With regards to the coming catastrophic effects of climate change the first sentence of this powerful polemic says it all: “It is worse, much worse, than you think.”
Dale
What better way to spend a cold, snowy February day reading McCann’s book while listening to the classic album that help define the bossa nova sound of the early 1960s. Part of the terrific 33 1/3 series that explores in depth seminal recordings of many different genres, this volume places the Getz/Gilberto album in social, historical, and musical context along with expert discussions of each composition cut by cut.
Dale
With a country large and varied as the United States there likely will never be a definitive single-volume history. With These Truths Lepore gives us a largely political history though one informed by the many insights produced by changes in historical methodology over the last few decades. Lepore is always a joy to read. She keeps this book lively and entertaining by focusing on individual lives involved in some of the key dramas that illuminate the how and why of our past.
Dale
With a country large and varied as the United States there likely will never be a definitive single-volume history. With These Truths Lepore gives us a largely political history though one informed by the many insights produced by changes in historical methodology over the last few decades. Lepore is always a joy to read. She keeps this book lively and entertaining by focusing on individual lives involved in some of the key dramas that illuminate the how and why of our past.
Dale
Nobel Prize winning researcher and teacher Eric R. Kandel, with profound empathy, essentially delivers a survey of current knowledge of the workings of the brain using the frame of brain disorders. Our understanding of the biology of the mind is changing rapidly and Kandel charts these advances in clear and very comprehensible language explaining how they are leading to new insights about human nature and consciousness itself.
Dale
Sy Montgomery, in her utterly charming new memoir, attempts to answer the question “What have animals taught me about life”. Her life’s work and passion has brought her into contact with creatures as varied as tarantulas and hyenas, emus and octopus, each in their own way a marvel and each with something to teach about how to make one’s way in this wondrous world
Dale
The near eradication of the beaver in Europe and North America has had profound implications for the environment that are finally being recognized. Goldfarb reports on the alliance of scientists, environmentalists, ranchers, and concerned citizens organizing to restoring beaver populations in an effort to solve a host of environmental problems their absence exasperated. Read this book and you will look at our contemporary landscapes in an entirely new way and you may become a Beaver Believer too.
Dale
Chinen’s book is so very welcome as books about contemporary jazz are few and far between, but also because it’s terrific. Chinen puts into context each of the various directions players are taking improvisational music today with a studied thoughtfulness based upon careful listening and deep historical knowledge. The discographies bookmarking each chapter as well as his list of essential 21st century albums are good guideposts for anyone’s future listening.
Dale
Never mind what you’ve heard about the coming effects of climate change. As Elizabeth Rush disturbingly documents, we are already seeing widespread effects of sea level rise. With great empathy and a lyrical voice she closely examines the response of various American coastal communities to the dramatic changes they struggle to face.
Dale
Do not lick this book. You might hurt Min and her tiny friends. I bet she also doesn’t taste like strawberries. Ask your brother to lick it instead.
Dale
