Review of "Who Lived in Castles? Highlights in History"

Review of

Who Lived in Castles? Highlights in History ISBN 087197519x

Five out of five stars

 The question of the title is only one of the many appearing in and answered in this book. All of them are from history, from the first to fly in balloons to who were the “big-ears” to one of the first board games. They all fit into the area of “fun facts,” but there is also some significant education taking place. History is often depicted as the dull repetition of facts, but it contains the roots of us all. Furthermore, every human is at all times in some form simply repeating history. Quality images accompany all textual captions.

This is one of those books where a person will read it and be compelled to tell anyone within earshot, “Hey! Did you know . . . ”

Review of "Mad Movies III Winter 1991"

Review of

Mad Movies III Winter 1991

Five out of five stars

 No one does a satire/parody of movies better than Mad Magazine and that is demonstrated once again in this magazine. The five movies that are lampooned are “Ghostbusters,” “Karate Kid,” “Purple Rain,” “Beverly Hills Cop,”, “Goonies” and “All of Me.” There are other movie related pieces as well as a satire of the TV show “Night Court.”

 Some of the other material is a “Spy Vs. Spy,” “Who Needs It?” “The Lighter Side . . . ” and a “Mad’s Practical Joke” selection. All are made in the usual twisted way of “Mad” with truth expressed honestly often being more biting and accurate than falsehoods.

 The “Mad” way of humor is not for everyone, so your laugh rate will vary. Yet, if you enjoy that type of humor, this is a magazine that will light a giggle fire in you.

Review of "The Basket Counts," by Matt Christopher

Review of

The Basket Counts, by Matt Christopher ISBN 0316140767

Three out of five stars

 Matt Christopher is one of the best writers of adolescent sports fiction when measured by both quantity and quality. Yet, this is not one of his better efforts. The black Jensen family has recently moved into a nearly all-white community and Mel is on the Titans basketball team. While many of the white members of the community and in the school have welcomed the Jensen’s to the neighborhood, there are a few that have not.

 This animosity appears on the basketball court, where a few of the better players simply refuse to pass the ball to the two black players. Tension boils over to the point where team play suffers. Yet, Mel perseveres and through some off-court events, manages to win his antagonists over and the team succeeds at the end.

 Generally predictable and lacking in tension, this book is a dull read relative to most of Christopher’s other books.