All Consuming : John Rodzvilla

Why I recommend "Artwords 2: Discourse on the Early 80s (Studies in the Fine Arts : Criticism, No 24)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 01:32:46 GMT

Artwords 2: Discourse on the Early 80s (Studies in the Fine Arts : Criticism, No 24)

Includes interviews with:
Andy Warhol
Jenny Holzer
Laurie Anderson
Nancy Spero
Barbara Kruger
Francesco Clemente
Julian Schnabel
David Salle

Snake Handlers (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 01:22:43 GMT

Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia

by Dennis Covington

Put simply SALVATION ON SAND MOUNTAIN is a book about snake handling and religion. It’s also the author’s exploration of his past, his faith, and his loyalty. A quick, but intense read.

A review of "Grapevine: The New Art of Word-of-Mouth Marketing"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:31:54 GMT

Grapevine: The New Art of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

by David Balter

From the founder of Bzzagent- a book on how marketing can utilize word of mouth to sell product. Isn’t that what marketing is? Filled with field reports and a company history framed within a hokey story. Nothing revolutionary here. Slapdash case studies with illogical conclusions, but a fascinating look at what people will do for free product. The kinder, gentler, more primitive face of Pattern Recognition. Favorite unintentional moment- Balter’s defense against William Gibson and David Byrne’s criticism by claiming bzzagent’s not that kind of company. We were, but we’re not now. Oh Tipping Point see what you have wrought!

100 words on Old Mr. Flood from guttertype.com

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:28:41 GMT

Old Mr. Flood

by Joseph Mitchell

Fiction originally published in the 1940s. New York. Character driven. Writer from the New Yorker best known for Joe Gould’s Secret? At least the movie. The writing is as fresh as when first published. Quick read. Striking prose. Example of what American fiction should be. This is the kind of writing one expects in anthologies on how to write. Books like this hold me for the rest of the year as I trudge through faddish fiction and quickly composed books. Elegant in form, common in subject matter and comfortable in tone. You should already know what to expect from this.

autism and animals (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 02:05:25 GMT

Animals in Translation : Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior

by Temple Grandin

lots of material in this book. most interesting fact was one on the evolution of man and dog and how they may have helped each other evolve.

A story about "Spring Miscellany and London Essays"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 19:39:42 GMT

Spring Miscellany and London Essays

by Soseki Natsume

New Year’s Day- Japan, story, cultural
The Snake- Japan, story, supernatural
The Thief- Japan, story, cultural, family
The Persimmon- Japan, story
The Brazier- Japan, story, cultural, family
The Boarding House- London, semi-autobiographical
Odors of the Past- London, semi-autobiographical
The Cat’s Grave- Japan, story, cultural, family
A Sweet Dream- Japan/ London, story, personal
Impressions- London, autobiographical
The Human Being- Japan, story
The Pheasant- Japan, story, cultural
Mona Lisa- Japan, story, cultural
The Fire- Japan, story, cultural
Fog- London
The Kakemono- Japan, cultural
The 11th of February- Japan, story, cultural, semi-autobiographical
A Good Bargain- Japan, story
The Procession- Japan, story, family
In Bygone Days- London, semi-autobiograpical
The Voice- Japan, story
Money- Japan, semi-autobiographical
The Heart- Japan, story
Changes- Japan/ London, semi-autobiographical
Craig Sensei- London, semi-autobiographical
The Carlyle Museum- London, semi-autobiographical
The Diary of a Bicycle Rider- London, semi-autobiographical
Soseki’s Letters from London

A story about "Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 17:06:57 GMT

Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town

by Nate Blakeslee

Felt like this was a logn book full of details on the Texas twon of Tulia. Last half of the book was a great report on the courtroom drama that took place. Worth a read for anyone interested in this style of story.

A story about "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 17:17:58 GMT

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

by Steven D. Levitt

finished 7/5/2005. Disappointing. More a book on statistics and the social end of thnings than actual economics.

A story about "I Like Being Killed: Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 17:16:39 GMT

I Like Being Killed: Stories

by Tibor Fischer

originally released as DON’T READ THIS IF YOU ARE STUPID. Collection of short stories. Very British. Almost too British.

A story about "Ferdydurke"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 09 Jul 2005 17:35:54 GMT

Ferdydurke

by Witold Gombrowicz

turning 30 ode to immaturity. Suggested by John Radz.

A story about "Never Mind the Pollacks: A Rock and Roll Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 18:01:16 GMT

Never Mind the Pollacks: A Rock and Roll Novel

by Neal Pollack

Good research on this novel. Nearly every word reflects a scholarship in rock criticism. MAthced so many music memoirs and overviews.

A story about "Home Land: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 17:59:53 GMT

Home Land: A Novel

by Sam Lipsyte

Suggested by a publicist. Was a funny disturbing read. Worth the time spent on it

A story about "The Breaking Point: Hemingway, Dos Passos, and the Murder of Jose Robles"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:35:09 GMT

The Breaking Point: Hemingway, Dos Passos, and the Murder of Jose Robles

by Stephen Koch

Wasn’t too interested in another Hemingway bio, but after PW’s review thought I should check it out. It was a really understandable overview of the literature and culture of the American Left up to and during the Spanish Civil War. Has everything you want in a very shrot work about the period leading up to WWII- nazis, bombs, Tango, torture, Hemingway, fishing, Cuba, Spain, Commies, New York, actresses, Dos Passos, Cape Cod(!). Worth reading for another look at Americans in Europe and a really succint bio of Hemingway and Dos Passos.

A story about "The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:30:17 GMT

The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God

by George Weigel

So the hidden argument here seems to be that through not reproducing (lower birth rates, abortions, etc.) we are letting the Muslims (read terrorists) win! There were several points in the book that I agreed with, such as the hidden spirituality of the common man, the importance of Pope John Paul II, the good work the Catholic Church has done in the 20th century, but there were too many things Weigel glossed over and too many hints at something sinister that made me feel uneasy while reading this book.

A story about "Scurvy : How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:22:23 GMT

Scurvy : How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail

by Stephen Bown

mmccaule read this mistake. Did not read

A story about "Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:18:48 GMT

Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa

by Karin Muller

Finished Japanland. First half of the book makes use of the stupid foreigner stereotype but it doesn’t seem to be a stereotype. Very embarrassing to read author being so ignorant of the people who were nice enough to house her. Second half of book on the misfits aand forgotten of society moch more informative and entertaining.

A story about "Stagolee Shot Billy"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:15:26 GMT

Stagolee Shot Billy

by Cecil Brown

Should read his previous books. Look up more on American balladry and St. Louis in the 1890s. Also to note: Frankie and Johnny (Albert) murder, St. Louis, lovers, macks(?), The Bully preformed in the same venues, Scott Joplin.

A story about "Altered Art: Techniques for Creating Altered Books, Boxes, Cards & More"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:15:25 GMT

Altered Art: Techniques for Creating Altered Books, Boxes, Cards & More

by Terry Taylor

simple projects but the gallerys of other works had good ideas

A story about "The Rose & the Briar: Death, Love and Liberty in the American Ballad"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:15:25 GMT

The Rose & the Briar: Death, Love and Liberty in the American Ballad

need to return to library not finished. Kinda boring collection- want to read “I thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say” by Luc Sante, “Come Sunday” by Stanley Crouch, and “Nebraska” by Howard Hampton

A story about "The Polysyllabic Spree"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:15:25 GMT

The Polysyllabic Spree

by Nick Hornby

list of books to check out noted. collection of articles from Believer. Another list book.

A story about "Blockbuster: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer"

nobody@allconsuming.net (John Rodzvilla) — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:15:24 GMT

Blockbuster: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer

by Tom Shone

finished March 19,2005. Quick book on Hollywood blockbusters from a friend of Nick Hornby (read about it in the Polysyllabic Spree. Too attached to Star Wars original trilogy.