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Recent Posts
- “Normal” Movie Review: Bob Odenkirk Blows Up the Fonz
- Jonathan Kennedy’s “Pathogenesis”: Mystery of the Neanderthal Extinction Solved!
- The Finale of “DTF St. Louis”: Sad Coda to Great Character
- Keanu Reeve’s New Movie “Outcome”: Schizophrenic Comedy/Drama on Fame and Goodness
- Jim DeFelice’s “West Like Lightning: The Brief, Legendary Ride of the Pony Express” (2018)
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Author Archives: williamjcobb
"Django Unchained": Cloudy With a Chance of Spaghetti Western & Meatballs
So I saw Tarantino’s Django Unchained yesterday—out of curiosity, not out of a being any huge Tarantino fan. (At their best, as in Pulp Fiction, Tarantino’s films are clever and zingy, and at worst—that unwatchable B-movie Grindhouse he made with … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Gun Control, Pete Dexter, The West
Tagged Book Reviewing, Cormac McCarthy, Django Unchained, Film, The West
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"The Bird Saviors" on a List of Best Books of 2012, Plus Is It Getting Hot, or What?
So I was glad to learn today (belatedly, but better late than never) that my novel The Bird Saviors was listed as one of the Best Books of 2012 by the San Antonio Express-News, to which I say, “Wow, man. … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, books, Climate Change, The West, Weird Weather
Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Climate Change, The Bird Saviors, The West
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Review of Melanie Challenger's "On Extinction," Plus Attack of the Gadget Zombies!
So I’ve been more or less off-line for a couple weeks now, enjoying the holidays and some glorious snowfall, but my review of Melanie Challenger’s nonfiction book On Extinction appeared in the Dallas Morning News last Sunday, here. I liked … Continue reading
Review of Kevin Grauke's "Shadows of Men," Plus a Northern Harrier To Boot
So last Sunday my review of Kevin Grauke’s debut collection of short stories, Shadows of Men, appeared in the Dallas Morning News, here. It’s an excellent book—at times funny, at times touching, and pretty much hits the nail on the … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, books, Photography, The West, writing
Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Good Fiction, Photography, The West, Wildlife photos
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"A Flag From the Poor Kid": A Christmas Essay
So a week ago I attended my daughter’s first community choir event for the Christmas season, at a Lutheran church no less. It was a lovely—even, dare I say, spiritual—event, a crowd of darling children singing (or not) Christmas carols in … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Education, Politics, The West, Uncategorized
Tagged Climate Change, Gun Control, Poverty, The West
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Three Ideas for "Real" Change: Support States' Rights on Marijuana, Mandate Solar Panels of New Home Roofs, Ban All Assault Weapons
So the Obama administration has one chance for real change right now, with a couple more that are much needed. I live in Colorado, which has legalized marijuana, but the Obama administration has yet to respond on exactly what they’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Gun Control, Politics, The West, Uncategorized
Tagged Climate Change, Gun Control, Politics, The West
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The End of Santa? As the North Pole Melts, Kris Kringle's Days Are Numbered
So at dinner last night I mentioned to my six-year-old daughter, “You know, as the arctic ice sheet melts, I guess Santa’s North Pole toy factory is going to sink into the sea.” My daughter struck an immediate sad face, … Continue reading
"The Evil Dead" as Seminal Precursor to "Cabin in the Woods," With a Remake in the Works for Next Year
So although I’m a fan of last year’s witty (and sometimes gory) film Cabin in the Woods, I’ve been reluctant to say anything about it, as it’s one you don’t want to spoil for those who have yet to see … Continue reading
While Reading Melanie Challenger's "On Extinction," Life in "The Other Season"
So I’ve begun reading Melanie Challenger’s On Extinction, to review for the Dallas Morning News, a timely book when Climate Change is panting its hot breath down our neck like an oily wolf: the weather has been so warm this … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, books, Climate Change, The West, Water Crisis, Weird Weather
Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Climate Change, Drought, The Bird Saviors, The West, Water Crisis, Wildfires, Wildlife photos
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Phillip Roth Hangs Up His Pen, While Kent Haruf and George Saunders Have New Books in the Offing
So on the literary beat there’s an interesting tidbit in the news this week (delayed, as you’ll see, from our attention), in that the great American novelist—he did name one of his books that: The Great American Novel (1973)—Phillip Roth … Continue reading