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Non-Fiction Book Reviews

Listed below are our most recent book reviews for Non-Fiction books. To view additional book reviews, choose a subcategory from the list on the left.

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Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle

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Hedges, Chris(2009)Recently Added Review
Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle

America’s obsession with celebrity and its companion spread of illiteracy place our society in grave danger of collapse, according to Hedges’ darkest prediction to date. One need only surf the endless torrent of idiotic “reality shows,” pornography and casino capitalism to see the corrosion as it occurs. It is, indeed, most likely too late, says Hedges, to reverse a process that under similar conditions led to the military-industrial dictatorships of the last century. Lulled as we are by corporation-inspired happy fantasies, we are totally unprepared to deal with – or even face – the inevitable doom rushing to meet us.

Reviewed by Jim B., Main Library

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For Crew and Country: The Insperational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts

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Wucovits, John(2013)Recently Added Review
For Crew and Country: The Insperational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts

During the battle for Guadalcanal, Coxswain Samuel Roberts maneuvered his craft to provide cover from Japanese fire for Marines escaping from an ambush. In so doing he was killed by enemy fire. Roberts would be awarded the Navy Cross for his actions and eventually have three US Navy ships named for him. The first Samuel B. Roberts, a destroyer escort, would leave its own heroic legacy two years later in the Battle off Samar. Charged with guarding the landing forces during the invasion of the Leyte in the Philippines, Roberts and other similar ships would find themselves facing a force of Japanese Battleships and Heavy Cruisers. John Wukovits takes us on that last heroic charge of the of the outgunned Roberts which ends in its fiery demise

Reviewed by John C., Main Library

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Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean : How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge

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Kritzler, Edward(2008)Recently Added Review
Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean : How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge

Who knew there were Jewish Pirates? I always associated the early New World with Spain and Portugal and the Catholic Church, or England and the Protestants, not Jews. The Inquisition created a huge population of `conversos`, Jews who pretended to be Catholic to prevent being tortured. `Everyone` knew it was a pretense. Some of them left for the New World, islands. They hoped that distance would allow them some religious freedom. The New World had gold, slaves and trade goods that were bought, sold and stolen. The Jews provided manpower and trade knowledge. Read about the gold mines, privateers and lots about the islands we now go to on vacation.

Reviewed by Thea J., South County Regional

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Off the Beaten Page:  the Best Trips for Lit Lovers, Book Clubs, and Girls on Getaways

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Smith, Terri Peterson(2013)Recently Added Review
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Off the Beaten Page: the Best Trips for Lit Lovers, Book Clubs, and Girls on Getaways

Reading and traveling, two of life`s greatest pleasures. Travel blogger Terri Smith claims the best of all worlds is combining reading and travel, but smart to plan ahead and travel with fellow bibliophiles. Visit the setting of your favorite novel or the birthplace of an author. Arrange a book club trip around your current month`s title selection. Not sure where to go first? Try Smith`s Off the Beaten Page, a literary travel guide with practical advice, reading lists and detailed itineraries for 15 favorite literary destinations. Visit Boston with Dennis Lahane`s Mystic River, or explore New Orleans with Anne Rice`s Vampire Chronicles. Armistead Maupin is an excellent tour guide to seeing the sights of San Francisco. So grab your favorite book, and get packing!

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

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Ships of Oak, Guns of Iron: the War of 1812 and the Forging of the American Navy

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Utt, Ronald D.(2012)Recently Added Review
Ships of Oak, Guns of Iron: the War of 1812 and the Forging of the American Navy

In American consciousness the War of 1812 has long been a distant memory known best by a 1950’s popular song about a US victory fought after the peace treaty was signed. The War’s bicentennial has seen a number of books published regarding that long ago conflict. Ronald Utt’s Ships of Oak tells us how the American Navy came of age during those years. Ship for ship the US Navy was better than the equivalent British one and would best then in individual combat (there were major exceptions of course). In the end the British would simply overwhelm the US Navy and blockade the coast. Utt’s work does not neglect the US Army although their efforts were more likely to end in defeat.

Reviewed by John C., Main Library

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