A word in support of Unruly by David Mitchell - screamingly funny, often obscene (if the F word upsets you, you will frequently be upset), and remarkably subtle in its political and historical observations. It will add to what you know about the British monarchy and its institutions, in a very good way.
"Our Towns, A Journey Across America," by James Fallows, one of our best journalists, and his wife Deb, is especially good. It documents years of travelling to small and medium-size towns all over the country, staying for weeks, long enough to get to know leaders who are making a difference. And it's VERY important, because the resulting picture dispels many myths about what's happening in our heartland. I've been reading Mr. Fallows for more than 40 years, and am a paid subscriber to his Substack. Among his many perspectives are as a speechwriter in the Carter White House, years-long reporting residences in countries around the world, including China, and a strong background in aviation. Their travels around the US for this book were in his small plane, and were ongoing as recently as a few years ago. The work was first reported in a long series in "The Atlantic."
For historians and curious history buffs I recommend searching through an amazing collection of original pre-Colonial and Colonial Westchester (NY) documents in the archives of the Bobst Library of NY University. The Richard Maass Collection occupies 12 linear feet of shelf space and all of it has been digitized and available free of charge. The letters, diaries, logs and records offer an unusual and intimate view of hardships, joys, vagaries and military activity in and around the Neutral Ground of the late 18th century in NY. Just search for the "Richard Maass Collection of NY and Westchester History at NYU" and drill down through the various indexes and catalogues. Very little of this collection has ever been seen before. Well worth an historical dive.
I would recommend 'I Am Murdered' about the killing of George Wythe, one of our founding fathers and Jefferson's law professor. It's been called the very first Trial of the Century, ending an an acquittal of Wythe's nephew who poisoned him because the testimony of Wythe's housekeeper, a formerly enslaved Black woman, was prohibited at trial. Lots of threads of American history come into play.
A good book to find how we got where we are today is James Wiggin's Outliving the White Lie- A Southerner's Historical, Genealogical, and Personal Journey. I'll never view racism the same way I have been. I highly recommend it.
Read or listen to Mamdani’s speech today.
A word in support of Unruly by David Mitchell - screamingly funny, often obscene (if the F word upsets you, you will frequently be upset), and remarkably subtle in its political and historical observations. It will add to what you know about the British monarchy and its institutions, in a very good way.
Strongly agree with the recommendation of Kirsten Downey’s book about Frances Perkins — an excellent biography of one of the greatest Americans!
Wonderful list, thank you!!
Looking forward to reading many of these books. Just finished “The Personal Librarian”—indeed a character unknown to me previously.
"Our Towns, A Journey Across America," by James Fallows, one of our best journalists, and his wife Deb, is especially good. It documents years of travelling to small and medium-size towns all over the country, staying for weeks, long enough to get to know leaders who are making a difference. And it's VERY important, because the resulting picture dispels many myths about what's happening in our heartland. I've been reading Mr. Fallows for more than 40 years, and am a paid subscriber to his Substack. Among his many perspectives are as a speechwriter in the Carter White House, years-long reporting residences in countries around the world, including China, and a strong background in aviation. Their travels around the US for this book were in his small plane, and were ongoing as recently as a few years ago. The work was first reported in a long series in "The Atlantic."
For historians and curious history buffs I recommend searching through an amazing collection of original pre-Colonial and Colonial Westchester (NY) documents in the archives of the Bobst Library of NY University. The Richard Maass Collection occupies 12 linear feet of shelf space and all of it has been digitized and available free of charge. The letters, diaries, logs and records offer an unusual and intimate view of hardships, joys, vagaries and military activity in and around the Neutral Ground of the late 18th century in NY. Just search for the "Richard Maass Collection of NY and Westchester History at NYU" and drill down through the various indexes and catalogues. Very little of this collection has ever been seen before. Well worth an historical dive.
Where to begin? Thanks for the suggestions! And happy Fourth despite its being turned into a low rent s*%! show this year.
Great list! Thanks!
I would recommend 'I Am Murdered' about the killing of George Wythe, one of our founding fathers and Jefferson's law professor. It's been called the very first Trial of the Century, ending an an acquittal of Wythe's nephew who poisoned him because the testimony of Wythe's housekeeper, a formerly enslaved Black woman, was prohibited at trial. Lots of threads of American history come into play.
You might add Danielle Allen's 'Radical Duke' to this list. It just came out and was published by Liveright.
A good book to find how we got where we are today is James Wiggin's Outliving the White Lie- A Southerner's Historical, Genealogical, and Personal Journey. I'll never view racism the same way I have been. I highly recommend it.