Nonfiction
-
The Wire finale: now what? (A reading list).
Okay, so it is over. Case closed. After five captivating years, HBO’s lauded series The Wire calls it a wrap. Now what do we do? Aside from chain-watching DVDs of the series (and its excellent Baltimore precursor, Homicide: Life on the Street), we’re seeing a lot of Wire fans in withdrawal are turning to books to prolong the feeling. This… Continue reading
-
Spun to distraction – surviving life between the primaries and the general election
This is probably the most exciting election year I’ve ever seen. It’s exhilarating and exhausting. Just keeping track of the code words and the spin cycles, not to mention the charges and counter-charges is enough to give even a committed political junky a headache. Enter unSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation. Written by… Continue reading
-
Did the FBI go too far …
… in 1954? The FBI amassed a huge file over many years in their investigation of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Much of the information they gathered – including illegal wiretapping of conversations between Oppenheimer and his lawyer – was used against him at his security clearance hearing. Twenty-seven years in the making, American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin… Continue reading
-
Fields of Blood and Sacrifice – Christian Fleetwood and his brothers in the Black Regiments of the Civil War
Uncommon Valor: a story of race, patriotism and glory in the final battles of the Civil War, by Melvin Claxton. Christian Fleetwood was a 23 year old free-born Black man living Baltimore when the recruiters of the 4th US Colored Infantry began assembling their forces. He joined the ranks on August 17th 1863 and was… Continue reading
-
Healing the Mind
Stroke. Brain Damage. Strong words we hear more of these days, with an aging population and engagement in a difficult war with injured soldiers returning to everyday life. Words that call up terrifying images of darkness and loss, for both the injured and their loved ones. Images of diving into the healthcare system like entering… Continue reading
-
His time has (finally) come?
There’s something in the air this President’s Day. Call it Millard Fillmania. You’ve probably all seen the recent car commercial offering a soap-on-a-rope effigy of the forgotten statesman touted to be the first to take a bath in the White House. (This oft-repeated “fact” was actually a sly hoax perpetrated by H.L. Mencken, by the way). Then there’s John Blumenthal’s… Continue reading
-
Goats do roam…in Seattle
Why is our book Home Cheese Making : Recipes for 75 Homemade Cheeses so popular? Perhaps because it’s authored by home cheese making superstar Ricki Carroll. In Seattle,local artisan cheese is readily available at farmer’s markets and grocery stores. Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival takes place each year, even though we are far from Wisconsin. It’s highly… Continue reading
-
The Romans are here: are you ready?
Where would you stay if you were able to visit ancient Rome, say in 200 AD? What would you have for dinner? Where would you go for entertainment? What tips would help you survive on those mean, mean, streets? Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day by Philip Matyszak purports to be a travel guide… Continue reading
-
Localvore Love
Barbara Kingsolver’s latest book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life is account of her family’s commitment to growing and raising their own food and to purchase only local food. Those who love Kingsolver’s writing will also enjoy learning more about her localvore lifestyle. Her family’s passion for the subject is wonderfully brought forth… Continue reading
-
Nonfiction Book Discussions for 2008
Book groups may occasionally select a biography or a nonfiction title to discuss, but few – except the Nonfiction Book Group here at the Library – are devoted to exclusively reading and discussion nonfiction titles. New members are always welcome! The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at noon on the 8th… Continue reading