Archive for April, 2009

April 24th, 2009

Defying Empire by Thomas m. Truxes

by Jeff Grim

Defying Empire by Thomas M. Truxes is a fascinating book about the trade between New York merchants and the French during the French and Indian War.  Prior to reading this book, I did not even know that there was such trade between the two during the war.

The book is a straight narrative account of the New York merchants who traded with the French before and during the French and Indian War – they did this despite the prohibitions put forth by the British government to stop the trade.  Truxes traces the trade between the New York merchants and the Dutch in the Caribbean (the Dutch were used as middlemen early in the war) to the trade on Hispaniola between the merchants and the Spanish as middlemen to the outright trade with the French via flag-trucers (trading when exchanging prisoners of war).

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April 24th, 2009

In the Mail: life and laughter edition

by Kevin Holtsberry

–> When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win: Reflections on Looking in the Mirror by Carol Leifer

Product Description

Stand-up comic and comedy writer Carol Leifer faced a critical dilemma and had only two options: either continue sharing her greatest childhood memory (seeing the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1966) or lie about her age. But the choice soon became clear: I see now that when you deny your age, you deny yourself, and when you lie about your age, you become your inauthentic twin. But most important, when you lie about your age, they win. (And of course by “they”, I mean the terrorists). Now, in this uproarious book, Leifer reveals all “her age, her outlook, her life philosophy”no holds barred.

On technology: I am overwhelmed by anything that involves a cord.”
- On motherhood: Never put your baby’s length on a birth announcement. It’s a baby, not a marlin.
- On collagen injections: “Your lips are not meant to be flotation devices for your face in case it capsizes.”
- On tattoos: “If you plan on having your lover’s name tattooed on your arm, always leave room before it for a possible ‘I Hate’ down the road.”
- On etiquette: “Never refer to a woman as ‘ma’am’ even if she’s ninety years old. Nobody likes it.”

After years of stand-up and a wave of successful television shows, Carol Leifer finally (and hilariously) puts it all down on paper the wise thoughts, witty stories, and wonderfully way-out observations guaranteed to have you nodding in agreement and laughing out loud in sheer delight.

–> Get Off Your “But”: How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself by Sean Stephenson

From the Inside Flap

“This book will show you how to move beyond your limitations and begin to experience and share your gifts at the highest level.?. . . Read this book in its entirety, follow the lessons closely, and watch as your life transforms into a masterpiece filled with an abundance of bliss, passion, and gratitude.” – From the Foreword by Anthony Robbins

In addition to presenting Sean Stephenson’s unbelievable life story, Get Off Your “But,” offers anyone who needs to conquer fears and insecurities a hands-on guide for overcoming the forces of negativity and self-sabotage. Sean – a successful psychotherapist – shows what it takes to overcome the big bumps in the road, eliminate excuses, end insecurities, and ultimately stand up for happiness and success in life. As Sean explains, anyone can fall victim to the “Buts”:

“But” Fears (But what if I fail . . .)

“But” Insecurities (But I’m not good enough . . .)

“But” Excuses?(But there’s no time . . .)

Get Off Your “But” offers a practical guide for putting fear behind you and building the inner resources to become self-confident at work and at home. It’s time to get off your “but” and start leading the life you dream.

April 23rd, 2009

National Review Online Literary Links

by Kevin Holtsberry

A couple of literature/bookish related links from our friends over at NRO:

- First, they have a symposium on Shakespeare:

Nobody knows precisely when William Shakespeare was born. It was in 1564, probably a few days before April 26, which definitely was the date of his baptism, as recorded in the parish church at Stratford-upon-Avon. The Bard’s birthday is traditionally observed on April 23, which is also the date on which he died, in 1616.

To celebrate his life, we’ve asked a few NRO contributors to pick their favorite play by Shakespeare and explain why they love it.

- And John J. Miller talks with Maria Tatar, author of Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood, in the latest episode of Between the Covers.

April 23rd, 2009

Michael Marshall talks about Bad Things

by Kevin Holtsberry

I noted Bad Things by Michael Marshall in a recent In The Mail post. Below the author talks about changes in his life and how they have impacted his writing, about how his books have been categorized, and about his latest work. My review of The Intruders is here.

April 23rd, 2009

In the Mail: Paperbacks

by Kevin Holtsberry

–> The Frozen Ship: The Histories and Tales of Polar Exploration by Sarah Moss

From Booklist

This book is a chronicle of journeys–from the Vikings to such adventurers as Byrd, Amundsen, Scott, Peary, and Shackleton–to the Arctic and the Antarctic. Moss also relates the adventures of little-known explorers, missionaries, and archaeologists from Europe and North America. The book, Moss writes, is primarily concerned with ways of imagining the polar region as alien and remote but also covers the Arctic as part of Canada’s present and future national identity.” Moss delves into such topics as medieval Norse sagas, women explorers, arctic imagery in English poetry and novels (there is much here about the literature of polar travel), and descriptions of indigenous communities. This remarkable book offers the most vivid account yet of polar exploration.

–> The Maxims of Manhood: 100 Rules Every Real Man Must Live By by Jeff Wilser

Product Description

Your dog must be larger than a toaster. Tip well. Never use the word “blossom.” Outperform the GPS. Know how to chug a beer (and know that you shouldn’t). Always hold the door. Never use emoticons.

These are The Maxims of Manhood. They cover every aspect of life: women, sports, sex, the office, family, entertainment, fashion, fitness, and more women. Some of these you’d expect. Some you wouldn’t, as they usher in a modern code of masculinity (Your favorite book may not be The Da Vinci Code). In a series of 100 essays, the rules are analyzed, explained, vigorously defended and openly mocked. Every rule has an authorized exception. Except the ones that don’t.

This book might not be for you. It’s only intended for people who fall into one of these seven buckets: 1) you are a man; 2) you will become a man; 3) you were once a man; 4) you are related to a man; 5) you are dating or have married a man; 6) you think that in the future, perhaps, you will date or marry a man; 7) you know, or think that at some point you will know–whether casually or formally–a man.

–> The Islamist by Ed Husain

Product Description

The true story of one man’s journey to Islamic fundamentalism and back

Raised in a devout but quiet Muslim community in London, at sixteen Ed Husain was presented with an intriguing political interpretation of Islam known as fundamentalism. Lured by these ideas, he committed his life to them. Five years later, he rejected extremism and tried to return to a normal life. But soon he realized that Islamic fundamentalists pose a threat that most people-Muslim and non- Muslim alike-simply don’t understand.

Based on first-hand experiences and written with pervasive clarity, The Islamist delivers a rare inside glimpse of the devious methods used to recruit new members, and offers profound insight into the appeal fundamentalism has for young Muslims in the Western world.