Category Archives: 50-Word Book Reviews

50: The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee

May 24, 2009 –

I’m glad I read this detailed and open-minded exploration of where our Chinese food comes from (both the recipes — many of which are all but unknown in China — and the people who cook, serve, and deliver it to us). I’ll never look at General Tso’s chicken the same way again.

By Amber Luck | Comments (0)

50: All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot

March 29, 2009 –

This third installment in the autobiographical series about a Yorkshire veterinarian is just Herriot: charming and funny literary comfort food. Since this book encompasses Herriot’s time in the Royal Air Force during WWII, it also includes some charming and funny stories about military service — and lots of clunky flashbacks. Forgivable.

By Amber Luck | Comments (0)

50: Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America’s Soul by Kenneth R. Miller

March 10, 2009 –

In his defense of evolution and its moral implications (yes, it has some), Miller remains clear and objective, thoughtful and respectful, even as he indicts the intelligent design movement for imperiling the American mind and science itself. Required reading for anyone who accepts Darwin’s idea — and for anyone who doesn’t.

By Amber Luck | Comments (1)

To Gimmick or Not to Gimmick?

February 23, 2009 –

In my last post, I mentioned that I’d been nurturing some ideas that would motivate me to write here on a regular basis. Today I’d like to unveil one of those ideas, but because it doesn’t do anyone any good if I write things no one wants to read, I want this to be more [...]

By Amber Luck | Comments (2)