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"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

9/13/2012

Title: Fahrenheit 451
Author : Ray Bradbury
Genre : Science Fiction
Number of pages : 179
Year published : 1953
Rating : 4 stars (out of 5)

Imagine a world where firemen start the fires instead of putting them out, the roads have speed minimums instead of speed limits, and libraries are not only non-existent, but they are also illegal. Fahrenheit 451 follows the life of Guy Montag, a “fireman” in this future world who starts to feel lost in a society where his job is to burn books and everything around him suddenly seems empty and meaningless. Technology permeates every aspect of his life, from the firehouse watchdog, to the mechanical toaster that automatically butters his bread every morning.

He never questioned it—never imagined life any other way—until he meets a young girl named Clarisse, and she opens his eyes to a new perspective of the world around him. Curiosity overcomes him, and he begins to steal novels from the houses he burns, to see what books like The Bible are all about. The journey that ensues is captivating, and offers an insightful underlying commentary on the direction society is headed today.

I don’t read much science fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read—it only took me a few days to finish. All my friends told me it was one of their favorites in high school, so I had to check it out, and I’m glad I did. I especially enjoyed the Afterword and Coda by Bradbury, where he goes on to explain alternate endings and post-novel lives of the main characters that he never officially wrote into the book. (Note: I think they are only included in editions published after 1979). I would definitely recommend it, especially for those of us who couldn’t imagine life without literature. This one is for the book lovers!

Review by Kristie Dickinson, CSOM '13

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"Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan" by Del Quentin Wilber

9/11/2012

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Title: Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan
Author : Del Quentin Wilber
Genre : Historical Non-Fiction
Number of pages : 320
Year published : 2010
Rating : 5 stars (out of 5)

I discovered “Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan” by listening to an interview with the author on a Philadelphia radio station last summer. Del Quentin Wilber seemed so into history, especially of past assassinations, that I knew I had to read this book. The story behind the book’s writing is an interesting one. Originally trained in journalism, Wilber works as a reporter in Washington D.C. for the Washington Post. During a meeting with the Director of the FBI, he was asked to write the book by none other than the Director himself. The Director told Wilber the story of how close the former president had actually come to dying, asserting that the country needed to be told of the chaos that ensued. In the interview that I heard, Wilber seemed very passionate about his work and had interviewed almost every person involved in that day, including Nancy Reagan. Through interviews with the Secret Service, the first respondents on the medical staff, hotel staff, and family and friends of those hurt in the shootings, the author paints a picture of the Reagan assassination attempt that is both complete and unique.

I honestly think anyone would like this book. As a science major/pre-medical student, I particularly found the description of the care and surgeries that Ronald Reagan endured fascinating. The president was actually two centimeters and 30 minutes away from dying, and the author proves it. One of the most well-researched parts of the book was the actions of the government following the shooting. The descriptions of the generals, secretaries, and members of Congress who got together and made the necessary decisions during the president’s recovery was incredible. I never really had an interest in the vestige of authority in the case of a presidential absence, but after reading this book, I have a much better understanding of the president’s “safety system” as well as the presidential power and scope of profession. On a scarier note, the book does lend some merit to the theory that the government does not tell us all. Wilber definitely points out the fact that throughout the assassination ordeal, people in charge of news releases and media coverage made sure to portray the president as strong and resilient, despite the fact that his lungs collapsed twice and he was sedated with a breathing tube.

Finally, I understand that when it comes to the leaders of our country, there is always an element of politics involved. However, this book does a great job of presenting a steady, non-partisan view of the Reagan presidency and staying true to its description as an account of the assassination itself. Whether you are a fan of the Reagan era or not, this book represents a great historical view of one of the most important assassination attempts in American history.

Review by Chris McLaughlin, A&S '13

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"Truth & Beauty" by Ann Patchett

9/2/2012

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Title: Truth & Beauty
Author: Ann Patchett
Genre: Memoir
Number of pages: 257
Year published: 2005
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

To begin, I would like to encourage my fellow seniors not to flee from the name Ann Patchett. While many of us may not be particularly fond of her due to the fact that she was the reason that we had required reading the summer before college, Ann Patchett is actually a very talented author. Truth & Beauty was written in light of the death of Patchett’s great friend, American poet and author Lucy Grealy. The book traces their friendship from its beginning in 1985 through nearly twenty years of love, rejection, hope, and despair. By recounting specific conversations, citing real letters from Lucy, and describing each moment with an enormous amount of detail, Patchett provides insight into the intricacies and overall beauty of her relationship with Lucy Grealy. It is a book on loyalty, devotion, and love.

I started reading Truth and Beauty after it was given to me by a professor who called it “her favorite book on women’s friendship.” I decided I would give it a chance, but braced myself for a slow-paced, drawn-out novel. To my surprise, once I began reading this book I found myself genuinely looking forward to the next time I would pick it up. While it wasn’t something I would sit down and read for long periods of time, it was a book that I could easily read in small sections whenever I had a free moment.

The friendship between Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy was unique, unexpected, and at the same time, perfect. Ann, a level-headed writer, served as a stabilizing factor for the erratic Lucy Grealy. Lucy, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of nine that required the removal of her jawbone, spent great chunks of her life in hospitals, recovering from facial reconstructive surgeries. Despite this obstacle, she remained a vivacious character that only exhibited her insecurities to those closest to her.

Naturally, once I finished reading this book I had a compulsion to see who my new friend Lucy Grealy was, to place her in a real world context. I found myself watching a Charlie Rose interview of Lucy from 1994, during which I felt as though I was watching an old friend speak. In my head, I already knew Lucy Grealy more intimately than Charlie Rose could ever know her. The Lucy I had met through Truth and Beauty was exuberant, energetic, dynamic, complex, and profound in a way such that she could only be truly understood by those closest to her—including myself, of course.

By all of this, what I mean to say is that Ann Patchett did such an outstanding job of bringing Lucy Grealy back to life that the written Lucy now seems more alive to me than the real woman that was captured on film. It is the detail of her writing, the honesty in each of her words, and the vivacity of her memories that serve to develop Lucy’s personality, Ann’s love, and their friendship so completely.

While this novel is not necessarily a “page-turner,” it still kept my attention. The sections of the novel that are slow or frustrating are only that way because Ann Patchett did such a tremendous job of portraying each event without any sugar-coating. I would recommend this book to any woman that is interested in reading about true friendship. In addition, writers should consider checking out this memoir since Ann Patchett describes her career path and the struggles she faced to become the author she is today. It is an entertaining and emotional novel in which Ann Patchett offers the reader a chance to be a part of the beautiful friendship between her and Lucy Grealy.

Review by Christie Wentworth, A&S '13

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"Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity, and the Perfect Knuckleball" by R.A. Dickey

9/1/2012

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Title: Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity, and the Perfect Knuckleball
Author: R.A. Dickey
Genre: Sports Autobiography
Number of pages: 332
Year published: 2012
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

As one of the only pitchers in Major League Baseball this season to be in the top 5 in strikeouts, wins, earned run average, and quality starts, there is no better time to pick up R.A. Dickey’s autobiography. Dickey delves deeper into his past and reveals more about his inner struggles than I ever thought possible, especially considering the New York Met’s immense success in 2012. Dickey chronicles his life beginning with his troubled and scarred past, through his rocky baseball career, all the way up to complete confidence and forgiveness. Wherever I Wind Up presents baseball fans and non-supporters alike with a person who bears his soul and is truly trying to better himself.

I chose to read this book solely because I am a sports fan and I’ve had R.A. Dickey on my fantasy baseball team for a few years now. Since he has emerged as my best player, and is having his best season ever, I figured I would give the book a chance. It was nothing like I expected, however, and I’m glad for that. Dickey, being an English major and avid writer, makes the book easy and fun to read and explains his life and baseball in so much detail that it leaves you feeling like you know him personally.

Because Dickey is a knuckleballer, his path to the big leagues was unlike any other player. Throughout the book you see his constant change and development not only as a baseball player, but as a person as well. The only downside I can say at this point is that his career really is a rollercoaster ride. Every time things seem to be going well another poorly-timed, heartbreaking event occurs. It becomes semi-repetitive, but it is his true story so you can’t bag on the guy for telling the truth. And he tells ALL of it.

Wherever I Wind Up also has a religious tone to it. Dickey never pushes his beliefs on the reader, but does constantly reinforce his Christian faith and how he was able to save himself by giving himself up to God. It is certainly not forced, and Dickey gives honest accounts of his faith or lack there-of.

I recommend Dickey’s book to anyone, but especially sports fans and those who love baseball. It is an easy, fun read and I got tons of insider baseball information. I am a very slow reader but the book only took me about a month and a half to finish. It keeps your attention and is broken up into short, detailed stories for ease of flow. Dickey truly does bear his soul in this book, and as much as I wish it contained some of his thoughts from the 2012 season (the greatest year of his career), it is certainly interesting to see how he made it to where he is today. R.A. is an easy guy to root for and I look forward to cheering on his future success!

Review by Steven Nicholas, A&S '13

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"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

"Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan" by Del Quentin Wilber

"Truth & Beauty" by Ann Patchett

"Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity, and the Perfect Knuckleball" by R.A. Dickey

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