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NEW PUBLICATIONS
C&RL News, October 2004
Vol. 65, No. 9
by George M. Eberhart
Atlas of World Art, edited by John Onians (352 pages, July 2004), focuses less on works of art and cultural artifacts and more on the geographic framework in which they were created. The scope is impressive, with maps that depict Paleolithic art sites, monasteries and writing centers of the Middle Ages; megalithic sculptures on Easter Island; 16th-century Hindu temples and courtly monuments; art and sculpture workshops of Renaissance Germany; galleries of Victorian London; the acquisition of Native American artifacts by U.S. museums, kingdoms and states in 19th-century sub-Saharan Africa; and 20th-century shrines and temples in Seoul. A culturally egalitarian treatment that supplements more traditional art histories. $150.00. Oxford University. ISBN 0-19-521583-4.
Movie Star Homes: The Famous to the Forgotten, by Judy Artunian and Mike Oldham (309 pages, May 2004), provides addresses and photos for more than 350 homes in the Los Angeles area where movie actors live or used to live. Such classic stars as Orson Welles and Claudette Colbert are included, as well as current celebrities like Steve Buscemi and Nicole Kidman. Because of security, sometimes the photos only show a drive or a closed gate. $16.95. Santa Monica Press. ISBN 1-891661-38-8.
From the same publisher, Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here: More Locations of America’s Pop Culture Landmarks, by Chris Epting (309 pages, May 2004), shows where famous criminal, musical, cinematic, and historical events (such as where Marilyn first dyed her hair blonde) have taken place in North America. An entertaining and informative sequel to the author’s James Dean Died Here (2003). $16.95. ISBN 1-891661-39-6.
 News Flash: Journalism, Infotainment, and the Bottom-Line Business of Broadcast News, by Bonnie M. Anderson (259 pages, May 2004), spells out in clear language what is wrong with television news and what must be done about it. As a longtime reporter for NBC and CNN, she has many stories to tell about the lowering of ethical standards, poor sourcing, the scarcity of minority anchors and reporters, staged news, the intrusion of personal bias, the failure to question official pronouncements, the disappearing line between journalism and entertainment, the suppression of distasteful events, and consolidation of media ownership. Many of these issues will be familiar to media watchers, but some of her anecdotes are surprising, such as NBC’s Roger Mudd killing a story in the early 1980s about heterosexuals contracting AIDS because it conflicted with his belief that it was a gay disease. $26.95. Jossey-Bass. ISBN 0-7879-7285-1.
The Transits of Venus, by William Sheehan and John Westfall (407 pages, April 2004), recounts the intense excitement in astronomical circles when the planet Venus crossed the disc of the sun, an event that, prior to June 8, 2004, had occurred only six times since the invention of the telescope—in 1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874, and 1882. The transit was considered important, as it provided the best way in those days to determine the exact distance from the earth to the sun, a benchmark astronomical unit. The distance was calculated precisely by another method in 1941, making the 2004 transit anticlimactic; but the 1882 transit was the focus of major international rivalries to make the best observations, creating a 19th-century version of the space race. The authors provide tips on how to best watch for the next one on June 5–6, 2012. $28.00. Prometheus. ISBN 1-59102-175-8.
George M. Eberhart is senior editor of American Libraries, e-mail: geberhart@ala.org
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