Senator Gore (Tennessee), who was known as the environmental candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination last time around, says here that he strayed from that concentration when pollsters steered him onto other issues—and that he now has redirected himself to saving the earth. His book is not just another roundup summary of threats to the environment, though it does include chapters on water problems, deforestation, and the genetic erosion of the global food supply, but it's a seemingly heartfelt attempt to understand and convince those (politicians and public) who deny the urgency of the problems and the need to act. Gore has a roundabout way of making his points, often diluting amazing quotes, facts, and stories by presenting them as examples or asides within the abstract frameworks he constructs in his indirect way of approaching the issues. He is fond of analogies, but the analogies can be stretched far beyond their value to illuminate—as in an entire chapter, ``Dysfunctional Civilization,'' that goes on at length about dysfunctional families, addiction, and co-dependency. And instead of using the familiar as analogy to clarify a difficult concept, he often does the opposite—for example, calling on chaos theory and Einstein's Theory of Relativity (``Bear with me'') to help us recognize the threshold for dramatic change in our relationship to the environment. Yet on particular issues he often gets caught up in conventional thinking and fails to cut through with fresh ideas. Gore's concluding recommendations for a global environmental strategy work as a thoughtful position paper but are unlikely to inspire politicians or popular action. Which, however, is not to dismiss the desirability of getting Gore's agenda in motion. So consider buying the book, displaying it, and hoping for the best.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1992
ISBN: 0-395-57648-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1991
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
