Abbott Kahler’s Eden Undone revisits the infamous Galápagos Affair, a true-crime story of ambition, jealousy, betrayal, and mysterious deaths on the remote island of Floreana. Blending vivid setting, historical research, and suspenseful storytelling, Kahler explores how a dream of paradise unraveled into rivalry and tragedy.
Celine Fitzmaurice’s The Trial of Patty Hearst revisits one of the 20th century’s most infamous criminal cases, exploring the blurred lines between victimhood, coercion, celebrity, and culpability. This audiobook offers a concise, accessible introduction to the Patty Hearst case, with dramatic production that brings the events to life. While it works best for listeners new to the story, those seeking deeper historical analysis may want a more expansive account.
William Marvel’s Lincoln’s Autocrat offers a sharp, critical look at Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s powerful secretary of war. Blending Civil War history, Reconstruction politics, political biography, and true crime, the book explores Stanton’s role in preserving the Union, prosecuting Lincoln’s assassination conspirators, and testing the limits of federal power. A compelling pick for readers interested in morally complex history and the men who shaped America from behind the scenes.
In this review of Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, I share why this fast-paced nonfiction account of Abraham Lincoln’s final days earns 5 out of 5 stars. Blending presidential history, Civil War drama, John Wilkes Booth’s assassination plot, and the manhunt that followed, Killing Lincoln makes one of America’s most familiar historical events feel fresh and immediate. Readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction, American history, or books by Brian Kilmeade and David McCullough will find this gripping, accessible, and highly readable.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Penelope is living the dream of every devoted bibliophile: she serves as the personal assistant to one of the most famous mystery writers in the world. That places her near his inner circle all the time … Continue reading Without a Clue
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. El Paso has long existed at the intersection of conflict, migration, and racism, a history that stretches back centuries. Situated along the Rio Grande, the city and its sister community across the river, Ciudad Juárez, were once a … Continue reading El Paso
With recent news about the cancellation of government sponsored diversity programs, I want to call attention to how we can all bring diversity into our own lives - reading books by diverse voices. I set this week's prompt to "books by African American Authors" in 2024 before I knew any of this was coming - … Continue reading This Week: February 16th
When Britain invaded The United States in 1814 for the second time, our fledgling government had become established in Washington, D.C. Official government buildings, including the White House, became immediate targets of the Redcoats. Anthony S. Pitch delivers a comprehensive account of the War of 1812 in The Burning of Washington. From invasion through to … Continue reading The Burning of Washington
I first heard Cassandra Good’s name earlier last year as she released First Family: George Washington’s Heirs and the Making of America, exploring the first American president’s family. That was just the latest of Good’s accomplishments in the field of American History though – she’s taught at several renown universities (currently Marymount University), released articles … Continue reading America’s Founding Women
For over 200 years, rumors of swirled around Thomas Jefferson’s name about torrid love affairs first with a married artist in Paris, and later with his slave Sally Hemings. Sally, who happened to be his wife’s half-sister, has been the center of much controversy, especially after her descendants began to publicize their potential connection to … Continue reading Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemings: An American controversy
