Biography, History, Nonfiction

The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich

I'm not a big post-it note person when it comes to reading, but just in the introduction to this book, I put 6 notes. The content is so unbelievable, it just can't be made up. Synopsis The Unwomanly Face of War is the long-awaited English translation of Svetlana Alexievich's first book, a groundbreaking oral history… Continue reading The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich

Biography, History, Nonfiction

First Women by Kate Andersen Brower

The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies I've always loved biographies of the royals and, as an #ImWithHer girl, when I realized thatย First Women existed, I figured it would be one that I should take a look at. Synopsis One of the most underestimated - and demanding - positions in the world, the… Continue reading First Women by Kate Andersen Brower

Biography, History, Nonfiction

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin Looking for an interesting historical book about Nazi Germany, and knowing that my book club was going to readย Dead Wake, I decided to readย In the Garden of Beasts.ย Downside, it is a difficult book to get into, upside, the audiobook is well done and enjoyable.ย ย  Synopsis The… Continue reading In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

History, Nonfiction

The Little Book of Feminist Saints by Julia Pierpont

Welcome to Women's History Month! This month I will try to focus my reviews on books that discuss women in history and as I've read quite a few, it shouldn't be too hard! Synopsis In this luminous volume, New York Times bestselling writer Julia Pierpont and artist Manjit Thapp match short, vibrant, and surprising biographies… Continue reading The Little Book of Feminist Saints by Julia Pierpont

Biography, History, Nonfiction

Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings I found this book on my very first visit to the Strand in New York City right after I finished student teaching. Iโ€™ve always loved multi-story books about historical women. Additionally, while reading this book at the Greyhound station in New York City while waiting for my… Continue reading Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

History, Nonfiction, Political Science, Sociology

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century I've decided I might as well just go ahead and start calling 2018 my year of nonfiction. Two full months in and I've only read one traditional work of fiction out of the 10 books I've read. Also, I'm prepared to lose friends and alienate certain groups of people… Continue reading On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Biography, History, Nonfiction

The Crown Official Companion Volume 1 by Robert Lacey

The Crown: The Official Companion #1 Afterย Downton Abbeyย ended, I began a search for a new favorite historical British show, and, lucky me,ย The Crownย came along! When I found out that the Queen's biographer was writing a companion nonfiction account, I knew I had to treat myself to it! Synopsis Elizabeth Mountbatten never expected her father to… Continue reading The Crown Official Companion Volume 1 by Robert Lacey

Book Club, History, Nonfiction

Dead Wake by Erik Larson

The Last Crossing of the Lusitania Every month, the Modern Readers discuss what types of books we collectively would like to be reading. In February 2016, one of our number mentioned that Erik Larson would be doing a talk in a nearby town, so we figured Dead Wake would make a great book club choice! This is… Continue reading Dead Wake by Erik Larson

Biography, History, Nonfiction

Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath

Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics Back in October, when this beautiful tome arrived at the bookstore, my coworkers were debating where it should be shelved. I chimed in by saying they could hold off deciding for a few days, because it was coming home with me! Then again, pretty much any book… Continue reading Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath