Taxable oil spill income could be another mess
February 1, 2011Thursday, Feb. 3
February 3, 2011BLOODY CRIMES: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse
By JAMES SWANSON William Morrow, $27.99
In this excellent follow-up to his best-selling “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer,” Swanson this time deals with the parallel lives of two presidents; Abraham Lincoln visiting his troops, winning re-election then assassinated by Booth; while Jefferson Davis, steadfast to the end, and suspected, wrongly, of helping plot the assassination, abandons his White House Capitol in Richmond and heads South.
Following Lincoln’s death, his body is transported by train to Springfield, Ill., viewed by thousands at every stop. Meanwhile, Davis is captured and the ugly rumor that he was wearing his wife’s dress is soundly debunked.
Swanson’s narrative flows as smoothly as a first-rate novel despite the incredible amount of detail gathered from his exhaustive research.
THE SHERLOCKIAN
Fans of Sherlock Holmes, rejoice. The great detective is back, sort of. In this brilliant debut novel, Arthur Conan Doyle has killed off his famous detective for eclipsing him in popularity.
Now, in attempt to solve the murder of a young girl, Doyle actually employs “Holmes’ methods” to solve the case.
Moving forward more than 100 years to the present day, Harold White, a young member of the Sherlockians, an organization based on the Baker Street Irregulars, is also engaged in solving murders. The two stories, alternating between two centuries, chapter by chapter, are equally intriguing and entertaining.
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SECRET NOTEBOOKS
By JOHN CURRAN Harper, 25.99
While some believe that Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective of all, an equally faithful group vociferously cast their votes for Hercule Poirot, Ms. Christie’s famous Belgian sleuth whose “little grey cells” are used to solve the toughest of cases.
Readers can follow along as she pens her cases on lined notebooks in her own hand, including strikeouts and corrections. It’s fascinating to watch her creative mind at work creating plots, characters and murders that defy armchair detectives to solve. Two previously unpublished Poirot stories are included.
CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER
By TOM FRANKLIN William Morrow, $24.99
The title, a mnemonic for remembering how to spell Mississippi, is an apt title for the twists and turns Franklin spins in the fictional town of Chabot. Silas, the son of a poor, single black mother, and Larry, from lower-middle class parents, once boyhood friends, split when a girl Larry took on a date was never seen again. That was 20 years ago and now Silas, newly returned to town as constable of the one-man police force, must investigate Larry, who again dates a girl who mysteriously disappears.
THE SECRET LIFE OF THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
By BARBARA STRAUCH Viking, $26.95
For a subject as complicated as the human brain, this small book is remarkable for its clarity and lucidity. It provides a thoroughly illuminating explanation of how our brains work and what to do as they begin to fail.
Studies show that the most promising remedy for dementia and Alzheimer’s is exercise. Middle age, that period beginning at age 40 until about 68, is when our brains actually reach their peak. And sure, we may still forget our keys or the name of that old high school chum; fact is, middle age is a happier time, so don’t worry, be happy.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT II
By MEL BAUDOIN Thibodaux Playhouse, $15
Friends of local theatre in Thibodaux will wallow in nostalgia as Baudoin retraces the history of the Thibodaux Playhouse which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
With no permanent home for years, plays were produced in various venues, mostly school stages, but in 1960, Mayor Warren J. Harang agreed to lease a building he owned downtown for $1 and, with exceptional efforts by businesses and volunteers, the theatre had a home. With listings of plays, their cast and crews and dozens of photographs, this collection will bring back wonderful memories.
FOUR FISH
By PAUL GREENBERG The Penguin Press, $25.95
The author warns that salmon, bass, tuna and cod are on the brink of extinction, depleted by large-scale commercial fishing, extensive fish farming and questionable environmental standards. Are we eating too much of these species because they’re healthy?
Greenberg, an award-winning writer and lifelong fisherman, disputes claims of their health benefits and suggests different types of fish may be developed that will be as good or better. In the meantime, he suggests reducing fishing in certain ocean areas and making significant portions, “No Catch” areas.
