William F. Buckley, Jr., who dissipated his power to shock in his first book, God And Man At Yale, here discusses such figures as Norman Mailer and Adam Clayton Powell; such matters as progressive eduction; and such problems as integration. That is to say, he swats gnats with a sledge hammer; kicks a dead horse; and shoots fish in a barrel. There is also a hymn to Barry Goldwater and a dirge for Whittaker chambers. His essay on Khrushchev's visit to the United States must stand as the ast cry for the comforts of the walled city. An outline of his TV appearance on ack Paar's show and his close analysis of a series of columns by Murray Kempton rate some sort of award for documented, unintentional humor. There are four essays outside politics — on sailing; a plea for clear speech; his travel sores in Japan and a call to Americans to begin complaining loudly about the minor irritations of transport and personal service. These last fit the Buckley style more comfortably than do the political essays — for which he is noted wherever the Right meet to right. Major advertising is planned and (no matter what anyone has to say about it) the book will sell — it's an author stimulated audience via TV and his magazine.
Pub Date: April 12, 1963
ISBN: 1245552740
Page Count: -
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Oct. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1963
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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