Sidecountry is a collection of some of John Branch’s favorite articles. Branch, a Pulitzer Prize winning sports journalist for the New York Times, treats his readers to “something different, something unexpected. They would never ask for it, because they wouldn’t know to ask.” Continue reading
Category Archives: Nonfiction
Book Review: The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair
The Secret Lives of Color provides a fascinating look at the history of colors – what individual colors have meant throughout the centuries, how pigments were made for paints and dyes, and so much more. Continue reading
Book Review: Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson
Pirate Hunters is the fascinating true story of the search for the pirate ship the Golden Fleece, only the second pirate shipwreck ever found. When you’re done reading it, you’ll be packing your scuba gear and heading to the Dominican Republic to hunt for treasure. Continue reading
Book Review: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Infidel is Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s 2006 memoir and tells of her remarkable journey from impoverished Somalia to the Dutch parliament. It’s also about her intellectual and spiritual journey, as her mind was broadened by Western ideas and she began to question the Muslim faith that is so deeply ingrained in Somali culture. Continue reading
Book Review: Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
Mere Christianity is a classic Christian apologetic based on a series of talks C. S. Lewis gave on BBC radio from 1941-1944 while Great Britain was embroiled in World War II. Lewis uses logic and approachable language to convey theological concepts common to all Christian religions (rather than focusing on theological differences). Continue reading
Book Review: Flyboys: A True Story of Courage by James Bradley
Flyboys is the devastating story of nine American aviators (Flyboys) who were shot down over the Japanese island of Chichi Jima during World War II. Eight of the nine were captured and died under mysterious circumstances. I credit the author for finally telling their stories, but I found his agenda-driven account of history to be a distracting disservice to the men whose story he is telling. Continue reading
Book Review: Open – An Autobiography by Andre Agassi
Open is the autobiography of tennis legend Andre Agassi. It opens with one of the most compelling prologues I’ve ever read and then serves up page after page of the fascinating triumphs and tribulations of Agassi’s life. (I promise that’s the only tennis pun I’ll use.) Continue reading
Book Review: The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson
Erik Larson has done it again! The author of Dead Wake and The Devil in the White City brings history to life with his latest, The Splendid and the Vile. This time he tackles the first year of Winston Churchill’s tenure as prime minister, with splendid results. Continue reading
Book Review: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
Historical nonfiction can be so good when the subject is interesting and the author is talented. Destiny of the Republic has both things going for it. This book about President James Garfield’s life and assassination is engrossing and devastating. Continue reading
Book Review: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was published in 1994 and spent four years on the New York Times bestseller list. How am I just now reading it?!? True-ish crime that is pure entertainment gold. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 