Catalog Website SEARCH  My Account  |  Get a Card  |  Pay Fines  |  Classic Catalog  |  Mobile

New Reviews
NOVELLO
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Around the House
Biography/Memoir
Business
History
Humor
Inspirational
Multicultural
Nature
Poetry
Politics
Regional
Science/Technology
Self Help/Instructional
Sports
The Arts
Travel
True Adventure
True Crime
Wellness
Women and Family

Teen Corner
Graphic Novels


Special Features


Book Search
Booklists
What to Read
Reading Resources
My Reading Log
Celebrity Reviews
Meet the Author
Submit a Review

Stay in the Loop


Email Newsletter
RSS Feed RSS Feeds
Podcasts Podcasts
Buy Books
About Us
Contact Us

readers_club on TwitterGet our Tweets


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.

All of our latest reviews are available through RSS Feed  RSS Feeds.

Page 1 of 3


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

Request from Library

Email this review to a friend.

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

Feature See more titles featured in American History

Feature See more titles featured in Armchair Travel

Feature See more titles featured in Sea Stories

Add your comments about this book


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

Request from Library

Email this review to a friend.

Smith, Terri Peterson(2013)Recently Added Review
Visit the author's web site
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

Feature See more titles featured in Books for Book Clubs

Feature See more titles featured in Books for Bibliophiles

Feature See more titles featured in Traveling Across America

Add your comments about this book


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

Request from Library

Email this review to a friend.

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

Feature See more titles featured in American History

Add your comments about this book


Stranger Here : How Weight Loss Surgery Transformed my Body and Messed with my Head

Request from Library

Email this review to a friend.

Larsen, Jen(2013)Recently Added Review
Stranger Here : How Weight Loss Surgery Transformed my Body and Messed with my Head

We humans seem naturally preoccupied with appearance and body modification. Modern culture sells health and well-being in slim, athletic packages. If we all could achieve ambitious weight and fitness goals, advertisers promise us happier lives. Couple this message with a society that demands instant gratification, and it is no wonder dramatic weight loss surgery, such as the duodenal switch, is so popular. Journey with blogger and author Jen Larsen in Stranger Here, as she diminishes to a size 4, after topping out at over 300 pounds. Is she automatically healthier and happier? Not so much. But she does provide readers of all size and shapes with a sharp-witted yet entertaining cautionary tale on the road to learning to love herself.

Reviewed by Lydia T., Main Library

Add your comments about this book


The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness and Murder

Request from Library

Email this review to a friend.

Graeber, Charles(2013)Recently Added Review
The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness and Murder

Though it should, the name Charles Cullen would probably not come to mind if one thought of the most infamous serial killers in history. Cullen, the subject of this book, is suspected of causing upward of 300 deaths while working as a nurse over the course of 16 years and in 10 different health care facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The author does not condone or excuse the crimes, but simply provides a picture of the killer`s horrendously horrific childhood and a murderous journey that began with animal cruelty. This book will definitely make your blood run cold.

Reviewed by Barbara C., Morrison Regional

Add your comments about this book


Choose a Page:    1  2  3