Notes from a Febrile Keyboard

Notes from a Febrile KeyboardIn this, his 21st book, Richard Pennington presents a collection of high spirited essays. That some pertain to sports will surprise none who know him, but there is much moresuch as Philippine history; memories of his days as an elementary school, junior high school and high school student in Dallas; Jacquelyn Bouvier Kennedy Onassis; racism and neo racism; advice for young writers; the challenges of living as an expat in Korea; Helen Keller; the

In this, his 21st book, Richard Pennington presents a collection of high-spirited essays. That some pertain to sports will surprise none who know him, but there is much moreÑsuch as Philippine history; memories of his days as an elementary school, junior high school and high school student in Dallas; Jacquelyn Bouvier Kennedy Onassis; racism and neo-racism; advice for young writers; the challenges of living as an expat in Korea; Helen Keller; the ineffable pleasures of reading; the Ford Motor Company (longtime employer of his deceased father); Vincent Van Gogh; his ambivalent feelings about the University of Texas; Che Guevara; and his favorite footwear, Doc Martens boots. He urges basketball refs to call traveling more often, thinks North KoreaÕs gulag should be dismantled as soon as possible, laments the closing of a neighborhood coffee shop, honors obscure people like Dock Rone and is merciless with Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceau_escu. Where else will you find an article called ÒA Heterosexual ManifestoÓ?