What can you say about a 1,000 page history that is not only readable, but engaging? Not much beyond --"more please." It would be easy to point out lacks, (is this really about world society, or rather the world as Western civilization experienced it? What about the bottom up approach to history? What were the power structures' favorite lies?) There are probably at least 1,000 quibbles to quib, just as there are probably at least a 1,000 perspectives one could envision for a history of the world between 1815-1830. The hard thing to do is to pick a perspective, keep to it, and then organize the boundless information involved into a book that people want to read and learn from. Johnson and, one would assume, a team of talented researchers, have done this. That they have done this from a moderately conservative outlook (think reforming Burke, not leaden Grand Alliance,) does not lessen the achievement. This is a good pick for anyone who enjoys old-fashioned history.

Imagine a 6 year-old Jesus Christ, regardless of your religious beliefs... What are you picturing? Is it a little boy crouching in the dirt, pulling the tail off a lizard and then re-growing it for the amusement of his friends? I didn't think so, but welcome to the delightfully intelligent, laugh-out-loud funny and fantastic world of Christopher Moore.

Lamb is my absolute favorite of Moore's novels, but is merely one of many incredibly funny, great books. The premise is that we've messed up G_d's message so very much that He has to call Biff, Jesus' best friend, out of "retirement" so that he can write down the real and true Gospel of Christ. The biography of sorts which he produces is not only outrageously hysterical, it is immensely rewarding and insightful

This may not be the best thing to admit, but his resolution of the differences and conflicts between the various major world religions may well be responsible for crystalizing the shape of my own personal faith. Regardless, it is entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time-- I say again: read it! It could very well change your outlook on life, but at the very least it will make you laugh and laugh and laugh!

nota bene: If you are sensitive to depictions of Jesus Christ as human, with all the foibles and flaws that this entails-- do not read this book. It will only offend you.

The Ghosts of Belfast is Neville's second book, but the first in an extremely promising Irish Detective series (the first was powerhouse thriller The Ghosts of Belfast, known in England as The Twelve). His mysteries are stellar-- they grip you by the heart and don't let go until the end, at which point they have wrung you dry. The main character, Jack Lennon, is of course flawed, but like so many of the heroes of today's works, plagued by violence and self-destructive tendencies that follow him despite his best attempts to change things for the better.

Neville's books are populated by tangible, unique and fully developed characters and carried by tightly wound, believably complicated plots that convey a people, not just a crime. His belfast contains not only the living, but the ghosts of criminals, soldiers, and innocents alike. With books that run 100-180 pages long, however, the fact that he accomplishes all of this should indicate just how outstanding a writer he is.

Another of the authors that I plan to add to my eventual "Hard Drinking, Hard Thinking" mystery list, Stuart Neville is a welcome addition to the crowded world of mysteries that contain little more than gadgets and "who killed who?"

The first in Bruen's stellar Irish-noir series, The Guards introduces Jack Taylor: hard-drinking, hard-living, hard-nosed ex-Garda with a heart of tarnished gold whom violence and destruction seem to follow, despite his best intentions and begrudging efforts.

Taylor may be hard to like, but you will love Bruen's terse, suspenseful, evocative prose and the seamy characters inhabiting the beautiful world of Galway. Rife with symbolism and throwaway social insights, these mysteries give you more than just the plain old plot and resolution we are used to. Better yet, they only improve with each novel, as the characters develop and the world Bruen paints becomes more and more concrete and defined.

Bruen is one of several new hard-boiled writers that I am just loving. I will be creating a list "Hard Drinking Hard Thinking" for the best of the oh-so-human detectives I love reading, and Bruen will be right up at the top. (nota bene: Killing of the Tinkers (#2) and Magdalen Martyrs (#3) might just be his very best..."The Devil," however, hovered on the verge of a little weird/goofy)

Amused by the insane world you see around you in America today? Disgusted by it? Just want to understand what the heck is going on? Well, Arthur Berger's latest edition of his seminal "reader," Ads, Fads and Consumer Culture, is as delightful, informative and provocative as ever, but now updated and chock full of new ideas, statistics and trends.

Many people believe that America is pretty much divided along political and economic lines-- you're "red" and "blue," liberal or conservative, rich or poor. Berger makes the convincing argument that we are actually defined by our Consumer-type, and lays out a hard-to-find-fault with logical path that leaves you believing that commercials have, in fact, completely altered and directed the way Americans feel about everything from family to work to shopping to sex to personal self-esteem. He elucidates complicated critical theory and political/psychological systems with ease and humor. (This reader imagines that his classes must be incredibly popular.)

But don't misunderstand-- this is NO polemic. Berger lays out facts and history together, presenting statistics objectively so that the reader can draw his/her own (inevitable) conclusions. You will enjoy reading this, and you will feel more powerful and independent when you are done.

Azar Gat has written the most comprehensive, authoritative, understandable history of war and its place in humanity's psyche that one could ever hope to find. It contains post-graduate level information and incredible insights, even as Gat makes sure that every relevant compliacted and difficult sociological/ psychological/ political/ military theory is clearly defined, explained and applied.

Don't be misled-- this book is LARGE and takes many reading sessions, there are a lot of pages and there are even more ideas and questions that require actual pondering and personal investigation-- but it's well worth reading for anyone who ever wondered whether war is inevitable. For people interested in why we humans act the way do and potentially working to change those behaviors, War in Human Civilization is necessary reading.

This book is not for the casually interested reader-- it is a virtual catalog of every major "Spanish" and Muslim ruler, battle, and major historical event to occur in the Iberian peninsula and the Muslim Empire since the 700s. Students and researchers will find it incredibly edifying and a great starting point to guide further, focused research.

Because of this, however, the well-versed but peripherally interested reader will be left disappointed (at least this one was). I was looking for more synthesis, more extrapolation, more solidly-based speculation about the consequences and effects of actions and events. What I got was an old fashioned history textbook, which more than competently delineated the "whats" and "whens" of history. I wanted much more "Why?" and "So What?"

This might actually be a deficiency on my part, though, so don't let my complaint stop you from checking it out yourself. Perhaps the point of departure for speculation is set up perfectly, and the consequences of certain actions are obvious and I just lacked the knowledge and understanding to take that final necessary step for myself. I will say that it was definitely good enough and comprehensive enough to return to, should I develop any questions about events which shaped the Muslim-Spanish world, and in fact Europe, in the "modern" era."

“Fire and Blood” are the words of House Targaryen. The Sons of the Harpy have brought those words to life in the streets of Meereen. To stop the nightly killings Daenerys agrees to wed Hizdahr zo Lorqak and reopen the fighting pits. Rather than being the solution to her problems she is yet again betrayed. Black wings spread over the city as her dragons are set free. For Dany it’s a ride-or- die situation. Meanwhile, another of her blood appears to have survived King Robert’s rebellion.

Elsewhere, the Imp is up to his neck in trouble. His sister is convinced he had a hand in the death of her son Joffrey and has set out to see him executed. Helped by his brother Jamie, Tyrion escapes but not before he takes revenge on his father Tywin for the rape of his first wife, Tysha. “A Lannister always pays his debts.”

At the Wall Jon Snow, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, is not making friends and is influencing all the wrong people at Castle Black. Starting with an arrangement to settle Wildlings in the Gift, setting free the Wildling princess, and forming a truce with Turmon Giantsbane, his brothers of the Watch see reason to sharpen their steel. Milissandra’s warnings are not enough to ward off the daggers hiding in the shadows. “And now his Watch is done.”

Who is the mysterious “Coldhands” and how does he know where Brandon Stark must go? While there’s no word of Rickon, Bran finds the home of the Children of the forest and three-eyed-Crow with the help of the wraith. Spells ward the caves against the “Others” and are safe from the winter storms, but hide a dark secret. Bran learns to fly, but not in the manner he hoped for.

Stannis attempts to ride to the relief of Winterfell, but winter is coming and storms turn a few miles of bad road into the death trap. Theon Grayjoy escapes with the new bride of Ramsey Bolton, the imposter “Arya “. Will his freedom be as short lived as Stannis’ hope to rule Westeros?

At King’s Landing, two queens face charges of treason. Cersei is brought low by the High Septon, but how long will that last? Many believe her chosen champion in the trial by combat is not a living man. Finally, the return of the Spider spells grave danger ahead for boy king Tommen.

The next book has much to answer for : "valar morghulis!"

In a world where everyone and their mother is accused of being socialist, it is enlightening to read a book that provides objective definitions for complicated terms like capitalism and globalization, even as it provides a forum devoted to "leftist" ideas. Sasha Lilley's expanded and transcripted book of interviews with some of political economics' most influential thinkers is entertaining and powerfully informative. There are some chapters which address issues about which i'm just not that interested (mostly to do with globalization), but there is a ton to learn and think about.

Standout interviews with people like Leo Panitch, Ellen Meisksins Wood, David Harvey and David McNally make this book well-worth reading, regardless of your personal political stance...

Triple Crossing is riding the crest of the building wave of Border Literature. Fast-paced and full of action, betrayals and plot twists (some more plausible than others), the book reads fast and furious, even if it doesn't read great.

Why you will want to read Rotella's semi-predictable thriller is that it's in a new world-- not just Juarez, Tijuana and the border between the US and Mexico, but the triple border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. For those, like me, who somehow didn't know, the Tri-Border area is the western world's current hot spot for every kind of terrorist planning and illegal trafficking-- from cigarettes to humans. The new facts, places, and unknown rules make an other-wise boilerplate undercover book interesting and suspenseful.

So, need some brain candy to get you through an hour or two? Check out Triple Crossing. Best news (?) is that Rotella leaves us with an ending just begging for a sequel, so if you like it, I'd be willing to bet there are more to come...

This is an outstanding-- though appropriately emotionally draining-- book that is written as much for the person who has no chance of ever joining the military and seeing combat as it is for the combat veteran-- returning or long returned-- who is having difficulties adjusting and making the shift from war to daily life.

At the head of each chapter there is a short paragraph, almost a meditation, on the subject which that chapter will address. They are concise but incredibly profound and thought-provoking. Combined with the experiences and insights provided by Marlantes, the reader is left with an overwhelming conviction that we are neither doing enough to prepare our young men and women for war, nor enough to help them heal when they get home.

I sincerely hope that as many people as possible read this book, and I wish we could force every member of Congress and the House to do so-- it would make for a world's more reasoned decision-making and human-cost aware government and citizenry.

William's writes like he talks. Fortunately, that means he is interesting and insightful. Unfortunately, that means he is often a little long-winded and repetitive.

That said, in Muzzled he attacks the disease currently eating the soul of America-- the polarization of our society caused by an inability to communicate clearly or effectively and the fear of being perceived as an _____-ist (fill in the blank). This is a contentious assertion-- in fact, it is one with which I am still not entirely comfortable agreeing-- but, Williams does an excellent job of defining his language and moving step-by-step through his reasoning and arguments. I know I had a hard time disagreeing with most of what he had to say.

Special note: the first section covers why NPR fired Williams and all the hullabaloo surrounding it. If, like me, you don't care about it, just skip it. He makes some excellent points about honesty, integrity, cowardice and conflict, but don't worry, he'll make them again (and again) throughout the rest of the book...

Have you always been interested in the development of modern Central and South America but never been able to find the book that manages to synthesize ideas and history, people and context? Well, Redeemers is the book for you. Krause has given us an incredibly interesting and eminently readable work.

Interesting because you progress through the history of our southern neighbors via the lives and works of the most influential heroes of the 19th and 20th centuries-- starting at the turn of the 19th century with people like Jose Marti and Jose Enrique Rodo and finishing with people like Mexico's Subcomandante Marcos. Those who don't approve of mixing a person's personal history with their literary and philosophical output may be turned off by the style, but for me, the combination of biography, explanation of major works of import (like Rodo's Ariel, for example), and historical events is wonderfully pleasurable and offers many insights for readers who may have never considered the ideas of one of these revolutionary thinkers to be in dialog with another.

To really enjoy this book, you need to be interested in Latin and South American history, and also to be pretty well-versed in the major movements that defined the last two centuries. However, it is pleasurable enough to read that it could serve as a guide for anyone interested in learning more and looking for angles of approach.

Reckle$s Endangerment should be required reading for everyone over the age of 16.

Morganstern and Rosner have authored a comprehensively researched and documented, authoritative, clear, readable and, most importantly, objective history and delineation of the causes for the 2007-2008 burst of the housing bubble and resulting economic crisis. There is no favoritism, no bias, and no holds barred with this book-- republicans, democrats and public moralists alike are called out for their actions. But, notably, those few people who saw where things were going and tried to reverse course are pointed out, too.

Want to know who did what what, when and why? Who's responsible for what and why? Then this is the book for you. Why not go to the voting booths this year informed and in charge? Morganstern and Rosner's Reckless Endangerment will help you do just that.

This is a handy, colorful, challanging, easy-to-use resource for needle-artists who are interested in generating pattern variations. The authors do provide diagrams and instructions for attractive ready-to-go projects, but the really exciting thing about this book is that it provides both inspiration and understanding. One of the best, and most original craft books, this reviewer has seen for awhile.

I can't believe I actually finished this book. I just skimmed through the second half. This book was a literary exercise, but not much else. The writing was polished, but certainly didn't ring true for a 15 year old girl--even a very well-read 15 year old girl. Who would, adult or teen, describe a sexual encounter in these terms? "...and came in to me again from this anterior position..." There was very little plot to this book and even less resolution at the end. Rather than a book with a story, it seemed to be a lengthy ramble to showcase the author's "brilliant" writing. I'd rather have had more character development and plot. I should have stuck with my first instinct and given up after two or three chapters. An utter waste of time.

How does a new nation develop its new identity? One way is by language, and it is by his influence on American English that Noah Webster can be called a founding father. This biography is interesting in several ways: it does a good job of delineating Webster's life and achievements, it places Webster in some, though not always, adequate context, and, most notably, it demonstrates the difficulties of writing the biography of a difficult, insecure man who's virtues are often inimical to modernity's notions of such. It is well worth reading if you have a particular reason to be interested in the subject.

I re-read Mockingjay for a book discussion group. I HATED it the first time I read it, but this time it wasn't as odious as before. I still liked it least of all three books in the trilogy, but reading and refecting gave me a greater appreciation for the story. My main complaint is that the ending seems too abrupt. We go from high drama (which goes on far too long in my opinion) to "all wrapped up in a tight little bow" all too quickly. I've never liked Katniss and I didn't grow any more fond of her this time around. Gale, who isn't my favorite either, turns out to live up to my dislike for him. He falls in with the leader from District 13 and ends up killing innocent children and medical caregivers (including Katniss' sister Prim) in the guise of the Capitol so that citizens of the Capitol will turn against their government and support the rebels. Instead of killing President Snow, her life-long ambition, Katniss kills the leader of District 13. She has voted to allow the Hunger Games to be reenacted using children of high ranking Capitol officials "for Prim" she claims. She is tried and sentenced to return to District 12, but this all happens behind the scenes. The trial is glossed over while Katniss stays in her old rooms from her time in the Capitol during the Hunger Games and Quarter Quell. With so much time spent on the endless fighting to get through the Capitol to the President's mansion, this seems like a hasty plot device just to get on to the end of the book. Until the very end Katniss remains hard and cruel then she and Peeta eventually find true love and have two lovely children. Katniss even softens up to Buttercup, Prim's cat that she both resented and hated and sees that the two of them share a love for Prim and have both be affected greatly by her death.

I've waited so long for this book and now I have more questions than before! GRRM advances the story, brings some story lines closer together, creates some great plot twists and deals out a few unexpected blows to beloved characters, but he doesn't bring us any closer to resolution which is both tantalizing and frustrating. Major characters from past books appear briefly under unusual and changing chapter titles and it is about these characters I want to know more. In the end, reading A Dance with Dragons was like spending time with old friends. I savored every moment. My only disappointment is now there will be another long, long wait for the next installment.

Wonderful. This is a sports novel that easily transcends that characterization. The Art of Fielding is remarkable for the depth of its characters. Living with them, sharing in their triumphs and disappointments is a thrilling, moving experience - and even at 528 pages - one that is over far too soon. Critics are already comparing this first novel to Michael Chabon's Mysteries of Pittsburgh or John Irving's The World According to Garp for the way it dazzles and delights by taking a story line you think you know by heart (the underdog sports tale, in this case) and making it entirely new. These are lofty comparisons and honestly, not very far off the mark.