The world's smartest person—or at least the one with the highest IQ (228), according to the Guinness Book of Records—tells you everything you wanted to know about everything. Drawn mostly from vos Savant's popular ``Ask Marilyn'' column in Parade magazine, the author's succinct yet eloquent answers to letters on myriad subjects—grouped here into topics ranging from ``morals and ethics'' to ``war and peace'' to ``computers'' to ``philosophy''- -show a quicksilver mind at work, and are a delight. Not surprisingly, given her reliance on logic (Q: ``Isn't it possible that some things cannot be explained by pure logic?'' A: ``Yes, but I'd say that's because language fails us rather than logic''), vos Savant's strong suit lies in mathematical and logical challenges (one of which, based on the ``which-door?'' conundrum of TV's Let's Make a Deal, made national headlines), but her talent for aphorism helps her grope her way through more ambiguous subjects (Q: ``Can you differentiate wisdom from knowledge?'' A: ``Knowledge tells you when you're on a one-way street; wisdom tells you to look both ways before you cross it''), and she scatters enough knowledge-trivia (Q: ``Why is the speed of the earth's rotation constant?'' A: ``It isn't—it's slowing down gradually. I just hope that when it finally comes to a stop, it's on a Saturday'') to ensure that readers learn something while they're having fun—as they assuredly will. (Thirty-seven illustrations—not seen.)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-312-08136-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: St. Martin's
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1992
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
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
