A year when (in Glebe) we got our road back, months after we hoped, and a week or two before we'd have thought we might as well give up and go reading or fishing or whatever is you do in forced retirement.

Anyway suffice it to say that ANYTHING would have been better than 2008, and 2009 has been. It's also been a year of the book industry hanging its "books are too expensive" linen out to air, courtesy of the Productivity Commission enquiry. Given the (understandable) obsession of publishers and authors with protecting their investments, their rights and territorial copyright, it's a wonder we managed to see as much good publishing as we have. For what it's worth, the Government is likely to announce its plans on the future of the industry soon. Gleebooks maintains its belief in the inviolability of copyright, the cornerstone of any creative industry, and is strenuously opposed to an open market. Nevertheless, we continue to argue for a liberalisation of the current, outdated laws which disadvantage Australian booksellers against overseas (GST exempt) suppliers, and hope that the Government is listening to us.

As I said, we have seen plenty of good publishing this year, lots of good fiction, especially by women (see my picks for 09 elsewhere in the gleaner, but then add in Margaret Atwood and Cate Kennedy, whose The World Beneath has just been released), and the election of Obama has given us a refreshing break from the seemingly endless production of inward-looking Australian politics books. I've been delighted that my favourite non fiction book of last year, Chloe Hooper's The Tall Man has been given due recognition by the prize-givers. Read it, if you haven't already.

Last, but of course not least, thanks to all of the gleebooks customers who have supported the Indigenous Literacy Project. We're proud to be involved and we'll keep you posted with developments for 2010.

Season's greetings, David.

Janice has taken the Wilder Aisles on holiday to Europe, however Gleebooks' events manager, Morgan Smith, has had a lightning trip abroad and brings you a report from the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, held the 7th to the 11th of October 2009.

Ubud in Bali is the most beautiful place for a writers' festival, even perhaps eclipsing the fanstastic harbour setting of Sydney's festival at Walsh Bay. The three main venues look out over a lush tropical valley, while other events in various restaurants, museums and galleries each had their own swoon factor, from the simply charming to the architecturally majestic or the naturally stunning. On Friday night, an American expat hosted a brilliant party in an outrageously gorgeous house straight out of 'Bali Style'.

What makes this festival different and worth going to, is the emphasis on Asian writers and writing and this year's theme was Suka Duka: Compassion and Solidarity. Writers as diverse as Wole Soyinka from Nigeria, Lloyd Jones from New Zealand and British-Sudanese writer, Jamal Mahjoub agreed that both were pretty good concepts to be going on with. There were of course wonderful poets, journalists and writers from Bali and Indonesia as well.

Talk, as always, turned to politics (and Obama), religion (and Obama), current affairs (and Obama) terrorism (and Obama). News of the US President's Nobel Peace Prize was greeted with derision by Pakistani journalist and blogger, Fatima Bhutto, who told us of the increasing drone attacks on regions and villages by the US, to the point that it has now become a verb in Pakistan, as in 'we've been droned'.

Burmese writer, Thant Myint-U gave an interesting insider's take on the situation in Burma. Without Westerners allowed in, they can't fully grasp the complexities of what's happening there, so it's easy for the West to tell a simple story—military regime bad, Aung Si Suu Kyi good. While he agrees with sanctions, he claimed that this simplistic attitude means that there's not enough humanitarian aid, nor NGOs working there. The régime is attempting economic reform, he said, but because there is no strategic interest for the West, which has basically abandoned his country, Burma is now becoming a defacto part of China.

That's a small sample of the many thought-provoking conversations and there was much, much more to think about, talk about and to enjoy. Despite the usual cancelled events and no-shows from writers, causing some annoyance and disappointment, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival was a truly wonderful experience. I'm saving already for next year. Morgan Smith

November's a huge month for the small publishers – here are just a few highlights…

Going Down Swinging No.29 ($24.95) presents a superb selection of new short fiction and flash, poetry, comic art and spoken word. Featuring a live spoken word CD and a new graphic novella by the famed Olso Davis.

My Dear Friends: The life of Rabbi Dr Herman Sanger by John Levi ($25.00, Hybrid Publishers) is the story of Herman Sanger, the pioneer of Progressive Judaism in Australia who held the Melbourne post of rabbi at Temple Beth Israel from 1936-1974.

Sketch, issue two ($20.00, Sketch Media) features original and thought-provoking fiction, non-fiction, poetry, digital design, illustration, photography and more.

The Crooked Floor by T. M. Collins ($22.95, Ilura Press) is an outstanding collection of Collins' latest poetry. Individual poems have received over twenty awards, including the C. J. Dennis Literary Award, and the W B Yeats Poetry Prize.

Flyers Far Away by Michael Enright, ($34.95, Longueville) recounts the little-known story of the Australians who flew Britain's RAF in World War II. Based on original interviews Flyers Far Away restores these courageous men to their rightful place in history.

page seventeen, issue 7 ($19.95) features work from new writers alongside stories, poetry and haiku from Sean M Whelan, Emilie Zoey Baker, Graham Nunn, Maxine Clarke, Amelia Walker, Ashley Capes, Peter Farrar, Christopher Currie, and more.

Totem Poem by Luke Davies ($18.00, River Road Press) is an audio CD of Davies' love poems. "A tour de force; rhythmically driven, and dense with allusions, music and ideas."—Peter Goldsworthy

See www.spunc.com.au for details. Zoe Dattner

Sorry Lads, but the order is to go by David Cameron

The line of publications on the subject of Gallipoli grows ever longer, but occasionally something fresh turns up. This book, where all the action occurs in a five-day period, reads more like a fast paced fictional thriller than an historical account. David Cameron has achieved this in three ways: he delivers a contiguous, multi-layered narrative by sewing together every available detail (Turkish as well as Allied); diaries, reports and letters are used allowing him to 'get inside the head of his characters'—giving us the immediacy of direct speech and firsthand experience and interpretation; and finally, by constantly bombarding the reader's five senses, he makes the experience as real and vicariously uncomfortable as possible.

The book is packed with tense minute-by-minute accounts, as in chapter 8 where the Australians oust the Turks from the Lone Pine trenches. We are given nine concurrent 'scenes' and three progressive maps showing the rapidly changing situation in the trenches. The action is dense, cacophonous, breathless and volatile and the body count on both sides ticks over rapidly. At the end of the chapter Cameron points out to mutual surprise: 'Those who had time to look at their watches…must have been shocked to realise that less than 30 minutes had passed since they "hopped the bags."' And this was just one of many battles on the whole peninsular.

The reader is constantly confronted with the surrounding putrid and acrid smells, the incessant roar and scream of men and artillery, the agony of the men in their thirst and intense nervous exhaustion, and of course the incessant visual parade of flame, gore and dust. It is noteworthy that some of the diarists and letter writers find poetic words to describe the clearness of a midday sky or the beauty of a sunset that is providing the backdrop to a silhouetted charge across no man's land or another killing field, as if they are making the attempt to disconnect from the savagery around them.

The individual personalities of the diarists and commanders on both sides come out in the text, but there's no use getting attached to any of them, as no sooner do you 'invest' in a character, than he is blown away before your very eyes—emphasising that there was little continuity and no safe place on the peninsular ('I lay down and he said, "We are fairly safe here." And a shot came past me and killed him instantly.') The only time this reader felt let off the tenterhooks was when a quote commenced in the past tense, as in 'Lieutenant Hanson later recalled…'

The first half of the book is easier reading in that, despite monstrous casualties and seven types of handicaps, progress was made as objectives were achieved wholly or in part. One of the most thrilling moments comes as the Maori troops storm up the heights chanting the haka and a diarist notes they all took up the cry such that it echoed from every ridge. The Turks fled their trenches in terror. As Cameron notes, 'if only for a few minutes all seemed possible.'

The second half however, tells how positions were lost due to lack of backup (reinforcements waylaid and lost in the confusing terrain, and there was never an adequate supply of bombs), and how this lost the positions and increased casualties, breaking the spirit of the commanders—'[I had to] tell them to go back and fight with bayonet and rifle until they were dead.' And then followed the final coup de grâce when Malone's New Zealanders, barely holding on to Chunuk Bair (which they attained against all odds and at great cost), were shelled off the ridge by the British navy.

For all the rich detail gathered in this book, Cameron also makes you aware of all the countless lost or unrecorded stories where he will describe, for example, three men racing over no man's land who jump into a Turkish trench and poignantly note that they were never seen or heard from again.

The tension and sadness I experienced reading this book was very similar to that of watching Valkyrie at the cinema. Of course you know how it ends, but something in you subconsciously hopes for a last minute change. Just this once. Guest Reviewer—Alicia Thompson

We've arrived at the final Gleaner issue for 2009. But what about all those terrific books we haven't promoted yet? Well, we recommend as many as we can, then it's up to customers to visit the shop so we can show them lots more; we've an ever-increasing selection that defies internet browsing. Sometimes you really need to come in and handle the books: be surprised by interactive elements, fall in love with illustrations and characters, marvel at the intricacies of design, discover new authors, and incidentally realise the wealth of choice not only for this Christmas, but also for next year's reading.

Thank you to this year's contributors to the Gleaner kids' columns, and a massive heartfelt thanks also to our customers—I hope we see you all again in 2010 after a happy and safe Christmas holiday. Lynndy Bennett

FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS

Count $12.95; Look $12.95; What Colors? $14.95; Touch and Feel Farm $14.95 by Dwell Studio (board)

US design company Dwell Studio has expanded from home and baby products to books, and if these first four are indicative of their range there'll be some beautiful and unusual books coming in for littlies. With striking artwork somewhat reminiscent of Charley Harper, these are simple yet memorable amongst the plethora of board books already available. What Colors? is in accordion format, folding out to engage wee ones with art on both sides; while Touch and Feel Farm brings tactile elements along with art that differs from the usual photographic offerings. All these are just right for up and coming young sophisticates. Lynndy Bennett

The Princess Who Had No Kingdom by Ursula Jones ill. by Sarah Gibb

The nameless princess of the title may not have a kingdom, but what she lacks in worldly goods is more than made up for in her charm, beauty, and generosity of spirit. In this story, more of a fable than a fairytale, the princess eventually finds true love and happiness despite her lack of a castle and land. The illustrations in this book are really exquisite. Very pretty, colourful pictures alternate with pages of stunning silhouette pictures, creating a magical, old fashioned effect. What makes the pictures so special, apart from their genuine artfulness, is the way the illustrator has combined the black silhouettes with coloured highlights - backgrounds, details and tiny pinpoints of colour. A delicious confection, with a gentle, but very clear message. ($29.95, HB) Louise Pfanner

Emily Brown and the Elephant Emergency by Cressida Cowell, ill. by Neal Layton

Inseparable friends Emily and her toy rabbit Stanley are joined in their exploits by Matilda the elephant, with just one setback … Whenever they reach the most exciting part of their adventure the Emergency Telephone rings, and it's always Matilda's mum, who simply doesn't seem to understand the concepts of either adventure or emergency! Emily tries explaining that worrying about the right socks or a proper meal does not constitute an Emergency, and that adventures are far more important, but the phone just keeps on ringing at the critical moment. The quirky humour and distinctive characters from previous outings are maintained, and it's difficult to imagine Cowell and Layton bettering this third book about Emily Brown and Stanley. ($29, HB) Lynndy Bennett

Wendy by Gus Gordon ($24.95, HB)

Wendy's no chicken—well she is a hen—but she's a very brave and fearless one. Wendy grows up on a farm, where despite always having something to do, she wants more. She joins the circus, and becomes a stunt bike riding superstar, reaching unlikely heights, even for her. Gus Gordon has created a very endearing, appealing character in Wendy. Despite being a bird, she has the best of human qualities—she is dauntless and intrepid, but she also is loyal to her friends, and true to herself. Wendy's world is rich and interesting, the illustrations are a fabulous mixture of pencil drawing, pen and ink, watercolour, and if you look carefully, you will notice different textures and patterns from real things dropped into the drawings. The perspectives and points of view are also very varied, which contributes to the visual interest, and seems to reflect Wendy's own diverse nature. Close inspection of some of the illustrations will yield some hilarious details; the newspaper report of Wendy's most enormous jump is particularly funny. Beautiful endpapers too. Louise Pfanner

INTERACTIVE BOOKS

Horrible Histories: Horribly Huge Press-Out-and-Build Book by Terry Deary ill. by Martin Brown, engineered by Nick Denchfield ($35, Board)

The Horrible Histories series has attained almost monumental status, drawing readers and (previously) non-readers alike into the fascinating detail of various historical eras and becoming for many years the most borrowed (and stolen!) books from UK libraries. Whether you are familiar with the books matters not, because this companion book allows you to explore history through scenes you construct and direct. From ancient history, with a colosseum and battling gladiators; to a knight with interchangeable weapons and armour; and a pirate you can execute, the book contains items for five authentically detailed periods of history to recreate for your own diversion. Lynndy Bennett.

The Gruffalo Magnet Book by Julia Donaldson, ill. by Axel Scheffler ($30, Pack)

2009 seems to have been the Year of the Gruffalo here, with the touring stage production, the release of the 10th anniversary edition of the original book, the Gruffalo interactive theatre book, and the Gruffalo party pack. Now there's a carry-along pack containing a mini paperback copy of The Gruffalo, and activities, plus play scenes to populate with the sixty magnetic pieces included. Providing hours of fun at home or travelling, this is great for existing young Gruffalo fans as well as for those yet to succumb to the charm of one of the world's best-loved monsters. Lynndy Bennett.

FICTION

Ghost Hunter: Book 6, Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver ($30, HB)

In this last book Torak's quest takes him to even more terrifying places before making his final dreadful choice in his confrontation with the Soul-Eater; while Wolf and Renn too, face overwhelming grief in making their own decisions. You can be sure this conclusion will linger in your mind long after you finish Paver's superb series. It's a joy to encounter such realism and compelling storytelling as the well-researched Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. As a bonus, this is also available on CD, read by Sir Ian McKellen—5 CDs for $35. Lynndy Bennett.

FOR MATURE READERS

The Mummy Snatcher of Memphis by Natasha Narayan ($17.95, PB)

Meet Kit Salter, a girl with a sharp mind, an independent spirit, and a taste for adventure. Even though she lives in Victorian London, Kit has a very modern outlook on life. She struggles with finding the point of boys: they're a bit slow witted and generally just get in the way of her brilliance. We find out early on in the book that if it's fun we are after then we should follow Kit—she's not the usual Victorian lady: "I do not intend to spend my life tightening my corset and waiting for some fool to ask me to dance." Luckily she has a role model—Hilda Salter, her aunt—who is a prominent Egyptologist and explorer. It is when Kit and her friends sneak in for a secret look at Aunt Hilda's latest haul that they discover the mummy of ancient vizier Ptah Hotep has been stolen. This leads them on a quest that will have you holding your breath and turning the pages. I haven't read a story that evokes Victorian London so beautifully since Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart Quartet. Stunning historical detail is woven into the narrative, surprisingly detracting nothing from the pace. Indeed the many wonderful sets are drawn so beautifully that it's like watching a sumptuous BBC mini-series in your mind. The cast of colourful characters is wonderful and there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing; right up to the heart-pounding finale. I can't wait for the next instalment, The Maharajah's Monkey, which is due next year. James Paull

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure edited by Smith Magazine ($16, PB)

"The idea of telling an entire story in half a dozen words dates back to Ernest Hemingway. Legend has it that this great American writer was once challenged to write a whole novel in just six words. He came back with 'For sale: baby shoes, never worn'." Now Smith Magazine editors have compiled the stories of more than 600 teenagers aged thirteen to nineteen. These memoirs in their latest collection showcase the gamut of teen circumstances: witty and wistful, triumphant and tortured, lonely and lighthearted, in their epigrammatic confessions. "Mom just revoked my creative licence." "FYI: I am not my illness." "Autistic brothers give the best hugs." "Lost myself for popular kids' approval." "Anything but monotone. I am Technicolor." Don't dismiss this slender book—it contains the weight of over 600 lives and secrets which can slice right through to your emotions, especially those offering a less idealistic adolescence than most of us face. Already the six-word format has inspired creative projects such as plays, sculptures, films and class discussions, and can even be used for the basis of word games. The concept is a tiny springboard to grand ideas. In only six words how would you summarise your life or something of importance? Lynndy Bennett

The theatrical year to an end with a world premiere of Kenneth Kvarnstrom's new work, titled Mercury. The work is conceived in close co-operation with the light and set designer Jens Sethzman, whose design for the show has a central sphere 2.4 metres in diameter, the 'quicksilver sun,' a kinetic sculpture lit by 108 flourescent tubes on one side and on the other a concave mirror. Contained within a white box that is the stage, the quicksilver sun is the central 'character' which the dancers engage with through light and shadow.

Kenneth Kvarnstrom has made work for Cullberg Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, and the Royal Ballet in Stockholm to name only a few. But for many years, in between other engagements, Kenneth has chosen to work with his own intimate company of dancers known as K.Kvarnstrom & Co, based in Stockholm. Kenneth's work was described by the North American press as 'clever, exhilarating, human and performed by the best dancers from the European scene.' Mercury is his Australian choreographic debut.

Sydney Theatre November 17–28, Previews Nov 13 & 14. SPECIAL GLEEBOOKS' $40 FRIENDS OFFER. Available in A Reserve only (a saving of $20 on A Reserve tickets). Quote 'friends' when booking over the phone with Sydney Theatre on 9250 1999.

From the DVD shelf

Lucia di Lammermoor, Live from the Metropolitan Opera, New York in 1982. Joan Sutherland's Lucia. To be honest? this DVD is unfortunate in its unremitting use of close shots . . . and to say that Joan is not made for close shots is, I think, obvious to anyone. However I saw her in this role several times in Sydney in 1980 and the excitement she generated is hard to overstate, as in the theatre she created real atmosphere, real character, and the extraordinary ovation she receives from the New York audience is no credit for past affection, but a genuine acknowledgement of an amazing performance. I suggest getting as far away from the tele as you can! but it is an essential document of the work of a great Australian artist in the world context. ($39.95)

Long Day's Journey into Night. The Sydney Theatre Co. 2010 season features an incredible array of star turns including: the original production of Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize winning August: Osage County; Peter Brook's Eleven and Twelve; Uncle Vanya starring the who's who of Australian Theatre; and an Australian/US co-production of Eugene O'Neill's magnificent Long Day. The DVD is of Sidney Lumet's 1962 film starring Katherine Hepburn, Ralph Richardson, Jason Robards and Dean Stockwell. Superb acting and a marvellous atmospheric production, wonderfully shot by Boris Kaufman and backed by André Previn's spikey but mostly subtly unobtrusive musical score, make for a film that should be on everyone's shelf. Hepburn is heartbreaking, tearing herself to pieces in what is arguably her greatest performance on film. Richardson gives an enormous performance in one giant arc, focused on the central scene where he shows most of himself—masterly. Robards' performance lifts the film to another level when attention is flagging after the 2 hour mark, showing us what a great writer O'Neill was. And Dean Stockwell, so sincere and quiet amongst such histrionic giants, that it makes everyone's love for him, perhaps the central connecting thread of the family, so logical. Region 1, DVD $27 (This, the only available version, is in full screen 4/3, but appears from the screen compositions to be only slightly cropped).

Some Xmas Gift Recommendations

A brand new release of Spike Milligan's CLASSIC The Bed Sitting Room. DVD, $19.95

I reviewed this earlier in the year—Wagner's Ring from Bayreuth in 1980—8 DVDs, $139.95 . . .The Ring makes perfect holiday viewing, the audio/visual equivalent of a fat classic novel to read on the beach. Put on the subtitles & it's a cracking yarn.

Rudy and Margot in Swan Lake. The performance that best characterises their amazing partnership—a classic ballet and score. DVD $39.95

And, alongside my last year's recommendation of Poetry Speaks, the superb volume of poetry including 3 CDs of great poets from the 19th and 20th Century reading their own poetry ($99.95), is the Children's version, Poetry Speaks to Children ($39.95)—J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Frost and Roald Dahl are just a few of the poets reading their own works . . . a great gift. Alan Dun

Top Ten DVDs

1. Around the World in 80 Gardens
2. No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
3. Jedda
4. First Australians
5. I've Loved You So Long
6. La Dolce Vita: Limited deluxe set
7. Dogs in Space
8. World War 2: Behind Closed Doors
9. Waltz With Bashir
10. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn.

This is a GREAT BBC documentary series that as far as I know has not been shown on TV (at least not on free to air). In 1909 French millionaire banker & philanthropist, Albert Khan (not to be confused with 'the architect of Detroit' Albert Kahn), took a trip to Japan and returned with many photographs of his journey. This stimulated him to launched an ambitious project to collect a photographic record of life on earth. He sent photographers all over the world to record images of the planet, great political & social events, and to record cultures that were on the brink of changing forever. The photographers used the first colour photography, autochrome plates and early cinematography. Between 1909 and 1931 his emissaries collected 72,000 colour photographs and 183,000 meters of film. These form a unique historical record of 50 countries, known as The Archives of the Planet. Kahn's photographers began documenting France in 1914, just days before the outbreak of World War I, and by liaising with the military managed to record both the devastation of war, and the struggle to continue everyday life and agricultural work. The project was ended in 1931 when Kahn was ruined by the Great Depression. In 1893 Kahn acquired a large property in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris where he established a unique garden containing a variety of garden styles including English, Japanese, a rose garden and a conifer wood. When he became bankrupt these lands became a public park & since 1986 the Planet Archives photographs have been collected in a museum on the site of his garden. There are 10 fifty-five minute episodes in this 3 disc set, and I was glued to the screen. Just fantastic. There is also a book that accompanies the series. It retails for $125.00

The Admirable Crichton: Dir. Lewis Gilbert

Kenneth More stars in this 1957 adaptation of J. M. Barrie's comedy about the class system. More plays Crichton, butler to Lord Henry Loam (Cecil Parker)—who has modern ideas about his household and believes in treating his servants as his equals—to a point. Crichton, on the other hand, is a rigid believer that members of the serving class should know their place and be happy there. However, on a holiday in the South Seas the Loam family are ship wrecked with Crichton & lady's maid Tweeny (Dianne Cilento) and it soon becomes apparent that Crichton is the only functional member of this hopeless group of castaways—so Downstairs becomes Upstairs as Crichton assumes his role as the "guv". ($49, Region 2)

Pre-Code Hollywood Collection (90, Region 1)

6 Shocking Films from the Era Before the Rules!
Universal opens its vaults to bring 6 classic films from the most decaden era in motion picture history: The Cheat—compulsive gamberl (Tallulah Bankhead) will do anything to pay off her debt—including turning to a wealthy businessman behind her hubbie's back; Merrily We Go To Hell—an abusive alcoholic (Frederic March) takes up with a woman from his past drives his wife (Sylvia Sidney) to drastic measures; Hot Saturday—scandal erupts after a young woman innocently spends the night with a notorious playboy (Cary Grant) without telling her fiancé (Randolph Scott); Torch Singer—a notorious nightclub singer (Claudette Colbert) attempts to find her illegitimate caughter through a children's radio show; Murder at the Vanities—there's a murder investigation backstage of the sexy musical revue The Vanities; Search for Beauty—olympic swimming champs (Buster Crabbe & Ida Lupino are tricked into endorsing a racy magazine...and worse!

JAMES BROWN x 3

The Night James Brown Saved Boston

On April 5th the morning after Martin Luther King was assassinated, the Mayor of Boston, watching other cities implode considers cancelling the James Brown concert scheduled for that night to avoid confrontations—but in an inspired turn-around decides to broadcast the concert live, in an attempt to keep people indoors. Boston did not burn. This is a two disc set containing a documentary and the complete concert. ($26.95)

Soul Power: Dir. Leon Gast ($26.95)

1974 Kinshasa Zaire, the most celebrated American & African musicians in the world came together for a 3 night long concert to mark the Rumble In The Jungle, world title fight between Muhammad Ali & George Forman. Featuring the likes of James Brown, Miriam Makeba & B. B. King, with street performances by 'unknown' Kinshasan musicians, and raps from the magnificent Muhammad Ali, this is a perfect companion to....

When We Were Kings:

Also directed by Gast, this the documentary about Muhammad Ali's 1974 knockout of George Foreman to regain the heavyweight championship of the world at the age of 32. Entrepreneur, 'the very clever but completely amoral' Don King, President Mobutu, dictator of Zaire who had spent millions of his country's money to host the event, fawning boxing fans Norman Mailer & George Plimpton all make appearances, but marvellously articulate and political Muhammad Ali is the absolute star of the show—both in and out of the ring. ($24.95, Region 2)

Xmas Gift Boxed Set Suggestions

The Wire: Complete 5 Seasons (Region 2, $260.00)

Mel Brooks Collection: The Twelve Chairs, History Of The World Part 1, Life Stinks, Silent Movie, To Be Or Not To Be, High Anxiety, Young Frankenstein
(Region 2, $69.95)

The Marx Brothers Movie Collection: A Girl in Every Port, The Cocoanuts, Love Happy, Room Service, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup (Region 2, $70.00)

The Marx Brothers Collection: A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races, At The Circus, Go West, The Big Store, A Night In Casablanca (Region 2, $70.00)

The Documentaries of Louis Malle: Vive Le Tour, Humain, Trop Humain, Place De La République, Phantom India, Calcutta, God's Country, ...And The Pursuit Of Happiness (Region 1, $144.00)

I, Claudius (Region 2, $99.00)

Ford At Fox Collection: 5 John Ford Silent Movies—Just Pals, The Iron Horse, 3 Bad Men, Four Sons, Hangman's House (Region 2, $85.00)
The Complete Steptoe & Son plus 2 Christmas specials (Region 2, $220.00)

The Jean-Pierre Melville Collection: Bob le Flambeur, Leon Morin, Prêtre, Le Doulos, Army Of Shadows, Le Cercle Rouge, Un Flic (Region 2, $109.95)

SPEECHLESS BY POLYP

This fascinating book is a bit of a puzzle, listed as a graphic novel, that somewhat misleading term for long form comics published in book format. Far from being a mere genre the graphic novel encompasses a whole range of genres from fiction to history to autobiography to instructional texts, few of which carry the novel's attributes of being 'a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length' as defined by the Macquarie Dictionary. This graphic novel of approximately one hundred pages is constructed solely from drawn imagery although there are a couple of pages of helpful interpretive hints in actual words at the back of the book.

The story begins with the scene of the 9/11 attack in New York. There is a character on the roof of a nearby building watching the plane about to impact on the second tower, the first having already been hit. Another character in the building is watching a live broadcast of the attack on television. The thought balloon device of comics language is employed, but instead of containing words the balloons contain graphic icons. The character watching television is thinking "Is this a superhero movie?"

That's my translation, but this device brings into play Umberto Eco's notion of the role of the reader, thus opening the text to multiple interpretations. The pilot of the plane is thinking "sticking a knife in a map of the USA, plus a large book with a moon and a star on the cover, plus the destruction of the twin towers equals 72 naked women wearing burkhas" or as the book's 'hints' pages suggest "Death to capitalist America! The Qur'an says if I do this I will go to heaven and be greeted by 72 virgins!" Reading this book will take time. Hours of fun are guaranteed for budding semioticians and visual communicators along with pluralistic possibilities of interpretation. Oh yes, there's something about dinosaurs, trade, war, exploration, exploitation, persecution, gender and the environment in there as well. ($32.95, PB) Michael Hill (a.k.a. Doctor Comics)

Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trialby Simon Singh & Edzard Ernst

There's something that makes me very uneasy about orthodox medicine questioning the validity of systems which might operate on different principles, not easily assessed by scientific methods.

The introduction to this book did little to assuage my concerns. The authors present such a simplistic and selective account of complex, controversial issues that I almost wondered whether I could read further. Much of this was simply to do with the arrogance of their tone. Proudly declaring that 'we are both trained scientists, so we will examine the various therapies in a scrupulous manner,' they overlook the fact that being a 'trained scientist' does not necessarily make one objective, unbiased or correct, any more than 'science' claims to hold the truth. Similarly, they announce that 'all these questions and more will be answered in this book, making it the world's most honest and accurate examination of alternative medicine'. The claim seems meaningless without further explanation, but throughout the book they rely on other sources' assessment of alternative medicine to reach their conclusions, so in what sense their book is 'more honest and accurate' than the sources on which they rely, I'm not quite sure.

However, I struggled on and was generally rewarded. What follows is an enthralling portrait of the current state of alternative medicine and the results of clinical testing. The four main chapters deal with acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic therapy and herbal medicine, while a lengthy appendix summarises the current evidence concerning other major alternative therapies. The first and last chapters deal with more general issues about evidence-based practice and the future of alternative medicine.

Once I got going, it was hard to put the book down. The historical vignettes that pepper the story provide a thrilling précis of the methods of both conventional and alternative medicine. Many parts of the book are shocking: I had no idea that homeopathy was such as bizarre idea at its foundation, that homeopathic remedies which supposedly become stronger as they become more dilute, eventually end up being pure water. And very expensive water at that! Equally, the apparent resistance of many alternative medicine practitioners to critical investigation of their approaches is rather suspicious. Finally, two of the big themes that emerge are that many people try alternative medicine because they incorrectly believe that 'it can't do any harm,' and that they consequently delay seeking conventional medical help which might prove life-saving.

But my quibbles with the introduction persisted through much of the book. The authors repeatedly leave complex terms undefined or unexplored, they draw arbitrary distinctions, and they often neglect subtle but important parts of the story, presumably in the interest of sustaining the narrative. Two major complaints stand out. First, the lack of references. There is a very scanty bibliography at the end, but it doesn't identify all the sources the writers have used, and so most of the information is impossible to confirm or examine in context. Given their claim to be writing 'the world's most honest and accurate examination of alternative medicine,' this seems an egregious sleight of hand. Second, they rely on a notion that science necessarily leads to truth. In many ways, this may be true, but other factors are also at work in the practice of science which Singh and Ernst do not acknowledge, particularly the political and economic factors which substantially determine what research is done, by whom, and whether and where it is promulgated.

So overall, this is a very interesting read and raises important questions about the growing complementary and alternative medicine industry. But I hope it's far from being the definitive account, because there is a much bigger and more complicated story to be told. Daniel Brass

The Blues People: Negro Music in White America is a rather provocative title in our politically sensitive age, but so is its subject and, written in 1963, it pulls no punches. This signature study on African American music was written by Le Roi Jones, (now Amiri Baraka), a poet and friend of Allen Ginsberg and also an activist whose political trajectory resembles that of Malcolm X. He has published over 40 books of essays, poems, drama, and music history and criticism, and is alive and well today—recently having celebrated his 75th birthday in Newark New Jersey.

As a lover of Blues and Jazz music I was immediately drawn to this seminal work that traces,'by means of analogy and some attention to historical example...the path the slave took to citizenship' in the USA. Baraka makes this analogy through the music that is most closely associated with the African American in the 1960s and the later, but parallel development, of jazz. He attempts to outline clear stages in the development of and the essential nature of the Afro-American community in all its permutations, subjecting that development to socio-anthropological and musicological scrutiny.

Baraka achieves this aim in the clearest terms. The road from slavery to citizenship we all know was a violent and tragic one. There is plenty written about that. However, this is the first book I have found which combines history, music and culture in regard to that journey. From the first importation of slaves in 1619 from slave plantations in West Africa, Baraka theorises that music reveals most clearly the reaction of this imported culture to that of America, and how it has metamorphosed over the centuries, through emancipation and then segregation.

Baraka's hypothesis is that the very fact that the Afro-American could never become white provided the logic and beauty of their unique music. He expounds on the 'shout' style of early American work songs; minstrelsy and vaudeville; classic blues and popularisation of jazz; the Negro spiritual and its relationship to early American Protestantism; the impact of New Orleans and European music and instruments; the association of the industrial cities and modern blues; and finally the development of free jazz. In only 235 pages Baraka covers a broad layer of Afro-American musical culture as it translated itself into America and beyond as one of the most powerful musical influences on the planet. But rather than just list the evolution of a musical style Baraka implicates music as the strongest reflection of the growth in the relationship between white and black America. He maintains that more than any other art form (and remember this is from a celebrated writer and poet) that this music has resisted attempts, deliberate or not, to dilute itself. It is Baraka's interweaving of this evolution in specific contexts that makes this book overflow with thought provoking information. I found myself more equipped to appreciate a music that in all its forms has informed a large slice of my own musical taste.

Tricia Tunstall's Note by Note: a Celebration of the Piano Lesson is a luminous and humourous delight. Piano lessons were a once large part of a lot of homes and schools—I guess in the days before the plethora of technology and popular culture that we are bombarded with today. Not only did this book reacquaint me with that world, but also with the sheer joy that someone can find teaching something they love to either enthusiastic or reluctant students, and all those in between. I was surprised at how closely I shared Tunstall's roller coaster ride that is the preparation for the annual recitals or eisteddfods. I recall similarly fearful yet fantastic experiences in annual school shows but, as one commentator wrote, 'If only we could all have had Ms Tunstall for our piano teacher'.

Like all second-hand book lovers sometimes the 'cute old book' syndrome seduces me. Dr.Sigmund's Spaeth's The Art of Enjoying Music is one of those. Published in 1949 in a small form that I thought quaint, it certainly stands up to its promise of introducing listeners to the finer points of 'appreciating music of lasting appeal'—one assumes classical music. Spaeth considered that the 'greatest significance of music is in the relation to life itself'…'unquestionably the most human of all the arts and the one that enters most into every day experience. So many human experiences, be it love, patriotism, loyalty and courage are stimulated by music.' However, I became more fascinated with the man himself. Spaeth conducted radio shows from 1931 to 1933 as the 'Tune Detective' and 'Song Sleuth', and broadcast another programme of piano instruction called 'Keys to Happiness' (1931). He started off as a folklorist tracing the origin of popular American songs and later, as a musicologist, he presented the results of his research through books, lectures, liner notes, newspapers and later television. He also composed scores for early sound films. The New York Times referred to him in 1932 as 'a handyman and jack-of-all-trade musician', while his describes himself as 'writer, broadcaster, lecturer, composer, arranger and general showman and entertainer.'
What a guy! Helen Lowe

As we reach Gleaner's end for this year, the Editor has kindly requested a listing of notable books I have read this year. So here they are:

A Terrible Glory: Custer & the Little Bighorn, the Last Great Battle of the American West by James Donovan: At about 4.00am on Sunday 25 June 1876 near the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory, General George Armstrong Custer, commander of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment, was woken and served hot coffee and hardtack by his personal orderly, Private John Burkman. "Thanks, John", the devoted servant recalled him saying, "I'll tell Miss Libbie when we get back how well you've been taking care of me." By late afternoon of the same day the hills and ravines around the Little Bighorn were strewn with the bodies of Custer, his brothers, Tom and Boston, his 18 year old nephew, Henry Reed and his brother-in-law, James Calhoun, along with five companies—some 210 men—of the 'fighting seventh.' Custer had been outmaneuvered and outfought by a combined force of approximately 1500 Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians led by the chieftains Sitting Bull, Gall and Crazy Horse. The remainder of the regiment lost another 100 men when the surviving two companies under the command of Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen were beseiged for 36 hours before being relieved. Little Big Horn was the Plains Indians greatest—and last—victory in defence of their way of life.

The number of books on Custer himself and this battle must number in the thousands. I have read more than my fair share of them including such classics as Elizabeth Custer's account of garrison and camp life with the General in Boots and Saddles (1885); Edgar Stewart's judicious Custer's Luck (1955); Evan S. Connell's lush, kaleidoscopic account, Son of the Morning Star (1984) and John S.Gray's meticulously detailed and plotted, Custer's Last Campaign (1991).

James Donovan's account belongs on the same shelf. Even if one is not particulary interested in Custer, A Terrible Glory makes for fine reading. This is a work of outstanding scholarship that draws on the known historical record, reinterpreting Indian testimony and including the fruits of over 25 years of archeological research of the battle site. It presents a grand narrative that cogently explains the background to the conflict, of the issues involved, the weapons, tactics and geography of the battle as well as insightful and moving descriptions of the combatants on both sides.

As the 7th prepared for battle after sighting the Indian encampment, Custer chose to ignore some valuable advice from Half Yellow Face, the leader of his Crow Indian scouts: "Do not divide your men.There are too many of the enemy for us ... If you must fight, keep us all together ... Because you and I are going home today by a trail that is strange to us both."

Harold Larwood by Duncan Hamilton: No, not another book on Test cricket's 1932–33 'Bodyline' series—although Bradmanophiles may wish to skip the Foreword entertainingly entitled 'Kicking Bradman Up the Arse'. Instead this is a lucidly written, superbly researched biography and social history of the cricketer who paid the greatest price for successfully carrying out 'Leg Theory' bowling—as the English called it. Harold Larwood (1904-1995) was the fast bowler used by Captain Douglas Jardine to combat Australian batting phenomenon Donald Bradman. The plan worked in that the Don's record runmaking feats were temporarily subdued—he averaged only 56.57 for the series—and England regained the Ashes. Used as a scapegoat by the English cricket authorities to prevent a collapse of Anglo-Australian cricketing ties in the aftermath of the fractious Test series, Larwood—a proud and shy man—refused to apologise for his bowling, was banished from the game and sought anonymity running a sweet shop in Nottinghamshire. On the advice of Test player and friend, Jack Fingleton, Larwood immigrated with his family to Australia in 1950—where he found he was genuinely liked and respected. Thus, a forgotten titan of English cricket enjoyed a new life—and contentment—in the land of his former Test foes.

Not here! the white North has thy bones; and thou, / Heroic sailor-soul, / Art passing on thine happier voyage now, / Toward no earthly pole. Poet Laureate Lord Tennyson's pious epitaph written on the Westminister Abbey memorial plaque to his cousin, Sir John Franklin (1786–1847) perfectly captures the Franklin: Tragic Hero of Polar Exploration by Andrew Lambert: Not here! the white North has thy bones; and thou, / Heroic sailor-soul, / Art passing on thine happier voyage now, / Toward no earthly pole. Poet Laureate Lord Tennyson's pious epitaph written on the Westminister Abbey memorial plaque to his cousin, Sir John Franklin (1786–1847) perfectly captures the Victorian response to the mysterious disappearance of Franklin's Polar Expedition. When in 1854, it was alleged that the ill-fated expedition had in its last days resorted to cannibalism, Victorian luminaries such as Charles Dickens refused to accept such a horror. In response, he and Wilkie Collins collaborated on a play entitled The Frozen Deep which was to affirm that Englishmen were incapable of this monstrosity, even in such dire circumstances. Lambert's book is both a scholarly biography of Sir John Franklin, a survey of mid-Victorian scientific thought as well as an examination as to why this lavishly equipped expedition of two ships—HMS Terror and HMS Erebus—and 129 men, seeking the North West passage connecting the North Pacific and North Atlantic indeed ended in the primeval savagery of mass cannibalism. The author is a naval historian and his thoughful, intriguing and readable book kept me enthralled through some long winter evenings.

Prince Valiant Vol 1: 1937–1938 by Hal Foster: I started reading 'Graphic novels' back when they were still called 'comics.' Guess that dates me. I had (have) four personal favourites: Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge McDuck; Lee Falks' The Phantom; Peter O'Donnells' Modesty Blaise and—perhaps most treasured of all—Hal Foster's Prince Valiant. For over 35 years Harold Rudolf Foster (1892–1982) wrote and drew the weekly full-colour comic strip which continues to this day. Set in Arthurian times, Prince Valiant is regarded by many (including me) as the greatest adventure comic in history.Now using pristine artwork—Foster's own proof copies—and modern scanning and colour correction technology, this epic saga is gloriously reborn. King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, the sorceress Morgan Le Fay, quests to rescue fair maidens, jousting tournaments, repelling Saxon Invasions that threaten Camelot and, of course, the 'Singing Sword'. It's all here. The Middle Ages—not as they were but as they should have been.

The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins: A sinister Countess is driven mad by a dark secret. An innocent woman is made the instrument of retribution. A murdered man's fury reaches from beyond the grave ... And things are just warming up in 19th century 'sensation novel' master Wilkie Collins' book—first published in 1878—now available in the 'Popular Penguins Series.' Both doom and destiny await the characters in Venice. It gives nothing away to reveal the final lines, which shall also serve as your humble correspondent's adieu till next year: "Is that all? That is all. Is there no explanation of the mystery of the Haunted Hotel? Ask yourself is there any explanation of the mystery of your own life and death—Farewell." Stephen Reid

Wolf Hall was my favourite book of the year before I'd even finished the first chapter, and it only got better—so I'm glad of Mantel's Man/Booker victory as more people are likely break its dauntingly fat spine and brave its historical fiction content. The other book I would cite as a favourite in 2009 is Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada—the extraordinary fictional rendering of the home-spun anti-régime 'propaganda' campaign conducted by an old couple in wartime Nazi Berlin. It's a shame the UK edition's title has been translated as 'Alone in Berlin'—a decidedly uninspiring interpretation of Jeder stirbt für sich allein which literally means 'everyone dies for himself alone'—the UK title makes the book sound more like a travel memoir than an exploration of the existential dilemma posed by choosing to stand against the monolithic totalitarian state. Both my favourites are books written by authors in whom I'd never previously dipped—an added bonus as they both have plenty of back list to catch up on.

Meanwhile, this month, I'm reading Rebecca Solnit's new book A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster. The book explores the response of communities when disaster, natural or man-made, explodes what Solnit sees as the privatisation of society—where we are encouraged by media and advertising to fear each other and regard public life as a danger and a nuisance... Her book covers the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and ensuing inferno, the catastrophic collision of the Belgian ship, The Imo with munitions ship Mont Blanc in 1917 Halifax Harbour, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, the terrorist attack on New York on September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina. I see the book as an extended argument against FEMA director, Michael Brown's post-Katrina statement that business is the best leader of recovery because business has the best interests of the community at heart. By relating lesser known stories of people rendered utterly destitute by disaster coming together and pooling resources for the common good, Solnit offers an alternative to firmly held beliefs that, in calamity, human response is unthinking mob rule, looting, murder and mayhem—a belief disaster scholars now call 'fear-driven overreaction elite panic.' Elites and authorities often fear that disaster will undermine the foundations of their power and so react with unnecessary force to 'protect' the population—who can only be characterised as victim or brute—from themselves. As Brigadier General Frederick Funstone of the San Francisco earthquake is quoted: 'An unsubjugated citizenry is an unlicked mob.' Against this panic Solnit sets the joy in solidarity citizens experience in 'disaster utopias', when strangers from all walks of life unite to help each other. A phase of solidarity that disappears when those in power, who do provide some relief and get cities going again, also reinstate the old injustices and discriminations—highlighting the difference between independence and dependence, between mutual aid and charity. In this joyful solidarity (albeit short-lived) William James found his moral equivalent of war—a situation that would 'inflame the civic temper as past history has inflamed the military temper.' Civic temper as suggesting social engagement, not just as a duty but also as an appetite and an orientation. This appetite and orientation would be a good thing to awaken in disaffected democratic populaces before the larger looming disasters in the news become many-pronged realities and Solnit's book is no angry diatribe against those in power, but what I think is a hopeful offer of humanity's possibilities. Winton

Andrew Sims: Ransom by David Malouf: It is a joy to read a novel that wears its profundity so... charmingly. Ransom is a short novel that moves from evening through to dawn, guiding the reader with an effortless grace.

David Gaunt: It's been a vintage year for women writers with an intelligent and imaginative eye on the past.......very fond of Byatt's "Children's Book" and hugely impressed by Mantel's "Wolf Hall", but for flair and daring I'd make it Kingsolver's "Lacuna".

To be fair, read and enjoy all three.

Louise Pfanner: 2009 has been a great reading year ... it's not possible to name just one favourite. I was greatly amused, and ultimately really touched by Geoff Dyer's Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanassi. Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge was a most surprising book, and reminded me there's no such thing as a small life. I just finished Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, and I was completely transported by it. It really is an extraordinary book, and well deserving of the Man Booker prize. Louise Pfanner

Helen Lowe: My first favourite, actually recommended by Viki (thanks again), is Terri Jentz's riveting Strange Piece of Paradise. Jentz forces the reader to confront the truly unbelievable facts of the attempted killing of her and her friend, Shayna Weiss, while they were biking through the wilds of Oregon in 1977. The New York Times Review described the book as such: '...understatement is the quiet power that fuels Jentz's writing, and our rage as we read it.' Jentz's own investigation into the attack fifteen years later is relentless but reveals some condemning facts about American culture. I was not able to put this book down and neither will you. The other book I must mention although words almost fail me is Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking. I have been a fan of her writing as far back as The White Album (1979), and, considering the tragic events that lead to the writing of this latest offering, I was anxious to read this poised and thoughtful memoir. Didion does not just speak to the bereaved but to all who have been touched by the tragedy and loss of a loved one.

Janice Wilder—Jane Gardam's new book, The Man in the Wooden Hat, will receive a warm welcome from those who loved Old Filth. Not quite a sequel, it tells the story of Elizabeth, the wife of Filth, (Failed In London Try Hong Kong), a successful lawyer who marries Elizabeth in Hong Kong soon after the War. A reserved man he finds it difficult to show emotion, but Elizabeth is different—a free spirit. Written from Elizabeth's perspective, the story partly revolves around Elizabeth becoming attracted to Veneering, Filth's most hated rival at the Bar. Showing the two sides of a marriage, this is a lovely novel—full of surprises & revelations as well as the humour & eccentricities which abound in Jane Gardam's novels.

Tamarra Burnett—True Blood (Sookie Stackhouse) novels by Charlaine Harris: Trashy vampires, trashy barmaids, murder, mystery and mayhem down in old Louisiana. In this tongue in cheek series with a twist of southern charm some books are better than others—but overall Fangtastic.

David McLaughlin—Max: the Confessions of a Cat, a little charmer that succeeds in bringing together my two favourite things in life: philosophy & pussy cats. Warwick Hatton's etchings are lovely and Antigone Kefala's words are very delightful. The book follows Max as he battles dogs, muses on the history of his species and reflects on the various humans in his life. As a recent cat convert (after years of avoidance) I can heartily recommend this dual language (English/Greek) insight into Max's world. I have forwarded a copy to Winton, Gleebooks' own resident feline philosopher to peruse. I trust she will find it as thought provoking & enriching as I have.

Andrew Sims—A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore: Jonathan Lethem in the New York Times wrote "On finishing...I turned to the reader next to me and made her swear to read it immediately". I don't think I even waited to finish it. Moore is smartly funny, and achingly sad on the turn of a dime. Eminently readable, it is as blackly comic as it is ultimately tender. The reader next to me compared our heroine and narrator to a 21st Century Holden Caulfield. Whatever. Just read it. It has one of the most un-enticing covers of the year (thanks Faber & Faber), and David Gaunt kind of damned it with faint praise in last month's Gleaner, but I challenge any intelligent reader not to enjoy this robust, alive, novel.

John Walsh—Its normally a tough call when someone asks what's your favourite book of the year, but not this year. American Rust by Philip Meyer is outstanding, Think Cormac McCarthy meets John Steinbeck. Rust, decay, American industrial decline, rust belt towns impoverished as industries collapse, decisions made—some good, more bad—individual lives that will never meet expectations, a generation poorer than the one that preceded it. The major characters are fully fleshed and varied, and allied with a strong narrative and a dash of social realism. American Rust is a superb portrait of a dysfunctional post-industrial America.