“The War on Alcohol” by Lisa McGirr retells the story of Prohibition with a cocktail of case studies, legal analysis, and a broad scope. Continue reading The War on Alcohol: Prohibition and the Rise of the American State, by Lisa McGirr @ NYJB
Gonzo journalism for those who enjoyed the Jon Stewart-era Daily Show. Jon Ronson tries to figure who out “them” are, since they are supposed to control the world from a darkened room with their Bilderberg friends. Ronson tries to find that room and why he wasn’t invited Continue reading American Odd: Them: Adventures with Extremists, by Jon Ronson
“For the curious, The Secret Teachers of the Western World exists as a valuable and highly readable resource.” Continue reading The Secret Teachers of the Western World, by Gary Lachman @ NYJB
“Everyone Is African” by Daniel J. Fairbanks offers a concise treatment of a controversial topic. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: Everyone Is African: How Science Explodes The Myth of Race, by Daniel J. Fairbanks
After ten years of war, soldiers have grown weary. The leadership now endures uncouth criticism of its policy, accusations of self-interest and self-aggrandizement become commonplace. The gods remain fickle, taking sides and influencing the ground game. Some things never change. Continue reading Translation Tuesdays: The Iliad: A New Translation by Caroline Alexander @ NYJB
The Argument David Bowie’s recent death has closed a page on music history. On a more personal level, Bowie has been a constant in my life for decades. Beyond mere 80s nostalgia (Labyrinth) or 90s nostalgia (Lost Highway, Outside, and Earthling), Bowie has been instrumental to me personally as a taste-maker. He led me down strange avenues and provided the raw material for discovery and aesthetic experimentation. Embryo My fascinating with David Bowie began early. I can still remember the first Bowie album I bought, sometime in the Nineties. It was a CD of Tonight (1984), an album even Bowie … Continue reading Critic’s Notebook: David Bowie and the Physiology of Taste
This week I review a rollicking metafictional postmodernist romp that involves philosophy, drinking, and squirrels. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: Voltaire’s Excellent Adventure: The Broken Boarder: Gatsby, Booze, and Hot Philosopher Action! By Martin D. Gibbs and Arthur Graham
The small town of Arvida, Quebec, becomes the focal point for Samuel Archibald’s haunting short story collection. Continue reading Translation Tuesdays: Arvida, by Samuel Archibald @ NYJB
This week I review Norman Mailer’s selected letters, giving a new perspective on an iconic and controversial author. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: Selected Letters of Norman Mailer, edited by J. Michael Lennon
When I wrote “On Being Human,” I wrote an essay on Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy.” “Frankenstein Underground” expands on Mignola’s pulpy universe, giving us a fun graphic novel about Frankenstein’s monster. Continue reading On Being Human Redux: Frankenstein Underground, by Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck
The Driftless Area Review 