| H. G. Wells: Desperately Mortal (1986) by David C. Smith, 485 pages James Donahue Saturday, April 14, 2007 | H.M.S. ULYSSES by Alistair MaClean, 276 pages Jeff Gadd Friday, April 05, 2002 Great book but sad, Out of 36 ships only 5 get to the destination. |
Half a Life: A Novel by V.S. Naipaul, 211 pages Jaqi Ross Wednesday, March 17, 2004 Half a Life finds the veteran Booker and Nobel Prize-winning author V.S. Naipaul on familiar territory, blending autobiography and fiction in an exploration of the "half lives" of individuals brought up in the English colonies and educated in metropolitan cities. A perfect gift from a thoughtful friend. |
Half Moon Street (Audio) by Anne Perry, 0 pages Julie Gephart Friday, September 13, 2002 Absolute worst book in recent memory. Disguised as a Victorian murder mystery, it's really just an excuse to sermonize about the evils of pornography and the inherent wickedness of attempting to act on your own beliefs when this might cause upset to your small-minded family. I was shocked to go to Amazon today and discover Perry is apparently a famous author. Bleck. |
Hamburger Hill by William Pelfrey, 197 pages Jeff Gadd Tuesday, February 12, 2002 A great Vietnam book but sad. But amazing courage from the American soilders who fought their. |
Handbook of Knots by Des Pawson, 176 pages Steven Krise Monday, September 28, 2009 DK always publishes excellent books, and this handbook is no exception. It uses photographs for the various diagrams, which I find easier to decipher and use as a guide than illustrations. |
Handbook of Norse mythology by John Lindow, 365 pages Steven Krise Sunday, November 28, 2004 Insightful introduction outlining the author's theory of "mythic time" in the Norse mythos followed by an A-Z listing of gods, giants, and events based on the existing corpus of Norse mythology (i.e., skaldic and eddic poetry). Quite thorough with each entry extensively referenced. |
Hannibal by Thomas Harris, 541 pages Jeff Gadd Wednesday, February 27, 2002 Revenge is never bliss. |
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris, 323 pages Steven Krise Sunday, January 14, 2007 Meet Hannibal Lecter for the first time...again. |
Hans-Georg Gadamer: A Biography (2003) by Jean Grondin, 338 pages James Donahue Wednesday, June 11, 2008 |
Hard Merchandise (1998) by K. W. Jeter, 338 pages James Donahue Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Who knew that Boba Fett was such a kick-ass? |
Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Life by Joan Hendrick, 473 pages James Donahue Saturday, March 06, 2004 Good detailed biography of the woman who thirved under the glare of being in America's premier evangelical family to become America's first celebrated novelist. But what she did to Byron was really inexcusible. |
Harry Emerson Fosdick: Preacher, Pastor, Prophet (1985) by Robert Moats Miller, 570 pages James Donahue Sunday, February 26, 2006 Fosdick was the most popular Baptist preacher of his age, and the lightening rod that sparked off the GARBC walk-out of the Northern Baptist Conference. Miller is a wonderful biographer, absorbed by his subject to the point of obsession, but as a result a questionable historian, all too often pulling miscellaneous (undocumented) quotes out of his ass to prove a point, focusing more on (undocumented) oral histories over the written word, and losing the bigger religious picture. |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) by J. K. Rowling, 341 pages Jennifer Dear Friday, August 03, 2007 Very addictive. |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) by J. K. Rowling, 341 pages James Donahue Tuesday, August 28, 2007 (Read during sleepless nights with a new baby and flu-ridden kids) |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) by J. K. Rowling, 945 pages James Donahue Saturday, March 22, 2008 |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) by J.K. Rowling, 734 pages A Bennett Monday, December 12, 2005 Has an unreasonably long monologue performed by He Who Shall Not Be Named near the end. I mean, it's like 7+ pages, wherein he pretty much explains (like any Batman The Series villian) why and how he did what he did. Rowling can do better, as much of the novel already shows. |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) by J. K. Rowling, 734 pages Jennifer Dear Monday, September 10, 2007 |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) by J. K. Rowling, 734 pages James Donahue Wednesday, November 28, 2007 |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Audio) by J.K. Rowling, 0 pages Kristin Schrock Thursday, February 14, 2002 Harry should cry more. Terrible things happen to him and nary a tear. I wonder if that's because he's British. A little sobbing would do him good. This is the best of the bunch. |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) by J.K. Rowling, 652 pages A Bennett Tuesday, October 25, 2005 Truly, a disappointment. The last book before the end, and quite frankly, all 652 pages felt like nothing but a great big stall technique not well executed. How many times, after all, can someone promise to tell Harry everything--come Monday, and then die Sunday night? It’s pointless stating the obvious: telling us everything is long overdue, as we’re to get “everything” with the final book. Still and all, it would have been interesting to see if Rowling could write plot, etc, AFTER having emptied her bag of secrets--especially since she will likely have to do so once concluding Harry’s books--unless she chooses to go into the mystery genre, in which case, bye-bye JK, I expected more. |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) by J. K. Rowling, 652 pages Jennifer Dear Tuesday, October 16, 2007 There's only one left!!!!!!!! |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) by J. K. Rowling, 652 pages James Donahue Wednesday, January 30, 2008 I stayed up way too late at night because I had to finish this book. Its a lucky thing today was a snow day or my students would have had to endure a drowsy afternoon lecture. |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages Julie Gephart Sunday, June 29, 2003 I knew I would read it eventually, so I figured I might as well dive in before the spoilers caught up to me. I think what Harry really needed in this book was for Tim McGraw to follow along crooning to him, “I don’t know why you’ve got to be angry all the time.” |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, 766 pages A Bennett Thursday, July 24, 2003 The only book I've ever read with a character who had my name was a first-person Holocaust memoir foisted on me by Julie's boss' (now ex-) wife, and as the main character rarely addressed herself, the name did not come up often. Here, however, a character, 'Alicia Spinnet' (no resemblance to persons real or historical intended, I'm sure), traipses across the background canvas of the story constantly catching my reader's 'eye' more than she should, and raising my discontent over the fact she's not particularly interesting, though she does once find herself jinxed with eyebrows that grow over her entire face, and she is a moderately competent Quidditch beater. I'm sure if my name were Susan or Becky I would have gotten over this sort of unnecessary fascination long ago, but, c'mon! Alicia _Spinnet_--how can one not be keen on one's fictional avatar? |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) by J.K. Rowling, 766 pages A Bennett Tuesday, October 25, 2005 I think this book was slightly better than the first time through. I had more time for it, with less rushing to get to the end and know all it had to say. That said, it’s awfully twisty and convoluted in its plot, and after finishing it I probably forgot at least 85% of what I’d learned. |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages Jennifer Dear Thursday, September 20, 2007 My least favorite so far. |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages James Donahue Saturday, December 15, 2007 It is wonderful to be able to read interesting, well-written books that Duncan likes too. A foreshadow of being able to talk about deep things and quality books with all of my sons! |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) by J. K. Rowling, 435 pages Jennifer Dear Tuesday, August 07, 2007 Even better than the last! |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) by J. K. Rowling, 435 pages James Donahue Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Desperately trying to keep up with his seven-year-old and his wife, Raully reads Rowling late into the night holding a crying baby. That way I can be included in the breakfast conversation once again! |
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling, 309 pages Steve Gadd Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Not bad I suppose for a kid's book but I expected more after hearing about 300 million copies sold. There was a bit of leading by the nose (at the halfway point: "Had Hagrid collected that package just in time? Where was it now? And did Hagrid know something about Snape that he didn't want to tell Harry?") and a classic villain speech at the end. You're never too young for a literary cliché. |
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997) by J. K. Rowling, 309 pages Jennifer Dear Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Jen says, "Great fun. I'm hooked." Raully says, "Can it really be that no one on this booklist has yet read Rowling? Are we that pretentious?" |
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997) by J. K. Rowling, 309 pages James Donahue Thursday, August 16, 2007 Does anyone else detect a nostalgia for the aristocratic age of Edwardian England? Harry Potter discovers he is no petit bourgouis flunky, but instead a wizard, a secret class that can combat the Continental aristocracies, secretly influence world power, and thrive amongst their own inner jokes. Immediately Harry discovers hidden shopping avenues in London ("Can we find these things in London?" asks Harry. Answer: "Only if you know where to look."), is sent to a boarding school complete with all the rituals and (in)dignities the Victorian 'public school' life (now dismantled in democratic England), and discovers his true athletic gifts in aristocratic sport (Quidditch, which is compared often to soccer in the book, but sounds much more to me like polo.) Surely English kids read this and wonder if they too can ever mount a charge into the wizard class, just as kids used to dream about discovering they were the lost children of a prince or duchess, just as Jane Eyre could come to terms with the responsibilities and privileges of her blood calling. |
Haunted America by Michael Norman & Beth Scott, 506 pages Jeff Gadd Sunday, November 17, 2002 Small story's about ghost in people's home's,building's,and near other structures. Every state has a ghost story of some sort. Do you believe in ghost, Do I? These people do. I guess seeing is BELIEVING. |
Haunted America by Michael Norman& Beth Scott, 506 pages Jeff Gadd Thursday, March 20, 2003 A book of short stories of legendary ghost stories from across America and Canada. Very interesting if your into ghost. |
Havana by Stephen Hunter, 470 pages Mike Gadd Saturday, May 21, 2005 Our hero, Earl Swagger is torn from his quiet family life once again because of his duty to his country. This time he must go to Cuba to help protect the American interests as Fidel Castro starts making a name for himself. All in all, it wasn't a real good story. It lacked the really bad guy the first two books had. Maybe Earl can go home now and get some rest. |
Hearse of a Different Color by Tim Cockey, 382 pages Mike Gadd Tuesday, October 01, 2002 Another go-round with the undertaker who fancies himself as a detective. Many local Baltimore references were the highlight. |
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, 132 pages Tony Pisarenkov Friday, December 12, 2008 Not too shabby for someone who didn't speak a word of English until age twenty-one. |
Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene, 306 pages Kristin Schrock Monday, February 17, 2003 It took me about 100 pages to figure out exactly what the heart of the matter was. Basically, Scobie, the most honest police officer in British run Africa, is slowly corrupted by his intense desire not to be the cause of unhappiness to those he loves. Something like that. Okay, I still don't know what it was about. But it had this wonderful sentence in it: "He watched her go out of the dark office like fifteen wasted years." |
Hearts In Atlantis by Stephen King, 630 pages Steven Krise Wednesday, January 30, 2002 Um, not too good. The baseball glove?!? |
Heat by Bill Buford, 318 pages Tony Pisarenkov Tuesday, January 23, 2007 The majority of the book -- an account of the author's apprenticeship at Mario Batali's legendary restaurant Babbo -- is enjoyable enough, though this will be familiar, and thus not very informative, territory for fans of Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. The rest, however -- Buford's adventures in Italy as an apprentice butcher and amateur food historian -- is priceless. |
Heaven Below: Early Pentecostals and American Culture by Grant Wacker, 357 pages James Donahue Wednesday, September 25, 2002 An excellent and comprehensive description of early Pentecostalism. The phenomenon really amazes. Absorbing read. Written by someone who grew up within the (anti)tradition. |
Hegel: An Intellectual Biography by Horst Althaus, 292 pages James Donahue Thursday, August 15, 2002 The book focuses mainly on the development of his writings and interactions with other thinkers of his time. Little is said or know of the man behind the philosopher. An editorial choice, or a concession to Hegel''s enigmatic personality? |
Helena (1950) by Evelyn Waugh, 247 pages James Donahue Friday, September 07, 2007 Waugh abandons his previous styles and writes a fictional account of the life of St. Helena, mother of Constantine and discoverer of the True Cross. Waugh manages to write as one of the Faithful without devolving into melodrama or hagiography. I admire the effort, but somehow I did not quite enjoy it. (And I'm sure that Waugh caught much grief for his newfound open faith, perhaps like Anne Rice or Orson Scott Card is catching right now.) This inability to enjoy this book puzzles me. Did Waugh fail when he left his satiric side? Did writing "Brideshead" or living through WWII or just getting older and more religious ruin his edge? Or: Perhaps I am too Protestant, although I'm not sure what that has to do with it. Hmmmm. |
Helena (1950) by Evelyn Waugh, 247 pages Jennifer Dear Wednesday, October 10, 2007 |
Hell's Angels by Hunter S Thompson, 348 pages Steven Krise Monday, July 04, 2005 For nearly a year I had lived in a world that seemed, at first, like something original. It was obvious from the beginning that the menace bore little resemblance to its publicized image, but there was a certain pleasure in sharing the Angels' amusement at the stir they'd created....I realized that the roots of this act were not in any time-honored American myth but right beneath my feet in a new kind of society that is only beginning to take shape. To see the Hell's Angels as caretakers of the old 'individualist' tradition 'that made this country great' is only a painless way to get around seeing them for what they really are -- not some romantic leftover, but the first wave of a future that nothing in our history has prepared us to cope with. The Angels are prototypes. Their lack of education has not only rendered them completely useless in a highly technical economy, but it has also given them the leisure to cultivate a powerul resentment...and to translate it into a destructive cult which the mass media insists on portraying as a sort of isolated oddity, a temporary phenomenon that will shortly become extinct now that it's been called to the attention of the police. This is a reassuring viewpoint and it would be even more so if the police shared it. Unfortunately, they don't. |
Hensley Henson (1983) by Owen Chadwick, 331 pages James Donahue Monday, June 25, 2007 Henson was a turn-of-the-century bishop who somehow combined the role of church crank, heretical modernist, and Victorian hangover for over forty years. The biography is a bit watery, I never got a feel for Henson as a person. But I did enjoy Chadwick, who was the leading historian of secularization, revealing his own thoughts (which favor modernization and sees the evangelical reargard as an embarassment for Britain) in this biography. |
Here Comes the Sun: The Spiritual and Musical Journey of George Harrison by Joshua M. Greene, 320 pages Brad Snyder Monday, July 17, 2006 I saw this and checked it out of the library because the author of the Beatles book I read earlier this year said that George had embraced more traditional Christianity in his later years. I had never heard that, and quickly learned that I apparently knew more than that particuluar biographer about the subject. This book had more gurus and long Indian names than you can shake a stick at. Interesting in that this book illumined so much of what made this Beatle tick, and some of the stories about the music and musicians he ran with were fun to read, but over all, kind of "eh". |
Here Is Where We Meet (2005) by John Berger, 237 pages James Donahue Monday, June 12, 2006 Berger, having passed eighty, writes of visiting various European cities where the dead come out to meet him. A chapter on Geneva is the reason I picked up this book, but I remained entranced since this is how I often feel about European cities, that they are so crowded with the dead. |
Heretics (1905) by G. K. Chesterton, 305 pages James Donahue Thursday, November 16, 2006 My usual reaction to Chesterton: I cannot agree with his populist-pandering, meanspirited, paradox-loving substance, but I cannot dislike his style of pugnacious satire. |
Hey Rube - Blood Sport, the Bush Doctrine, and the Downward Spiral of Dumbness by Hunter S Thompson, 246 pages Steven Krise Saturday, February 16, 2008 Collection of HST's articles from the ESPN column of the same name. |
Hey, Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland, 244 pages Kristin Schrock Saturday, November 06, 2004 Clearly inspired by the Columbine shootings and the martyrdom of the one student--I can't remember her name, but her parents wrote a book called, "She Said Yes"--, Coupland tells the story of the aftermath of a school shootings. It's told by the point of view of the girl who is killed, her high school boyfriend, the woman he falls in love years later, and his father. Not the stinging bite that I'd come to expect from Coupland, but interesting enough. Plus, bonus points for putting an exclamation point in the title. |
High Exposure by David Breashears, 309 pages Steve Gadd Saturday, August 23, 2008 Another eyewitness account of the 1996 Everest disaster, by the director of the IMAX film. |
Highlander: White Silence by Ginjer Buchanan, 229 pages A Bennett Tuesday, August 13, 2002 I posted this sometime ago and then the site ate it. I think I wrote about the trauma of people dying--repeatedly, because that's the basic premise--in the snow and the cold and of starvation and all because of heading to the gold fields without Marnie of Calico Palace, and to the Klondike this time. Necessary Vocabulary: cheekacho, argonaut. |
History of Polish Christianity by Jerzy Kloczowski, 344 pages James Donahue Saturday, July 10, 2004 |
History of Scotland by Cliff Hanley, 192 pages Steven Krise Thursday, July 04, 2002 The title says it all. Starts out with the Picts and finishes up with the economic downturn of the late 80s. Best part was getting to read aloud in my head the word Glaswegian. Special £9.00 Value! I picked it up while in Glasgow back in 1997. |
History of Sexuality by Michel Foucault, 684 pages James Donahue Monday, April 14, 2003 |
History of the Independent Loudoun Rangers by Briscoe Goodhart, 243 pages Steven Krise Wednesday, November 27, 2002 A history of the only military unit from Virginia to fight for the Union during the Civil War (mustered almost entirely from the German Settlement (Lovettsville, Waterford, Wheatland, Short Hill, and Neersville) and the Quaker settlement (parts of Waterford and Hamilton). By extension the book is a detailed account of the various skirmishes in Loudoun County and a few of the major battles fought in the area, including Antietam, Gettysburg, Monocacy, and Sheridan's Valley Campaign. The book concludes by recounting the author's grim experiences in a southern POW camp. Should be of interest to Civil War buffs, especially those familiar with Loudoun County. |
Hog Pilots, Blue Water Grunts (2007) by Robert Kaplan, 406 pages Jonathan Misirian Thursday, September 20, 2007 Atlantic correspondent Kaplan, pens his second volume about the American Military. Following in the style of his highly acclaimed Imperial Grunts, Kaplan tours with the Navy and Air Force around the Pacific Rim. More then just provide a first-hand account of the US military, Kaplan delves into history and into future planning, providing the reader with a truly one of a kind look at the role of the military in the 21st Century. |
Holes by Louis Sachar, 240 pages Mike Gadd Sunday, June 01, 2003 Good little story. I read it to see if it would be appropriate for my fifth grader. An easy movie to make as well. |
Holidays in Hell by P.J. O'Rourke, 257 pages Steve Gadd Saturday, September 18, 2004 It's a fun formula: send a journalist into the most rotten, war-torn corners of the world to fill us in on what life is like without Starbucks and good roads. O'Rourke fancies himself a modern Mark Twain, an Innocent Abroad, but he reads more like Dave Barry. He does deserve credit for cracking jokes in some genuinely inhospitable places. |
Holidays on Ice (1997) by David Sedaris, 134 pages Brad Snyder Thursday, February 01, 2007 Christmas tales, all intended to be funny. One hits the mark. One gets close. One utilizes the ironic to demonstrate human greed. The others could be burned. |
Homage to Catalonia [audio] by George Orwell, 0 pages Steve Gadd Thursday, June 23, 2005 Animal Farm and 1984 deserve credit for making high school students everywhere aware of this author, but to my mind his non-fiction is much better reading. His skill at the anecdote form was honed in Burma, Paris, and London before he signed up to fight in the Spanish Civil War. His memoirs of the experience include some isolated chapters focusing on the politics of the war, a diversion he describes as necessary but "like diving into a cesspool". The rest is entertaining and sometimes riveting. You know you are in for a good time when you encounter a line like "The whole experience of being hit by a bullet is very interesting and I think it is worth describing in detail." |
Homebrew Favorites by Karl F Lutzen & Mark Stevens, 250 pages Steven Krise Saturday, May 02, 2009 A collection of recipes compiled mostly during the period of 1988 to 1992 (book was published in 1994). So, the book offers a good snapshot at common homebrew practice at the beginning of the homebrew renaissance of the 1990s. |
Homegrown Democrat by Garrison Keiller, 238 pages James Donahue Saturday, August 07, 2004 Finally a political book that can speak to my viewpoint. Keiller states passionately and humorously the commitment to the public that is at the bedrock of the Democratic Party (hopefully still the case) and the American Dream. Well worth reading. |
Honeymoon with My Brother: A Memoir (2005) by Franz Wisner, 274 pages Brad Snyder Saturday, September 29, 2007 A guy gets jilted after a ten year relationship only five days before his wedding. What to do? Since everything is paid for, why not still have the party with all of your friends? But what of the honeymoon? Not wanting to waste all that money he spent to go to Costa Rica. Wisner invited his brother. They enjoyed the adventure so much that they sold their belongings and made a two year journey around the world out of it. Good story, witty and observant, even if it drags in places. |
Honor Among Enemies by David Weber, 538 pages Jeff Gadd Tuesday, September 30, 2003 About Lt. Honor Harrington. using a ship that looked like a merchant ship, that was turned into a battleship, but looked like a merchant ship still. She had to user her ship against pirates in a war in space. |
Honor's Kingdom by Owen Parry, 328 pages Mike Gadd Sunday, July 06, 2003 To put it simply, this guy has my number. I cherish reading his stories. The lead character is just what I like. The writing style is gorgeous. I must include a CostCo free sample: "The inspector's eyebrows stood to attention, thick as a rank of bayonets on parade. Outposts of his whiskers, they were, detailed to guard his forehead." You get that on page 5. It only gets better. Was there a story here? I think so. I don't know that it mattered. Not to me anyhow. |
Horror by David Drake, 342 pages Jeff Gadd Saturday, November 17, 2001 |
Horrors 365 Scary Stories by Dziemianowicz, Weinberg, & Greenberg, 726 pages Jeff Gadd Saturday, May 10, 2003 Short little scary stories pick by these three as their favorites, from variors authors. |
Hot Springs by Stephen Hunter, 532 pages Mike Gadd Thursday, January 16, 2003 If you read the Washington Post on Fridays you may be familiar with Mr. Hunter's work. He's one of their better movie critics. Who knew he was a really good "tough guy" story writer? The story takes place in the 1940's in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Gambling is illegal but casinos are starting to spring up along with all the related debauchery. Earl Swagger, ex-marine, national hero, is called upon to put the kibosh on all the fun. He carries his own demons that threaten to bring him down. Made for a good read. |
Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner, 184 pages James Donahue Tuesday, September 06, 2005 A sleepy, beautiful prose style kept my attention sharp even if the plot -- middle-aged single woman stranded on Lac Leman, forced to meet a crossroads in her life between respectability and authenticity -- was somewhat staid. Best line: "[Switzerland] was a land of prudently harvested plenty, a land which had conquered human accidents, leaving only the weather distressingly beyond control." |
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III, 365 pages Mike Gadd Wednesday, January 05, 2005 A good read but not for the easily depressed. As you move through the story you try to put together an ending where everything works out. It gets harder and harder as the book goes on. Nothing prepares you for how it finally finishes. |
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus, III, 365 pages Kristin Schrock Thursday, February 10, 2005 Mike Gadd's review prepared me, so I was able to enjoy how the tragedy unfolds--and if you're a literature geek, like me, you get excited about such things. The characters had clear choices--but the ending had a sense of inevitability about it--which is masterful. Good stuff. Bonus points for a shout-out to Law & Order and the ending which was an homage to Othello. Excellent read. |
Housekeeping (1980) by Marilynne Robinson, 219 pages James Donahue Sunday, June 17, 2007 Simply one of the most beautiful books I have ever read with that most rare of all quality in modern lit: completely original prose. "And here again a foreshadowing - the world will be made whole. For to wish for a hand on one's hair is all but to feel it. Whatever we may lose, very craving gives it back to us again." |
Houses of Stone by Barbara Michaels, 385 pages Micaela Larkin Friday, May 04, 2007 academic cozy literary mystery with funny commentary about lady academics |
How Can You Tell If a Spider Is Dead?: And More Moments of Science by Don Glass, 192 pages Jaqi Ross Monday, June 28, 2004 Entertaining nuggets of scientific fact, as featured on the National Public Radio show A Moment of Science. |
How Good is Good Enough? (2003) by Andy Stanley, 94 pages Brad Snyder Sunday, June 10, 2007 A concise little work that challenges the commonly held notion that "good people go to heaven". |
How Much Land Does A Man Need; and other stories by Leo Tolstoi, 242 pages James Donahue Saturday, January 04, 2003 An odd collection of stories which groups together some of his earlier stories of swashbuckling in the Crimean War with some of his later religious parables. |
How the Canyon Became Grand by Stephen J. Pyne, 162 pages Tony Pisarenkov Saturday, September 06, 2003 An excellent survey of the exploration of the Grand Canyon and, more importantly, of the impact it had on American intellectual, cultural and political life. Packs an impressive amount of historical and social insight and some surprising connections between seemingly unrelated ideas into its relatively short length. |
How to Be Alone by Jonathan Franzen, 288 pages Steve Gadd Saturday, January 18, 2003 It seems that about half the essays in this collection amount to an indictment of the dulling effects of pop culture and technology, especially in the way they have affected reading. Other essays cover on a variety of topics -- government at work in the post office and supermax prisons, his father's struggle with Alzheimer's, and his amusing encounter with Oprah. Thanks Tony for the gift. |
How to Be Alone (Essays) by Jonathan Franzen, 278 pages Tony Pisarenkov Wednesday, December 04, 2002 A collection of essays on a variety of topics, loosely centered around the theme of conflict between today's hyper-technological society and the art of fiction writing. Although reactionary and whiny at times, this book will have a profound impact on how you define yourself and your role in society, assuming you define it in any way at all. |
How To Play In Traffic by Penn and Teller, 226 pages Steven Krise Sunday, May 04, 2008 Fun tricks and gags to do on the road. |
How To Speak Dog by Stanley Coren, 274 pages Steven Krise Thursday, December 04, 2003 The guy takes liberties with the definition of 'language', but this is a good informative good, on the whole. |
How to Understand and Use a Norwegian by Odd Borretzen, 61 pages Erik Bauer Saturday, August 09, 2003 Given to me from my norwegian friend, it actually is jammed packed with satire and wit in the caliber of The Onion. |
How to win at poker by Belinda Levez, 106 pages Steven Krise Thursday, October 08, 2009 Probably the lamest poker book I've ever read. This is what passes for good advice: develop a betting strategy that maximizes profit whilst minimizing loss (with no explanation of how to evaluate a strategy to see if it meets that criterion) or bluff but not too much because when people call your bluff you lose money. |
How We Are Hungry: Stories (2004) by Dave Eggers, 224 pages Brad Snyder Sunday, September 23, 2007 A collection of short stories mostly speaking to the selfish nature and shortsightedness of mankind. |
Howards End by E. M. Forster, 271 pages Steve Gadd Sunday, December 01, 1996 Not "Howard's End" |
Human Evolution - An Illustrated Guide by Peter Andrews & Chris Stringer, 47 pages Steven Krise Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Illustrated by Maurice Wilson (whose drawings are described in the Foreward as "generally ethereal"), this little book details hominoid and hominid evolution starting with Aegyptopithecus in the Oligocene period. Interestingly, the authors come down decidely on the "Neandertals aren't ancestral to H. sapiens" side of the debate. Good little book that is packed with a fair amount of detail for its pithiness. |
Hungry for Heaven: Rock 'n' Roll & the Search for Redemption by Steve Turner, 240 pages Brad Snyder Tuesday, December 27, 2005 Turner wrote the biography of Johnny Cash that I reviewed a few weeks ago. In that book, he related the fact that Cash had read and commented favorably on this book, so I wanted to read it myself. It is a very good analysis of the role that spirituality plays in rock 'n' roll. Not just Christianity, but Islam, New Age, Rastfarianism, Eastern Mysticism, etc. Much like the book on Cash, Turner interviewed several of the people he talks about in the book: Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Sting, Al Green, Ozzy Osbourne, etc. Besides these sources, he cites several magazine articles, books, and album jackets, all of which are listed in the fine bibliography. The problem is that he doesn't give proper citations in the text, so it's difficult to match which conversation matches to what source. And while he weaves an interesting thread through the history of popular music, he doesn't have any kind of concluding chapter to tie it all together. This would have made the book much more compelling. |
Hurricane Watch by Melissa Good, 407 pages Julie Gephart Sunday, June 09, 2002 Hey, it's uber-Xena, set in modern day Miami. Bloodthirsty warlord or ruthless corporate raider, any Xena is a good Xena. |
Hush by MS. Anne Frasier, 378 pages Mike Gadd Sunday, August 08, 2004 |