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More from Norm Goldman... Reviews No. 31-40 (below) Reviews No. 1-10 Reviews No. 11-20 Reviews No. 21-30  TITLE: A Story of a Forgotten Hero-Turning Back The Pages Of Time AUTHOR: Emerson Watkins ISBN: 1587362023 To read the interview conducted by Norm Goldman Editor of Bookpleasures with the author Emerson Watkins click: HERE It is remarkable that anyone could have lived to the unbelievable age of one hundred and eighteen. More so when you consider how Tippy Pendarvis, principal character of Emerson Watkins’ first novel, A Story of a Forgotten Hero-Turning Back The Pages Of Time, endured the many tragedies that beset him. Watkins’ well-crafted work of fiction focuses on an African American, who was born five years after the Civil War. At the age of eighteen, Tippy is forced to leave his family, after being maliciously chased out of town by the Klu Klux Klan. Eventually, he finds his way to Arizona, where he joins the famous Buffalo Soldiers. A regiment of African-Americans created by Congress in 1866 that was the 9th and 10th Cavalries. The Cheyenne and Comanche had nicknamed them Buffalo Soldiers, and until the latter part of the 19th century they constituted about twenty percent of all cavalry forces on the American frontier. When Tippy leaves the cavalry he is confronted with ugly racism, and as a result, he is unable to find employment. Left with little choice, he succumbs to a life of crime. Although successful in accumulating a certain amount of wealth, he nonetheless experiences several tragedies-the first being the loss of his daughter Flossie, followed by the apparent suicide of his first wife Lizzy-Mae. After the death of his wife, his life of crime catches up with him and he is incarcerated for thirteen months. Upon his release he undergoes a complete metamorphosis. He decides that with the money he had hidden away prior to his incarceration, he would create a foundation for the purpose of financially aiding African Americans to attend college. He subsequently remarries, only to face the unexpected and shocking illness, and eventual death of his second wife, Mannie. Although initially devastated, Tippy still manages to move on with his life, and eventually remarries for a third time. Once again, however, tragedy enters his life with the loss of his two sons, Doug, during the Second World War, and Grail, who had participated in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. The latter was senselessly murdered at the hands of racist lawmen. Emerson Watkins displays an exceptional talent for story telling, and on the whole the novel is a convincing narrative that manages to blend the enormous injustices faced by African Americans with man’s ability to reach for that innate inner strength. The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson best described a hero as being: “a mind of such balance that no disturbances can shake his will, but pleasantly, and, as it were, merrily, he advances to his own music, alike in frightful alarms and in the tipsy mirth of universal dissoluteness.” I guess this is what Tipsy Pendarvis was all about. Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Title: Rich Man’s Coffin Author: Kenneth Gardner ISBN: 1401049699 Pulitzer prize winner and war correspondent John Hersey once said: “Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it.” Kenneth Gardner’s brilliant debut novel, Rich Man’s Coffin, is as close as you can get to living in New Zealand in the 1800’s. The heart of this exciting tale revolves around an African-American, Arthur Alesworth, born into slavery in Mississippi in 1812. In the year 1828 and at the age of 16 our principal character decides he wants to be a whaler and escapes to New York’s waterfront. It is here where he finds employment on a British whaling ship. However, unbeknown to Arthur, and as he is illiterate, he is duped into signing a kind of unjust indenture agreement with the captain of the ship. The narrative continues when the ship eventually makes its way to New Zealand. Eventually, Arthur Alesworth acquires the skill of a whaler and becomes known as Black Jack. Our hero experiences many near death episodes and eventually and ultimately becomes a Maori tribal chief. Unfortunately, however, until the very end of the novel, Black Jack seems to be a tragic figure that never quite escaped the shackles of slavery. Gardner’s meticulous research skilfully blends Black Jack’s experiences with the history of the Maori and the colonization of New Zealand by the Europeans. The mixing of our hero’s personal story with the historical events of the day make for a compelling read. In addition, the clever use of intense dialogue masterfully captures the flavour of the area and the inter-relations between the Maori and the Europeans. The reader is apprised of such historical events as the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, in which the Maori transferred the governorship to the Queen of England, and in turn the British recognized the Maori’s equality and ownership of land. This probably was the most important treaty of New Zealand’s history. Other events touched upon are the brutal wars between the Maori and the British and the eventual loss of large tracks of land by the native people in favour of their colonists. Unfortunately, this led to the dispossession of Black Jack’s home in favour of a British captain. Rich Man’s Coffin is sure to delight fans of history, especially those of us who are unfamiliar with New Zealand. Although the pace of the novel somewhat falters towards the latter chapters, the book still qualifies as a first-rate adventure story. Clearly written and insightful, it is refreshing to discover a first time novelist who at a young age exhibits the maturity of an experienced novelist. Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top TITLE: Taming Technology: You Can Control The Beast Author: Brian J. Nichelson, Ph.D. ISBN: 0971573964 Have you ever felt you need an engineering degree to figure out how some of our modern technology works? How often were you tempted to pick up your computer and throw it out the window? If you were fortunate to have young children around during our present technological revolution, consider yourself lucky. They probably have become your gurus or experts, when it comes to operating the VCR, or showing you how to use the many software programs you always dreamed about, but were afraid to admit you did not have the foggiest notion how they worked. Calm down, take a deep breath, and pick up a copy of Brian J. Nichelson’s book entitled Taming Technology: You Can Control The Beast. The author of this slim book has been bringing people and technology together for the past twenty- five years researching the interactions between technology and humans. Focusing on three principal maxims: Technology is simpler than you think: Technology equals people, and Technology is interconnected, Nichelson unfolds some of the mysteries of the beast, and counsels his readership to look at the big picture, before succumbing to a defeatist attitude. The author illustrates, with concrete examples, how technology affects everyone. We are reminded that the “beast” controls every aspect of our life. You can’t escape it-computers, VCRs, automobiles, washing machines and dryers, telephones, fax machines, toasters, copiers, scanners, tape records, CD players, and the list is never ending. However, as pointed out, “understanding any given technology within the proper context is important for dealing successfully with that technology.” In other words, no technology works in a vacuum. It is, as defined by the author, “humans trying to control our environment.” The key is to want to learn the fundamental principles, not to accept simple explanations such as, “that’s the way it works,” and always be patient. Be pro-active rather than passive, and if you can share your knowledge with others- all the better. Think of technology as a giant gig saw puzzle, we must find the pieces and put them together, if we want to understand how it all works. Determine your needs, access the many sources available to you, and sort them out in order to reap maximum benefits. After reading this compact book, the lingering question is- will you take the author’s final words, “now go out there and make it work for you?” Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Title: The Payback Author: Hilary Hawke ISBN: 059500547 The opening scene of Hilary Hawke’s first novel, The Payback, is set in the Newark Airport terminal where Margot notices a young pathetic woman sitting on a worn plaid suitcase and clutching a baby. As the story unfolds, we learn that the woman’s name is Claudia Lopez and she has just arrived from Santa Cruz, Bolivia with her infant daughter Juliana. Unfortunately, her husband, Antonio, never shows up at the airport to meet her, and presumably has abandoned his wife and infant child. Apparently, Antonio is embroiled in the trafficking of narcotics and is on the run from some very unsavory characters. We also learn that Margot, who had been at one time a promising actress, is now a high -class call girl. Margot, who sees Claudia as an image of herself when she was younger, has a soft spot for Claudia, and decides to provide shelter for her new- found friend. Unfortunately, their relationship results in some viscerally horrible events. Hawke’s professional training as a musician are in evidence as her prose rolls and rollicks culminating at times in pronounced crescendos particularly in some of the vivid and tense sex scenes. No doubt, many of these scenes may prove to be too grotesque for the squeamish. As generally the case with tales pertaining to prostitution, there is plenty of deviated sex, drugs, lowlifes, and a variety of other undesirables. Hawke’s clean and direct prose shows that she can clearly write. The voices of the principal characters are most natural offering insight into the story of the characters. Moreover, the reader is able to sense the bitterness as well as optimism felt by Claudia and Margot. I found, however, the novel’s ending somewhat unexpected, and readers may be annoyed in not knowing how some of the crimes committed by Claudia and Antonio escaped being unpunished. Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Title: Train at Home To Work At Home: How to Get Certified, Earn a Degree, or Take a Class From Home to Begin a Work-at-Home Career Author: Michelle McGarry ISBN: 0595284507 If you are looking to save a great deal of time and effort researching educational institutions and organizations offering distance learning programs and courses pertaining to twenty seven different work-at-home enterprises, Michelle McGarry’s insider’s guide book, Train at Home To Work At Home: How to Get Certified, Earn a Degree, or Take a Class From Home to Begin a Work-at-Home Career, will prove to be a godsend. However, it should be noted, this is not a how-to but rather a where-to-look book. McGarry’s main focus is to provide information about training and education for home careers. As for the pros and cons of home businesses, and the how-to in setting them up, the author refers her readers to her section entitled “Michelle’s Bookshelf and Bookmarks.” The arrangement of the listing of occupations and businesses are in alphabetical order, covering such occupations as: bed and breakfast owners, bookkeeping services, catering services, childbirth educators, child day care providers, desktop publishers, editorial services, graphic designers, financial planners, home inspectors, image consultants, indexers, information brokers, medical billing and coding, and many more. Learning institutions offering programs pertaining to the various careers are listed with their addresses, phone numbers, web sites and email addresses. This is followed by an indication of the courses offered, the types of certifications or degrees attainable, costs, number of credits required for completion, if there is email support, what learning materials are included, information concerning exams, delivery methods, and other pertinent data. For example, if you were interested in becoming a paralegal, we are informed that the University of California, Los Angles, is one institution that you may want to consider. This university offers two certificates with different concentrations: an Attorney Assistant, Litigation Option certificate and an Attorney Assistant, Corporate Option certificate. The cost of the program is $3, 750.00. On the other hand, you may wish to follow the program offered by Ashworth College in Norcross, Georgia, which approaches the course in a different manner. One caveat, as the author mentions, “verify that what you’re learning is satisfactory to the industry standards. Check with national associations if this program will satisfy their certification requirements. Ask industry leaders if you need a Bachelor degree, or if a certificate will suffice. Do you need in-office experience in this field before breaking out on your own?” At the end of each career segment the author provides references to various books as well as E-books, organizations, and web sites, where the reader may further his or her knowledge concerning a particular occupation. One of the drawbacks of books of this nature is that some of the information provided becomes quickly obsolete. In order to deal with this problem, the author offers a free e-mail newsletter that will update readers on new programs, old programs no longer available, new tuition rates, new phone numbers and other pertinent information. Replete with a great deal of information reflecting the author’s many hours of meticulous research, this book will prove to be invaluable to anyone contemplating working from home, or wishing to improve their skills. As an added bonus, the author provides an eleven- page bibliography, as well as a listing of recommended web sites. Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top TITLE: THE SOPRANOS FAMILY COOKBOOK PUBLISHER: WARNER BOOKS ISBN: 0446530573 AUTHORS: ALLEN RUCKER: MICHELE SCICOLONE When you scan through The Sopranos Family Cookbook, and if you are unfamiliar with the television hit series The Sopranos, you are duped into believing that the fictional character Artie Bucco is “alive and kicking.” You also are ready to telephone his restaurant, Nuovo Vesuvio Ristorante, and make immediate reservations to savour some of his Rigatoni with sweet sausage and tomato sauce. After all, as indicated in the introduction, “it is a book of meals coming from real life, la vita reale and real people cook them in real kitchens.” Unfortunately, as the publicist informed me, “Artie Bucco is not a real person - he's a character on the show. There is a real author, Allen Rucker, and a real chef Michelle Scicolone.” So much for my television knowledge! Over a century ago Italians immigrated to the shores of North America bringing with them their scrumptious food dishes from many Italian Provinces such as Avellino, Campania, Napoli, Caserta and Salerno. It is the recipes from these southern localities that are the main focus of this cookbook. As Bucco reminds us, “If you are one of us, either by birth or in spirit, you know that food is not just fuel for the Italian body. Food is la gioia di vivere, zest for life. Food is family, tradition, birth, confirmation, marriage, sickness, death-life itself.” With this in mind, Rucker and Scicolone effectively team up to entwine history, culture, geography and photography with the presentation of their various Italian dishes. Using the multigenerational Soprano family and Bucco as the authors’ spokespersons, the reader is apprised of twenty nine different pastas, fifteen different desserts, twenty-five different seafood preparations, and many more “goodies.” To simplify the tracking down of the various recipes, the authors have provided us with a very extensive and useful index that breaks them down alphabetically into nineteen different categories. As for seasoning, mix in the insights of members of the Soprano family, such as Janice, Carmela, Corado Jr. et voila you have a tasty Italian salad filled with philosophical ingredients. Finally, we should not forget the closing sound advice of Artie Bucco: “Please don’t move through this hurly-burly modern world so fast that you forgot to stop and enjoy the celebration of eating. Do you want your kids growing up and passing on to their kids your junk food love of ranch-style chips or the double-bacon cheeseburger? How sad is that? No matter who you are, you come from somewhere, and that somewhere has a tradition of native foodstuffs that in part define you. If, for any reason, you can’t locate that tradition, then join us at the Italian-American table and eat our food. You could do no worse.” My own mother used to say, “try it, you’ll like it.” Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Title: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Screenwriting Author: Skip Press ISBN 0028639448 Have you ever wondered what a screenwriter is and how one writes for the screen? Prior to my reading this book I had no idea how a screenwriter went about practicing his craft. In all honesty the only knowledge I had of screenwriters is their name flashing on either a movie screen or a television screen. Who are these writers, what do they do, how do they write for the screen? All of these questions are very effectively dealt with in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Screenwriting authored by Skip Press. Skip Press may not be a household name, however, he has had extensive experience in many forms of media such as radio, television, screen, stage, CD and the World Wide Web. He was also a Silver Medal Winner at the New York International Film Festival. The guide is written in a crisp clear style that cuts away all of the fat and gets right down to the fundamental elements of effective screen writing. As soon as you open the book you are presented with a tear out reference card outlining the ten mistakes made by the novice screenwriter: lack of knowledge of the history of drama and filmmaking, how does Hollywood work, ignorance of Hollywood tradition, not writing from derivative material, not understanding core demographics of movie going audiences, screen plays that are not properly formatted, misunderstanding concepts of conflict of sex and violence, ignorance of the Hollywood vocabulary, ignorance of screenplay structure and failure to rewrite until it is acceptable. With these ten topics or building blocks in mind the author, as he states, “endeavors to furnish the reader with a blueprint in order to build a cinematic world.” In other words, if you are going to write a screenplay, here are the materials needed in order that it will be read and accepted and eventually may perhaps thrill us all. The topics are divided into five distinct sections: the evolution of storytelling, what to write, how to write the screenplay, post-script possibilities and it’s all in the details. Each chapter is preceded with a short outline indicating exactly what the author intends to convey to the reader. This is followed by the actual explanation of each of the concepts and ending with a resumé the author calls “the least you need to know.” For example, if you refer to the history of screenwriting section we are presented with a brief synopsis of what the Greeks, Romans, Christians and Italians contributed and why it is very important to understand their contributions. We are then presented with a more in depth study of these contributions and finally what we should try to remember when we are using the information in our screenwriting. To liven up the information and as an added feature there are sidebars sprinkled throughout each chapter giving us various tips and interesting Hollywood tidbits. For example,” Chekhov believed that if you had a gun hanging over a fireplace, the gun should be used during the play. If it is not used, don’t write it in. Such attention to detail goes a long way in writing screenplays.” No doubt the book is meant as an instructive manual for the aspiring screenwriter. However, it will also prove very useful for those of us who wish to have a better understanding as to how the movies are written and accepted by the producers and directors. Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top Reviewer: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES.COM back to top | The BANYON NETWORK | Betty Byers | Whitlow Synopsis | INNER-VIEWS WITH CELEBRITIES | ECLECTIC REVIEWS | BOOK REVIEWER'S CORNER | The NEWS | SHORT STORIES CORNER | | Return Home | GREAT LINKS | WHAT'S NEW? | CONTACT US | |
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