Library Journal : Sheff—contributing editor to Playboy and writer for Wired, Fortune, and Rolling Stone, among other publications—first introduced readers to Nic in "My Addicted Son," an article he wrote for the New York Times in 2005. Here, he tells the rest of the story of his son's struggle with methamphetamine addiction. Sheff writes of his own "addiction to addiction" as he stood by his son through five rehabs and four relapses and painfully learned that relapses are part of recovery. Between relating the chaotic episodes of his son's behavior on drugs, Sheff inserts educational and informative material on the nature of different drugs that he learned from his own research. An excellent book that all parents can relate to whatever their children's situation, this is highly recommended for public libraries as well as college and high school libraries for parents, students, and teachers alike.—Dorris Douglass, Williamsom Cty. P.L., Franklin, TN

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Publishers Weekly : Expanding on his New York Times Magazine article, Sheff chronicles his son's downward spiral into addiction and the impact on him and his family. A bright, capable teenager, Nic began trying mind- and mood-altering substances when he was 17. In months, use became abuse, then abuse became addiction. By the time Sheff knew of his son's condition, Nic was strung out on meth, the highly potent stimulant. While his son struggles to get clean, his second wife and two younger children are pulled helplessly into the drama. Sheff, as the parent of an addict, cycles through denial and acceptance and resistance. The author was already a journalist of considerable standing when this painful story began to unfold, and his impulse for detail serves him personally as well as professionally: there are hard, solid facts about meth and the kinds of havoc it wreaks on individuals, families and communities both urban and rural. His journey is long and harrowing, but Sheff does not spare himself or anyone else from keen professional scrutiny any more than he was himself spared the pains—and joys—of watching a loved one struggling with addiction and recovery. Real recovery creates—and can itself be—its own reward; this is an honest, hopeful book, coming at a propitious moment in the meth epidemic. (Aug.)

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Library Journal : Vladimir Nabokov's works have come to the attention of the public again with the publication of Library of America editions and the recent film version of Lolita. Several years ago, Brian Boyd produced a two-volume definitive biography: Vladimir Nabokov: The Russian Years (LJ 10/1/90) and Vladimir Nabokov: The American Years (LJ 8/91). Schiff's book distinguishes itself by focusing on the relationship between Vladimir and his wife V ra, a marriage that lasted some 50 years. Schiff (Saint Exup ry, LJ 10/1/94) traces the years in France and Germany before World War II, followed by a hurried immigration to the United States and Nabokov's eventual literary success. Schiff also handles the difficulties within the marriage, including affairs. Through it all, the couple forged a close alliance as V ra oversaw the editing of manuscripts, translation, the negotiation of contracts, and much of Vladimir's correspondence. The result is a scholarly, readable look at a remarkable literary duo.

Ronald Ray Ratliff, Chapman H.S. Lib., KS Distributed by Syndetic Solutions Inc. Terms

Publishers Weekly : V ra Nabokov was not only devoted to her husband's literary career; she was crucial to it. Schiff (Saint-Exup ry) contends that Nabokov's public image was V ra's doing: "we are used to husbands silencing wives, but here was a wife silencing, editing, speaking for, creating, her husband." For almost all their married lives, the Nabokovs were inseparable. Russian migr s in Germany, France and then the U.S., they eked out a bare existence despite Nabokov's reputation as a stellar Russian novelist. With no market for his writing, he needed his wife to work as a translator so they could survive. After hours she also edited and translated his writings, conducted his professional affairs and maintained their marriage. Only the runaway international success of Lolita when they were in their later 50s freed the couple from scraping together a living. (A film advance gave Nabokov 17 times his annual salary at Cornell, a post that had taken years to secure.) Suddenly flush, the Nabokovs, by choice, again became migr s, wealthy residents of a Swiss luxury hotel. Schiff's best pages evoke the years of adversity, as when the Jewish V ra, regal even in penury, perilously remained in Nazi Germany until May 1937 (after non-Jewish Vladimir exited) because it was the only country where either one could legally work. Often described as "hovering" over her husband by his Cornell colleagues, V ra was always close by--even working as his teaching assistant--because, according to Schiff, he simply could not function without her. This book offers more than a peek at the famous author through his wife's eyes. When her 1991 New York Times obit called V ra "Wife, Muse, and Agent" it only hinted at her role, which is rescued from obscurity in Schiff's graceful prose. 16 pages of b&w photos.

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions Inc. Terms

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School Library Journal: Gr 6 Up–A solid portrait of a complex man. The clearly written text describes Lee's birth into an aristocratic family and childhood spent in genteel poverty. Inspired by George Washington, he chose a military career, graduating from West Point. The Mexican War turned him into a hero and gave him insight into what leads to success in battle. Following postings as head of the U.S. Military Academy and on the frontier, he returned home to his Virginia plantation and eventually freed his slaves. As war approached, he declined to lead the Federal forces, instead accepting command of the Army of Virginia. Robertson conveys Lee's war tactics, tracing both his triumphs and failures, and his admirable character and dedication to the cause. Readers will gain a greater understanding not only of his life and contributions but also of the Civil War. Extensive primary-source quotes, black-and-white reproductions, and maps bring the narrative to life. A useful resource for reports, this book will also attract history buffs.–Jane G. Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia

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Publishers Weekly : Intermittently striking joyous and sad notes, Seidler's (Mean Margaret) somewhat unevenly paced, ultimately uplifting novel opens as three siblings arrive home from summer camp thrilled to find the four kittens that their beloved pet delivered while they were away. One of the litter, Toes, so named for the seven toes on each of his paws, is soon spurned by his siblings, who resent his dexterity and superior skill at such activities as playing soccer with a ball of yarn. The narrative moves easily between human dialogue and cat conversation, and the author has fun with the cat's discoveries of television and music. Toes, in an attempt to clean himself up after his vengeful siblings throw him into the litterbox, ventures outside on Halloween night and takes refuge in a basement. The action slows as the lonely feline survives for months (he overhears TV reports of the holidays and "things called valentines"), with just the company of mice who speak to him in rhyme. However, a new, gratifying phase of Toes's life begins when a desperate turn of events prompts him to make his presence known to the house's occupant, a kind, struggling musician who hasn't been able to realize his dream of joining an orchestra, and the two bond immediately. Readers will likely happily suspend disbelief at the music-loving cat's extraordinary intelligence—and the measures he takes to help out his new owner. A warm, unabashedly sentimental story that will particularly please young cat lovers. Ages 8-up.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions Inc. Terms

Publishers Weekly : Intermittently striking joyous and sad notes, Seidler's (Mean Margaret) somewhat unevenly paced, ultimately uplifting novel opens as three siblings arrive home from summer camp thrilled to find the four kittens that their beloved pet delivered while they were away. One of the litter, Toes, so named for the seven toes on each of his paws, is soon spurned by his siblings, who resent his dexterity and superior skill at such activities as playing soccer with a ball of yarn. The narrative moves easily between human dialogue and cat conversation, and the author has fun with the cat's discoveries of television and music. Toes, in an attempt to clean himself up after his vengeful siblings throw him into the litterbox, ventures outside on Halloween night and takes refuge in a basement. The action slows as the lonely feline survives for months (he overhears TV reports of the holidays and "things called valentines"), with just the company of mice who speak to him in rhyme. However, a new, gratifying phase of Toes's life begins when a desperate turn of events prompts him to make his presence known to the house's occupant, a kind, struggling musician who hasn't been able to realize his dream of joining an orchestra, and the two bond immediately. Readers will likely happily suspend disbelief at the music-loving cat's extraordinary intelligence—and the measures he takes to help out his new owner. A warm, unabashedly sentimental story that will particularly please young cat lovers. Ages 8-up.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions Inc. Terms

Publishers Weekly : Intermittently striking joyous and sad notes, Seidler's (Mean Margaret) somewhat unevenly paced, ultimately uplifting novel opens as three siblings arrive home from summer camp thrilled to find the four kittens that their beloved pet delivered while they were away. One of the litter, Toes, so named for the seven toes on each of his paws, is soon spurned by his siblings, who resent his dexterity and superior skill at such activities as playing soccer with a ball of yarn. The narrative moves easily between human dialogue and cat conversation, and the author has fun with the cat's discoveries of television and music. Toes, in an attempt to clean himself up after his vengeful siblings throw him into the litterbox, ventures outside on Halloween night and takes refuge in a basement. The action slows as the lonely feline survives for months (he overhears TV reports of the holidays and "things called valentines"), with just the company of mice who speak to him in rhyme. However, a new, gratifying phase of Toes's life begins when a desperate turn of events prompts him to make his presence known to the house's occupant, a kind, struggling musician who hasn't been able to realize his dream of joining an orchestra, and the two bond immediately. Readers will likely happily suspend disbelief at the music-loving cat's extraordinary intelligence—and the measures he takes to help out his new owner. A warm, unabashedly sentimental story that will particularly please young cat lovers. Ages 8-up.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions Inc. Terms

Publishers Weekly : Intermittently striking joyous and sad notes, Seidler's (Mean Margaret) somewhat unevenly paced, ultimately uplifting novel opens as three siblings arrive home from summer camp thrilled to find the four kittens that their beloved pet delivered while they were away. One of the litter, Toes, so named for the seven toes on each of his paws, is soon spurned by his siblings, who resent his dexterity and superior skill at such activities as playing soccer with a ball of yarn. The narrative moves easily between human dialogue and cat conversation, and the author has fun with the cat's discoveries of television and music. Toes, in an attempt to clean himself up after his vengeful siblings throw him into the litterbox, ventures outside on Halloween night and takes refuge in a basement. The action slows as the lonely feline survives for months (he overhears TV reports of the holidays and "things called valentines"), with just the company of mice who speak to him in rhyme. However, a new, gratifying phase of Toes's life begins when a desperate turn of events prompts him to make his presence known to the house's occupant, a kind, struggling musician who hasn't been able to realize his dream of joining an orchestra, and the two bond immediately. Readers will likely happily suspend disbelief at the music-loving cat's extraordinary intelligence—and the measures he takes to help out his new owner. A warm, unabashedly sentimental story that will particularly please young cat lovers. Ages 8-up.

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