M2 Best Books articles from November 2003

M2 Best Books archives from November 2003

REVIEW: Scandal!(Book Review)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'Scandal!' is a new and updated version of the original 'Scandal: An Encyclopaedia' by Colin Wilson and the late Donald Seaman. In this new work Seaman's articles have been replaced by...

REVIEW: Deforesting the Earth - From Prehistory to Global Crisis.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Michael William's weighty tome is an exhaustive account of man's relationship with the forests that have always surrounded him. It avoids the dryness of most academic texts, but be under...

REVIEW: Food Webs.(Book Review)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Food webs are feeding relationships among the members of a community. They describe who eats who, as well as the energy flow through the community, functional feeding groups, and ecological...

REVIEW: Ordinary Images.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Stanley K. Abe's 'Ordinary Images' deals with the art and images that were created for the masses in ancient China. This book would look great on your coffee table, but as a read it is...

'War and Peace' gets first complete Spanish translation.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A complete edition of Leo Tolstoi's 'War and Peace' is to be published for the first time in Spanish, 130 years after it was first published in Russia. According to Lydia Kuper, who...

Winnie the Pooh to return to creators family?(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The multi-million dollar rights to Winnie the Pooh may be about to move back into the hands of creator A.A Milne's family. Milne sold the rights to the characters including Piglet and...

Amy Tan releases first work of non-fiction.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Acclaimed Asian-American author Amy Tan has written her first book of non-fiction called 'The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings'. Described as not so much an autobiography as the...

Author draws on fantasy and experience in Brooklyn for new novel.(Doubleday debuts 'The Fortress of Solitude' from Jonathan Lethem)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Author Jonathan Lethem has returned to the Brooklyn streets of his childhood for his new book 'The Fortress Of Solitude'. Based on his experiences as a white boy growing up in a...

Julie Andrews launches new imprint with HarperCollins.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Star of such beloved children's films such as Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews, has launched her own children's imprint with HarperCollins. A children's author for 30 years, as well as an...

Channel 4 to screen The British Book Awards.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The British Book Awards are to be televised for the first time on Channel 4 in conjunction with the channel's 'Richard and Judy' show. PN Ltd, the organisers of the awards, have agreed...

Two new books study Washington Sniper trial.(new books from Random House Inc., E.P. Dutton Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD In the shadow of the trial of the Washington sniper, two books have been released covering the three week reign of terror in the Washington DC suburbs. Former police chief Charles A....

Out going Tory leader to release first novel.(Robson Books will release 'The Devil's Tune' from Iain Duncan Smith)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Former UK Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith is back in the public eye as he releases his first novel. 'The Devil's Tune', a story about an art dealer drawn into a web of deceit...

REVIEW: Against Marriage; The correspondence of La Grande Mademoiselle.(book review)(Book Review)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Aristocratic women in seventeenth century France were viewed more as bargaining tools to enable strategic alliances to be formed, for money for their families, or to increase a family's...

REVIEW: A Well - Fashioned Image; Clothing and Costume in European Art, 1500 - 1850.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Produced in conjunction with the Smart Museum's exhibition of the same name, 'A Well-Fashioned Image' looks at the role of clothing across Europe, covering many different aspects including...

REVIEW: True Enough.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Stephen McCauley's 'True Enough' desperately wants to be a hybrid chick lit/literary novel but unfortunately it is just vapid, patronizing, sub-standard, Cosmo-fiction material. The...

HarperCollins CEO confident about future of publishing.(Jane Friedman addresses Small Press Centre)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The CEO of one of the world's largest publishing houses has told the industry that 'book publishing is alive and well'. Speaking at the Small Press Centre in New York City, USA, Jane...

JK Rowling best paid author in history.(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British author JK Rowling has become the best paid author in history according to the Sunday Times rich list. Rowling, author of the 'Harry Potter' series, earned an estimated GBP125m...

Middle East troubles exposed in Bethlehem.(Free Press releases 'A Season in Bethlehem' by Joshua Hammer)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'A Season in Bethlehem' is a new account of the Palestinian intifada in 2000, focused on the microcosm of Bethlehem. Written by Newsweek's Israel Bureau Chief Joshua Hammer, it captures...

Pulitzer Prize winner tells of childhood and love for books.(An Open Book: Coming of Age in the Heartland by Michael Dirda )(Brief Review)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new memoir by author Michael Dirda tells the story of his childhood in middle America and how his love for books took him to where he is today. Dirda describes his blue-collar...

Researchers find a Dickens-penned advertising jingle.(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Researchers have discovered a cheerful advertising jingle written by a young Charles Dickens. The find is even more extraordinary as it is for the boot blacking factory that caused him...

O'Reilly to publish OS X Panther guide.('Running Mac OS X Panther' by James Duncan Davidson)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher O'Reilly is to release a comprehensive guide to the new version of Apple's Mac OS X called Panther. O'Reilly claims that the book will take the reader through the basic history...

Author Gavin Weightman sings the praises of Marconi's remarkable wireless telegraph.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book published by DaCapo celebrates the precursor to the radio and television and the man who invented it, Guglielmo Marconi. Marconi's wireless telegraph revolutionised...

American public finding American politics increasingly appealing.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Political books with combative titles from both the left and right of American politics are invading the bestseller lists according to booksellers. Barnes and Noble booksellers claim...

Bush's first press secretary to publish memoirs.(Ari Fleischer reportedly signs deal with William Morrow and Company Inc. for memoirs)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers Morrow, have reportedly snapped up the rights to President Bush's first press secretary's memoirs. Reports claim that Ari Fleischer was paid about USD0.5m for the as yet...

Publishers scramble for Cash.(book publishers rush to release Johnny Cash biographies)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The death of country music legend Johnny Cash in September has prompted a rush of re-issues and new releases from publishers. Boarders booksellers have announced that they will take a...

Faber announces return of Mario Vargas Llosa.(with release of 'The Way to Paradise')(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers Faber & Faber has announced the release of the latest novel by Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa called 'The Way To Paradise'. A study of passion, ambition, the pursuit of...

Madonna dedicates second book to teachers.(Puffin Books will release 'Mr. Peabody's Apples')(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The second in pop star Madonna's series of children's books is to be dedicated to all teachers. 'Mr Peabody's Apples' - written by Madonna, illustrated by Loren Long and released on 10...

Stephen King releases new novel and receives National Book Award.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD As Stephen King's latest novel - the fifth in the Dark Tower series, 'The Wolves of Calla' - is released, the author has found himself at the centre of a literary controversy. The US...

Oxfam to expand bookstore chain.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Oxfam hopes to open more book stores and sell 15 million books this year as it seeks to build on the success of its spin off bookshops. Oxfam sold over 12 million books in 2002, raising...

REVIEW: Athletic Abs.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Anyone who has struggled through a couple of hundred stomach crunches every day for a few months, or has succumbed to the dazzling array of abdominal exercise gimmicks advertised on...

O'Reilly to release Panther edition 'Missing Manual' guide.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers O'Reilly are to release an updated 'Panther' edition of their best-selling title 'Mac OS X: The Missing Manual'. The update, written by series author David Pogue, will provide...

Faber charts the rise of Hollywood's clowns with 'Keystone'.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Faber & Faber has released the latest book from Simon Louvish, biographer of W.C Fields, the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy. 'Keystone' is the story of Marc Sennett an Irish-Canadian...

New book examines the friendships of Abe Lincoln.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book by biographer David Herbert Donald explores the inner life of Abraham Lincoln and studies the relationships he had with the few close friends he gathered through life. Donald...

Dutch design duo releases first book in English.(Timber Press Inc. releases 'Planting a Natural Garden' from Piet Oudolf, Henk Gerristan)(Brief Article)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Popular Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerristan have released their first book 'Planting a Natural Garden' in English for the first time. The book explores their 'euro wave'...

AAP predict sales increase in for September.(Association of American Publishers)(Brief Article)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Estimates from the Association of American Publishers claim that book sales have increased in September. The children's hardback category led the way with an increase of 62.1% in sales,...

Australian art critic critiques his life.('The Bright Shapes and The True Names' is new memoir from Patrick McCaughey)(Brief Article)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Australian art critic, Patrick McCaughey, has written a memoir about his life in the art world. McCaughey's 'The Bright Shapes and The True Names' is told with the savagery and sparkle...

Reporter Garrels tells of life in Iraqi war zone.(Farrer, Straus & Giroux releases 'Naked in Baghdad' from Anne Garrels)(Brief Article)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American National Public Radio reporter Anne Garrels, has released a book telling of her experiences as one of only 16 reporters who stayed in Baghdad, Iraq without protection during the...

Niagara Falls survivor to write book of the experience.(Kirk Jones plans to write 'You're Kidding Me: A Knuckleheads Guide to Surviving Niagara Falls')(Brief Article)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Kirk Jones jumped over the Niagara Falls, lived and is now to tell the tale in a new book co-authored by his 40-year-old brother, Keith. Keith Jones announced that Kirk will tell all in a...

Vassanji claims Giller Prize for second time.(M.G. Vassanji)(Brief Article)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD M.G. Vassanji has won Canada's premier literary award, the Giller Prize, for the second time. Vassanji accepted the 2003 award for his novel 'The In-Between World of Vikram Lall', the...

REVIEW: Millionaire Real Estate Mentor.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 6, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Russ Whitney and his Wealth Team claim that with his book, 'Millionaire Real Estate Mentor', even the poorest of us can become wealthy through savvy investment in real estate. I can't...

Polish Philosopher awarded Kluge humanities prize.(Leszek Kolakowski)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The new Library of Congress Kluge Prize for lifetime contribution to humanities has been awarded to Polish philosopher Leszek Kolakowski. Kolakowski is the author of more than thirty...

Tyndale signs deal for contraversial film tie-in.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Christian publisher Tyndal House have announced that it will release the official tie-in book for controversial Mel Gibson film 'The Passion of Christ'. The book, called 'The Passion',...

Former First Lady of Texas recalls her personal memories of JFK assassination.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Former first lady of Texas and passenger in the car when John F. Kennedy was assassinated, has released a book of her memories written a few weeks after the event. The 22 page manuscript...

New book hopes to give American women in their rightful place in history.(Morrow releases 'America's Women' from Gail Collins)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD New York Times editorial editor Gail Collins, has drawn together a team of historians and researchers to re-establish the role of the women who forged America into a nation. In a...

Leibovitz explores American musical landscape in latest collection.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Annie Leibovitz, photographer to generations of music and film stars, is to release a new book covering the musical landscape of the US. 'American Music' takes in the Delta Juke Joints,...

Russian Potter parody banned.
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A court in Amsterdam has blocked the publication of the Dutch translation of hit Russian children's book 'Tanja Grotter'. The Dutch court ruled that the story too closely resembles that...

Malaysia ban publication of ghost stories.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Malaysia's Deputy Home Minister has announced that the Government is to ban all books that are, 'calculated to entertain by frightening.' The Asian country strictly censors foreign books...

Latin American author new identity inspires new book.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Edmundo Paz Soldan has emerged as one of the leading lights in the Latin American literature movement and furthers his cause with his new novel 'El Delirio de Turing' (Turing's Delirium). ...

Poet and author Charles Causley dies.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
November 7, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Highly regarded poet and author Charles Causley has died aged 86. Critics praised him as a writer who instinctively knew what children liked. He was awarded the Queen's Medal for poetry...

Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002 now in force.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) has welcomed the new Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002, that came into force on 31 October 2003. The Act allows...

Short-list for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2003 revealed.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The short-list for the 15th Annual William Hill Sports Book of the Year has been announced. Soccer dominates the nominations with four out of the six titles about 'the beautiful game'....

Random House confirm job cuts.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers Random House has confirmed that the company has cut 29 jobs over the last few months in its sales and technical areas. The job cuts, spread between Random House's New York head...

World's largest Chinese digital library opens in Beijing.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The world's largest Chinese digital library has opened in Beijing, China, containing over 25% of China's public information resources. Developed by the China Academic Journal Electronic...

Borders staff strike in Ann Arbor, USA.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Workers at the original Borders book store in Ann Arbor, Michigan went on strike in protest over low wages and a cut in health benefits. In December 2002 workers at the Ann Arbor store,...

Potter author gives permission for Finnish paper to be used for her books.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The author of the Harry Potter books, JK Rowling, has given permission for the Finnish translations of the books to be printed on Finnish paper. According to the Finnish publisher Tammi,...

Texas approves new biology textbooks for schools.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Texas State Board of Education has voted to approve new biology textbooks, despite opposition from some religious and alternative science groups. Critics of the books claim that they...

'Mirror, Mirror' exposes the dark side of the Snow White tale.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 10, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Novelist Gregory Maguire, has re-worked 'Snow White' and re-united it with its dark themes of bewitchment and abandonment that haunted the original tale. Known for his previous...

REVIEW: Starting a Business in Britain; A Comprehensive Guide and Directory.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD At the start of 2001 there were an estimated 3.7m businesses in the UK according to the UK Department of Trade and Industry. This figure is continuing to grow year on year as new companies...

Former gangster signs GBP2.1m deal with Disney.(Jimmy Boyle)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Former gangster Jimmy Boyle, once known as the most dangerous man in Scotland, has signed GBP2.1m deal with Disney for the film rights to his latest novel. 'A Stolen Smile', a story...

HarperCollins post modest profit in 'challenging' year.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers HarperCollins has announced a slight profit during what it describes as a 'challenging year'. Operating Income was up from USD58m to USD59m, thanks in a large part to...

Turkey allows Kurdish conference for first time in over a decade.(literary conference)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Turkish government has allowed Kurdish writers to hold a literary conference in their own language for the first time in over a decade. The conference will be attended by Kurdish...

Pen faces split over charitable status.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD One of Britain's leading literary societies, Pen, is facing a potentially dangerous split over its decision to become a registered charity. The society's executive is seeking charitable...

Aspect supplies stock system for book store chain.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD IT services company Aspect Group has been selected by book retailer Ottaker's to deploy a stock management system for book returns to publishers. The system will reportedly reduce the...

Tyntesfield mansion tells it's story.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The story of Tyntesfield mansion near Bristol, the site of the National Trust's most successful restoration campaign in 2002, is to have its story told in print for the first time. ...

Defamation suit filed against Bangladeshi feminist writer Taslima Nasrin.(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Best selling Bangladeshi novelist Syed Shamsul Haq has filed a defamation suit against feminist writer Taslima Nasrin. Haq claims that Nasrin's new book 'Ka', an autobiographical book...

'Shadowmancer' author to quit job as vicar after health scare.(Graham Taylor)(Brief Article)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The author of best selling children's novel 'Shadowmancer' is to give up his day job as a parish vicar after a heart scare. Rev Graham Taylor, has denied he is leaving his post to pursue...

'Roadmap to Korean' aims to make Korean language easy to learn.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 11, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Author Richard Harris hopes to make learning Korean easier with his new book 'Roadmap to Korean'. Inspired by his own struggle to learn the language when he arrived in Korea in 1997, and...

Guinness Book of World Records passes 100 million sales mark.(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Guinness Book of World Records has become one of a select group of books, including the Bible and the Koran, to pass sales of 100 million. The book, first published in 1955, is sold...

New book throws light on Christmas cease-fire during the Great War.(Book Review)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book by German historian Michael Jurgs casts fresh light on the extraordinary impromptu cease-fire that took place over Christmas 1914, five months into World War I. Made famous by...

International bestsellers sell well in China.(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Chinese book market seems to have opened up fully to the international book trade, with many international bestsellers now topping lists in China. The latest success is 'My Side',...

Borders lay off 12 staff at corporate offices.(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Borders, one of America's largest booksellers, has laid off 12 staff at its corporate headquarters. The layoffs come in the same week as staff in the chain's flagship store in Ann Arbor,...

Manga boom set to continue.(ADV Films and Broccoli International plans for novels)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The boom in Japanese manga publishing has been furthered by the announcement that two of the biggest distributors of manga material are to start their own publishing programmes. US anime...

New book captures stories and faces of war heroes.('Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty')(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book released in time for Veterans' Day tells the tales of those who have received the US military's highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor, given for acts of extreme sacrifice...

'Pop Idol' judge Cowell to release autobiography.(Simon Cowell)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Influential music mogul Simon Cowell is set to release his autobiography, 'I Don't Mean to be Rude, But...: The Truth about Fame, Fortune and My Life in Music'. Made famous as an acerbic...

Writing teacher guides bookstore tourists.(Larry Portzline)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Part-time writing teacher Larry Portzline has hit on an idea that is benefiting the book community in Greenwich Village, New York. The teacher from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has organised...

US public shun Iraq books.(Brief Article)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD American publishers and book sellers are finding that books focused on the conflict in Iraq are not selling as well as hoped. Unlike after the 11 September terrorist attacks, which...

Mercat Press launches new fiction imprint.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Mercat Press, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, is venturing into the world of fiction publishing with the release of 'The One' on it's new Crescent Books imprint. 'The One' by Edinburgh...

Disco diva Donna Summer releases autobiography.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Disco legend Donna Summer has released her autobiography, charting her, and Disco's, meteoric rise and fall. 'Ordinary Girl: The Journey' tells the story of Summer's turbulent career...

REVIEW: The Deep.(Book Review)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD This collection of short stories from Mary Swan meditate on the themes of loss, abandonment and war, yet the collection seems somewhat sparse of real emotion and, in places, even icy cold....

Rape claims in Jessica Lynch book contested by Iraqi doctors.(Brief Article)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Claims in a new book, charting the story of rescued American soldier Jessica Lynch, that she was raped while in Iraqi care were strongly denied by the Doctor who treated her. In 'I Am a...

'Beagle' charts first UK mission to Mars.(new book from Colin Pillinger will be released on November 20, 2003)(Brief Article)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The story of the first British mission to Mars is to be told in a new book from Faber. 'Beagle' by Professor Colin Pillinger, the man behind the historic mission, tells the story of how...

'Factory Made' gives a new look to history of Andy Warhol.(Brief Article)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Historian Steven Watson's new book, 'Factory Made: Warhol and the Sixties', covers the rise and fall of Andy Warhol and the Factory art collective. Using material culled from Warhol's...

Governor General's Literary Award winners announced in Canada.(Brief Article)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The winners of the 2003 Governor General's Literary Awards, given to Canadian authors, have been announced in Ottawa, Canada. The award for English-language fiction went to Douglas Glover...

Simpsons creator edits Da Capo's 'Best Music Writing 2003'.(Brief Article)
November 13, 2003... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Da Capo Press has added a forth volume to its Best Music Writing series with the 2003 edition. Gathering together some of the best music writing of the last 12 months, Da Capo's 'Best...