August 2003 Non-Fiction and Biography Book Reviews
Welcome to our August 2003 non-fiction book and biography
reviews archive. Non-Fiction stimulates, entertains, and enlightens. We work hard to find
non-fiction books - biographies, science books, art books, etc. to review each month that we feel are
worth your time and your hard-earned dollars. We hope you'll enjoy this backissue of our August 2003
non-fiction book reviews.
This biography is presented by using many pictures of the famous people involved in Huey Long's colorful life, and the many newspaper and magazine clippings, posters and cartoons created in the era of The Great Depression. It is clear from this easy-to-read little book that Long was a major player in the political world of that time. Huey Long began his working life as a traveling salesman. That persona became a part of the character of Huey Long, who was quite persuasive when he wanted something. What he mostly wanted was to become President of the United States. What he got was a powerful grip on his home state of Louisiana.
There is no mention here about the stripper who became Long's mistress. We see the family man, the patrician, and the politician. We see the Huey Long who wanted power and got it in spades. The author seems to be a fan of Long's ideals, if not his power plays. In the end, although he had been surrounded by bodyguards throughout his political life, Huey Long was assassinated and passed into the pages of history along with his flamboyance.
In "Tinder Box," Anthony Hatch shares his long-time interest in this tragic event that horrified the world. We are coming up on the 100th anniversary of the Iroquois Theater fire. It is with a fascination of the horror of the event that the reader will fall into because it is like you were there, too.
First off, the Iroquois Theater was considered a major addition to the theaters of the world. In fact, it was a palace. Opening day was November 23, 1903. The presentation for the matinee of that day was a musical extravaganza called Mr. Bluebeard, and featured Eddie Foy as the major attraction. The public piled into the seats and filled every corner of the Standing Room Only area. It was a major event and the owners were showing off the theater, which was elegant beyond all expectation.
The disaster began with a small spotlight that touched off a fire backstage. From here this story is horrific. So many safety features of the theater were not properly installed. The employees did not know how to lower the fire curtain. The doors to the outside had been locked to contain the audience, and people trampled each in the
panic to get themselves out.
The lack of safety precautions is hard to believe in a city like Chicago, which had suffered one of the major fires in the country earlier in the century. How could they not have installed all of the building's safety features? How could they not even have an indoor telephone or a fire alarm?
Anthony Hatch brings his readers into the Iriqouis Theater to live the tragedy through the eyes of the survivors and historians. Hatch has been a reporter for CBS. His writing is crisp and clear. You will end up shaking your head over and over again as Hatch points out that many of the faults that lead to this tragedy are still existing in theaters today.
Almost everyone is acquainted with the magnificent photography of Anne Geddes these days. They have appeared on greeting cards, stationary, calendars and books of all types that show off her unique work. In person Anne Geddes is a very attractive young looking blonde. In her pictures, she shows a mature love of the beautiful nature of children and babies. It must take miles of patience to get the right picture at the right time. Her fans adore the lovely babies that peep out from flowers or even are part of the flower.
This book is a pure collection of birth and babies that celebrates the beginning of life and the beauty of all mother's and their children.
The book is big and even cumbersome, but on any coffee table, the wonderful photography will evoke comments and lively discussions of all who see it. It's a gift from the artist to those who love her work and all babies.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Before you go, buy this book. It's a very handy book to have to take along with you. Walt Disney World is big. I mean REALLY BIG! You won't believe just how terrifyingly, mind-bogglingly big it is. You might think its a long way to the local chemist's, but that's just peanuts to Walt Disney World. (With apologies to Douglas Addams) It is a 47 square-miles of adventures packed into the 10
theme parks, water parks, and attractions. You will want to see every one of them, too, because it is all filled with fun and adventure both for the kids and for adults. Trust me, its even more fun without kids!
This is a very useful planning and travel guide for you trip to the heart of Florida. There are great maps to the various parts of The Walt Disney World Resort and the planner will help from the time you decide to take this trip. A lot of the book introduces you to the hotels and motels to stay around the resort. There are even floor plans and maps for the many hotels that are Disney-owned. I like to stay in one of the on-property hotels, and it doesn't matter which one to me. I've stayed in several different ones and I liked something about each one. Some are elegant, and some are simpler and inexpensive. All of them have shuttle bus transportation to the parks right outside your door.
You can chart your trip right before your own eyes. There is a budgeting section in the book to use to plan as well as tip that help to save money. The book is filled with places to write your plans and then to keep track of your whole trip in a diary area for expenses and notes while you're there.
I love Walt Disney World and all of the entertainment venues around them. Give yourself and your family a real treat and allot extra time to cover each park. Remember it is huge, and it will wear everyone out fast, so go slow, enjoy yourself, take notes and lots of pictures to share when you get back home.
We like to spend at least one or two evenings relaxing at the Adventure's Club which is located in Pleasure Island, a collection of music, dancing, dining, and entertainment venues. The Adventurer's Club is a mock-up of an old British "Gentleman's Club" right out of "Around The World in 80 Days". There's a stage show nightly, and a host of regular club inhabitants who entertain visitors all night. Then too, the Comedy Club is well worth the long lines. Fresh, funny, mild-mannered stand-up and improvisation. There are also dance clubs, including a disco, a country-western club, and a jazz-club to cater to all tastes. Most nights will also have an outdoor stage show. Several excellent restaurants will accomodate any appetitie - from the great BBQ place to the dining room, Pleasure Island will restore your soul after a hard day in the parks.
Remember the tale of Ben Franklin flying his kite in a thunder and lightning storm and "discovering electricity?" Author Tom Tucker claims its a myth, and proceeds to try to prove it. Tucker says it was a hoax meant to embarrass the French and English rivals who were competing in the discovery fields of electricity. The world was supposed to believe that Franklin proved that lightning and electricity were the same thing. The French were so charmed by this hoax that Franklin became a major celebrity when he traveled to France during the American Revolution. He used his celebrity to convince the French to join us in the fight against the British.
No one has before attempted to prove what was only rumored before concerning this historical myth. We should note that Tucker has won awards and that he often has written about the history of invention. He has written for and about NASA during a fellowship at Stanford University.
Do you believe the story of Franklin and his kite? Read the book and you might well change your mind. Either way, its a fascinating look at one of our best known Founding Fathers.
Ever since Kate Braverman produced her first book "Lithium For Medea" 25 years ago, I have been captivated by her writing and her subjects. Braverman is beloved by the women of academia and frequently is required reading in classes in Women's Studies.
Frida Kahlo has become an icon for women and has taken a major place in the history of art. She was the wife and lover of Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist and she was also the lover of many of the famous artists of her time - both men and women, it is said. Frida was the product of a terrible accident when she was a teenager, and she
subsequently suffered pain throughout her life and many illnesses. Throughout her life she was a strong woman, and she was always considered sensual and beautiful, although one look at a picture of her shows her as not all that beautiful.
So this is Braverman's incantation that is written in the voice of Frida. In lyrical prose that is so good you will want to back up occasionally to re-read the gems that are imparted, Frida speaks of her life and her loves. She tells us about Diego, sometimes in
unflattering terms. She is always a woman who presents this incantation through her pain.
You may have to put on your reading glasses and start up the cappacino machine, because this book is over 400 pages of very small print. The trial included some 366 witnesses and went on for fifty days. There were eight conspirators that were formally charged with the assassination of President Lincoln. Four were sentenced to death, and four were sent to prison. There were 4,300 recorded pages from the trial. Steers takes us through this case that the years has left much doubt, and presents a clear picture of the events surrounding the murder of that great President.
I would not want to lead you astray. This is hard reading. To my mind and in my experience, the only way to really understand history is to be there, to see for yourself and be the judge. I found this book to be engrossing at every turn. Many of my questions were answered and, though difficult, it was a most rewarding read.
Be sure to visit us again next month when we'll
review more entertaining and enlightening non-fiction books. Our
non-fiction book reviews are written by our Editor, Richard L. Trethewey.
Rainbo Electronic Reviews' non-fiction book reviews are published monthly. Back issues of our
reviews are available from the Rainbo Reviews Backissues Archive.
We're proud to announce that the reviews archive is now searchable by category so you can find great non-fiction books we've reviewed in the past.
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