All Book Reviews
In 鈥楾he Opium Prince,鈥� 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.
鈥榃ild Minds鈥� 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.聽
Forced into camps, Japanese Americans found respite in footballIn 鈥淭he Eagles of Heart Mountain,鈥� Bradford Pearson provides a compelling and necessary history of Japanese American incarceration in World War II.聽
鈥榊ellow Wife鈥� 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.
鈥楥oncrete Rose鈥� is another winner from 鈥楾he Hate U Give鈥� authorMaverick Carter must navigate the ups and downs of teen fatherhood and family responsibility in this prequel to Angie Thomas鈥� bestselling debut.
鈥楲ong Time Coming鈥� 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鈥淚cebound鈥� tells the story of 16th-century navigator William Barents, whose crews tested the limits of human endurance, not once but three times.聽聽
Surf, swim, sing: Finding joy in lifelong learning in 鈥楤eginners鈥�After seeing his young daughter learn to play chess, travel writer聽Tom Vanderbilt wondered 鈥淲hy not me?鈥� So he did 鈥� and then learned six more skills.
鈥楤etter Luck Next Time鈥� 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.聽
鈥楾he Last Assassin鈥� breathes life into the events of Julius Caesar鈥檚 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 鈥楾he Glorious American Essay鈥�Phillip Lopate's choices for this fine anthology may stretch the parameters of an essay, but he's made distinctive and evocative selections.聽
Agatha, decoded, in 鈥淭he Mystery of Mrs. Christie鈥�The bestselling mystery writer of all time had secrets of her own. A new historical novel imagines what happened during her 11-day disappearance.
Henry Adams clung to the idea of a ruling elite in American lifeA biography of Henry Adams, a blue-blooded Bostonian descended from two presidents, explores his resistance to societal changes and industrialization.
鈥楾he Last Days of Ellis Island鈥� probes bureaucracy and abuse of powerA historical novel imagines the thoughts of a fictional commissioner, whose assault on a young immigrant years before leaves him full of regret.
鈥楤lack Sun鈥� weaves fantastic worlds in faraway landsAn ambitious fantasy series is packed with vibrant characters and political intrigue 鈥� and isn't stuck in the classic Eurocentric setting, either.
Remember 鈥楳y Dinner with Andre鈥�? He has more wisdom to bestow.Theater director Andr茅聽Gregory has had a rocky career and personal life, but one thing shines through: his devotion to the pursuit of perfection.
鈥楾he Light Ages鈥� argues for a rebranding of the medieval periodThe Dark Ages were not solely about battles and plagues, says historian Seb Falk. Instead, they included a flourishing of scientific inquiry.聽
A life unconquered by Taliban rule in 鈥楧ancing in the Mosque鈥�As a girl, Homeira Qaderi watched the Taliban take over her home city in Afghanistan. As a young woman, she took a dangerous stand.聽聽
