Padfoot - Second Review - The Curse of Lono

The Curse of Lono
By Hunter. S. Thompson

A few weeks ago I made my weekly trip to Half-Price. Staring at me from across the room was a Ralph Steadman picture on a book that I had never seen before. The book was "The Curse of Lono" by Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman. I am a "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" fanatic so I decided then and there 20 bucks for this book was well worth it. Plus it has lots of Steadman creepy pictures that I love, and if you haven't seen them before Google them, they are fantastic.

First of all, if you have never read a Hunter S. Thompson novel, what are you doing with your life?! Go read one right now! That being said, I had high expectations for this book. "The Curse of Lono" starts off with Thompson and Steadman going on a trip to Hawaii to cover a marathon. As in most of Thompson's writings, there are many strange adventures hes experiences, and many drug infested memories. Usually, this makes for great stories, but this book just felt dry, and forced.

However, his descriptions of Ralph Steadman, the "rich and famous British artist", were hysterical. He portrays Steadman as, a crazy British man:

"Many were world-class runners, fanatics about personal health, and the sight of Ralph made them cringe. The aloe had half-cured his back, but he still walked like a stroke victim and his physical presence was not cheerful. He limped from room to room with his sketchbook, still deeply confused on valerian root, until a man wearing a silver Nike jumpsuit finally led him outside and said he should check himself into the leper colony on Molokai."

After reading "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", watching the movie, and falling completely in love with Thompson's unique story telling, I expected nothing but stimulation of the brain from "The Curse of Lono". I do believe having such high expectations were what ruined the book for me. However, it is still a great work from Thompson, and if you do not even want to attempt this book I do not blame you. Read "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", or "The Rum Diary", I hear the latter is an extremely fantastic read as well.

The pictures posted on this blog are all by Ralph Steadman, and if you don't know, these books by Thompson are all 'Gonzo Journalism' which is a mix of facts and fiction.

If you are interested in seeing some more of Steadman's artwork (which is creepy, not for everyone, but fantastic to me!) then here is his official website; check it out!

http://www.ralphsteadman.com

Padfoot - Second Review - The Curse of Lono

The Curse of Lono
By Hunter. S. Thompson

A few weeks ago I made my weekly trip to Half-Price. Staring at me from across the room was a Ralph Steadman picture on a book that I had never seen before. The book was "The Curse of Lono" by Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman. I am a "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" fanatic so I decided then and there 20 bucks for this book was well worth it. Plus it has lots of Steadman creepy pictures that I love, and if you haven't seen them before Google them, they are fantastic.

First of all, if you have never read a Hunter S. Thompson novel, what are you doing with your life?! Go read one right now! That being said, I had high expectations for this book. "The Curse of Lono" starts off with Thompson and Steadman going on a trip to Hawaii to cover a marathon. As in most of Thompson's writings, there are many strange adventures hes experiences, and many drug infested memories. Usually, this makes for great stories, but this book just felt dry, and forced.

However, his descriptions of Ralph Steadman, the "rich and famous British artist", were hysterical. He portrays Steadman as, a crazy British man:

"Many were world-class runners, fanatics about personal health, and the sight of Ralph made them cringe. The aloe had half-cured his back, but he still walked like a stroke victim and his physical presence was not cheerful. He limped from room to room with his sketchbook, still deeply confused on valerian root, until a man wearing a silver Nike jumpsuit finally led him outside and said he should check himself into the leper colony on Molokai."

After reading "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", watching the movie, and falling completely in love with Thompson's unique story telling, I expected nothing but stimulation of the brain from "The Curse of Lono". I do believe having such high expectations were what ruined the book for me. However, it is still a great work from Thompson, and if you do not even want to attempt this book I do not blame you. Read "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", or "The Rum Diary", I hear the latter is an extremely fantastic read as well.

The pictures posted on this blog are all by Ralph Steadman, and if you don't know, these books by Thompson are all 'Gonzo Journalism' which is a mix of facts and fiction.

If you are interested in seeing some more of Steadman's artwork (which is creepy, not for everyone, but fantastic to me!) then here is his official website; check it out!

http://www.ralphsteadman.com

Prongs - Third Review - Tropic of Cancer

Tropic Of Cancer
By Henry Miller

"I am living at the Villa Borghese. There is not a crumb of dirt anywhere, or a chair misplaced. We are all alone here, and we are dead."

Not too long ago I purchased the Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller, for $1.25 at Half-Price Books. It was probably the best $1.25 I have ever spent in my entire life. Tropic of Cancer is one of those books that you find so rarely in life that grabs a hold of you and never lets go, try as you might to shake it. Tropic of Cancer is a quasi-autobiography that is centered around Miller's life as a 'struggling' writer in Paris before moving to America. Miller incorporates a bit of pre-Gonzo-journalism as he mixes reality with fiction, past with present, and narrative with stream-of-consciousness. Miller said about the title,

"...(it is) symbolic title I had chosen for a number of reasons, primarily because the cancer is the crab, and the crab has the power, or the ability to walk backwards, forwards, sideways, any direction do you see. I liked that symbol, you know? […] Able to go any direction at will, do you see".

The Crab or idea of cancer is probably the most resounding feeling that you are left with after this book. The personal depiction of Miller's lifestyle leaves little to the imagination, but much to be envied. Miller lives a lifestyle that most of us could only dream to live. He sleeps when he wants, eats when he wants, has sex when he wants (and there are some fairly graphic sex scenes), and leaves when he wants. He is not tied down to the responsibility of a 'cancerous' society, and thus can truly live a life that he is content with. He sees the world around him as it truly is; animalistic, void of thought, yet filled with an unrelenting beauty. Miller says of himself, " I have no money, no resources, no hopes. I am the happiest man alive". He moves like the 'crab' in what ever direction and in what ever way he wants, and he is the only man alive able to do so.

Through the book that are numerous sexual descriptions that Miller uses as somewhat of a 'shock value' but it is never in a lude or derogatory way. He merely states the truth about his feelings towards sexuality and natural desire. While some of the scenes do get quite detailed, I believe that this was only to force the reader into thinking of sex in ways that we have refused to think about it before. Until novels like this, it was considered some what 'tabboo' to talk about sex in such a public and intimate way. This is the main reason that Miller landed himself on many 'banned books' lists across the world.

As he jumps between narrative and stream-of-consciousness, Miller uses his words in a way that had not been done by any authors until this time. This is what Faulkner wishes he coud be. The scenes that Miller describes, and the relentless thought process behind it, puts you into Miller's head and refuses to let you out. The reader jumps from description to description to idea to idea with out being able to catch a breath. At times Miller goes on such long rants he even forgets the point that he was trying to make to begin with. By putting down every thought that occurs to him with out fear of reprocussion or judgment, Miller writes in a way that is truly free. It is this type of nomadic lifestyle coupled with the stream-of consciousness that makes this book so unique.

"The weather will continue bad... There will be more calamities, more death, more despair. Not the slightest indication of a change anywehre. The cancer of time is eating us away. Our hopes have killed themselves, or are killing themselves. The hero, then, is not Time, but Timelessness. We must get in step, a lock step, toward the prison of death. There is no escape. The weather will not change."

Honestly there is not much more that I can say about this novel. If you do not realise that you are reading something truly revolutionary in the first 20 pages, just put it down, seriously.

Prongs - Third Review - Tropic of Cancer

Tropic Of Cancer
By Henry Miller

"I am living at the Villa Borghese. There is not a crumb of dirt anywhere, or a chair misplaced. We are all alone here, and we are dead."

Not too long ago I purchased the Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller, for $1.25 at Half-Price Books. It was probably the best $1.25 I have ever spent in my entire life. Tropic of Cancer is one of those books that you find so rarely in life that grabs a hold of you and never lets go, try as you might to shake it. Tropic of Cancer is a quasi-autobiography that is centered around Miller's life as a 'struggling' writer in Paris before moving to America. Miller incorporates a bit of pre-Gonzo-journalism as he mixes reality with fiction, past with present, and narrative with stream-of-consciousness. Miller said about the title,

"...(it is) symbolic title I had chosen for a number of reasons, primarily because the cancer is the crab, and the crab has the power, or the ability to walk backwards, forwards, sideways, any direction do you see. I liked that symbol, you know? […] Able to go any direction at will, do you see".

The Crab or idea of cancer is probably the most resounding feeling that you are left with after this book. The personal depiction of Miller's lifestyle leaves little to the imagination, but much to be envied. Miller lives a lifestyle that most of us could only dream to live. He sleeps when he wants, eats when he wants, has sex when he wants (and there are some fairly graphic sex scenes), and leaves when he wants. He is not tied down to the responsibility of a 'cancerous' society, and thus can truly live a life that he is content with. He sees the world around him as it truly is; animalistic, void of thought, yet filled with an unrelenting beauty. Miller says of himself, " I have no money, no resources, no hopes. I am the happiest man alive". He moves like the 'crab' in what ever direction and in what ever way he wants, and he is the only man alive able to do so.

Through the book that are numerous sexual descriptions that Miller uses as somewhat of a 'shock value' but it is never in a lude or derogatory way. He merely states the truth about his feelings towards sexuality and natural desire. While some of the scenes do get quite detailed, I believe that this was only to force the reader into thinking of sex in ways that we have refused to think about it before. Until novels like this, it was considered some what 'tabboo' to talk about sex in such a public and intimate way. This is the main reason that Miller landed himself on many 'banned books' lists across the world.

As he jumps between narrative and stream-of-consciousness, Miller uses his words in a way that had not been done by any authors until this time. This is what Faulkner wishes he coud be. The scenes that Miller describes, and the relentless thought process behind it, puts you into Miller's head and refuses to let you out. The reader jumps from description to description to idea to idea with out being able to catch a breath. At times Miller goes on such long rants he even forgets the point that he was trying to make to begin with. By putting down every thought that occurs to him with out fear of reprocussion or judgment, Miller writes in a way that is truly free. It is this type of nomadic lifestyle coupled with the stream-of consciousness that makes this book so unique.

"The weather will continue bad... There will be more calamities, more death, more despair. Not the slightest indication of a change anywehre. The cancer of time is eating us away. Our hopes have killed themselves, or are killing themselves. The hero, then, is not Time, but Timelessness. We must get in step, a lock step, toward the prison of death. There is no escape. The weather will not change."

Honestly there is not much more that I can say about this novel. If you do not realise that you are reading something truly revolutionary in the first 20 pages, just put it down, seriously.

Padfoot - The Modern Library 100 Best Novels

Hey everyone!

We thought it would be interesting to post The Modern Library's list of top 20 novels (out of 100, there is a link at the bottom to the site if you wish to see the rest). There is a list by the "Board" and the "Reader's" list. There is quite a substantial difference between the two lists: the books listed on them. There is no doubt that Prongs and I prefer The Reader's List, especially considering the four (count em' four!) of Ayn Rand's novels are in the 10 top best novels of all time. And also Lord of the Rings is number four which, for me, is spot on. Anyway, I will not give away the rest of the list; feel free to leave and comment on which list is your favorite, what rankings you agree with, whatever you feel should/should not be on there. We want to kn ow what you think!!!

p.s. Harry Potter should be number one and Atlas number two I think, but what are you gonna do. Discuss!

p.s.s. This is Prongs now. Padfoot... as much as Harry has my heart... as far as literary writing goes.... Atlas is just to amazing not to be #1

THE BOARD'S LIST

1. ULYSSES by James Joyce
2. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce
4. LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov
5. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
6. THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner
7. CATCH-22
8. DARKNESS AT NOON by Arthur Koestler
9. SONS AND LOVERS by D.H. Lawrence
10. THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck
11. UNDER THE VOLCANO by Malcolm Lowry
12. THE WAY OF ALL FLESH by Samuel Butler
13. 1984 by George Orwell
14. I, CLAUDIUS by Robert Graves
15. TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf
16. AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY by Theodore Dreiser
17. THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers
18. SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut
19. INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison
20. NATIVE SON by Richard Wright

THE READER'S LIST

1. ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand
2. THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand
3. BATTLEFIELD EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard
4. THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J.R.R. Tolkien
5. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
6. 1984 by George Orwell
7. ANTHEM by Ayn Rand
8. WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand
9. MISSION EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard
10. FEAR by L. Ron Hubbard
11. ULYSSES by James Joyce
12. CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller
13. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
14. DUNE by Frank Herbert
15. THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert Heinlein
16. STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert Heinlein
17. A TOWN LIKE ALICE by Nevil Shute
18. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
19. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger
20. ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell

Interesting lists. On a side note, Prongs put up her booklist, and it's great!

http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html

ALSO PLEASE COMMENT ON OUR POLL TO LET US KNOW HOW OUR BLOG LOOKS!

Padfoot - The Modern Library 100 Best Novels

Hey everyone!

We thought it would be interesting to post The Modern Library's list of top 20 novels (out of 100, there is a link at the bottom to the site if you wish to see the rest). There is a list by the "Board" and the "Reader's" list. There is quite a substantial difference between the two lists: the books listed on them. There is no doubt that Prongs and I prefer The Reader's List, especially considering the four (count em' four!) of Ayn Rand's novels are in the 10 top best novels of all time. And also Lord of the Rings is number four which, for me, is spot on. Anyway, I will not give away the rest of the list; feel free to leave and comment on which list is your favorite, what rankings you agree with, whatever you feel should/should not be on there. We want to kn ow what you think!!!

p.s. Harry Potter should be number one and Atlas number two I think, but what are you gonna do. Discuss!

p.s.s. This is Prongs now. Padfoot... as much as Harry has my heart... as far as literary writing goes.... Atlas is just to amazing not to be #1

THE BOARD'S LIST

1. ULYSSES by James Joyce
2. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce
4. LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov
5. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
6. THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner
7. CATCH-22
8. DARKNESS AT NOON by Arthur Koestler
9. SONS AND LOVERS by D.H. Lawrence
10. THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck
11. UNDER THE VOLCANO by Malcolm Lowry
12. THE WAY OF ALL FLESH by Samuel Butler
13. 1984 by George Orwell
14. I, CLAUDIUS by Robert Graves
15. TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf
16. AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY by Theodore Dreiser
17. THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers
18. SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut
19. INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison
20. NATIVE SON by Richard Wright

THE READER'S LIST

1. ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand
2. THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand
3. BATTLEFIELD EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard
4. THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J.R.R. Tolkien
5. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
6. 1984 by George Orwell
7. ANTHEM by Ayn Rand
8. WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand
9. MISSION EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard
10. FEAR by L. Ron Hubbard
11. ULYSSES by James Joyce
12. CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller
13. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
14. DUNE by Frank Herbert
15. THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert Heinlein
16. STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert Heinlein
17. A TOWN LIKE ALICE by Nevil Shute
18. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
19. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger
20. ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell

Interesting lists. On a side note, Prongs put up her booklist, and it's great!

http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html

ALSO PLEASE COMMENT ON OUR POLL TO LET US KNOW HOW OUR BLOG LOOKS!

Prongs - Fun Literary Things to look at

http://flickr.com/photos/26810211@N06/2914543497/

Alright folks so we are not all serious all the time. Actually that is probably most of the time. We try to be all professional but really we squeal a lot any time we even bring up books. So we thought we would share a couple links that have to do with literary things but are still wicked sweet.

If you like any thing you see on here just google 'book art'. You can find tons of sweet things. Try not to cry when you look at these. Just imagine they are all copies of 'The Jungle' and 'The Davinci Code' ..... no one really cares about them.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/09/bittersweet-art-of-cutting-up-books.html


Next, for those of you like who who enjoy bargin hunting for old beautifullllll copies of books, here is an excellent site devoted completely to the random and sometimes wonderful things found inside the pages of books.

http://www.thingsinbooks.com/

Pretty self explantatory.


Finally a link that is very near to both mine and Padfoot's heart. It is a link to an excellent site that has tons of pictures of literary tattoo's. I actually have one around my wrist from the poem Invictus. Don't steal it people. I kid I kid. But no seriously...don't. Or I'll avada kedava your ass. But we do encourage any one who loves books like we do to consider something like this. Possibly one of the best things I have ever done. We prefer the font ones but some of the pictures are cool as well.

http://www.yuppiepunk.org/2008/04/a-not-so-complete-history-of-literary-tattoos.html

If you were going to get a literary inspired tattoo what would you get?

" I am the master of my fate"
"I am the captain of my soul"
-From Invictus by Henley.

Alright kids that is all the fun literary things we have for you for today. Padfoot is currently working on our OFFICIAL website so hopefully we will have that for you to pour over soon. Also keep an eye out for a couple of new reviews within the week. Until then keep reading!

Mischief Managed!

Prongs - Fun Literary Things to look at

http://flickr.com/photos/26810211@N06/2914543497/

Alright folks so we are not all serious all the time. Actually that is probably most of the time. We try to be all professional but really we squeal a lot any time we even bring up books. So we thought we would share a couple links that have to do with literary things but are still wicked sweet.

If you like any thing you see on here just google 'book art'. You can find tons of sweet things. Try not to cry when you look at these. Just imagine they are all copies of 'The Jungle' and 'The Davinci Code' ..... no one really cares about them.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/09/bittersweet-art-of-cutting-up-books.html


Next, for those of you like who who enjoy bargin hunting for old beautifullllll copies of books, here is an excellent site devoted completely to the random and sometimes wonderful things found inside the pages of books.

http://www.thingsinbooks.com/

Pretty self explantatory.


Finally a link that is very near to both mine and Padfoot's heart. It is a link to an excellent site that has tons of pictures of literary tattoo's. I actually have one around my wrist from the poem Invictus. Don't steal it people. I kid I kid. But no seriously...don't. Or I'll avada kedava your ass. But we do encourage any one who loves books like we do to consider something like this. Possibly one of the best things I have ever done. We prefer the font ones but some of the pictures are cool as well.

http://www.yuppiepunk.org/2008/04/a-not-so-complete-history-of-literary-tattoos.html

If you were going to get a literary inspired tattoo what would you get?

" I am the master of my fate"
"I am the captain of my soul"
-From Invictus by Henley.

Alright kids that is all the fun literary things we have for you for today. Padfoot is currently working on our OFFICIAL website so hopefully we will have that for you to pour over soon. Also keep an eye out for a couple of new reviews within the week. Until then keep reading!

Mischief Managed!

New Link!

Hey folks. The messieurs Padfoot and Prongs here bringing you an update. Not a whole lot to post up this week since we are getting settled back into life after Christmas. We do however have a new link located conveniently to your right ----->.
This link contains a link of all of our favorite book quotes. Well some for now. We will build the archive up over time. Both Padfoot and Prongs strongly encourage any of our readers to leave comments with their own gems of literary passages, and hopefully we will get a Reader's Favorite section up at some time. Well thats all for now! Keep reading!

Mischief Managed.

New Link!

Hey folks. The messieurs Padfoot and Prongs here bringing you an update. Not a whole lot to post up this week since we are getting settled back into life after Christmas. We do however have a new link located conveniently to your right ----->.
This link contains a link of all of our favorite book quotes. Well some for now. We will build the archive up over time. Both Padfoot and Prongs strongly encourage any of our readers to leave comments with their own gems of literary passages, and hopefully we will get a Reader's Favorite section up at some time. Well thats all for now! Keep reading!

Mischief Managed.

Padfoot - First Review - The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Padfoot here. Considering the type of obsessive (and even compulsive) Harry Potter fan I am, you would think I would know about the release of this J.K. Rowling piece a year in advance. But since the wound of the ending of the series is still quite fresh, I guess you can say that I have been neglecting my earmuffs. I found out about this collection about a month before it was released. Alas, I picked it up and read it in about a day. Oh the power of that wonderful British woman...

The Tales of Beedle the Bard
By: J.K. Rowling

Only a year and a few months after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Knowing that just about nothing else in the world could come close to the goosebumps you get from reading the last book, I had some low expectations. However, to a certain extent, it filled the Harry Potter void in my life, if only for one day. An introduction by Hermoine gives you the feeling that these tales are completely real. Made up of childlike fairy-tales that could be described as whimsical, and also of commentaries of each tale by Dumbledore, it was overall a lighthearted read. The two most interesting of the tales were "The Tale of the Three Brothers" and " Babbity Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump."

In conclusion (already?! There's really nothing to stay about this book except its cute), Dumbledore makes the book for me. His witty comments and wisdom beyond our years, brings back my childhood.

Padfoot - First Review - The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Padfoot here. Considering the type of obsessive (and even compulsive) Harry Potter fan I am, you would think I would know about the release of this J.K. Rowling piece a year in advance. But since the wound of the ending of the series is still quite fresh, I guess you can say that I have been neglecting my earmuffs. I found out about this collection about a month before it was released. Alas, I picked it up and read it in about a day. Oh the power of that wonderful British woman...

The Tales of Beedle the Bard
By: J.K. Rowling

Only a year and a few months after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Knowing that just about nothing else in the world could come close to the goosebumps you get from reading the last book, I had some low expectations. However, to a certain extent, it filled the Harry Potter void in my life, if only for one day. An introduction by Hermoine gives you the feeling that these tales are completely real. Made up of childlike fairy-tales that could be described as whimsical, and also of commentaries of each tale by Dumbledore, it was overall a lighthearted read. The two most interesting of the tales were "The Tale of the Three Brothers" and " Babbity Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump."

In conclusion (already?! There's really nothing to stay about this book except its cute), Dumbledore makes the book for me. His witty comments and wisdom beyond our years, brings back my childhood.

Books for Cheap!!!

Hey folks. We figured since we are always looking for the best deals on books that we might share some of our secrets with you. Def. check out this website. You can find some good stuff and all it costs is the price of postage. Enjoy!!

http://www.bookmooch.com/

Books for Cheap!!!

Hey folks. We figured since we are always looking for the best deals on books that we might share some of our secrets with you. Def. check out this website. You can find some good stuff and all it costs is the price of postage. Enjoy!!

http://www.bookmooch.com/

Prongs - Second Review - The Culture of Fear

Ok so it has taken us awhile to get post. Sorry for the lack of updates guys... We hope to be more persistent about posting in the future. So with out further ado...here is Prongs review of Culture of Fear. Enjoy and please comment so we can talk some bookkss.

The Culture of Fear
By: Barry Glassner

Just recently I finished up the book 'The Culture of Fear' by Barry Glassner. As is stated on the cover, it was briefly mentioned in the movie 'Bowling for Columbine' by Michael Moore. This book is mostly an anthology dedicated to proving to the average American that their constant fears about the world around them are built on unstable grounds. Glassner explains to us that a social fear of road rage, plane crashes, blacks, drugs and even mothers is all due to the misdirection of the media to take our mind off of bigger problems.

Overall I was impressed by the pace and information that the book provides. You move through chapter by chapter feeling both empowered by the knowledge you are acquiring, yet powerless because you, like every one else have fallen pray to the mercy to the bias of the mass media corporations . Glassner provides very specific and researched examples of very common occurrences that rank fairly high up on America's list of most feared...and then eloquently and swiftly tells you exactly why you are wrong in fearing them.

This book begs the question what is it within our own psyche that makes us so ready to believe the worst in others. After watching just one hour of the 6 oclock news, mothers are terrified of letting their children be turned loose into the world with all of the pedophiles, sadists and drug dealers. So instead of investigating the real cause of our misguided fears, we send children out into society after they have been thourougly enduced with Ridilin, trips to the therapist, and a cold dinner provided via child support. What is the real problem here, and where do all of the other problems stem from? These are the types of questions that Glassner feels are pressing for all American's to ask themselves before popping another Xanax to calm our-ever growing nerves.

I think I would have been blown away by this book if it was not for one platform that Glassner seemed hellbent on forcing the reader into believing. Guns. While some instances definitely warrant a call from the local NRA to remind the owner of existing laws.... I would have to say any one that is a fan of the 2nd amendment might find Glassner's constant return to his hatred of guns to be frankly ridiculous. I can't say that I'm surprised that Michael Moore was a fan....I was how ever surprised by just how much of a fan that I was at the end.

Prongs - Second Review - The Culture of Fear

Ok so it has taken us awhile to get post. Sorry for the lack of updates guys... We hope to be more persistent about posting in the future. So with out further ado...here is Prongs review of Culture of Fear. Enjoy and please comment so we can talk some bookkss.

The Culture of Fear
By: Barry Glassner

Just recently I finished up the book 'The Culture of Fear' by Barry Glassner. As is stated on the cover, it was briefly mentioned in the movie 'Bowling for Columbine' by Michael Moore. This book is mostly an anthology dedicated to proving to the average American that their constant fears about the world around them are built on unstable grounds. Glassner explains to us that a social fear of road rage, plane crashes, blacks, drugs and even mothers is all due to the misdirection of the media to take our mind off of bigger problems.

Overall I was impressed by the pace and information that the book provides. You move through chapter by chapter feeling both empowered by the knowledge you are acquiring, yet powerless because you, like every one else have fallen pray to the mercy to the bias of the mass media corporations . Glassner provides very specific and researched examples of very common occurrences that rank fairly high up on America's list of most feared...and then eloquently and swiftly tells you exactly why you are wrong in fearing them.

This book begs the question what is it within our own psyche that makes us so ready to believe the worst in others. After watching just one hour of the 6 oclock news, mothers are terrified of letting their children be turned loose into the world with all of the pedophiles, sadists and drug dealers. So instead of investigating the real cause of our misguided fears, we send children out into society after they have been thourougly enduced with Ridilin, trips to the therapist, and a cold dinner provided via child support. What is the real problem here, and where do all of the other problems stem from? These are the types of questions that Glassner feels are pressing for all American's to ask themselves before popping another Xanax to calm our-ever growing nerves.

I think I would have been blown away by this book if it was not for one platform that Glassner seemed hellbent on forcing the reader into believing. Guns. While some instances definitely warrant a call from the local NRA to remind the owner of existing laws.... I would have to say any one that is a fan of the 2nd amendment might find Glassner's constant return to his hatred of guns to be frankly ridiculous. I can't say that I'm surprised that Michael Moore was a fan....I was how ever surprised by just how much of a fan that I was at the end.