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Posts tagged with ‘History’

SKYJACK, by Geoffrey Gray

December 11, 2011

‘GONZO’ JOURNALISM-FLAVORED, engaging true crime tale of the 40-year investigation of skyjacker D. B. Cooper.

Grade: SOLID B

SKYJACK: THE HUNT FOR D. B. COOPER
Crown
2011

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INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY, by Janet Reitman

October 21, 2011

IMPECCABLY REPORTED HISTORY of Scientology gives airtime to both adherents and opponents of the faith.

Grade: B PLUS

INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY: THE STORY OF AMERICA'S MOST SECRETIVE RELIGION
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2011

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THE MURDER OF THE CENTURY, by Paul Collins

October 19, 2011

MASTERFUL RETELLING OF a murder case that grabbed headlines in 1897 New York is rich in detail and drama.

Grade: A MINUS

THE MURDER OF THE CENTURY: THE GILDED AGE CRIME THAT SCANDALIZED A CITY AND SPARKED THE TABLOID WARS
Crown
2011

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HAVANA REAL, by Yoani Sánchez

October 1, 2011

INSIDE CUBA TODAY with a pioneering dissident blogger; insightful and moving prose in unobtrusive translation.

Grade: B PLUS

HAVANA REAL: ONE WOMAN FIGHTS TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT CUBA TODAY
Melville House
2011

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TRACKING THE CHUPACABRA, by Benjamin Radford

September 30, 2011

A THOUGHTFUL INVESTIGATION into the mythology of the chupacabra provides context for the legend’s how and why.

Grade: B PLUS

TRACKING THE CHUPACABRA: THE VAMPIRE BEAST IN FACT, FICTION, AND FOLKLORE
University of New Mexico Press
2011

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MAKESHIFT METROPOLIS, by Witold Rybczynski

September 28, 2011

THE HISTORY AND FUTURE of urban planning outlined with wit and grace in this informative, highly readable book.

Grade: A MINUS

MAKESHIFT METROPOLIS: IDEAS ABOUT CITIES
Simon and Schuster/Spotlight
2011

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VIOLETTE NOZIERE, by Sarah Maza

September 20, 2011

A HEADLINE-GRABBING MURDER in 1933 Paris, examined in depth, illuminates the culture and politics of the era.

Grade: B PLUS

VIOLETTE NOZIERE: A STORY OF MURDER IN 1930S PARIS
University of California Press
2011

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FORGED, by Bart Ehrman

September 4, 2011

DISTINGUISHED BIBLICAL SCHOLAR Bart Ehrman’s evidence-based challenge to the Christian canon’s authenticity.

Grade: B PLUS

FORGED: WRITING IN THE NAME OF GOD--WHY THE BIBLE'S AUTHORS ARE NOT WHO WE THINK THEY ARE
HarperOne

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DEATH AND THE VIRGIN QUEEN, by Chris Skidmore

August 17, 2011

A TUDOR SCANDAL RETOLD with a journalistic touch in this well researched examination of the Amy Robsart mystery.

Grade: SOLID B

DEATH AND THE VIRGIN QUEEN: ELIZABETH AND THE DARK SCANDAL THAT ROCKED THE THRONE
St. Martin's Press
2011

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WANTON WEST, by Lael Morgan

August 14, 2011

GOSSIPY, FUN HISTORY looks at the madams and dance-hall girls who were high rollers in 19th-century Montana.

Grade: SOLID B

WANTON WEST: MADAMS, MONEY, MURDER, AND THE WILD WOMEN OF MONTANA'S FRONTIER
Chicago Review Press
2011

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