A general introduction to languages and linguistics, synchronic and diachronic—informative and entertaining in just the right proportions. Writing in a conversational style, Cox covers all the topics one would expect to find in an introductory textbook—language families, historical perspective, the formation of dialects and creoles, phonetics and phonology, morphology and syntax, writing systems—briefly sketching out the basic concepts of linguistics, and then filling most of each chapter with a colorful assortment of illustrations, facts, and anecdotes related to languages from all over the world. She thus exposes her readers to a great variety of experiments, and encourages them to learn languages. (appendix, glossary, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10+)
Pub Date: April 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-208-02378-X
Page Count: 210
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1995
As briefly documented in this closely focused treatment, the electronic media—especially TV—have transformed our political system, resulting in shallow coverage that ignores serious issues for attention-grabbing sensationalism. After chronicling previous instances of image-focusing in US history and the process of media takeover of politics, Sherrow doesn't shrink from a depressing conclusion: candidates who might do an excellent job are driven out by those who are better media manipulators; voters who care about issues will continue to become cynical and drop out while those swayed by shallow appeals dominate politics. Maintaining an attitude of scrupulous fairness, she allows the media consultants (the ``handlers'' or ``spin doctors,'' often blamed for the situation) to have their say and presents ideas for reform. The issues are laid out clearly, but given the analysis here one wonders: Is anyone likely to follow her recommendations? Extensive end notes; up-to-date bibliography; list of organizations to contact. B&w photos; index. (Nonfiction. 12+)
Pub Date: Sept. 15, 1992
ISBN: 1-56294-075-9
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Millbrook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Though not entirely bias-free, this account is fair in balancing perspectives of the major parties in the American- Vietnamese conflict. Presenting important points of interpretation in some depth, Detzer shows why they are important—e.g., the disagreement among historians on the origin of the revolt against the Diem regime: if it had been organized from Hanoi, it could have been considered an invasion rather than a civil war. He also provides an objective description of the American political outlook in the late 40's and early 50's, when Washington chose to side with the French-created South Vietnamese government, effectively showing how this outlook created a situation that could be changed only with great difficulty. Unfortunately, however, he always calls the enemy by their American names, never by their own, and the ``Pentagon Papers,'' which spurred much of the off-campus antiwar effort, are not mentioned. Too, he quotes cynics who blame antiwar mobilizing on the drafting of young men, but fails to pose a counter argument: the large numbers of veterans and women active against the war. Documentation is skimpy—only 12 endnotes for the entire book— but the bibliography/filmography is broad-based, and the photos are well keyed to the text. A worthy effort at balanced treatment of a still highly emotion-fraught subject. Chronology; index. (Nonfiction. 12+)
Pub Date: Sept. 15, 1992
ISBN: 1-56294-066-X
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Millbrook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1992
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