Category Archives: history

The Perfect Horse – Elizabeth Letts

Posted on March 22, 2018 by stewartry

This review has not taken a ridiculously long time to put together. I have no excuse; the closest I can come to a reason is that the emotions and the quality of the writing and my own back story with … Continue reading →

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The Plots Against Hitler – Danny Orbach

Posted on April 28, 2017 by stewartry

You know the saying “The devil takes care of his own”? My deeply Catholic mother reminds me of that one a lot when I complain about the way God arranges things; there is, she says, another power at work in … Continue reading →

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Unmentionable – Therese Oneill

Posted on April 22, 2017 by stewartry

I still remember how crushing it was the first time someone felt it would be fun for my own good to pop my Disney–and–Robin Hood–blown bubble, and let me to know that those marvelous castles I was always admiring, those … Continue reading →

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Alexander Hamilton – Ron Chernow – Scott Brick

Posted on March 15, 2017 by stewartry

I feel compelled to state up front that I bought this audiobook in 2013, before the celebrated musical was much more than a twinkle in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s eye. And actually I can honestly say the musical wasn’t even on my … Continue reading →

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The Wicked Boy – Kate Summerscale

Posted on December 19, 2016 by stewartry

This book, this case of a boy killing his mother (or boys), is more proof that playing violent video games shapes young minds in ways that lead to violen – Sorry? Oh, it’s not 1995, but 1895? Oh. Right. This … Continue reading →

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American Heiress – Jeffrey Toobin

Posted on November 22, 2016 by stewartry

The stupid runs very deep in this story. Patricia Hearst was young and ignorant and self-centered; the revolutionaries were pretty much morons, or delusional at best; the FBI wasn’t any too sharp… The other notable characteristic of the people featured … Continue reading →

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Destiny of the Republic – Candice Millard – Paul Michael

Posted on October 28, 2016 by stewartry

If you look up “delusional” in the dictionary, there’s a full–page, full–color picture of Charles Guiteau. And if you look up “unfulfilled potential” in my personal dictionary, with this book James Garfield’s picture took the place of JFK’s. President James … Continue reading →

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The Worst Hard Time – Timothy Egan – Patrick Lawlor

Posted on July 5, 2016 by stewartry

I have a little history with both the author and the narrator of this audiobook. When I was looking for something awesome on which to spend the credit burning a hole in my pocket, I looked at my “five-star” shelf … Continue reading →

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The Witch of Lime Street – David Jaher

Posted on March 16, 2016 by stewartry

What a story. I knew some of the bare bones: Houdini’s deep attachment to his mother, and the failed attempts to hear from her after her death; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s extraordinary credulity for mediums and fairies. I did not … Continue reading →

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Angels of the Underground – Theresa Kaminski

Posted on March 13, 2016 by stewartry

Here’s where Netgalley is not necessarily beneficial to the books it is supposed to promote. The copy I received of this book (in exchange for an honest review, thank you) seemed as though it was sent to me right in … Continue reading →

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