her sense of awareness and to discover a freshness even in songs which are more than familiar to most ears. Case in point: his bubbly portrayal of Smokey Robinson's "Bein' With You" cleverly picks out nuances that, no matter how many times you've heard this particular tune, causes you to go back and really disect it. And that, afterall, is precisely what good rock writing is all about -- it's supposed to make you WANT to listen.

The knockout punch, as far as this reader is concerned, is the mesmerizing account of the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" box set. Williams doesn't miss a beat while covering all five discs and gives an especially passionate read on the illustrious "SMiLe" tracks included in that package. (Yep, after finishing the book, I went back and listened to all five discs with headphones. I'd be willing to bet some of you will do the same.)

Overall, "Miracle Factory" is a wonderfully refreshing book which harkens back to the days when great rock critics (Bangs, Marcus, etc.) were almost as famous as the stars they wrote about. A time, might I add, when reading the articulate ramblings of such crits was nearly as fun as listening to records.

This fun new book on the second Iraq war is full of details and pictures. It presents a clear `case for invasion' in its opening pages. Then a detailed cast of characters and units is given, followed by a blow by blow account of the war. Color pictures are the norm and this book is a good quick guide to the war. The only flaw is that although unit names are given the maps showing the actual invasion routes is not detailed enough o show the tactical plain of combat. But nevertheless this is a good book.

Seth J. Frantzman

This story seemed utterly fantastical to me-then I read that it was based on a true incident! (I know, I know -"Truth is often stranger than fiction.")
King Frick and King Frack have each inherited half the kingdom. They build a great stone wall that slices it in two. No one may cross the wall. Unfortunately it divides families from their relatives-in this story, little Tamala and Abalon and parents from Grandma and cousin Peter. The family sews together a huge balloon, attaching it to a basket outfitted with a gas burner.
One night they take off in their hot-air balloon, and sail over the wall, even while soldiers below attempt to shoot them down. They are reunited with their relatives.
The story is based on the wall constructed in 1961 to divide Berlin in two. In 1979, two East German families sewed a balloon four stories tall and sailed over the wall. (In 1989, the wall came down.)
"The Balloon Sailors" illustrates the bizarre circumstances that ideology and politics can visit upon citizens, and how some use great imagination and perseverance to overcome the barriers imposed upon them.
The heart-felt illustrations evoke folktales of old, depicting simple village folk and stereotypical kings.

"Presenting a celebration of contemporary Baltimore-style Album quiltmaking."

"Interest in this brilliantly expressive medium has seen a full-scale revival over the past fifteen years. Many modern quiltmakers have mastered the intricacies of the classic 19th century Baltimore Album Quilt."

This annual by baseball stats guru Bill James was the first of three that appeared from 1990-1992. The book has four basic sections, leading off with insightful essays by James and contributor Mike Kopf on the previous (1989) season. Next come some interesting articles about peripheral figures like Midwest scout Bill Clark, recovered burn victim Tony Muser, the Dowd Report on Pete Rose's gambling, etc. Next, the authors look at the strengths and weakenesses of current players. Finally, readers enjoy biographical sketches of prior players whose last names begin with the letter A - Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock, Johnny Antonelli, Luke Appling, Babe Adams, and many lesser figures.

As always Bill James is readable, witty, analytical and insightful. Hard-core rooters often love his writings, but there's much here for casual baseball fans too. Readers may occasionally disagree with what James writes, but they come away knowing more and thinking harder.

This is a wonderful collection of images and carefully crafted writing.
Anybody who has lived away and then made a homecoming will recognise the flavour of this book, captured by one of the great reportage photographers.

Shadowhome by Bastienne Schmidt should be a well thumbed book on everyones bookcase.

This book offers a good description of the preceedings leading to Namibia's independence. It highlights the obstacles faced in the establishment and effectiveness of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) from the point of view of one of its most influential members, John Ya-Otto. The writing style is compelling, so even though it is a detailed historical account, it is very readable.

This book is an excellent piece of scholarship. There was an ncredible amount of hype on all sides of the Iran-Contra scandal, but, with sound methodology and incredible research of letters sent to congressmembers, he seeks to reclaim the American voice during the period. He skewers Olliemania and Reagan's teflon coating, but only as the facts present it, and gives a wide array of opinion. This book is necessary for any good study of the period.