Customer Comments

The 20th century had its share of dystopian novels..."1984", "Atlas Shrugged", and "Brave New World" (so why am I thinking of Dickens?). The writing teleports you into this world and you start to live in and with the story and people.Make sure you've had a good pee, filled your glass, and made yourself comfortable...you want to stay there. This book is so piquant, so much like fresh air when you've struggled up from the depths, so damn good, that you might want to read it before it's banned (or even after).

This is one of those wonderful reads where the "screen" dissolves and you're there. If it were only for this,and the human interest factor,it would be well worth the time. Added,for your drinking and dining delight,is a cogent,and deftly handled, overview (innerview?) of our (USA) recent history. The inner voice of the main character is all too familiar. Worth it,Worth it.

I came late to the "Dave Eggers Bandwagon", now I'm going to have to backtrack because "Hologram" was a gas. This is a fast paced,but not hurried,excursion with Alan,a not still young fellow who tends to spend a lot of time rummaging through his past with no small measure of regret. This could have been just a dismal slog through self-pity,but Eggers insight and deft light touch,keep it interesting,in fact seductive.That word,seductive,is rather a watchword or touchstone throughout Alan's adventure through evaporating business, real beauty and lust, fake beauty and lust,middle-eastern enigma, and the possibility of,if not redemption...a possible"second-act",in an American life. The characters are full and real, I was glad to meet them,at least this way. This way to the mirror.

I picked this book for a break from some of the "heavier" tomes I'd been balancing on my head recently.I still haven't begun to walk with the poise and grace to land me on the runway, or booked for soliciting, Be that as it may I was beguiled to find that the book was fun, zany, dare I say irrepressible? The fish that ate the whale, the story of America's Banana King is all that and a bag of vision, determination, backroom deals (corporate and governmental), revolution, family, in essence the whole magilla. Sort of a literary Swiss Army Knife (like one of those TV offers that creates amazing omlettes while you sleep, files your taxes, turns your rowdy kids into manageable MP3 files... all while grooming your dogs coat and SAT performance.) Sam Zemurray arrived an impoverished immigrant on America's shores, used his ingenuity and hard work to become a fabulously wealthy man, powerbroker, wheeler of deals, and mover of nations. He found out how you can win it all,then face it all in a cold fun-house mirror. History, family, business, culture, war, culturewar, and the birth of modern advertising. Oh, did I mention, a true New Orleans story for the ages. It's a long strange trip, not a long read, but this book is gonna stay with me a long time. Don't miss the boat. We've saved the best seat just for you.

This little collection came out when W.S.Merwin was deservedly serving as poet laureate of the U.S. It rings with grace,without pretentiousness,like casual retellings of favorite moments by an old friend. In one of my favorite poems from this book, he recalls his fascination, as a very young child,with a patch of light playing it's way across a carpet. This was one of many times while reading "The Shadow of Sirius" that I slid back into cherished temporal swatches from my own life. I've always felt that good poetry should invite and reward repeated readings, not demand, and not disapoint. this book succeeds admirably.

I only rated this a "five" because there's no "seven". Through some miracle (good writing?) an enveloping world of people, time, place, love, jealousy, and much (interesting rumination are contained in a book the size of a dvd package. This could be the most "wait to eat" or even "wait to pee" book in a long time. I don't recommend that second option. You may see yourself in one or more of these all too real characters. The love, the"lit",and the rich inner worlds you're invited to explore are a treasure. The Thames is looking grey...take the plunge.

"The Devil's Highway" refers to the hot, winding, desolate, Mexico to US route that has claimed lives for hundreds of years. Author Urrea chronicles the tales of cargo, human and otherwise, that risks this highway to "El Norte". Riches, freedom, servitude and gruesome death are all in the offing. These stories stem from historical record, humanitarian workers, survivors, families, border security, and the cold evidence of each corpse. The author fairly,and believably, weaves this input into a vivid human tableaux and document. The real thing.

Ever wonder what doctors talk about? Behind the closed doors of Monday Meetings,life changing issues and info flow freely. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta is our guide. Welcome.

A journey through past, geography, music, and madness. If you remember The Allman Brothers with some fondness, this book takes you there, with the expected thrills, and some welcome kindness.