Category: Book Review

review on book
Overview
For your third and final article, your job is to write a review of Patti Smith’s memoir, Just Kids, published in January of 2010. This assignment is weighted the most (15%) of all critiques written this semester, so make it count.
Writes Janet Maslin in the New York Times’ book review: “Just Kids” captures a moment when Ms. Smith and (Robert) Mapplethorpe were young, inseparable, perfectly bohemian and completely unknown, to the point in which a touristy couple in Washington Square Park spied them in the early autumn of 1967 and argued about whether they were worth a snapshot. The woman thought they looked like artists. The man disagreed, saying dismissively, “They’re just kids.”
Guidelines, and guiding questions
1) THE BASICS
• “A book reviewer,” explains Maslin in the McLeese textbook, “has some very basic work to do. He or she has got to explain what this, who wrote it, what it’s trying to do and whether it succeeds. Starting from scratch. If you can present all that in an interesting way and hold the reader’s attention throughout, you’re doing it right.”
The above quote is a good guide, not only for your article but also as a manager for your emotions: if you begin to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content present in the book, refer back to the basics.
2) TIPS, FRAMEWORK, OPINION
• In chapter 8 of the McLeese book, which details book reviews, McLeese writes: “…book reviewing is the only form of arts criticism where both the art and the review are in the same medium—words written about words. The reviewer thus has “show, not tell” by including passages of the actual work within the review rather than (or in addition to) describing the writing. “
• In the interview with Maslin in the final pages of chapter 8, she speaks about her book review process. Read this again, particularly questions 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
• Effectively utilization the four elements of a critique: description (summary, genre, e.g.), context (genre, time period, e.g.), interpretation and evaluation. Consider developing an assessment before you write the critique.
• Clearly express your opinion so that the reader is informed as to whether or not he/she should buy the book.
• Read, read, read. We will read and examine book reviews in class, and for homework, but consider reading much more. Seeing how other get it done, for better or for worse, will serve you well.
Formatting
• 1,000-1,500 words. No silly fonts. Double spaced. Normal margins.
NO SOURCES

Examples of the divine order or great chain of being in shakespeare’s play hamlet and king lear. You can use oedipus the king as well.

 

The author came to talk about his book at the Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College.

Prior to meeting him you had began to read the book The Prince of los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood” and found it hysterical because you could really relate to him and his experiences.

Also mention:

1. why we (The Honors College) considered this Colloquium important enough to require your participation

2. how the Colloquium connected to at least one of your current courses, extracurricular (academic-related) activities or service-learning

3. how the Colloquium support you as an Honors College student

a. did it enrich your knowledge base? (how?)

b. provide you with a new skill? (how)

c. trigger a question? (what was your question and it’s “color”)

Amazon link.

https://www.amazon.com/The-Prince-los-Cocuyos-Childhood/dp/

Additional link on the book:

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/

 

Akunin’s Winter Queen is a novel written at the very end of the twentieth century but it is about the nineteenth century. Please compare it with the “true” nineteenth-century crime fiction works (in particular Crime and Punishment) we read in terms of how he handles the work of the detectives, the nature of crimes in the nineteenth century, and the role women play.

 

Nabokov’s Despair is a novel written from the criminal’s point of view. What, in your opinion, are advantages and disadvantages of the first-person narrative in crime fiction? Please analyze how Nabokov capitalizes on the strengths of this particular method of narration to maintain suspense. Feel free to compare to the movie

 

“The Last Lecture” (worth 85 points) Minimum two pages length

What choice would you make if you were faced with the same situation as Randy Pausch was?

How do his ideas affect your attitudes with school? work? family? life?

Suppose you were in Randy Pausch’s shoes and had an opportunity to give a lecture to a large group of people. What would you choose to speak about and why?

Give your reaction to Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture and five positive points you pulled from viewing this presentation.

 

Book Review of Crisis and Trauma Counseling
Wright, H. Norman. Crisis & Trauma Counseling
1. Abstract. After listing the author, publisher, and date summarize what you have read as if you were the author boiling down the book into 500 concise words. Prove that you comprehend the reading by writing a no-nonsense summary. The abstract is not a commentary or listing of topics, but rather a gut-deep, insightful “pr�cis” of the longer, more elaborate book. Abstract equals “boiled down.”
2. Concrete Responses. Be vulnerable! In 250 words, relate a personal life episode that this book triggered in your memory. Relate your story in first person, describing action and quoting exact words you remember hearing or saying. In the teaching style of Jesus, this is a do-it-yourself parable, case study, and confession. You will remember almost nothing you have read unless you make this critical, personal connection. What video memory began to roll? This is your chance to tell your story and generate new ideas.
3. Reflection. What new questions pop up for you in response to what you have read? Take notes as you read. Outsmart the author by asking better questions than he has risen. Begin with questions like, “What bothers me about this book?” Discuss the positives and negatives about the book. Please keep this section to about 250 words.
4. Action. What are you going to do about it? Describe in detail what you are going to say to a counselee, send as an email, or say to a friend. What actions or changes are you going to make in your life as a result of what you have learned? Your response here is a matter of obedience first, questions later. Be precise in summarizing your action steps (limit these comments to about 200 words).
Please note: Your grade on the 4-MAT Reviews depends on the manner in which you address each of these four dimensions in response to your readings. Each review should be no more than five pages, double-spaced (not including the title page and References page).

Direct book of ”soldier“
Assuming you are the director of the play “soldier”, how you gonna direct it. For example :at what time,the character came out to the stage, with what kind of emotion on his face. What tones he will he use. And give the reason why.
The frame of the story: A soldier attended a war,but accidentally he killed a child. After the war he can’t fall asleep in a single night. His wife tried to help him but it is not working. But after a year his wife gave him a son. He finally find out the meaning of his life. And he used his guilty to love his son more and more. (The detail parts can be modified)

Trail of Tears
full 5 pages long not including cited page. Cite at least six (6) different historical sources. Most of them must be primary (eyewitness) accounts. All information obtained from these materials should be footnoted using Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History as a guide