Monday, September 28, 2015

Book news and reviews with the Sydney Morning Herald

Fitzroy: The Biography, a series of portraits of people, events and places associated with the suburb, told in poetry. By PiO. JASON STEGER 12:15am Fitzroy: The Biography is a series of poetic portraits of people, events and places associated with the suburb. There are familiar Fitzroy identities such as the gangster Squizzy Taylor, lesser-known characters such as Ellen Fincham,and there are the famous visitors to the suburb such as Bob Dylan or Muhammad Ali.

Books that changed me: Libby Weaver

Dr Libby Weaver says <i>Quiet</i> by Susan Cain is the book she tells everyone to read.

Dr Libby Weaver is a nutritional biochemist in New Zealand and Australia. She is the author of bestsellers including Accidentally Overweight, Rushing Woman's Syndrome and her new book, Why Are You So Tired?

Review

Australian Confederates by Terry Smyth: our rebels in the American Civil War

Confederate Captain James Waddell, who took his ship to Melbourne and Ross Southernwood Australian crewmen joined the Confederate raider Shenandoah in Melbourne and were involved in the last actions of the Civil War.

Book reviews: The Honours; The Good The Bad and The Smug; A Crucible of Souls

Take Three dinkus Reviewer: Colin Steele Colin Steele delves into the world of fantasy.

Fiona Wood interview: Author of Cloudwish keeps it real for teens

Fiona Wood is the author of several teen novels. Her latest is <i>Cloudwish</i>, about a Vietnamese Australian girl struggling with boys, school and home issues. KAREN HARDY Working with a young Vietnamese-Australian girl inspired the author's latest novel.

Life of Gore Vidal review: A biographer turns traitor but the subject wins out

<i>Every Times a Friend Succeeds</i> by Jay Parini. Peter Craven Jay Parini portrays the great writer Gore Vidal primarily as a narcissist and suggests that much of what he insinuated about himself was untruth at worst and myth-making at best.

Thieves Fall Out review: Gore Vidal's crime novel republished as a stylish curio

<i>Thieves Fall Out</i> by Gore Vidal. Owen Richardson The scene is Cairo after the war. A handsome drifter – ex-infantry, ex-Texas oil – wakes up in a bordello with his pockets empty and no idea how he got there.

Short reviews of non-fiction from Australia and overseas

Advanced Australia
By Mark Butler Fiona Capp Short reviews of non-fiction by Sophie Hardcastle, Robin Renwick, Mark Butler and the letters to Peter Greste

Review

Christopher Pyne's A Letter to My Children raises questions for them and us

'Wacky' plan to means test public schools slammed (Thumbnail) Gerard Windsor How self-analytical can a serving politician be? Christopher Pyne says he wants to reveal at least his professional self to his children; they deserve an explanation from such an absent father.

Review

The Cartel by Don Winslow: thrilling journey into Mexico's heart of darkness

<i>The Cartel</i> by Don Winslow is the second in a series of books about the Mexican narcotics world. Charles Purcell A drug agent savages a Mexican narcotics kingpin's network in this new thriller from Don Winslow.

Review

How to grow older and bolder: books by Rudi Westendorp and Renata Singer

We must extend our sight lines beyond the current mortal horizon, writes Rudi Westendorp.
Paul Biegler Singer's book aims unapologetically at women but her message is universal.

Turning Pages: Writing and the attraction of the short form

<p></p> Jane Sullivan In the past, publishers have often been reluctant to release short-form writing, except perhaps for books of poetry. But haven't some of the greatest classics been on the short side?

Bookmarks: News and views from the bookworld

<p></p> JASON STEGER Richard Flanagan misses out in Tasmania and the odds on the Booker and Nobel. 

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