Douglas (English/Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; The Smart Magazines, p. 706; Women of the 20s, 1986) returns to the fascinating lore of the American railroad, a subject he first explored in microcosm with Rail City: Chicago USA (not reviewed). This social history, however, details its vision on a larger canvas. Douglas touches more lightly on the seismic socioeconomic effects of railroads on modern life than does either Nicholas Faith in The World the Railways Made (p. 1132) or Albro Martin in Railroads Triumphant (p. 1327). The first half of his narrative covers much the same ground as other conventional histories of this great 19th-century invention, including its development of previously unsettled areas, the problem-plagued building of the transcontinental railroad, the shenanigans of robber barons such as ``Commodore'' Vanderbilt, Daniel Drew, and Jay Gould, and the swelling anger of farmers and reformers over the railroad titans' arrogance. But it's the second half here that really shows ``why the railroad became so deeply buried in our national consciousness.'' There are intriguing discussions of the amenities enjoyed by middle-class and wealthy passengers; the way in which the uniformity of railroad schedules bred corresponding uniformity in riders; the reason why railroad stations like Grand Central Station were precursors of today's malls; the continuing preoccupation of country-music singers with the rail, begun with Jimmy Rodgers (himself a former railroad employee); and the rise, decline, and resurrection of model railroads and toy trains (at their ebb point, products of the beloved Lionel Co. were being made in Tijuana). Without losing sight of its subject's often troubled past, this lively social history vividly reminds us why the railroad continues to inspire nostalgia in Americans even as they bypass it for newer forms of transportation. (Thirty-six b&w photographs.)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1992
ISBN: 1-55778-486-8
Page Count: 464
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
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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