Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 15
- Grade: 10
Description
This time round, Arthur Black turns his critical eye and warped funny bone to the world beyond Salt Spring Island, lambasting the amateur ballplayer who sued because the sun was in his eyes, the craze for blood sports and our anachronistic fetish for suits and ties. Yet, compassion is in the air too, with Black rehabilitating one of the most ineffective US presidents, Jimmy Carter, into the greatest, and finding a shred of respect for Conrad Black (no relation), British lord, newspaper mogul and jailbird. Then there was the time Black found himself sleeping in Corsica between a woman and her husband. Needless to say, it was . . . complicated.
About the author
Arthur Black's growing collection of award-winning books include Pitch Black, Black Tie and Tales (Stoddart Publishing) and Black in the Saddle Again, all of which won him the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. He hosted CBC Radio One's Basic Black program from 1983 until 2002, while also using his comedic talents to host Life Television Network's Weird Homes and Weird Wheels. His recently released audio CD, Planet Salt Spring, features tales from his adopted home of Salt Spring Island, BC Canada.
Librarian Reviews
Looking Blackwards
It’s impossible to resist reading Black’s ninth, amusing compilation of short stories. Recipient of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, Black is a master storyteller, again weaving his clever wit and profound quotes into hilarious and provocative short stories. Looking Blackwards is organized into six themes, ranging from Canadian musings in “Take off Eh?” and “Canuckistanis”, to global reflections in “High Tech, lo-tech, no-tech” and “Did I Really Say That?”. He describes airport security as “positively percolating with paranoia” and warns readers to resist yelling “Hi Jack” to a long lost friend in an airport security line. Despite his Scottish heritage, he believes bagpipes, when played properly, still sound like a hyena being waterboarded. Calling exercise “voluntary perspiration” and “when it comes to [internet] content, I’m not sure about the shelf life,” readers will enjoy Black’s amusing rants and raves.Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2012-2013.
