What would motivate a man to abandon society to live alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years? Author Michael Finkel does his best to answer this and many other questions in this study of Christopher Knight, “the last true hermit.” Continue reading
Category Archives: Nonfiction
“American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing Land”, by Monica Hesse
Sad, strange events are brought to life in Monica Hesse’s “American Fire”. Hesse takes what would probably be just an average true crime story and elevates it to something more by providing social, economic and historic context. The result is a very interesting and sometimes sympathetic look at a crime wave that shook a small Virginia community. Continue reading
Book Review: The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston
The Lost City of the Monkey God is a fascinating mash-up of archaeology, cutting edge technology, treasure hunting, history, Central American politics and epidemiology. Author Douglas Preston, who also writes about archaeology for National Geographic, covers some complex topics in a manner that’s easy to understand and also very interesting. Continue reading
January’s Kind of Like a Book Club Book
I thought it would make sense for the group read to take a hiatus over the holidays, so the next “kind of like a book club” book will be discussed at the end of January. I seem to have lost a few participants with the last pick (Ready Player One), so hopefully this one will appeal to more people. Continue reading
Book Review: The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
In The Wright Brothers, author David McCullough brings to life Wilbur and Orville’s race to be the first to conquer the skies. Continue reading
“Rewrite Man: The Life and Career of Screenwriter Warren Skaaren”, by Alison Macor
I’m doing something a little different this week. In lieu of a book review, I’m shamelessly plugging my good friend and former college roommate’s new book, “Rewrite Man: The Life and Career of Screenwriter Warren Skaaren”. Continue reading
“Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines and Habits of Billionaires, Icons and World-Class Performers”, by Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss has a highly successful podcast in which he interviews people who are tops at what they do and tries to uncover some of the secrets of their success. He’s good at this because he seems to be genuinely curious about his guests and he likes to apply some of their methods to his own life in an ongoing effort to improve himself. Continue reading
“Killing the Rising Sun: How America Vanquished World War II Japan”, by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
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The 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor seemed like a really appropriate time to read “Killing the Rising Sun”, so that’s what I did. Authors Bill O’Reilly (of Fox News fame) and Martin Dugard provide an interesting, 30,000 foot account of the war in the Pacific during WWII. Continue reading
Book Review: Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
In Lab Girl, author and scientist Hope Jahren mixes science and biography to tell a fascinating story about her life, her work and the very special relationship she has with her lab partner, Bill. Continue reading
“Dad is Fat”, by Jim Gaffigan
For anyone who wants a good laugh about some of the crazy truths of kids and parenting, “Dad is Fat” might be just the ticket. Author, comedian and father of five Jim Gaffigan tells it like it is without that polite, public filter so many of us use when we talk about being parents. The result is an honest, funny commentary on the joys, frustrations and mystifying realities of raising kids. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 