Book Review-The Maltese Falcon (1930) by Dashiell Hammett

I have never seen the the movie version of The Maltese Falcon. Premiering in 1941, The Maltese Falcon is considered one of the greatest film noir/crime movies of all-time. The American Film Institute named it the 23rd greatest movie of all-time in 2007. It was John Huston's directorial debut, and Humphrey Bogart's first major role, starring as detective Sam Spade.

But this post is not about me being remiss in not seeing the movie. It's about the novel the movie is based on, The Maltese Falcon, published in 1930 and written by Dashiell Hammett.

I love independent bookstores. I have mentioned The Book Loft of German Village, located in Columbus, Ohio in past posts. A few weeks ago I was in Columbus on business and decided to run over to the Book Loft to kill some time.


On their discount book table in the courtyard was a paperback version of The Maltese Falcon on sale for $4.99. Of course I had heard of the movie, so I bought it.

This is a pretty amazing book. I was surprised at how compressed the time frame of the action in this novel actually was. Set over just a couple of days in San Francisco, the story revolves around a small statue of a bird and the characters' desire to obtain it.

Sam Spade is a local detective who finds himself in the center of the intrigue. My expectations were that the book would be a classic mystery, with clues revealing themselves as I progressed through the story. No doubt the mystery is there, but I found the book to be as much a morality story, as Sam Spade battles his own foibles to try to maintain his professionalism as a private detective and a human being throughout the story. Dashiell Hammett is successful in this book as he was able to produce a successful crime/mystery novel with characters that are both interesting and intriguing.

And of course, that's why The Maltese Falcon is considered a classic.

 The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A classic mystery/crime novel that ultimately succeeds as a morality story. My full review: http://jiresell.blogspot.com/2011/10/boo...

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New foursquare Badge, The Man v. Food Nation Badge

I knocked this one out pretty quickly.

Follow the Travel Channel on foursquare. Then check into a spot recommended by them which generally will be places Adam Richman and his show Man v. Food has visited.

I got it when I dropped by Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio this afternoon to pick up some of their Bahama Mama Sausages and Bratwurst to grill at home tomorrow.

foursquare Man v. Food Nation Badge

Man v. Food Nation

Hungry? You just found one of America's best pigout spots as seen on Travel Channel's Man v. Food Nation! Hope you brought your appetite!

Unlocked by jiresell on Sun Aug 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM at Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus in Columbus, OH.

Book Review-The Road Not Taken and Other Poems (This Edition, 1993) by Robert Frost

I decided I needed to stretch my brain a little and read something beyond my traditional material. (See the list of books on the right side below.) Poetry was of interest to me.

It's amazing how we mature over time. In high school and college I had absolutely no interest in poetry. I didn't like the form, the need for interpretation or in many cases the sing-songy nature of the writing. Now I do wonder if the real reason for my dislike was that I was forced to read the classics in my basic literature and English courses, rather than poetry that actually would have been of interest to me.

Not knowing where to start, I happened to be with my brother Mike at a great bookstore in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio called The Book Loft. Mike has his PHD in English and is a professor of same at Indiana University, Pennsylvania. Who better to recommend some poetry to begin my journey into the genre.

I bought several books that day, and interestingly enough chose a classic to read first. The Road Not Taken and Other Poems (1993 edition) was originally published as Mountain Interval in 1916 and is considered one of the best collections of Robert Frost poetry. The poem that lends it's name to the title of the collection, The Road Not Taken, is one of Robert Frost's most popular works.

My brother Mike did me right when he recommended this collection. It's a rather small volume (49 pages, a total of 28 poems) but an enjoyable read. I am no student of style, but I know what I like. Robert Frost forces you to think as you read his work. But I also observed that the genius of Robert Frost is that if you want to read his poetry just for a literal interpretation or for pure enjoyment you can do that too.

There were a couple of poems I found to be most intriguing in this collection:

- "Out, Out-" A shocking departure from many of the other poems in the book. A story of a buzz-saw accident.

- "Snow" The story of a man who has the need to preach, and won't let a snowstorm keep him from his travels. Actually this poem is better described as the story of his friends and family who question his judgement. Quite chilling and suspenseful.

I would imagine that most readers who enjoy poetry have read this collection, or most of the poems in it. If you are wanting to discover poetry, or are just looking for a good read, this is the book to start with.

The Road Not Taken and Other Poems by Robert Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to stretch myself a bit and read some poetry-a great collection to start with? My full review: http://jiresell.blogspot.com/2011/08/boo...

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Winning the Battle with the Thurmanator!

I'm impressed by my brother Tim tonight!

He and his wife Cindy arrived early tonight in Columbus for my daughter Mallory's graduation from The Ohio State University on Sunday.

They were looking for someplace to eat, and my daughter and I recommended The Thurman Cafe, located in the German Village neighborhood in Columbus.

Highlighted on an episode of The Travel Channel's Man V. Food, The Thurman Cafe is known for a huge and delicious selection of burgers, the most famous being the Thurmanator. Here's the description straight from the menu:

The Thurmanator!

The THURMANATOR

Bottom bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, 12 ounce burger, bacon, cheddar, another 12 oz burger, sautéed mushrooms & onions, ham, mozzarella & American cheese, top bun served with fries 16.49

I did not witness Tim's battle, but with the photographic evidence below, and eyewitness accounts from Tim's wife Cindy and my daughter Mallory, I can announce that Tim defeated the Thurmanator at 10:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, June 10, 2011!

Tim and The Thurmanator-The Battle Begins!

A Premature Declaration of Victory-Tim Didn't Finish the Fries!

I Think He Licked the Plate Clean!