Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 12, 1993 TAG: 9312140005
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
By Margaret Sedeen. The National Geographic Society.
The National Geographic Society has produced yet another delightful, coffee table book. Full of the lush photographs and interesting text so common to NGS work, ``Star-Spangled Banner'' traces the history of our flag and our nation. It visits our Old Glory's Colonial evolution, follows it westward with Lewis and Clarke, to war in Vietnam and Kuwait, to the moon with Apollo 11, and to Woodstock with Jimi Hendrix. Our flag's roles in our daily lives are also examined, as well as the recent controversy over its proper use and display. A very enjoyable browseable book, sure to be a popular gift item this holiday season.
- KENNETH LOCKE
The Men and the Girls.
By Joanna Trollope. Random House. $20.
In her first novel published in the United States, Joanna Trollope examines contemporary mores with wit and compassion. ``The Men and the Girls'' proves her worthy of her illustrious forebear, Anthony Trollope, in both irony and style.
Two cronies nearing retirement age fail to adapt to the much younger women in their lives. When James Mallow's companion, Kate, deserts him, her 13-year-old daughter stays, as does his octogenarian uncle. His friend Hugh, losing his savoir faire after being replaced in his glamorous job, joins the Mallow household to find comfort. The combination of disparate characters, all wounded, causes changes which are sometimes humorous, often touching, always unpredictable.
A fine novel, eloquent in execution and rich in understanding of people of all ages, ``The Men and the Girls'' makes me wish for the publication of Joanna Trollope's other works on this side of the Atlantic.
- LYNN ECKMAN
\ Kenneth Locke is a Radford pastor.\ Lynn Eckman teaches at Roanoke College.
by CNB