The New Ratings Are In! The New Ratings Are In!

Yes, friends - you heard right.  All Ex Libris reviews now come with an easy to use rating from the Vicomte.  Try it today!

Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer

In 2004, right around the time it was becoming all too clear that our military adventure in Iraq was far from "Mission Accomplished", Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan, shot to death by soldiers from his own unit.  For some time, Tillman's death was portrayed by the Pentagon and the Bush Administration as a heroic sacrifice, demonstrating Tillman's honor, courage and patriotism.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

In Where Men Win Glory, author Jon Krakauer (Into Thin Air, Under The Banner Of Heaven), comprehensively depicts Tillman's life and brief career in the Army Rangers, creating the full and contradictory picture of a genuine human being, instead of a media stereotype.  Macho, yet gentle, outgoing, smart, and surprisingly self-aware, Tillman felt compelled to give up a multi-million dollar contract to play pro football for the Arizona Cardinals after 9/11, enlisting as a private in the Army.

Denialism by Michael Specter

Apparently, there are people out there - large numbers of them - who now believe that childhood immunizations for such diseases as mumps, measles, tetanus and polio are more hazardous than they are useful.  That such ignorami are fronted by celebrity "experts" like former MTV bimbo Jenny McCarthy and her current paramour, "comic actor" Jim Carrey, should come as little surprise.

The Vicomte Returns

After a disappointing shooting season (not improved by my being bored into coma by Lord Buttforth's incessant prattling of his losses at Chemin-de-fer), I have resumed my sacred mission to provide you, Kind Reader, with my variegated musings on the state of literature today.

More improvements to the site are forthcoming, and I trust they will meet with your generous approval.  I shall endeavor to maintain the very highest standards of literary criticism, always with your intellectual welfare uppermost in my mind.

I remain, as ever, your obedient servant,

The Vicomte

An Advisory From The Vicomte

Due to the commencement of Grouse Season in the Scottish Highlands, inevitably followed by the usual round of high teas and weekend garden parties, the Vicomte will be on a brief hiatus for the remainder of this month, and some part of the next.  Never fear - the Vicomte will return.