All Book Reviews
A son probes his stepfather’s ties to Jimmy HoffaJack Goldsmith untangles a family relationship that involved links to the mob and the 1975 disappearance of Teamsters Union president Jimmy Hoffa.
When an idealistic Obama adviser bumped against real-world politicsSamantha Power’s candid memoir, “The Education of an Idealist,” details her experiences in President Barack Obama’s White House.
‘How to Be an Antiracist’ opens a vital dialogue on raceIbram X. Kendi spares no one from critique – not even himself – in this takedown of racism and the attitudes and policies that perpetuate it.
A nuanced critique of ‘soft power’ in ‘A Door in the Earth’Journalist Amy Waldman’s novel explores the idealism of a young Afghan American woman and the downside of American intervention in Afghanistan.
When the art world became the art marketMichael Shnayerson traces the shift toward big business in “Boom: Mad Money, Mega Dealers, and the Rise of Contemporary Art.”
Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Talking to Strangers’ is a swing and a missThe bestselling author says that we need more trust. But the monstrous crimes in his case studies don't help his argument.
‘A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves’ is extraordinary, movingJournalist Jason DeParle chronicles the lives and labor of three far-flung generations of a Filipino family as they forge a way out of poverty.
‘A Better Man’ shows Louise Penny at her compelling bestHer Three Pines mystery series, with Inspector Gamache, is a rare one that becomes more interesting the longer it goes on.
‘See Jane Win’: A riveting political deconstruction of 2018Caitlin Moscatello’s “See Jane Win” dives deep into the triumphs and pitfalls encountered by novice women politicians in the 2018 elections.
‘Quichotte’ retells ‘Don Quixote’ for chaotic modern timesSalman Rushdie’s messy novel pulls in everything from the opioid crisis and white supremacist violence to “Pinocchio” and reality TV.
‘In the Country of Women’ is a powerful American memoirAcclaimed writer Susan Straight shares a poignant and vivid reflection on her family’s journeys.
‘With the Fire on High’ is wise, poetic, and perfect for foodiesElizabeth Acevedo’s latest YA novel has wide appeal, a compelling lead, and descriptions of mouthwatering food.
‘A History of the Bible’ offers scholarly insights into its constructionTheologian and Anglican priest John Barton takes a well-researched look into the context and composition of the Bible.
‘Wicked Fox’ is an engrossing – if convoluted – YA fantasyKat Cho’s debut novel “Wicked Fox” is a little complicated, but the poignantly rendered family relationships and fantasy drama are worth the ride.
Touching down, taking off: ‘Turbulence’ is masterful, compellingThe people in David Szalay’s novel travel great distances, but they tend to glide past each other rather than truly connect.
‘Young Castro’ captures a revolutionary’s shining dreamsJonathan M. Hansen’s “Young Castro: The Making of a Revolutionary” shows the evolution of a political icon.
Leonardo da Vinci: A giant of intellect, prone to distractionIn “Leonardo da Vinci Rediscovered,” Carmen C. Bambach demonstrates how his digressions were fundamental to, and necessary for, the unfolding of his genius.
Two books that will make you see cities in a whole new lightUnlock the origins and secrets of urban life with Monica L. Smith’s “Cities: The First 6,000 Years” and Mark Peterson’s “The City-State of Boston.”
President Franklin Roosevelt’s final task: ending World War IITwo books offer complementary perspectives on Roosevelt’s leadership: “War and Peace: FDR’s Final Odyssey, D-Day to Yalta, 1943-1945” and “The Second Most Powerful Man in the World.”
Henry Ford and Thomas Edison steered Americans toward a love of road tripsIn “The Vagabonds,” Jeff Guinn explains how Henry Ford used his annual trips to promote not only his automobiles but also the thrill of the wide open (and often unpaved) road.
