BookHampton

The War That Killed Achilles

by Caroline Alexander

(Viking Press)

The most ironic aspect of the long staying-power of The Iliad is the fact that it is almost always touted as "the greatest epic war story ever told." This often conjures images of John Wayne, flag-waving, and justifiable collateral damage. Caroline Alexander, bestselling author of The Bounty and Endurance, provocatively reminds us with strenuously-researched details that Homer's epic is truly the story of the horrors and inexplicable cruelty of war.

Achilles is a tortured hero battling in a war that puzzles him,  its origins and purpose meaningless to him. Considering the current state of the world, this speaks volumes. It is only when events swoop down to a vividly personal level, with the death of his beloved Patroklos, that Achilles feels the need to reenter the fighting, inadvertently becoming the hero of the tale. Alexander's study is timely and clearly illustrates how war -- no matter when or where -- devastates, always leaving blood on our collective hands.

-- Chris Avena

If you'd like to order this or any book, please call or email us. And remember to become a fan on our Facebook page to keep up with the latest news and daily Twitter discounts!

This weekend at BookHampton

Walking Thunder: In the Footsteps of the African Elephant

by Cyril Christo and Marie Wilkinson (Merrell, 2009)

Please join BookHampton as we welcome photographers Cyril Christo and Marie Wilkinson to our Sag Harbor store on Saturday, October 24 at 5:00pm. They have created a brilliant photographic essay that brings us into the lives of the glorious African elephant.

Death Becomes Them: Unearthing the Suicides of the Brilliant, the Famous, and the Infamous

by Alix Strauss (HarperCollins, 2009)

Also on Saturday, October 24, BookHampton is looking forward to a discussion with Alix Strauss, whose book is a unique literary investigation of the lives and deaths of some of history's most interesting personalities. She'll be at our East Hampton store at 5:00pm.

These are just two of the events we have planned for you in the coming weeks. For further information please also join us on Facebook and Twitter, where we keep you up-to-date with announcements, discussions, and all the BookHampton news.

Looking forward

The leaves are turning, the air is crisp and cool, and the sun sets earlier every day. More and more often, our customers say, “Today is a perfect day to curl up with a book.”

Here at BookHampton, we feel the same way. Many of us are thinking ahead to our fall and winter reading -- books we’ve had in mind or on the nightstand but haven’t had the chance to dive into. We’re also looking forward to the publication of new books from favorite authors like Barbara Kingsolver, Dave Eggers, Javier Marias, and John Irving, to name a few.

We have some wonderful events planned for the next few weeks. Check the sidebar for more information. As more events are added to the calendar, we’ll keep you posted here, and on Twitter and Facebook.

Just under the list of events you’ll find our Twitter feed – we’ve been posting news and information, and recently added a Twitter Book of the Day. To receive a special discount on the day’s featured title, sign up to follow us (@bookhamptons) by visiting the Twitter website. If you’re already on Twitter, go ahead and add us to your follow list.

Our Facebook page is another way to keep in touch with what’s going on at BookHampton. Join us there by becoming a fan and you’ll be able to participate in our book discussions, post to the wall, or just see what’s new. Click on the link in the sidebar to get started. We look forward to having you join us!

Are there any books that you're looking forward to this fall and winter? We'd love to hear about them, so we hope you'll leave a comment below. And as always, call or email us at BookHampton if you'd like us to suggest or order that perfect book to curl up with.

Chris recommends:INSIDE OF A DOG and GOURMET TODAY

Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz (Simon & Schuster, $26)

For anyone or everyone who has ever had their toes warmed by their favorite canine, Inside of a Dog is a revelation. Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explores the inner workings of man's best friend in ways that are continuously fascinating, complex, and eye-opening. I have always been perplexed and mesmerized by the actions, reactions, and interactions of my dogs, and this invaluable book has answered many questions that I have always had:  What are they thinking?  Can they tell time?  How do they know what I'm thinking? Feeling?  Are they bored all day long without me?  After the pleasures of this book, I will never look at my kids the same way again.

Gourmet Today (Houghton Mifflin, $40)

Those saddened, as I am, by the demise of Gourmet magazine can dry their tears with the pages of this new encyclopedic collection of contemporary, mouth-watering recipes.  More than 1000 all-new recipes, from hors d'oeuvres to desserts, burst from these pages, selected by the renowned food critic and expert Ruth Reichl.  Everyone's kitchen has had to adjust to more money- and earth-conscious needs, and this cookbook should and will sit comfortably on your pantry shelf, becoming dog-eared and tomato-stained along with your other favorites.

A guy wrote to us the other day... And here's what we told him!

We LOVE helping our customers find just the right book. 

The other day, we got an email from Glenn, a regular in our Southampton store. 

He is a member of a Book Club, and was looking for some good advice - some real treasures that they haven't read before. 

Right up our alley!

We suggested that the group try out JOSE SARAMAGO, the Portuguese author and Nobel prizewinner. It's always safe to start with BLINDNESS, and then move on to its riveting sequel, SEEING. His most recent short novel, DEATH WITH INTERRUPTIONS, is a dark and spellbinding little fable, and also totally worth the read. 

We also recommended the work of ALEKSANDER HEMON, a writer born in Bosnia who found himself as a young man in the US when the Balkan wars heated up, and who therefore decided to stay. He writes in English (with complete mastery,) is sharp and often hilariously funny when describing an immigrant's experience in his adopted country, but also of course nostalgic about the old world that he lost. His last novel is called "THE LAZARUS PROJECT" and there is also a new collection of linked short stories under the title "LOVE AND OBSTACLES".

Lastly, we strongly endorsed checking out RICHARD POWERS, a major American writer who seems interested in all our core issues and also happens to have a great background in science. His last two novels, THE TIME OF OUR SINGING  (dealing with a racially mixed American family during the Civil Rights Movement) and THE ECHO MAKER (focusing on an Oliver Sacks-like scientist) are both very recommendable.

So what did Glenn decide? He ordered three of the books for himself to review, and when he's picked his favorite he's going to order 10 copies for his whole group! We'll be extending our usual BOOK CLUB DISCOUNT of 15%. 

Thanks, Glenn, for letting us share our conversation - and let us know what book you ended up choosing for the group.

-- BookHampton

email us today for your own recommendation...