Social Sciences Reviews, October 15, 2011
Oct 15, 2011Biography
Eade, Philip. Prince Philip: The Turbulent Early Life of the Man Who Married Queen Elizabeth II. Holt. Nov. 2011. c.368p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780805095449. $28. BIOG
UK barrister and journalist Eade (Sylvia, Queen of the Headhunters) presents a thorough and balanced account of the formative years of Queen Elizabeth II’s consort. While Gyles Brandreth’s recent Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage was a somewhat gossip-oriented look at the royal couple’s relationship, Eade’s biography, the first in over 20 years to focus on just Philip, examines the prince’s childhood in Greece and his young adulthood. After the complex family heritage, the pace picks up, and a compelling story unfolds of a youngster, shuttled among boarding schools and relatives, who matured into a strong and self-reliant young man. Less flattering allegations, such as Nazi connections among the prince’s extended family and his own womanizing, are provided in a fact-oriented rather than sensational manner. Whether describing Prince Philip’s distinguished naval service or his tendency toward public gaffes, Eade provides an insightful review of the early years of a key figure of England’s monarchy. VERDICT For royal watchers, especially in light of grandson Prince William’s recent nuptials and Philip’s own recent 90th birthday, this book will prove fascinating.—Mary A. Jennings, Sno-Isle Libs., Camano Island, WA
Fox, Julia. Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile. Ballantine. Jan. 2012. c.432p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780345516046. $30. BIOG
Using both primary and secondary sources interwoven with her own engaging interpretations, Fox (Jane Boleyn) has written the first dual biography of Katherine of Aragon and Juana of Castile. Uniting the tragic stories of these two women into one narrative presents quite a challenge. The sisters spent only a few hours of their adult lives in each other’s company and seem to have corresponded infrequently. While Katherine’s life was led largely in the open and has been meticulously documented, the majority of Juana’s days were shrouded in a veil of secrecy that well served the purposes of her husband, father, and son, who took turns in usurping her throne and callously imprisoning her for 46 years. VERDICT There may not be much new ground to break in the histories of these renowned women, but Fox’s biography is well written, even riveting, and painfully highlights the fate of women in patriarchal societies. Recommended for readers with an interest in women’s history or the history of 15th- and 16th-century western Europe. [See Prepub Alert, 8/8/11.]—Tessa L.H. Minchew, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston
Leonard, Elizabeth D. Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally: Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt of Kentucky. Univ. of North Carolina. (Civil War America). Oct. 2011. c.424p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780807835005. $40. BIOG
Leonard (history, Colby Coll.) encountered Joseph Holt while working on her Lincoln’s Avengers: Justice, Revenge, and Reunion After the Civil War, and she recognized that such an important figure at the center of crucial legal, constitutional, and political concerns arising from secession and war demanded a close examination. She has admirably brought Holt to life, showing him as a prickly but principled advocate for the Union, even at the cost of dividing his Kentucky family and disrupting his friendships, and as a figure of considerable influence in shaping American patent practices, rules of war, and the application of military justice. Leonard’s major contribution here is in going inside the workings of the government to track the competing interests and understandings of such issues as secession, dissent, the postwar prosecution of ex-rebels, and the arrest, trial, and execution of those involved in assassinating President Lincoln. VERDICT A sympathetic and sensible reading of a difficult personality and the making of federal legal power, recommended for serious readers and university libraries.—Randall M. Miller, Saint Joseph’s Univ., Philadelphia
Economics
Dahlvig, Anders. The IKEA Edge: Building Global Growth and Social Good at the World’s Most Iconic Home Store. McGraw-Hill. Dec. 2011. c.212p. ISBN 9780071777650. $26. BUS
Readers hoping this book chronicles the history of IKEA, the Swedish-based furniture company, will be disappointed. Other books—Elen Lewis’s Great IKEA! A Brand for All the People and Johan Stenebo’s The Truth About IKEA—better cover the story of the company. Rather, Dahlvig (former president and CEO, IKEA) wrote this book to “use IKEA as an example of good corporate citizenship.” Citing such business values as its vision statement (“to create a better everyday life for the majority of people”) and the benefits of having a strong owner with long-term perspective, he argues for IKEA-based business concepts at companies worldwide. Though Dahlvig makes a strong argument for IKEA’s values, he admits areas where the company could have done better, like obtaining all its wood from responsibly managed forests. Since his voice is the only one heard in this book, the arguments are all one-sided; including other IKEA employees’ voices would have only strengthened Dahlvig’s case. VERDICT Though excessively verbose at times, this volume is best for readers interested in what makes IKEA tick and those who want to learn more about general business principles.—Leigh Mihlrad, National Inst. of Health Lib., Bethesda, MD
Garon, Sheldon. Beyond Our Means: Why America Spends While the World Saves. Princeton Univ. Nov. 2011. c.480p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780691135991. $29.95. ECON
While Garon’s (history, Princeton; Molding Japanese Minds: The State in Everyday Life) study is comprehensive (with hundreds of notes and a large bibliography), his subtitle is slightly misleading. He explains savings programs in Western Europe and Southeast Asia but not why America spends. Although the U.S. government has not promoted savings as much as other nations have, the 1910 U.S. savings rates surpassed those of all other countries except Germany—a trend that changed after World War II. Garon examines the past two centuries of world history to determine “how rival cultures of savings and debt came to be.” Savings campaigns, some intrusive or compulsory, utilized advocacy groups, propaganda, patriotism, innovative institutions, and government incentives. Rationales were not always that “growing economies required savings for capital formation” but also that savings campaigns discouraged revolts and minimized welfare costs. However, some countries with government safety nets still have high savings rates. Garon provides five suggestions for increased rate of savings: easier bank access, government encouragement, tax incentives, youth programs, and more financial inclusion. VERDICT This book will prove most informative for social policy gurus, bankers, politicians, and economically minded citizens.—Joanne B. Conrad, Geneseo, NY
Horn, Tammy. Beeconomy: What Women and Bees Can Teach Us About Local Trade and the Global Market. Univ. Pr. of Kentucky. Nov. 2011. c.376p. bibliog. ISBN 9780813134352. $29.95. ECON
Horn (apiculture, Eastern Kentucky Univ.; Bees in America: How the Honey Bee Shaped a Nation) finds her starting point in Egypt, with the first recorded instance of bees. The book then follows the migration of honey bees and the development of beekeeping from Africa to India, the rest of Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and finally South America. Along the way, Horn covers the culture, religion, and history of each area as it relates to beekeeping and women’s roles in apiculture. Political and economic forces that affect women and apiculture in each country are traced in this quotation-heavy, densely footnoted text. Factual sidebars often give additional information on topics of interest. Women important to the development of beekeeping in their respective countries are also frequently highlighted. The book is at its most interesting when it addresses unusual or little-known facts about apiculture. VERDICT Best for those passionate about beekeeping or women’s rights; casual readers may find it a bit too technical and dry to take in.—Bonnie A. Tollefson, Cleveland Bradley Cty. P.L., TN
Wooldridge, Adrian. Masters of Management: How the Business Gurus and Their Ideas Have Changed the World—for Better and for Worse. HarperBusiness: HarperCollins. Dec. 2011. c.464p. index. ISBN 9780061771132. $29.99. BUS
Wooldridge and John Micklethwait’s 1996 history of management theory, The Witch Doctors, became a best seller lauded for its open-eyed analysis of prevailing methodology. Wooldridge (management editor, the Economist) has completely revised and updated the book to include events from the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s to the current recession. The core of the book is a solid examination of the effects of entrepreneurship, globalization, and the free-agency economy on corporate governance. Wooldridge offers a balanced look at how business schools have spawned a guru industry that offers a gamut of theories on learning, innovation, and strategy. Peter Drucker, Tom Peters, and the “Journo-Gurus” (Thomas Friedman, Malcolm Gladwell, and Chris Anderson) receive focused attention as the main influences in contemporary theory. VERDICT This is one of the best overviews of management theory in the 20th century. It is written in a clear and accessible style that will appeal to both MBA students and the general reader. Highly recommended.—John Rodzvilla, Emerson Coll., Boston
Education
Schank, Roger. Teaching Minds: How Cognitive Science Can Save Our Schools. Teachers Coll. Pr., Columbia Univ. Nov. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9780807752678. $58; pap. ISBN 9780807752665. $26.95. ED
“Why do we still have schools?” This is one of the questions Schank (founder, Inst. for the Learning Sciences, Northwestern Univ.) asks his readers to contemplate. He argues that the traditional subject-based curriculum, with its emphasis on the memorization of facts and “learning by listening,” fails to engage students and to prepare them for real life. He calls for a completely remodeled education system in which all curricula are project based (“learn by doing”), designed around real-world professions that will be of interest to students, and delivered online with the day-to-day support of teachers trained as mentors. Despite the radical nature of his suggested reform (not even Schank seems confident in the likelihood of its becoming reality), his conversational style and well-reasoned argument is convincing. VERDICT Schank has spent his career looking for better ways to help his students succeed, and it shows here. His book is a breath of fresh air in the educational reform debate. Of interest to educators, students, and parents alike who are frustrated with the schooling status quo.—Sara Holder, McGill Univ. Lib., Montreal
History
Fowler, William M., Jr. American Crisis: George Washington and the Dangerous Two Years After Yorktown, 1781–1783. Walker. Oct. 2011. c.352p. illus. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780802717061. $28. HIST
Fowler (history, Northeastern Univ.; Empires at War: The French and Indian War and the Struggle for North America, 1754–1763) artfully records the dangerous situation in the United States during the time between Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the evacuation of British troops from New York two years later. Drawing from a wealth of letters, he describes General Washington’s skill as a leader, his humble and respectful character, and his noble motives in fighting to keep the army organized and disciplined. It was imperative to prevent the British from taking advantage of American disorder and weakness caused by low morale that resulted in desertion, threats of mutiny, and power struggles. Fowler also addresses the ineffectiveness of Congress, paralyzed by insolvency amid a fragile and flawed system of government plagued by squabbles and intrigues. The activities and motives of the British officials in America and abroad complete the vivid picture of the realities that imperiled independence and the preservation of liberty after the war. VERDICT This well-documented and highly readable account will engage and enrich scholars and general readers alike.—Margaret Kappanadze, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY
Hughes, Robert. Rome: A Cultural, Visual, and Personal History. Knopf. Nov. 2011. c.512p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9780307268440. $35. HIST
It is a treat to read Hughes’s (former art critic, Time magazine; Goya) masterful history of its three millennia of art, politics, and culture. He visited the city first in 1959, and his lifetime of experience enables him to include a personal layer here, bringing his characteristic verve and enthusiasm for his subject fully to life. Beginning with the earliest settlements on the Tiber and culminating with filmmaker Federico Fellini (whom he marks as Rome’s last maestro of the arts), Hughes identifies the most influential or intriguing subjects from each age. The chapters on imperial Rome, the Renaissance, the baroque period, and futurism are highlights, especially because of the intertwining of art and politics in those ages. The book is ultimately a celebration of Rome’s past, however, without much hope for its future as a center of culture and artistic inspiration. Still, one comes away with a true appreciation of the power of Rome in our cultural imagination. VERDICT Essential for anyone interested in Roman civilization, European history, or armchair travel. [See Prepub Alert, 5/2/11.]—Margaret Heller, Dominican Univ. Lib., River Forest, IL
Montefiore, Simon Sebag. Jerusalem: The Biography. Knopf. Oct. 2011. c.672p. illus. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780307266514. $35. HIST
Few historians have demonstrated the vision, mastery, and boldness necessary to publish on a subject so vast and in such detail as Montefiore (Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar). Since Jerusalem’s origins as a settlement more than 5000 years ago, its history, in the author’s citation of 19th-century British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, is “the history of the world.” Montefiore explains the city’s significance to the three Abrahamic faiths, the idiosyncrasies of its builders and conquerors, and the persistent perception there of a “divine presence.” Montefiore starts with King David (he takes the Old Testament as the historical source), gets to the “quixotic and risky but pious” Crusades about halfway through the book, and goes on to note such “pilgrims” as Rasputin and Mark Twain. He confronts challenging questions, including the destruction of the Temple at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.E. and by Titus in 70 C.E. and the remarkable “Dome of the Rock,” and he moves onward to the creation of modern Israel. VERDICT A marvelous panorama for all readers with an interest in religious studies or world history. [See Prepub Alert, 4/4/11.]—Zachary T. Irwin, Pennsylvania State Univ.–Erie
Taft, William H. My Dearest Nellie: The Letters of William Howard Taft to Helen Herron Taft, 1909–1912. Univ. Pr. of Kansas. 2011. c.320p. ed. by Lewis L. Gould. illus. index. ISBN 9780700618002. $39.95. HIST
Letters from former American Presidents to their wives have long been a favorite with historians eager for a glimpse into the thoughts of those in power. This collection of 113 previously unpublished letters from Taft to his wife, Nellie, exposes the uncertainty and struggles experienced by the 27th President. Edited by Gould (history, emeritus, Univ. of Texas, Austin; The William Howard Taft Presidency), the book shows Taft to be a compelling, avuncular personality who happened to be ill suited for the job at hand. Taft conveys his increasing frustration with former friend and new competitor for the 1912 election, Theodore Roosevelt; his thoughts on tariff and election reform; and rationales behind his frequent vetoes of congressional bills. VERDICT The letters illuminate the changing shape of the American presidency, but one wishes Taft had offered more substance, and the work wants a tighter culling of repetitive missives. Gould’s extensive research into events and individuals and his editorial writings give useful historical context. For historians of the presidency and the progressive era.—Laura Ruttum Senturia, Denver
Law & Crime
Balkin, Jack M. Living Originalism. Belknap: Harvard Univ. Nov. 2011. c.470p. index. ISBN 9780674061781. $35. LAW
In his new book, Balkin (law, Yale Univ.; Constitutional Redemption) argues that the two dominant schools of constitutional interpretation are lacking. He proposes an alternative that he calls framework originalism, or “text and principle.” Unlike originalism, which requires strict adherence to the text of the Constitution as written by the Founding Fathers, framework originalism recognizes that the text of the Constitution is deliberately vague and that the meaning of certain words and clauses has changed over time. He also disagrees with the “living Constitution” theory, which holds that the Constitution is an open-ended document that must be updated periodically to reflect modern issues and challenges. Using framework originalism, Balkin shows not only how the meaning of texts like the commerce clause have changed with time but also how the Constitution’s original principles makes them applicable to, for instance, modern civil rights law in ways the framers never envisioned. VERDICT An exhaustive study of a complex and controversial subject, designed for students of law and political science—not for the general reader.—Becky Kennedy, Atlanta-Fulton P.L.
Clapp, James E. & others. Lawtalk: The Unknown Stories Behind Familiar Legal Expressions. Yale Univ. Nov. 2011. c.384p. illus. index. ISBN 9780300172461. $45. LAW
In this well-researched and entertaining collection, law professors and experts in civil procedure, lexicography, and law librarianship hold forth on selected legal terminology. Extensively documented with social, cultural, historic, and, of course, legal sources, the essays take readers well beyond standard dictionary definitions. For example, an entry on hearsay provides a discussion of its early French and English origins, describes its evolution as a fundamental concept in evidence law, and recalls its role in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Notes for the entry cite modern-day law reviews as well as a 1533 English textbook designed for Mary I of England in her youth. For the phrase CSI effect, the essay examines the potential effect of television crime dramas on modern criminal case juries, while referencing contemporary news stories, legal sources, and actual case law. VERDICT This book demonstrates a skillful mix of scholarship and readability that will appeal to legal professionals, law students, and all those interested in the language of our legal system.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
Colquhoun, Kate. Murder in the First-Class Carriage: The First Victorian Railway Killing. Overlook, dist. by Penguin. Nov. 2011. c.352p. maps. bibliog. index.
ISBN 9781590206751. $24.95. CRIME
Colquhoun (A Thing in Disguise: The Visionary Life of Joseph Paxton) details a true “crime of the century.” In 1864, banker Thomas Briggs was the first person to be murdered on a British train. To mitigate public outcry and panic, Scotland Yard moved swiftly to identify the suspect, German tailor Franz Müller. Colquhoun details the transatlantic pursuit. Though Müller left for New York a few days after the murder, two groups of detectives and witnesses followed swiftly, and both arrived well before the suspect. News also traveled slowly as it, too, went via ship. Müller was extradited to London, tried, convicted, and hung, his case based on strong circumstantial evidence. Foreshadowing O.J. Simpson’s famous glove, this case revolved around hats—Müller ended up in possession of Briggs’s hat, while his own hat may have been the one left in Briggs’s locked first-class rail carriage. VERDICT Interested readers might also enjoy Andrew Martin’s “Jim Stringer” series of railway mysteries. Colquhoun’s narrative will appeal to British, rail, and legal historians. She does an excellent job of describing the case and the times. Highly recommended.—Karen Sandlin Silverman, Ctr. for Applied Research, Philadelphia
Rice, Connie. Power Concedes Nothing: One Woman’s Quest for Social Justice in America, from the Courtroom to the Kill Zones. Scribner. Jan. 2012. c.368p. ISBN 9781416575009. $26. LAW
Rice (cofounder & codirector, Advancement Project) opens her book with a question posed to her by a young boy: “What is you?” Rice is descended from a mix of ancestors: former slaves, Africans, Native Americans, and Irish. She cites her diverse ancestry as the source of her persistent drive for excellence. A talented student, she received a B.A. from Harvard and a J.D. from NYU before throwing herself into civil rights law in Los Angeles. With striking detail (almost as if she were writing a diary), she recounts how she took on the bus system, the school system, the death penalty, and the LAPD—and won. VERDICT How much readers will take from this book will depend on how much they put in. Rice’s writing is perhaps too detailed and diarylike in this respect; she takes a long time to make her central point. Worthwhile for its subject matter but trying in style, it is best for avid readers of women’s studies and black American history.—Frances Sandiford, formerly with Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY
Parapsychology
Gillett, Roy. The Secret Language of Astrology: The Illustrated Key to Unlocking the Secrets of the Stars. Watkins, dist. by Sterling. Oct. 2011. 176p. illus. index. ISBN 9781780280271. pap. $19.95. PARAPSYCH
This beautifully illustrated book offers readers a chance to create and interpret their own birth chart with a little help from the Internet. Gillett (president, Astrological Assoc. of Great Britain) begins with a history of astrology and shows the importance of star interpretation to many societies from antiquity to the present. He also argues that astrology should be treated with more gravitas and blames the rise of Christianity for astrology’s downfall. The book continues with a detailed explanation of the planets and a section on conventional star signs, which explains their traits and characteristics. Readers are invited to use a website to create their own birth chart and to use the final sections of the book to interpret this chart. Creating the chart is simple—a matter of entering name, birth date, birth time, and place of birth—but interpreting it fully requires a detailed understanding of houses, aspects, etc. VERDICT While the book bills itself as a beginner’s guide, only serious students of astrology will be able to get the full use of it. Casual readers of their daily horoscopes will likely find this information overload.—Susan Flaherty, Portland P.L., ME
Political Science
Coyne, Amanda & Tony Hopfinger. Crude Awakening: Money, Mavericks, and Mayhemin Alaska. Nation: Perseus. Nov. 2011. c.288p. index. ISBN 9781568584478. $26.99. POL SCI
Politics is said to be a volatile, sticky, primordial, black muck. So is oil. Coyne and Hopfinger (cofounders, AlaskaDispatch) give us the rundown, via three particular Alaskans, on the murky politics of oil in Alaska, a state that refuses to tax its citizens, instead obtaining 80 percent of its revenue from its oil industry. Despite its image as a land of self-reliant folks à la Thoreau, Alaska is really the land of leveraging “other people’s money,” which, the authors argue, breeds thievery. The book portrays a gang of state legislators who jokingly called themselves the “Corrupt Bastards Club” happily accepting oil industry bribes and cozying to their sugar daddies. Bits of their story seeped into the national consciousness as background to the rise of Sarah Palin. The authors complete the canvas. Exposed by the FBI, down went U.S. Senator “Uncle Ted” Stevens and other kleptocrats—most to jail (Stevens was convicted, but the indictment was dropped because of prosecutorial misconduct). The alleged Stevens corruption catapulted Sarah Palin into the governor’s mansion as a reformer in 2006. VERDICT Ably and temperately told by authors who know Alaska (where this reviewer has lived), this is a valuable study to understanding the Last Frontier, the oil business, or Palin—particularly if she gets into the 2012 race.—Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, OH
Schmidt, John R. The Unraveling: Pakistan in the Age of Jihad. Farrar. 2011. c.320p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780374280437. $27. INT AFFAIRS
Schmidt (Elliot Sch. for International Affairs, George Washington Univ.) traces the rise of radical Islam in Pakistan and analyzes its implications for regional and international security. The author served at the U.S. Department of State for 30 years, including a stint as a senior U.S. political analyst in Pakistan. He provides here a succinct history of Pakistan and examines, in highly readable and informative prose, how the country became a haven for jihadist groups and describes the genesis and development of those jihadist movements in Pakistan. He also explains how the current dangerous and complex relationship between the country’s leaders and the jihadists emerged. Although with U.S. support Pakistani leaders initially promoted jihadist movements as a tool against the Soviet Union and its occupation of Afghanistan as well as against their regional adversary India, Schmidt argues that this Machiavellian policy has now put Pakistan on the brink of disaster and has led to political uncertainty and instability in the region. He presents a number of what-if scenarios, e.g., what if the jihadists succeed in seizing power in Pakistan, and analyzes what the U.S. response should be. VERDICT Because of Schmidt’s years of inside foreign policy experience, his book contains distinct details and observations that outsiders writing cannot offer. Recommended to all serious readers interested in a policymaker’s perspective. —Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile
Psychology
Friedman, Jaclyn. What You Really Really Want: The Smart Girl’s Shame-Free Guide to Sex and Safety. Seal: Perseus. Nov. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9781580053440. pap. $17. PSYCH
Friedman’s mantra is “You can’t get what you want ’till you know what you want.” Designed for young women who want to say “yes” at least sometimes, this guide speaks to those unsure about their sexual future or regretful about their sexual past. In coaxing readers to figure out answers for themselves, Friedman (coauthor, Yes Means Yes!: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape) covers a lot of ground: family and societal influence on attitudes, personal values, intuition, discrimination and “prudes vs. sluts” stereotyping, physical safety and safer sex, conversations about sex with partners and others, managing emotions, paybacks, and making amends. Most valuable are the exercises, largely relating to journaling, such as imagining and writing out different endings for past experiences and listing possible risks and outcomes for various choices. Resources (many web based) are listed throughout. VERDICT While basically permissive, this valuable guide can also help readers with differing views to organize a personal groundwork according their own perspective. Recommended for women and older teens who seek self-insight.—Martha Cornog, Philadelphia
Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar. Nov. 2011. c.512p. illus. index. ISBN 9780374275631. $30. PSYCH
Kahneman (psychology, emeritus, Princeton) won the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work with Amos Tversky on decision making. In this large, readable book, Kahneman presents provocative theories and groundbreaking research and, moreover, clearly explains both. He postulates two systems of thinking that operate simultaneously but often at odds: intuitive and deliberative, or fast and slow, respectively. Fast judgments dominate to a greater extent than we know and to our disadvantage. A key discovery that overcame an effect Kahneman terms “theory induced blindness” (which refers mainly to fast-thinking mistakes but can occur in slow thinking when our assumptions are wrong or simply interfere with seeing) was that outcomes are better defined by gains and losses than by sums of wealth. “Prospect theory,” an idea Kahneman developed with Tversky, posits that, when all our options are bad, we tend to take riskier paths. With Kahneman’s expert help, readers may understand this mix of psychology and economics better than most accountants, therapists, or elected representatives. VERDICT A stellar accomplishment, a book for everyone who likes to think and wants to do it better. [See Prepub Alert, 5/9/11]—E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Washington, DC
Nathan, Debbie. Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case. Free Pr: S. & S. Oct. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9781439168271. $26. PSYCH
While this book lacks elegant prose, it more than compensates for this shortcoming by its captivating subject and Nathan’s (Satan’s Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt ) clever presentation—it is riveting. This book uncovers facets of Sybil’s history even more bizarre than her spectacular multiple personalities. Nathan explores the upbringing and early psychological problems of Shirley Mason, who was later memorialized by Flora Schreiber in the best-selling Sybil. In seeking psychiatric treatment, Mason became a lifelong patient of Dr. Connie Wilbur, a psychiatrist who supposedly cured Shirley/Sybil by integrating all 16 disparate personalities. In the end, the confluence of characters—Mason, the ambitious Dr. Wilbur, and the equally ambitious author Schreiber—creates a story even stranger than that of “Sybil” herself, as their interpersonal dynamics hurtle well beyond dysfunctional. VERDICT Excellent for general readers interested in psychiatry, especially those fascinated by Truddi Chase’s When Rabbit Howls or, of course, by Sybil herself.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Sch. of Law, PA
Pinker, Steven. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Viking. Oct. 2011. c.832p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780670022953. $40. PSYCH
Drawing on a wealth of data and multidisciplinary research, Pinker (psychology, Harvard; The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature) reaches the highly counterintuitive conclusion that we may be living in the most peaceful era in history. He defines violence broadly to include acts ranging from war, crime, and torture to bullying, battering, and abortion. The book is organized around six historical periods from prehistory to the post–World War II “Rights Revolution.” The author explores the neurobiology of violence, including urges that fuel aggression and countervailing faculties like reason and self-control. Historical forces that have fostered peace and cooperation, like commerce and the rise of the modern state, are also analyzed. While supportive statistics for earlier times and non-Western nations are predictably less compelling than comparable current data for Western societies, and sweeping generalizations (e.g., decline of child abuse) are sometimes based on limited data, the book’s thesis is well argued. VERDICT Scholarly yet readable, this book is recommended for readers interested in history, human evolution, and psychology. A stimulating volume that tackles a big issue with an unusual combination of intellectual rigor and optimism. [See Prepub Alert, 4/18/11.]—Antoinette Brinkman, M.L.S., Evansville, IN
Travel & Geography
Franscell, Ron. The Sourtoe Cocktail Club: The Yukon Odyssey of a Father and Son in Search of a Mummified Human Toe...and Everything Else. Globe Pequot. Oct. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9780762771561. pap. $18.95. TRAV
Divorced after a 20-year marriage, true crime author Franscell (Delivered from Evil) hoped to reconnect with his teenage son on a road trip. He planned a journey via RV to the Yukon Territory to visit a saloon that serves up a cocktail containing a mummified human toe. Franscell writes of his fears that he will become his own father, who deserted the family when he was a baby and is now living in Panama as a character with a shady past. The dream trip of a lifetime was beset with troubles—unforeseen extra charges for the RV, seriously bad roads on the way to the Yukon, and a surly son who blasted death metal music to his father’s annoyance. The sourtoe cocktail is almost a letdown. VERDICT Readers of Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance will enjoy this story of a father and son on a journey, which is not as much about travel as life, family, and love. It should appeal to a wide audience.—Susan Belsky, Oshkosh P.L., WI
