A wide-ranging starting point that could inspire further acquaintance with these cultural treasures.
A survey that offers a storytelling rather than instructional approach to timeless figures from many cultures.
Nardo adds another entry to his books on mythology, organizing his subject thematically to cover gods of creation, the sky, nature, war, wisdom, and death. (There is no chapter on love.) The introduction contains a concise and dramatic account of the Olympians’ succession struggle. Since myths are multivalent, there is some overlap: A weather-controlling sky god, like Ukko from Finland, might also be a dispenser of justice. Nardo skillfully selects from the abundant material to present key scenes, typically the liveliest and those with parallels to other narratives around the world. Although Athena makes several appearances, most of the deities here are male, and there is no mention of, for example, Gaia, Shakti, Kali, Freya, or Frigg. Nardo references several theories about the worldwide development of these stories (the word primitive is unfortunately used to describe ancient myth-making societies). A rare misstep is the mangled account of Tyr’s deliberate (not random) sacrifice of his hand, but most information is accurate. Selected Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindu, Celtic, Hittite, Egyptian, Babylonian, Sumerian, Finnish, Norse, Aztec, Igbo, Zulu, Polynesian, and Persian myths are included. Nardo occasionally supplies relevant bits of ancient hymns. Stock images, many in color, brighten the pages. Some of the references are quite recent.
A wide-ranging starting point that could inspire further acquaintance with these cultural treasures. (source notes, further research, index, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781678207328
Page Count: 64
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in.
A gleefully explicit catalogue of the past century’s headline-grabbing bad behavior.
Aimed at readers who don’t need to be told who Brangelina is but may be hazy on “twisted besties” Leopold and Loeb or even Monica Lewinsky, this edutaining survey presents a wide-angle array of murders, sexual follies, controversial trials, race violence, political corruption and general envelope-pushing from the 1906 killing of Stanford White on. Each of the chronologically arranged entries opens with a capsule “Scoop” followed by a slightly fuller account under a “What Went Down” header. Along with a small black-and-white photo and one or two sidebar quotes, the author tacks on subsequent developments, sometimes-perceptive suggestions about “Why We Still Care” and a short roster of similar incidents in recent history. Though she misspells “Symbionese” and repeatedly awards FDR only three Presidential wins, in general Fryd presents reasonably accurate summaries of events and issues while giving all sides of the more muddled conflicts at least a nod. Additional cred is provided by a teen panel of editorial advisors.
Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in. (index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9827322-0-5
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Zest/Orange Avenue
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t...
Ali-Karamali offers plenty of anecdotes about growing up Muslim in America in a conversational tone that is undermined by poor organization.
The work explores a range of questions that non-Muslims might have about followers of Islam. Ranging from a discussion of Muslim holidays or the kinds of clothes worn by Muslims to the development of Islam, the author explains these topics in a friendly, engaging manner. She provides several examples of Muslim practices around the world, going beyond her American experiences to reflect Islam’s diversity. Chapters are organized into three fact-filled sections on beliefs and practices, the development of Islam and current Muslim demographics. Unfortunately, beginning with the practical questions about food, fasting and fashion delays important concepts such as how jihad is not equivalent to terrorism and whether Islam mandates women wear face veils (in a word, no). Compounding this basic conceptual flaw, this organizational choice necessitates clunky references to later chapters. Moreover, it is not until Chapter 4 that cited figures or quotes are provided references, an example of sloppy scholarship.
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t hang in until the end. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-385-74095-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
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