Have
you ever wondered just how a book comes to be reviewed? For many books, it
does depend upon how aggressively the publisher (or distributor) markets the
book. Part of the marketing is to send copies to known reviewers with
credible media outlets, and I am pleased to report that Pattaya Mail
is regarded very highly in that regard. I can also assure that any book
sent for review is read, and reviewed.
Of course, there are times when there
are no books sitting on the reviewer’s table, and on those occasions we
wander across to Bookazine, whose friendly staff will sometimes recommend a
particular new book (and we thank them very much), or sometimes a book just
happens to catch the reviewer’s eye. “Andy Warhol” (ISBN
978-3-7913-3814-9, Prestel Publishing 2007) was one of those, and it turned
out to be an excellent overview of the life of one of the world’s more
controversial artists. A controversy that is still going today, long after
his death.
Was Warhol an artist, or just a
marketer? As he was also so busy dreaming up his next self-promotion, the
coloring of his pictures was often left to others, and his mother forged his
signature! Warhol is even quoted as saying, “Sex and parties are the only
things you have to show up for in person.”
The best reference book this year was “1000
Events That Shaped the World” (ISBN 978-1-4262-0314-5, National
Geographic) which practically weighed down the shelves. At B. 1,350 for
this hard cover reference book, I suggested you buy it. History never goes
out of fashion. A beautifully presented book. Get it for your children if
nobody else.
Where novels are concerned, Bangkok
ex-pat Christopher G Moore is hard to beat and “The Corruptionist”
(ISBN 978-616-90393-3-4, Heaven Lake Press, 2010) is a wonderfully
suspenseful read. In many ways, this is a ‘brave’ book. There are many
characters who are immediately recognizable, despite the usual disclaimers.
If this book were translated into Thai language, I would suggest Christopher
Moore should catch the first plane out of the Kingdom. Another riveting
read from Christopher G Moore and one you should not miss. Available at all
good bookstores for B. 499. Get it.
“The Missing Years” (ISBN
9-7818-770-5877-6, Rosenberg Publishing, 2009), written by Chiang Mai expat
Stu Lloyd, details the experiences of Captain Pilkington, a POW in WWII from
Changi prison in Singapore to Hellfire Pass in Thailand. This book records
a major milestone in the history of WW II. Very powerful and emotionally
wringing. Worth looking for.
Another book from the champion of the
Esarn poor, Pira Canning Sudham, was an updated version of “The People of
Thailand”, with the subtitle “The Damned of Thailand” and with a
small addition “The Kingdom in Conflicts”. Having previously written
Tales of Thailand, Monsoon Country and The Force of Karma,
and being from a poor family himself he is qualified to write on the
subject. Available at B. 395 at Bookazine, compulsory reading for anyone
who wishes to understand Esarn and its people.
Another full year of reading is ahead.
