The Farmer’s Daughter   Jim Harrison
Another exquisite trilogy of novellas from one of my all-time favorite authors. Two of the novellas introduce new, real, fascinating characters, and one of them continues the wonderful Brown Dog arc. All in Harrison’s rambling, magnificent prose. Loved this book. Didn’t want any of them to end.

The Grand Design   Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow
Hawking’s latest book, this time about the design of the cosmos. Nicely written with a lot of information that has been in previous books. However, this time the authors go further by promoting M Theory and explain why there cannot be a god as creator of the universe. Profitable, and just what was needed racing across Nebraska.

The Arms Maker of Berlin   Dan Fesperman
Pretty good thriller about a history professor trying to find four missing folders of information about OSS activities during and after the war in Germany, particularly with an arms merchant. White Rose, FBI, CIA, Iranian hit men, and a beautiful German historian all made for a fairly good read.

Marx’s General: The Revolutionary Life of Friedrich Engels Tristram Hunt
Excellent biography of Engels, well written and full of important information. It was an exemplary life as well as revolutionary. Wish I were more like him in several ways. And he had a huge impact on human history. Really enjoyable and profitable.