Books

393 results
Page 13
What happens when a president would rather be liked than actually govern? (Image courtesy of the author.)

‘Utopia PR’ by Adam Bender

Work/life balance, and other disasters
In Adam Bender’s near-future political satire, a crisis communications manager troubleshoots disasters for a callow reality-television star turned president while trying to maintain a semblance of work/life balance. Kirsten Bowen reviews.
Kirsten Bowen

Kirsten Bowen

Reviews 3 minute read
This nest is an apt emblem for Saunier’s poetry. (Image courtesy of Terrapin Books.)

‘A Cartography of Home’ by Hayden Saunier

When we were still a place
A new poetry collection from Hayden Saunier weaves Pennsylvania’s natural world with its mini-marts and hotels, exploring possibility, loss, compound perspectives, and calls to customer service. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Reviews 5 minute read
A chronicle of the best public defender office in the country. (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘The Defender,’ by Edward W. Madeira Jr. and Michael D. Schaffer

If you cannot afford an attorney…
‘The Defender: The Battle to Protect the Rights of the Accused in Philadelphia’ traces the history of Philly’s famous public defender office, and the challenges it still faces. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 5 minute read
Frank discussions on race took on new meaning for these authors. (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘Do Right By Me,’ by Valerie I. Harrison and Kathryn Peach D’Angelo

Adoption in black and white
Two local educators use their friendship and their expertise to explore the sensitive topic of transracial adoption in ‘Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces.’ Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 4 minute read
Does your job make you? (Image courtesy of Coffee House Press.)

‘Temporary’ by Hilary Leichter

Working identity
‘Temporary’ is the tale of a temporary worker trying to find permanence, a quest that will resonate with American workers, especially in the pandemic. Elisa Shoenberger reviews.
Elisa Shoenberger

Elisa Shoenberger

Reviews 3 minute read
Where does public health meet medical care? (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘The Health of the Commonwealth’ by James E. Higgins

Tales of epidemics past
‘The Health of the Commonwealth’ recounts 250 years of medical practice in Pennsylvania—a particularly relevant slice of history in the age of Covid-19. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 5 minute read
An argument as controversial as the title: Jody Armour’s ‘N*gga Theory.’ (Image via LARB Books.)

‘N*gga Theory: Race, Language, Unequal Justice, and the Law,’ by Jody Armour

Reclamation, rejection, or creation: what does agency mean?
Jody Armour’s ‘N*gga Theory’ is an unexpected book title in 2020. In this treatise on modern racial justice, does the author argue successfully for the reclamation of painful language? Lindsay Gary reviews.
Lindsay Gary

Lindsay Gary

Reviews 4 minute read
A history of Philly through French eyes? (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘Salut! France Meets Philadelphia’ by Lynn Miller and Therese Dolan

In plein sight
From the Founders’ reading lists to the bridges, architecture, and artists that define Philly’s look today, ‘Salut! France Meets Philadelphia’ proves that French style is part of our city’s DNA. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 6 minute read

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Dissident soldiers have been protesting American conflicts from colonial times the War on Terror. (Image courtesy of The New Press.)

‘I Ain’t Marching Anymore: Dissenters, Deserters & Objectors to America’s Wars’ by Chris Lombardi

Dissenting soldiers
'I Ain’t Marching Anymore' explores the long history of protests by US military members. Elisa Shoenberger reviews.
Elisa Shoenberger

Elisa Shoenberger

Articles 3 minute read
Journalist Talia Lavin tackles far-right groups in her own voice. (Image courtesy of Hachette Books.)

‘Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy’ by Talia Lavin

Exposing hate groups, in her own voice
Talia Lavin, one of the current political moment’s most incisive journalists, details her confrontations with the world’s worst trolls in ‘Culture Warlords.’ Stephen Silver reviews.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Articles 3 minute read