All Consuming : James McNally

Why I recommend "The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:41:41 GMT

by George Packer

Probably the single best book on the current situation in Iraq. The many examples of how the Bush administration refused to plan for the post-war period are shocking and discouraging. I wouldn’t call Packer either left or right-leaning. I think he supported the war but is angry that there was no thought given to the reconstruction of the country after the “regime change.”

A review of "At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels Through Paraguay" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 05:39:21 GMT

At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels Through Paraguay

by John Gimlette

Paraguay is a strange place with a dark and fascinating history, but I found Gimlette’s prose sometimes just a bit purple. His florid descriptions and apparently aimless wandering made his mixture of history and travelogue a bit hard to knit together into a coherent narrative.

A story about "How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:48:43 GMT

How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

by Franklin Foer

Just amazing. Got me into footie in a big way!

A story about "Alphaville - Criterion Collection"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:47:51 GMT

Alphaville - Criterion Collection

by Jean-Luc Godard

Couldn’t finish watching it. Found it dull. Sorry!

A story about "Code 46"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 15:42:46 GMT

Code 46

by Michael Winterbottom

Good concept and great art direction, but a few large holes. Why no birth control (voluntary or enforced) in the future?

A story about "On Sunset Boulevard: The Life and Times of Billy Wilder"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:23 GMT

On Sunset Boulevard: The Life and Times of Billy Wilder

by Ed Sikov

Comprehensive and interesting. I’m glad to see that the author is doing the DVD commentary on the upcoming (and long-overdue) DVD release of “Sunset Boulevard.”

A story about "The Demonic Comedy: Some Detours in the Baghdad of Saddam Hussein"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:22 GMT

The Demonic Comedy: Some Detours in the Baghdad of Saddam Hussein

by Paul William Roberts

Fascinating, especially right now. Roberts reports from several trips he made to Iraq, and as a Canadian, I appreciate his Canadian approach to the whole Gulf War. He maintains that America was so worried about “godless Communism” that it supported and encouraged Islamic fundamentalism before it knew how dangerous that tactic was. Eerie considering this was written pre-9/11

A story about "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:22 GMT

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

by Peter Biskind

Fun. Combines some theorizing on how and why the 70s were the golden age of American movies with some incredibly salacious gossipy tales.

A story about "Francis Ford Coppola: A Filmmaker's Life"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:22 GMT

Francis Ford Coppola: A Filmmaker's Life

by MICHAEL SCHUMACHER

So far, so good. Readable biography, not particularly analytical, but recalls some interesting stories from the making of some of Coppola’s films.

A story about "The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Men Against the Sea"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:21 GMT

The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Men Against the Sea

by Sebastian Junger

Junger reconstructs the voyage of the doomed fishing boat Andrea Gail, combining fascinating science reporting with vignettes of the lives of the fishermen of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Fills out and humanizes the stereotypes found in the filmed version.

A story about "Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:21 GMT

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith

by Anne Lamott

Very funny and wise, not your usual “spiritual” autobiography!

A story about "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:21 GMT

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal

by Eric Schlosser

This book has changed the way I look at the entire prepared food industry. More than just a critique of fast food, it documents the processes behind the “malling” of America (and the world). Compelling reading.

A story about "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:20 GMT

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

by Anne Lamott

A book for writers from the author of Traveling Mercies. Just as funny, but not quite as moving, for obvious reasons.

A story about "The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst (The Sailor's Classics #4)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:20 GMT

The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst (The Sailor's Classics #4)

by Nicholas Tomalin

This book was fascinating. An amazing true story. I’m surprised it hasn’t been filmed already…

A story about "What's Not to Love?: The Adventures of a Mildly Perverted Young Writer"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:19 GMT

What's Not to Love?: The Adventures of a Mildly Perverted Young Writer

by Jonathan Ames

Side-splitting, salacious, scandalous, sexual, silly stories.

A story about "Naked"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:19 GMT

Naked

by David Sedaris

Funny in a totally smart way. The first piece, though, was not the best introduction to the book. I would start reading at page 7 instead…

A story about "From Beirut to Jerusalem (Updated with a New Chapter)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:19 GMT

From Beirut to Jerusalem (Updated with a New Chapter)

by Thomas L. Friedman

One of the best history books I’ve read, reminiscent of David Remnick’s “Lenin’s Tomb,” but of course about the Middle East instead of Russia. This book has added immeasurably to my understanding of some of the current issues facing the world. The author also writes a twice-weekly column for the New York Times which is also insightful, though only in 800-word bursts.

A story about "Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:18 GMT

Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991

by Michael Azerrad

This is a great overview of American “indie” bands of the 1980s, with individual chapters on such legendary bands as Fugazi, Black Flag, Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma, H

A story about "Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:18 GMT

Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk

by Legs McNeil

This is a great book, compiled from many many interviews with pioneers of the mostly American punk scene in the 70s. There’s stuff here about the Velvet Underground, MC5, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, New York Dolls, Ramones, Bowie, Dead Boys, Patti Smith, Television, Blondie, almost everyone involved in the birth of the punk movement in the US. If only there were a book like this about the UK scene.

A story about "What Should I Do with My Life?"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:17 GMT

What Should I Do with My Life?

by Po Bronson

I saw Po Bronson at South by Southwest Interactive this year and immediately knew I needed to read this book. His presentation helped me begin thinking of the direction I wanted my life to follow. And now the book is helping to motivate me to do the hard thinking I need to do.

A story about "Robert Young Pelton's The World's Most Dangerous Places: 5th Edition (Robert Young Pelton the World's Most Dangerous Places)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James McNally) — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:38:16 GMT

Robert Young Pelton's The World's Most Dangerous Places: 5th Edition (Robert Young Pelton the World's Most Dangerous Places)

by Robert Young Pelton

Like a weird World Almanac. Who might kidnap you in Chechnya or decapitate you in Liberia? How to avoid being shot in the head in Colombia. Fascinating if not especially useful for armchair adventurers like me.