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Tuesday, 02 January 2007 13:44 |
| | David Forbes |
Well yes, it is a little late. Most criticsë "best of the year" lists and columns were trotted out in the last few weeks and here I am, showing up with mine a few days after the new year.
To make up for the belated nature of this column, Iëll do things a little differently than most. This is due to the fact that, limited by money and time (this column started in September, after all), I havenët read the full range of the new releases quite as much as Iëd like to. Also, this column is intended, at least in part, to highlight things just a little bit off the beaten path.
So, instead of the typical laundry list of the best mass-market new releases in 2006, Iëll use a selection of somewhat random categories that happened to tickle my fancy to select three great reads.
ï Most Interesting Memoir
"The Jokeës Over" by Ralph Steadman (Harcourt, 416 pp. $26).
Steadman, a
Welsh artist, was the longtime collaborator to legendary journalist
Hunter S. Thompson. His surreal, grotesque drawings synched perfectly
with Thompsonës excessive, drug-fueled, Gonzo style and together they
created such masterpieces as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear
and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ǃÚ72" (a personal favorite).
In the wake of
Thompsonës tragic suicide in 2005, Steadman began writing this book ǃÓ
his take on their experiences together. The result is an utterly
gripping read. Iëm sure there are other memoirs out there this year
that are better written, of more political import or historical
significance, but for my money this is the most interesting.
Beginning with
their meeting at Thompsonës 1970 crashing of the Kentucky Derby,
Steadman tells the story of their whirlwind ÇƒÓ and not always amicable ǃÓ
relationship. Thompson, he recounts, was a good man and an incendiary
journalist, but not always the easiest person with whom to be a friend
and partner.
Few other people
could have written this account. Thompson made so many of his own myths
that another perspective on them is rare and valuable. Weëre fortunate
it was Steadman, someone neither petty nor sycophantic, that came along
to put that forward.
Steadman comes
off as more level-headed than Thompson here (it wouldnët take much) and
that personality no doubt served as a good creative foil. While
admiring his larger-than-life partner and the style they created,
Steadmanës analysis of Thompsonës flaws is penetrating, bringing a
figure than has become almost mythical quietly back down to earth.
While
occasionally somewhat bitter, the riveting stories and invaluable
insights, peppered with Steadmanës art from the many decades of their
collaboration, make this the sort of book you canët put down.
Legends, after all, become infinitely richer when they are fully understood, warts and all.
ï Best Book to Read by Candlelight
"Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall" by Bill Willingham and Todd Klein with various contributing artists (Vertigo, 144 pp. $19.95).
The same insight
could well apply to the next selection, Bill Willinghamës deliciously
sumptuous and often-dark collection of stories set in the universe of
his long-running comic series "Fables."
If youëve never
picked up the series, however, worry not. While fans of the series (Iëm
one) will get an extra level of enjoyment, the characters (Prince
Charming, Snow White, King Cole, etc.) are well known to most of us
that no introduction is required, especially since these stories are
based around their deeds before the series opens.
The title comes
a la "Arabian Nights" from the fact that Snow White has been sent as a
diplomatic emissary to the land of the Arabian Fables, only to be
captured and forced to tell stories to the Sultan ÇƒÓ or lose her head.
The stories she
tells, each illustrated by a different artist, form the book. They fill
in the history of many characters from the series, including Snow White
herself.
We learn why she
wonët talk about the Seven Dwarves; how the Big, Bad Wolf became that
way; who the witch of old fairy tales really was, along with the
reasons behind her actions, just to name a few.
The art is
absolutely brilliant, perfectly suited to each one of the stories. It
reminded me in the best way of the old art-nouveau fairy tale
illustrations. The tales also run the gamut, from occasionally funny
and even cute to tragic (I challenge you to keep a dry eye during the
Frog Princeës story). But donët get too comfortable ÇƒÓ Willinghamës
playing for keeps here.
Like the series
itself, the stories get the heart of the original tales perfectly,
while using some more adult insights to flesh them out. The result is
pure magic ÇƒÓ primal, dark and utterly addictive. Turn off the lights,
put up some candles and enjoy.
ï Book Every Politician Should Be Required to Read
"The Art of War: An Illustrated Edition" by Sun Tzu, translated by Thomas Cleary (Shambhala, 224 pp. $19.95)
We live in an
age of conflict, be it social, political or even military. The past
year was no exception, as the midterm elections and the year in general
saw plenty of upheaval both here and abroad.
It is in that
climate that the book every politician should be absolutely required to
read isnët new at all ÇƒÓ in fact, itës about two and a half millennia
old. Itës also a classic for a reason ÇƒÓ Sun Tzu was right and, in 13
short chapters, laid out advice for any sort of conflict that remains
relevant to this day.
He has often
been often ignored, as many leaders in this day seem to exalt brute
force and blind obedience instead of the way of intelligence,
self-knowledge and cunning that Sun Tzu advocated. Guess what? Idiotic
strategies still have idiotic results, no matter what year it is.
The best
victories are still those won without fighting and with the least
devastation possible. It is still better to appear weak when strong ǃÓ
and those who know neither themselves nor their enemies are still going
to lose.
The above
edition is the best place to start. Clearyës translation is excellently
crisp and he also included the comments of various Chinese military
commanders and thinkers beside each proverb for a further layer of
insight. The illustrations round the package out to make it a
thoroughly beautiful book.
So, yes, every
politician of every stripe and affiliation, along with every political
activist or interested person, should be required to read this ÇƒÓ for
they ignore its advice at their peril and ours.
While theyëre at
it, Machiavelliës "The Prince," Thomas Paineës "Common Sense" and
Marcus Aureliusë "Meditations," are all works in desperate need of a
thorough reading by todayës body politic.
ï
As always, I
welcome any and all feedback. What was your personal favorite book this
year, dear reader? If youëve got one and would like to share, send it
to my e-mail (handily provided at the bottom of this column). Include a
brief description of why you liked the book and Iëll put it up in a
future column.
I look forward to 2007. Happy reading.
ï
David Forbes, who writes book reviews and covers news for the Daily Planet, may be contacted at marauderAVL-at-hotmail.com.
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