Customer Comments

Look, I think this book is hilarious, as in laugh laugh laugh out loud in public many times kind of hilarious, and I'm a harsh critic of humorous writing. That's fine for me and possibly for you, with caveats: (a) You are OK with profanity. A lot of profanity. Blackbeard the pirate saying, Watch yer tongue, madam, you are amongst sailors! kind of profanity; (b) You are introverted, insecure, have anxiety issues or commiserate with those who do; AND/OR (c) Are used to reading blogs and the sort of codified language of blogs, particularly The Bloggess's own, because knowing the cadence and some of the backstory makes you a receptive audience. If you meet any of those criteria, throw your copy of War and Peace right out the bus window (not literally--have some sense!) and read this book sooner rather than later. However, if people call you Church Lady, you are a man (especially a straight man, either sexually or in a comedy team), you are a 17th Century Lit major, not American, AND/OR consider yourself "normal" and that people with insecurities or disorders should just get a grip, there is a 92.735% probability you will not enjoy and possibly will be disgusted by this book. (That's my own calculation, not Nate Silver's, btw.) Yes, the book reads much like her blog, although, unlike some reviewers, I didn't feel the material was simply printed blog posts. (Believe me, I have read some of those kinds of books--world of difference.) I've also read a lot of memoirs by people with crazy relatives and various disorders and "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" outshines most others for humor, poignancy without vapidity or whininess, and pacing. Comparing "Let's Pretend" to David Sedaris's work is pointless. Their work is really too different. Sedaris is masterful at capturing illustrative moments. Lawson is recounting her trials and tribulations for your amusement and, it seems, in the hope that others from the Island of Misfit Toys will not feel so all alone. Lawson is great at what she does best: Write in a distinctive, very amusing fashion while providing candid insight to her inner life. I have provided enough data for you to make your decision. Carry on as you will. P. S. If you have a bladder disorder, stock up on Depends before reading. Fair warning.

Your enjoyment of this book is likely to directly correlate with your interest in the Allman Brothers Band, either through being a Baby Boomer or a musician. Otherwise, it's a coin toss. Certainly you get a something of a sense of the forces that shaped Gregg Allman and the rocky road leading to the creation of the Allman Brothers Band and the drive that sustained it. You get some intriguing glimpses into the hard work of creating music and the rough business that is the music industry. The one thing this book best accomplishes is showing that playing music for a living ain't easy. While the book is amazingly prolific in recounting the chronological journey of Gregg Allman's life, it's frustratingly devoid of real depth. He continually refers to women as "beautiful" with little detail, states that music managers stole from the band but seldom explains how, and jumps through all his marriages with only odd bits of scene. As a lurid for-instance, he tells us plenty about the Bob-Mackie created shirt Cher wore on their first date (and what happened to that shirt) yet only a few genuine elements of their marriage (including little more than a passing reference to producing a son in that relationship). Not surprisingly, since celebrities tend to be just like us, Allman comes across as a moderately amiable man, more reactive than proactive, who remembers more than you might expect considering the amount of substances he abused. The book reads very much like a long, fairly well-organized conversation with Allman, for which the glory surely goes to the under-credited Alan Light. Light certainly must have had his hands full trying to pull this memoir together. Having read a number of rock star memoirs, I appreciate Light for ensuring Allman's story didn't leave too many gaps in the history of the band, which is one of my chief complaints with memoirs (what I call "Then 20 Years Later Syndrome"). On the other hand, I wish Light had insisted on a few less "slept with this crazy but beautiful woman in this town, then a beautiful crazy woman in the next town" stories (stories which are usually not even fleshed out, so to speak, if you're reading only for salacious love life details). Better to have asked Allman to describe some key events and conflicts in more than passing reference, or least provided a little more than empty descriptives of so many people and events. Of course, that may have been the best Light could get out of Allman. That said, most people who pick this book up for whatever reason will find themselves engaged, thanks to the varied topics quickly covered. On the other hand, the reader will be as likely to frequently wish for more detail, whether it be about music creation, Allman's sex life or a sense of the times. Could be better, could be worse. Probably a song in that.

Bearing in mind that this book fits very definitely in what is probably called the Chick Blog Book genre, it is a fine and funny read. How much is exaggerated for effect is hard to tell, but that's not very important in the grand scheme of things. No one is holding it out as factual memoir. Ms. Lancaster has a clear, credible, quite outrageous voice and made me laugh out loud (several times in the doctor's office, where I almost hurt myself trying to suppress the giggles--ow! Medic!). I'm a pretty tough audience so kudos. It's a smart move on Ms. Lancaster's part to have something of a theme for each of her books. In "Bitter Is the New Black" the lesson imparted involves pride going before a fall and be clever and persevere, but she conveys her message without going all preachy, which is a huge relief these days. This tactic gives a bit of structure to the books, which I appreciate, since many of these kinds of books are simply random blog posts lacking in cohesiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it highly for those who like this kind of thing. But you may want to avoid reading it in quiet, public spaces. Just sayin'.

Whether you have followed Chris Guillebeau's "Art of Nonconformity" blog or not (though I encourage you to do so), there is a huge amount of useful information and inspiration packed into this book and he generously adds more for free on his website for the book. The great thing about "The $100 Startup" is the step-by-step approach designed to increase your comfort with starting a business and reduce your fears. By encouraging the reader to begin a low investment business around a personal knowledge base and fulfilling a customer's need (one for which you'll get paid, that is), the terror of risk is minimized. Through numerous case studies and total transparency about finances and challenges, Chris illuminates the framework of modern cottage industries. These are not get-rich-quick schemes and some people rake in more bucks than others, but Chris encourages everyone to know exactly what they really want and need from a business as well. Wouldn't it be great to be a millionaire? But can you get by without being one? Sure. In all of his work, Chris espouses the philosophy of not "living on less" but "living more." And that, my friends, is the best way to create a new future.

The book is thoroughly enjoyable, but, as others have noted, is uneven and has a somewhat undeveloped feel to it. That said, it is a cut above many books of this type and is good enough to encourage further exploration of Neil Gaiman's work. It is an appealing book that draws you into the story, but it's hard to create a world and juggle every single nuance finely. If the reader is not a nit-picker and likes this kind of fantasy adventure, go for it. I have no regrets. In regard to the book anyway.

Whether you're a zombie or not, if you like brains and reading about them, you'll likely find this book fascinating. It is full of interesting tidbits about what makes humans human. The book is fast-paced, sardonically amusing and, despite that, very educational. Dr. Ramachandran is a clever and learned writer. My only quibble, and it is minor, is that the good doctor sometimes comes off as a bit full of himself, much in the way of Sherlock Holmes, but I also think many of his comments are to be taken in a spirit of irony. And, let's face it, he's got the goods--no use hiding his light under a bushel. You may also find that this book explains so much about your loved ones--and yourself.

Keith Richards has nurtured his reputation as a doped out, wacky rock star, but underneath his persona lies a bright mind with a clever way of describing his fascinating life. Far better than most celebrity memoirs, Keith intersperses helpful information about how he developed his guitar style as well as a bit of gossip about his friends and a lot about his life and literature (yes, literature!). Although written with a professional writer, this book reads just as if you were having a conversation with Keith himself. In fact, you may find yourself speaking with a British accent even if you're from Texas.

If you have any interest in the neurological function of the brain (and you should), this is an excellent book for thinking about how to cope with disorders that may happen to any of us. (But fortunately, probably won't.) Dr. Sacks is witty and erudite who makes medical explanations fascinating without being patronizing. Highly recommended!

Oh, the pain of throwing away our assumptions about genius and talent! It really does come down to hard work (the right kind though) much of the time. Biology is complex, y'all. But David Shenk does an excellent job of sorting out and explaining the ways we are shaped by our genes, our environment and our experiences. Although I was already sold on the idea that we are not pre-destined for greatness, even I had to re-orient my thinking about how the excellent learn to excel and how little, as well as how much, our genetic heritage influences us. This book, or at least portions of it, makes excellent required reading in biology classes.

Let's face it--this is beach reading, chick lit, whatever appellation you want to give it. But it's well done for the genre, full of good humor and realistic characters without the frantic, look-at-me-ha-ha-ha quality that a lot of these kinds of books have these days. I found the "sprite" device a bit unnecessary as a literary device but it didn't get in the way of the story too much. My reading tastes run the gamut, but lately I've been turning to Marian Keyes when I want to lighten up.

As always, I am in awe of Ms. Atwood's ability to weave an exciting tale with relatively light-handed social commentary. "The Year of the Flood" is impressive in the detail of the society she created (although elements of our own are clearly present) and she raises important questions for us all without shoving anything down our throats. The writing is elegant, the characters well drawn and engrossing. Highly recommended. All I ask now is for a sequel!

Time and again my mind drifts back to this book, several years after I first read it. It is a masterwork, tying together an intricate and imaginative story with elegant, poignant writing. Yes, I suppose some might label this "romantic fiction," but in my mind, the seamless way that Ms. Niffenegger weaves the fantastic with the heart-wrenching transcends any ordinary tortured love story. It is a beautiful book, one I always list among my most favorites.

While this is an enjoyable read, for Ms. Janzen is a graceful and entertaining writer, for me this book suffered from what seems to be a trend in modern memoir: It reads very much like a series of columns strung together, especially in the latter third or so. That said, it was an interesting glimpse into what appears to outsiders as a strange world of religious orthodoxy. Unfortunately, while at first glance it appears that Ms. Janzen has laid her life and deepest humiliations bare, there is a reserve that keeps the book from being as compelling and insightful as it might have been. We meet her parents, siblings and friends (although I had trouble keeping everyone straight) but we don't always get much real insight into their true emotional place in her life. I would imagine that someone from Ms. Janzen's background would think she was being wildly open about her embarrassments and challenges, but it has a superficial, even self conscious quality. Which is not to say that the book isn't amusing and full of "I can relate to that moments," especially for those of us whose family religion or conservative backgrounds cast us as outsiders. Understandably, this is a memoir and not a biography, but the book would have been better served by digging a little bit deeper. Alas, it seems as though an angle, in this case, Mennonite/Little Black Dress with the added embellishment of a trouble marriage, is supposed to be enough. For me, not quite fully satisfying, but a cut above many of these books because of the writing.

Thank goodness Bill Bryson walked the Appalachian Trail so I don't have to (not that I was all that tempted)! Bryson's amusing account of his travels is a superb example of the best of travel/adventure writing: It is lively, informative, and, oh yes, terribly funny.

The Slippery Year recounts one woman's candid thoughts as she journeys into Middle Age: Love, husbands, children, aging. I think this book resonates highly with many women on a similar path--certainly many American women share these anxieties, concerns and emotions. This book would probably prove insightful for men who want to get a glimpse into what women are often thinking (although I imagine that few men will actually seek out the book--at best they'll peek at it when their wives read it). While I found it strangely gratifying to know that my everyday worries are shared (and generally overblown), I somehow found the book unsatisfying. The writing is generally brisk and clever without being cloying or too cutesy--which was a real relief since this type of book has become a magnet for over-the-top Bigger-Than-Life accounts. But I longed for Ms. Gideon to dig a little deeper. I suspect that this dissatisfaction arises from the fact that this book is really a collection of stand-alone essays. If I had read each as it was written, I might have been perfectly satisfied. But put together as a whole, they give a disjointed sensation since, while there is a continuity of subject matter ("The Slippery Year"), they don't truly connect in a real narrative. For example, Ms. Gideon touches on the waxing and waning of her romantic love for her husband but never really explores that to any degree. She illustrates a particular situation or two sufficiently for an essay, then simply moves on to something else. What happened afterwards? Where do they stand? Who knows? Moving on! All that said, it was an enjoyable read and, although I didn't really think I would finish the book, I actually did, which is attributable to the strength of the writing, which carried me along to the end.

I think it's fair to say this is something of a grownup version of Harry Potter, which, based on the references in the book to Harry Potter, was no doubt Lev Grossman's intention. While creating a world of magic that is different from that of J. K. Rowling's vision, there is not quite enough plot development to make this an excellent book. While the actual writing is well done, the book within a book concept seemed to be given short shrift. Grossman spends too much time on unnecessary details then rushes through parts of the book that could have been quite exciting if handled deftly. In some respects, Grossman may have fallen victim to his own writing skill. The concept is carried along well enough that the reader doesn't feel inclined to give up, drawn in by curiosity at what is hinted at to come. This book could have used a skillful editor who looked beyond whether the sentences were put together properly. It might even have served the concept to be broken into at least 2 books. By the time we reach the end, it seems as though the author has simply run his course and is done--not an altogether satisfying finish. Entertaining enough as long as one's expectations are not too high.

"Fool" is, in the best sense of the word, a romp through a reimagined Shakespeare's King Lear. Full of literate word play and clever plotting (and somewhat sexually graphic), Moore's take on this classic is refreshing and amusing, sometimes even laugh-out-loud funny. Highly recommended, especially for those who love a good pun.

When I picked up this book, I thought, here's another nut ranting about medicines that help a lot of people. I was intrigued that this was written by a well-respected doctor and is carefully thought out The book is a quick read with excellent footnotes. I was attracted to the book because my own memory has declined significantly and quickly, often leaving me wondering if I had early-onset Alzheimer's. In fact, I was just about to go to my doctor to have myself tested. I had heard a bit about Lipitor affecting memory as a side effect, supposedly rare. So I was certainly predisposed for this book. As it happens, the book is quite a reasoned argument that Lipitor certainly has the potential for creating a variety of memory problems, possibly for far greater numbers that physicians assume. One must always be careful of mere anecdotal evidence, even in one's life, for even correlation is not always causation. But based on recent incidents and on the strength of data (which I confirmed as best I could through Google searches), I stopped taking Lipitor and have actually had what I consider an amazing rebound in my memory and thinking processes. I am now looking at alternative ways to control my risk factors, and do have some options. If you or a loved one take Lipitor, this is important reading which makes a good jumping off point for further investigation.

The Unthinkable is the best place to start to begin preparing for disasters. Preparation is the key to survival and to quell fears. The book is highly readable and informative from a practical standpoint as well as helpful in understanding human response to disaster and how to counter the natural reactions which could cost you time (and time is life) in an emergency. Read this, then instruct your family in disaster preparedness. Pressure your workplace to implement emergency planning and drills. Use this book as a stepping stone for further personal development. Someday, you'll be very glad you did. Stay safe out there!

Nobody wants to look old, especially the old. I mean, older. The young-old. Fifty is the new Thirty. Whatever. I don't want to look old either, so I read a lot of books like this, many of them ridiculous. So it quite refreshing to encounter Charla Krupp's take on "fast, effortless ways to look 10 years younger." Ms. Krupp has a very good grip on reality and understands that (a) most women don't want to look like teenagers, they just want to look fresh and attractive; (b) most women don't have a ton of disposable cash to spend on themselves. The book is well laid out with each chapter devoted to a particular subject (clothes, makeup, etc) and, within that chapter, suggestions and products at a variety of price points. The style is pleasantly conversational, not pushy; the author's years of experience in the beauty field shows, as well as her own experiments. I have tried enough of the advice in the book to know that she is on track. Dressing well but youthfully cuts years off your look; good foundation garments make a huge difference. Her advice and brand recommendations are on target. Her product recommendations are probably worth the price of the book, because you can spend a lot of money experimenting. This book is probably the best I've read on the subject. Highly recommended.

Carole King. Joni Mitchell. Carly Simon. Three of the highest profile women in the music industry. How did that happen? Sheila Weller is happy to tell you, and tell you, and tell you, but, you're likely happy to sit there and listen, especially if you lived through the 60s and 70s, . Ms. Weller does a pretty good job of putting these women in historical context, which gives the reader a chance to be in context as well. She also does a pretty fair portrait of these women and the individual journeys that brought them to the pinnacle of music industry success. These kinds of books are not easy to write, I'll grant Ms. Weller that, and she bit off a big chunk. At times I felt the approach was a bit too precocious and artsy and would have just preferred that she get on with it instead of meandering around. Then I felt she gave short shrift to the women's current lives. She tries, I suppose, but realizes that most people are more interested in how they got to the top, not what happens now that they're back among mere mortals like ourselves, especially if it's not full of drama. While this book will undoubtedly appeal to Baby Boomers, it is a decent read for subsequent generations, who have enjoyed taking the roads paved by these women (and others, such as hey, how about more on Laura Nyro, whom Ms. Weller mentions several times) and probably don't know what the world of music was like for women. Or the world in general, for that matter. (It wasn't so long ago that unmarried pregnant women were treated very shabbily.) Quite an enjoyable book, packed with a lot of perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed comparing notes with Carole, Carly and Joni.

I rather feel as though I had a bit of a relationship with the minor poets myself but didn't really enjoy it, like one of those romances you fall into and then think, how do I get out of this. James Conrad assembles a cast of "minor poets" who drift in and out of relationships, write a little poetry (but not so much necessarily) and struggle (but not all that deeply) with the age-old problems of commerce versus art. While Mr. Conrad's prose kept me going, I had to keep track of a number of characters who, while distinctive enough I suppose, weren't all that distinctive or even particularly likeable. About halfway through, I really wanted to let the book go, but I felt I'd invested too much in it and there surely would be a payoff. Um, not precisely. For me at least. On the other hand, I'm sure this book is quite appealing to those who like their almost-chick lit to be a little more high brow. The highly touted "science" was superficial and the "manipulation and intrigue" to be rather understated. If you don't demand too much from a novel, you may well like "Minor Poets." Otherwise, move slowly away.

David Sedaris is an amusing guy. He's fun to listen to on NPR, he has a wry twist in his writing. That said, his work is not always as amusing as he's given credit for. "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" redeems him. The growth, perhaps through confidence, in his writing his obvious. He doesn't seem to be trying so hard and, in doing so, he reaches a little deeper, producing a more satisfying book. The book is more touching, more revealing that previous books, but when it's funny, it's really funny. Sedaris takes us along as he muddles his way through life and it's like a journey with a neurotic friend that, thankfully, we don't have to take care of. The finest part of the book is his bumbling stay in Japan while he weans himself from cigarettes. Poignant and laugh-out loud funny, it is a fine fish-out-of-water adventure. David Sedaris' best work yet.

The Box explores how a man with vision took the lowly shipping container and made life better for everyone. While this is a great book for engineering types who love to see how a good process comes together, it is also an excellent lesson in economics as well as a nice window into the history of the time. On top of all that, it's well-written, with a nice pace to it, and isn't the dismal tome those who think they have no interest in engineering, history and/or economics would presume it is. (And if you don't have any interest in engineering, history and/or economics, it's a good way to dip your toe in those waters.) Highly recommended for all.

I'm not really sure how much I liked this book. The story of an ordinary spy is told in a quite ordinary fashion, very much like a real spy probably would. (Not surprising, considering that the author is ex-CIA.) I found the redacted ruse a little cutesy and disruptive. Others may feel differently. It tormented me to think about what might be in those blacked-out areas, but others may find that's a fun mental exercise. I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending, although it has a certain realism to it. And yet, it was an enjoyable read, kept me interested, moved along rather well. Weisberg does a nice job of putting the reader in the time and place and yet disorienting one a bit because we don't really know what the place is. This is a particularly good book for spy buffs (which I am not), but is enjoyable nonetheless for those who want a well-written, engrossing novel that doesn't necessarily demand too much.

While I enjoyed this book, I didn't find it quite as tasty as other reviewers. I will say, however, that the writing is a cut way above many others of this genre (I've read some real honkers lately, some I couldn't even finish, the writing was so poor). This is very probably a book that satisfies more upon reading the sequels. There were a lot of loose ends, a lot of hints without conclusion, that kept Dexter at arm's length (a place he would prefer me, I assure you). This book also likely suffers a bit from familiarity. Having read it after the inception of the TV show, which I have heard a great deal about but not seen, some of the shock of surprise was gone. But certainly a meaty character to build upon and an enjoyable read even if not a masterpiece.

"Dishwasher" is a fun read but it could have used a little tightening up. While the story of how Pete Jordan fell into dishwashing is interesting, after a while, the dishwashing jobs start to blur together. Jordan has a jaunty, ironic writing style, although I found it a little wearing after awhile. But we can chalk that up to the crabbiness of this reader. This book is ideally suited for sticking in your bag for a trip. It doesn't demand a lot of brainpower, it's a quick read that you can jump in and out of, and it's about traveling. There you go.

This book presents a dilemma for this reader. It has a sweetness about it, it's a clever idea, it's well-crafted, but I just didn't find it as compelling as I thought I should. I suspect that this book would strike someone differently who has largely confined their reading to literary works. In my case, I read quite a bit of imaginative fiction and so these speculative concepts were not as awe-inspiring as they could have been to someone with less mileage on her. Truth be told, I was a disappointed that the book didn't tie together the dreams in some way, giving them a little more zip. At the conclusion, when I expected a little jolt, it merely ended. There's not a thing wrong with this book if you're satisfied with merely reading about "Einstein's dreams".

While I liked the book, I found that I had to work to suspend my disbelief. Although Clarke clearly doesn't wish us to take everything in the book quite literally, he doesn't always do a masterful job of setting the scene with quite the absurdity it needs. Arsonist's Guide is an enjoyable read, but not the best of this genre. How enthusiastically you feel about this book may depend on how many similar books you've read--if you are looking at this book with fresh eyes, it's probably going to seem far better to you than if you've read a lot of T. C. Boyle, for example.

Tim Gunn and Kate Moloney have written a book that is very amusing, but quite light on specific advice. If you are looking for a fashion how-to, this book won't do. Gunn and Moloney's objective is clearly to get you to refine your wardrobe with an eye toward "quality, taste and style," not to hold your hand in the dressing room. This book is a very fun read and intended to introduce and reinforce general guidelines for fashion. There are a few "must haves" and a lot of inspiration for finding out "who you are" and trusting in yourself. Tim Gunn's new Bravo show is precisely modeled on this book. If you've seen the show, the book will only serve as a supplement; most of this ground will be very familiar. The book is very fun to read (you can just hear his voice) and has value as inspiration. Gunn wants you to find your own place in the fashion world and he makes you want that, too. Plus a personal assistant and a million bucks for clothes.

As is to be expected, this is a very "poetic" book, yet quite down to earth. I'm not much of a poet, but I do write songs and fiction, both of which I've been hoping to ramp up to a higher level. This book has proved excellent for that purpose. It is beautifully written, yet very clear. On top of that, I found it inspiring and have had several great ideas inspired directly from the book. Whether you write poetry or not, it is an excellent writing guide. And actually quite entertaining to read. Highly recommended!

In Stott's deft hands, Isaac Newton's dabblings in alchemy inspire compelling present-day intrigue. "Ghostwalk" combines elements of mystery, complex human interaction and the moody atmosphere of Cambridge into a tense, compelling plot. The book has literary weight without being stuffy and conveys scientific and historical fact without lecturing. Highly recommended.

Tom Robbins has quite an imagination. This book, about an eccentric CIA agent and his equally kooky kin and acquaintances, scoots all over the world and hits on a number of contemporary topics. Robbins has a gift for being glibly ironic without quite going over the cliff into Too Much. While I never laughed aloud, I did find the book amusing. The premise of the book is deliberately preposterous but somehow manages to be credible within its own little world. Robbins seems to have intended Fierce Invalids to be a romp first, a satire second--at least that's how it turned out. If you like your spy novels dark and realistic like Graham Greene's, this won't work for you. But if you enjoy just seeing what the heck these guys are going to do, well, it's a pleasant way to spend a few hours reading on the porch (or your preferred equivalent).

Fifth Business is one of those books you have to read all the way through to fully appreciate. It has a slogging quality about it that almost made me abandon it early on. Although the writing is excellent, it read (as intended) as a rather dull memoir. I knew the author had a point in there somewhere, but I couldn't quite fathom what it would be. Fortunately, I kept going and about halfway through, I felt myself compelled to continue. The author is very deft at weaving the elements of the story together without any of the usual tricks we've grown accustomed to. There is no real build-up of action or excitement: merely the recounting of the life, characters and events that fall into place at the very end. Once concluded, it is easy to appreciate the masterful literary work that Fifth Business is. I definitely recommend it.

"Eat, Pray, Love" is a bit too full of itself for my taste. While Gilbert is refreshingly candid and a skillful author, she somehow didn't fully draw me into her adventures. Although the entire point of her year of travel was to go to 3 destinations, I felt that, once she left Italy, the book lost meaningful detail and focus. This is the kind of book that can strike a chord with readers who are thinking of or in the midst of a life-altering transformation, but it really seems a bit to "on the surface" to speak to me. That said, it was a breezy read and didn't do any lasting damage to my psyche.

Be careful what you wish for. The Last American Man, so termed, is not necessarily what he appears to be, and Elizabeth Gilbert has done a fine job of peeking beneath our fantasies of American masculinity to find the depth and troubled spirit of Eustace Conway. He may seem to live the stuff of myth, but does he really? Although Gilbert uses a familiar tone that veers close to being flippant, she does a nice job of tying together the past, present and possibility future Conway in a very readable style with surprising depth. Definitely recommended.

This book is the perfect antidote to intense, traumatic memoirs (with their fluid approach to the truth). It is a walk down memory lane for those of us who grew up in that era, instructive insight for those who didn't. If you lived in a small town (even if it wasn't as small as Mooreland), there is much to recognize here. If you didn't, you may be surprised at the similarities as well as the differences. Kimmel does an impressive job of showing her childhood from her own perspective, but I do have to question if she was really that precocious. Although she leaves the reader wondering about a good many things, it is, after all, a characteristic of the young to not really understand grownup issues. Kimmel is also quite brilliant at weaving together moments so that the book reads much like a novel, but without apparent artifice. It is a very natural telling. A thoroughly excellent book, far above average for this genre.