Knights at Court by Aldo Scaglione

Read: 24 August, 2007

This is a non-fiction book that deals with the interaction between knights and nobles, two classes that were far more different in theory than in practice. Scaglione tracks the rise of the knight and the eventual merging of the two classes.

I mostly skimmed through this book because the level of detail was far deeper than I needed. I mostly enjoyed the "art imitating life imitating art" portions in which the author discusses the place of the epic romance in the evolution of the knight.

I wouldn't recommend this book to a casual reader or to someone with a general interest in the Middle Ages. If, on the other hand, you would like a book specifically dealing with knights, epic romance, or the changing political scene near the end of the Middle Ages, this would be far more appropriate.

Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel by Frances & Joseph Gies

Read: 23 August, 2007

The book begins with a discussion of the technology inherited from Classical civilization and from the Dark Ages. It then discusses technology adopted from the East. Finally, it covers technology invented (or perfected) within Europe through the Middle Ages, the High Middles Ages, and the end of the Middle Ages (in a chapter titled "Leonardo and Columbus").

The language is easy to follow and the concepts, though detailed, are well explained. This makes Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel a perfect book for anyone interested in technology (both "domestic" and military) or in what life was like during that time period. In fact, the processes or production are well described and are invaluable to anyone who, like me, hopes to use a Medieval setting in creative writing.

I can't sing this book's praises loud enough. It took me a great deal of time to read simply because every sentence provided new information to write down in my notes or to help me jump into further study. I consider this a book anyone with even the most passing interest in history should read.

A Social History of the Fool by Sandra Billington

Read: 10 August, 2007

According to Billington, it had previously been assumed that the fool, disliked by the church, had been repressed in England while he had his public popularity in the continent. Billington argues that this assertion is not true and, rather, that those who kept records chose to omit references to the fool in a sort of protest through silence. As evidence, she uses brief references and images used in various works. From this Medieval beginning, she chronicles the changes the Fool underwent through the ages until its modern versions of the clown and the comedian.

Had my purposes been different, I might have enjoyed this book more. As it was, I merely skimmed all but the first chapter (the one that dealt with the Fool in Medieval England). I found it to be a perfectly good book; it simply did not address the questions I sought answers for.

Nightwork by Anne Allison

Read: 7 August, 2007

This book explores how the hostess club fits into Japanese culture. It is divided into three parts: the first describes the hostessing business. The second describes Japanese corporate culture (with a strong focus on male workers). In the third section, Allison explains how she believes these two are inextricably tied together. Eventually, the practice of going to a hostess club is compared to the fraternity practice of gang rape - an odd comparison that makes some sense within the context of the book.

On the positive side, this book practices a good amount of cultural relativity. Allison frequently mentions what the Western world may be disgusted by or find weird (and often admits that she may be biased because of this), but maintains an admirable objectivity given the subject matter. No previous understanding of Japanese culture is needed as ample explanations are provided.

On the negative side, I found an over-reliance on anecdotal evidence that was rarely supported by statistics. Because of this, I would recommend it for an introductory or casual reading rather than for serious study.

Carnival Music in Trinidad by Shannon Dudley

Read: 4 August, 2007

The book begins with a discussion of carnival and its place within Trinidad's society. From there, it discusses the various settings for carnival music (including "on the road" (or during the masquerade march) and in the tent) and some of the more popular artists. Calypso is discussed a great deal, as is the multiplicity of Trinidad's cultural heritage (including those of European, African, and Indian ancestry). Several musical styles are described. The book includes a CD with samples from various artists and styles discussed, as well as activities that include listening to certain songs on the CD while paying attention to certain elements.

Certainly not an exhaustive exploration, this book is best for where it was intended - in the non-Trinidadian classroom to give students their first exposure to a foreign culture and musical style. It is a great book for musicians looking to expand their stylistic influences and for students of culture looking for a starting point in their research. The inclusion of a CD adds much to the experience of reading the book and helps to bring the text to life.

6 Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume

Read: 3 August, 2007

The six steps covered are how to develop a successful song structure, writing effective lyrics, composing memorable melodies, producing a successful demo, the business of the music industry, and how to develop realistic expectations. All in all, the book covers every step of the creative and marketing aspects of songwriting. It includes a number of fun exercises to practice the concepts discussed.

Overall a great addition to any aspiring songwriter's library. If you are interested in making music or in the music industry, this is a great read. Even if you are merely a performer and do not write your own songs, the later steps on marketing may still prove useful. I am not a songwriter myself, but I do have an interest in writing poetry. Even in this field, I found many of the sections applicable. By far the best (though only) book on songwriting I've come across.