All Book Reviews
How George Marshall鈥檚 quiet genius for planning helped the US win world warsIn a new biography, Josiah Bunting III paints a revealing picture of the quiet man who grew into a titanic military leader.聽聽
So you want to win the New Yorker caption contest? Here鈥檚 how in 6 steps.Lawrence Wood has won The New Yorker鈥檚 caption contest eight times. In this witty volume, he explains how he did it.聽
In 鈥楽ipsworth,鈥� a mouse helps a widow conquer lonelinessIn Simon Van Booy鈥檚 charming novel 鈥淪ipsworth,鈥� a woman鈥檚 closed world is opened up by the unexpected arrival of a mouse.聽聽
Today鈥檚 immigration was set in motion by past US actions, a journalist arguesIn 鈥淓veryone Who Is Gone Is Here,鈥� Jonathan Blitzer examines the U.S. government鈥檚 role in Central America as a factor in the rising numbers of asylum-seekers today.聽
The secret to Chinese civilization鈥檚 longevity? Exams and bureaucracy.China is the world鈥檚 oldest continuous civilization, and in ancient times was a leader in technology. 鈥淚n The Rise and Fall of the EAST,鈥� Yasheng Huang probes why.
Lithium is key to green technology. Where will the US source it?鈥淭he War Below鈥� examines the global competition for metals like lithium and nickel, which are needed for electric cars, solar panels, and wind turbines.聽 聽
Audubon鈥檚 exquisite bird paintings owe a debt to classical European art鈥淎udubon as Artist鈥� plunges into John James Audubon鈥檚 fascination with classical European art, which influenced his celebrated bird paintings.
鈥楻eal Americans鈥� explores the pressure to be exceptionalRachel Khong鈥檚 second novel, a multi-generational tale of two intertwined families, flags problematic attempts to shape and control identity.
Slavery isn鈥檛 just a Southern story. The North benefited from stolen labor.鈥淭he Stolen Wealth of Slavery鈥� traces the financial profits from enslaved labor, which fueled the rise of Northern banking institutions 鈥� some of which still exist.聽聽
A primer on climate change that tackles both hope and despairClimate change is a complicated subject. Science writer Elizabeth Kolbert breaks it down in 鈥淗 Is for Hope,鈥� an illustrated ABC book for adults.聽聽
Anne Lamott preaches to her choir in 鈥楽omehow: Thoughts on Love鈥�Anne Lamott鈥檚 鈥淪omehow: Thoughts on Love鈥� riffs on themes familiar from her other books, including self-doubt, self-criticism, and the need for grace.聽 聽聽
鈥榃andering Stars鈥� explodes the nation鈥檚 myths about Native AmericansTommy Orange鈥檚 鈥淲andering Stars,鈥� a follow-up to his novel 鈥淭here There,鈥� confronts Indigenous trauma and shows the strength of tribal ties.聽
Sweating over a hoodie: The hurdle to making garments in the US鈥淢aking It in America鈥� tracks the struggle of an idealistic couple who wanted to manufacture clothing using American-made components and fair labor practices.聽
Marilynne Robinson unearths treasures in the Book of GenesisThe novelist and essayist brings literary and spiritual insights to bear on Bible stories and characters in 鈥淩eading Genesis.鈥澛�
Scoundrels, as well as heroes, shaped America鈥檚 foundingTwo historians tackle the daunting task of giving Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr 鈥� two of America鈥檚 most infamous villains 鈥� more nuanced portraits.
A jazzy new biography unfurls Ella Fitzgerald鈥檚 life and careerBlending historical knowledge with insights gleaned from newly available archives of Black newspapers, Judith Tick recounts Ella聽Fitzgerald鈥檚 trailblazing career.
She fled the Taliban, but leads efforts to help educate Afghan girlsThe daughter of an Afghan tribal leader, Pashtana Durrani grew up in Pakistan, but was drawn back to Afghanistan to bring education and hope. Her autobiography inspires and illuminates.
President Lincoln has long provided wisdom. What can he offer today?Lincoln led a country divided not just over slavery, but also over immigration. One biography delves into this corner of his career. And a second biography focuses on Lincoln鈥檚 stalwart faith in democracy.聽
Five novels by Black writers pulse with powerful storytellingBlack fiction, in these five examples, explores how past injustices prolong present-day struggles.聽
鈥楾he Waters鈥� ripples with secrets and lies in rural MichiganBonnie Jo Campbell proves her mastery of Midwestern Gothic in 鈥淭he Waters,鈥� a portrait of three generations of women living close to the land, and drawing power from it.
