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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Curt Rowlett has commented on (15) products
No Easy Answers The Truth Behind the Murders at Columbine High School
by
Brown, Brooks and Merritt, Rob
Curt Rowlett
, January 12, 2007
The Roman poet Virgil once wrote, "From a single crime, know the nation." Brooks Brown, who knew both Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, gives a unique perspective on the root causes that may have led to the infamous Columbine massacre, a list that includes intense bullying, preferential treatment given to athletes and a culturally-ingrained intolerance for anyone deemed to be different from the status quo. Detractors of both the book and the author seem to be entirely missing the point Brown makes in this book, i.e., the same sort of "bullying" behavior that one reads in the hostile comments left on the various reviews are just the sort of thing that probably helped to perpetuate the hate and discontent felt at Columbine. When will people ever learn, one must ask? All in all, this one is an excellent read and I highly recommend it for learning the whole truth behind the causes of the Columbine massacre.
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Zodiac Unmasked The Identity of Americas Most Elusive Serial Killers Revealed
by
Robert Graysmith
Curt Rowlett
, January 10, 2007
This is Graysmith's follow-up to his first book on the Zodiac case. In this latest effort, Graysmith sadly disappoints on many levels, not the least of which is the fact that his "solution" to the Zodiac murders is to point the finger at Arthur Leigh Allen as the infamous Zodiac killer, knowing full well that Allen has been completely eliminated as a suspect by the police through DNA testing and a whole long list of other exculpatory evidence. A true waste of paper and a disservice to serious research into finding out who the real killer is.
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Into the Bermuda Triangle: Pursuing the Truth Behind the World's Greatest Mystery
by
Gian Quasar
Curt Rowlett
, December 03, 2006
As a huge fan of the paranormal and any sort of "Fortean" subject matter, and as a former professional seaman, I have always been fascinated by the whole Bermuda Triangle mystery. (My career as a sailor led to my traveling extensively throughout the areas of the Bermuda Triangle while serving in the United States Coast Guard. I also worked as an employee at the "secret naval base" at AUTEC on Andros, Island in the Bahamas for an 18 month period from late 1984 to 1986. During my years at sea, I had two personal encounters with strange, unexplained phenomena while transiting through the Bermuda Triangle, both quite similar to events described by the author in this book). "Into the Bermuda Triangle" is very well researched; in fact, one might even accuse author Quasar of overkill in that area to some degree! But while meticulous research is a commendable and necessary thing considering the nature of the subject matter, my only real objection here lies in the fact that the author tends to bore the reader in places with extremely dry recitations from the data he has uncovered, choosing to stick to the plain facts and not stopping to include dialog that is necessary purely for entertainment value. (In a real sense the book, at times, lacks the right amount of ?juiciness? that will hold a reader?s interest). That criticism aside, the rest of the writing is excellent, the editing and layout very professionally done and the author has included a great photo section and lists of his source materials. (The latter is important to researchers and to the book?s credibility: one need only enter Quasar?s data into an Internet search engine or online government data base to check the reliability of a report). The prime importance of Quasar?s work lies in the fact that he has been able to prove that the Bermuda Triangle mystery is an ongoing one and that it has yet to be ?solved? by anyone. He covers old cases, but more importantly, picks up where other authors left off in the late 70s and proves through modern research that ships and planes are still continuing to disappear under highly mysterious circumstances, many of them in broad daylight and under perfect flying/sailing conditions. Quasar explores many theories to explain the disappearances, a few that are highly thought-provoking (such as the discussions of witness-observed space-time phenomena and weird magnetic anomalies) while other ideas, though interesting to consider (and even possible) are highly debatable as to their true viability (in particular, the tired old "lost Atlantis" theories are revisited and the discussion of anomalous electromagnetic phenomena observed in the Triangle area is equated to the so-called ?Hutchison Effect,? a term coined to describe similar phenomena allegedly recreated by controversial electronic experimenter John Hutchison). Final analysis: This book is among the best written on the subject of the Bermuda Triangle and certainly, the most objective in its approach to one of the more enduring and unexplained nautical mysteries of our times. I recommend reading it to those persons who are seeking the latest information about the Bermuda Triangle and who want to learn whether or not the mystery is still ongoing. (It is).
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Turn Me On, Dead Man: The Beatles and the Paul Is Dead Hoax
by
Andru J. Reeve
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
One of the most enduring legends of rock and roll is the old rumor that Paul McCartney of the Beatles was decapitated in a car crash at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 1966. Beginning around September or October of 1969 and lasting for a period of almost six weeks, fans of Beatle music were fully convinced that Paul was actually dead and had been secretly replaced by a mysterious double. (Indeed, to some extent, that belief still exists to this day in certain quarters). Fans looking for clues to Paul's death found them in surplus on the group's album covers, in the fan booklets that came with albums, and even embedded in the band's music. This book explores the facts surrounding the rumor and is perhaps the most comprehensive retelling published to date. (Great photo section, too). While it is true that some of the "Paul is Dead" clues are simply too preposterous to accept, a few actually remain unexplained, both as genuine mysteries and as examples of unusually strong coincidences and synchronicity that cannot be quite so easily dismissed. The number 9, number 9, number 9!
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Complete History Of Jack The Ripper
by
Philip Sugden
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
An in-depth history of the most infamous serial killer of all time. This book is a virtual encyclopedia of the known and not so well known facts about the case. So real you will be transported to fog-shrouded London streets where one hears the footsteps of a malignant stranger approaching! Highly recommended.
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This Is the Zodiac Speaking Into the Mind of a Serial Killer
by
Michael D Kelleher
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
A must-have for any serious research into the unsolved Zodiac murders. The infamous Zodiac serial murders occurred in California's San Francisco Bay area during the late 60s to mid 70s. By all indications, the Zodiac was a highly intelligent and unusually enigmatic killer. He sent dozens of bizarre letters to area newspapers containing complex coded messages, some that remain unsolved to this day. In his letters, "signed" with a distinctive crossed-circle symbol that was to become Zodiac's trademark, he detailed his crimes and taunted the police by threatening to commit future murders. The Zodiac killings remain unsolved and qualify as possibly the strangest case of modern serial murder on record. This book paints a picture of an exceptionally cold-hearted killer whose propensity for violence was surpassed only by his incredible ability to play the media and to constantly adapt and evolve, a tactic that allowed him to stay several steps ahead of the police at all times. Kelleher and Van Nuys stick to the known facts and don't repeat the glaring mistakes that other authors and researchers have made in this case, such as focusing on a single suspect or claiming to have "solved" the Zodiac murders. A great read
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Mysterious America
by
Loren Coleman
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
This book covers Fortean investigator Loren Coleman's look into such weird anomalies as The Dover Demon, Phantom Clowns, Springheel Jack, the Mad Gasser of Mattoon, Cryptozoology, and other great unexplained happenings. Newly updated and revised from previous editions and an absolute requirement for any Fortean bookshelf.
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Mothman Prophecies
by
John A Keel
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
The true story of veteran Fortean researcher John Keel's 1966 investigation of the Point Pleasant, West Virginia "Mothman" sightings. This bizarre entity was sighted by numerous credible witnesses, and, along with a series of other weird occurrences that included strange lights in the sky, animal mutilations, and paranormal disturbances, culminated in a disaster that would become news around the world. An absolute classic in the annals of paranormal research.
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Devils Knot The True Story of the West Memphis Three
by
Mara Leveritt
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
The days of the Salem Witch Trials are not over. In this book, veteran true crime novelist Mara Leveritt gives us a thoroughly detailed and in-depth look at the Robin Hood Woods murders and how three innocent young people were sent to prison (two with life sentences and one to death row) because of what they believed, how they dressed, and the kind of music they listened to. Leveritt's intense passion for the truth and her ability to uncover it is highly evident in her writing and thanks to her superb effort, the world can now learn how an inept police investigation, a prejudiced trial judge, outright lies, and religious bias fueled the prosecution's case, culminating in one of the worst instances of abuse our modern legal system has ever known. Read this book and be very afraid because it could just as easily happen to you.
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Popular Paranoia The Best of Steamshovel Press
by
Kenn Thomas
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
A compilation of the best articles from the seminal conspiracy magazine Steamshovel Press. This one definitely gets a positive plug from this website as one of my own stories (Project Mind Kontrol) is featured in this book. Popular Paranoia is packed with the best of the best of conspiratorial theorizing, fact and conjecture.
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The Beast of Bray Road: Tailing Wisconsin's Werewolf (Ohio)
by
Linda S. Godfrey
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
An exciting and spooky account of the werewolf-type creature that is alleged to be afoot in rural Wisconsin. As a reporter for a small weekly Wisconsin newspaper, the author of this book personally interviewed eye witnesses who described the Bray Road Beast as a bipedal, wolf-like creature with a huge chest, long claws and pointed ears. Godfrey also presents a list of historical sightings of a similar creature in Wisconsin dating back to the early 1930's, as well as an exploration of the similarities to the sightings of the "dogman" creature in neighboring Michigan. This is a well-researched book with extensive source-citing, a map of the major sightings and a chronology of events.
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DMT The Spirit Molecule A Doctors Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near Death & Mystical Experiences
by
Rick Strassman
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
Don't let the "academic" sounding title fool you, this is a fascinating read from start to finish. This book proposes that dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a chemical that occurs naturally in many plants and animals, and in the human brain, may in fact be the catalyst behind such phenomena as the near-death experience, historical and modern tales about encounters with elves, aliens, and other entities, and cases involving spontaneous psychedelic, religious and mystical experiences. Strassman writes that, "I was drawn to DMT because of its presence in all of our bodies. Perhaps excessive DMT production, coming from the mysterious pineal gland, was involved in naturally occurring 'psychedelic' states. These might include birth, death and near-death, psychosis, and mystical experiences. Only later, while the study was well under way, did I also begin considering DMT's role in the 'alien abduction' experience." Strassman's revelations in this book will make you question the very nature of "reality" as we know it. I highly recommend this one for anyone who is interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs and exploring the nature of human consciousness.
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Christ Conspiracy The Greatest Story Ever Told
by
Acharya S
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
This book argues - - in a clear and rational manner - - that Jesus Christ was in fact a mythical figure who was nearly identical in every detail to numerous other "savior-gods" such as Krishna, Horus, Mithra, Hercules, and Dionysus, all of which predated the figure we know today as Jesus. Although a bit academic and dry in places, there are a great many gems to be mined here, including a discussion of how the story of Jesus may have actually been derived from the worship of the sun and other celestial bodies by cultures much older than that from which Christianity originated. The author also presents compelling evidence demonstrating that Christianity and the story of Jesus Christ were actually created in order to unify the Roman Empire under one state religion as a means to control the masses. Obviously, this subject is controversial, but the book is well-researched and well-written by an author with impeccable academic credentials. Read it and decide for yourself.
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Into the Bermuda Triangle: Pursuing the Truth Behind the World's Greatest Mystery
by
Gian J. Quasar
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
As a huge fan of the paranormal and any sort of "Fortean" subject matter, and as a former professional seaman, I have always been fascinated by the whole Bermuda Triangle mystery. (My career as a sailor led to my traveling extensively throughout the areas of the Bermuda Triangle while serving in the United States Coast Guard. I also worked as an employee at the "secret naval base" at AUTEC on Andros, Island in the Bahamas for an 18 month period from late 1984 to 1986. During my years at sea, I had two personal encounters with strange, unexplained phenomena while transiting through the Bermuda Triangle, both quite similar to events described by the author in this book). "Into the Bermuda Triangle" is very well researched; in fact, one might even accuse author Quasar of overkill in that area to some degree! But while meticulous research is a commendable and necessary thing considering the nature of the subject matter, my only real objection here lies in the fact that the author tends to bore the reader in places with extremely dry recitations from the data he has uncovered, choosing to stick to the plain facts and not stopping to include dialog that is necessary purely for entertainment value. (In a real sense the book, at times, lacks the right amount of ?juiciness? that will hold a reader?s interest). That criticism aside, the rest of the writing is excellent, the editing and layout very professionally done and the author has included a great photo section and lists of his source materials. (The latter is important to researchers and to the book?s credibility: one need only enter Quasar?s data into an Internet search engine or online government data base to check the reliability of a report). The prime importance of Quasar?s work lies in the fact that he has been able to prove that the Bermuda Triangle mystery is an ongoing one and that it has yet to be ?solved? by anyone. He covers old cases, but more importantly, picks up where other authors left off in the late 70s and proves through modern research that ships and planes are still continuing to disappear under highly mysterious circumstances, many of them in broad daylight and under perfect flying/sailing conditions. Quasar explores many theories to explain the disappearances, a few that are highly thought-provoking (such as the discussions of witness-observed space-time phenomena and weird magnetic anomalies) while other ideas, though interesting to consider (and even possible) are highly debatable as to their true viability (in particular, the tired old "lost Atlantis" theories are revisited and the discussion of anomalous electromagnetic phenomena observed in the Triangle area is equated to the so-called ?Hutchison Effect,? a term coined to describe similar phenomena allegedly recreated by controversial electronic experimenter John Hutchison). Final analysis: This book is among the best written on the subject of the Bermuda Triangle and certainly, the most objective in its approach to one of the more enduring and unexplained nautical mysteries of our times. I recommend reading it to those persons who are seeking the latest information about the Bermuda Triangle and who want to learn whether or not the mystery is still ongoing. (It is).
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Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten Life Beyond the Cult
by
Karlene Faith
Curt Rowlett
, December 02, 2006
This book is a clear and rational argument for granting parole to so-called "Manson girl" Leslie Van Houten. Author Karlene Faith takes the reader inside Leslie Van Houten's life in prison and details how she was able to break free from the brainwashing and manipulations she had been subjected to by "hippie cult leader" Charles Manson. Faith also opens up for scrutiny the whole parole process to reveal how politics can be used to thwart justice and deny freedom to someone like Van Houten, who has proven herself to be the textbook example of what rehabilitation and personal redemption are really all about. Faith writes: "It is time for her to be paroled; Leslie has been thoroughly rehabilitated. The parole board has shown a clear unwillingness, or political inability, to move beyond the crimes and their publicity in evaluating Leslie's suitability for release. Rather than considering who they are today, who they have been for decades and questions of proportional justice, the board continues . . . to punish them for what they did in 1969.?? Leslie Van Houten's voice is also heard in Faith's book where she states the following: "Manson was an opportunist of the cruelest, most vicious kind, for his own aggrandizement." "I feel very responsible for helping create a monster. A follower is as responsible as a leader for allowing a leader to lead them foully." "I naturally mourn my own life that never has been but most of all, I think about the children who are being born into a family that has to live out the legacy of the crime, the LaBianca children's families." "I think a lot about that and the older I get the harder it is. Mrs. LaBianca was younger than I am now. I took away all that life." "The murders are very real to me." "They're very real to me at night when I'm alone in my cell with my thoughts. It's at that point that I don't try to block it out. That's part of the hell that I'll have to live with for ever." Far from being just a simple memoir, this book is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the Manson case, feminism, and social justice.
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