FEATURE
BOOK ROUNDUP
SUMMER READING ROUNDUP Kick off your vacation with a few good reads for Summer 2015 BY ERICA MOODY
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ummer is here, the few months when Washington takes a breather. It’s the time to catch up on all those books you’ve been meaning to read, and maybe discover a few new ones. For this list, we paid attention to nonfiction by mostly local authors on the subjects that matter to them —from drone warfare to wildlife filmmaking, these works provide insights into an array of topics that will make your beach reading anything but mindless. >>
P H OTOS CO U RT E SY O F E AC H P U BL I S H I N G H O U S E
CONFESSIONS OF A WILDLIFE FILMMAKER by Chris Palmer American University film professor, filmmaker and conservationist Chris Palmer uncovers the ugly truth behind beautifully shot wildlife productions in his memoir “Confessions of a Wildlife Filmmaker: The Challenges of Staying Honest in an Industry CAPITAL DAMES THE CIVIL Where Ratings are King.� Palmer shares the WAR AND THE WOMEN OF highs and lows of his film career and the WASHINGTON - industry’s ethical standards. As Jane Goodall by Cokie Roberts explains in her introduction, by confessing History buffs, this one’s for his own wrongdoings and criticizing his own you. Washington journalist behavior, Palmer “is in a strong position to and famed political commentator Cokie challenge other film makers to follow the same Roberts follows up her New York Times rigorous guidelines. He is, in fact, striving to bestselling books “Founding Mothers� and move the profession to a higher level.� After “Ladies of Liberty� with a study of the early reading this tell-all expose, you’ll never see “belles� of Washington society and their wildlife films and television the same way. considerable influence in Capital Dames. (Bluefield Publishing, $23.04) The stories of influential but oft-overlooked HOPE A MEMOIR OF women like first ladies Harriet Lane and SURVIVAL IN CLEVELAND Mary Todd Lincoln and social activist and by Amanda Berry and Gina former slave Elizabeth Keckley are set amid DeJesus, with Mary Jordan and the backdrop of important moments in U.S. Kevin Sullivan history. (HarperCollins, $27.99) If you haven’t read this #1 New York Times best seller yet, now is the time. Co-authored by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalists Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, this mesmerizing book combines first-person accounts with news reporting on the case of Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, two of the three girls kidnapped and held captive for over ten years in Cleveland in a high-profile missing persons case. The authors worked with Berry and DeJesus to “Capital Dames� cover art by Virginia artist Todd Healy bring their story to life — with material taken
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largely from diaries Berry kept as a prisoner. The book spares no detail and at the same time shows that hope can be found in even the most horrifying of circumstances. The authors call it “a story of coping and hoping.� Buy it in hardcover, because all proceeds from book sales go to support the kidnapped girls and their families. (Penguin Random House, $28.95) THE INN AT LITTLE WASHINGTON A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION by Patrick O’Connell The Washington area’s favorite weekend retreat now has a glossy coffee table book to commemorate it. The Inn at Little Washington, arguably America’s most famous restaurant-cumcountry inn, was transformed from a rural garage into a jewel-like country house thanks to the vision of chef and owner Patrick O’Connell. “The Inn was finally ready for its ‘close up,’ “ he says, adding that it was time to
let the world know that we had evolved from a simple country restaurant into much more.� With beautiful photos illustrating an inspiring story, it’s a treat to flip through this gem on a languid summer day. When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, O’Connell says “Hopefully it will inspire them
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to dream and to realize that with patience, hard work and sacrifice, dreams sometimes come true.” This is an unlikely story of collaboration and transformation with a bit of magic mixed in.” (Rizzoli, $50) My Organic Life: How a Pioneering Chef Helped Change the Way We Eat by Nora Pouillon, with Laura Fraser Organic meals are in vogue, these days, but how did we begin paying close attention to where our food comes from? Washington chef Nora Pouillon, who founded the first ever certified organic food restaurant in the United States in 1979, delves into the origins of the movement in this fascinating memoir. (Alfred A. Knopf, $26.95)
SUMMER EATS Crab Decks and Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay by Susan Elnicki Wade and Bill Wade Craving crabs and want to stay local? Pick up the ultimate guide to authentic seafood houses and islandinspired lounges on the Chesapeake Bay, complete with classic destinations and hidden gems up and down the bay. (www. crabdecksandtikibars.com) Irrepressible: The Jazz Age Life of Henrietta Bingham by Emily Bingham In the roaring ’20s Henrietta Bingham turned down a publishing empire and the lavish lifestyle of her prominent Southern family to live like the times, “intoxicating and intoxicated, selfish and shameless, seductive and brilliant, endearing and often terribly troubled.” Bingham’s grand-niece tells the story of an unconventional woman ahead of her time. After doctors tried to “cure her queerness,” Bingham was outcast, leading to anxiety and addiction. Emily Bingham brings justice to
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her aunt’s memory, going beyond rumors and whispers to set the record straight. (Farar, Straus and Giroux, $28) Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht DKNY’s PR specialist teaches readers how to create a personal brand worth following in this book of social media secrets. Sharing her own (hilarious) experiences in the professional style world, Licht uses her failures and successes to give readers the opportunity to learn from them. Style expert and television personality Stacy London says “If you want the job of your dreams, read this book.” (Grand Central Publishing, $26) A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety by Jimmy Carter View the world through the eyes of former president Jimmy Carter and experience a lifetime of his passion, service, tough choices and a few regrets. Carter gives readers an intimate account of his life and presidency, including personal poems and paintings. The 39th president also provides an honest perspective on issues like racism, war and the future of the country. (Simon & Schuster, $28) The Light of the World: A Memoir by Elizabeth Alexander You likely know her as one of only four poets to read at an American presidential inauguration—Alexander composed “Praise Song for the Day” on the occasion of President Obama’s inauguration, and now the renowned poet is extending her skills to nonfiction. Deeply personal and universal in its reach, her memoir chronicling the “existential crossroads” she faced after the sudden death of her husband is surely comparable to celebrated grief memoirs such as Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking. “(Grand Central Publishing, $26)
The Great War of Our Time: The CIA’S fight against terrorism from al qa’ida to isis by Michael Morell Find out what keeps a CIA director up at night in former deputy director Michael Morell’s tell-all on the CIA’s fight against terrorism. He details his role in Benghazi; the Bin Laden raid; and the fight against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and more. Morell also illustrates what working with the commander in chief is like behind closed doors, comparing his time with presidents Bush and Obama. (Hachette Book Group, $28) Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee Everyone’s favorite book from high school now has a sequel and odds are you’ve heard of it. Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman” has been surrounded by controversy since it was announced alongside rumors that Lee herself never endorsed the publication. Her family and publisher have refuted these claims, while the reclusive author has remained pretty quiet about it. Set to debut on July 14, the sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird”was 55 years in the making. (HarperCollins, $27.99)
LITERATURE AROUND TOWN
PEN/FAULKNER FOUNDATION Regarded as one of the best c o m m u n i t y- b a s e d non-profit organizations in the area, the PEN/Faulkner Foundation exists to “promote a lifelong love of reading and a connection to writing through public events, in-school education and public promotion of exceptional literary achievement.” Local bibliophiles connect at PEN/Faulkner events to share their passion for literature with fellow bookworms. PEN/Faulkner celebrates writers with its prestigious annual awards for accomplishments in fiction writing (both the novel and short story are honored) and brings new authors to our attention with readings and other community events. Its “Founding Friends” luncheons give members the opportunity to discuss craft with prominent authors and get acquainted with other members. Get involved at www.penfaulkner.org.
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FEATURE | ANDREW COCKBURN
HIGH-TECH ASSASSINS Andrew Cockburn’s ‘Kill Chain’ explores the dark underbelly of drone warfare BY ERICA MOODY
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arper’s Magazine Washington Editor Andrew Cockburn has penned a highly acclaimed pageturner on the history of drone warfare. We talked with the esteemed author about the real story behind robotic warfare, a subject explored in depth in “Kill Chain: The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins” (Henry Holt and Co., $28).
WHY WRITE THIS BOOK NOW? I wrote the book because there is so much misinformation about drones, what they represent and what they can do. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE RESEARCH PROCESS? IT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT FINDING INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT WERE SEEMINGLY, AT LEAST AT ONE TIME, CLASSIFIED. I’ve been reporting and writing about national security and weapons security for many years, so I know a lot of people — people who trust me. I’m also familiar with the technology, and know when we’re being “snowed” by mendacious or inflated claims. WHAT WAS YOUR APPROACH TO DIGEST MUNDANE STRATEGY-, TECHNOLOGY- AND POLICY-RELATED RESEARCH INTO A COMPELLING NARRATIVE? There are so many great, if often horrifying, stories to illustrate the points Andrew Cockburn (Photo by Tao Ruspuli) I make. For example, I tell the full story of a drone attack, using the drone crew’s target, anytime, anywhere. Abandoning the own radio chatter, to show how imprecise the technology is unlikely, given the amount of technology is, as well as the (often bloodthirsty) money involved. attitude of the people who use it. The attack killed 23 civilians, including children. DRONE WARFARE TO THE LAYMAN MAY SEEM LIKE A SAFE, PRECISE AND STRATEGIC WAY TO ENGAGE WOULD WE BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT DRONES? IS ENEMIES. HOW DOES YOUR BOOK CLARIFY THIS ABANDONING THIS TECHNOLOGY POSSIBLE? We MISCONCEPTION? I show how in actual operational would be better off without the current conditions, drones do not see very well; I show presumption that we can hit the right that “high value targeting,” i.e. assassination,
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which is their principal lethal function, is entirely counterproductive, making our enemies stronger; I show how drones, with their ability to send video of a distant battlefield to a president’s desk, give our leaders a dangerous illusion of knowledge and control; I show how much of all this is a racket to line the pockets of contractors. THE USE OF DRONES HAS SEEMED TO KEEP AMERICAN SOLDIERS SAFE BUT HAS IN TURN RESULTED IN A RISE OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. SOME SAY IF THIS WASN’T COMING OUT OF THE U.S. IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED TERRORISM. Attacking targets without warning and with the inevitability of harming civilians definitely qualifies as terrorism and the outside world — especially victim countries — understand that very well. IS DRONE WARFARE CHAMPIONED MORE BY THE POLICYMAKERS, MILITARY COMMANDERS OR THE CONTRACTORS THAT SUPPLY THE TECHNOLOGY? They’re all in cahoots. WHAT IS THE REACTION TO YOUR BOOK FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, THE MILITARY AND LARGE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS DEVELOPING AND MANUFACTURING THE TECHNOLOGY? Combat soldiers, marines and airmen who understand the reality of current wars have been very appreciative. I’ve had deep interest from the public, who feel they’re not getting the full story and want to know more. Contractors? Varies from embarrassment to outrage. WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF WARFARE? It should have no future at all. It will get bloodier, for civilians at least, but in ways I cannot predict.
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