John Waters Books

An outstanding publication that is of considerable
interest and value to anybody interested in the
Welland canal/.

BOOK: WILEY'S REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES HANDBOOK

Hundreds of interesting remediation technologies for soil and groundwater have been developed over the past two decades. As one who has gone to dozens of hazmat shows, I have file folders full of various specialty vendor brochures and pamphlets for numerous technologies. My bookshelves have numerous United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reports detailing various technologies and remedial strategies. However, locating the specific technology information in a short period of time is sometimes difficult and available information is frequently incomplete or outdated. For those having a need for a decent reference of remediation technologies indexed to major contaminant chemicals and chemical groups, that can be accessed quickly, the solution is relatively simple. John Wiley and Sons published the Wiley's Remediation Technologies Handbook: Major Contaminant Chemicals and Chemical Groups (ISBN: 0471455997), by Jay H. Lehr. The book is a concise reference for remediation technologies where all the information is in one volume.

Dr. Lehr is the senior scientist at AR Environmental Services Inc. and Science Director at The Heartland Institute. He is the author of twelve books and over 400 articles on groundwater science. Dr. Lehr has worked extensively with the federal government to develop key environmental regulations regarding surface and groundwater. What he has written in the Wiley's Remediation Technologies Handbook is a collection of 901 technology solutions to remediate 368 chemicals and chemical groups. The accompanying CD has the complete database to look up a particular technology by chemical, vendor or site location. The remediation treatments range from the generally accepted and conventional to the experimental and unusual. The various technology listings have the same format, allowing the reader quick access to the information. Each listing provides an abstract, technology costs, and information sources. Typical information sources include as the US EPA technology review reports, VISITT database, EnviroGlobe database, peer-reviewed journals, United Stated Department of Energy (US DOE), national laboratory reports, trade journals, conference proceedings, as well as information from the technology vendor.

As an example, gasoline, under the heading of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the index, has no less than 450+ technologies listed for treatment options of soil, vapor or water treatment. Some of the remediation technologies are for in-situ methods; other technologies are designed for above ground treatment of contaminants. The treatments range from in situ oxygen diffusers to ion exchange resins for above ground treatment of water to vitrification to soil washing to radio frequency heating to low-thermal desorption with heat recovery.

The index that lists the technologies applicable to specific chemicals provides insight when less common contaminants being evaluated for remediation. Although gasoline has hundreds of technologies, tungsten and chlordane are two contaminants that are less common in the environment and in remedial approaches. There are two technologies listed for tungsten remediation and thirty-one technologies listed for chlordane. For regulators or consultants working with sites containing harmful levels of tungsten or chlordane, for example, this book provides a good starting point.

The remediation technology entries contain details, uses and limitations such as lithology or other site conditions are often described in the abstracts, providing the hands-on knowledge that might not be so obvious. For example, radio frequency heating cannot be used on a site containing large metal objects such as buried metal pipelines or underground tanks. The Chemical Stabilization Technology, a proprietary contaminant immobilization mechanism for treating soils, sludges, and ashes contaminated with toxic heavy metals and hydrocarbons, may be limited by the presence of oxidizers, such as chlorine, peroxide, permanganate, or persulfate. This type of information is sometimes not learned by new project managers until they are in the field and something has not gone well. Consequently, this book has significant value for a clear and concise overview of hundreds of remedial technologies listing some of the limitations and pitfalls for specific applications.

Because the book lists every significant chemical contaminant and the numerous technologies used to clean them up, Wiley's Remediation Technologies Handbook is a worthwhile addition to the libraries of environmental consultants, regulators, and brownfield developers who need to know the types and costs of remedial options available for specific contaminants, the uses and limitations of each technology and appropriate references.


Reviewed by:

James A. Jacobs, R.G., C.H.G., is president of Environmental Bio-Systems, Inc. He has 25 years of experience as a geologist and has been a two-time Fulbright award winner in environmental engineering. Comments: augerpro@sbcglobal.net.

The Young Fishing Enthusiast is an excellent teaching aid to novice fishermen of any age. Using lots and lots of excellent photographs to grab the reader's interest, this book covers all aspects of fishing--from history of fish, gear to use, knot tying, fly fishing vs. lure fishing, and bait lore. It has a decided earth-friendly slant to it with sections on catch-and-release fishing and "considerate fishing" (sharing the lakes and rivers with other enthusiasts and wildlife.) A wonderful overview for anyone just getting their feet wet, so to speak.

I've taught this book several time to college-aged (and older) students, virtually all of whom have fallen in love with the story. For teachers, I recommend it because there's also so much to talk about (historicity, identity, etc.), and because it's such a "pleasant" read, the students tend to get excited and bring much to this well-written, engaging text. Highly recommended for readers and for teachers.

This book was enchanting. Immediately you become under it's spell from the first words. The mystery, history, action, and love stories of the circus all wrapped up in one.

The story is about Jacob Jankowski, the circus vet. Under tragic circumstances, he joins a second rated circus and becomes entangled into all their lives, whether he wants to or not. Bouncing between his current status, which is in a nursing home at the age of 93 or 99 (he's not sure) and his circus life, there is a mystery deep in the heart of it.

i loved this book. the way the author captures the essence of Jacob in his later years as well as his youth. the novel ignites your senses and awakens the soul. i loved it!

What a great story. The book is very beautifully written with words that make you feel like your there. It is engaging at every turn of the page. Each character is interesting and well developed. This is a fairly quick read and you will be so engaged in the most spectacular show you wont want to put it down.

This is an incredibly moving book on so many levels. I laughed, cried and loved every moment. Water for Elephants is a book that should be read by anyone who values life, love and wisdom.

I haven't liked Grisham's newer books or the ones he writes in partner with another author. I hadn't read his first book and was looking for some good old fashioned Grisham. Crime, suspense and justice. A Time to Kill delivers. The uncomfortable subject of race in the south is at the center of this story and Grisham doesn't shy away from it. His characters have to explore tough questions and pass judgment on themselves and others.

I never recieved the product, and when I wrote to complain they said that basically, it cost them more to ship it than they actually made, so they aren't going to do anything about it.

A Time to Kill is not for those with weak stomachs. In his first novel, John Grisham holds nothing back in describing man's inhumanity to man. If you like reading about violence that would make those with weak stomachs miss a meal, this is your book.

The premise of the book is a thought-provoking one: How would a Southern small town treat a crime by an African-American perpetrated with malice aforethought that it would have permitted a white southerner to get away with?

The book's best qualities are exploring the roots of racial prejudice.

For those who like legal thrillers where there's some action, this is far more than your usual courtroom drama. It comes closer to the kind of taut threat that permeated To Kill a Mockingbird. The only difference is that Grisham conjures up an intersection in time between the old and new South that never happened.

I found that the book was predictable in its over-the-top treatment of what would have made for good drama. But the extreme situations weakened the plot by making it seem unlikely. I suspect it was a writing method used to be sure that those who didn't know about the old South would appreciate the delicate nature of the emotions involved.

If you want to get a sense of how far Grisham has come, read this book and then The Client. Fortunately, Grisham learned how to back off from writing over the top and has become an excellent novelist.

You'll keep turning the pages of this book. I doubt if very many people put it down unfinished.

A Time to Kill is not for those with weak stomachs. In his first novel, John Grisham holds nothing back in describing man's inhumanity to man. If you like reading about violence that would make those with weak stomachs miss a meal, this is your book.

The premise of the book is a thought-provoking one: How would a Southern small town treat a crime by an African-American perpetrated with malice aforethought that it would have permitted a white southerner to get away with?

The book's best qualities are exploring the roots of racial prejudice.

For those who like legal thrillers where there's some action, this is far more than your usual courtroom drama. It comes closer to the kind of taut threat that permeated To Kill a Mockingbird. The only difference is that Grisham conjures up an intersection in time between the old and new South that never happened.

I found that the book was predictable in its over-the-top treatment of what would have made for good drama. But the extreme situations weakened the plot by making it seem unlikely. I suspect it was a writing method used to be sure that those who didn't know about the old South would appreciate the delicate nature of the emotions involved.

If you want to get a sense of how far Grisham has come, read this book and then The Client. Fortunately, Grisham learned how to back off from writing over the top and has become an excellent novelist.

You'll keep turning the pages of this book. I doubt if very many people put it down unfinished.

Gwen Hailey calls her husband Carl Lee at work, tells him their daughter, ten-year-old Tonya is missing. Carl Lee isn't all that worried though, because his wife tends to be, well a little protective. However when he gets home he's met with the news that Tonya has been raped by a pair of redneck types named Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard. Tonya had been left for dead and Carl Lee is seeing red. He's African American and does not believe the rapists are going to get what they deserve. Though they're arrested, Carl Lee knows how it goes in the South, so he goes to the courthouse and blows away those young good old boys, then he gets himself a lawyer.

Attorney Jake Brigance takes the case, which gets plenty of media attention right from the get go. It also draws the attention of the Clan, who do their best to intimidate both Jake (they burn a cross on his yard) and the jurors. Carl Lee is looking at the gas chamber if he's convicted and many want it so, however, there are many who believe Carl Lee had been justified. Tension is running high in the Mississippi town of Clanton. Jake's wife is afraid for their daughter Hannah. His secretary is afraid, too. The town doesn't need this, but it's got it.

And you may not need the tension in this book, nor the graphic scene detailing what happened to Tonya, but you should read this book. This is John Grisham's best work, it's his first novel, too. Everything John Grisham writes tops the bestseller lists and they should, but this book, well they need a whole new list for this book. John Grisham puts you in the South at a tense time and paints a picture so true it'll make your eyes bleed as you pour through the pages. He's written a book about a time in the South that the South would love to forget about. We were a different people then, thank the Lord we're changing. We're not their yet, but we're getting there.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

I'm a law student who read the book for a Civil Procedure class. The book was a little longer than it needed to be perhaps, but it included a lot of great personalities and a compelling litigation story. Not courtroom drama, but the entire drama surrounding a huge suit from start to finish. It's an especially great look at a lot of the rules behind trials (that's why we read it for class) and yet still accessible for someone with no background in law. This author is quite good; one of my favorite books is also by him, The Lost Painting.

Jonathan Harr has written a classic true story which if you were a person who reads novels would embrace it as a great novel. However, it was not fiction and it really did happen. Jan Schelichmann was the lawyer who made it happen. His relentless attack on W. R. Grace and their army of lawyers are a thing of legend.
What happened in Woburn Massachusetts in the late 1960's and into the 1970's was the contamination of the water supply. Hence the people in that town suffered from the cancers caused by the enterprises such as W. R. Grace and these people wanted justice. In conclusion these companies were indeed guilty. This action did indeed effect the people of Woburn MA..
However the very essence of the story is that Schelichmann expended every dollar and energy to defend the people who were wronged in their sufferings and deaths. These people came to represent the collateral damage of what big business did to a small town. In the end Schelichmann finally won. But at what price. In the end everything that represents a proper ending did happen. However at what cost? This was a well written book that does deserve its Five Stars.

'A Civil Action' is the story of a monster legal battle that spanned the 1980s; the fact that it is a true story makes the book all the more compelling. Harr ties together questions of the integrity of the judicial system, attorney ethics, and environmental responsibility with seamless prose. It's truly a pleasure, if not addictive, to read (I devoured it in a day and a half, despite its large page count), and though it lags a little around the middle with the long descriptions of litigation and procedure, I, having always loved courtroom thrillers like 'Witness for the Prosecution' and 'Twelve Angry Men', found those parts enjoyable as well.

'A Civil Action' is both depressing and inspiring: while I found myself echoing Jan Schlichtmann's desire to strangle Judge Skinner, the book actually made me enthusiastic for carrying out the civic duty of serving as a juror -- or even going to law school myself! -- and helping justice be served better than it was for the people of Woburn.

I had to read this book for an environmental law class. I wasn't thrilled being forced to read it but I have to admit, it was an easy read and easy to understand book. The case was gripping and frustrating for those involved in the real-life story. I had to make a timeline of events that took place throughout the book for class and I was able to do that with the information the author provided. I still have not watched the movie but I learned a great deal about this case by reading this book. Anyone interested in environmental pollution or environmental law or just the lives of ordinary people impacted by chemical pollution in their own homes would enjoy reading this book. It was a surprising "must read" and one I would have missed had it not been an assignment for school. Glad I didn't miss out!

Leilani

A Civil Action 502 pgs.
by Jonathan Harr
Review by SpeekNDaTruuf


What happens when two of the nation's largest companies are brought to court? All hell breaks loose... and it is into the depths of hell that we traverse in Jonathan Harr's nonfictional court drama A Civil Action.

1960s. The age of youth, the age of revolution, and, yes, the age of cover-ups and
conspiracies. In the small town of Woburn, Massachussettes, two companies, W.R. Grace, a chemical plant, and the J. J. Riley Tannery, a division of Beatrice Foods, are polluting the town's water supplies, commonly referred to as Wells G and H. As a result, a leukemia cluster develops, taking with it the lives of several small children and middle-aged adults.

1980s. The age of selfishness, the age of self interests. Jan Schlichtmann, a prosecutor at the top of his game, along with his cohorts, have decided to represent the plaintiffs in the Woburn environmental crisis. But they soon find out how greed, how hopes of fortune and fame, can cause those at the top to fall.

There were several aspects of this novel that I loved. One, for instance, was the number of significant characters. Usually, a book has a hero, and it focuses on that one person throughout the entire novel. A Civil Action, however, does not. Yes, it has a main character, but to me, the other characters' interaction with the main character allows readers the ability to actually like the protagonist. I found myself often rooting for Jan Schlichtmann. And I wasn't just rooting for him because he was the "hero." Although he has the title, we see him slipping into what I like to call "nervous breakdown" mode during this novel, and it's not often that we see a main character as fleshed out as Jan. We see his highs, his lows... we hear about his hopes and dreams, and we watch them as they crumble around him. From what I have gathered, he is a good man, albeit only a character in a novel that I have just read.

Another aspect that I loved about A Civil Action was Harr's inclusion of the average reader into the world of legal procedures. Now, as a fan of TNT's Law & Order, I like to think that I am up-to-date on the matter of criminal procedures. But Harr showed me just how much I had to learn (and subsequently, how much more I need to learn). Readers are rewarded with insight into both the prosecutorial and defense procedures, and even though I was rooting for Schlichtmann, I couldn't help but somewhat admire Facher (one of the defense attorneys for Beatrice Foods). I will not lie, though; I hated Judge Skinner!


Of course there's more, but I might end up giving away half of the novel by detailing everything that I liked in this book. So, that being written, I have decided to reward Harr with FOUR STARS for A Civil Action. But don't let my review speak for the novel. Here's what others thought:

#1 National Bestseller
Winner -- National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction
Cleveland Plain Dealer: "The legal thriller of the decade."

Here's something else you may want to check out:
"A Civil Action", the movie, starring John Travolta, is now out on DVD. It came on one of the premium stations tonight, and I watched it for the first time. Although it wasn't as detailed as the book (most movies never are), it was actually worth watching. It was good to put faces to the characters I've read about. I think you should check it out also. It didn't get my 4 stars, but it did receive 3 from the "t.v. people."

Great book - but beware that this is the mini version. It plainly says that, but I didn't notice until I got the tiny book in the mail!

The book was received in a short period from the time of the order. Thank you. The condition was excellent.

I was disappointed because I had wanted the book in regular size and I
I did not read the offering well enough and got instead a miniture which
will be the subject of a lot of jokes but not the book that I had wanted.
The book itself, in its orginal form written by John Ortberg is excellent.
I wanted a copy for our church library. I ordered it twice, got a work book the first time and the miniture the second time. Neither is what I
thought I would be receiving. However, I realize that one must read very
carefully before placing an order and I suppose I failed to do that.
Nevertheless, I am not particularly a happy camper with Amazon at this
point in time.

Everyone needs to read this book! If you have any wonders about what to do next in your life, this book helps you see that you have to take a step out in faith to walk on the water!This would be a great graduation gift or just a great pick me up for someone who is "drifting" and not sure where to go next.

I thought I was buying the real, normal-sized book. However, a small, 1 or 2-inch book arrived! I didn't see anywhere on the page where I bought the book that it wasn't the full-sized book.

Bought the book after seeing the movie. The movie was very close to the book and was called Conrack. It's a true story of the author Pat Conroy and I highly recommend both.

This is my first Pat Conroy book. All of his books have great reviews on Amazon, so I wasn't sure which one to start with; I just picked this one. I think I made a very good choice by reading 'The Water Is Wide' first. It's an early book, and I got a lot of insight into who Pat Conroy is, his humor, his goodwill, the kinds of people he surrounds himself with, etc.

I just started reading 'Beach Music' and I really feel an affinity for this author after reading 'The Water is Wide.' I appreciate his ability to write and articulate ideas.

'The Water is Wide' is about the time period in the south in which many people grew up with racial prejudices as a way of life. As children, it's "just the way it is" and they don't know any better. As Mr. Conroy became a man, more educated and involved in the very things he had been taught to dislike as a child, he underwent a huge personal change and touched so many people along the way. I like his kick-*** attitude and how candidly he wrote about everything.

This story moved me on many different levels. This is a book about a man helping others, inspiring others, and overcoming the false beliefs about race that stemmed from his upbringing and culture. It's also about someone who was courageous enough to stand up to authority. It's a wonderful story. If it were fiction, it would be a good story. But the fact that it is based on the author's experience just makes it even better. Can't wait to read the rest of his books!

I looked up Daufuskie (aka Yamacraw) Island on Google and it seems to be a big resort island with golf courses and hotels now; probably nothing like the Yamacraw Mr. Conroy experienced many years ago. Must visit some day anyway.

I searched for the movie 'Conrack' on Amazon, but they seem to only have VHS version sold by a different seller, but not available on DVD. Conrack wasn't on Netflix either. Let's hope it gets re-released on DVD.

This is an early example of the promise of Pat Conroy. Everything I have read of his has been extraordinarily beautifully written. There are pages I have to reread just for the joy of the wording, the descriptions, the expressions of thoughts.

As a teacher he must have been a treasure. It is an indictment of the school system in which he worked that he was not fostered and encouraged. America's children are the losers in the situation. I know the people of "Yamacraw" felt the loss when he was not allowed to return to the school there.

America's readers have reaped the benefits of Conroy's education and experience and his exemplary use of the language.

Enjoy!

After having read the book, we had an opportunity to tour Daufuskie Island (Yamacraw Island in the book). After the tour we stopped at the General Store and noticed that The Water Is Wide was not offered for sale. We asked about this. We were told the Gullahs thought the book put them down and they did not want the book available on the island. ..... Interesting.

While reading The Water is Wide, I experienced exactly the kind of heart-warming, comical, enjoyable reaction Pat Conroy had in mind while writing the book. Several themes are apparent throughout, and it was easy for the reader to recognize the most important one. Pat Conroy taught his students and readers that no matter a person's race, literacy level, age, or gender, everyone matters, and everyone is equal.
Pat Conroy moved many times as a child, since his father was in the military. His first job was teaching English in Beaufort, South Carolina. He then found himself teaching on the remote Daufuskie Island, which was referred to as Yamacraw Island in the novel. This teaching job provided the inspiration and plot for The Water is Wide.
Pat Conroy, referred to as "Conrack" by some students, has an excellent way of teaching readers the importance of acceptance and equality. He does not preach or lecture his message, but his delivery of it through countless situations is just as effective. Sometimes his point is concealed by the amusement of the Yamacraw students, but by the end of each chapter, the reader will be reminded of the seriousness at hand.
The Water is Wide never failed to entertain me. The book takes countless turns in the plot, and each turn results in comedy, sincerity, or amusement. The reader finds him or herself relating to each character, even though the lifestyle on Yamacraw Island is much different from most of the United States. Pat Conroy made me realize how lucky I am to live in a society where education is important and emphasized. This book opened my eyes to how people in other, less fortunate areas of the world live. I recognized that education is imperative, and how much the average student takes for granted.
While Pat Conroy had no problems capturing my attention with plenty of interesting stories, he sometimes overwhelmed readers with his personality. Several parts of the book were filled with Conroy's strong opinion on characters and school rules. This sometimes interrupted the plot. Other than the occasional rant by Pat Conroy, the book flowed smoothly.
The Water is Wide was an excellent read for teenagers and adults, especially those interested in teaching. I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover, and it influenced me in ways only exceptional literature can.

Camille's ideas are very original. The book combines philosphy, psichology, mithology, art, literature and antrophology to understand the basis of our society, specially the diferences between genders. The first two chapters are spectacular. After that, the book becomes too specific, but still worth reading.

I am pretending this book was written by a man. That's why I gave it three stars, which doesn't include the extra star or two women writers of non-fiction usually automatically get.

Depending on the author, reading their book can make the reader feel like he (the reader..that's right, HE) is being intelectually stimulated, while at the same time getting muddle-headed and confused. That is definitely the case with Sexual Personae. Oh well, I guess it's just me, but I like to have the material presented in a more organized manner. (maybe organized books are usually written by men, you know, the linear thinkers who always leave the toilet seat up).

But still, I found the book to be informative, at many levels - historically, artisically, philosophically..maybe not that great a source on psychology though. Paglia seems to take a gynocentric (woman-centered) view of men's psychology, like when she says that the reason men create is because of some issue they have with their mothers. (Testosterone's a driving force..what's the problem? No need to psychologize). Oh well, at least she comes out against man-bashing, and hateful feminist ideologues. In fact, those are the best parts of the book, where she speaks against these. Feminists hate her so much, they have sent her death threats (that must be their way of obtaining "equality").

[edit]
Earlier I said Paglia's writing style is similar to that of Harold Bloom's. However, the more I read Bloom, the more I realize that each author is confusing in his/her own unique way. Paglia tends to write like she is having random racing thoughts, so it is sometimes hard to link sentences and paragraphs together; whereas Bloom's style is to take uncommon words only an academic would know, and use these to salt and pepper the text sentences which are, to use the best word I can think of, "convoluted" (yet somehow very astute).

The pages of this book crackle with brilliance, audacity, egomania, exaggeration, wit, half-truths, whole truths, breath taking insights, razor sharp criticisms, etc. It is as much about the titannic intellect of Paglia as it is about art. Her feminism, deeply rooted in biology and nature, rather than absurdly elitist women's studies departments, is all you need to know about feminism that really matters. An amazing book.

Paglia is a hard read. She is everything you love to hate and as a practicing lesbian she stands out in the field of feminists railing against their vulnerabilities. Personally, I thought the interview she gave Playboy years ago was much much more telling.

She is 'absolutely miiltant' about much of her stand against various aspects of the Feminist platform of ideals. She supports the belief that strippers have ultimate power over hapless males, and that prostitutes enjoy their work. She maintains that the more a woman takes off her clothes, the more powerful she becomes, and that the bulk of oppression against 'erotic dancers' comes from the suit and briefcase class of rising woman stars who are repulsed by the realization that a woman with animal instincts finely honed can with no college training at all make as much money on a hopping weekend in a strip club as they with their pedigrees make all week in an office.

It is not a book for the weak of senses nor the uneducated. Camille Paglia is a professor of humanities and profess she does! She is a 'take no prisoners' crusader. Her book is her battle plan.

Way back when Susan Sontag was still an important critic, she said, "In place of hermeneutics we need an erotics of art." Well, here it is.

The basic thesis of this book is simple, though its consequences are far-ranging. She maintains that aesthetic principles are rooted in the artist's perception of and ideas about nature, sex, and women, (which are inextricable because, as she says, "sex is a subset of nature," and women have always been identified as a kind of avatar of nature). Men are nature's exiles and subjects, and therefore have had to create science and art as protections against it. But art also serves as an important link to nature; much of it serves in a religious capacity. She maintains that the Pagan cults of earth-worship were not exterminated by Judeo-Christian monotheism, but were rather transmuted into aesthetics. This pagan strain in art is what she traces, from classical antiquity in Greece and Rome to its rebirth amid Christianity's domain in the Renaissance, and again in the so-called Age of Reason, where we know it as Romanticism. Paglia believes we are still in the Romantic age (and not the Postmodern), though we know it mainly in popular culture, especially Hollywood films and rock music. (Movie stars are frequently referenced, and she notoriously compares Lord Byron to Elvis Presley.) She also convincingly demonstrated that some of the most revered works of art are chock full of perversity, a fact to which we remain blind, even in our sophisticated, cynical age. Moralism, both conservative and liberal, is not only a constraining influence on the arts, but causes us to misunderstand them.

Needless to say, these ideas are not popular in the academic world. The brilliant first chapter is called "Sex and Violence, or Nature and Art" and it overturns the bulk of modernist and postmodern ideas about each of those.

What I love about Paglia is that she does not process art in a purely intellectual way, which is a temptation (or deficiency) for the critic, and would be suicide for an artist. She is keenly attuned to the spiritual aspect of art, and can articulate the experience of it with a lucidity that is frequently awesome. Paglia reasserts the primacy of aesthetics in an academic milieu which understands nothing except through ideology (called, in academe, "theory"). She also combines both Romantic and Classic sensibilities. She is clearly sympathetic to Romanticism, but much of Sexual Personae details the ways in which the Romantic desire for infinite freedom is inevitably thwarted by the reality of nature.

Paglia's criticism is at her best here in her chapter on Emily Dickenson, whom she calls "Madame de Sade", and who seems to have been misunderstood even by her admirers for over a hundred years. This is the book's final chapter, and it is so incisive and revelatory that it makes "deconstructive" criticism look like bloated, impotent sophistry.

Black Baby White hands is a great resource for any family considering adopting a child of a different race. Jaiya does an excellant job of leading the reader through the roller coaster of emotions that children experience as they try to establish their own identity in their family. This book does not discourage adoption, however, it provides a spring board for family discussion of sensitive topics. As social worker specializing in infant and child adoptions, I encourage any family who may be considering transracial adoption to read this book.

Honestly, I only made it half way through the book before I could not stand it anymore. Although the author is a very eloquent writer, his pity party over his life was more then I could bare. He was raised by wonderful loving parents who did the best they could to raise him with all the opportunities, guidance, love and affection they could. He had extended family that loved him and treated him with respect (and by his own admittance, some overcame huge prejudicial upbringings to fully love and accept him as their kin). He had friends that accepted him, and loving siblings. He had a better life then I would say the majority of children growing up in America do. He had enough food on the table, family traditions, safe housing, wonderful memories, and most importantly loving family bonds. Although he was adopted by white parents (the author is black), he himself admits that they rescued him from a neglectful foster home. He came home to them so neglected that his head was flat and his muscles weak. His parents nursed him back to health. He waited 9 long months for a family, and because there were no black placements available, he was adopted by a white family. ANY family is better then living in a negectful foster home. FAMILY is the most important thing! Just ask the children that age out of the foster care sytem without one, 50% end up homeless and on drugs. Yet, this author does nothing but complain about how hard it was to be black in a white family. He gives no real evidence of this, no one treated him badly, he did not have major negative experiences within his family, he just was sensitive and felt insecure. Just think how insecure and unloved he would have felt if he were never adopted. Or stayed with his birthmother who was in no condition to raise another child? His parents moved away from their families to raise their black sons in an environment that was not prejudice. They did the best that they could. But all the author felt was sorry for himself. He was insecure and was always convinced that people did not truly love or accept him, despite their actions. He blamed things like having to share the back, cold room (a room his parents made several attempts to heat and make more comfortable) with his brother because he was black. Please, my husband who was the biological son of white parents slept out in the camper when his family got too big for their home, not because he was unfavored but because he was the eldest boy! I think the author needs to get a life! And realize the blessings that he was given. There is a huge orphan crisis in the world. Millions of children are going to bed hungry with no one to kiss them goodnight. Should we allow them to suffer or should we look beyond race or culture and bring them into good homes, in which they will be loved and valued? Which is the bigger sin, to love someone unconditionally who looks different from you or to allow someone to suffer alone because they are different. This author needs to get over his insecurities and look at all the good things that he had in his life, see how others have to live, and thank his lucky stars. I for one, do not feel sorry for him.

As a mother, I believe the messages in this book to be so valuable that I do not want others to miss them. This motivates my following comments. Most of the reviewers here seem to understand the spirit of this book. A few do not. In particular, the two dated prior to my own show a fundamental misunderstanding of what this book is. The author is sharing the journey of emotions and thoughts he went on AS A CHILD. He is not railing at his parents as an adult. He is not complaining, being ungrateful, or feeling sorry for himself. He is doing just the opposite: Trying to show us how a person can take pain and learn how to grow from it, and that even in a "good" family and "good" community adopted children can struggle. This book is humorous and triumphant and loving. His descriptions of his family members are nothing but warm and loving. He is not arguing against transracial adoption but creating a window for better understanding it. I know for a fact that he has worked with thousands of transracially adoptive families in support of their journey. . . . . In the reviews in question, the only bitterness involved is the bitterness of the reviewers. Perhaps they were threatened or made to feel uncomfortable by the rawness and honesty of the book. They were clearly feeling defensive. They seemed to think they were being somehow attacked even though the author seems to go to pains to express his love and gratitude for his family. One of the reviewers admitted she did not even read the second half of the book. If she had, she would have read the part of the story in which John grew to realize that he had turned his struggles into something self-defeating. He realized that he needed to change how he felt about himself and take control of his life, regardless of how others related to him. Hello! It helps to actually read a book if you are going to review it. Not scan through it. Not defensively scour it for offending statements. But open up your mind and heart . . . . . I work with foster and adoptive youth as a social worker. I am a foster mother. I'm not the smartest cookie but I have tried my best to listen to these young people as they share their feelings. I have heard hundreds of them say the same thing over and over again: It is hurtful to be attacked as being ungrateful, complaining, and self-pitying whenever they try to get their parents, social workers, anyone to understand what they are going through. They can't stand it when people say: "Would you rather have stayed in foster care or in that horrible situation with your birth family?" They hear this dismissive comment all the time. We wouldn't say to children raised in their biological family: "Would you rather have not been born?" These children have a right to feel pain, express it, and not be attacked. The reviewers in question spewed out the very same hurtful comments that foster and adoptive youth everywhere have been saying are the worst attitudes we can take with them . . . . . And it does not matter that "any adoptive child" or "any Black child" or "any child in a same-race placement" could feel the same way as John did, as the reviewers snarled. That is not the author's point. His point is this is what HE felt, because of being adopted and being Black in a White environment, and yes, his own nature. His point seems to be that each of these things can leave children more vulnerable and that we need to be aware. He also NEVER claims to be speaking for the experience of other children. I don't know where the reviewers came up with this. It seems to be a result of defensiveness--not wanting to believe anything in the book might apply to their family? This book is a memoir. All it does is tell one child's story . . . . John found the courage to share publicly because he clearly wanted to invite us into a private, poorly understood reality of foster and adopted children so we might LEARN SOMETHING. He wasn't saying anything that I haven't heard many times from other youth separated from their families or who are racially isolated. He was just saying it in a unique and insightful way. A revealing way. So if we would like to dismiss his story as no more than self pity and bitterness, we are doing ourselves a disservice. This is what these children are feeling! Please do not let such reviews discourage you from this or other books. You have to ask yourself about such reviews, are they telling me more about the book or the reviewer? . . . . . I found this book to be very uplifting. It showed me the power of people and families to change and grow. This isn't a cream puff story that treads lightly and delicately on race and culture and family issues. He told his story in a truthful, positive way. He could only have achieved this by being at peace with himself. His story concludes with basically a celebration of how his life has shaped him. Please, find out for yourself. Our attitude as we read a book, and our own sensitivities, can dictate how we experience that book. Try this one with openness.

This is truly an inspirational book which gives a clear demonstration of how a young black boy grew into a mature black man in a positive manner despite the serious emotional and painful struggles that occured due to a lack of required sensitivity around race. Jaiya's message is important for all adults involved in making critical decisions about the future of children. It provides a hightened awareness for birth parents, foster and adoptive parents and social work professionals. Jaiya's ability to share his experiences is a true blessing for others.

Selena M. Simons
Coordinator of Foster Care - BERMUDA

I was excited to read this book, but was very dissapointed and personally feel it is way overrated. The language used is supposedly "poetic", but I just found it pretentious and esoteric. More importantly, however, I feel that the author basically took his own experience as an unhappy, isolated child and searching, hyper-sensitive adult (which seemed to me to be more a function of the author's innate personality than the fact that he was transracially adopted... or at least a combination of the two) and used it to negatively represent/unfairly characterize all trans-racial adoption. It seemed to me that this author's emotional difficulties and struggles growing up would have existed even if he had been raised in a same-race home (not that they weren't exacerbated by his racially-based experiences). The impression given by the author is that he speaks for all trans-racially adopted children, and I do not think this is fair or at all accurate. There are of course some things that will apply to others, but his experience, being an unusually intense, emotional child raised in an isolated all-white environment 30 years ago, is completely different from that of a child raised in a more diverse environment in 2008. It would be fine if he simply presented the book as a personal memoir of his own specific experiences in life and left it at that. But that is certainly not the impression the book leaves... and I think it is being presented in some adoption circles as a universal reflection of the experience of any trans-racially adopted child, much to the detriment of today's trans-racial families and waiting children. I hope potential trans-racial adopters will not be so frightened by this one person's experience that they allow themselves to be discouraged from this path. As long as you are prepared to be culturally sensitive to your child, honor his heritage, and commit to making sure there are plenty of same-race role models in his life, trans-racially adopted children can indeed grow up to be healthy and happy and fully attached to their adoptive family. If you are looking for a more balanced view, two much better choices are "The Color of Water" by James McBride or "In Their Own Voices, Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories" by Rita Simon and Rhonda Roorda.