I wouldn't have met Piti if it hadn't been for a chichigua. To translate chichigua as a kite does not do justice to these beautiful creations of...
Continue »
Quite possibly, Mamet’s greatest work to date. It is at least the equal of Glengarry Glen Ross, Edmond, and American Buffalo, if not better.
Mamet walks the tightrope of race in America, questioning and arguing nearly every assumption and stereotype of the past 50 years on race relations. The plot involves an older white man, accused of raping an African American woman. The two lawyers considering taking the case ��" one black and one white, with a black woman as their new assistant. This four-person cast, with only three together at any one time, provides a fairly amazing multitude of conversations on the case in particular, and race in general. Nearly every aspect of the topic is brought up in some way, truly plumbing the angst, rage, and confusion of the subject matter in a very short period of time (only 64 pages).
While I would have liked to see the last scene go on a little longer, maybe another 15 or 20 pages, this work is shocking, thought-provoking, and utterly brilliant.
In teaching two classes on graphic novels at the annual Ohio Library Support Staff Institute, Koko Be Good came up in both classes. In the first class, it made the “Top 10 Non-Superhero Graphic Novels (FICTION)” list at Number 3. In the second class, it made it onto the “Top 10 Graphic Novels of All Time” list.
At first, Jen Wang’s Koko reminded me of Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine, as both seemed to deal with, basically, three characters, their relationships, and being Asian in America today. But while Shortcomings is an excellent graphic novel, the main character in fairly unlikable, and as such, there’s a loss of connection with the reader. Koko, on the other hand, does not suffer this fate.
We are taken on a bit of roller coaster ride with the characters. Koko, for example, seems wild and fun at first. Then we see that’s perhaps she’s not a very good person; to her roommates or anyone else. Next, we see her decide to be a good person, and attempt -if somewhat superficially- to do just that. And then we see the real attempts, the self-exploration of who she is, and what exactly makes someone a good person.
We see Koko’s relationships with a young piano player and a restaurant worker, and see their struggles as well – is being a good person doing what your family expects of you, or doing what someone else thinks a good person should do? Or is being a good person about being true to yourself, and being the best YOU that you can be?
Koko Be Good is subtle in delivering its message, and deep in character development. It is beautifully drawn and realized. It is a full, complete, and wondrous work one would expect after 15 or 20 years of published work, not from someone so early in her career.
In short, Koko Be Good is great work of art.
And, it was easily one of the best novels I read this year, graphic or otherwise.
An eight-year old puts on his ‘Captain Long Ears’ costume and heads off on an adventure with his imaginary friend Captain Jam, a purple gorilla. Underneath the child-like, space and pirate exploits lies many layers, including the story of animal abuse and the true meaning behind the boys’ search for ‘Captain Big Nose.’
The art work for the boy is reminiscent of the boy in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, but the story is all its own.
This may very well be the most compelling children’s book I have ever read.
It is sometimes funny, often poignant, and occasionally a little sad.
All and all, it is absolutely beautiful.
While the cover may make it look like it’s for children, I would rate it for slightly older children or Teens; Young Adults & all ages will love it, though!
* C, Teens, YA
A book ten years in the making, Sorcerers’ Apprentices is an intriguing and sometimes unsettling look at the world of law clerks. Most people know precious little about this field. Ward and Weiden provide an eye-opener.
Being a law clerk is to basically be a research assistant for a judge. Being that the United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, being a clerk for an U.S. Supreme Court judge (a ‘Justice’) is the pinnacle in this field. As former clerks to a Supreme Court Justice, these young men and women will be the most sought after candidates at law firms across the country. Many will later be offered judgeships themselves.
After a decade of research, pouring through the personal papers of justices and court employees, and interviews with former clerks, the authors discovered that the law clerk went from being little more than a secretary in the 1930’s to a position of enormous power today. Perhaps the greatest power is in the “certiorari process” of choosing what cases the Supreme Court will hear. Of the over 8,000 cases submitted annually to the Supreme Court, only a few hundred perhaps will be heard. It would appear that the law clerks suggestions to their respective Justices on which cases to hear has had a great impact on the types of cases heard. And changes on the constitutionality of specific laws in specific areas literally changes people’s lives.
Another issue of concern is that for some Justices, the bulk of their decisions may come not from legal research, but from the opinions written by their law clerks. Some have gone so far as to say that in some cases it is the law clerk who actually writes the final opinion; the Justice simply signing it. Others point out that the opinions expressed verbally by law clerks to their Justice may actually hold more sway over a decision than the attorneys presenting the case.
Filled with quotes, text, research, analyses, and charts galore, Sorcerers’ Apprentices: 100 Years of Law Clerks at the United States Supreme Court is a revealing look at the workings of the U.S. Supreme Court. It sheds light on an institution that few in America have any knowledge about, but that affects us all. Ward and Weiden present nearly as many questions in this book as they do insights. Do law clerks have more power than they used to? Do they have more power than they should? Should this be rectified, and if so, how? In the end, Sorcerers’ Apprentices is a fascinating look at a world few ever see.
***************************
Artemus Ward is an assistant professor of political science at Northern Illinois University. He is also author of Deciding To Leave: the Politics of Retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court (2003).
David L. Weiden is an assistant professor in the Politics and Government section, and director of the legal studies program, at Illinois State University.
***************************
P.M. Bradshaw is a writer of poetry and fiction, and a two-time judge of the Young Adult Poetry Coffeehouse Contest at the Mount Vernon Public Library, where he also teaches a poetry workshop for adults. When not working at the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library, he coordinates blood drives with the American Red Cross, and is a volunteer reader at VoiceCorps, a radio station that provides readings of daily newspapers, books, and the like for those with visually impairments. He is the current Chair of the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute.
Despite what Johnny Cash may have said, Mr. Bradshaw DID NOT shoot a man in Reno once, just to watch him die.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
This book poses somewhat of a conundrum. Is it an over-thought monologue on the author’s own hair color, or an exceedingly dull scholarly treatise? The answer: it is both! It’s a hodge-podge of historical references, anecdotes, and Patty Scialfa. Never delving deep enough into the history, it manages to still lay on what it does say with an all-too heavy brush, dripping with overindulgent prose.
In the end, it is sound and fury signifying… the onset of sleep. If you are in need of a never-ending supply of sleep medication, save yourself some money and buy this book. If not, don’t bother.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(0 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
Don't Miss
Customer Comments
P.M. Bradshaw has commented on (9) products.
Race by David Mamet
P.M. Bradshaw, June 21, 2011
Quite possibly, Mamet’s greatest work to date. It is at least the equal of Glengarry Glen Ross, Edmond, and American Buffalo, if not better.Mamet walks the tightrope of race in America, questioning and arguing nearly every assumption and stereotype of the past 50 years on race relations. The plot involves an older white man, accused of raping an African American woman. The two lawyers considering taking the case ��" one black and one white, with a black woman as their new assistant. This four-person cast, with only three together at any one time, provides a fairly amazing multitude of conversations on the case in particular, and race in general. Nearly every aspect of the topic is brought up in some way, truly plumbing the angst, rage, and confusion of the subject matter in a very short period of time (only 64 pages).
While I would have liked to see the last scene go on a little longer, maybe another 15 or 20 pages, this work is shocking, thought-provoking, and utterly brilliant.
Koko Be Good by Jen Wang
P.M. Bradshaw, August 23, 2010
In teaching two classes on graphic novels at the annual Ohio Library Support Staff Institute, Koko Be Good came up in both classes. In the first class, it made the “Top 10 Non-Superhero Graphic Novels (FICTION)” list at Number 3. In the second class, it made it onto the “Top 10 Graphic Novels of All Time” list.At first, Jen Wang’s Koko reminded me of Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine, as both seemed to deal with, basically, three characters, their relationships, and being Asian in America today. But while Shortcomings is an excellent graphic novel, the main character in fairly unlikable, and as such, there’s a loss of connection with the reader. Koko, on the other hand, does not suffer this fate.
We are taken on a bit of roller coaster ride with the characters. Koko, for example, seems wild and fun at first. Then we see that’s perhaps she’s not a very good person; to her roommates or anyone else. Next, we see her decide to be a good person, and attempt -if somewhat superficially- to do just that. And then we see the real attempts, the self-exploration of who she is, and what exactly makes someone a good person.
We see Koko’s relationships with a young piano player and a restaurant worker, and see their struggles as well – is being a good person doing what your family expects of you, or doing what someone else thinks a good person should do? Or is being a good person about being true to yourself, and being the best YOU that you can be?
Koko Be Good is subtle in delivering its message, and deep in character development. It is beautifully drawn and realized. It is a full, complete, and wondrous work one would expect after 15 or 20 years of published work, not from someone so early in her career.
In short, Koko Be Good is great work of art.
And, it was easily one of the best novels I read this year, graphic or otherwise.
I look forward to future works by Jen Wang!
Captain Long Ears by Diana Thung
P.M. Bradshaw, June 23, 2010
An eight-year old puts on his ‘Captain Long Ears’ costume and heads off on an adventure with his imaginary friend Captain Jam, a purple gorilla. Underneath the child-like, space and pirate exploits lies many layers, including the story of animal abuse and the true meaning behind the boys’ search for ‘Captain Big Nose.’The art work for the boy is reminiscent of the boy in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, but the story is all its own.
This may very well be the most compelling children’s book I have ever read.
It is sometimes funny, often poignant, and occasionally a little sad.
All and all, it is absolutely beautiful.
While the cover may make it look like it’s for children, I would rate it for slightly older children or Teens; Young Adults & all ages will love it, though!
* C, Teens, YA
Sorcerers' Apprentices: 100 Years of Law Clerks At the United States Supreme Court (06 Edition) by Artemus Ward
P.M. Bradshaw, March 6, 2008
A book ten years in the making, Sorcerers’ Apprentices is an intriguing and sometimes unsettling look at the world of law clerks. Most people know precious little about this field. Ward and Weiden provide an eye-opener.Being a law clerk is to basically be a research assistant for a judge. Being that the United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, being a clerk for an U.S. Supreme Court judge (a ‘Justice’) is the pinnacle in this field. As former clerks to a Supreme Court Justice, these young men and women will be the most sought after candidates at law firms across the country. Many will later be offered judgeships themselves.
After a decade of research, pouring through the personal papers of justices and court employees, and interviews with former clerks, the authors discovered that the law clerk went from being little more than a secretary in the 1930’s to a position of enormous power today. Perhaps the greatest power is in the “certiorari process” of choosing what cases the Supreme Court will hear. Of the over 8,000 cases submitted annually to the Supreme Court, only a few hundred perhaps will be heard. It would appear that the law clerks suggestions to their respective Justices on which cases to hear has had a great impact on the types of cases heard. And changes on the constitutionality of specific laws in specific areas literally changes people’s lives.
Another issue of concern is that for some Justices, the bulk of their decisions may come not from legal research, but from the opinions written by their law clerks. Some have gone so far as to say that in some cases it is the law clerk who actually writes the final opinion; the Justice simply signing it. Others point out that the opinions expressed verbally by law clerks to their Justice may actually hold more sway over a decision than the attorneys presenting the case.
Filled with quotes, text, research, analyses, and charts galore, Sorcerers’ Apprentices: 100 Years of Law Clerks at the United States Supreme Court is a revealing look at the workings of the U.S. Supreme Court. It sheds light on an institution that few in America have any knowledge about, but that affects us all. Ward and Weiden present nearly as many questions in this book as they do insights. Do law clerks have more power than they used to? Do they have more power than they should? Should this be rectified, and if so, how? In the end, Sorcerers’ Apprentices is a fascinating look at a world few ever see.
***************************
Artemus Ward is an assistant professor of political science at Northern Illinois University. He is also author of Deciding To Leave: the Politics of Retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court (2003).
David L. Weiden is an assistant professor in the Politics and Government section, and director of the legal studies program, at Illinois State University.
***************************
P.M. Bradshaw is a writer of poetry and fiction, and a two-time judge of the Young Adult Poetry Coffeehouse Contest at the Mount Vernon Public Library, where he also teaches a poetry workshop for adults. When not working at the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library, he coordinates blood drives with the American Red Cross, and is a volunteer reader at VoiceCorps, a radio station that provides readings of daily newspapers, books, and the like for those with visually impairments. He is the current Chair of the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute.
Despite what Johnny Cash may have said, Mr. Bradshaw DID NOT shoot a man in Reno once, just to watch him die.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Roots of Desire: The Myth, Meaning, and Sexual Power of Red Hair by Marion Roach
P.M. Bradshaw, March 6, 2008
This book poses somewhat of a conundrum. Is it an over-thought monologue on the author’s own hair color, or an exceedingly dull scholarly treatise? The answer: it is both! It’s a hodge-podge of historical references, anecdotes, and Patty Scialfa. Never delving deep enough into the history, it manages to still lay on what it does say with an all-too heavy brush, dripping with overindulgent prose.In the end, it is sound and fury signifying… the onset of sleep. If you are in need of a never-ending supply of sleep medication, save yourself some money and buy this book. If not, don’t bother.
(0 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
1-5 of 9next