All Book Reviews
The first drops in a deluge of ‘Great Gatsby’ adaptationsWith the famous novel in the public domain as of January 2021, anyone can put out their own spin on the famous novel. But should they?
‘You Are Not American’ confronts US citizenship policiesThe U.S. government has sought to deny citizenship during times of anxiety and unrest in America’s history.
‘Robert E. Lee and Me’ dismantles Confederate mythologyHistorian and retired brigadier general Ty Seidule issues a full-throated indictment of the “Lost Cause” and dethrones the Confederate general.
The Windsor saga: Two peerless books on the British royal familyThe British monarchy survived an abdication crisis in the 1930s, but will the institution last beyond Queen Elizabeth II’s reign?
Lawyer trades New Jersey for Tinseltown – and steps into a murder caseShe thought the move to Los Angeles would give her perspective. Instead, it gave her pineapple pizza, big egos, and a mystery to solve.
‘Big Girl, Small Town’ marks the small victories of everyday lifeIn a small town in Northern Ireland, a girl working in a chip shop is thinking, noticing, and persevering with an unflagging sense of decency.
In ‘The Opium Prince,’ the personal plays out amid the politicalIn late-1970s Afghanistan, an agent of America's war on drugs must grapple with his conscience after committing an unforgivable act.
‘Wild Minds’ explores the creative landscape of early animationWalt Disney enjoys unparalleled recognition for his animated movies. But others in the field were willing to take even more risks.
Forced into camps, Japanese Americans found respite in footballIn “The Eagles of Heart Mountain,” Bradford Pearson provides a compelling and necessary history of Japanese American incarceration in World War II.
‘Yellow Wife’ takes a hard look at choices faced by enslaved mothersA young, half-white enslaved woman must contend with horrendous decisions as she attempts to preserve what little family she has left.
‘Concrete Rose’ is another winner from ‘The Hate U Give’ authorMaverick Carter must navigate the ups and downs of teen fatherhood and family responsibility in this prequel to Angie Thomas’ bestselling debut.
‘Long Time Coming’ excavates the origins of modern-day racismMichael Eric Dyson unfolds history to explain how the structures of slavery were transmuted into contemporary institutions and practices.
Essential shapes: sculpture from the ancient to the avant-gardeA sculptor and an art critic celebrate human imagination across eras and continents as expressed through the art of sculpture.
Dutch explorers courted disaster in efforts to find a Northwest Passage“Icebound” tells the story of 16th-century navigator William Barents, whose crews tested the limits of human endurance, not once but three times.
Surf, swim, sing: Finding joy in lifelong learning in ‘Beginners’After seeing his young daughter learn to play chess, travel writer Tom Vanderbilt wondered “Why not me?” So he did – and then learned six more skills.
‘Better Luck Next Time’ calls to mind screwball comedies of the 1930sThe novel entertainingly captures the zany misadventures of two women on a dude ranch in Reno, Nevada, where wealthy wives await their divorces.
The uncompromising life and legacy of activist Sylvia PankhurstPankhurst is best known for her fight for women's voting rights in Britain. But she protested oppression wherever it appeared.
‘The Last Assassin’ breathes life into the events of Julius Caesar’s deathBy looking through the eyes of a minor player in the assassination, Peter Stothard is able to tell a more intimate tale.
Pushing the bounds of form in ‘The Glorious American Essay’Phillip Lopate's choices for this fine anthology may stretch the parameters of an essay, but he's made distinctive and evocative selections.
Agatha, decoded, in “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie”The bestselling mystery writer of all time had secrets of her own. A new historical novel imagines what happened during her 11-day disappearance.
