reviews

Going Underground... Author:  Sudhir Venkatesh It’s so obvious that it barely requires any evidence – a quick glance at one week’s TV schedule would suffice – but people seem to be unquenchably obsessed with the criminal underworld.  Perpetually fascinated by the dark side of the human psyche, we gobble up crime stories in any form we can, so it’s not surprising that there are scientists who devote their lives to studying criminal behavior.  Then, when they write books – especially if there’s any sex involved – we read them, or at least fidget with anticipation until the movie comes out.  [...]

Mad Dogs, Englishmen and SPAM... Author:  Luke Dempsey The suspicion has been voiced by others on numerous occasions and I have to admit that I might be permanently brain damaged.  I have no way to effectively rebut the charge, but at least allow me to explain my unfortunate circumstances.  I’m a member of the small but distinguished American demographic that grew up watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus in the 1970s.  Despite my young and impressionable age, my parents allowed me to watch the insane and raunchy antics of the madcap British comedy troupe on the local PBS channel every Saturday [...]