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A review by micheleheather
The Best American Essays 2007 by Robert Atwan, David Foster Wallace
4.0
These "Best American" books are usually good reads, and this one is no exception. A broad range of essays this year, some literary, some political, some personal.
As always, the selection is slanted toward the bias of this year's editor, David Foster Wallace. But in his (really good!) introduction, he admits this and then, without apology, the book goes on.
There are several essays about the war in Iraq and Afganistan, mostly leaning on the "against" side of things, but there are also many essays that vary widely from that type, including one that reads like fiction by Jo Ann Beard, an essay on Cesar Millan (the "dog whisperer") by Malcolm Gladwell, and thought-provoking essays on being a carnivore (no, it doesn't promote vegetarianism!) and giving to charity ("What Should a Billionaire Give - and What Should You?").
As always, the selection is slanted toward the bias of this year's editor, David Foster Wallace. But in his (really good!) introduction, he admits this and then, without apology, the book goes on.
There are several essays about the war in Iraq and Afganistan, mostly leaning on the "against" side of things, but there are also many essays that vary widely from that type, including one that reads like fiction by Jo Ann Beard, an essay on Cesar Millan (the "dog whisperer") by Malcolm Gladwell, and thought-provoking essays on being a carnivore (no, it doesn't promote vegetarianism!) and giving to charity ("What Should a Billionaire Give - and What Should You?").