Category: Reference & Science

THE WILD WEST: TRUE TALES AND AMAZING LEGENDS – 2017 (by Time Life)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 14, 2024

SUMMARY:

Released in 2017 by Time Life Books, this 96-page magazine reflects upon the American West throughout the 19^th Century. Between text and an assortment of photos (mostly black-and-white), along with artwork, the American West’s evolution is encompassed. After a two-page introduction, five chapters cover the following:

“An Expanding Nation.” Discussion is focused on ramifications of 1803’s Louisiana Purchase, as to how Lewis & Clark’s expedition became the first step towards a gradual mass migration westward. Daniel Boone, John Colter, Jedediah Smith, Joseph Walker, Kit Carson and John Charles Frémont are among those explorers highlighted.

“The Great Trek.” Shifting towards mid-century, initial generations of Western pioneers faced weeks, if not months, of dire reality traveling cross-country. As much life-ending risk was involved, so, too, were the potential rewards for opportunistic men and women alike. Case in point: the California Gold Rush, aided in part by the railroad industry, would spike migration numbers enormously.
“Cattle Barons and Cowboys.” Heralding the Old West’s most famous occupation, fortune awaited this industry’s most successful individuals. Predictably, those doing the actual labor faced a far more tumultuous daily life.
“Law and Disorder.” Enforcing justice upon outlaws and ruthless killers would prove, at best, an inconsistent, if not hypocritical, terrain for law-abiding citizens. 1881’s ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral’ in Tombstone, Arizona, is reviewed, along with glimpses of Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Pat Garrett, and Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. Also examined is the illicit creativity involved with gambling.
“The Original Americans.” Native American tribes and their traditional means of survival are confronted with genocide once encroached upon by settlers in search of land and gold. Skirmishes between Native Americans and U.S. soldiers would climax in June 1876 at the gory Battle of the Little Bighorn. After this pivotal loss, U.S. forces re-doubled its efforts in forcing Native American compliance with the government’s changing yet self-interested political stance. It would also signal that the U.S. had at last conquered the West by the end of the century.

As its postlude, the brief “Taming of the West” explains how, at the 20^th Century’s onset, few pockets of the Old West remained. The ease of cross-country travel and 1901’s oil discovery in Texas would become signs of the country’s imminent industrial revolution.

REVIEW:

Providing a thorough history lesson in magazine form, Time Life’s production values are stellar. With gruesome details kept to a minimum, Time Life’s The Wild West lets its vintage photography brings historical truths to life. The balanced text stays on task and acknowledges that hyperbole often sparked familiar legends.

As for younger audiences, it’s best to understand that the details Time Life’s text discuss aren’t necessarily exciting, but they are insightful. More so, the magazine’s text doesn’t play favorites keeping its narrative consistently objective. Intended for both historical buffs and casual readers, this magazine makes a welcome treat. Highly recommended!

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A table of contents and photo credits are included.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Animals & Nature Books & Novels General Non-Fiction Reference & Science

CATS IN THEIR GARDENS

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 7, 2023

Written by Page Dickey

SUMMARY:

The New York publishing firm of Stewart, Tabori, & Chang released this 96-page hardcover in 2002. The author herself is a gardening design writer for magazines, such as House Beautiful, Victoria, and House & Garden.

First revealing imagery from her own backyard, writer/photographer and gardening enthusiast Page Dickey introduces two of her ‘assistants,’ tuxedo cat Felix and Cleo the calico. Dickey subsequently explores other private home gardens, with their resident felines appearing as models. The book’s U.S. locales consist of New York, Massachusetts, California, Vermont, Connecticut, along with an overseas trek to the English countryside.

There are also photographic interludes depicting supplemental montages of cats enjoying their gardens, among them are extra glimpses of Felix and Cleo.

REVIEW:

Given the book’s apt title, it is a welcome love letter from the author to cats and their pet humans sharing a passion for gardens. Page Dickey’s descriptive text nicely mirrors her photography, in terms of style and elegance. While one might have preferred a more impressive page count, Dickey ensures that readers will get their money’s worth.

For fans of the subject, Cats in Their Gardens is an ideal addition to the bookshelf or coffee table.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

The author includes a table of contents followed by her introduction.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Animals & Nature Books & Novels Humor (Books) Sports (Books)

A FINE AND PLEASANT MISERY

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 15, 2023
2 Comments on A FINE AND PLEASANT MISERY

Written by Patrick F. McManus. Cover Illustration by Bob Jones.

SUMMARY:

Released by Owl Books (an imprint of Holt, Rinehart & Winston) in 1981, this 209-page paperback is a reprint of the publisher’s original 1978 hardcover edition. Taken from Field & Stream Magazine, the gamut of these Patrick “Pat” McManus” short stories first appeared from 1968 through 1978.

Bouncing back and forth between his post-World War II youth growing up in Northern Idaho and his present-day experiences, McManus shares his Pacific Northwest anecdotes about:

Camping, fishing, and hunting, now and way back then;
Proper methods for panicking in the great outdoors;
How to get yourself lost on a hunting trip with your buddies;
His less-than-prototypical family dog, Stranger, growing up;
Dubious life lessons taken from his crochety pre-teen mentor and local mountain man, Rancid Crabtree;
A wild rafting trip with his old crony, Retch;
His youthful ‘Big Safari’ capers (aka camping overnight in the backyard), and later his teenage ‘Big Trip,’ where a week’s cross-country hiking trip with a friend becomes a full-blown survival course;
Ever in search of cheap and practical camping gear, the ‘treasures’ McManus finds at his local army surplus store;
A makeshift bicycle (“death on two wheels”) from the author’s childhood;
Taking one’s family to explore a national park;
Perpetually feuding with cows for his favorite fishing hole;
and several other related tales.

McManus views outdoor misadventure as not only a hobby, but as a lifelong passion – no matter how much reality gets in the way.

REVIEW:

For outdoor die-hards and fans of TV parodies like The Red Green Show, the guy humor McManus exudes is timeless. The kicker is this book’s surprising appeal to non-outdoor enthusiasts. Given some patience, skeptics will likely find themselves chuckling as McManus repetitively treads topics like youthful fantasies gone awry, repercussions of childhood poverty, ornery relatives and neighbors, wacky friends, or the local scam artist posing as a reputable retail businessman. Embellishments are a given, but McManus knows exactly how to land an anecdote’s punchline.

If anything, this collection of McManus musings offers some welcome fresh air for anyone justifiably exasperated with the tech-savvy 21^st Century. This kid-friendly title may also be an ideal alternative for today’s generation to tune out television and the internet long enough to give his book a fair chance. Getting back to some hilarious aspects of down-to-earth nature makes A Fine and Pleasant Misery well worth discovery, if not re-discovery.

Note: No matter his emphasis on the supposed glories (let alone the necessities) of fishing and hunting, McManus doesn’t depict grisly details. On second thought … one tale does mention his wife’s horror upon unexpectedly finding one of his ‘catches’ stuffed in his hunting jacket.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

McManus briefly offers his acknowledgements. Jack Samson, then-Editor of Field & Stream, presents a six-page introduction offering insight re: why this assortment of McManus stories was compiled as a book.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Reference & Science

FRIGHT-LOPEDIA

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 6, 2022

Written by Julie Winterbottom & Illustrated by Stefano Tambellini

SUMMARY:

Released by Workman Publishing in 2016, this 212-page paperback is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek encyclopedia of haunts, legends, and real-world spooks meant for an audience of 8-to-13 year-olds.

Presented as short chapters rather than a traditional encyclopedia, writer Julie Winterbottom casually discusses topics including spiders, crocodiles, ghosts, haunted houses, evil scientists, monsters, mummies, Ouija boards, séances, snakes, UFOs, werewolves, witches, and zombies.

Illustrator Stefano Tambellini contributes frequent kid-friendly illustrations (usually with a macabre sense of humor) to provide visual reference for Winterbottom’s text. The book also incorporates black-and-white photography to further enhance its narrative.

REVIEW:

Given her intended young audience, author Julie Winterbottom does a solid job describing icky subject matter with reasonable depth and a friendly emphasis on modern-day science surpassing traditional legends. Though Fright-lopedia may be a single seasonal read for most children, there is a practical advantage for parents. Specifically, if one is looking for inspiration to spark a middle schooler’s Halloween party, then Fright-lopedia may present some appropriate ideas.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Besides Winterbottom’s acknowledgements, a helpful table-of contents is provided. In the “Find Your Biggest Fear!” tournament, readers eliminate an assortment of options to pinpoint their most ghastly phobia. The last page details the sources for the book’s stock photography.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Books & Novels General Non-Fiction History & Biographies (Books) Reference & Science

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES: Bizarre Events That Have Puzzled the Greatest Minds

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 4, 2020

Written by Joel Levy

SUMMARY:

Published by Metro Books in 2016, this 224-page softcover examines a cross-section of thirty-nine historical enigmas from around the globe. Some of these mysteries are well-documented; others are comparatively obscure to the mainstream public. With updated information likely culled from the internet, author/researcher Joel Levy reviews each peculiar incident. He supplements each chapter with color and/or black-and-white photos and illustrations. Divided into four sections, the chapters are:

SECTION 1: MYSTERIOUS PLACES

Atlantis; Stonehenge; The Nasca Lines; Easter Island; Rosslyn Chapel. El Dorado; The Oak Island Money Pit; The Winchester Mystery House; and Rennes-le-Château.

SECTION 2: UNSOLVED EVENTS

The Missing Army of Cambyses; The Lost Colony of Roanoke; The Amber Room; (Life and Death of) Kaspar Hauser; The Mary Celeste; The Eilean Mor lighthouse keepers; The Tunguska Event; Amelia Earhart; The Bermuda Triangle; the Tamam Shud murder; D.B. Cooper; and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight M370.

SECTION 3: STRANGE SIGHTINGS

Spring-Heeled Jack; The Devil’s Footprints; the Third Secret of Fatima; The Loch Ness Monster; UFO’s and Area 51; Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and The Yeti; the Wow! signal from outer space; Weeping and Bleeding Statues; Phantom Big Cats; Crop Circles; and Ghost and Spirit Orbs.

SECTION 4:

The Fuente Magna Bowl; The Phaistos Disk; The Ark of the Covenant; The Baghdad Battery; The Antikythera Mechanism; The Turin Shroud; and The Voynich Manuscript.

REVIEW:

To the author’s credit, he doesn’t sensationalize his subject matter as tabloid fodder. The book is part history lesson; part analysis; and a welcome helping of common sense/deductive reasoning, when applicable. As with the Bermuda Triangle chapter, purported suspicions of supernatural phenomenon give way to reasonable guesswork re: why some planes and sea vessels fell victim decades ago to bad luck in this Caribbean section of the Atlantic Ocean.

Levy relays other instances of published fiction and/or confirmed/suspected fraud co-mingling with historical fact that helped perpetuate some of these pop culture mysteries (i.e. the lighthouse keepers and The Loch Ness Monster). In addition to summarizing a case’s scientific aspects (as applicable), he also offers a fair degree of skeptical conjecture. Case in point: Levy acknowledges that Plato might well have been invented mythical Atlantis as a fable of sorts vs. actually learning of its ancient existence.

For the most part, Levy’s conversational text is a easy single read (i.e. for an airport layover) for adults. Its fair amount of depth makes his book appropriate for as young as middle schoolers – it’d make a good reference for potential research projects. The bottom line is that Levy isn’t hawking sci-fi/fantasy pulp or controversial angles re: religious theory. His Unsolved Mysteries is a decent option for curious armchair detectives, who should likely find these topics of varying interest.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Levy provides a brief introduction. With each chapter, he briefly describes some of the more outlandish theories circulating on these topics. Also, there’s a further reading list, index, and a photo credits page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

Books & Novels Movies & Television (Books) Mystery & Suspense Reference & Science Sherlock Holmes-Related

SHERLOCK HOLMES FAQ

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 20, 2020

Written by Dave Thompson

SUMMARY:

Published by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books in 2013, this 283-page paperback reference guide pitches itself as “all that’s left to know about the world’s greatest private detective.” Beginning with author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life, author Dave Thompson commences with discussing Holmes’ literary history, as well as how he inspired a host of rival fictional detectives. A number of the Holmes short stories and novels are summarized and reflected upon. Thompson includes sections on how a real London would have looked to Holmes, as well as some of the grim British true crime cases that sorely needed a real-life Holmes.

Further, Thompson points out the changes in Conan Doyle’s life while he was churning out subsequent waves of new Holmes mysteries. Even after Doyle permanently shelfed Holmes, Thompson looks at Doyle’s later life, as he dabbled in researching psychic phenomena and feuded with purported ‘ghost hunter’ Harry Price.

Thompson also chronicles the various Holmes adaptations, including notable films and TV series. In his analysis, the author provides brief biographies of Holmes actors Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, and Jeremy Brett. The author’s assessment of the BBC’s Sherlock TV series is included. Other literary adaptations of Holmes (or likely inspired by the character) are given a close look by Thompson. The author concludes with mentioning a ‘possible’ encounter between Doyle’s alleged ghost and his ex-nemesis, Harry Price, at a séance in 1930.

REVIEW:

Though Thompson delves into the Holmes phenomenon, this book is more like a FAQ re: Conan Doyle’s resentful existence in Holmes’ shadow. To his credit, Thompson’s narrative is pretty solid. If one is looking for some rare tidbits re: Holmes, this book is a decent choice. Yet, if the readers really want more of a glimpse into Conan Doyle’s world and how his own private life was impacted by Holmes’ unfathomable public success, Sherlock Holmes FAQ proves an intriguing read. Although this book isn’t necessarily a keeper for the bookshelf, it’s at least worth perusing, if only for curiosity’s sake.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

A four-page appendix catalogs Doyle’s bibliography. This book’s own bibliography is also included, as is a five-page index. A neat assortment of photos accompany the text, including some reprints of artist Sidney Paget’s The Strand illustrations and a rare glimpse of early 20^th Century stage actor William Gillette in his stint as Holmes.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Books & Novels Reference & Science

ATTACK OF THE FACTOIDS: UNCLE JOHN’S WORLD OF TRIVIA

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 19, 2020

Written by Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader’ Institute Staff

SUMMARY:

Published in 2014 by Portable Press, this 403-page softcover edition is a variant of the long-running Bathroom Reader series. With far fewer digest-style articles, there is a far stronger emphasis on trivia and quotes this time. The various topics are divided into familiar Bathroom Reader categories. Still, multiple articles (i.e. the origin of the abandoned Comic Book Code; and Russia’s female fighter pilots of World War II known as “The Night Witches”) offer some insightful reading.

REVIEW:

Think of it as a teens-and-up digest read. Still, the tale re: “The Night Witches,” for instance, is well worth perusing. Even if this book isn’t an absolute keeper, it could serve as an ideal white elephant gift for trivia aficionados.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

There is both a table of contents and a helpful index. The authors also include a thank-you page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

Books & Novels DC-Related MARVEL-Related Reference & Science

SCIENCE OF SUPER-HEROES

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 19, 2020

Written by Lois Gresh & Robert Weinberg

SUMMARY:

Published John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2002, this 200-page hardcover explores the general physics and scientific reality behind the super-powers for Spider-Man; Superman; Batman; the X-Men; and several others. Playing along with acknowledged comic book explanations for their super-powers, co-authors Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg put these dubious origins under a critical microscope. In Superman’s case, the authors spell out why his powers don’t make sense, and how the Man of Steel is really a fantasy based on ‘pseudo-science.’ Following a preface and a brief review on frequently-discussed concepts, such relativity and the speed-of-light, the authors designate certain heroes to specific topics:

Re: Superman – The section discusses the supposed quasi-science justifying Superman’s vast powers; the possibility of alien visitors reaching Earth, including a history of ‘The Drake Equation;’ the possibility of Earth-like worlds; and why neither gravity nor a yellow sun could generate Superman’s powers.

Re: The Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk – It’s explained how cosmic rays, gamma rays, and nuclear radiation would actually ravage human beings. Included is a section describing how a ‘GFP Hulk” might hypothetically exist.

Re: Batman – The technological realities of his utility belt is analyzed, as is a well-known storyline from his comic book series: the Gotham City Earthquake.

Re: Aquaman & Sub-Mariner – This section primarily examines the possibility of humans living underwater and aquatic communication.

Re: Spider-Man – His supposedly spider-like powers are analyzed, as is the scientific possibility of cloning humans.

Re: Green Lantern – Potential sources for his power ring are examined, including black holes and white holes. It’s also revealed why yellow light really isn’t a logical reason for neutralizing his power ring.

Re: the Atom and Ant-Man / Giant Man – The realities of humans shrinking to microscopic size and expanding into giants are examined.

Re: the Flash – The numerous problems with super-speed are analyzed.

Re: the X-Men – Examining the potential for human mutation and whether or not if ‘real’ X-Men could be created is discussed.

Re: Sci-Fi Heroes (i.e. Adam Strange) – The possibilities for time travel, Earth’s destruction, and alternate realities (including ‘The Grandfather Paradox’) is analyzed.

Re: Donald Duck – How much correct science did writer Carl Barks deploy penning a quarter-century of Donald Duck comics? The answer is surprising.

REVIEW:

Though the lengthy analysis of debunking Superman is complex, this intriguing book is still a real treat for super-hero enthusiasts. It isn’t a shocker that most of the included heroes are deemed impossible (with the exception of Batman, of course). However, there are occasional lapses – i.e. re: the Flash, where the authors don’t address basic human limitations (i.e. fatigue; getting one’s body burned or ripped to shreds by friction; or the likelihood of suffering a massive heart attack), as to the impracticalities of super-speed. One can only presume the absence of stating such obvious restrictions is to make clear that, even without them, such super-powers are still pure fantasy.

Exploring other vaguely hypothetical possibilities re: Green Lantern, Aquaman, and the X-Men is certainly worth the read. The section pertaining to a possible ‘Incredible Hulk,’ for instance, is really a great ‘what-if.’ Their ‘GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) Hulk’ originates through a case of severe anabolic mega-steroid abuse and rage-induced adrenaline, with a GFP gene siphoned from a species of jellyfish. Curiously, the authors don’t mention that this wild concept really isn’t that far off from Lou Ferrigno’s TV Incredible Hulk (at least, as a less toxic substitute for gamma radiation).

For comic book aficionados and armchair physicists alike, the well-written Science of Super-Heroes is a thoughtful and very readable means of crossing the bridge between comic books and real science.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Sci-fi-horror author Dean Koontz provides an introduction. Appendix ‘A’ explains why various types of characters (i.e. magicians) weren’t selected for this book. Appendix ‘B’ is an insightful interview-discussion with writers Len Wein, Mark Wheatley, Brett Booth, Buddy Scalera, Mort Castle, and Max Allan Collins, linking real science’s importance (or lack thereof) to comic book storytelling. An index, reading list, and bibliography are all included. Mini-biographies of the authors and their acknowledgments are provided.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars