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Netsurfer Recommendations

Human Accomplishment: The Pursuit of Excellence in the Arts and Sciences, 800 B.C. to 1950
Charles Murray
HarperCollins; ISBN: 006019247X

Charles Murray applies modern methods of historical analysis to the slippery subject of human accomplishment. The result is an addictively browsable book which quantifies the relative importance of historical movers and shakers. Murray mines data from reputable biographical dictionaries and histories on over 4,000 historical figures who span several categories of the arts, sciences, and philosophies. This is not just an exercise in deciding if Einstein would kick Newton's butt in a scientific cage match (actually, it's a draw). Murray tries to draw socioeconomic conclusions about what drives human excellence, and this is the part of the book that elevates it beyond an empty exercise in relative ranking. Murray's conclusions may not be considered politically correct, particularly for those who are weary of Western-centric views of history, but does he reach his conclusions because of his source material or because of some intrinsic advantage of Western culture? That's the controversial center of this equally entertaining and thought-provoking book. We should note that Murray is no stranger to controversy. He co-authored that rather notorious book about comparative intelligence, " The Bell Curve". Very much worth checking out.

Mars on Earth: The Adventures of Space Pioneers in the High Arctic
Robert Zubrin
J. P. Tarcher; ISBN: 158542255X

Some people can't wait to get to Mars. Between 1999 and 2002, members of the Mars Society did the next best thing. They simulated missions to the planet complete with simulated habitat modules, space suits, and exploration tools. The harsh arctic wilderness of Canada's Devon Island served as proxy for the Red Planet. The project was not just a frivolous exercise in wishful thinking. The crews did actual research and have so far produced some 20 scientific papers. This book is an account of the project, which aside from the general coolness factor had some exciting highlights worthy of a Martian episode of "The Real World". Despite some close calls and near disasters, the project was successful enough that the Mars Society is expanding the program with a similar habitat, the Mars Desert Station. Clearly, space fans will enjoy this book, but it's also a great example of what a group of dedicated, and maybe a little obsessed, people can accomplish in pursuit of their dream.

Break a Leg!: The Kid's Guide to Acting and Stagecraft
Lise Friedman, Mary Dowdle (Photographer), Julia Stiles
Workman Publishing Company; ISBN: 0761122087

Everybody knows one. The kid who was born for the spotlight, who struts upon the living-room stage and amazes assorted aunts with a theatrical personality. You might as well go with the flow and buy the kid you know this book. It's an astonishingly packed little volume that touches on every aspect of theater production. Of course, there are all the little bits about knowing stage right from stage left, emoting a death scene, taking the final bow, and the ever-popular fake kissing, but the book goes much further. There are sections on an amazing variety of things that go on behind the scenes: make-up, lighting, scenery, props, wardrobe.... It gets better. The book has a whole chapter on film editing, and sections on doing commercials, voice-overs, and even showbiz-related print work. And what theatrical manual would be complete without information about dealing with agents, casting directors, and unions? Yep, this kids' book mentions unions. The book, a capsule overview of the whole theatrical biz, aims squarely at the pre-adolescent diva-in-the-making, of either sex. Last but not least, there's an extensive listing of related Web sites. Heck, an adult who wants to break into the theatrical biz would be hard pressed to find a better guide than this.

Verve Unmixed 2
Various Artists
Verve: ASIN: B0000ACAOI

Last year, venerable jazz (don't let that word scare you) record label Verve released Verve/Remixed, an album of its classic jazz/blues recordings remixed by modern DJs. Not a bad concept - some of the remixed tracks worked, some did not, but the album was enough of a success that the label has released another, Verve/Remixed 2. Verve/Unmixed 2, the alleged topic of this review (don't you just love snide editors? - AB), contains the original classic recordings used as source for Verve/Remixed 2. Verve/Unmixed 2 is by far, way far, the best album of the entire series, proving perhaps that it's hard to improve on perfection. Outstanding numbers like Dizzy Gillespie's 1961 version of "Manteca", Nina Simone's heart-racing "Sinnerman" and soulful "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair", Sara Vaughn's sexy "Whatever Lola Wants", and Gilberto and Wanderley's anarchic "Here's That Rainy Day" make this album a virtual lesson in the evolution of blues and jazz. This is a true music-lovers album, one of those you want to listen to with headphones on and eyes closed. Inexplicably, it's also a total steal at less than $5, making this perhaps the best value for money you'll ever get from any record label. Very highly recommended.