Informed by the many new discoveries and interpretations of contemporary scholarship, yet eminently readable and conversational in tone, Beard engagingly reexamines what we know of ancient Roman history, in process revising many myths of its thousand year span.
Dale
More than just a collection of beautiful maps from around the world and throughout history, this book uses critical juxtaposition to create new perspectives on history, politics, and geography. Easily the most interesting coffee table book this year.
Josh
Sarah Vowell is certainly not your typical historian. There's been some great colonial history published in the past few years, but hers is chatty, sassy, snarky, and hilarious and thus eminently readable. Lafayette really was as great a friend of the United States as he's chalked up to be, and this unconventional and insightful recounting of his adventures is combined with a larger view of the dysfunction of the early US government and its often inept political and military establishments.
David
This remembrance of the events in New Orleans ten years ago is a very powerful and straightforward portrayal of the tragedy. The graphic novel format helps the reader feel the desperation,despair and hopelessness of the terrible circumstances and the spirit of those who lived through it.Recommended for kids and adults 12 and up.
Carol
With megahit Hamilton taking Broadway by storm, learn about the man himself in this captivating biography. Alexander Hamilton, a biracial illegitimate child, raised in St. Croix by a single mother before becoming George Washington's aide-de-camp and eventually the first Secretary of the Treasury, is a fascinating figure, and Chernow paints a vivid picture of his astounding life.
MACKENZIE
Phillip Hoose tells the amazing story of a group of Danish boys who disagree with their government’s decision to let Nazi Germany take over their country without a fight. Danish resistance began with boys on bicycles committing annoying acts of sabotage. Kid Power!!
Carol
I can guarantee that you don't know the real story of Wonder Woman. Margaret Sanger and the early 20th century feminist movement, the Harvard psychologist who claims to have invented the lie detector test, the women's suffrage movement, and one of the most bizarre family arrangements imaginable - all are a part of the amazing history of the third most popular comic character in the US, behind only Superman and Batman. Cultural history at its finest.
David
LA might have the Chateau Marmont but for art/show/biz celebrity guests and amazing tales NYC's storied Chelsea Hotel beats 'em all. Started as a utopian proto-coop in the 19th century it was forced to go commercial – and what an eventual client list!
Gary
