I think that there may now truly be a book on every subject. At the McFarland Publishers booth at the American Library Association's annual conference, I found Death at the Ballpark: A Comprehensive Study of Game-Related Fatalities, 1862-2007 by Robert M. Gorman and David Weeks. Inside are listings for deaths of players, fans, umpires, or anyone else who happened to be a baseball game over a 145 year period. The authors have gathered their data from all levels of baseball, from youth to professional. The listings also tell cause of death, including suicide, violence, hit by pitch, foul balls, heart attacks, etc. McFarland has a number of interesting baseball books. I could spend the rest of my conference at the exhibit.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Death at the Ballpark: A Comprehensive Study of Game-Related Fatalities by Robert M. Gorman and David Weeks
Books and Blogs, Made for Each Other?
The verdict on whether the Internet is killing reading is still out, as evidence presented often says more about its source than the readers being studied. What is clear is that an attempt is being made to utilize the web to increase reading, especially of books, as a community of book lover bloggers has grown. Included is this community are readers, librarians, authors, and publishers, each contributing to the promotion of books, but often for different reasons. At Booklist/Booklist Online: Books and Blogs, Made for Each Other?, Keir Graf of Booklist and a panel of bloggers discussed the relationship of blogs with books and its prospects for the near future.
The panel included the following:
Keir listed some qualities that make blogs useful to book professionals:
Here are some highlights from this discussion:
Authority is something in which print excelled in its prime. Readers trusted the reviewers in newspapers and magazines, such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, or Atlantic Monthly. Now that these publications have their own blogs, that authority has transferred to its blog writers. Nora thought this advantage would in time diminish as other brand names are established. Some bloggers have name recognition for being on the scene early. Kaite said that with so many people blogging it is now difficult for a new blogger to get recognized.
Few book bloggers make a profit - or anything. They do not often get readers the way that nitch technology blogger do. Book bloggers blog for love of books.
Well-produced book trailers may be a passing fad. There is not enough money in the book market to support most expensive publicity, and the panel opinion was that the novelty will soon wear off. John said that most blog readers seek authenticity and are suspicious of slick marketing.
None of the panelists thought that writing blogs hurt their print writing style. Mary thought that bloggers free of institutional ties are franker in their blogs.
None of the speakers thought that Twitter would replace blogging. It is a good vehicle for posting links to reviews on blogs or telling others what you are reading. John said that Twitter is more important to people in Third World countries because they can tweet and read from cellphones, which seem to be harder to restrict than Internet access.
Kaite liked that bloggers sometimes review old books. It is not all about buzz.
The panel included the following:
- Mary Burkey of AudioBooker, who started her blog to keep track of audio titles that she had read. Her independent blog was later acquired by Booklist.
- John Green, a former Booklist employee, who with his brother posts videos to You-Tube as Vlogbrothers. He has also written a novel Looking for Alaska.
- Kaite Mediatore Stover of Kansas City Public Library, who posts to Book Group Buzz for Booklist.
- Nora Rawlinson, who has never been a Booklist employee. She was, however, the librarian at Baltimore County Public Library who uttered "give them what they want" and has worked as an editor for both Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. She is now writing the blog, EarlyWord, which is a for-profit effort.
Keir listed some qualities that make blogs useful to book professionals:
- Blogs offer immediacy. Bloggers can address issues quickly and can discuss books at the time they are published or are otherwise in the news.
- Blog writing is more personal and casual, allowing for a friendlier feel, attracting some loyal followers.
- Because blog postings are often short, writers have to hone more concise writing skills.
- Comments from blog readers start conversations that may bring forth issues that the blog writer did not address. They may also correct errors or otherwise keep the blog writer honest.
- Through comments, bloggers know their readers better.
Here are some highlights from this discussion:
Authority is something in which print excelled in its prime. Readers trusted the reviewers in newspapers and magazines, such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, or Atlantic Monthly. Now that these publications have their own blogs, that authority has transferred to its blog writers. Nora thought this advantage would in time diminish as other brand names are established. Some bloggers have name recognition for being on the scene early. Kaite said that with so many people blogging it is now difficult for a new blogger to get recognized.
Few book bloggers make a profit - or anything. They do not often get readers the way that nitch technology blogger do. Book bloggers blog for love of books.
Well-produced book trailers may be a passing fad. There is not enough money in the book market to support most expensive publicity, and the panel opinion was that the novelty will soon wear off. John said that most blog readers seek authenticity and are suspicious of slick marketing.
None of the panelists thought that writing blogs hurt their print writing style. Mary thought that bloggers free of institutional ties are franker in their blogs.
None of the speakers thought that Twitter would replace blogging. It is a good vehicle for posting links to reviews on blogs or telling others what you are reading. John said that Twitter is more important to people in Third World countries because they can tweet and read from cellphones, which seem to be harder to restrict than Internet access.
Kaite liked that bloggers sometimes review old books. It is not all about buzz.
Libraries in Hard Times: The ALA Membership Meeting
For the last week, I have receiving emails and flyers urging me to attend Libraries in Hard Times at Saturday's ALA Membership Meeting. The marketing was well done, so my hopes were raised that it would be an interesting program. It was, but not really in the way that I expected. Patricia Wong summarized efforts of California Public Libraries to help the jobless and needy. Christopher A. McLean of the ALA Washington Office then reported on the federal government's stimulus package and what parts of it hold promise for library funding. The information was good (if a bit too general) but the setting and presentations and the timing did not do the subjects justice. The assembly hall was huge and the attendance slight. It was late in the day. We were very far from the speakers. I expected first hand stories from librarians telling what they are up against and what they are doing. I appreciate that the topic is being acknowledged before the assembly of membership, but it needs more coverage and debate in more intimate meetings where there will be more energy and passion.
On the up side, there were some useful web sites promoted, including Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit for the ALA President's Office. Another was the Library Use Value Calculator from Huntington beach Public Library.
On the up side, there were some useful web sites promoted, including Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit for the ALA President's Office. Another was the Library Use Value Calculator from Huntington beach Public Library.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience
I almost went to a management program at the American Library Association conference this morning, but my love of baseball (and my sweetheart) drew me to "Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience" instead. I should listen to love more often. It was a wonderful program that I would not want to have missed. Not only did I hear Negro Leagues historian Lawrence Hogan recount his friendships with the old players, I heard Sharon Robinson tell about her new children's book about her father, Jackie Robinson, and I heard Kadir Nelson explain how he wrote and illustrated his award-winning We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. I will want to see Robinson's book (illustrated by Nelson) this fall. I have seen We Are the Ship and will post a review soon.Anytime time there is a baseball reunion, there are good stories. They resonate because they are loaded with more meaning than just sport. To Hogan baseball is American history and to Robinson it is also family history. For Nelson it is beauty and inspiration.
This celebration of African American baseball launches the ALA traveling exhibit "Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience." Two sets of illustrated panels are traveling to libraries around the country. One is in St.Louis currently while the other is on the ground floor of McCormick Place during the conference. It will then go to Milwaukee. The tour continues into 2013.
With My Book at ABC-Clio
This is the day for which I have waited. My book is on sale at ALA! It is among the many titles on readers' advisory and library management at the Libraries Unlimited section of the ABC-Clio exhibit.
If you look over my right shoulder (left side of picture), you will see The Inside Scoop by Sarah Statz Cords. I seem to be right in front of all the Read On ... books. Sorry, Barry.
Bonnie said that ABC-Clio was serving champagne this afternoon. Could it have been to celebrate my book? Probably not.
If you look over my right shoulder (left side of picture), you will see The Inside Scoop by Sarah Statz Cords. I seem to be right in front of all the Read On ... books. Sorry, Barry.
Bonnie said that ABC-Clio was serving champagne this afternoon. Could it have been to celebrate my book? Probably not.
The Riverside Shakespeare Purse
There is a booth in the exhibit hall at the American Library Association that has display of purses made from old books. I wonder if Annie at my work could figure out how to make them and turn it into a library program? I know regular program attendees who would enjoy another project.
The Unconference at ALA
This is Jason Griffey of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, who opened yesterday's Unconference with a seven-minute presentation "The future of libraries in a ubiquitous computing world." It was a good beginning for a day full of conversation. You can find my full report on PlaBlog.
I will spend all day today in McCormick Place attending programs and wandering the exhibition hall. I hope to see my book.
I will spend all day today in McCormick Place attending programs and wandering the exhibition hall. I hope to see my book.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Let the Conference Begin
Today, I start my American Library Association Conference experience with attending the Unconference. I plan to report on the programs I attend both here and at PLABlog. I will also post photos on my Flickr site.
Librarian at the Farmers Market
We have been told to take the librarian wherever the clients are. I spent yesterday at a library table at the farmers market in Western Springs. It was the first time I have done such a thing, after several years of thinking that we should. I learned a lot of things right off the bat.
It was fun. The weather was beautiful and I enjoyed hearing Annalee, a folksinger raising funds for World Bicycle Relief, sing throughout the afternoon. I especially liked the Joni Mitchell tunes. She wanted to take bicycles to children in Zambia. We were all there in a good cause.
- Big posters work like sails. It might seem like a calm day, but even the slightest puff of air will catch the poster and you will fly.
- You need lots of rocks to hold down your handouts. Again the wind that you hardly notice will lift your papers and send them away.
- Laptops are difficult to view in the sun. We wanted to do some reference from the table, but it was tough. Maybe someone can recommend outdoor PCs.
- Do not expect people to rush the library table. People have come for the fruits and vegetables. You are a curiosity.
- Do not expect all of your regulars from the library to recognize you. You are not where they usually see you.
- Talk will be your most popular offering. You may return to the library with most of your handouts and books.
It was fun. The weather was beautiful and I enjoyed hearing Annalee, a folksinger raising funds for World Bicycle Relief, sing throughout the afternoon. I especially liked the Joni Mitchell tunes. She wanted to take bicycles to children in Zambia. We were all there in a good cause.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Answers to the Biography Pop Quiz
Here are the answers to last week’s biography pop quiz. All answers can be found in my new book Real Lives Revealed: A Guide to Reading Interests in Biography.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In Eminent Victorians, Lytton Strachey did not write about (b) Matthew Arnold. Strachey wrote about Thomas Arnold.
2. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall wrote a biography of (c) George Washington
3. Sheriff Pat Garrett shot the outlaw know as (d) all of the above, which were names used by the outlaw known as Billy the Kid.
4. Journalist Martha Gellhorn died from (b) suicide.
5. On Illustrious Men (De Viris Illustribus) was written by (d) all of the above. It was popular name to use in Latin collected biographies.
6. Singer Michael Jackson claimed that his life was changed by reading a biography of (c) P. T. Barnum, who wanted to present the "greatest show on earth."
7. Elizabeth Barrett Browning had a dog named (c) Flush, who was dog-napped several times. The author defied her father to pay the ransoms. This may have helped her finally break away from her domineering parents.
8. President Abraham Lincoln's friends did not included (b) the late David Herbert Donald who was a Lincoln biographer, not a contemporary, though you might suspect he would have liked to be a Lincoln friend.
9. After their baseball careers ended, Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth developed a friendship while (c) golfing.
10. J. Randy Taraborrelli has not written a biography of (c) Barbara Streisand.
True or False?
11. True - Ray Charles learned to play boogie-woogie piano before he was classically trained.
12. True - The pirate William Dampier was also a noted scientist who chartered ocean currents and drew tropical birds.
13. True - Ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev was born on a train near Lake Baikal in Siberia.
14. True - Martha Washington burned all of her letters to and from her husband George.
15. False - Jonas Salk DID NOT suffer from polio as a child.
Bonus Question
16. Name the author of the first biography?
d. Ion of Chios is the best answer, as he wrote sketches of Pericles and Sophocles in the fifth century BCE. Scholars, however, do not agree on what a biography is, so the question is really hard to answer.
If you got any of the answers right, consider yourself pretty well-read.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In Eminent Victorians, Lytton Strachey did not write about (b) Matthew Arnold. Strachey wrote about Thomas Arnold.
2. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall wrote a biography of (c) George Washington
3. Sheriff Pat Garrett shot the outlaw know as (d) all of the above, which were names used by the outlaw known as Billy the Kid.
4. Journalist Martha Gellhorn died from (b) suicide.
5. On Illustrious Men (De Viris Illustribus) was written by (d) all of the above. It was popular name to use in Latin collected biographies.
6. Singer Michael Jackson claimed that his life was changed by reading a biography of (c) P. T. Barnum, who wanted to present the "greatest show on earth."
7. Elizabeth Barrett Browning had a dog named (c) Flush, who was dog-napped several times. The author defied her father to pay the ransoms. This may have helped her finally break away from her domineering parents.
8. President Abraham Lincoln's friends did not included (b) the late David Herbert Donald who was a Lincoln biographer, not a contemporary, though you might suspect he would have liked to be a Lincoln friend.
9. After their baseball careers ended, Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth developed a friendship while (c) golfing.
10. J. Randy Taraborrelli has not written a biography of (c) Barbara Streisand.
True or False?
11. True - Ray Charles learned to play boogie-woogie piano before he was classically trained.
12. True - The pirate William Dampier was also a noted scientist who chartered ocean currents and drew tropical birds.
13. True - Ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev was born on a train near Lake Baikal in Siberia.
14. True - Martha Washington burned all of her letters to and from her husband George.
15. False - Jonas Salk DID NOT suffer from polio as a child.
Bonus Question
16. Name the author of the first biography?
d. Ion of Chios is the best answer, as he wrote sketches of Pericles and Sophocles in the fifth century BCE. Scholars, however, do not agree on what a biography is, so the question is really hard to answer.
If you got any of the answers right, consider yourself pretty well-read.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting by Michael Perry
In his new book Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting, Michael Perry of northwest Wisconsin has moved with his new family into an old farmhouse with thirty-seven acres that could lie fallow while he prospers by writing. Having been raised on a family farm, however, Perry lives by principles, which include making the most of what you have. Though he never intended to become a farmer and is still reluctant to call himself one, he buys chickens and pigs.Raising chickens and pigs is more work than you might imagine if you've never lived on a farm. A good portion of his year involves planning to build a chicken coop and pens for the pigs, learning about breeds, shopping for his livestock, feeding and caring for the creatures once he has them, and slaughtering them for meat. A less talented writer could make this pretty boring, but Perry uses it all to connect with his childhood and to muse on his future.
Readers may sense that Perry has lost some of the harder edge that he had in Population: 485. That's okay. Falling in love in Truck and raising children in the new book give him a new sense of purpose that requires a softened heart. He can, however, still write with clarity and honestly, free from sentimentality. Perhaps this skill comes from the same reserve that allows him to wring the necks of chickens with personal names.
As in Population: 485, there is tragedy, this time a nephew's death. In its wake he writes the following when visiting his parents' house:
And finally I climb the stairs to bed, to one of my childhood bedrooms, and stare straight up in the dark. I am remembering that before Jane was born, I was talking to a friend about how it was when he went from one child to two. "Love expands," he said, "to fit the need." I am wondering grief can do the same.
I found the stories of his parents fostering and adopting many children quite interesting. They certainly expanded their hearts. Readers may, too.
Perry, Michael. Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting. Harper, 2009. ISBN 9780061240430.
By the way, Citizen Reader in including Population: 485 in her summer book menage.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
What I'm Doing at ALA
I have been looking through all of the offerings at the American Library Association Conference that starts July 10 in Chicago and have come up with this plan.
Friday, July 10
The Unconference, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. I am facilitating a discussion about nonfiction readers' advisory using the web.
Saturday, July 11
Gregory Maguire, 8 a.m.-9 a.m. The author of Wicked will speak at the Auditorium Series. It is pretty early and I have to drive in, so I might be late.
Open Knowledge Commons, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Digitized books from someone other than Google.
Booklist Online: Books and Blogs, Made for Each Other, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. I'm obviously interested in this.
Sunday, July 12
Net Neutrality and Its Implications for Libraries, 10:30 a.m.-noon. I might get the gist in half the time.
Top Technology Trends, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.
Monday, July 13
Lexis/Nexis Breakfast with Bonnie.
Rethinking the Reference Collection, 10:30 a.m.-noon. I am a reference librarian first. This is about the heart of my work.
From the Book and Beyond, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. More readers' advisory.
Tracy Kidder, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. I enjoyed Mountains Beyond Mountains and My Detachment: A Memoir.
Cokie Roberts, 5 p.m.-6:30. I heard Roberts in New Orleans and would enjoy hearing more.
I will probably add other presentations. I will be blogging about the programs I attend at both PLABlog and here at ricklibrarian.
I will also be checking in at the ABC/Clio exhibit to see my book.
Friday, July 10
The Unconference, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. I am facilitating a discussion about nonfiction readers' advisory using the web.
Saturday, July 11
Gregory Maguire, 8 a.m.-9 a.m. The author of Wicked will speak at the Auditorium Series. It is pretty early and I have to drive in, so I might be late.
Open Knowledge Commons, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Digitized books from someone other than Google.
Booklist Online: Books and Blogs, Made for Each Other, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. I'm obviously interested in this.
Sunday, July 12
Net Neutrality and Its Implications for Libraries, 10:30 a.m.-noon. I might get the gist in half the time.
Top Technology Trends, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.
Monday, July 13
Lexis/Nexis Breakfast with Bonnie.
Rethinking the Reference Collection, 10:30 a.m.-noon. I am a reference librarian first. This is about the heart of my work.
From the Book and Beyond, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. More readers' advisory.
Tracy Kidder, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. I enjoyed Mountains Beyond Mountains and My Detachment: A Memoir.
Cokie Roberts, 5 p.m.-6:30. I heard Roberts in New Orleans and would enjoy hearing more.
I will probably add other presentations. I will be blogging about the programs I attend at both PLABlog and here at ricklibrarian.
I will also be checking in at the ABC/Clio exhibit to see my book.
Nonfiction Readers' Advisory in the Online World: For the Unconference
On Friday, I will facilitate a discussion about nonfiction readers' advisory and the role of the Internet at the Unconference before the American Library Association Conference in Chicago. If you are going to attend, here are some questions and statements to consider. Even if you will not be here, weigh in anyway with some comments.
Roles of the Internet in Nonfiction Readers' Advisory
· Tool for Assisting Face-to-Face Client
· Instruction Media for Readers' Advisory Librarian
· The Librarian's Rival for Readers' Advisory
· The Librarian's Platform for Readers' Advisory
Discussion Questions
· Is there a difference between fiction and nonfiction readers' advisory resources online?
· Are online RA resources easy to use with face-to-face readers?
· In an online world, who are our clients?
· Is the Internet better for indirect readers' advisory?
· Can we enlist our population of readers?
Web Sites and Services with Readers' Advisory Applications
· NoveList Plus
· Reader's Advisor Online
· Shelfari
· LibraryThing
· Amazon
· Barnes and Noble
· BookTV
· ChiliFresh
· Twitter
· BookLetters
· YouTube
· Google Books
· blogs
· podcasts
· chat and text
Nonfiction Readers' Advisory Observations
NoveList Plus has records for 47,157 adult nonfiction titles as of June 6, 2009. 108,604 adult fiction.
NoveList has genre based Recommended Reads: biography and memoir; business writing; current events and politics; food writing; history; humor; nature writing; religion and spirituality; travel writing; true crime.
To find read-a-likes, NoveList searches subjects and broad categories, not appeal factors. If library catalogs were more powerful, they could do as well.
Reader's Advisor Online collects the content of Libraries Unlimited books, few of which are nonfiction.
Reader's Advisory Online Blog and Early Word have lots of nonfiction alerts.
Shelfari genre groups vary in level of response to discussions. Some have growing memberships and active administrators. Some groups seem to duplicate already existing groups.
Librarians Who LibraryThing is the service's most populous group.
LibraryThing groups seem to respond to original discussion queries but rarely comment on the responses.
LibraryThing title records include member ratings. Could they be more reliable than Amazon ratings which can be manipulated by authors and publishers?
Twitter does not seem designed for RA, but users still broadcast requests for book help. Do librarians go to the readers? Is there a good way to harvest these tweets?
NPR Books, New York Times Book Review and Washington Post Book World podcasts lean toward nonfiction.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Public Library does a good job of getting readers to share reviews.
BookLetters and NextReads include customizable emails for nonfiction genre.
Roles of the Internet in Nonfiction Readers' Advisory
· Tool for Assisting Face-to-Face Client
· Instruction Media for Readers' Advisory Librarian
· The Librarian's Rival for Readers' Advisory
· The Librarian's Platform for Readers' Advisory
Discussion Questions
· Is there a difference between fiction and nonfiction readers' advisory resources online?
· Are online RA resources easy to use with face-to-face readers?
· In an online world, who are our clients?
· Is the Internet better for indirect readers' advisory?
· Can we enlist our population of readers?
Web Sites and Services with Readers' Advisory Applications
· NoveList Plus
· Reader's Advisor Online
· Shelfari
· LibraryThing
· Amazon
· Barnes and Noble
· BookTV
· ChiliFresh
· BookLetters
· YouTube
· Google Books
· blogs
· podcasts
· chat and text
Nonfiction Readers' Advisory Observations
NoveList Plus has records for 47,157 adult nonfiction titles as of June 6, 2009. 108,604 adult fiction.
NoveList has genre based Recommended Reads: biography and memoir; business writing; current events and politics; food writing; history; humor; nature writing; religion and spirituality; travel writing; true crime.
To find read-a-likes, NoveList searches subjects and broad categories, not appeal factors. If library catalogs were more powerful, they could do as well.
Reader's Advisor Online collects the content of Libraries Unlimited books, few of which are nonfiction.
Reader's Advisory Online Blog and Early Word have lots of nonfiction alerts.
Shelfari genre groups vary in level of response to discussions. Some have growing memberships and active administrators. Some groups seem to duplicate already existing groups.
Librarians Who LibraryThing is the service's most populous group.
LibraryThing groups seem to respond to original discussion queries but rarely comment on the responses.
LibraryThing title records include member ratings. Could they be more reliable than Amazon ratings which can be manipulated by authors and publishers?
Twitter does not seem designed for RA, but users still broadcast requests for book help. Do librarians go to the readers? Is there a good way to harvest these tweets?
NPR Books, New York Times Book Review and Washington Post Book World podcasts lean toward nonfiction.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Public Library does a good job of getting readers to share reviews.
BookLetters and NextReads include customizable emails for nonfiction genre.
Book Ratings on LibraryThing and Amazon
I was wondering how similar or different reader ratings in LibraryThing and Amazon would be. So I tried a title. To the left is the result. The reader consensus is just about the same.Of course, this needs more study. Has anyone else already done this?
I am wondering whether Amazon ratings can be more easily manipulated by authors, publishers, or publicists. Is this really something worth worrying about?
Any thoughts?
Monday, July 06, 2009
Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale
Thanks to Heather Booth, who had a stack of teen fiction on the reference desk, I now have a new series of books to read: Montmorency by Eleanor Updale. I liked how the covers of the books in the series evoked a foggy nineteenth century London. I anticipated something dark and cerebral and was not disappointed in the first book Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?The story begins in 1875 when a young surgeon saves the life of a criminal who is badly injured in falling through skylight. As the surgeon takes his patient to various scientific society meetings to show off his handwork, the criminal is introduced to both scientific thinking and the lives of gentlemen, sparking a desire for a better life than that of a petty thief. At first, his vision is simply being of a higher class of criminal. With diligence and ingenuity, he sets forth to realize his dream of comfort and achievement through burglary.
What seems unusual to me about Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? is that readers are asked to cheer for a master criminal. To any reader who has difficulty with that idea I recommend just accepting that a criminal can be a heroic character. I do not want to say too much and spoil the plot. I will say that some of the incidents are quite amusing. I enjoyed contemplating execution of the crimes, and I think others will, too. Perhaps there is a master criminal in each of us.
Updale uses her deep knowledge of Victorian England in telling a compelling story. I particularly enjoyed learning about Joseph Bazalgette and the engineering of the London sewer system. The details of men's clothing are also finely done. I think fans of English literature and readers who like clever characters will enjoy this quick reading book.
Updale, Eleanor. Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? Scholastic, 2003. ISBN 0439580366
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
