Non-fiction

Experimental Art Experimental Art

Alan Lightman makes scientists into artists in his new book The Discoveries, promoting original journal articles as "the great novels and symphonies of science."

Mar 16, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Foer

Crowds and Power Crowds and Power

In Death in the Haymarket James Green uses the story of the Haymarket riot to expose the hopes and fears of nineteenth-century America, a nation living on the knife-edge of social ...

Mar 16, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Steve Fraser

Just Us Just Us

Three books examine American history through the scope of racism and racial identity.

Jan 19, 2006 / Books & the Arts / David Oshinsky

Pity the Region Pity the Region

Robert Fisk's The Great War for Civilization criticizes a self-righteous US foreign policy oblivious to the power of retributive justice in the Middle East.

Jan 19, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Augustus Richard Norton

Farewell to the Working Class Farewell to the Working Class

Two new books on indolence, How To Be Idle and Bonjour Laziness, issue low-energy cries for political apathy, a shorter work week and the fine art of slacking off.

Dec 15, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Austin Kelley

Studs Terkel on Music Studs Terkel on Music

Still going strong at 93, Studs Terkel has produced yet another oral history, And They All Sang: Adventures of an Eclectic Disc Jockey.

Nov 30, 2005 / Books & the Arts / The Nation

Nancy Has Two Mommies Nancy Has Two Mommies

Nancy Drew has been a fixture in young girls' lives since 1930. But the continuing appeal of this spunky American icon--never sad, wrinkled or misunderstood--is both heartwarming a...

Nov 30, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Brenda Wineapple

Letter of the Law Letter of the Law

America's Constitution: A Biography examines America's obsession with the Constitution--its origins, evolution and interpretation.

Nov 30, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Jack Rakove

The Chosen People The Chosen People

The Jewish Century defies the conventional view of Jews as outsiders and traces their symbiotic relationship with Christians. A History of the Jews in the Modern World follows the ...

Nov 30, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Lazare

The Secret History of Rum The Secret History of Rum

Long before oil dominated geopolitics, rum was the original global commodity, tying Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Caribbean in a complex web of trade and credit. And Bacardi...

Nov 22, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Ian Williams

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