August 1st, 2010
by PaulM
The Merrimack Valley’s own Jane Brox earned a full page review of her new book “Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light” in the NYT Book Review. A full page review in the Sunday Times is major-league attention. Reviewer Elizabeth Royte spends most of her sentences describing what’s in the book and is sparing in the kind of praise that authors, editors, and publishers, especially the marketing people, crave. I didn’t see the proverbial “killer quote” (in a good way), but Royte gives Jane her due for this in-depth exploration of one of the basics of life these days. We just expect to have light at night now. Wasn’t always the case, as Jane explains so thoughtfully in the book.
Here’s some applause from the reviewer: “Ruminative and curious, Brox excels at discussing the cultural and psychological changes wrought by more and better light….”
Read the full review here, and considering buying one or more copies of the book, please. This commercial is brought to you by the Merrimack Valley Writers Association (or would be if we had one).
Culture, History, Lowell | 
2 Comments »
July 19th, 2010
by PaulM
“Brilliant” author Jane Brox said “thanks” for the blog post about her book the other day and also said that she was “as surprised as anyone to see the mention [in TIME magazine].” She credited her publicist at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, whom she says is treating her very well. Jane noted that there’s a review of her new book due in the New York Times Book Review on August 1.
In addition to writing books, Jane is the Coastal Studies Scholar at Bowdoin College. I’m sure we’ll be seeing her in the Lowell area in the near future. She read and signed “Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light” at the Concord Bookshop on July 11, and will be at the Andover Bookstore on Sept. 9. Other fall appearances include Boston College, Penn State, and the Bangor (Maine) Book Festival. Keep up with her schedule on www.janebrox.com
Culture, Education, History, Lowell | No Comments »
July 19th, 2010
by PaulM
We know her. Jane Brox, now living in Maine, but who will always be connected to Dracut and the Merrimack Valley, has a new book, “Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light,” which is featured this week as one of TIME magazine’s Short List “Picks for the Week.” Here’s the recommendation:
Jane Brox’s extraordinary history of artificial light is aptly named. It’s not just a record of technological innovation; it’s a great human fable about how we went from desperately fending off darkness to searching for the last vestiges of true night in a light bedazzled world.
Congratulations to Jane for her fourth book. The others are “Here and Nowhere Else,” “Five Thousand Days Like This One,” and “Clearing Land.” Click here for details about her books.
And click here for a list of her upcoming readings and book-signings in New England and beyond. On Thursday, Sept. 9, 7 pm, she will be at the Andover Bookstore. Don’t wait until then to get the book.
Culture, Greater Lowell, History, Lowell | No Comments »
Recent Comments