Ron Kaplan’s baseball Bookshelf

Book review: Halberstam’s finale

From Bookreporter.com, a review of The Coldest Winter, David Halberstam’s last book.

Latest on Brijit.com: Stop — Grammar-Time!

Stop! Grammar Time –

This is a hodge-podge of grammar-related and linguistic trivia, including famous first and last words, dying languages, and puns such as “The Syntax of Sin Tax.” A “Best of the Blog” feature looks at how sports club owners got wealthy enough to own their teams, something the author calls his “dream job.” Finally, there’s a glimpse at what might have been had actors accepted some of the famous roles for which they were considered. It’s a fun balance between grammar-nerd nuggets and word-association knowledge — such as the overview of Chicago culture by way of the Chicago Manual of Style.

In Mental Floss, January/February 2008

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Latest on Brijit: Allen Ginsberg

The Starving, Hysterical, Naked Mind of Allen Ginsberg –

The literary icon of the beat generation took his muse from the complications of his youth: a schizophrenic mother and a demanding father, as well as the search for self in straight-laced mid-century America. Inspired by the likes of Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs, Ginsberg created a new style, raging against the constrictions of traditional poetry and become himself an inspiration to artists of all stripes, including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Philip Glass, and U2. Along with a digestible biography, the article also includes a primer on Howl, his watershed poetry collection.

In Mental Floss by Ransom Riggs, January/February 2008

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Latest on Brijit: Walk Hard

Walk Hard Cast and Crew Make Beautiful Music –

 

John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer, stars of the biopic parody Walk Hard, share their thoughts on their latest venture with a focus on writer-producer Judd Apatow’s script-versus-improv philosophy and the freedom to explore their characters. Writer-director Jake Kasdan and Apatow also weigh in on their responsibilities. The quartet share similar sentiments and not a discouraging word is heard, in this standard publicity puff piece.

in Premiere by Eric Alt, 18 December 2007

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Latest on Brijit: The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds

Masterpiece #98: The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds –

The Beach Boys’ album Pet Sounds may be one of history’s greatest, but it came at a great price. It was a commercial flop, relatively speaking, and took a heavy toll on Brian Wilson, who plunged into a valley of problems, both pharmaceutical and among his family and fellow musicians. The complexity of the record was hailed by groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, who appropriated some of the techniques for their own use. Lendler’s history is interesting enough, but the sidebar with rare details on Wilson’s studio tricks is a gem for music fans.

In Mental Floss by Ian Lendler, November/December 2007

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Latest on Brijit: Food for thought

Food for Thought –

Mental Floss presents a potpourri of the legend and lore behind myriad foods, restaurants, products, and people. This story includes a rating of some memorable TV marketing slogans, the truth behind the five-second rule, and some inventions purported to be “the best thing since sliced bread” (note: bread always wins). A.J. Jacobs also weighs in on confusing Biblical diet rules, and the venerable swine is virtually dissected and used for purposes other than eating. A buffet of fact bites in different formats keeps the knowledge entertaining.

In Mental Floss, November/December 2007
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Latest on Brigit: Head games for girls

Head Games –

After years of seeking school sports equality, women have surpassed men in one area: head injuries. Girls are more likely to sustain concussions than their male counterparts, and the possible reasons may be societal as well as anatomical. Males generally have thicker, stronger necks, which help absorb the impact; but boys also are supposed to be tough, and many may try to hide or downplay the extent of their injuries. To solve the problem, female athletes are turning to protective headgear and more aggressive training methods to build up the neck muscles. Gregory’s short article illustrates the trend with statistics as well as a few anecdotes.

By Sean Gregory, in Time magazine, 10 December 2007

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Latest on Brijit: ‘Tis the season?

The Sermon on the Mall –

Dour predictions say that economic conditions will have a negative impact on holiday shopping. Bah humbug, says Gross. The stat-heads forget one thing: gift-buying at holiday time is not discretionary — it is compulsory. Sure, oil prices are up, housing sales are down, and China keeps putting out poisonous products, but at the end of the day shoppers will be as plentiful as holiday fruitcakes. “Analysis” may not be the proper term here, but Gross’ outlook is a deft vehicle for jokes at the expense of grim predictors.

By Daniel Gross in Newsweek, 3 December 2007

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Latest in Brijit: The hungry at holiday time

Blessed Is the Full Plate –

Where there’s no will to feed America’s hungry, there’s no way. Food pantries and soup kitchens are receiving less donations than ever as the Bush Administration, which prefers not to acknowledge such a depressing domestic problem, continues to spend freely in other areas, including war abroad. With solid evidence from sources such as the proposed farm bill, Quindlen makes a powerful call for politicians to stop their “pious sanctimony about gay marriage and abortion” and start addressing one of the most basic human needs.

By Anna Quindlen in Newsweek, 26 November 2007

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Latest in Brijit: Naked Actors

We’ll Still Respect You in the Morning: 22 Esteemed Actors and Actresses Unafraid to Appear Nude –

From the ridiculous (William H. Macy) to the sublime (Halle Berry), this piece chronicles movie stars who aren’t afraid to put it out there in the name of art. With comments selected from the Celebrity Nudity Database (think IMDB for skin), they are rated not so much for physical appearance and appeal as they are for their ballsiness, so to speak. Surprisingly, the writers save their least complimentary comments for some actors who are considered among the sexiest in the business, at least with their clothes on.

in A.V. Club by A.V. Club, 16 November 2007

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Latest review: Boom, by Tom Brokaw

“In THE GREATEST GENERATION, veteran newsman Tom Brokaw examined the accomplishments and sacrifices of an America contending with the shadow of World War darkening daily life. He seeks to recreate that feeling in BOOM!

“The Baby Boomers have seen innumerable changes in the years following World War II — an improvement in rights for women and minorities; technological advancement; revolutions in popular culture and the arts, among others. Brokaw reports on and interviews scores of “boomers” to discuss how coming of age (primarily) in the 1960s changed their lives.

Read the rest on Bookreporter.com.

Latest on Brijit: Hillary Clinton / intelligent women

Should Hillary Pretend to Be a Flight Attendant?
Several studies indicate that men are intimidated in the presence of bright, accomplished women. As a result, many women downplay their success in order to find perceived happiness with a suitable companion. Is this a role Hillary Clinton should take as she competes for the Democratic nomination with all those men? Dowd suggest not in this research-packed column, and hopes that the male of the species will evolve sufficiently — and quickly — enough to accept her viability.

Fro The New York Times by Maureen Dowd, 14 November 2007

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Latest entry on Brijit…Newsweek Interview with Obama

‘What She Can’t Do Is Have it Both Ways’ –

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama sounds off — mainly on Hillary Clinton — in this brief, softball-laden interview. Going on offense, Obama argues that Clinton shouldn’t claim mistreatment because of her gender, and that while she deserves some credit for Bill’s successes, she also deserves a measure of blame for the weakness of that administration’s health care policies. Obama also gives a reluctant approval to the idea of driver’s licenses for illegal aliens, and refuses to take a position on UFOs (really).

From Newsweek by Howard Fineman & Richard Wolffe, 12 November 2007

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Latest on Brijit: Mel Brooks

“The Pride of Frankenstein” –

As his musical adaptation of Young Frankenstein hits Broadway, Mel Brooks discusses the new project, his stage career, and the definition of comedy in this quick-witted (and fast-paced) interview. He recounts growing up in his Brooklyn tenement afraid of the original Frankenstein, and says that his spoof was a form of exorcising the monster. As he fondly remembers working with Carl Reiner and the late Gene Wilder, the veteran filmmaker isn’t worrying about success; he’s just enjoying the ride.

From Newsweek by Nicki Gostin & Cathleen McGuigan, 12 November 2007

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