All Books
鈥楽tories of the Sahara鈥� celebrates a singular voice in travel writingSanmao electrified Chinese readers when her travelogue 鈥淪tories of the Sahara鈥� was published in 1976 鈥� now it has been translated into English.
鈥楲and of Tears鈥� offers a chilling look at European colonization of AfricaYale University history professor Robert Harms expertly weaves together the strands of history in 鈥淟and of Tears.鈥�
From rockets to cuddly foxes, kids books that inspire scientific curiosityFrom quantum physics for babies to Darwin for tweens, these titles promise to cultivate the budding scientist in your house.
Bella Abzug: Liberal trailblazer in a broad-brimmed hatLeandra Ruth Zarnow鈥檚 鈥淏attling Bella鈥� traces Abzug鈥檚 activism in the 1970s and forecasts the arrival of greater numbers of women in politics.
Q&A with S.C. Gwynne, author of 鈥楬ymns of the Republic鈥�The historian examines how the Civil War鈥檚 outcome hinged on the uncertain prospect of Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 reelection in 1864.
鈥極ur Wild Calling鈥� argues for emotional connection with animalsRichard Louv makes the case that animals not only have emotions, but that humans are enriched by interspecies contact.聽聽
鈥楥elestial Bodies鈥� reveals cracks in the patriarchyOmani novelist Jokha Alharthi follows three generations of a family trying to make their way as traditional roles and expectations crumble.
鈥楧isney鈥檚 Land鈥�: The amusement park that changed everythingRichard Snow embarks on an entertaining biography of Disneyland in all its pixie-dust-coated, nostalgia-tinged majesty.
Copernicus blazed a trail for early astronomers to followBrahe, Kepler, and Galileo each played a role in furthering the study of the heavens, as L.S. Fauber amply demonstrates in 鈥淗eaven on Earth.鈥澛�
From the MagazineFuture present? How science fiction sees our world in 2050.Science fiction writers, gazing into the future, envision space-based cargo movers and robots that may eliminate the need for humans to work.聽
Four audiobooks to keep you listening into the new yearThe best audiobooks of December 2019 include the latest John le Carr茅聽spy novel and a stirring memoir by a Philippine immigrant.
鈥橳is the season to stay cozy with the 10 best books of DecemberMonitor reviewers recommend 10 notable books for December 2019, including a delightful聽ode to movie rom-coms and a biography of a modernist designer.
Empire builder: Walter Ralegh conquered in the name of his queenAlan Gallay鈥檚 biography examines not only the colorful life of Sir Walter Ralegh but also his role in colonization.聽聽
One was killed by a volcano. The other lived to tell the tale.Daisy Dunn's "The Shadow of Vesuvius" is a vivid history of聽Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, and the volcanic eruption that defined them.
A Q&A with Rob Kapilow, author of 鈥楲istening for America鈥欙豢Rob Kapilow discusses his book, 鈥淟istening for America,鈥� and the importance of understanding the context behind music.
Merry Christmas: A reading of holiday classics by Monitor staff (audio)A dive into venerable old writings can add to the warmth of the holiday hearth. Even more so when they鈥檙e read aloud.聽聽
Q&A with Gene Weingarten, author of 鈥極ne Day鈥�Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter聽Gene Weingarten discusses his book 鈥淥ne Day鈥� and how he found the extraordinary in an ordinary 24-hour news cycle.
鈥楾he Impeachers鈥� minutely recounts the first presidential reckoningBrenda Wineapple鈥檚 deep dive into President聽Andrew Johnson鈥檚 impeachment and the landscape of Reconstruction politics is an essential Civil War read.
鈥楾he Quarter鈥� shows masterly hand of Nobel laureate Naguib MahfouzThe collection of short stories, published posthumously, gently lays bare the foibles of the denizens of a neighborhood in old Cairo.
The best nonfiction books of 2019 pull you into other livesFrom expansive biographies to incisive essays on American culture, these are the nonfiction books recommended by Monitor reviewers this year.
