Forgetfulness

This probably helps explain why the title is set in such small type: Moroccan terrorists kill the wife of a CIA freelancer. He's invited to the interrogation after they're caught. And he discovers "forgetfulness is not a reasonable response to assault, either personal or national."

C'mon, Canada!

I've been using Google Analytics for the blog for about a month now. It's fantastic. This map represents Tuesday's activity. Canada, have I done something to upset you? :-)



What's that? How can you help? Well, Google also tells me that my returning visitors have outnumbered my new visitors by 3:1 or so over the last two weeks. If you like this blog, spread the love and link to it. Tell your mom about it. More readers = more comments = we all learn more, and that's a good thing. Thanks.

Sco of the Antarctic. Sco? Oh, wait, it's Scott...

This one probably doesn't require much commentary.

The Shape of Things to Come (UK)

Since the discussion of the US version of this produced more than the normal number of comments, I now give you the UK version. Discuss.

When Affirmative Action Was White

I can't remember seeing a cover that's hyphenated a word in a title before. Is there ANY good reason to do this?

Carnivore Diet paperback, or when good hardcovers go bad

On top, the hardcover, which I blogged about more than a year ago and which I like.

On the bottom, the new paperback. The type, the tighter crop, and especially the treatment on the lower right (is that supposed to be a bite?) have made this a very pedestrian cover.

This Is Not Chick Lit

This is not chick lit. But this *is* a wonderfully effective cover -- a wonderful title, and restrained design that complements it.

The Shape of Things to Come

If you're like me (I'm sure you are much smarter), you've (tried to) read Marcus before. You were taken in by things like the Jamie Reid art and words like "syndicalism." And then you realized you had no idea what the F he was talking about, and you sold the book, which is now on the shelf of some accountant with a philosophy minor who is about to have a similar epiphany some day soon.



But I digress. This is odd, isn't it? The photo is wonderful--you know what it is at first glance, but then you have to do a little work to understand the angle at which it was shot and confirm that in fact your first glance was correct. I love it.

But the text? There has to be a story behind it. There has to be a reason why the word "prophecy" is touching the flag. Anyone care to wager a guess?

The Ruby in Her Navel

As this is "set in the twelfth-century against the backdrop of the Crusades," I think the first cover (UK) communicates that better than the second (US). But I don't necessarily like the UK cover better. I think I like them both equally. And you?

North of 9/11

I hadn't planned on posting anything 9/11-related, but the story of this book and how Concordia University would not give approval for a reading by the author grabbed my attention. I wouldn't be surprised if that blood-spattered Canadian flag isn't contributing to the reaction to the book.