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WHEN Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Frank McCourt died last
month, I thought about the fact that he did what most people do not: he wrote
three very successful books. Angela¹s Ashes, Tis, and Teacher
Man are all memoirs that tell different parts of his life story. As a poor
Irish immigrant, McCourt grew up with the odds stacked against him. And yet, he
rose above his circumstances and had a successful career as a New York public
school teacher. That in itself is quite the accomplishment. Then, in his 60s,
McCourt wrote his first book. I have often heard people say they wanted to
write a book, and yet most never do and even fewer get them published. Even
fewer than that enjoy the kind of financial and critical success McCourt did.
It takes a brave soul to put oneself out there for all the world to judge, and
McCourt took the leap anyway.
I recently heard what was called The Creative Manifesto:
“die empty.” In other words, artists give everything they have, every day, with
the goal of putting each creative impulse on the page, canvas, or sheet of
music. In that, I hope, McCourt was successful. We should all be so lucky.
 And
now for something completely different ... Loch Ness Monsters and Raining
Frogs: The World’s Most Puzzling Mysteries Solved by UK author Albert
Jack is a fun read. If you have ever wondered about the veracity of
oft-repeated legends (and who hasn’t), Jack provides explanations for some very
troubling and many amusing mysterious occurrences. If you would prefer to
believe in “Nessie,” this book may not be for you. However, if you have always
wondered what really happened to Lionel “Buster” Crabb (the man who inspired
the character James Bond), then give this book a chance.
Leslie Banker and William Mullins are enjoying the recent
publication of Britannia in Brief: The Scoop on All Things British in
trade paperback. This husband and wife team (he is English; she is American)
provide a “cheat sheet” to help non-Brits understand bits of British History,
society, culture, language, politics, food, and everyday life. I enjoyed much
about this book, though I may never understand cricket. While Britannia in
Brief is hardly a definitive reference, it does provide an amusing and
informative “peek” at the many differences between our two countries, which
George Bernard Shaw described as “separated by a common language.” Banker and
Mullins book takes a few much-needed steps to bridge that gap.
Until next month...
Please email me at
OKEEFEKG@GMAIL.COM or visit my website
at www.snark-hunter.com.
Link to previous reviews -
January 2009 February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009 |
