Category Archives: review
The Big Roads
In The Big Roads, Earl Swift tells the history of the conception and creation of the Interstate Highway System. Ā For those of us who have lived only in the age of super highways, it is an interesting and well-told … Continue reading
Posted in book, history, non-fiction, public policy, review
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Gentlemen’s Blood: A History of Dueling
“The definitive guide to courtly violence.” A fascinating history of (sanctioned) male violence throughout western history.
The Man Who Saved New York
Seymour Lachman and Robert Polner’s The Man Who Saved New York (2010) tells the story of New York City’s near financial meltdown in 1975, and how newly-elected New York Governor (the “man” of the title) and his aides were able … Continue reading
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The Leftovers
Tom Perrottaās The Leftovers (2011) is an interesting exploration of suburban life interrupted by a mass disappearance that many believe is the Rapture.Ā Itās not clear from the book how many people have been removed from the face of the … Continue reading
American Eve
In American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White, the Birth of the āItā Girl, and the Crime of the Century (2008), Paula Uruburu tells the story of millionaires behaving badly, with a mix of glamour, sex, madness, and murder, at the … Continue reading
Wild Bill Donovan
In Wild Bill Donovan (2011), Douglas Waller tells the story of the Buffalo native who help create and oversee most of the nation’s espionage activities during World War II. Donovan was quite a character.Ā A World War I hero, he … Continue reading
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102 Minutes
In 102 Minutes (2005), Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn tell some of the stories of courage and tenderness, and of survival and death, inside the WTC complex on 9/11/01. I decided to read this to emotionally prepare myself for the … Continue reading
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Tales from the Sausage Factory: Making Laws in New York State
In Tales from the Sausage Factory: Making Laws in New York State, Dan Feldman and Gerry Benjamin have written a thoughtful, interesting and insightful explanation of how New York’s legislature functioned in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It should be considered … Continue reading
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The Impending Zombie Apocalypse, Reviewed
I’ve been meaning to write a blog post on all of the zombie apocalypse literature I’ve been reading for the past year, but I just haven’t been able to do it. This Times article is decent start.Ā My theory is … Continue reading
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Ticket Masters: The Rise of the Concert Industry and How the Public Got Scalped
“Ticket Masters” by Dean Budnick and Josh Baron covers everything you thought you ever wanted to know about ticketing in the concert industry ā from Bill Graham to Live Nation.Ā Itās a bit long and bogs down somewhat in the … Continue reading