All Book Reviews
'Frederick Douglass' provides authoritative context for an important American lifeIt’s hard to imagine a biographer more knowledgeable about Douglass’s life, times and writings than David W. Blight.
'The White Darkness' tells the stunning story of a solo trek across AntarcticaThis fascinating account of a real-life expedition raises questions of purpose and motivation.
'How to Invent Everything' lays out the basics of human knowledgeStranded in a past century? Not to worry! Here's the hilarious book that will tell you everything you need to know.
'The Library Book' is a delightful love letter to public librariesNew Yorker journalist Susan Orlean continues her usual practice of captivating readers by investigating her own obsessions.
'We Fed an Island' tells how a Michelin-starred chef fed Puerto Rico after MariaThis is the story of people feeding people wrapped up in a much bigger story of 3.4 million disaster-struck Americans treated like an afterthought.
'Mirage' is a YA marvel that weds sci-fi with courtly intrigueSomaiya Daud's debut novel sets the story of a court rebellion in a Moroccan space fantasy.
'Daemon Voices' allows fans a deep dive into the world view of Philip PullmanIt's not exactly a beach read, but this collection of essays and speeches by Philip Pullman centered on a theme of storytelling yields some genuine gems.
'These Truths' takes a deep look at the relative success of the American experimentHarvard history professor and acclaimed author Jill Lepore examines American history to see how well the country has succeeded in living up to its own ideals.
'The Tango War' uncovers the shadow war pursued in Latin America during WWIIAs World War II dawned, the US and Europe nervously watched a continent rich in resources and also riddled with pockets of Nazi sympathies.
'Leadership in Turbulent Times' offers lessons from presidential greatsDoris Kearns Goodwin mines the leadership lessons of presidents she has previously profiled – Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and LBJ – in this moving albeit somewhat lacking survey.
'Rising out of Hatred' chronicles one man’s ideological metamorphosisDerek Black's account of turning away from a familial and ideological legacy of hate is at once disturbing and uplifting.
'Washington Black' uses the story of a talented young slave to explore identityThis elegant, nuanced tale reaches over three continents and spans eight years of the early 19th century, a time of scientific explorations and class expectations.
'Heartland' offers a bleak but compelling portrait of white povertyJournalist and professor Sarah Smarsh places her family at the center of a narrative that mixes dysfunction with resilience.
'The Battle of Arnhem' brings a wealth of new detail to a major World War II disasterBestselling historian Antony Beevor recounts the heartbreaking series of catastrophes that many Germans considered their last great victory of the war.
'Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret' is unflinching, engrossingFans of 'The Crown' will be fascinated by this deeper dive into the life of the sister who did not become queen.
'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' is flawed, remarkable, wrenching, movingThis fictionalized account of true events is the strangest of all genres: a mostly true story about a Holocaust romance.
'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy' argues for a more serious re-reading of 'Little Women'These little women were tougher than you think, asserts author and gender studies expert Anne Boyd Rioux.
'The Most Dangerous Branch' portrays the Supreme Court as a threat to democracyFormer Newsweek legal affairs editor David A. Kaplan makes a strong and compelling case that the Supreme Court will remain over-involved in setting and amending policy and laws.
'Big Game' offers a provocative, warts-and-all portrait of the NFLMuch like its players, everything in pro football feels larger than life these days – especially controversies, which this book examines in abundance.
Three delightful new nature booksThree new books offer compelling visions of deserts, mirages, and bees.
