By Dave van Ronk (Get the Book)
Singer-songwriter Van Ronk did more than most to earn the heady title of his memoir, gussied up for publication by the author of the outstanding blues history Escaping the Delta (2004). In the folk-music ferment of late-fifties/early-sixties Greenwich Village, Van Ronk was a larger-than-life presence with a blustery personality to match his big frame, headlining the famous folk-music haunts and mentoring such up-and-coming stars as Bob Dylan. A masterful storyteller and robust singer who prided himself in making a living without leaving the Village, he was a musical sponge who picked up a wildly eclectic repertoire. He recalls the heyday of the pretourist, 1950s Village, before the so-called Folk Scare, when regulars went to Washington Square on Sunday afternoons for loose sessions that continued late into the night. He recalls first hearing Dylan--the scruffiest-looking fugitive from a cornfield I do believe I had ever seen --at a Village coffeehouse and being impressed (the new arrival thereafter often crashed on Van Ronk's sofa). A richly evocative paean to a lost era. --Booklist
by Tony Iommi (Get the Book)
Some people believe guitarist Iommi, the only founding member of Black Sabbath who's remained with the group all along, accidentally created heavy metal. A mishap with a metal-bending machine in a welding shop snipped off two of his fingertips, which changed how he played, but was the accident really responsible for the birth of a new style of music? Well, that's too bloody much, says Iommi. On the other hand, no one can deny that Iommi and his bandmates, including lead singer Ozzy Osbourne, created something fresh, exciting, and just a little bit subversive. This memoir, dead certain to appeal to heavy-metal fans of all ages, tracks Iommi's life and the history of Black Sabbath. Predictably, given its subject, it's full of drugs, booze, and controversy, but Iommi makes no apologies for that. It's his life, the way he lived it. With plenty of behind-the-scenes stories and fresh perspectives on some of music's most notorious characters (including, again, Ozzy), this is a frank and honest look at a special part of rock history. --Booklist
by David landau (Get the Book)
Since his massive stroke in January 2006, Ariel Sharon has remained in a persistent vegetative state. Given the strong passions and controversy he engendered as both a military and political leader, it is perhaps surprising that many Israelis from each side of the political divide look back on his career and personality favorably. Landau has written for both Right and Left newspapers in Israel and is currently the Israel correspondent for the Economist. His thorough, balanced, and scrupulously fair biography makes clear why Sharon was capable of winning respect and admiration, even from his staunch political opponents. In recounting Sharon's youth, Landau reveals Sharon as always prepared to swim against the tide, as he and his family resisted the pressures of nearby kibbutzim to maintain the independence of their farm. As a military leader, he was rash, occasionally brutal, and sometimes defiant of superiors, but at critical moments, especially during the Yom Kippur War, he was decisive and brilliant. As prime minister, despite his earlier promotion of settlement activity, he dismantled settlements and withdrew from Gaza. This is an outstanding, warts-and-all portrait of an arguably great, if not a particularly likable, Israeli leader. --Booklist
by Bob Ingle (Get the Book)
In this exhaustive biography, journalists Ingle (coauthor, The Soprano State) and Symons explore the life and times of New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who came to national attention after cleaning house in state government, which resulted in "convictions or guilty pleas of more than 130 public officials." The authors detail Christie's personal background, discussing his parents and their partisan differences, his plans at age 10 to become a lawyer, his marriage and children, and his switch from pro-choice to pro-life after hearing his daughter's prenatal heartbeat. But the bulk of the volume focuses on Christie's 25-year political career-from law firm partner to county freeholder, an unsuccessful election for state senator, a stint as U.S. attorney for New Jersey under Bush, and finally, the governorship. The authors highlight Christie's frank nature ("I weigh too much because I eat too much."), his "tough 'Jersey guy' image," and his willingness to defend his opinions even when they are in opposition to the default GOP platform (e.g., his support of certain firearm restrictions). Speculation abounds regarding Christie's political aspirations, and Ingle and Symons provide an excellent introduction to this provocative politician. "He's demanding, he's loyal, he's combative, he's entertaining, he's mouthy-but never boring." Neither is this book. --Publishers weekly
by Jane Pauley (Get the Book)
Former NBC news anchor Pauley shares stories of mid-life personal reinventions, many from people featured on her eponymous Today show segment. Paul Giannone worked in information technology before realizing his dream to open a pizzeria and now feels that, despite spending seven days a week there, he does not "work" at all. Gid Pool began his career as a stand-up comedian at age 61, while Kirk Rademaker quit a stressful job to be a full-time sand carver. Some find their calling helping others, like Jan Erickson who used her experience as an elder-care minister to launch a wellness clothing line. Jan remarks, "everybody comes to this planet with something to give." Jenny and Richard Bowen wanted to help abandoned baby girls in China so they adopted one. Later, feeling she had to do more, Jenny established the Half the Sky Foundation for training child-care professionals to nurture children in Chinese institutions. Pauley also shares her story of taking over for Barbara Walters on Today at just 25 years of age, and the "guilt and self-doubt" she experienced as a working mother. She addresses the controversy surrounding her replacement by Deborah Norville and her struggle with bipolar disorder. Readers seeking new directions will find a wealth of inspiration. --Publishers Weekly
by Gary Shteyngart (Get the Book)
Instead of the incisive, satirical novel that readers might expect from Shteyngart (Super Sad True Love Story), this refreshing memoir makes it clear that for a writer in his 40s, he has produced enough material to fill volumes. Shteyngart unleashes a storm of lacerating humor upon himself and everything (and everyone) that made him who he is. As an immigrant, a misfit, and a lonely kid yearning to fit in, the author brings to life a quintessentially American story. This fascinating look into the making of a prominent literary voice is difficult to put down. VERDICT Poignant, vitriolic, wistful, always moving and painfully honest, this memoir is a substantial contribution. Shteyngart is well known for writing book blurbs for other authors; expect to see some heavy hitters getting behind this memoir, a self-examination that is entertaining and devastating in equal measure. Highly recommended. --Library Journal
by Peter Richmond (Get the Book)
Phil Jackson is the most successful coach in professional sports history. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and another five with the Los Angeles Lakers. And he was a player on two New York Knick championship teams in the early seventies. Veteran sports journalist Richmond calls this a biography, but it's really more of a quest Richmond in search of the real Phil Jackson, a fascinating man who has remained a bit of a mystery despite a penchant for writing books about himself and his career (four to date). Richmond spent a lot of time with those four books, but he also interviewed former players, friends, and associates in an attempt to get a sense of the man as well as the coach. Phil the Coach has been remarkably consistent in his methods and interaction with his players, who all revere him. The enigmatic Phil has been the public Phil hippie, coach, husband, teacher, seeker, friend, and father. Sometimes the contexts overlap. But inarguably, he's a fascinating subject, and while Richmond may not plumb Jackson's depths completely, he makes a reasonably good dive in that direction. --Booklist
