Catfish Volumes 31-35

by Andrew Bushard

Opposing Junior Viewpoints, Identifying Propaganda Techniques, The Palestinian Conflict, Neal Bearnards, Greenhaven Press, 1990.

  Appropriate for kids. I use to be uninterested in this issue, but now it eems interesting. A simple introduction. It's swell how they are encouraging youngsters to think critically. Greenhaven Press deserves kudos for trying very hard to be free from bias.

  The Celebrity Almanac, Ed Lucaire, Prentice Hall, 1991.

  Light reading, chock full of lists and facts. A copious amount of lists with names, it's almost overwhelming. Your curiosity can be satisfied. You can be entertained.

  Everything You Need to Know About An Alcoholic Parent, Nancy Shuker, Rosen Publishing Company, 1990.

  Since I detest alcohol with a righteous passion, I applaud any efforts to educate people about alcohol's great evils. Presented is a sensitive approach which is very effective. I was impressed with the use of social work knowledge. This book could be very comforting for young people who suffer due to alcohol. The information could be a liberating revolution for some needy kids. Kids hurt by alcohol could benefit from such a well written and important book like this.

  The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reinventing Yourself, Jeff Davison, Alpha Books, 2001.

  I didn't read this book because I wanted to do a metaphorsis, but rather because the premise looked worth checking out. It seemed as if anyone with some patience could have written this book, the information didn't seem too earth shattering. Sometimes it is good to affirm the knowledge you've heard before, so it could be valuable. It could be useful to refresh yourself with all the different possibilities. To be sure, I could benefit from some ideas in here. Maybe I would have found it more valuable if indeed, I did want to become a new person.

  Crossword puzzles for Dummies, Michelle Arnot, IDG Books, 1998.

  Recently, I have begun to get crossword cravings. Crosswords are very fun. The author knows her crosswords. People Passionate about their hobbies are a plus. Crosswords are an experience that everyone should do at least every once in awhile. I'm sure Arnot would say that they are an indispensable aspect of modern life. I like it how she also discussed other types of puzzles. I didn't know too much about those. Federation Without Television is even doing a program about crossword puzzles, which I'm sure Michelle Arnot would love.

  People Weekly: The Most Intriguing People of the Century, Time Inc, 1998.

  Although I disagreed with their slight emphasis of popular culture people over political or social people, they did a good job presenting a wide array of different peoples. I do wish they would have spent more than one page on the autocrats, for these are perhaps the most interesting people to me. I am a fan of picture books, so the expert photography pleased me immensely. The descriptions of the figures were terse and powerful. I am hoping that I will be successful enough to be included in the 21st century version of this book. That is a prime goal of mine.

  Food Rules, Bill Haduch, illustrated by Rick Straniski, Putton's Children’s Books, 2001.

  The book is a colorful, useful book for children. I learned some new info. A little too cautious about vegetarianism. All considered it would be valuable for kids and they are sure to enjoy it.

  Cultures of the World: Afghanistan, Sharifah Enayat Ali, Marshall Cavendish, 1995.

  Another winner from one of my favorite series. I get self conscious traveling to the children's section for these books, but it is worth it. Afghanistan is a country I needed to know about. Unfortunately this book was written slightly before the Taliban became prominent. This fact demonstrates the instability and change present in Afghanistan since this fine series is one of the most up to date series in the libraries. In a country like the USA, 5 years probably would probably not be as significant as 5 years in Afghanistan. No where is Bin Laden mentioned probably since this book was written before the terrorist incidents even the terrorist incidents before 9-11. This was disappointing, but it certainly cannot be the books fault. Awesome pictures again! Wonderful text. It's very good to learn about this country.

  Cultures of the World: Saudi Arabia, Hunt Janin, Marshall Cavendish, 1993.

 

  It's amazing how similar Saudi Arabia is to Afghanistan. Comparing the above book to this book, it appears as if Afghanistan is fundamentalist Islam in a poor land and Saudi Arabia is fundamentalist Islam in a richer land. One fact is for sure, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan have far more common with each other than we have with Saudi Arabia, our ally. Women are oppressed in both nations. In fact, from my learning about the middle east, I am concluding that socially women have it better in Iraq than in Saudi Arabia. If we truly care about the plight of women, maybe we should refuse to buy oil from Saudi Arabia until women are elevated in status. If we can impose sanctions on Iraq, why not Saudi Arabia too? This book makes me want to learn more about the very interesting country of Saudi Arabia.

 

  1991 and 1992 Top 10 Almanac, written by Michael Robbins, Conceived and Designed by David Kaestle.

  Entertaining in the junk food type of way. Too popular culture orientated. Lists are great and some of the lists were fascinating. Unfortunately other lists were banal.

  Culture Shock: Successful Travelling Abroad, A Globe - Trotters Guide, Fredrick Fisher, Time Editions, 1995.

  This is another great series like "Cultures of the World". This series is more about traveling while the "Cultures of the World" series is more about an introduction to a society. "Cultures of the World" gives you a perspective from afar, while "Culture Shock" guides you right through a given culture. "Cultures of the World" seems targeted more towards children, and "Culture Shock" towards adults. "Cultures of the World" is very photographic, while "Culture Shock" is more text based with a spattering of drawings. In this "Culture Shock" book, the writers are British, so you will see some different spelling that Americans are use to. Not super enlightening, but the book would seem useful for someone who has to remember it all before they travel. The Series is pretty cool in my book. Reading about travel is marvelous.

  Culture Shock: Iran, Maria O'Shea, 1999 Time Editions.

  I expanded my knowledge about Iran. Iran doesn't seem as bad as I previously thought. I dig learning about countries. This book was one of the few up to date country book at the UW-Stevens Point University library. I am glad I stumbled upon it. Keen book. Written at a good level, not too over one’s head nor under it. Read it, it will be worth your while.

  Inside Adolph Hitler, Roger Manvell and Heinrich Fraenkel, 1973, Pinnacle Books.

  It's great to get various perspectives on Hitler. The difference between the perspectives demonstrates the fact that history is a very relevant subject. Even though I have read a fair amount of books on Hitler, the book did indeed increase my knowledge. The back cover tried to describe the uniqueness of the book, but it's not as unique as the back described. I got it for a darn cheap price at a rummage sale. The book got a little wet, but with a book about Hitler for pocket change, you can't go wrong.

  Cultures of the World: Pakistan, Sesan Sheehan, Marshall Cavendish, 1994.

  For fabulous pictures, educational value, easy yet very informative reading, you can't go wrong with this series. It is good to learn about Pakistan.

  Totally Awesome 80's: A Lexicon of the Music, Videos, Movies, TV shows, Stars and trends of that Decadent decade, Matthew Rettenmund, St. Martin's Griffin, 1996.

  My mother thought this book really ruled and I dug it too. The author has bite to his words, he isn't afraid to be sarcastic, brutally honest or mean, which makes the reading delightful. Great lists that help one remember what life was like back in the day. The popular culture bases on this decade are all covered. This book caused me to reflect upon that relationship between the politics of an era and the popular culture of an era. Popular culture books most always seem to be page turning, and here is a perfect example.

  Cultures of the World
: Kuwait, Maria O'Shea, Marshall Cavendish, 1999.

  Go to your local library and check this book out. Or you can go to a local book store if they are cool enough to stock it.

  Lands and People: Special Edition: Crisis in the Middle East, Grolier Incorporated, 1992.

  A very useful primer about the Middle East. The Various techniques of teaching are quite helpful. Short yet containing the important details. A good place to start to learn more about world affairs.

  Flashpoints: The Revolution in Iran, Akbar Husain, Rourke Enterprises, 1988.

  A light book in weight, but heavy in value. It was too bad to see the Shah go, because I think monarchy is cool. Iran is an interesting country, before and after 1979. Maybe America can have a revolution like Iran, but a revolution of a different sort. Since I have read two books on Iran, my brain is growing with knowledge about this country.

  Saddam Hussein: Absolute Ruler of Iraq, Rebecca Stefoff, Millbrook Press, 1995.

  The book started to appear overly biased that Iraq was wrong and Kuwait was right, but by books end there was a fairly fair evaluation of the circumstances. A nice touch was the honesty about George Bush and American foreign policy. A not too long book, with plenty of new knowledge.

  Parental Advisory: Musical Censorship in America, Eric Nuzum, Perennial Books, 2000.

  The author is a believer in the good of music and believer that the bads of music are over exaggerated. A very absorbing read, it seems to me as if some of the most page turning books I read are books about rock music. The author does an excellent job at exposing the holes in the logic of rock music's critics. Insightful point after insightful point. My only complaint is that the author should be more critical of rock music, because there is alot of rock music that is worthless and destructive. The censors may be whacked out, but often so are the rock musicians. We must be able to distinguish the positive and artistic rock from that which truly undermines our nation. Censors threaten freedom of speech. We should also be ready to criticize rock musicians who are living backwards lives, spout stupid or corrupt lyrics and are bad role models. A key testament to the fact that popular culture is immensely fascinating.

  The World's Dumbest Criminals, Jr. Edition, Daniel Butler and Alan Ray, illustrations by Mike Harris, Scholastic Inc, 1997.

  Suppose to be international in focus, but there was too many profiles on the U.S. and Canada, other areas are interesting too! As a fan of odd laws, I dug the small section of insane laws. We need more books like this!

  Decades of the 20th Century: the 1970's From Watergate to Disco, Stephen Feinstein, Enslow Publishers, 2000.

  Brief. Historically valuable book. I wish the pictures would have been in color. I got a better grasp of the decade, I was born at the tail end of. Reading the back cover, I discovered the series only covers the 40's to the 80's. It will be groovy if and when they fill in the gaps. Speaking of groovy, I don't remember "the Brady Bunch" being mentioned, but in the small space only so much can be covered.

  Audio

  Don McLean Classics, Don McLean, Curb Records, 1992.

  Everyone has heard the song "American Pie". It deserves all its praise, the lyrics are subtle, full of images, passionate, original, emotional without losing us and real. A less popular song that has touched me is "Vincent". This song is a prime example of humanity's nobility , reflecting the splendid qualities of both the subject of the song and the writer of the song. "It's a Beautiful Life" is a nifty seemingly stream of consciousness song that makes me think of beatniks. It's good to hear mellow and soft music. I'm glad I can like musicians ranging from the Hardcore to "soft rock". Don McLean seems to be a true artist, not a commercial icon like so many others.

  Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Sidney R. Stager, Health Communications, Inc, 2001.

  This "Chicken Soup" book didn't do it for me. The other books I have been exposed to, seemed to reach me more. I imagine veterans could obviously relate more than me. I wonder when they are gonna come out with the book "Chicken Soul for the Peacenik's Soul." Probably not for a long time.

  Midnight Oil, Scream in Blue, Colombia, 1992.

  I wish this wasn't a live album, the benefit of spontaneity doesn't make up for the lost in polish. "Beds are Burning" was a big reason I checked out this cd, and it did not disappoint me. "Sell My Soul" was a new catchy song for me. I think what Midnight Oil is doing is valuable and honorable.

  I'm Breathless, Madonna, Sire Records, 1990.

  The songs on this album save "Vogue" sound like songs from the 1920's. That era was very interesting to me for various reasons. Like the other album of Madonna's review here, this is done exceptionally. Madonna's class and creativity shine on "Vogue". I listened to that song many times. "Hanky Panky" was a nice surprise. I certainly didn't expect it to be song with a S&M edge. Then there was also "Cry Baby", cool lyrics. Madonna skillfully sings in a voice to fit the part of Breathless Mahoney. So many musicians have done sex appeal so poorly and so typically, that they have made it banal. But Madonna is never banal, her sex appeal is real, human and LIBERATING. I also love how she is so open about sex. Listening to Madonna's sexual music seems acceptable for socially liberated persons. When Madonna poses for a pinup, it is not shameful or degrading. When Madonna sings sexual songs, she is not falling into the same trap as so many of her contemporaries. She is to be commended for this and so much more.

  Bedtime Stories, Madonna, Maverick, 1994.

  Madonna is groovy. She is dug by me. This album usually synthesize music which many consider unreal, but Madonna uses it very well. She does a wonderful job at making sure rock music, a genre that has been done to death, never gets stale or mechanic. "Human Nature" was repeated on the cd player for me, lyrics and music combined to deliver a marvelous message. Right on Madonna with "Human Nature". "Survivor" also rocks. In fact, most of the songs on this album rock. There are a couple of songs in the middle, that aren't perfectly moving, but overall, Madonna did a great job. She is likely the most attractive woman in America, and she is in her 40's! Madonna posses perennial and everlasting beauty and appeal.

  Imagine, John Lennon, EMI Records, 1971.

  Unfortunately the later Beatles seemed to have plenty of drug allusions in their songs. This album doesn't seem to have too many drug allusions, so I was glad about that. It also appear as if the music was virtuously simple. Socially aware lyrics that aren't painfully blunt or direct. Very hummable and memorable, catchy.

 

  Question the Answers, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Polygram Records, 1994.

  Overhyped. The mediocre album didn't impress me a whole lot. I remember an incident in high school that reflects the band. Two popular yet nice woman in my class were discussing the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Mrs. Osborne's College Algebra class. One of them remarked "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started Ska Music." This drove my ska fanatic friend Alan Saunders up the wall. Alan had very definite opinions about ska music. He considered bands like Mighty Mighty Bosstones to be poseurs and to be latter day commercialized ska. Referring to the incident in our class, Alan said something to the effect, "I don't get mad very often, but what they said made me want to break my pencil." The title of the album sounds provocative and profound. To be fair, I didn't have a chance to peruse the lyrics fully enough, but from listening to the album, I don't remember any songs catching my mind's eye as being powerful social statements. (Ska music tends to be lighter on the deep themes and more into fun)