Walking In Wuhan

I've fallen behind on the book reviews the past few weeks...

Coltrane
By: Ben Ratliff



I picked this book up, having read several reviews. I like a good biography as much as the next person -- maybe it's the history major in me -- but really, biographies can be dry. This one isn't about Coltrane the man, but his music. The first half of the book chronicles his "jazz" life -- how his solos changed and his sound evolved during his career. The second part deals with Coltrane's effect on later music. Did he ultimately doom jazz music? Sax players now can't play without displaying Coltrane's influence. Also, he dramatically changed jazz, taking what was left by Charlie Parker and leading into the free jazz of Ornette Coleman. For people who like their jazz, it's a good read -- like a book about baseball that examines a player's swing. For those looking to know a bit more about a jazz icon -- you'll be better off looking elsewhere.


Micro Trends
By: Mark J. Penn


In 1996, Penn identified a key demographic that would usher Bill Clinton's return to the White House. The campaign began zeroing in on soccer moms, leading to an easy victory over Bob Dole. In this book, Penn identifies 75 small groups who carry big sway in politics, economics and cultural issues. For example, the biggest supporters of a Jewish state are not American Jewish people -- they're conservative Christians, whose literal interpretations of the Bible lead them to defend Israel, not to mention that conservative foreign policy in the Middle East relies upon Israel's existence. More examples include:

• Impressionable Elites. Wealthy, educated people who are more interested in personality than issues when it comes to electing our President. It’s regular Americans who are watching the issues – in fact, the eggheads have become jugheads, and the jugheads have become eggheads.
  
• Office Romancers. Almost 60% of U.S. employees have had an office romance, up from just 47% in 2003. The office is the new singles bar. This has huge implications not only for people’s social lives, but for workplace policies and the evolution of work and family.
• Southpaws Unbound. The number of left-handed people in America has doubled in two generations. This certainly means new business opportunities for the makers of everything from Blackberrys to can openers, but it also says something profound about the new liberal trend in American parenting.
• Video Game Grown-ups. Moms over 45 are one of the fastest growing group of computer game players. Do video game packagers know who they’re dealing with?

Throughout the book, I found myself surprised at what Penn was saying. Many of the trends he cites go against conventional ways of thinking, which, if used correctly could get somebody elected or another person a lot of money.