Historical Heartthrobs

November 18, 2013
The good thing about falling for a dead person is that they never leave you, as Murphy and Fryd demonstrate in this broad-ranging, tongue-in-cheek guide to the hotties of history. The diverse individuals profiled stand out for their commitment to social causes, artistic and political influence, and sheer audacity. Included are Frida Kahlo (“Even her eyebrows became icons”), Lord Byron (“Style of seduction: Breakin’ hearts”), Harry Houdini, Frederick Douglass, and even a few living people, such as Jane Goodall and Gloria Steinem. The authors candidly explore each individual’s accomplishments (under the heading “Why She/He Matters”), sex lives, reputation, and “Heat Factor” (George Sand’s androgyny, same-sex affairs, and rejection of rigid social mores earn her a “Scandalously hot” rating, while the celibate Nikola Tesla “may have had good looks, but he also only had eyes for science”). Controversial figures (“Hotness doesn’t necessarily equal goodness,” as the introduction quips), such as Nazi sympathizer and filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (high cheekbones don’t compensate for brushing elbows with Hitler), receive nuanced examination. With engrossing photos, lively quotations, and witty writing, it’s “the complete package”—just like Nellie Bly. Ages 14–up. (Jan.) ■

October 15, 2013
A hit-or-miss selection of notable personalities who made a dent in history. That "the 50 people in this book made other people swoon" is debatable, even accounting for taste, but since the authors consider the nature of "hotness varied, from physical to intellectual to emotional," much yardage is added to the meaning of "heartthrob." On the upside of the book are the pithy character sketches, which get to the nub of their historical impact while keeping the language light. It can drift into campy or corny, but that probably comes with the territory. Each entry ends with short paragraphs marking why this person mattered, his or her best feature, his or her ranking on the "heat factor" (an index of their pros and cons), and the story of his or her sex life. This last, except in the most notorious cases--Lord Byron, George Sand--is either rumor or farce: Harriet Beecher Stowe? W.E.B. DuBois? The overarching issue is "heartthrob"--a hook that doesn't deliver. The emphasis here is on sex appeal--why else make special note of their sex lives?--not just passion, and it is difficult to count Leni Riefenstahl, Bugsy Siegel and Benazir Bhutto in that number (though Eddie Chapman and Maya Deren are gusts of fresh air). "Historical Game Changers" doesn't have the teasing selling power of "Heartthrobs," but it may nail John Wilkes Booth more squarely. (Nonfiction. 12 & up)

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December 15, 2013
Grades 9-12 From Benjamin Franklin to Benazir Bhutto, Murphy introduces 50 historical crushes in chronological order. At first glance, the list seems to be a hodgepodge of politicians, authors, aviators, trailblazers, activists, movie stars, entrepreneurs, outlaws, guerrilla fighters, sensationalists, and so on. But similarities come out through the chapters, each of which includes a full-page picture with a vital statistics inset, a one-and-a-half-page Life Story, a one-column Story of His/Her Sex Life, a brief Why He/She Matters column, a Best Feature paragraph, a Heat Factor statement (including thermometer), and a Quotables inset. While the short biographical sketches are informative and interesting, it's the titillating nature of the sex-life column should have teens tittering. The further reading section includes many similar books that could spark interest in historical scandals. Not a book to be read from beginning to end, but surely a tantalizing start for a beginning researcher.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)