Newer Reviews

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. Penguin Randomhouse: 2023. Every artist is stifled by conventional wisdoms, diffidence, concerns with popularity, and a unclear direction for artistic development. The author is a well-known music producer and calls upon his years of experience to encapsulate the struggles, irresolution, and positive directions an artist should take to continuously develop. The book has short, thoughtful chapters for artistic guidance. Rick Rubin has collaborated with many important artists of different musical styles such as Tom Petty, Adele, Johnny Cash, and Jay Z. He is a nine time Grammy Winner. This is his debut book.

Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, and Hope by Sarah Bakewell. Penguin Random House: 2023. An exploration of the development of humanism in Western civilization starting from the 14th century to our time. Initially, humanism centered on the pursuit of knowledge and betterment of the individual as a path to societal improvement. Early European humanists in Italy were religious, and incorporated secular thinking from Graeco- Roman civilization into their thinking. This meld of the ancient philosophy with Christianity serves as a foundation for Western thinking. The author traces the path of different humanist thinkers from Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and America. Humanist thinking emphasizes personal freedom, learning, scientific thinking, and eventually in modern time a decouplement from theism in the 19th and 20th century. This book is a fascinating introduction to well-known humanists and the general concepts of humanism. The author’s books, How to Live, or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer, won the Duff Cooper Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, was one of the New York Times’ Ten Best Books of 2016. Her web site is sarahbakewell.com/

Going Infinite, The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis. W.W.Norton:2023. Author Michael Lewis was asked by a friend to meet Sam Bankman-Fried to confirm that the crypto-currency billionaire’s firm was legitimate. The author was given access to Bankman-Fried during the meteoric rise and eventual collapse of Alameda Research, his cryptocurrency firm, and FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange. He details the inner details of its organization- how information was held secretly by its owner and describes its disorganized corporate structure. Bankman-Fried was one of the youngest Forbes 400 Self-Made newcomers. The social and psycho-dynamics of SBF and his co workers are intimately portrayed. An engaging high tempo read, which leaves the reader with baffled, unresolved questions about the world of cryptocurrency. The author has written the best sellers Liar’s Poker, Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Big Short, The Undoing Project, and The Fifth Risk. He has also written important articles for leading journals His website is Michael Lewis Writes.

Golda Meir: Israel’s Matriarch by Deborah E. Lipstadt. Yale University Press: 2023. Golda Meir was the first and only woman to serve as Prime Minister of Israel. She was an important figure in the early Zionist movement and an important ally to David Ben-Gurion. The book traces her life from Kiev where she and her family suffered violent anti-semitism, to Milwaukee, where she grew up and went to school , and to the Palestine Yishuv which eventually became the new state of Israel. The book covers a lot of historical ground, from Golda and her family in pre-state Palestine to 1973, the Yom Kippur war. There are a lot of details about the behind-the-scenes politics in the Israeli government -especially about the rivalries of Golda and leaders in the new state. An excellent historical account especially for the reader who is interested in Israeli history. The author was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 30, 2022 as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with the rank of Ambassador. As Special Envoy, she leads efforts to advance U.S. foreign policy to counter antisemitism throughout the world. She has written many books including The Eichmann Trial; Denial: Holocaust History on Trial, and Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory; and Beyond Belief. The author is currently Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles Harper Collins: 2023. The latest novel by the author of News of the World, which is also a popular film available by streaming. St. Louis native John Chenneville is a Union soldier who miraculously survived a war injury and journeys home to recover. He soon learns of the murder of his sister, husband, and their child. Chenneville struggles in his recuperation and focuses on his eventual pursuit of the murderer. The novel is set in the aftermath of the Civil War in a nation rebuilding itself from its wounds. Chenneville’s travails will bring him to Texas where the elusive murderer is hiding. A vivid, sharp-edged novel focusing on the quest of a man who is seemingly lost and has one goal- revenge for his family. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical novels- especially of the civil war era. The author has also written Enemy Women, Stormy Weather, The Color of Lightning, and Lighthouse Island. She was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award. Her website is https://paulettejiles.com/pj_wp/

Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftin. Penguin RandomHouse: 2023. As a young boy, the author grew up in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. He learned English by watching American action films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and listening to American pop music. He was known to his friends as Abdi the American. The stability of his family life was broken apart when the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab rose to power in 2006. Abdi has the choice of being part of the Islamist group’s army or fleeing to Kenya. He eventually has refugee status in Kenya where survival is difficult. Abdi connects with the BBC World Service and This American Life which broadcast his plight as a refugee to a worldwide audience. Through the aid of his radio broadcast connections, he gets a highly prized visa to the U.S. and settles in America. The author brings the reader into the reality of war-torn Somalia and his struggle to emigrate to a better life in the United States. He has also written a young adult edition this book. This memoir is an especially difficult reminder for readers who recall the civil war and the American involvement in Somalia during the Clinton Presidency.

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff. PenguinRandomhouse 2023. A servant girl escapes from an American colonial settlement which has been stricken with disease. Previously, she was the servant of the colony’s Minister, his wife, and responsible for their young daughter’s care. After the young daughter dies, the servant flees to the wilderness where she encounters great deprivation: starvation, brutal winters, and evading capture from both the colonists and Native Americans . This is an intense survival story, one which centers on the girl’s will to live freely and survive in the wilderness. Eventually, she will come to terms with her life and the meaning of human existence. The author has written the novels Arcadia, Fates and Furies, Matrix, and the short story collections Delicate Edible Birds and Florida. She was also a finalist for the National Book Awards for Fates and Furies. Her website is laurengroff.com

Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea. Little, Brown, and Company:2023. Based on the real life story of the author’s mother. In World War ll, women enlisted with the Red Cross to operate Clubmobiles which offered donuts, coffee, and hospitality to Allied soldiers and followed them into wartime battles. Two women, Irene and Dorothy, are the main characters. They come from different backgrounds- Irene from a secure affluent family in New York, and Dorothy is midwest farm girl. They experience the horrors of war, and become closely bonded friends. The women are nicknamed “Donut Dollies” and offer invaluable comfort, friendship to the troops as the war progresses. A fast-moving and heartwarming novel. The author was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for “The Devil’s Highway”. He wrote the best-sellers “The Hummingbird’s Daughter”, and “ The House of Broken Angels”. He teaches at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The Dirty Tricks Department Stanley Lovell, The OSS, and the Masterminds of World War II Secret Warfare by John Lisle. MacMillan: 2023. The reader may be curious about the development of the CIA. It has it roots in the OSS, the Office of Strategic Services which was formed during World War II for espionage, subversion, and propaganda. Wild Bill Donovan recruited renowned chemist Stanley Lovell to lead a team of scientists to develop “Dirty Tricks”. They invented multifarious weapons such as bat bombs, fighting knives, and also forged documents for undercover agents. Fascinating interviews and extensively researched. This is an excellent, gripping historical account of an lesser known precursor of the CIA. The author is a historian of science and the American intelligence community. He has taught courses on U.S. history, cyberspace, and information warfare. His web page is johnlislehistorian.com

Natural Beauty by Lin Lin Huang Penguin Random House 2023. An engrossing, quasi-futuristic debut novel. A young, once promising gifted pianist needs to help her ailing parents who are Chinese émigrés. She relinquished her musical career for a job working at a beauty company which caters to wealthy clients in order to support her parents. The company sells exotic products which smooth her skin and provide other body enhancements. Behind the product development is a sinister plan which the narrator slowly uncovers. She is lured into a trap of an excellent income and new enhanced body changes from the “products”. The novel slowly unwinds into an eerie sci-fi intrigue which will captivate the reader. The author is a violinist and writer who performed with classical ensembles including the Experiential Orchestra with whom she won a Grammy.

Hollywood The Oral History by Jeanine Basinger and Sam Wasson. HarperCollins 2022. The real story of Hollywood is revealed through oral histories gleaned from the archives of the American Film Institute’s Harold Lloyd Seminars. The interviewees recount the early days of Hollywood during the silent era to the current epoch. The inside story- from the moguls, producers, directors, actors, make-up artists, camera techs, film editors, stunt performers, agents, and others involved in the film industry is presented in short, engaging interviews. We learn the truth about working in Hollywood, and conventionally-held myths about the film industry will be dispelled by reading this engrossing book. Jeanine Basinger is a legendary film scholar, and Sam Wasson is an author and publisher who often writes about the history of cinema.

The Women of Rothschild The Untold Story of the World’s Most Famous Dynasty by Natalie Livingstone. Macmillan: 2022. The Rothschild family emerged from the Frankfort ghetto to become Europe’s most powerful banking family. Although the women were never legally entitled to head the family banking empire, they were major influences behind the scenes. As the family mingled with Christian society, the women became influential in artistic and political affairs. They family eventually settled in other parts of Europe- England, Austria, France and Italy. The book details the family intrigues as the women were made to conform to religious tradition and directed into marriage by the men. They were friendly with famous figures such as Queen Victoria. the Duke of Wellington, Prime Minister Gladstone, Chaim Weizmann, Isaiah Berlin, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk. Wonderfully researched and an important history of the women in the famous banking family. The author has written for the Daily Express, Harpers, Vogue, and other magazines. Her previous book is The Mistresses of Cliveden.

Acceptance: A Memoir by Emi Nietfeld. Penguin Random House:2022. The author grew up with a hoarding, dysfunctional mother, and an absent father who was transitioning. She spent time in state mental health facilities and in foster care, medicated and under the supervision of Psychiatrists and Social Workers. The author’s saving grace was her recognition of her strong academic talents and her aspirations to transcend her current life by attending an Ivy league college. Eventually, she was accepted to Harvard, excelled academically, and became an important member of the crew team. Her ticket to job security was a position at Google. The author depicts her life and great struggles during teenhood with an openness and a raw sensitivity. The reader wonders how she was able to overcome the overwhelming odds of mental illness and a dysfunctional family and escape her surroundings for a better life. Highly recommended but difficult to read at times- one wonders what kind of emotional fortitude is needed to overcome her hurdles and how the past must continue to linger in her daily existence. The author is a journalist, mental health activist, and software engineer. She wrote about her experience at Google in a New York Times viral essay “I’ll Never Let Myself Love a Job Again”. The author’s writing has in The Atlantic, Teen Vogue, Slate, and other publications.

Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails by Camper English. Penguin Random House:2022. A fascinating history about the use of alcoholic beverages in medicine. From ancient times, beer and wine were used as healing botanicals. Eventually, medicinal liqueurs were developed by monasteries for healing purposes- these same alcoholic drinks are on the market today and are well-known. Modern cocktails like the Old-Fashioned, Gimlet, and Gin and Tonic were remedies for diseases and discomforts. The author also includes recipes of well-known cocktail for historical perspective. A flowing, and absorbing read especially for those who fancy a good glass of wine, beer or cocktail. The author has written about the cocktail renaissance and has published with magazines such as Popular Science, Whiskey Advocate, and Saveur. He has been voted as one of the most influential people in the global drinks industry. His web site is alcademics.com

Liberalism and It Discontents, by Francis Fukuyama. MacMillian:2022. The term “liberalism” has different meanings in today’s divided society than its original conception. Classic liberalism emphasized equality, the rule of law, and an individual’s right to a freer life style without the encroachment of government. The author explores the concept of classical liberalism, which both the right and left ignore. The contrasting concepts of liberalism by the political factions is riven with conflict and division. Neo-liberals on the right favoring less governmental oversight for economic freedoms, and the left campaigning for human rights and governmental intervention. The author points to a middle road which could lessen political tensions and continue to promote reforms through democratic governance. The author is the Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. He is the author of highly regarded books on political science including The End of History and The Last Man, and The Origins of Political Order: From Pre-Human Times to the French Revolution.

The Trials of Harry S. Truman: The Extraordinary Presidency of an Ordinary Man 1945-1953. by Jeffrey Frank . Simon and Schuster: 2022. Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, became President after Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed in 1945. It was a historic era- war with the Axis Powers, the fate of Democratic nations at stake. President Truman’s persona reflected his upbring in rural Missouri. He was thrust into the most powerful leadership position in the free world as an unknown. Not Ivy League educated nor urbane. President Truman met with Stalin and Churchill. presided over the end of World War II, the Korean War, and the desegregation of the U.S. military. He was known for quick decisions, and an earthy common sense. The book has in-depth discussions of conflicts in the Presidential cabinet, issues with General Douglas MacArthur, and the rise of McCarthyism. A fascinating biography of a man from a simple rural background who assumed the position of leader of the free world. Jeffrey Frank was a senior editor at the New Yorker. He has also written Ike and Dick, Portrait of a Strange Political Marriage: the political relationship of Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. The author’s web page is jeffreyfrank.com.

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh. Penguin Random House:2022. The most recent novel by the American author. Set the in Medieval era. A shepherd, Marek, and his abusive father, Jude, herd sheep in the kingdom of Lapvona. Marek’s mother died in childbirth. They are an odd couple- Jude is very religious, and Marek prefers to spend his time alone with his flock in the countryside. The son of Lapvona’s Lord Villiam dies in an accident when Marek and the son were together on a mountain. Villiam decrees that Marek will now take the place of his son. Marek is at loss and feels out of place in his new life of luxury. There is undisclosed intrigue and treachery in the kingdom and its vassals are starving due to the Villiam’s deception. The novel has the usual bizarreness of the author’s other books. There is irreverent criticism of religion, faith and naivete of governed people which permeates the novel. The author is a fiction writer from New England. Eileen, her first novel, was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Man Booker Prize, and won the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction.

Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery by Ira M. Rutkow. Simon and Schuster:2022. The history of surgery dates from the earliest times. For centuries, surgeons and physicians were in a different class- surgeons were a lower class of the medical profession. After the Renaissance, surgery slowly emerged as an important medical specialty as its techniques and medical knowledge developed. Today surgeons have the highest level of respect in medicine- a complete professional reversal. The author captivates the reader with an in-depth and well-researched history of surgery from ancient times to the present. Fascinating details about the development of major life-saving surgical operations which are commonplace today. Highly recommended to a general readership, especially those who are interested in medical history. The author is a general surgeon and a medical historian. Among his books are Surgery: An Illustrated History, named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and American Surgery: An Illustrated History. A professional bio is found on John Hopkins School of Public Health.

The Broken Constitution: Lincoln, Slavery, and the Refounding of America by Noah Feldman. Macmillan:2021. Abraham Lincoln struggled with the emancipation of the slaves when he first was elected to office of President. The existing constitution was a compromise, tolerating slavery in order keep states in the Union. As the civil war raged on, President Lincoln envisioned a new moral constitution which eradicated slavery from the United States. This well-researched book examines the conflicts of political interest which President Lincoln had to confront during this turning point in the history of the United States. The Union survived, and the slaves were freed giving birth to a new constitutional approach. Highly recommended for American history readers. The author is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard University as well as a Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellows and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a contributing writer for Bloomberg View. His bio is on the publisher’s site. The author’s web site is noah-feldman.com.

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Penguin Random House :2021. A vivid and flowing coming-of-age story set after World War ll. Four boys, three of whom were together in a juvenile detention center, set out on an adventure cross country. Emmett was sentenced to the Juvenile detention center for accidentally killing a former schoolmate in a fight. After returning to his family farm in Nebraska, only his brother remains at home. He sets out to find his mother, who left the family years ago, with his bookist younger brother,Billy. Woody and Dutchess, his friends at the reformatory, show up at the farm. They venture out to California in Emmett’s car but get sidetracked and eventually head east. There are whirlwinds of adventures among a lot plot twists. The denouement is unexpected. This is a fast flowing novel told in a raconteur style. An enjoyable read. The author’s previous best-seller novels are Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow. His web page is amortowles.com An excellent review is on NPR

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. Little, Brown and Company:2021. Two black men hiding in the woods meet up with an older white man who is lost and guide him back to his home. It is the wake of the Civil War in Old Ox, Georgia, and the Confederate army has just surrendered. These two former slaves, Prentiss and Landry, do not want to return to their former plantation and remain in hiding. George is willing to hire them to work farming his land. George and his wife, Isabel are ostracized when the townspeople learn about George’s befriending and hiring two black men. Eventually tensions increase in the town, and Prentiss is forced to flee. A warm, enveloping story which transports us back into the wake of the Civil War in a small Georgian town. This is a debut novel. The book was chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, President Obama’s Summer Reading List, and the Booker Long List.

Of Women and Salt by Gabriel Garcia. Macmillan: 2021. Jeanette is the drug addicted daughter of a Cuban immigrant, Carmen, who has family still living in Cuba. Jeanette travels to modern day Cuba and unravels her family’s rich history-revolutionaries, a maternal ancestor who worked in a cigar factory, and her husband, a lector, who was a reader to the factory workers. Intertwined in the story is the tale of an illegal Latin American woman and her daughter who lived briefly next to Carmen and Jeanette before being deported. The reader has a window into the contemporary lives of Cubans in Florida along with life just before the revolution. A fast paced, intense story which the reader will greatly enjoy . The author has received a number of book awards and nominations. This is her debut novel. The author’s web site is gabrielagarciawriter.com/

The Wondering Jew by Micah Goodman. Yale University Press: 2021. The state of Israel has long been riven by religious and secular politics. The country was built up by secular Zionists who settled and developed the land. There has been an ongoing deep conflict amongst Orthodox Jews and secular Jews. The author explores the various historical approaches to both Orthodox and secular Judaism. He believes that Israel is developing a new Israeli Judaism as practiced by the settlers- traditional yet deeply Zionist. An excellent book for exploring the deep seated conflicts between Orthodox and secular Israelis. The book is also an excellent introduction to secular and religious Jewish thinking of the last century. Micah Goodman is president of Beit Prat, one of the leading organizations in Israel for young adults, and a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem which has the author’s bio. His 2017 book, Catch ’67 was a national best seller.

Matrix by Lauren Groff Penguin Random House: 2021. The newest novel by one of the leading American authors. Set in the Middle Ages during the times of the Crusades. Marie of France, an illegitimate daughter of French Royalty, is banished to an Abbey in Angleterre. She assumes the position of Prioress. The Abbey is impoverished and eventually thrives under Marie’s guidance. She is headstrong woman and single handedly transforms the Abbey into a profitable, wealthy entity. Throughout her life, Marie sadly longs for her former lover Eleanor of Aquitaine who had cast her out of the Court. The novel references a lot of Medieval Catholic vocabulary, transporting the reader realistically into the daily life of an Abbey and its residents. Readers interested in Medieval Church history will especially enjoy this book, as will the general readership. The author has written six books of fiction and has received a number of literary awards. Her web site is laurengroff.com

The Cape Doctor by E.J Levy. Little, Brown and Company: 2021. Jonathan Mirandus Perry was born a girl in Cork, Ireland. Perry emigrates to Edinburgh and London to enter medical school. She lives as a man, successfully completes medical school, and has an esteemed career in South Africa as its chief physician. Perry develops a close relationship with the Cape Governor, while she successfully hides her identity. Set in the first half of the 19th century, the book is both an enthralling read about South African history and the development of modern medicine. The author wrote Love in Theory, and her anthology, Tasting Life Twice: Literary Lesbian Fiction by New American Writers, won a Lambda Literary Award. Her web site is ejlevy.com.

The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! Thoughts on Life, Love, and Rebellion by Gloria Steinem. Penguin Random House: 2019. Inspiring quotes from one of America’s leading feminists The author comments on relationships, activism, the patriarchy, feminism, and an array of topics. She is the founder of Ms. and New York magazines, and the author of many books including Revolution from Within, and Outrageous Acts. She was awarded the Presidential Award of Freedom by President Obama in 2013. Her web site is glorasteinem.com

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. MacMillan: 2021. The latest novel from the very popular author. Elsa Wolcott was raised in a middle class family in Texas before the Great Depression. As a child she was sickly, and eventually considered unmarriageable. She meets Rafe Martinelli , a son of Italian farming immigrants, and becomes pregnant. Her family disowns her, Elsa is forced to marry Rafe, and begins her new life on the Martinelli farm. Elsa’s in-laws welcome her into the family, and she becomes enmeshed in her new life on the farm. It is the time after the World War l and abundance on the Great Plains. The Great Depression will bring dramatic change, as Texas is afflicted with sand storms and crop failures. Rafe deserts the family. Elsa and her two children travel to California to begin anew. The road to California is dangerous and difficult. When their family reaches California, they are met with hostility from the residents, and forced to work at very low rate wages. Much of the novel describes the enduring strength of Elsa and her ability to survive the most arduous circumstances. This is a novel à la John Steinbeck. Flowing and quite consuming. An intense yet fulfilling novel which will appeal to a very wide readership. The best selling novel list is the author of the Nightingale and. The great alone. The authors website is kristinhannah.com.

We are the Brennans by Tracey Lange. Macmillan: 2021. The Brennans are a close knit Irish American family based in the contemporary New York area. Sunday Brennan, who lives in L.A., is in a serious car accident and returns to the family fold with her eldest brother, Denny ,who runs the family business- a thriving bar. Sunday left the family five years previously and was quietly estranged. Her history is somehow connected with the family’s current business affairs. Denny is financially overextended in his new business venture- a new bar. As the novel unravels, we learn the truth about Sunday’s departure from the family- for undisclosed reasons- and how it will affect the family’s future and unleash its past.
Recommended for a general readership, especially those with an Irish American background. this is the author’s debut novel. She was raised in a large Irish American family in the Bronx. Her website is http://traceylange.com/

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Macmillan:2020. A fast moving and exceptionally penetrating story of a Mexican woman and her son fleeing for the lives as migrants to live in the United States. Lydia is a small book store owner- college educated and living in Acapulco. Javier, one of her more erudite customers is a actually a cartel jefe who orders the murder of her entire family. Lydia and her son, Luca, witness the murder of their entire family and flee towards the north- the United States. Javier is tracking Lydia constantly through his network of contacts. It is quite difficult for them to elude Javier’s network. The journey is quite dangerous. The only way to get to El Norte is by riding on top of trains as migrants which is a dangerous choice. The novel depicts their often insurmountable difficulties as they travel towards the border. An important and controversial book which was an Oprah’s Book Club choice in 2020. the author’s web site is jeaninecummins.com

On The House by John Boehner. St Martins Press: 2021. An irreverent, amusing, and somewhat sobering account of the 53rd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. John Boehner grew up in in a large Catholic family in Reading, PA. His father owned a working class bar. The Speaker learned early on about treating individuals with respect and dignity. His upbringing and philosophy helped him to maneuver the halls of Congress from 1991 to 2015. Speaker Boehner writes candidly with an comic tone about the cast of Congressional characters and Presidents he knew while in office. Some accounts are flattering, others openly jesting about the flaws of leading political personalities from both parties. The book ends with a list of “Boehnerisms” which the reader will enjoy. This autobiography will appeal to large range of political persuasions.

The Slaughterman’s Daughter by Yaniv Iczkovits Penguin Random House: 2021. The tale of two sisters living in an Orthodox shtetl in late 19th century Russia. Fanny Keisman is the daughter of ritual slaughterer (shochet) who learned her father’s trade, not usually performed by females, at a younger age. She has a reputation as a wilde chaya ( Yiddish- wild animal) and performed ritual slaughter with the finesse of a professional. Fanny eventually marries a successful cheesemaker and no longer assists her father. Her sister, Mende is married to Zvi-Meir, a philosopher, who has run off to Minsk, leaving his wife with their two children. Fanny attempts to find Zvi-Meir in what becomes a dangerous journey encountering the Russian army. She is aided by Zizek, a local ferryman who is mute. A fascinating, riveting tale. The author provides the reader with an excellent perspective of the shtetl life and the precariousness of Jewish life in the Pale of Settlement. An interesting look at the lives of Jewish cantonists in the novel who were forced into Russian army conscription at an early age. The author has written Pulse, Adam and Sophie, and Wittgenstein’s Ethical Thought. He was awarded the Ramat Gan Prize and the Agnon Prize for this novel. It was shortlisted for the Sapir prize. More info about Yaniv Iczkovits on Wikipedia.

Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Dr. Paul Offit Harper Collins: 2020. The acclaimed medical author debunks common medical treatment myths. His data points to the ineffectiveness of well-known procedures and medicines ( including otc). Knee surgery, heart stents, sunscreen, and fever reducing medicines are evaluated for their possible effectiveness. The book is an excellent resource for patients who are unsure or unknowledgeable about procedures and medicines recommended by a healthcare provider. The author is a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases, and a co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine. He is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and a member of a vaccine working group for the National Institutes of Health. The author has written 11 books including Autisms False Prophets, and Vaccinated: One Man’s Quest to Defeat the World’s Deadliest Diseases which are listed on Science, Medicine, and Thinking. His web site is Paul-Offit.com

First Principles What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country Thomas E. Ricks Harper Collins: 2020. The first four United States Presidents were greatly influenced by classical Greek and Roman philosophy. George Washington was known for his stoic and dignified presence- as depicted in the Roman classic authors; John Adams was edified by Roman law; Thomas Jefferson was immersed in Greek and Roman philosophy; and James Madison viewed classical thought through a political lens. The early philosophy and actions of the founders was directly related to their classical thinking- which abated with the realities of a “personal interest” based society. Nevertheless, classical thinking continues to have a strong foothold on American philosophy. American history readers will gain a lot of insight from this well-researched book. The author reported on the military for the Washington Post and was also on the staff of the Wall Street Journal His book about the Iraq War, Fiasco, was a number one New York Times best seller and a nominee for the Pulitzer Prize. He was also a member of two Pulitzer Prize winning reporting teams.

Republic of Wrath by James A. Morone. Basic Books: 2020. American has always been a deeply partisan country- despite the conventional wisdom that the current era is unprecedented. There has always been political discord. The author explores and documents the history of political conflict in the United States and how the African-American struggle for equality and social justice constantly changed the political landscape. Detailed and researched with excellent footnotes and bibliography. Recommended for general audiences and especially history oriented readers. The author is the John Hazen White professor of political science and public policy at Brown University. He is author of two New York Times notable books and the award-winning Hellfire Nation: The Politics of Sin in American History.

• Bugsy Siegel The Dark Side of the American Dream by Michael Shnayerson. Yale University Press: 2021. Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was one of the most notorious gangsters in the 20th century. He rose from an impoverished Jewish upbringing in New York’s Lower East Side and became an important mob figure who partnered with his mobster friend, Meyer Lansky. Siegel’s personality was complex. He lived a lavish lifestyle, awash with money schemes which were at times unprofitable. Siegel was one of the early investors in Las Vegas, which led to his eventual downfall. A fascinating, in-depth read of a notorious gangster and his life in crime. The author is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and is the author of non-fiction books including Boom: Mad Money, Mega Dealers, and the Rise of Contemporary Art.

The Orchard David Hoppen Harper-Collins: 2020. Ari is an traditional Orthodox Jewish boy who spent most of his childhood in Brooklyn. His family is uprooted and moves to an affluent, modern Jewish Orthodox community in Florida. Ari’s life changes radically. He attends a more progressive Orthodox Jewish high school where the students are engaged intellectually, yet expose Ari to a new life style of parties, drugs, sex and alcohol. The denouement is quite unexpected, unsettling, and fascinating. The novel would appeal to readers interested in contemporary Jewish culture and the dichotomies of religious communities. The author is a native of Hollywood, Florida. He graduated from Yale College, and received a masters degree from the University of Oxford. He is currently a student at Yale Law School. His web site is davidhopen.com

• Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World by Fareed Zakaria. Simon & Schuster: 2020. The popular CNN GPS host incisively outlines our post-pandemic future. The author presents us with encouraging insights- we will emerge stronger from the pandemic as a changed world civilization. His chapters include issues which are relevant now and will be more important during the post-pandemic era. Chapters such as “Life is Digital”, "People Should Listen to Experts and Experts Should Listen to the People”, “Markets are not Enough” and “Globalization is not Dead” are indicative of current issues which will become even more prominent post-pandemic. Clearly and articulately written in an accessible thought-provoking style. The author hosts Fareed Zakaria GPS for CNN Worldwide and is a columnist for The Washington Post, a contributing editor for The Atlantic, and a bestselling author. He has written three critically acclaimed books: In Defense of a Liberal Education, The Post-American World, and The Future of Freedom. His web site is fareedzakaria.com/.

• Humankind A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman. Little, Brown, and Company: 2020. Although the average person has a skeptical, suspicious, and weary outlook on the human race, the author offers a different perspective. Despite all the wars, violence, and corruption, there is hope: the survival of the human race is based on a basic instinct for getting along. He cites countless examples, including in the animal kingdom, where the peacemakers and the conciliator became dominant in creating harmonious human community. A fascinating and encouraging read. The Dutch author is a historian and writer at the Correspondent and the author of best seller, Utopia For Realists. His web site is rutgerbregman.com

• Pelosi by Molly Ball Macmillan :2020. A powerful and misunderstood American political figure is candidly portrayed by veteran journalist Molly Ball. Although small in stature, the Democrat Speaker of the House has wielded enormous political power in the face of opposition from both parties. She is the daughter of the late Thomas D’Alessandro Jr., former US Congressman and mayor of Baltimore, and the late Annunciata M. "Nancy" D'Alesandro, who was born in Campobasso, South Italy. They were staunch FDR New Deal supporters. Known as a top political fund raiser, Congresswoman Pelosi rose to become the first female Minority Whip and Speaker of the House. She is recognized for her indefatigability, her opposition to political bosses and unpopular political positions. She was an early advocate of LGBTQ rights, AIDs research and funding, and opposed the Iraq war. The book is not a deliberately positive biography of the Congresswoman - it chronicles the vicissitudes of her political career, and her resilient instinct for political survival. The author is Time Magazine’s Nationals Political correspondent and CNN’s political analyst.

• Blue Ticket by Sophie Mackintosh. Penguin 2020. A futuristic novel where females are given “tickets” at an early age which identify their eligibility to legally have children. Calla is a Blue Ticket female, legally ineligible to become pregnant, and her identity is revealed by a blue locket which she wears around her neck. An implant prevents her from becoming pregnant and she is free to have sex with anyone, while living independently in a carefree, partying life. Calla falls in love with a partner and decides to have his child after pulling out her implant. She becomes pregnant, and attempts an escape to the border, where if she crosses safely, she will be able to raise her child as her own. The government is tracking Calla, and she is constantly under suspicion. This novel is a twist on the pro-choice debate- where Blue Ticket women are not the allowed the legal choice of becoming pregnant. The author’s debut novel, The Water Cure, was longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize. Her web site is www.sophiemackintosh.co.uk/

• The System: How We Rigged It, How to Fix It by Robert Reich. Penguin Random House:2020. The author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good rails against the current economic and political system in which the Oligarchy rules by denying upward mobility to the lower 1%. Congress is bought and paid for. Unions are quashed. Middle class and working class wages are stagnant. Government is controlled by a small group of business oligarchs who skew policies in their favor in order to retain their chokehold on American society. The author urges the average American to mobilize against moneyed influence, and understand the basis of a system that is rigged for the wealthy. The author is Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He worked in three different administrations. His blog is robertreich.org.

• The Margot Affair by Sanaë Lemoine. Penguin Random House: 2020.  Margot is the secret love child of a famous Parisian actress and a well-known politician. Margot’s father has a hidden relationship with them and is married with children. Although her father spends time with them, Margot has conflicted feelings about their relationship. Why hasn’t he acknowledged his daughter publicly, and why doesn’t she have her father’s last name? Margot meets a journalist and his wife who write articles about her father. Her inner conflicts become tortuous as the articles allude to the politician’s secret family. Margot’s mother is also a central character of the novel: her theatrical, sometimes harsh personality create difficulties for Margot’s adolescence. A wonderful debut novel grappling with adolescent conflict French style. The author grew up in Paris and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received an MFA from Columbia University. The author’s web site is sanaelemoine.com

• Steal Like an Artist 10 Things that Nobody Told You About Being Creative. by Austin Kleon. Workman Publishing: 2012. The author offers very practical advice to artists. No artistic work is original. Successful creative artists learn how to hide their influences ( David Bowie is quoted in the book- “The only art I’ll ever study is stuff that I can steal from”) to make their work appear fresh and original. The author’s recommendation about the practical side of artistic life are very pertinent: geography is no longer a master, side projects, hobbies are important, sharing your work, the importance of a day job, and a stable relationship with a partner are among many important keys to artistic development. He has also written “Show Your Work”, and “ Keep Going”, both listed below, which offer insightful tips artists. The author’s web site is austinkeon.com

• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon Working Publishing :2014. Artists are often diffident about showing their work to the public, and tend to concentrate more on outcome and less on process. The author emphasizes that people in the arts need to show their work in public in the present, rather than wait for successful recognition in the future. An excellent summary of the book is on the author’s main web site austinkleon.com. The author gives practical recommendations for artists who are perplexed about getting their work in public view. He has also written Keep Going, and Steal like an Artist which will help artists to gain a realistic perception about continuing their work.

• News of the World by Paulette Jiles Harper Collins: 2016. In the aftermath of the Civil War, Confederate veteran Captain Jefferson Kidd makes his living giving live newspaper readings in Texas. He is offered a reward to return a girl to her relatives who was captured by the Kiowa at 4 years old. It is a daunting task. Texas is dangerous and the Captain must make a 400 mile journey to return a girl who speaks very little English and is acculturated to the Kiowa way of life. They endure a lot of dangerous situations together and develop a close relationship. A flowing historical novel which will interest a large readership. The author’s well known novels are Enemy Women, Stormy Weather and The Color Of Lightning, and most recently, Simon The Fiddler. Her second poetry collection, Celestial Navigation, won Canada’s highest award for poetry, The Governor General’s Award in 1984. The author’s main web site is paulettejiles.com

You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat Catapult: 2020. An enveloping debut novel about a young bisexual Palestinian-American woman with deep-seated cultural and familial conflicts. The narrator, a Muslim-American with strong family ties to the Middle East, takes us on an inner journey from her girlhood to her current love life. Her love relationships with both men and women eventually end without meaningful resolution. The narrator is attracted to partners who are either noncommittal or whom she will eventually leave. There is a constant lingering distress defined by her tempestuous relationship with her mother who is ashamed of her daughter’s female lovers. Easy flowing narrative style, and a fascinating look at the cultural conflicts of first generation Palestinian-American women. The author holds an MA in international affairs from Columbia University and an MFA from the University of Iowa. Her stories and essays have appeared in the NYTimes, The Atlantic, and other publications. The author’s web site is zainaarafat.com/

Keep Going: 10 ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon. Workman Publishing: 2019. Illustrated. The life of an artist can be daunting. The author shows 10 ways to stay creative:

1:Every day is Groundhog Day.2. Build a bliss station.
3. Forget the noun, do the verb.
4. Make gifts.
5. The ordinary + extra attention = the extraordinary
6. Slay the art monsters.
7. You’re allowed to change your mind.
8. When in doubt, tidy up.
9. Demons hate fresh air.
10. Plant your garden.

Wonderful and practical advice for continuing one’s creativity! The author has written “Steal Like an Artist” and “Show Your Work.” His work has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and in the New York Times. Web site is austinkleon.com/keepgoing/

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider. Abrams:2020. Fully illustrated. A book lovers delight . Bibliophiles have a special relationship with their books. The author cleverly illustrates shared commonalities among book lovers with comical insight. A joy to read! The author is an Orthodontist by day whose comics have been featured in the Kansas City Star, the New York Times, and The New Yorker, as well as The Best American Comics 2013 ( We’re Tired of Reading Screens) anthology . The author’s web site is incidentalcomics.com.

Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Giles. Harper Collins: 2020. A late Confederate Army conscript from Paducah, Kentucky, Simon Boudlin, surrenders to Union forces in San Antonio. He was a fiddler in the army, and scrabbles around the San Antonio area to find work as a musician. Simon’s small band plays for mostly dive bars and also entertains for both Union and Confederate officers and their families. An indentured Irish emigrant, Doris, who is the governess for a local Union Colonel, captures Simon’s love and he schemes dangerously to win her favor. A wonderful historical novel which captures the newness of burgeoning San Antonio and the surrounding South West. The author’s books include  Cousins, a memoir, and the novels Enemy Women, Stormy Weather, The Color of Lightning, Lighthouse Island, and News of the World, which was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award.  Her web site is paulettejiles.com/.

Docile There is No Consent Under Capitalism by K.M. Szapara. Tor Publishing: 2020. A crazy, riveting novel set in the dystopic future in Baltimore. The power of the wealthy 1% is more egregious than in the past. Family members sell themselves to the rich as “Dociles” in order to pay off their family debt. The alternative is debtors prison. The overwhelming majority of Dociles take the medication Dociline, which deprives them of decision making capabilities, and turns them into robotic slaves. Elisha, a young man who was raised outside of Baltimore, sells himself as a docile to Alex, a scion of the family which invented the medication. Elisha opts not to take the medication- his legal right-yet becomes enslaved psychologically to his abusive master. There is a twist- Alex becomes increasingly frustrated with Elisha’s subservience. They develop an intense sexual relationship which causes Alex to change his perspective on Dociline. A gripping, futuristic novel which sheds light on the current socio-economic state of the US and it’s potential for further repression of the 99%. K.M.Szapara is a trans and queer author based in Baltimore. He is the author of "Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time," a Hugo and Nebula nominated novelette about a gay trans man who's bitten by a vampire. His forthcoming books are on kmszpara.com/books

 To The Edge of Sorrow by Aharon Appelfeld. Penguin Random House: 2020. A group of Jewish resistance fighters hide in the forest in the Ukraine near the end of World War ll. The partisans escaped a transport train from a ghetto and represent a diversity of Jews- religious, Communist, university educated, young and old. Narrated by 17 year Edmund, this compelling tale chronicles their personal struggles and their group conflicts as they attempt to survive and evade Nazi capture. The late author wrote more than 40 books of fiction and non-fiction, including The Iron Tracks, and Until the Dawn’s Light, which won the National Jewish book award. A fascinating short bio is in the Times of Israel.

If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi. by Neel Patel. MacMillan 2019. The lives of young first generation Indian Americans are not understood by most other Americans. The same issues- being gay in a traditional culture, ethnic slurs, dating, and a general misperception in the eyes of the American mainstream are depicted in a comical, light-hearted sadness. Fast reading, and revelatory to people living outside of Indian American culture. Recommended to a general readership. This is the author’s debut novel. His web site is neelnpatel.com/

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Eil Shafak. Bloomsbury: 2019.
Shortlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize. Tequila Leila has final recollections of her life moments after she is murdered and her brain is still alive. We are brought on her voyage- from her conservative Muslim upbringing, to her eventual escape to Istanbul, where she becomes a sex worker. Tequila Leila has an array of interesting friends- other prostitutes, trans sexuals and allies on the periphery of society. She lives through turbulent times in Istanbul and the reader learns about the conflicts of contemporary Turkish society with its traditional counterpart. Gripping, flowing, and a story with a vibrant conclusion. The author is the most widely read female author in Turkey. She has written seventeen books, eleven which are novels. The author is an advocate of LGBT Rights, womens rights, and freedom of speech. She has been a TED Global Speaker. Her website, extensively exhibits her work for human rights and free speech.

Normal People By Sally Rooney. Penguin-Random House:2019
A coming of age story set in contemporary Ireland. Connell and Marianne grew up together in West Ireland.
Marianne’s family is wealthy, and Connell’s mother is their house cleaner. Marianne is considered unattractive and odd; Connell good-looking and desirable. They develop a private intimate relationship in high school. After high school, both Connor and Marianne enroll in Trinity, where they are literature majors. There is a role reversal: Marianne becomes quite popular, Connell has few friends, and suffers from depression. They retain their relationship with off and on intimacy after graduation. This is a very special coming-of-age story. A faster read: yet sophisticated and delving. The author is one of the leading novelists of the millennial generation. Her previous novel was “Conversations with Friends”. “Normal People” is now a Hulu series. The author won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award in 2017. The main site for this award is youngwriteraward.com/. Her web site is faber.co.uk/author/sally-rooney/

SaltWater by Jessica Andrews. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. 2019

A debut novel by an upcoming millennial British-Irish author. The candid tale of a working class girl, Lucy, who grew up in Northern England and is a student at a University in London. Her upbringing sets her apart. Lucy has strong roots in Western Ireland, and an alcoholic father who has separated from her fail-safe mother. The novel is written in small paragraphs which detail Lucy’s life growing up, her student years, and living alone after moving into her grandfather’s empty house in Western Ireland. A provocative contemporary account of the ever-present conflict of Irish roots set in British soil. The winner of the 2019 Portico Prize and a Best Book of January by the Chicago Review of Books. The author’s website is www.jessica-andrews.com

A Sephardic Journey Through the Twentieth Century by Sarah Abrevaya Stein. Macmillan: 2019.

Named one of the best books of 2019 by The Economist and the New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice. A National Jewish Book Award finalist. Most American Jews are from an Ashkenazi origin. However, Salonica was home to a thriving Sephardic population for centuries.
The author details her family’s Salonican history during the Ottoman Empire and its transition to Greek rule. The Levy family’s roots in Salonica were eviscerated by the Holocaust when a number of the author’s family and friends were murdered or escaped to other parts of the world. The book is an excellent and unusual resource for historical accounts of Sephardic life in Europe. The author is a Professor and the Maurice Amado Endowed Chair in Sephardic Studies at UCLA History. She is the author or editor of nine books. Her website is sarahastein.com.

The Pioneers by David McCullough Simon and Schuster 2019.

The newest book by the eminent American historian is an engaging historical account about the settlement of the Northwest territories containing the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.  The rugged and daunting task of opening up the territories Northwest of the Ohio River was dominated by Revolutionary War veterans and their families.The Northwest Ordinance, which included a system of government for the territories, prohibited slavery and led to new states in the territories. It also mandated the establishment of a public university. This latest book by the author is a vivid, flowing account of the establishment of future states in the Northwest region. David McCullough is a renowned American historian, two time winner of the Pulitzer Prize,   and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. Penguin Random House:2019.

The companion novel to the Handmaid’s Tale. The first generation of Gilead children are now teens, and the Commanders and their lieutenants- the Aunts, retain a firm grip on this Puritans like dictatorship. We learn of the Aunt’s lives prior to the establishment of Gilead. Political manipulation of secrets is the Aunt’s weapon for establishing their own personal power and insinuating themselves into the Gilead Commanders favor. One of the more powerful Aunts, Lydia, is one of the main character’s whose holograph reveals her own past, and the inner workings of Gilead. The novel is comprised of alternating chapters of Lydia’s holograph and the Transcript of Witness 369B , written by two teens living in Gilead. As we learn of their conflicted, and unsettling lives in Gilead, there is a sense that the country no longer exists, and their transcript is a historical document, similar to Aunt Lydia’s holograph. One can read The Testaments as a companion book or separate novel from The Handmaid’s Tale, but familiarity with the latter and the TV show will enhance one’s reading experience. The novel is a gripping and enlightens us to the dangers of the encroachment of religion into secular government. The author has written more than 50 books of poetry, fiction and critical essays. In 2019, she was became a member of the Order of The Companions of Honor for her work in literature. Her web site is margaretatwood.ca/

Dominicana by Angie Cruz. Flatiron Books:2019.

Dominicana Ana Canción is offered a chance to live in New York by agreeing to marry Juan Ruiz-opening up an opportunity for her family to also emigrate from the Dominican Republic. Ana is sequestered in Juan’s sixth floor walkup in Washington Heights, with little company and no knowledge of English. Juan travels to the Dominican Republic to protect his family’s assets during this politically unstable period. Left alone in New York with Juan’s brother Cesar, Ana slowly explores the world outside of her apartment- learning English at a local church, going to the beach at Coney Island, and dancing with Cesar. A relationship develops between them, and Ana must decide between the stability of her marriage when Juan returns or fleeing New York for a new life with Cesar. A wonderful coming of age story about the realities of a young Latina emigrating to New York in the 1960’s. The author has written two novels: Soledad and Let it Rain Coffee. She was a finalist in the 2007 International Dublin Literary Award, and currently a professor of English at the University of Pittsburg. This novel is inspired by her mother’s story. The author’s webpage is angiecruz.com

The World We Knew by Alice Hoffman. Simon and Schuster: 2019.

The latest novel by the popular American author is fast-paced and intriguing. Hanni’s daughter’s, Lea and Ava, are in imminent danger in Berlin from the Nazis. Their family is secular, but Hanni seeks the help of an Orthodox Rabbi- to no avail. However, the Rabbi’s daughter, Ettie, colludes with Hanni and creates an unthinkable mythical Jewish Golem, Ava which will protect her daughters. The daughters escape Berlin with Ava, and are in constant danger. They seek refuge in France where they will have relatives. Eventually, their lives coincide with Ettie, who escapes to France. A mystical page turner which will be enjoyed by a wide readership, especially the fans of the author, who has written more than 30 works of fiction including The Rules of Magic, and the Oprah Book Selection Here On Earth. The author’s web site is alicehoffman.com

Karl Marx Philosophy and Revolution by Shlomo Avineri. Yale University Press Jewish Lives Series 2019.

Marx was highly influenced by his Jewish background. He was baptized after his mother converted to Christianity, as records indicate- he was born Jewish by traditional Jewish law. The author explores the vicissitudes of Marx’s life and the historical factors which helped to develop his philosophies. Marx associated with Jews and Jewish Christian converts during his lifetime- he was not totally disconnected from Jewish community although he identified as a Christian. His network of colleagues sheds light on the evolution of his work. A fascinating account of the Marx’s life which will appeal to readers of Jewish history and those interested in the rise of Communism and the workers movements. “Shlomo Avineri has written extensively on the history of political philosophy, especially on the political thought of Karl Marx, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and on the early Zionist political theories of Moses Hess and Theodor Herzl”.-Wikipedia He is the author of  he is the author of The Social and Political Thought of Karl Marx and The Making of Modern Zionism.