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Sunday, June 30, 2013

Age of Madness now on Kindle

For all you technophiles out there, An Age of Madness has now been released on Kindle. And it's a fair bit cheaper that way than buying the paper-and-ink version of the book, so there you go.


I don't own a Kindle... but I know a number of people who do. Will I ever make the leap? I kind of doubt it, but you know, never say never and all that.

For those of you still without these little plastic devices, but who do own an iPad or tablet or even just a computer, you can download the Kindle app from Amazon, which effectively means you can turn whatever it is you have into an e-reader (even your phone, if that's your thing).

Anyway it's a great book, if I say so myself, so take a look. And thanks.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Uzma's new essay on CounterPunch

The lovely and talented Uzma Aslam Khan has written a new essay on the ongoing violence in Pakistan, which has spread to the mountainous northern areas. This is distressing for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that these areas are historically some of the most tolerant--and beautiful--in the whole subcontinent.

We traveled there in 1996. I looked upon Nanga Parbat ("Naked Mountain") many times. Now I would think twice about going back, and then think again.

Please read this. Thanks.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Teaching at Smith College

I will be teaching an Intermediate Writing Workshop over at Smith College in Northampton this fall, beginning in September. Woo-hoo! as the kids are all saying these days. The class will be small (12 people) and, I'm sure, filled with highly motivated, hardworking students.

It's been a year since I was teaching anywhere and man oh man, I'm looking forward to it.


My Greek's a little rusty, so I'm not clear on the slogan. But I'll work on it.

ANNNND, big thanks to those people who said a nice thing or two about me as my references, in order for me to land this gig. You know who you are, and I couldn't have landed this gig without you.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Not your typical Metal Blade band

Metal Blade is a label, for those of you who didn't know. They sign all kinds of metal bands, and also other bands, like Purson here, who play guitar righteously and rock out.

I'm a sucker for this stuff.



They have a new record recently released and I like it quite a lot.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Some new reviews over at Spectrum Culture

So I've been writing about one review per week at SpectrumCulture.com -- mainly music reviews but also the occasional graphic novel as well. Here's a selection:

Two-album compilation of Kenyan Afro-funk from the 1970s and 80s. Great stuff.

Album review of Fain, the latest from compelling electro-folkie outfit Wolf People.

Collection of 1950s EC horror comics by Jack Davis, master illustrator. Not for the squeamish!

Oversized Prince Valiant Sunday comics collection from the 1940s? What's not to like?

Savannah's progressive metalheads Kylesa get their latest offering, Ultraviolet, reviewed here.

And there's much more to come! The bulk of my reviews and columns are still over at PopMatters.com, but hey, I'm branching out. SpectrumCulture is a fun site in general and they try to do some different things (restaurant reviews? Why not?), so come take a look.