In this energetic and fast-paced graphic novel by Kevin Cannon, we join Army Shanks, "crusty old sea dog and legendary brawler of the high arctic seas" on the search for Far Arden, a mythical tropical island in the high Canadian Arctic. All the pieces of a great adventure are here. There’s an innocent orphan child; a secret society; a femme fatale; a man-beast; two intrepid student journalists; the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy; and a magical creature, leading the way to an island paradise that may or may not contravene all the laws of nature.

Shanks’ mentor Simon Arctavius was last seen searching for Far Arden on his ship the Aereopagitica. Now the ship is back, but Arctavius is nowhere to be found. Enter Shanks — somewhat belligerent and a little the worse for drink — to pick up the search, unravel the conspiracy, and reveal some truths along the way. No one here, except perhaps Army, is who they claim to be, and there are more than enough double crosses and hidden motives to go around, with the island as the prize.

The book borrows some plot structure from classical adventure, but takes a vibrant and funny approach, making it impossible to put down. Cannon brings together the pieces of his puzzle expertly, and is not above arching an eyebrow or breaking the fourth wall as he drops in clues and characters…or resets the stage. Although the illustrations are black and white, these simple graphic elements lend a great deal to the story. Fight scenes include descriptive sound effects — just one example of why this is a story best told in the graphic novel format.

Army Shanks is a great take on the honorable and opinionated loner-hero, and the Canadian High Arctic is a new and different location for his quest. Think John Wayne in gumboots and a really heavy cable-knit sweater, and go find Far Arden if you dare!

John Jewitt – Savage Branch

Luke Dempsey’s A Supremely Bad Idea, the tale of “three mad birders and their quest to see it all,” is a grabber, a book with a first paragraph that completely drags you in to the writer’s world. Dempsey’s discussion of train-spotting and morris dancing establishes a framework for his introduction of bird watching. From there we’re on a slippery slope towards a fun read, particularly once we meet Dempsey’s bird-crazy traveling companions, Don and Donna Graffiti.

Throughout the book Dempsey emphasizes the generosity and extraordinary knowledge of his fellow birders. Whether from Robin Diaz in Florida; Ted Ollinger in Gig Harbor, Washington; or Barbara Kennett on South Padre Island in Texas, Dempsey and the Graffitis are the repeated beneficiaries of kindness and hospitality, based only on a shared interest and set of specialist knowledge. In many cases Dempsey sees or hears the bird he seeks because of the support provided by these local heroes. His community encounters contrast with several unfulfilling “strip mall” events that the trio experience in generic Anytown, U.S.A.

Dempsey’s book articulates an environmental agenda in a new and different way. His argument, while less scientific and more aesthetic, has no lesser impact. It is hard to disagree as he explains the migration and nesting patterns of the rare birds that he seeks, and points out that it would only take a minor change in habitat, feeding patterns, or temperature to permanently affect the behavior of these particular birds. As an example, Dempsey explains the migration patterns of the Cerulean Warbler, a bird whose habitat in western South America has been drastically reduced by deforestation for coffee cultivation.

The Warbler is not the only bird explored in depth. Dempsey’s detailed explanation of birds’ behavior makes it clear that with a little effort, a good birding guide, and perhaps a recording of the song, we, too, could have an encounter with a “life bird.” Employing wit, sparkle, and a clear affection for his subject, Luke Dempsey’s A Supremely Bad Idea encourages us to seek out nature that is happening all around us.

February and March are National Bird Feeding Months. Why not stock a feeder in your backyard, pull out the birding guide and binoculars, and see which of Luke Dempsey’s friends show up for dinner?

John Jewitt – Savage Branch

Michael Crichton

In this techno-thriller mixed with social commentary, attorney Peter Evans assists scientist John Kenner in preventing an environmental organization from creating a global natural disaster. The suspense begins with a murder and ends with a tsunami.

State of Fear examines the complex relationship between government, scientists, and celebrities. It’s also a commentary on global warming and other environmental issues. Crichton has included notes at the end of the book that, although sometimes overwhelming to read, are interesting because they offer the reader a glimpse into the author’s point of view.

Chrichton’s tale really resonated with me because it is so different from the typical Michael Crichton novel. In many of his books, the story is central, while the social commentary is secondary; however, in State of Fear, Crichton focuses more on the social commentary, letting the plot support his beliefs. Contrary to the popular idea that the world is coming to an end unless humans change their ways, Crichton argues that science is inconclusive and fear is unnecessary.

Other good stories by Michael Crichton dealing with social issues include Disclosure, which delves into sexual harassment in the workplace (with a twist), and A Case of Need, an earlier book dealing with the medical profession and the issue of abortion prior to Roe v. Wade.

Robert Bates – Glenwood Branch

The World Without Us is a book that is not entirely what it claims to be.

On one level, Alan Weisman explores a fairly straightforward but improbable notion. What would happen to the the world if all of humanity just disappeared? We’re not talking about annihilation by nuclear holocaust or anything. Instead, the author examines what would happen to the planet if all of humanity just quietly vanished.

Pretty unlikely of course. One day or another humanity almost certainly will vanish, but leaving without making an absolute mess on the way out? Not our style.

Anyway, in order to describe how the world would fare in the absence of humanity, the author first has to describe how it is faring in our presence. Such description provides the opportunity for him to go into enormous detail on exactly what kind of global slum we have made of our world. Clever approach if you want to write a book about environmental blight – and that is exactly what The World Without Us really is.

Mr. Weisman’s approach is more than clever, in fact. It is utterly fascinating. How long would our bridges last? How long before our abandoned cities disappeared? Would the fish populations of our oceans, lakes and rivers ever recover? Would the great beasts who once roamed the earth repopulate their old stomping grounds?

All in all the questions are intriguing and the answers are both interesting and plausible. In the process, Alan Weisman gives us a not particularly subtle hint that, if the earth could do as well as he seems to think it will in humanity’s absence, perhaps we humans might take a shot at helping it do a bit better without first getting ourselves exterminated. Not a bad argument. Since the post-pollution world that Mr. Weisman describes seems, for the most part, pretty appealing, it’s hard to argue with the idea that it might be nice to do a better job of cleaning up the neighborhood while we are still around to enjoy it.

Joe McHugh – Administraton Office