Running After Antelope
*** By Scott Carrier. I got this book for Joe last year after hearing and enjoying this guy's pieces on "This American Life," but I just got around to reading it myself. I'm glad I did.
As you might expect from a regular "This American Life" contributor, Carrier's book is a collection of essays about many things American and some things not. They're sadly funny, insightful, and often whimsical, and they all have in common the writer's love-hate relationship with our nation.
Among my favorite pieces is "The Friendly Man," about Carrier's introduction to the world of NPR and the failing of too many of America's social service programs. I also found his essays about Cambodia, Chiapas, and Kashmir to be heartbreakingly illuminating. And throughout the book, Carrier strings the story of his brother's research into human evolution and his resulting quest to, in the ancient custom of many Native American tribes, run down antelope.
It's a short book, so no excuses now...
Posted by Lisa on April 28, 2002 08:34 AM
Comments
I don't really feel that I should have to say this, but considering all the ire it's apparently provoking, let me point out that this book review never says that "The Friendly Man" is an NPR show. "The Friendly Man," as I state, is a piece in the book that talks about Carrier's introduction to NPR and the failing of too many of America's social service programs. It was also featured on the NPR program This American Life, which I did not explicitly say in the review, but considering that I'm writing about books, not radio, I didn't feel an obligation to. If you are truly interested in "The Friendly Man," please read the book rather than arguing semantics with me.
Posted by Lisa at July 9, 2003 11:15 AM