2011.7.12 NEW ARRIVALS
Published: 11 Jul. 2011, 19:52
GENRE : History
The evolving tension between private and public animates this magisterial history of the state. In his hominids-to-guillotines chronicle of humanity’s attempts to build strong, accountable governments that adhere to the rule of law, international relations scholar Francis Fukuyama advances two themes: the effort to create an impersonal state free from family and tribal allegiances, and the struggle-often violent-against wealthy elites who capture the state and block critical reforms. Fukuyama’s multifaceted comparative approach grounds politics and government in the demands of biology, geography, war and economics, and pays appropriately lavish attention to China, India and Islamic countries. Fukuyama writes a crystalline prose that balances engaging erudition with incisive analysis. (from Publishers Weekly)
Live Wire (Myron Bolitar)
GENRE : Fiction
Edgar-winner Harlan Coben’s 10th Myron Bolitar novel is a perfect 10, providing readers with new information about the past of the former-athlete-turned-agent and owner of MB Reps; a satisfyingly complex mystery; and the always entertaining, sometimes shocking exploits of Bolitar’s partner and friend, Windsor Horne Lockwood III (aka Win). Suzze Tervantino, a former tennis prodigy and one of Bolitar’s first clients, visits his New York office and shows him a Facebook post that suggests that her husband, rock star Lex Ryder, isn’t the father of the child she’s carrying.
When Ryder, also a client of MB Reps, disappears, Suzze begs Bolitar to find him. In the process, Bolitar catches a glimpse of his sister-in-law, Kitty, at a crowded nightclub, and begins a search for her and his estranged younger brother, Brad, whom he hasn’t seen for 16 years. This explosively fast thriller will leave fans clamoring for more. (from Publishers Weekly)
A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One
GENRE : Fiction
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective wall. To the south, the King’s powers are failing, and his enemies are emerging from the shadows of the throne. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the king’s new hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but also the kingdom itself. A heroic fantasy of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers and assassins and evildoers who come together in a time of grim omens. (From Barnes & Noble)
Think Twice
GENRE : Fiction
Lisa Scottoline’s 13th novel, centered on the all-female Philadelphia law firm headed by Bennie Rosato, offers contrived situations and paper-thin characters on top of a premise that strains credibility. After Bennie’s evil identical twin sister, Alice Connelly, drugs her and leaves her to die, buried in a remote farm field, Alice takes advantage of her physical resemblance to Bennie to assume her identity at the law firm as well as gain access to her wealth and, eventually, her ex-boyfriend. Many will wonder why the ruthless Alice didn’t kill Bennie outright, leaving open the possibility that her victim will escape and attempt to foil her scheme.
With authors like Lisa Unger proving that intelligent plotting and page-turning aren’t incompatible, this tired effort is unlikely to win Scottoline new converts. (from Publishers Weekly)
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)