Tag: Non-Fiction Page 2 of 28

The Post I have been trying to finish since Monday morning remains undone (I got sooo close today). But I feel the need to post something just to confirm to myself that, yes, I do have a blog. So, here we go, in honor of the 126th anniversary of his birth, why not look at this collection of writings from Elwyn Brooks White.

E. B. White on Dogs

edited by Martha White

DETAILS:
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Publication Date: March 7, 2016
Format: Paperback
Length: 177 pg.
Read Date: December 28-31, 2022

Next year, when Dog Show time comes round, we would like to see a wholly new brand of showmanship introduced into the Garden… A dog should be made to work for his ribbon, each breed in his own wise. Pointers should have to point, Shepherds should be required to herd a band of sheep from the east goal to the west goal. Poodles should be required to jump through a paper hoop, not just follow Mrs. Sherman Hoyt around the ring. English bull terriers should be made to count up to ten, retrievers retrieve rubber ducks, Scotties chew up old shoes. Greyhounds should be put over the high hurdles. St. Bernards carry brandy to anyone in the audience who feels weak, preferably us. Beagles would jolly well have to bealge, or shut up. How about it, dogs—are you dogs or mice?

What’s E. B. White on Dogs About?

This is a collection of essays, articles, letters, and other brief notes written by E.B. White about dogs. In other words, it’s what the title says. Most of the entries are very short—1-2 pages, some are a paragraph long—but (especially toward the end), we get some longer letters and essays.

Most are about White’s dogs—particularly Fred, a beloved dachshund. But there are pieces about dog shows and other dogs, too.

A Few Highlights

This is going to be tough, there are just too many options. Something about Dog Shows brought out the best and/or snarkiest in White, and are possibly my favorite moments.

There’s a point where he describes how a dachshund climbs up and down stairs and the optimum height for said stairs. I don’t know about the height, but he described perfectly how our pug uses the stairs and it’s something I’m going to borrow. He had, over the course of his life, multiple dachshunds and his affection for the breed is evident. But you can tell that Fred had a big impact on White—both during and after his death. The piece White wrote after his death is possibly the highlight of the book.

There’s a long (for this book, anyway) piece about taking a dog on its first coon hunting trip—it’s just wonderful. It’s tonally different from most of the book, which probably helps it stand out—but it didn’t need much help.

Some Non-Dog Moments

Not everything in this book is focused on dogs but involves them tangentially. The best of these pieces are about contemporary politics—I knew some of the names, but not all of them, but that didn’t change things really.

There’s an essay from The New Yorker that I’d probably have paid half the purchase price of the book for—it’s called “Khrushchev and I (A Study in Similarities).” Some newspaper published a feature on the Soviet premier, and from what I can tell, it was the puffiest puff piece around. White takes some parts of that feature to show how much he and Khrushchev are alike—they’re devoted to their families, like walking in the woods, and so on. The last paragraph points out some important differences, too—size, amount of hair left on their heads, the fact that White has never threatened to bury America…the usual differences. And just as he has you chuckling in a different way than he has for a few pages, the last line or two are somber and sober. Fantastic stuff.

So, what did I think about E. B. White on Dogs?

Overall, this was a great collection. It does feel like Martha White hit “Ctrl-F” on an electronic version of everything her grandfather had written and pasted the entire contents of that search into this book. Some of the letters contain one sentence about a dog—not always that cleverly written or interesting—and I had to wonder why she bothered, outside of a drive for thoroughness.

I don’t recommend reading too much of this at once—but maybe that’s just me, my attention waned after too many entries. But if you’re familiar with White’s non-children’s writing, or have the desire to be, and enjoy reading about dogs (and a couple of cats, and a squirrel or two)—you’ll enjoy this.

Speaking of his non-children’s writing—in her note to the reader describing the impetus for the book, and their approach to editing, keeping the pieces “largely as they appeared originally, not attempting to mesh the inconsistencies.” (including some phrasing I don’t think you’d get away with today). Martha White says,

The letters…are more casual in style and my Tillbury House editor was surprised to find that the co-author of The Elements of Style did not always get his that and which correct, especially in the early years. Our hands-off policy nearly killed her.

I feel for that editor and can’t help but chuckle about E.B. White’s divergence from his own book.

All in all, this book delivers what the title promises, and if that’s up your alley, you’ll enjoy it. I sure did.

4 Stars
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
—

The Hijacked Conscience by Debra Peck: An Obsession for Assurance and Certainty

By HCNewton

On June 30, 2024

In Literary Locals, Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Hijacked Conscience:
An Informed and Compassionate Response to Religious Scrupulosity

by Debra Peck

DETAILS:
Publisher: SacraSage
Publication Date: February 10, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 158 pg.
Read Date: June 9-16, 2024

What Exactly is RSOCD?

This book focuses on Religious Scrupulosity Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (RSOCD) and I want to be sure that I describe it carefully and accurately. The best way to do that is to let Debra Peck do the honors (obviously, she goes into more depth, but this’ll do for starters):

The International OCD Foundation describes it as “A form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involving religious or moral obsessions. Scrupulos individuals are overly concerned that something they thought or did might be a sin or other violation of religious or moral doctrine.”’ In simplest terms, people with Scrupulosity OCD see sin where there is none.

Those who suffer from Scrupulosity usually have an overly sensitive moral conscience which causes their faith to be experienced as anxiety and fear instead of as peace. The French call it “the doubting disease.” People with Scrupulosity hold themselves to a rigorous level of spirituality and practice, not out of love or even out of obligation, but out of deep-seated fear and anxiety that not doing so imperils their eternal soul.

Like all forms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Scrupulosity is marked by unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions), overwhelming anxiety that demands resolution, and either outward or internal rituals (compulsions) that relieve the anxiety for a time.

What’s The Hijacked Conscience About?

Peck tries (fairly successfully, I think) to introduce RSOCD to believers, pastors, counselors, and others to the concept. Using her own life and experiences she walks the reader through the struggles she endured (with help and hindrances from family, friends, and fellow Christians) until she was diagnosed. And how having this diagnosis—and the better treatments that came from it—have helped, and how it hasn’t (enough).

Throughout, there’s an attempt to generalize from her experience—or at least show how things she went through can be similar to things others go through.

She also brings in some of the research she and others have done about the disorder alongside her own experiences—which is essential.

I Can’t Help But Wonder…

Early on, Peck describes things that people say in response to questions and concerns raised by people with RSOCD. I’ve heard some of these given to questions by people without it—and I found them just as troublesome and almost as damaging. I put in my notes around that time—these people need a good dose of the Heidelberg Catechism (and the rest of the Three Forms of Unity/Westminster Standards). And, yes, I know—that is not a panacea here, and there’s a lot more going on than bad theology. However…it’s sure not helping them.

Peck herself says,

For those from a Wesleyan-holiness position which emphasizes that the heart can be completely cleansed from sin and living a sin-free life is the expectation of those who are “sanctified,” this can be especially debilitating.

I’ll leave it to others to deal with Wesleyen perfection and the myriad problems it has and that stem from it. But I absolutely see where it’d be debilitating to anyone honest with themselves about their spiritual condition—for someone who is compelled to be “overly concerned” with spiritual matters, debilitating seems like an understatement.

Now, people in the Wesleyan-holiness traditions don’t have a monopoly on this tendency—R. Scott Clark talks about many Evangelical strains affected by what he calls the QIRC and the QIRE—RSOCD really seems like a super-powered version of the Quest for Illegitimate Religious Certainty (with a dose of Quest for Illegitimate Religious Experience, too). Clark defines the QIRC as “the pursuit to know God in ways he has not revealed himself and to achieve epistemic and moral certainty on questions where such certainty is neither possible nor desirable.” The QIRC is problematic for anyone—you add OCD to it? And forget it—you need to fight this with medication, therapy, and better theology.

I don’t for a second believe that Reformed believers can’t struggle with this—the Heidelberg isn’t an inoculation against it. But I do wonder how it would present itself from someone within the Reformed tradition. (I’m curious about Muslims, Universalists, or Wiccans struggling with RSOCD, too).

So, what did I think about The Hijacked Conscience?

This is clearly Peck’s story—or, better, a look at RSOCD through Peck’s story. And as such, it’s good. What would’ve made this better is seeing a few other people’s stories—not the whole thing, but more. Sure, we’re told that there are others—given a couple of historical examples that are likely true, or at least possible—but as it is, it’s harder to get an idea about how RSOCD affects people who aren’t Debra Peck. It’d also be nice to see things others have done to help themselves.

Again, I know that’s not the design or intent of the book. I just think it’d have made this a stronger book—maybe that’s what a future sequel holds? (I don’t know if Peck has plans/intentions for a follow-up, I’m just spitballing here)

But as for the book we do have? It was good—it’s a solid introduction to the concept of RSOCD, a good look at how undiagnosed/untreated it can affect a person, and how—with help—someone can cope (for lack of a better term) with it. There’s even a nice little discussion on the use of medications for this, and similar, afflictions.

The writing is clear and approachable—frequently engaging and pleasant. There’s nothing to be daunted about here, just a good primer to help you weep with those who weep.

3 Stars

Literary Locals logo

REPOSTING JUST ‘CUZ: Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals by Gavin Ortlund: An Accessible Call for 21st Century Christians to Learn from the Past

By HCNewton

On June 23, 2024

In Theology/Christian Living

I ended up having more time in the day to write this post than I normally do, and as a result ended up a bit more rambling and less-focused than intended. Hopefully it’s worth the read, despite my laxness.

Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future

by Gavin Ortlund

eARC, 224 pg.
Crossway, 2019

Read: October 5-12, 2019

This is another one of those theological works that I feel really unqualified to discuss. There’s part of me that thinks I should stop requesting them from NetGalley, or buying them and deciding that I want to post about them, but I probably won’t. So, know that this is from the perspective of an opinionated and semi-(formally)educated reader and occasional armchair theologian. Not the reflections of an ordained minister or professional theologian.

I’m glad Ortlund talks about this right out of the gate—but the case he lays out for Theological Retrieval here, strikes me as very similar to Michael Allen and Scott R. Swain’s Reformed Catholicity: The Promise of Retrieval for Theology and Biblical Interpretation and Kevin J. Vanhoozer’s Biblical Authority after Babel: Retrieving the Solas in the Spirit of Mere Protestant Christianity. Ortlund says they’re aiming for the same target, but those works are more oriented toward the Reformed, where he’s focused on Evangelicalism. I’d say that they’re all wanting the same thing, but his work is more accessible (by design) and less-inclined to advertise his scholarly awareness (particularly with the former).

One problem that you encounter right away is a nebulousness about the term “Evangelical.” If Ortlund defined his usage, I missed it. He seems to use it to apply to Bible-believing Protestants who aren’t Reformed or Lutheran. Which is fair enough, I guess, it’s just not an easily defined term anymore. Frankly, I’m with Carl Trueman and others, and consider the label “evangelicalism” meaningless as it can be applied to “everyone from Joel Osteen to Brian McLaren to John MacArthur.”

Ortlund doesn’t give a strict definition of Theological Retrieval—in fact, he avoids it, preferring to see it as a mindset or attitude toward the pre-Reformation Church and Theology, drawing from its strengths, seeing its weaknesses in our own, and putting the contemporary (and Reformation) Church in context of a developing understanding from the end of Acts to Second Coming. Given that, we should be more aware of, and interact more with, the Patristic and Medieval Church. He uses Turretin, in particular, to great benefit in showing that this was the mindset of the Protestant Reformation, and calls us back to it. Along the way, he uses Warfield (and the rest of Old Princeton) as emblematic of Evangelicalism’s departure from this thinking. I’m not sure that’s the best reading of Warfield, but it’s not worth arguing, because his overall point is so right.

The first Part of the book—roughly 60 pages in three chapters—sets the agenda, it’s “A Manifesto for Theological Retrieval.” He begins by asking if Evangelicals can Retrieve Patristic and Medieval Theology, before moving to asking why they need it, and then sketching out both the benefits and perils of it. All of which is profitable and well-worth reading.

But what makes this book different than so many, is that Ortlund doesn’t focus on the project, the theory behind it, or the method. He gives the rest of the book—120 pages or so—to examples of what he’s calling for people to do. Case-studies in theological retrieval—which is some of the best theological reading I’ve done this year, maybe the last couple of years.

The first is a chapter called “Explorations in a Theological Metaphor: Boethius, Calvin, and Torrance on the Creator/ Creation Distinction.” A nice mouthful, to be sure. To illustrate the Creator/Creature Distinction, he compares Tolkein’s relationship to The Lord of the Rings to God’s relationship to his creation, in terms of Boethius’ understanding, and how Calvin’s view would differ, before wrapping up with Torrance. Now, I have little use for what he tries to do with Tolkein—I think this sort of thing is almost as bad as trying to teach the Trinity by analogy (which always quickly lands the teacher in heresy). I know enough people do this sort of thing in teaching and writing, and I should try to pay more attention, but my eyes just glazed over. Most readers will get more out of this than I did. I did appreciate what he said about Boethius and Torrance in distinction from Calvin and feel like I understand the three a little better (not that I’m all that familiar with Boethius and Torrance), and think I got something from the chapter overall, but I know my own prejudices kept me from a full appreciation.

Things improve with “God Is Not a Thing: Divine Simplicity in Patristic and Medieval Perspective.” Rather than going head-on for contemporary critics of the doctrine, he takes a look at historic formulations (not limited to Aquinas’) of the doctrine and seeing how that should actually deepen Evangelical’s commitment to Simplicity as well as broaden our understanding of it. He interacts a good deal with James Dolezal’s wonderful All That Is in God and God without Parts here and reminds me that I need to re-read the former and read the latter. A better blogger (one also focused on theology, not the book) would camp out here for a few paragraphs, but I won’t. It’s just a great chapter and the kind of thing we need to see more of.

My favorite case study is the third, “Substitution as Both Satisfaction and Recapitulation: Atonement Themes in Convergence in Irenaeus, Anselm, and Athanasius.” I would read a book-length version of this tomorrow. Well, not tomorrow. I would start a book-length version of this tomorrow, and have a lot of fun over the following days. Ortlund shows the overlapping concerns of Irenaeus and Anselm (who are so often pitted against each other), how the Christus Victor and Substitutionary Atonement models are interdependent, not rivals (while not giving an inch to contemporary critics of Substitutionary Atonement, it should be pointed out). From there, he moves onto some of Athanasius’ work on the Incarnation, demonstrating that these works have a good deal to say about the Atonement, as well. If I got nothing else out of this book, I’d consider the time I spent reading it well-spent just for this chapter. I could’ve lived without the use of Aslan and the Stone Table portion of the study, but (contra the Tolkein), it proved to be a useful illustration.

“Cultivating Skill in the “Art of Arts”: Pastoral Balance in Gregory the Great’s The Book of Pastoral Rule” is the last case study. I remember reading healthy portions of this work by Gregory in a Church History class for much the same reason that Ortlund uses it. There’s a lot of wisdom for pastors of every age in this very old work—he also shows how manuals like Baxter’s or Spurgeon’s will say similar things. Timeless truths and advice put in ways that others wouldn’t. I really don’t have much to say about this, but it’s almost as good as the previous two.

This is one of the most-easily outlined books I’ve read this year (possibly the most), that’s a fantastic aid for referring back to it in the future or for going back and taking thorough notes. I’d go crazy if I read too many books like this, I prefer the more organic feeling approach. But when this is done right, it’s a handy bonus. Beyond that, as I said before, it’s very accessible. Sure, there are parts that are demanding, but nothing’s out of reach for the committed and attentive reader—and most of the time you don’t have to be that committed.

Like their counterparts from the previous century, Twenty-First Century Christians don’t know enough historical doctrine, and certainly don’t know how to treat what little they do know. Too often, Protestants will cede everything prior to 1517 to Rome (maybe Rome and the East), focusing only on the last 500 years—if they’ll even pay attention to anything prior to Fanny J. Crosby. Ortlund’s work is a great call for the everyday Christian to familiarize themselves with the past and learn from them as we ought the rest of the Church Militant. I strongly recommend this.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Crossway via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this stimulating read.

4 Stars

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians (Audiobook) by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann: BTS of the Book Connecting Scene

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2024

In Audiobook, Non-Fiction

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians:
Their Stories Are Better Than the Bestsellers

by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann; Read by: Tom Force, Nancy Peterson, Jenn Lee, Jennifer Pickens, Amy Jensen, Deanna Anthony, Jane Oppenheimer, Susan Hanfield, Marni Penning, Daniel Henning, Rob Reider

DETAILS:
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date: April 8, 2024
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hrs., 55 min. 
Read Date: April 14-16, 2024

My favorite thing is helping people. Handing someone a book with the power to change their lives is magical because, oftentimes, it does.

What’s The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians About?

Typically, when I just use the Publisher’s Description, it’s because I’ve floundered around and can’t come up with a description that I like or because I just don’t care enough about the book to put the effort into it. this time, however, it’s because I really like the way that this copywriter put it (and maybe I’m a little worried that I’d end up plagarizing it a bit if I tried):

To be a bookseller or librarian…

You have to play detective.

Be a treasure hunter. A matchmaker. An advocate. A visionary.

A person who creates “book joy” by pulling a book from a shelf, handing it to someone and saying, “You’ve got to read this. You’re going to love it.”

Step inside The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians and enter a world where you can feed your curiosities, discover new voices, find whatever you want or require. This place has the magic of rainbows and unicorns, but it’s also a business. The book business.

Meet the smart and talented people who live between the pages—and who can’t wait to help you find your next favorite book.

Overly-Romanticized?

Yes, I think so. Now, were you to ask me if I cared, I’d give you a big fat “no.”

Many librarians—public or school—in the book were involved in the recent efforts to restrict access to certain books. Something that’s important, to be true. And some of them had suffered because of it—but listening to this felt sanitized.

The booksellers, on the other hand, particularly those who owned/worked in independent stores didn’t seem to suffer or have many hardships. I mean, the bookstore in The Bookish Life of Nina Hill had a harder go of it than most of these. I know the point of this book isn’t to be a no-flinching look at the hard times involved in bookselling (you can look at things like Shaun Bythell’s or Oliver Darkshire’s books for the grimmer-side).

This book is designed to be a celebration of those people who’ve devoted their professional lives to connecting people with books—for a variety of reasons. So, sure, it doesn’t tell the whole story, just the good parts. And frankly, that’s entertaining enough—and given a lot of the dark tales that could be told about librarians and booksellers right now, I’m willing to settle for just the good bits while we can.

How Was the Narration?

It was really well done—if you just take a glance at the credits of the narrators, you can understand why. I’m not sure which narrator did which part of the book, nor am I sure how often I heard the same narrator reading different chapters—I honestly couldn’t tell. I call that a win in my book—they convincingly embued each bookseller or librarian with just the right amount of personality that I might as well have been listening to recorded interviews with the individuals behind the stories.

So, what did I think about The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians?

I figured this would be a pleasant book, but I didn’t expect much beyond that. I’m pleased to have been wrong.

This is an inspiring and entertaining look at the people who connect others with the books they want or need—whether they realize they want or need them or not. For a booklover, this is great to hear. They sound like what you want them to sound like.

The big problem with this book is that you’re going to fight the impulse to quit your job and go get your MLS or start working as a clerk in a bookstore as soon as you finish (or by the mid-point). As downsides go, it’s a pretty tame one, but it’s there.

You’ll have a fun time with this, give it a shot.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

Catch-Up Quick Takes: Some Recent Non-Fiction Listens

By HCNewton

On June 4, 2024

In (Auto)Biography, Audiobook, Non-Fiction

It’s (beyond) time for another batch of Quick Takes—this time focusing on non-fiction audiobooks that I’ve enjoyed so far this year. As always, the point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.

The Other Family Doctor:
A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life, and Mortality

by Karen Fine

DETAILS:
Publisher: Random House Audio 
Publication Date: March 14, 2023
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hrs., 2 min. 
Read Date: February 5-9, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
In my experience, your typical Veterinarian memoir focuses on their patients and weaves in a little about the Vet themselves—their education/training (for sure) and then some other material from their lives. This goes the other way—it’s primarily about Fine and her life—her training, her family (going back to her grandfather), her background, her pets, her spouse, her health, and so on—and how that impacts/shapes how she treats her patients and deals with their families. It’s just a matter of emphasis. The subtitle would be better “A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Have Taught Her…” Still interesting, just a different emphasis to the book than you’d think from the title/subject.

Fine does a good job on the narration front, you really wouldn’t know her day job isn’t as a performer/narrator.
3 Stars

Raw Dog:
The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs

by Jamie Loftus

DETAILS:
Publisher: Macmillan Audio 
Publication Date: May 23, 2023
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length:  9 hrs., 38 min. 
Read Date: April 12-15, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
The description of a COVID-era road trip taken by a writer and her significant other (until they broke up toward the end) touring through as many states as they could, tasting and experiencing the most notable Hot Dogs for each state along the way. Interspersed with the description of her/their trip and the hot dogs they encounter along the way are looks at the history of the hot dog, its culinary and cultural predecessors, the way they’re made (both pre and post-Upton Sinclair), how the companies behind them treat their employees, the myth and truth of the Costco Dog pricing, competitive eating (with a focus, obviously on hot dog eating competitions) and more.

Informative, entertaining—frequently funny, also frequently a little more “blue” than you’d expect (but perhaps shouldn’t based on the title)—eye-opening, and will make you crave a handful of that most American of foods. This is a blast. Loftus nails the narration.
3 Stars

Supercommunicators:
How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

by Charles Duhigg

DETAILS:
Publisher: Random House Audio 
Publication Date: February 20, 2024
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hrs., 28 min. 
Read Date: March 21-26, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
On the one hand, this is the least interesting book that Duhigg has written, unusually for him, the anecdotes along the way didn’t capture me like they usually do. Maybe that says more about me and my headspace in late March of 2024 than it does Duhigg (it likely does).

That said, it’s the most easily applicable of all his work. I really felt like I should be taking notes (my coworkers, family, and friends would quickly agree that I should’ve)—and I probably need to go back and listen a few more times, and maybe work through a hard copy.

When I say least interesting of his—it should be stressed that his topics and stories are usually very thought-provoking, so “less interesting” is still more than worth your time. It’s an engaging listen (Duhigg knows what he’s doing behind a microphone), full of practical information and strong advice and it’s a rewarding book.
3.5 Stars

Making It So

by Patrick Stewart

DETAILS:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio 
Publication Date: October 3, 2023
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 18 hrs., 50 min. 
Read Date: April 19-24, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
It’s almost 19 hours of Patrick Stewart telling you stories about his life—how do you think this is? Need I say more?

He seems very open about his flaws and mistakes. Moreover, he seems to enjoy laughing at himself. So we get plenty of stories where he doesn’t come out looking too good. In fact, he comes across like the bad guy in some of his personal stories.

This is a great mix of personal stories and behind-the-scenes material about the projects we know and love him for.

And again, It’s almost 19 hours of Patrick Stewart telling you stories about his life. What else do you need to convince you? (the paper version is probably pretty good, too—but you’d miss that voice)
4 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams edited by Kevin Jon Davies: A Tribute in Miscellany, Ephemeron, Bits and Bobs

By HCNewton

On May 24, 2024

In Non-Fiction

42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams

edited by Kevin Jon Davies

DETAILS:
Publisher: Unbound
Publication Date: September 19, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 299 pg.
Read Date: May 11-23, 2024

What’s 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams, Anyway?

from The Publisher:

When Douglas Adams died in 2001, he left behind 60 boxes full of notebooks, letters, scripts, jokes, speeches and even poems. In 42, compiled by Douglas’s long-time collaborator Kevin Jon Davies, hundreds of these personal artefacts appear in print for the very first time.

Douglas was as much a thinker as he was a writer, and his artefacts reveal how his deep fascination with technology led to ideas which were far ahead of their time: a convention speech envisioning the modern smartphone, with all the information in the world living at our fingertips; sheets of notes predicting the advent of electronic books; journal entries from his forays into home computing – it is a matter of legend that Douglas bought the very first Mac in the UK; musings on how the internet would disrupt the CD-Rom industry, among others.

42 also features archival material charting Douglas’s school days through Cambridge, Footlights, collaborations with Graham Chapman, and early scribbles from the development of Doctor Who, Hitchhiker’s and Dirk Gently. Alongside details of his most celebrated works are projects that never came to fruition, including the pilot for radio programme They’ll Never Play That on the Radio and a space-inspired theme park ride.

Douglas’s personal papers prove that the greatest ideas come from the fleeting thoughts that collide in our own imagination, and offer a captivating insight into the mind of one of the twentieth century’s greatest thinkers and most enduring storytellers.

A Few Short-Comings (only one of which is of any substance)

Not every piece of handwriting is transcribed—and no, I’m not referring to the more than a dozen examples of his signature (an interesting evolution to be sure). The majority of bits of handwriting are printed under, next-to, or following to make them legible. But not all—and there are a few things that I can’t quite suss out. And if you’d ever seen my handwriting, you’d know that I can figure out what a lot of messy writing says.

The other drawbacks are that the chapters covering Dirk Gently (in the various books) and The Last Chance to See (radio program and book) are too short. I could’ve used twice the material on both of those.

I Didn’t Expect to Get Misty-Eyed

Throughout the book are letters written by people who knew Adams to him, describing their relationship, what he meant to them, and how his death affected them. The first one, by Stephen Fry, is used as the foreword and threw me—I didn’t realize I was going to have an emotional experience while reading the book.

These were wonderful and heartfelt and make the reader feel close to someone they’ve only admired from afar. Sure, it’s a parasocial relationship at best (for almost everyone who reads the book), but especially reading those letters, it feels far less “para.”

An Overly Specific Suggestion

Do not read this book while recovering from abdominal surgery.

It is large (8.5″ X 11.9″ X 1.2″). For a book, it is heavy (roughly 4 pounds). There is no comfortable way to hold this book while reclining if you cannot rest it on your stomach.

That said, the large size, the high-quality paper, and the full-color pages are a wonderful way to present this material, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, what did I think about 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams?

So, really, at this point, should I be allowed to rate books related to Douglas Adams? Probably not. But, this is my blog, so I get to set the rules.

There were some things that I’m not sure why Davies included, a couple of things I didn’t appreciate as much as I should’ve (some older British pop culture references/names that I’m too American to get/recognize). But by and large, I was captivated and entertained. I bet Davies had a blast compiling this and it couldn’t have been easy cutting some material (although I bet there was a bunch that he wondered why anyone hung onto in the first place).

While I (semi-) joked about the Dirk Gently and Last Chance to See chapters being too short, they really were the most interesting to me. I’ve read many, many things about THHGTTG over the years, and have seen a good amount about his career and education before then. but I’ve come across very little about these others—so I learned more, got more insight, and whatnot. I really could’ve read chapters that were three times as long on both counts.

Truth be told, the book could’ve been three times as long and I’d have been happy, too. Sure, you’d need a weightlifting belt to carry it around that way, so maybe it’s best that Davies stopped when he did.

You need to read Adams thoughts on the future of books—specifically ebooks. Other than the amount of money going to authors…he nailed it. You get great insight into how his mind worked by seeing early drafts (and the way he’d write to himself to keep going when it got difficult).

I found this to be mind-bogglingly delightful. Which is pretty much what I expected, true. But there’s expecting to appreciate a book and then getting to experience it and discover that you were right. It’s is kind of a doubling of pleasure.

If you’re a fan of Adams, you’re going to find at least one thing here that will interest you more than you anticipated. If you’re a big fan of Adams, you’re in for a treat. He was the hoopiest of hoopy froods, and this book gives you a glimpse into just how hoopy that is.

Disclaimer: I contributed to the crowd-funding to get this book published (my name’s right there on p. 314), so who knows if that makes me biased. But then again…when am I not?

5 Stars

Grandpappy’s Corner: Along Came a Radioactive Spider by Annie Hunter Eriksen, Lee Gatlin (Illustrator): The Man Behind Spidey’s Look (and more!)

By HCNewton

On April 25, 2024

In (Auto)Biography, Comics, Grandpappy's Corner, Non-Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Along Came a Radioactive Spider:
Strange Steve Ditko and
the Creation of Spider-Man

by Annie Hunter Eriksen , Lee Gatlin (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: August 1, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 32 pg.
Read Date: April 20, 2024

What’s Along Came a Radioactive Spider About?

It’s right there in the title—subtitle, really, I guess. This is an unauthorized biography (we’re told at one point that Ditko would hate a book about him, so there’s no chance of an authorized one) of Spider-Man’s co-creator, Steve Ditko, written for the older picture book reader.

It covers his childhood and a little of his comic book career up to Spider-Man and then Doctor Strange. Following that, we get two text-heavy pages talking about Ditko in a bit more detail (for the parents, I’m guessing).

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Gatlin has a very distinctive style that I wish I knew how to describe. I’ve seen his work here and there on the internet (I don’t think it ever had his name attached, sadly), but I’ve never seen this much in one place at a time.

You’re never in doubt as to what he’s drawing, but realism isn’t really what he’s going for. There’s an energy, a mood, a feeling of movement to all his drawings that I find really appealing—and I imagine young readers/those-read-to will find compelling as well.

I assumed that when the book covered people like Spider-Man or Doctor Strange that he’d go for a Ditko-feel to the art, just to pay homage or show the reader what Ditko produced. But he didn’t—at least not too much—there’s a distinct look to most of that art to separate it from the rest of the book, but it’s just a different flavor of Gatlin (which is perfectly fine, I’m just trying to describe things in my own meager way).

I’m planning on spending more time just looking at the illustrations, catching what I missed the first couple of times—and I don’t imagine I’ll be the only one.

So, what did I think about Along Came a Radioactive Spider?

I really do wonder how many children will care about this—they may like Spider-Man or Doctor Strange, but will they care about the story of the man who drew them and helped create them? I’m just not sure.

Now, their parents and grandparents are going to love this—and probably want more. And yes, this could be a fun non-Marvel Cinematic Universe way to introduce a child to a couple of comic book heroes, and that’s probably the idea behind most people buying this book.

Or I could be wrong—that’s just a guess on my part. I’d like to be wrong.

For a biography of a little-known figure who has altered superhero history the way that few have, this is a great read. And the right reader is going to delight in it. I’d have liked it to be twice the length—but the subject and the medium don’t really allow for that, so I got over that pretty quickly.

This is apparently a companion book to With Great Power: The Marvelous Stan Lee from the same creators—I’ve got to get my hands on that one.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
Grandpappy Icon

If You Give A Mouse Metformin by Nikhil Krishnan, i Cenizal (Illustrator): Think Schoolhouse Rock, Just Without the Music

By HCNewton

On March 27, 2024

In Non-Fiction

If You Give A Mouse Metformin

by Nikhil Krishnan, i Cenizal (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Out-of-Pocket
Publication Date: July 14, 2020
Format: Paperback
Length: 45 pg.
Read Date: March 19, 2024

What’s If You Give A Mouse Metformin About?

I’m just going to quote things here.

The book’s website asks (and answers):

Have you ever wanted to know how drug development works, but too scared to ask? Now you can say you’re buying a book for a child, but it’s actually for you.

The back of the book reads:

When you give a mouse metformin, he’ll take you through the necessary steps to get a drug approved. Along the way, he’ll meet a crazy cast of characters including patients, other animals, and the FDA. He’ll also encounter lots of subtle jabs at the clinical trial complex, and have some fun along the way.

Again from the website:

This book is a great gift for anyone in the healthcare field, or any baby that wants to learn how double-blind placebo controlled trials work.

The Target of the Book

Yes, the title is a not-at-all-subtle allusion to a famous picture book, it’s super short, and fully illustrated. But it’s not for toddlers.

Well, not really.

There’s nothing in the langugae (outside of words like “metformin”) that couldn’t be understood by just about anyone who can understand the aforementioned book. Still, I think the book is really intended to work as a friendly and accessible introduction to things like double-blind placebo tests, or as an educational tool for someone who wants to help others understand (and/or to satirize the clinical trial process).

Simple enough for a kid, but made for an adult.

What Did I Think About the Art?

This book is advertised as satirical–just about all the satire is in the art. And it’s subtle. And so, so, good. Essentially, it’s there if you go looking for it. Otherwise, you’re probably going to miss it–and that’s okay, you’ll get the breezy introduction to clinical trials and some nice drawings along the way.

Oh, and the drawings are nice. It’s been too long since I’ve read the Laura Numeroff/Felicia Bond book with the similar title, but I don’t think i Cenizal really went for the same style–either as homage or parody. She did, however, provide art that would appeal to the Picture Book Set just as much as anyone else (although I’m pretty sure the Picture Book Set wouldn’t get the satire).

Basically, at least half of the success of this book should be credited to i Cenizal.

So, what did I think about If You Give A Mouse Metformin?

This is actually better than I expected–it was an impulse buy, and I got my money’s worth out of it (and a few others in my family have enjoyed it, too).

I don’t know that I learned a lot, but do see the length and remember what I said about the complexity of language. Still, it’s a good refresher–and the satire is a nice touch.

This is one example of the group Out-of-Pocket’s efforts to educate and entertain people about our healthcare system–and as such, it’s enough to make me look into other things they’re producing.

It’s worth your time to pick it up.

3 Stars

Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

PUB DAY REPOST: The Body’s Keepers (Audiobook) by Paul L. Kimmel, M.D., Lane Hakel (Narrator): The Social History I Didn’t Realize I Needed

By HCNewton

On March 12, 2024

In Audiobook, History, Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Affairs

The Body’s Keepers:
A Social History of Kidney
Failure and Its Treatments

by Paul L. Kimmel, M.D., Lane Hakel (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: March 12, 2024
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 17 hrs., 59 min. 
Read Date: Fevruary 27-March 5, 2024

What’s The Body’s Keepers About?

I feel underqualified to try to describe this book, and you’ll see why here in a sentence or two. So, I’m just going to paste what the Publisher’s Site says: (yes, I typically would cite the audiobook publisher here, but the print edition’s publisher gives more details)

A remarkable account of the kidney and the scientific, medical, and health evolution tied to our understanding of it.

The kidney is an extraordinary organ – in many ways the regulator, the metronome, the keeper of the human body’s delicate equilibrium. On a given day, minute by minute, it purifies the body of toxins it encounters from diet, climate, activity, and injury. It allows us to be and to move in the world. And yet most of us know so very little about these extraordinary vessels nestled in our bodies – and indeed millions of us only really learn about them when they stop working. Nearly a million Americans every year have end stage kidney disease, about 37 million have some form of chronic kidney disease. And it is an incredibly common universe of challenge and ailment that, until relatively recently, would simply kill those afflicted with it.

Renowned nephrologist Dr. Paul Kimmel takes us on an eye-opening journey through the history of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation. Drawing on both his extensive research and decades of experience in the field, he explains the development of treatments, technologies, and medical practices that have advanced the care of patients with kidney disease. Kimmel illuminates the impact of medical advances on the lives of those suffering from this debilitating disease and offers a clear understanding of the challenges that remain.

The Body’s Keepers also reveals the inequities and injustices at the heart of America’s healthcare system. Filled with case studies, personal histories, and first-hand accounts, the book reveals the shocking truth about the exploitation of vulnerable populations in the pursuit of profit. Kimmel examines how disparities in access to care have led to life-threatening consequences for many Americans. He also looks at the ways in which the medical industry has profited from the suffering of others, and how the path to health equity is still far from being realized. With unflinching honesty and a passionate commitment to social justice, his book is an essential read for anyone looking to understand the complexities of modern healthcare.

What Did I Think About the Narration?

With all due respect to Dr. Kimmel, this could very easily have been a dry-as-dust book. Yes, there’s occasionally some wit and some passion in the text–Kimmel’s personality does come through. Lane Hakel makes sure that shines through. He maintains the appropriate tone and seriousness to the subject, but with simple and subtle changes in inflection and so on to help maintain the listener’s engagement.

If nothing else, Hakel helped me pronounce a few terms and medication names that I’ve always stumbled on (or heard multiple ways).

I’m not saying that Hakel made this a joy to listen to, or that it was entertaining in the same way that, say, Luke Daniels makes a book–nor should it have been. But he keeps the listening experience accessible and interesting–even when the text seems just to be a list of names and acronyms. (which doesn’t happen often, but, occasionally it seems like it).

My Interest in the Book

So, I saw this on Netgalley the day after my son’s first dialysis treatment. And I clicked the request button as quickly as I could. I’ve talked in this space a little about his kidney transplant a few years ago. But what I know about kidney disease and the treatment of it doesn’t amount to much–and it’s very focused. So the opportunity to learn more–particularly in a history, was more than appealing.

Sure, I was discouraged a bit right off when one of the first things that Kimmel says is that he won’t be discussing the kidney disease my son had. But, he spent a lot of time talking about End Stage Renal Disease and transplants. So that more than made up for the skipped subject. And even the topics that didn’t directly have anything to do with my son were interesting to listen to. Because really, at the end of the day, the more medicine learns about various treatments for one area of kidney disease/treatment, the better off all patients are.

So, what did I think about The Body’s Keepers?

Can a non-medical professional read/listen to this and profit from this book? Absolutely. Are we the target audience? I don’t think so–well, those interested in the overlap of politics/economics/prejudices and medical treatments are definitely part of the target audience. So it’s not just the kind of book for M.D. after their name. But it’s not written for the person browsing a bookstore/library shelf for their weekend read, either.

This is an 18-hour listen, and it’s not the easiest listen, either–both because of the subject matter and the thoroughness with which Kimmel discusses things. Folks who are just idly curious are probably not going to make it through this book. But those who have a connection to the topic–because of their profession or professional interests, because (like me) they are or know someone going through these things, or because they’re invested in the social aspects and things like equitable access to care, or some other connection–will make it through this book and be glad for it.

For those who are interested in this subject, this is a fascinating book and a good audiobook experience. I do think I may end up getting the print edition just to make looking up a point or two easier. But for non-reference use? The audiobook is a good way to go.

I learned a lot, I have to say. The historical development of nephrology is fascinating. For such a young science the advances made are truly astounding (for example, when you hear how they made the first “artificial kidney”–the precursor to a dialysis machine, your mind will be boggled). The origins of the treatment of kidney diseases and injuries really start because of the World Wars and now kidney transplants happen all the time (not often enough for those on a transplant list for years), dialysis is routine, and the medical research is very promising to improve and innovate both.

Yes, the impacts of race, sex, income, and so on when it comes to access to and varieties of treatment are dismaying and befuddling (and on those providing the treatment). But the book suggests there’s every reason to be hopeful for the future, and that progress has been made. Easy for this white guy to say, but that was my takeaway from Kimmel. And, as in this post, I’m talking about this as a listening experience rather than commenting on the society that is depicted–the shortcomings of the system (especially in the U.S.) contrasted to the successes make for a more engaging narrative.

I should add that in the early chapters while doctors and researchers were still figuring out how to treat various kidney ailments, the symptoms and treatments (and failure rates), were strong reminders of how correct I was in choosing academic and career paths that took me far away from medicine. Some of that was rough for me (and no, I will not watch any documentary Dr. Kimmel decides to make in the future). People of stronger constitutions will not be bothered.

I’m really glad I listened to this, and encourage those interested to give it a try. It’s not a book for everyone, but for the right people will appreciate this.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from North Star Editions via NetGalley–thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

PUB DAY SPOTLIGHT: Women Who Murder by Mitzi Szereto

By HCNewton

On March 12, 2024

In Book Tour, Non-Fiction

I’m very pleased today to Spotlight Mitzi Szereto’s new release, Women Who Murder: An International Collection of Deadly True Crime Tales. This looks like one to keep you up all night! Sorry for any sleep this causes you to lose.

Book Details:

Title: Women Who Murder: An International Collection of Deadly True Crime Tales
Editor: Mitzi Szereto
Genre: True Crime
Publisher: Mango Publishing Group
Release date: March 12, 2024
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 224 pages

About the Book:

Deadly Dames and Murderous Damsels

Explore the fascinating psychology behind these killer women, unraveling their motives and unveiling the infinite complexities of human behavior in Women Who Murder: An International Collection of Deadly True Crime Tales.

From chilling stories of black widow murderers to spine-tingling narratives of women who shocked the world with their sinister deeds, this anthology spans eras and continents, offering an electrifying and thought-provoking exploration of the darkest corners of human nature and the female psyche. Like Mitzi Szereto’s popular The Best New True Crime Stories series, Women Who Murder includes all-new and original nonfiction accounts from an international cast of writers, all of whom prove that women can be just as deadly as men—if not more so!

Book Trailer:

Purchase Links:

Amazon US ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Books-A-Million ~ Bookshop.org ~ Amazon UK ~ Blackwell’s ~ Waterstones ~ Amazon CA ~ Indigo ~ Angus & Robertson ~ Fishpond

About the Editor:

Mitzi Szereto (mitziszereto.com) is an American-British author, anthology editor, and short story writer whose work spans multiple genres. Her widely acclaimed true crime series The Best New True Crime Stories features the volumes Crimes of Famous & Infamous Criminals; Unsolved Crimes & Mysteries; Partners in Crime; Crimes of Passion, Obsession & Revenge; Well-Mannered Crooks, Rogues & Criminals; Small Towns; and Serial Killers. Aside from her many popular books, she has the added distinction of being the editor of the first anthology of erotic fiction to include a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. A contribution from her crime fiction anthology Getting Even: Revenge Stories also received the Crime Writers’ Association Short Story Dagger “Highly Commended.” Mitzi has appeared internationally on radio and television and at literature festivals, and taught creative writing around the world. She produced and presented the London-based web TV channel Mitzi TV and portrays herself in the pseudo-documentary British film, Lint: The Movie. Follow her @mitziszereto on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Mastodon, and Spoutible.

Author Links:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ TikTok
~ YouTube ~ Bluesky ~ Threads ~ Mastodon ~ Spoutible ~ Goodreads

One more time, Women Who Murder is out now—get it today!