[In the review below, Brady gives a mixed assessment of The Harlan Ellison Hornbook.]

Redoubtable is one word that might describe Harlan Ellison, but even at that, it all depends on which Webster's definition you gravitate towards: “1: causing fear or alarm: FORMIDABLE”; or “2: inspiring or worthy of awe or reverence: ILLUSTRIOUS.” This collection of Ellison essays, reviews, and articles [The Harlan Ellison Hornbook]—most of them originally published more than 15 years ago—proves either point. Whether he bathetically rails against Jesus (“a scrawny prophet”) in “No Offense Intended But Fuck Christmas!” tells us of his trashy girlfriends, vindictively (almost childishly) opines on old Ohio State (as if it were their fault he was a lousy student), attacks TV's hold on the American psyche, or staunchly defends the plight of writers who get stiffed by sharpy publishers, Ellison is always provocative. (Sort of like Bart Simpson grown up.) Besides the older pieces—each preceded by a brief, updating “interim memo” that adds context—this collection features a handful of more recent work first published in Playboy and Los Angeles magazine and one previously unpublished. Best taken in small doses, this manic collection proves one thing for sure: the man can write.