Review of "DC Super Heroes: My First Dictionary," by Michael Robin

 Review of

DC Super Heroes: My First Dictionary, by Michael Robin, ISBN 9781935703860

Five out of five stars

The dictionary I would have loved

 This dictionary is one that I would have pleaded to have when I was young. I was a fan of comic books, and this dictionary is based on heroes in the DC line of comics. Each word is used in a short sentence and is accompanied by an image right out of a comic book. The image shows at least one of the characters in the DC line and all of them are in color and are of very high quality. 

 The level is that of late elementary school children and the book provides a very high level of education in a very fun way. This is a reference book that children will read for fun, which is something that is very rare. 

Review of "The Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society Through Time," by K. M. Heath and A. S. Carlisle

 Review of

The Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society Through Time, by K. M. Heath and A. S. Carlisle, ISBN 9781538136966

Four out of five stars

Demographics of the characters over the years

 The original series of Star Trek was groundbreaking in terms of social movements. Lieutenant Uhuru was both female and black, Helmsman Sulu was Asian and there was even the scandalous first interracial kiss. That last event was so controversial that some television stations blacked it out. Over the years, the percentages of females and blacks in positions of authority have gone up and even uncommon sexual preferences have been introduced.

 In this book, the authors trace those expanding percentages throughout the various Star Trek incarnations. The examinations are of each of the various series, and then the movies made with the characters based on those series. For example, there are statistics based on female and minority appearances in the original series and then the six movies based on the characters and actors of the original series. The reboot of the Star Trek franchise with new actors playing the original series characters are considered separately. 

 The analysis is also based on the screentime of the characters. This makes sense, as it is possible to cast a female or minority in a command role only to have them be given seconds of screentime.  It was not a surprise that the screentime of the female and minority actors have gone up through the various series. While there is some lamentation about the level, one also has to understand that Star Trek also includes many alien species as main characters. While they are not minorities, they are also not white males, so they add to the diversity of the various crews.  

 As an original Trekkie, I found this book interesting. It demonstrates that Star Trek is still one of the leading forces for diversity in the entertainment industry. 

Review of "American Grand Strategy and East Asian Security in the Twenty-First Century," by David C. Kang

 Review of

American Grand Strategy and East Asian Security in the Twenty-First Century, by David C. Kang, ISBN 9781107167230

Five out of five stars

The real state of East Asia

 The United States now considers the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to be its main geopolitical rival in the world today. Towards that end, the leaders of the United States from the administration of Barack Obama to the two administrations of Donald Trump have engaged in a series of actions designed to thwart the PRC. Chinese leaders are being portrayed as devious actors bent on domination of their region of the world. The American leaders have tried to enlist the nations that border the PRC in  what is a soft form of the containment strategy that was used against the Soviet Union. 

 However, as is demonstrated in this book those border nations, primarily South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam do not share this view of the PRC. In fact, public opinion in South Korea is more fearful of Japan than the rise of the PRC. This is due to the near half century of rigid and at times brutal colonization of Korea by Japan. None of these nations exhibit the actions of nations that are concerned about the actions of their giant neighbor. Using graphs and charts, the author demonstrates that defense spending of these nations has been shrinking as the PRC rises as an economic power. 

 The conflicts that have taken place over the disputed islands have been very controlled, the forces on both sides have been the Coast Guards and fishing boats. The only nation that exhibits a belligerent attitude towards neighboring nations is North Korea. This aberration is easily explained as a manageable anomaly. 

  These is a great deal of wisdom and understanding of the current situation in East Asia and how the United States is on the verge of making another colossal foreign policy blunder. The continuation of trying to develop an anti-PRC coalition is doomed to fail and will continue to drive the smaller nations of East Asia into uncomfortable positions of working with the PRC while trying not to alienate the United States. 

Review of "Pivot Man," by Dick Friendlich

 Review of

Pivot Man, by Dick Friendlich

Five out of five stars

Sometimes teammates are enemies

 Vard Ransom is a basketball player that has just arrived at Castlemont College via transfer from North Pacific. He had played on the freshman team there but had dropped out for a year due to the death of his father. Therefore, he is eligible to play on the varsity team. His mother had convinced him to transfer to a school on the east coast, which is why he was now at Castlemont. 

 Unfortunately, on his first day at Castlemont Vard has a negative run-in with the starting center, the position that Vard plays. This leads to some difficult situations, including a run-in with the administration. However, Vard is exonerated by a player on another team and when there is an opening, Vard leads Castlemont to a great victory. 

 This story is rather formulaic in the sense that there is the new man on the team, creating tensions with the established players. Vard has to overcome some unusual adversities before he is given the chance to demonstrate his skills on the court. There is the big game at the end, told in the typical Friendlich style. Even though you can conclude the outcome before it happens, it is said so well that it keeps your attention and you are compelled to read the last few pages more than once. 

 This is a great sports story, it moves fast, contains some significant aspects of human interest and is well written. 

Review of "Tully," DVD version

 Review of

Tully, DVD version

Four out of five stars

Parents can relate to most of it

 Marlo (Charlize Theron) is a married woman that has just had her third child. The previous two are a boy and a girl where the boy has unusual behavioral issues. The word most commonly used to describe him is “quirky.”  His behavior caused the officials at his elementary school to tell Marlo that she needs to enroll him elsewhere. Swamped with dealing with three young children, Marlo starts to exhibit signs of unstable behavior. 

 Hoping to help, her brother offers to hire a night nanny. This is a person that comes into the home at night and deals with all of the baby’s needs, except of course breast feeding. At first, Marlo rejects the idea, but after a particularly bad day that leaves her almost catatonic, she contacts the nanny.

 Their first contact is a bit awkward, but it does not take long before Marlo improves. One or two nights of good sleep will do that. They quickly develop a womance, talking about life and what they hope to do. There is some very deep girl talk. Marlo even allows the nanny to dress up in a waitress uniform and engage in some light sexual play with her husband. Up to this point the movie seems about parenthood and the challenges. One that parents can relate to, but the viewer starts to wonder what the point of the movie is. 

 On a whim, Marlo and the nanny get in her car and drive into Brooklyn for a night of drinking and dancing. On the way back, Marlo falls asleep and runs off the road into a body of water. There is a flash of the supernatural where a mermaid rescues Marlo from the water. At this point the movie gets strange and ambiguous. 

  The reader is left with the possibility that the night nanny never existed. It is a potential plot twist that turns all of the events with the nanny into the realm of “did it really happen?” This ambiguity is what turns what was a rather uneventful movie into one that puts wonder into the mind of the viewer. While some people want full closure, I am one that does not. I enjoy a bit of ambiguity, which is why I liked this movie. 

Review of "The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I," by Thomas Fleming

 Review of

The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I, by Thomas Fleming, ISBN 046502467x

Five out of five stars

Wilson the naïve sap to colonial thought

 Every person with any knowledge of history knows that the failures at the end of World War I led to the even more destructive World War II. Furthermore, even a minimal study of history will lead you to conclude that Woodrow Wilson was an idealistic fool that never really understood the expansionist and vindictive colonial thought processes of Britain and France. Wilson put forward his famous 14 points as a framework for peace talks and the German leaders thought that they were the basis for a peace to end the First World War in Europe. 

 This book is a thorough, well referenced explanation of the role of Wilson and the United States in World War I. Most of those actions in the early years of the war has been well documented, so that part is important, but not of compelling interest. What is fascinating is how the leaders of Britain and France, especially Lloyd George of England, manipulated Wilson into committing the United States to fighting against Germany. 

 The sections that should be required reading for all people that are studying the consequences of how peace was achieved are those about how the spoils were parceled out. By the time Wilson became a player, Britain and France had already reached an agreement on how the land of the Ottoman Empire would be allocated to them. The leaders of Britain and France were determined to punish Germany, justifying their actions by making false claims that the war was the fault of Germany and Austria-Hungary. 

 Wilson was extremely naïve in believing that he could attend the peace conference and achieve his idealistic goals through the force of his personality. As Fleming makes clear, while the European crowds were cheering Wilson, the other Allied leaders were hatching their schemes of grabbing territory and German assets. Wilson also demonstrated a lack of understanding of the political climate in the United States. He could have taken a small group of Senators with him that could have served as agents to argue his case in the U. S. Senate. 

Woodrow Wilson’s last two years in office were a disaster. Totally outmaneuvered by the other Allied leaders, his failures were monumental and consequential. I am a student of history, but until I read this book I was unaware of how much of a dupe he was. 

Review of "Schoolboy Johnson," by John R. Tunis

 Review of

Schoolboy Johnson, by John R. Tunis, ISBN 068810150x

Four out of five stars

Young hotshot learns reality

The setting is the Brooklyn Dodgers team created by Tunis where Spike Russell is the manager. The years have passed where Jocko Conlon is gone, and Roy Tucker is an aging ballplayer trying to rejoin the Dodgers. Speedy Mason is a pitcher that is also trying to make it back to the big leagues and he is put in charge of the young hotshot pitcher named Schoolboy Johnson. 

 Johnson is very talented, but he has an unsettled nature, blaming everyone but himself when things don’t go well. In his mind, his fielders should snag every ball that is hit, and he makes no bad pitches. Once his temper arises, he is almost useless on the mound. Meanwhile, Speedy is given Johnson as a roommate with the hope that Speedy will be able to tame the wild streak in Johnson. 

 At first it does not go well but using a plot device that is rarely used in sports fiction, Tunis manages to find a way to tame the wild Johnson. That device is the introduction of a female character that sees through Johnson’s antics and speaks to him in ways that makes Johnson rethink his negative attitude towards others. To make the plot more interesting, the woman has a close link with the Dodgers. 

 While there is the backdrop of baseball, this story is just as much about the young and rising star discovering the reality of the concept of a team and playing within their abilities. It is a sound lesson that encapsulates the up-and-coming with sound veterans that work to hold the club together through the challenges of a pennant race. 

Review of "Perfect Game," by Robert Sidney Bowen

 Review of

Perfect Game, by Robert Sidney Bowen

Four out of five stars

Perfection followed by disaster

 Johnny Brown is a pitcher and is in his last game of high school. In dramatic fashion, it is for the championship and Johnny throws a perfect game. A major league scout was in the stands and is ready to sign Johnny to a contract with a substantial bonus. However, Johnny’s friends convince him to attend an end-of-season party and alcohol is involved. Although Johnny doesn’t drink any, he is driving when there is an accident and some of his friends are killed. 

 Due to false testimony, Johnny is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a term in prison. He is a model prisoner, but when he gets out he just wants to make a new start elsewhere, so he adopts an alias, moves away and gets a job in a factory. The factory sponsors a baseball team, and Johnny quickly becomes their star pitcher. However, he continues to be fearful of exposure, so he is reluctant to get too close to anybody.  Fortunately, he perseveres and eventually everything works out for Johnny. 

 While this story has a baseball theme, it is really about perseverance, believing in oneself and learning to overcome the most significant of adversities. Johnny proves to be a winner on the diamond as well as in life. Unlike most sports books, this one does not end with the big game at the end. The climax is about a positive twist in Johnny’s life rather than a baseball game. 

Review of "The Negroes in a Soviet America," by James W. Ford and James S. Allen

 Review of

The Negroes in a Soviet America, by James W. Ford and James S. Allen

Four out of five stars

Read it in the context of the 1930’s

This pro-communist pamphlet was written in 1935, when America and the world was in the depths of the Depression. Furthermore, despite the excesses of Stalin, there was still a great deal of favorable opinion regarding the value of communism. The Depression was especially hard on the minorities in the United States, so many of their leaders were looking for something that would be economically uplifting. 

 This pamphlet puts forward the notion that if governmental and social structures called Soviets based on the model created in the Soviet Union were to be created in America, then the economic and political standing of blacks would be dramatically improved. 

 To modern readers with knowledge of 90 years of history and progress, the positions taken in this book seem simplistic and foolish. However, if you read it keeping the context of the 1930s in mind, the level to which it would appeal to the lowest economic rungs of society are clear. This pamphlet is an educational look back at the economic debates of the 1930s, when people were desperately looking for individual and collective solutions to terrible economic times. 

Review of "War and Society in Africa: Ten Studies," edited by Bethwell A. Ogot

 Review of

War and Society in Africa: Ten Studies, edited by Bethwell A. Ogot ISBN 0714629219

Five out of five stars

Ten different wars with varying adversaries

 The wars described in these ten essays have various arrangements of types of adversaries. The time frame for all of them is the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Generally, before the end of World War I. There are descriptions of the incessant intertribal/clan wars before the Europeans took control, wars of varying degrees as the Europeans took control and a description of the war between Europeans known as the Boer War. 

 The papers were presented at a historical academic conference, so they are written in that style. It is significant to read about the ongoing wars between the various tribal units that took place and the aftermath and how the Europeans exploited tribal and religious differences. For example, the British recruited Arab Muslim mercenaries to fight against the people of animalistic religions. 

 One of the papers deals with the German drive to take control of Tanganyika in eastern Africa. The study of history in the United States generally focuses on the actions of the British and French and largely ignores the actions of the Germans. One of the best lines that sums up the colonial activity in general appears on page 149. “In the same way, most of the African peoples who now live in Kenya and Uganda gained admission into the British Empire without they themselves being aware of the fact.”

 This is a revealing set of short historical treatises regarding a subject that should be given more historical attention. The wars in Africa shortly before the Europeans took control and the military and economic tactics that they used to gain that control are significant and still have repercussions. Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in African history. 

Review of "Bungling Pedro and Other Majorcan Tales," by Alexander Mehdevi

 Review of

Bungling Pedro and Other Majorcan Tales, by Alexander Mehdevi

Four out of five stars

Folk tales from an island culture

 Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands of the eastern coast of Spain in the Mediterranean.  It has been inhabited by humans since the 3rd Millenium BC and while the culture has been influenced by the continental states, it has developed some unique features. The tales in this book originated in Majorca, yet their themes are generally similar to those of other cultures. 

 There are stories about the simpletons that do things wrong yet somehow manage to be successful at the end. There are the classic stories of the king searching for a beautiful bride amongst the population and the monsters and curses that must be overcome. All of the stories end with the Majorcan suffix, “And they are still alive if they’re not dead.” The openings are “Long before the snow fell on the rock,” a reference to the fact that it almost never snows on Majorca. An interesting change from the classic, “Once upon a time.”

 The stories are written at the level of a middle school child and are a worthy addition to multi-cultural studies. Easily understood and with hints of the origin within an old island culture. 

Review of "Derailed," DVD version

 Review of

Derailed, DVD version

Five out of five stars

Very strong villain, many plot twists

 This movie starts out with a scene and premise that has been used before. Professional man Charles Schine (Clive Owen) is under stress and is in what appears to be a chance encounter with an attractive professional female Lucinda Harris (Jennifer Aniston) on the commuter train. There is instant magic between them, and they end up in a hotel room about to have an affair. 

 A male criminal bursts in and robs them, knocking Charles unconscious and raping Lucinda. The next morning, they are still there, and Charles wants to report it to the police. However, Lucinda rejects this, citing her marriage and daughter.  The criminal then blackmails Charles into giving him all his money. 

 However, all is not what it first appears. There is a much deeper conspiracy taking place and this leads to many unusual plot twists. While the performances are all first rate, what makes this a chilling thriller is the power of the villain. He is a ruthless murderer, and a very vicious fighter. He is also a smooth talking person capable of speaking fluent French, charming people that do not know who he is. When he threatens Charles’ family, Charles realizes that he must deal with the situation himself. 

 A great deal of time is spent building up to the tense climax, there are several plot twists, most of which are unexpected. Charles proves that he is much more than an advertising account executive, he is capable of plotting violence when it is necessary to save lives. This is a great movie.

Review of "D-Day to Berlin," BBC Video on DVD

 Review of

D-Day to Berlin, BBC Video on DVD

Five out of five stars

History that must always be studied

 The most amazing point made in this video is that the first person to use the phrase “iron curtain” to describe the behavior of the Soviet Union in the territories occupied in Eastern Europe at the end of World War II was not Winston Churchill. As the Soviet Red Army converged on Berlin German propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels used the phrase in his prediction of what they would do once the war was won. The idea that Churchill would have borrowed and made famous a phrase first used by Goebbels is astounding. 

 As the title implies, the video is a history of the Second World War in Europe from the allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day to the German surrender and immediate aftermath. The producers use a combination of historical footage interspersed with scenes acted out by modern actors. While the acting is not of the highest quality, it is good enough to make the points that the creators wanted to make. No mention is made of the war in the Pacific. 

 The rift between British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery and Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower is dealt with in detail. Montgomery’s arrogance and clear attitude of superiority towards the Americans is described. Eisenhower demonstrated incredible diplomatic and professional skills in preventing a breakdown in the alliance between the U. S. and the British. 

 This is history that must be studied by every generation. It was the greatest war in history and there are many aspects that every citizen should know. While the aftermath was not optimal, it was likely the best that could be achieved without a continuation of the war between the Allies and the Soviet Red army. 

Review of "The Prairie Remembers," by Janice Brozik Cerney

 Review of

The Prairie Remembers, by Janice Brozik Cerney

Four out of five stars

Homesteading in South Dakota

 Originally from Bohemia in the Empire of Austria-Hungary, Frank and Marie Brozik emigrated from Europe to the United States in 1902. After short stints in a couple of places, they established a homestead in eastern South Dakota. This is their story, from the decision to move across the ocean to making their life on the often unforgiving prairie. 

 As was the case for so many immigrants the reason for their move was a desire for land. With an increasing population, there was simply not enough land in most European countries so that all that wanted to farm could. With the liberal government policy regarding homesteading, moving to the United States gave them an opportunity to have a sizable farm. 

 At first they lived in a sod house with the bare minimum of furnishings and frills. Fortunately, the first years were ones where the rain was good, leading to excellent crops and an ability to expand. There were several neighbors that were also from Bohemia, so they were able to maintain a form of community. 

 As is always the case, the prairie was unforgiving, and they had to somehow survive drought and a plague of grasshoppers. It was a difficult time, but they had some reserves and so were able to stay in their home while some of their neighbors were forced to pack up and search for work elsewhere. 

 While this story features a specific family and their willingness to work very hard in making a life for themselves and a large family, it is also a common one. Stories about pioneers out on the prairie making a living working from sun to sun are always interesting. For that group of people did a great deal to make America a rich and prosperous country. Their history is something that should always be taught to the next generation. 

Review of "American Negro Problems," Workers Library Publishers

 Review of

American Negro Problems, Workers Library Publishers

Four out of five stars

Must be read in the historical context

 America of the first three decades of the twentieth century was one of ingrained segregation, there were many laws, written and assumed, designed to keep black people in a form of servitude. With little movement by the political parties towards ending this situation, some blacks turned to the small, but often vocal American communist party. 

 This short pamphlet is designed to encourage blacks to support and join the communist party. The promise is that the party is pledged to work for equal rights and privileges. If you read this pamphlet without knowledge of the historical context of the times, you will likely not like it. However, if you do have that knowledge, it is easy to see the appeal of the communist party. At a time when all the entrenched aspects of American society are united in keeping blacks down, the communist party seemed to provide them with the only hope to achieve a measure of equality. 

Review of "PBS Thomas Jefferson, a Film by Ken Burns," DVD

 Review of

PBS Thomas Jefferson, a Film by Ken Burns, DVD

Five out of five stars

Captures the enigmatic genius

 The sheer intellect of Thomas Jefferson is enough to humble the smartest of people. As a writer, statesman, scientist, academic and inventor among other major achievements, he was also a man of contradictions. He was a foremost champion of the basic rights of man, but when he used the term, he generally meant “white men.” In many ways, he was held back from including other genders and races in his call for the assignment of “inalienable rights.”

 Jefferson was a slaveowner that did little to emancipate those he owned. Yet, there is no evidence that he was cruel to his slaves in any way. Although he did occasionally speak against the institution of slavery and seemed to realize that it would eventually tear the country apart, Jefferson took almost no action against that dark feature of American society.

 Among all his achievements, there are three that must be mentioned. The first is that Jefferson was the strongest proponent of making his country a secular one. It cannot be overstated how radical this notion was in the later part of the eighteenth century. The second was his establishment of the first institution of higher learning that was not affiliated with a religious order. This was also a very radical idea for his time. The third was his doubling of the size of the country by purchasing the Louisiana territory from France. There was nothing in the constitution that gave him the power to do so, but when he needed to do so the champion of small central government extended the reach of the federal government.

 As is clear from this video, no matter how much he may have wanted to, there was only so much he could do that was radical in the times he lived. While necessarily limited due to the breadth of Jefferson’s achievements, there is enough to leave the viewer in awe of all Jefferson accomplished. This video should be required viewing in the American history curriculum in both the K-12 and college levels.

Review of "In Search of Dark Matter," by Ken Freeman and Geoff McNamara

Review of

In Search of Dark Matter, by Ken Freeman and Geoff McNamara, ISBN 0387276165

Five out of five stars

Excellent popular explanation of a fundamental principle

 For some time, it has been known that the universe is expanding. There is a well-defined point of origin that is known as the moment of the Big Bang. As the universe exploded into existence the amount of energy and mass were fixed and the various components few away from each other.

 With this fact established, the next major fact that was pursued was determining the amount of mass in the universe. If the amount was above a certain level, then the mutual gravity would cause the components to eventually slow down, reverse their direction and then come together in an event that was referred to as the Big Crunch. If the amount was less than the threshold, then the universe would continue to expand forever, eventually experiencing a heat death.

 Therefore, there is a concerted effort to determine how much matter is in the universe. Initial computations of the amount of matter that was visible clearly indicated that this was  a small percentage of the total matter. The mutual behavior of the components indicated that there was much more matter in the universe. This missing matter was referred to as “Dark Matter.”

 This book is an excellent popular explanation of all facets of this fundamental issue in our understanding of the universe. It starts with an explanation of the fundamental issue of the ultimate fate of the universe and then moves on to the obvious lack of known matter. Following this there are simultaneous explanations of the various types of potential dark matter and the ways in which the improvements in the collection of astronomical data have made it possible to investigate whether the specific postulated forms of dark matter do in fact exist. All are done with a minimum of equations and with images that encapsulate the information.

 While it is unlikely that any human will live to see the universe approach its end, it is important to learn what that end will be. This book gives a great deal of information regarding the search for this ultimate truth.