To quote Nicholson Baker in The History of Punctuation essay from The Size of Thoughts:

John Lennard's extraordinary recent monograph on the history of the parenthesis [is] gracefully written and full of intelligence, decked out with a complete scholarly apparatus of multiple indicies, bibliographies, and notes, whose author, to judge by the startling jacket photo (shaved head with up-sticking central proto-Mohawk tuft, erring on left ear, wilted corduroy jacket, and over-laundered T-shirt bearing some enigmatic insignia underneath), put himself through graduate school by working as a ticket scalper at Elvis Costello concerts. (A Discussion of Elvis Costello's use of the parenthesis in "Let Him Dangle" figures in a late chapter.)

Following the death of Diana, Princess of Walls, Elton John re-released 'Candle in the Wind'. John Lennard (spondee stressed) decided to release, in a knowning nod to Elton, a version of 'Bracket Man'. All editions of the book were sold with a detachable pair of ear mufflers. Lennard John looks set to follow up this coup-de-loon with the "Pottery Handbook" : a guide to getting lost in Stoke. John Lennard is 33.

Many books have been written about poetry and how to read it, but this one I have found to be particularly well conceived. It is written for British students who wish to sit for exams, and caters to their needs, but anyone, including seasoned poetry readers, will find it instructive. Lennard breaks the book down into chapters devoted to meter, form, layout, punctuation, lineation, rhyme, diction, syntax, history, biography, and gender. Each chapter covers various poems by various authors, but they all end with a detailed reading of one poem, 'Nearing Forty' by Nobel Prize Laureate Derek Walcott. This is a fascinating approach and quite successful, because the understanding that one gains of this poem from these eleven readings, each with a different emphasis, is quite exhaustive. The benefits do not apply only to this one poem, however, because one now has a model of close reading that can be applied to any poem, anywhere. This is an excellent book for use both in the classroom and by oneself.

I am a teacher of English literature at the UNAM, in Mexico City. I have been working with Lennard's book for two or three years and it is amazing the way my students have reacted to it. They have learned a lot and are so enthusiastic about poetry now that I can only thank Mr. Lennard for his book. I recommend it strongly if you are interested in poetry.

Velo Press during the Tour de France runs an on-line ticker for each stage, which is quite good for those who do not have access to live television coverage. This book consists mostly of snippets of that on-line ticker and gives a very fragmented feel to the reader. After a while it grows tiresome to read of Mr. Noname making a break or covering a break. There is just a whole lot more to the Tour than an endless recitation of obscure names as they jockey for position throughout a six hour stage. A far more interesting angle would be to explain how so-called domestiques do so well in so many of the stages. What are differences between them and the favorites?

I would have expected an insiders book on the Tour de France to supply the reader with far more technical information as well as explanations of the rigors, demands and behaviors affecting the participants. What are typical meals? How can so many calories be consumed without causing complications? How is hydration maintained? How can a rider survive over 2,000 miles on a bike in three weeks? What special measures are taken. How does a rider not feel good on a ride yet continue at a level that would amaze even a good amateur cyclist? What does it mean to "have good legs"? What are the riding styles - in saddle or out? What gearing is used? What manufacturers equipment is used? There was a brief section on time-trial bikes in the book. How can a cyclist scream down mountain stages at 60-70 mph? Most good cyclists would not survive even one such descent.

Few books are written on professional bicycling racing, but the Tour de France does pique general interest. Here is a chance to explain the real world of cycling: its difficulties, complications, and requirements. Put the race coverage in the context of a broader view. Did the winners somehow cope with all of that better or is there another explanation? This book seems to have been written exclusively for the small world of elite cyclists who know all about professional cycling if not the actual participants. If that is the objective, label the next book "For elite cyclists only."