by George A. Doumani ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1999
A latecomer in the recent spate of books on the history of Antarctic exploration—and one that disproves the adage “Better late than never.” Doumani has enjoyed a long and apparently distinguished career as a scientist working for several departments of the federal government. He is not, sadly, a writer, and his fragmentary account of fieldwork during the International Geophysical Year of 1958 reads more like a grandfatherly holiday letter than a book. Doumani’s attention is resolutely fixed on unremarkable moments (—In flight the passengers were ordered to change into cold weather gear, and the many layers of long thermal underwear, outer pants and parkas made it necessary to expand the seat belt considerably—) and the quotidian details of eating (—breakfast usually consisted of . . . fried eggs in several scrambled styles—), sleeping (—I managed to go to sleep for a few hours, and was up again to catch up on my letter reading—), and bathing (—Then came the greatest of Antarctic luxuries—the hot shower!—). Not that Doumani does not exult in his surroundings; he studs his text with exclamation marks to signify his excitement (—There it is!” “What a sight!” “It was literally shocking!” “In my panic I forgot all about the rope!” “They simply don—t give a damn!” “We had filet mignon!—) at the thrills, dangers, and rewards of scientific discovery in a place that, he reminds us constantly, is cold all the time. That datum is about all there is to learn in these relentlessly dull pages. Readers interested in good writing to go along with their armchair travel are advised to turn to Douglas Mawson’s Home of the Blizzard and Richard Byrd’s Alone.
Pub Date: May 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-56167-476-1
Page Count: 288
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1999
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by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996
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
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by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955
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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