Driven West: Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears to the Civil War   A. J. Langguth
Horrifying, difficult to read, history of the forced expulsion of the five “civilized” Amerindian tribes, especially the Cherokees, from the United States for only two simple reasons: greed and racism. Andrew Jackson is an even worse figure than I thought he was. As usual, Langguth’s prose is engaging, and this time his history is more thorough and less episodic. Learned a lot about the Cherokees. Very informative about a tragic, and shameful American history. Really liked it.

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex   Nathaniel Philbrick
Another pretty interesting, though bloated, history of a single event, this time the sinking of an American whaleship by an enraged sperm whale in 1819. It captured Americans’ interest so much that both Poe and Melville wrote novels about it. Some interesting facts such as the information about Nantucket society, that 4/5ths of all whaling was done by American ships. Didn’t really like it that much.


What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848   Daniel Walker Howe
Detailed, thorough, over 800-page history of crucial decades in the development of the United States as a nation. Not as interested in the extensive details about political maneuvering and religious intensity, but they were, indeed, part of the time. Strange final chapter on the beginnings of feminism that seemed like a current academic requirement rather than an actual history of the period. Even with the stiff, rather lifeless prose, a lot of good information. Really glad I read it.

Genesis   Bernard Beckett
Quick, pretty enjoyable science fiction novel about a young scholar’s entrance examination for The Academy in a far future society. Even though it is well-written in excellent prose, the narrative format got a little tedious. The twist at the end is the only thing that saved it.

Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson   David S. Reynolds
Interesting, well-written history of the United States from 1815-1848. Reynolds covers all the main topics, economy, religion, society, and even intellectual and artistic development, with all the culprits and heroes. Very good survey of the period. Enjoyed it.

Gene Mapper   Taiyo Fujii
Entertaining and highly intelligent science fiction novel about bio-terrorism in a future with distilled crops. A lot of detailed information about the technology, especially genetics and the ubiquitous augmented reality. The plot is really secondary, and the relationships of the characters are very Japanese, felt like an anime at the end. Enjoyed it.

Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan   Mizuki Shigeru
Third volume of Mizuki’s brilliant manga history of the Showa period of Japanese history. This volume covers Mizuki’s incredible survival of the war and his postwar struggles to survive at home and find a profession. What an interesting life in a period I already knew a lot about, fascinated by every frame. Couldn’t put it down.

Showa 1939-1944: A History of Japan   Mizuki Shigeru
Second volume of Mizuki’s brilliant manga history of the Showa period of Japanese history. Framed on his autobiography as well. Covers the Pacific war and his action in it. Deeply horrifying and sad. Really good, liked getting a Japanese perspective on the battles. On to the next one.

Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815   Gordon S. Wood
Another outstanding work of history writing by Wood. Filled with immense amounts of information about the crucial beginning 26 years of the American republic’s politics, economics, law, religion, society. Highly intelligent analysis, very well written, well presented. This is what all history writing should be like. Really learned a lot. Loved it.

Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan   Mizuki Shigeru
Mizuki’s brilliant manga history of the Showa period of Japanese history. Framed on his autobiography as well. Graphics range from cartoonish simplicity to complex historical realism. Tone is forthright and cynical. Deeply enjoyable and informative. Loved it. On to the next one.

Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence   A. J. Langguth
Engaging and informative history of the war of 1812. Like Langguth’s other histories, it is very well written. At times, I couldn’t put it down. Covers enough of the causes and circumstances leading up to war to be very useful. Also liked the very interesting chapter on the war’s aftermath.

Unidentified Woman #15   David Housewright
Latest of Housewright’s McKenzie novels, an entertaining thriller set in these Twin Cities about a ring of shoplifters who get involved in blackmail and murder. Liked the opening, some characterization, pretty good plot with a tiny twist, and invisible prose that moves nicely. Easy, fairly good escape. Not sure whether I’ll read another in the series, or not.

Field of Prey   John Sandford
Enjoyable Lucas Davenport police procedural about the search for a serial killer in tiny Holbein, Minnesota. As always, Sandford’s prose pulls you right along, unconstrained by characterization or reflection, all plot, with some good cop banter, and gruesome and graphic violence to season it. I stopped reading this series after about the first 10 because I no longer liked Davenport, but liked this one enough that I might read the next one. Adequate escape.