Name Dropping

by Jane Heller
Name Dropping cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Technical
  • ID: 5157
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
thriftbooks.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
engaging 4.00

The book offers a captivating glimpse into the world of celebrity and the media, highlighting the author's unique experiences and insights. It's a compelling read that blends personal anecdotes with broader commentary on fame and society.

Name Dropping by Jane Heller is a fascinating exploration of the author's journey through the realms of celebrity and media. The book is filled with personal stories and encounters with well-known figures, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry. Heller's writing is engaging and witty, making it an enjoyable read for those interested in the dynamics of fame. The book also offers a thoughtful commentary on the impact of celebrity culture on society, blending personal narratives with broader social observations. While some readers might find the focus on name-dropping a bit overwhelming, the book's overall charm and insightful commentary make it a worthwhile read. It's a book that will appeal to fans of celebrity memoirs and those interested in the intersection of fame and media.

Quick quotes

    The book offers a captivating glimpse into the world of celebrity and the media, highlighting the author's unique experiences and insights.

    It's a compelling read that blends personal anecdotes with broader commentary on fame and society.

    Heller's writing is engaging and witty, making it an enjoyable read for those interested in the dynamics of fame.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
fascinating 4.50

The book is a fascinating exploration of the art world and the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat, offering fresh insights and a haunting presence long after reading.

The book delves into the life and legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat, providing a rich tapestry of his impact on the art world. It's filled with vivid details and fresh insights that make it a compelling read. The narrative is so engaging that it lingers in the mind long after the book is finished, much like the best vampires in literature. The author's exploration of Basquiat's starry afterlife is particularly noteworthy, offering a unique perspective on the artist's enduring influence.

Quick quotes

    Every page of "Killing the Dead" bursts with fresh insights and deliciously gory details. And, like all the best vampires, it’ll come back to haunt you long after you think you’re done.

    Though Jean-Michel Basquiat was a sensation in his lifetime, it was thirty years after his death that one of his pieces fetched a record price of $110.5 million.

    Stephen Smith explores the artist's starry afterlife.

publishersweekly.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
urgent 4.00

Naomi Klein's 'This Changes Everything' is a high-profile statement on climate change, emphasizing the urgency of the crisis and the need for immediate action. The book argues that the struggle is not about technology but the political will to implement solutions, and that systemic change is necessary to combat climate change effectively.

Naomi Klein's 'This Changes Everything' is a timely and urgent call to action on climate change. The book highlights the stark reality of the climate crisis, noting that despite decades of climate summits and green posturing, carbon emissions have risen significantly. Klein argues that the struggle is not about the lack of technology but the political will to implement solutions. She criticizes the assumption that market-based solutions can address climate change, pointing out that the neo-liberal era has seen accelerating emissions. The book emphasizes the need for systemic change, as the current system prioritizes profits over environmental sustainability. Klein's call to arms is not restricted to environmentalists but extends to anyone concerned about issues like democracy, inequality, and austerity, which will be exacerbated by climate change. While the book inspires readers to take up the fight against climate change, it lacks a coherent plan of action and is less clear about the specifics of what needs to be done.

Quick quotes

    Klein is not the only writer on climate change to sound the alarm about the imminence of the crisis, but she brings a degree of star power to the issue which makes her book a particularly high-profile statement of what we already know.

    The issue is not a lack of solutions to greenhouse-gas emissions; it is the will to implement those solutions.

    The alternatives we are facing, as the placards at Copenhagen put it, are System Change or Climate Change.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
excellent 4.50

Naomi Klein's 'This Changes Everything' critiques capitalism's role in climate change, offering solutions like social mobilization and public ownership. The book is praised for its engaging presentation of complex issues and its call for environmental and social justice.

Naomi Klein's 'This Changes Everything' presents a compelling critique of how capitalism exacerbates climate change. The book argues that our current economic model conflicts with necessary environmental actions, offering solutions like social mobilization and public ownership of key services. Klein's engaging writing style makes complex issues accessible, and her call for environmental and social justice resonates strongly. The book is praised for its innovative descriptions of old problems and its recognition of the interconnectedness of climate change, poverty, and development. While some ideas may not be new, Klein's presentation is excellent, making the book a valuable contribution to the discourse on climate change and capitalism.

Quick quotes

    Klein’s argument is that, while the majority of people think climate change is a threat, “we have not done the things that are necessary to lower emissions because those things fundamentally conflict with deregulated capitalism” which is the “reigning ideology” of our time (p.18).

    At the heart of the book Klein is supplying society with a challenge: are we on the right path, are we doing the right things for ourselves and for the future, and is this the best we can be?

    Klein acknowledges that it does not present key facts about climate science, rather aims to address “the politics of human power” and can be read as another one of Klein’s excellent diatribes on capitalism and the un-checked power of the free market.

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