Further adventures, memories, and opinions of Israel's long- flying, silver-tongued dove. After his Abba Eban: An Autobiography (1977) and five other works of historical interest, there are few revelations here by this world-class diplomat/statesman who has been on the sidelines for 15 years. Nonetheless, the Cambridge-educated Eban has lost little of the legendary eloquence that served his country in the UN and in the foreign ministry during Israel's formative decades. We review much of that dramatic history through the speeches that Eban either wrote (``the first war in history in which the victor sued for peace and the loser called for unconditional surrender'') or overheard (``the Arafat speech would have disgraced a patient in a psychiatric clinic''). Precious bits of dialogue with world leaders are shared as well: When Harry Truman receives Eban's credentials, the President tells him, ``Let's cut the crap and have a good talk.'' There's also President Nixon breaking America's longstanding arms ban to Israel with the phrase, ``You'll get the stuff.'' Lying in between Eban gems such as ``Israel had committed the dark sin of survival'' are some strained phrases like ``my concern leapt up to an astronomical height,'' and these rare instances of overwriting are most pronounced when the author condemns the ``morally seditious'' attitude of Israelis who want to retain their present borders. The author also has some choice, unkind words for a host of world leaders and diplomats. At times self-congratulatory and opinionated, but Eban continues to be most readable.
Pub Date: Oct. 19, 1992
ISBN: 0-399-13589-8
Page Count: 672
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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