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LETTERS TO THE CORNFIELD

Name: LETTERS TO THE CORNFIELD
Author: Alipio Baldi
ISBN: 978-1490839585

CULTURE AND MORALITY REVISITED FROM A CHRISTIAN POINT OF VIEW

by Alipio Baldi ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2014

A three-dimensional look at major developments in conservative politics and culture.

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Baldi (The Grand Experiment: What Went Wrong?, 2012, etc.) presents a collection of philosophical musings, political commentaries and general thoughts on life.

This compendium of the author’s opinions is extensive, featuring views on subjects ranging from St. Anselm of Canterbury’s writings to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on large sodas. Beginning with discussions of selected works by several famous thinkers, including Leo Strauss and Francis Bacon, the book goes on to explore big philosophical questions (“How does one go about defining ‘Man’?”), and offer opinions on economic policy (“The proper role of government is to encourage and support free enterprise”), brief aphorisms, and a series of letters, mostly to a newspaper editor, from the years 2009 to 2013 (“The bottom line is our government is spending money it doesn’t have”). This collection is sometimes outraged, sometimes docile, but always dotted with moments of humor (“The luckiest man alive is unquestionably Tiger Wood’s caddy!”) and discussions of religion (“We are ‘co-partners’ in God’s intended purpose to make of it what we ‘Will’ ”). It effectively paints a portrait of a man who’s both in awe of human potential and worried about the future. It reserves its venom for President Barack Obama and perceived proponents of political correctness and offers praise for the wisdom of the United States Constitution. Throughout its 700-plus pages, the author’s opinions remain articulate, if occasionally obvious, as when it urges the two major parties to work together “for the common good of the nation.” The end result, however, is a thoroughly wide-ranging, readable investigation into modern conservative thought that doesn’t rely on the opinions of popular right-wing media cheerleaders.

A three-dimensional look at major developments in conservative politics and culture.

Pub Date: June 17, 2014

ISBN: 978-1490839585

Page Count: 734

Publisher: Westbow Press

Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2014

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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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

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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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.