Timely but neither judicious nor able to offer much historical perspective.
A panegyric profile of Ukraine’s Putin-defying president.
Expertly whipping a few morsels of information drawn exclusively from English-language news stories and recent interviews into a puff pastry of praise, Nardo tracks his subject’s career from law student to stand-up comedian, dancer, and popular media star—playing, in one TV show, an idealistic high school teacher who is catapulted into the presidency on the strength of a viral video rant. Apparently widely identified with that character, he went on to win a real presidential election in 2019 and, along with taking on corrupt oligarchs, responded to the Russian invasion in February 2022 by unexpectedly proving himself to be very effective at leading with great resolve the defense of his country and inviting, the author notes, comparisons with Winston Churchill in the Second World War. And if this account only covers events up to early July 2022 and so leaves off with the invasion’s outcome much in doubt, it vigorously argues the case that Zelenskyy, who is conscious of the world’s gaze and the importance of defending democracy, is the right person for this role. Unlike the skimpy assortment of public photos showing him posing in war zones or with his wife (but not children) and various world leaders, the backmatter offers young hero worshippers and report writers sources and resources aplenty.
Timely but neither judicious nor able to offer much historical perspective. (source notes, timeline, further research, index, picture credits) (Biography. 12-18)Pub Date: Dec. 15, 2022
ISBN: 9781678204907
Page Count: 64
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An exquisite package, much like one of Pei’s buildings.
This lively blend of narrative and detailed design is a perfect way to introduce the architectural vision of I.M. Pei to young readers.
This striking biography demonstrates how I.M. (Ieoh Ming) Pei melded the influences of his native China with the modernity of his adopted American home to create a unique, influential architectural vision. Pei’s family fled turbulent times on the mainland to Hong Kong, where his father became a successful banker. However, it was his artistic and spiritual mother who had the greater influence, despite her death in his early teens. After MIT, his plan to return to China was thwarted by war. Pei’s talent led to work on the JFK Presidential Library and the renovation of the Louvre Museum in Paris, among others. His projects were not without controversy, but eventually his artistic genius prevailed, changing the way modern architecture is viewed and appreciated. Rubalcaba, an honor recipient of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Every Bone Tells a Story (2010), has crafted an elegant work that combines sparkling text with graceful design. Carefully chosen photographs both support and add to the narrative, as do project sketches and floor plans. The layout is eye catching yet sophisticated, but the book is nevertheless entirely readable and accessible to young readers.
An exquisite package, much like one of Pei’s buildings. (timeline, bibliography, source notes, index, suggestions for further reading, listings of building projects, awards) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5973-6
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2011
Covering territory already surveyed in The Journey is the Destination (1997), compiled by Eldon’s mother Kathy, and New’s...
Strictly for completists, this album combines new and previously published pages from the collage-filled notebooks of a 22-year-old photojournalist killed in Mogadishu in 1993, along with yet another account of his brief life and peregrinations.
Covering territory already surveyed in The Journey is the Destination (1997), compiled by Eldon’s mother Kathy, and New’s own Dan Eldon: The Art of Life (2001), this version leaves out direct references to Eldon’s sexual exploits but again retraces in mapless, often eye-glazing detail his youth in Nairobi and his restless journeys around Africa and overseas up to his tragic death at the hands of an angry mob. The narrative text is tucked in and around full-page images of his busy, heavily worked collages—constructed from snapshots, found items, loose, emotional sketches, handwritten letters, scrawled comments and other materials, all jumbled together and all visually of a sameness. Bland tributes from associates (“I think he carried in him instinctive wisdom that bridged cultures and generations”), a lengthy closing tally of charity projects and workers inspired by his example (and added features like an iron-on transfer and foldout postcards that are only included with the trade edition) provide insufficient reason for teen readers to prefer this iteration over either of the earlier ones.Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8118-7091-7
Page Count: 194
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2011
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