For the Psychiatrist
Analytic attitudes are at the center of Mark Edmundson's
The Death of Sigmund Freud: The Legacy of His Last
Days (Bloomsbury Publishing; $25.95). The author,
exploring Freud's last work, Moses and Monotheism, in
which the founder of psychoanalysis debunked all mono-
theistic religions and the legacy of Moses, also sheds new
light on Freud's insights on how a totalitarian leader like
Hitler could rise to power.
For the Legal Eagle
Jeffrey Toobin, CNN legal analyst and New Yorker staff
writer, explores the world of jurisprudence in The
Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court
(Doubleday; $27.95). He surveys the institution from the
Reagan administration onward, as the justices wrestle
with abortion, affirmative action, the death penalty, gay
rights and church-state separation.
For the Music Fan
Wilfrid Sheed actually hung out with the great Broadway
songwriters and tells their stories — with plenty of
anecdotes
in The House That George Built: With a
Little Help from Irving, Cole and a Crew of About Fifty
(Random House; $29.95). Readers gain insight into the
lives of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and
many other musical luminaries.
Alex Ross, a music critic For the New Yorker, presents a
—
history of the last century through its music in The Rest
shaped the singing group. Author Jonathan Gould also
Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century (Farrar
takes an extensive look at the lyrics and music the group
Straus & Giroux; $30). The personalities linked to the
performed. Beatles fans also will enjoy Ken Mansfield's
music also are explored.
memoir, The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands,
Experience the cities inspiring the best classical
the Biz: An Insider's Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson:
music through Simon Callow's Classical Destinations
$22.99), a Beatles history from the perspective of a record
(Amadeus Press; $30), based on the TV series and accom- executive on intimate terms with the Fab Four.
panied by DVD and CD sets. The presentation examines
the lives of composers related to their places of birth.
For the Film Fanatic
Violin Dreams (Houghton Mifflin; $25.95) by Arnold
Stars tell about their favorite movies in You Gotta See
Steinhardt tells what it takes to become a star instrumen-
This (Plume; $15) by veteran entertainment reporter
talist. The author, in addition to being a soloist, is first
Cindy Pearlman. George Clooney, Uma Thurman and
violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet.
Reese Witherspoon are among the cinema essayists.
Ruth Rubin, an expert in Yiddish songs, is recalled after
her death with Yiddish Folksongs from the Ruth Rubin
For the Theatergoer
Archive (Wayne State University Press; $34.95). Edited
Stefan Kanfer goes back in time with Stardust Lost: The
by Chana Mlotek and Mark Slobin, lyrics are presented in
Triumph, Tragedy and Mishugas of the Yiddish Theater
Yiddish and English and accompanied by the music score, in America (Knopf; $26.95). Besides delving into the
and there are topical groupings for commentary.
secrets of the people on and behind the stage, he captures
Steven Lee Beeber recalls a New York club and the
the outlooks of the audiences.
development of a music style in The Heebie -Jeebies
at CBGB's: A Secret History of Jewish Punk (Chicago
For the jokester
Review Press; $24.95). The author probes the personali-
David Minkoff loves a good laugh and loves to have oth-
ties who created punk and compares the style with Jewish ers join in. Oy! The Ultimate Book of Jewish Jokes
(St.
culture.
Martin's; $14.95) combines old and new punch lines.
Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and
Jeffrey and Lila Dubinsky are really the pennames for
America (Harmony Books; $27.50) delves into the
biographical, musical and cultural backgrounds that
People Of The Books on page C28
rtAHAINCS
ARCH-
OD,
Chanukah gets an underwater celebration in
Mr. Mentch (Pitspopany; $9.95). The author, listed as
"The Mamas," explores what it takes to be a prizewin-
ner in a Chanukah contest. Ages 3-6.
Lauren Seidman employs poetry and pictures to
explain What Makes Someone a Jew? (Jewish Lights;
$8.99). The author communicates that religion has to
do with what's in a child's heart and mind rather than
what makes up ethnic differences in appearance. Ages
4-8.
Grandparents fly through the air and help celebrate
the miracle of ancient days in Daniel HaLevi Bloom's
Bubble and Zadie Come to My House: A Story for
Hanukkah (Square One Publishers; $16.95). Ages 4-8.
Abraham, depicted as a child, discovers his religious
outlook in Abraham's Search for God (Kar-Ben
Publishing; $17.95). Author Jacqueline Jules conveys
wonderment as she describes everyday experiences
and recognizes Abraham as the father of monotheism
and three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Ages 4-8.
Gefilte fish children get separated from mom in Five
Little Gefiltes (Putnam's; $10.39) by Dave Horowitz.
There is a happy ending and a glossary of Jewish
terms. Ages 4-8.
A boy transitions from apartment to home in Amy
Meltzer's A Mezuzah on the Door (Kar-Ben Publishing;
$17.95). The move becomes more accepted as tradi-
tions - including those of Chanukah - are continued.
Ages 4-8.
A grandfather talks to his granddaughter about reli-
gious differences in families, explaining how
the non-Jewish father-in-law of Moses got
along with his Jewish grandson Gershom, in
Papa Jethro (Kar-Ben Publishing; $7.95) by
Deborah Bodin Cohen. Ages 5-9.
11 ,r)n
Childrrn
A little girl experiences Chanukah traditions cel-
ebrated by Mexican Jews in Hanukkah Moon (Kar-
Ben Publishing; $17.95) by Deborah da Costa. Ages
6-10.
problems is Manuel's
romantic interest. Ages 9-12.
Janusz Korczak, a Polish doctor and educator, cared
for orphans and went with them to Treblinka. His story
is the subject of Janusz Korczak's Children (Kar-Ben
Publishing; $7.95) by Gloria Spielman. Ages 7-10.
A clash among members of two Jewish communi-
ties becomes the focus of Mara Cohen loannides in A
Shout in the Sunshine (Jewish Publication Society;
$9.95). Taking place in 15th-century Greece, the novel
explores friendship. Ages 10 and up. 11
A ghost, helping a ventriloquist, speaks out against
the Nazis in The Entertainer and the Dybbuk
(Greenwillow Books; $16). Author Sid Fleischman
includes humor in his tale of personal expression.
Ages 9-12.
Members of the Nunez family need to keep their
Judaism a secret during the Spanish Inquisition so
Manuel is shocked when he is old enough to learn
about his origins in Dorit Orgad's The Boy from Seville
(Kar-Ben Publishing: $16.95). Complicating the family's
— Suzanne Chessler
Author Sarah Marwil Lamstein, a former
Detroiter, presents a children's program based on
her new book, Letter on the Wind: A Chanukah
Tale (Boyd Mill Press; $16.95), a retelling of a
Jewish folktale reminding readers of the first
Chanukah (for ages 4-8), at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
2, at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park.
(248) 967-4030.
November 29 2007
C27