The Jackal’s Share   Christopher Morgan Jones
Beautifully written, intelligent, and entertaining novel about the investigation of a man who wants to be proven above reproach. Not even close. The investigator gets into violent confrontations and political intrigue with the Iranian secret police. While the bad guy needed more development, this was an entertaining and rewarding read. Really enjoyed it.

Banquet at Delmonico's: The Gilded Age and the Triumph of Evolution in America   Barry Werth
Engaging and informative intellectual history of the general adoption of the concept of Spencer’s notion of “the survival of the fittest” in the United States. Follows the lives and intellectual development of the eminent thinkers and personalities who spoke at the late-1882 banquet, as well as Spencer himself. Good history of the period as well as the influence of the concept. Excellent read.

The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn  

Nathaniel Philbrick
At turns compelling and stuffed with useless facts, Philbrick explores the epic imagery and facts of Custer’s fateful battle on the Little Big Horn river. I was much more interested in the Amer-Indian histories than the military rivalries and infighting, but both are well documented. I think Philbrick’s proposed reconstruction of the demise of Custer’s command is plausible. Found Sitting Bull a much better man and leader than Custer. Pretty good book.

Quarry’s Cut   Max Allan Collins
Brief, entertaining 1977 novel about the hit man turned killer of hit men. This time Quarry is snowbound in a mostly-abandoned hotel with the small crew of a porn shoot. Some twists, some skin, violence, and a little sex. Collins’s clean, crisp style and Quarry’s no-nonsense pursuit made it worthwhile. Pretty good distraction.

Age of Betrayal: The Triumph of Money in America, 1865-1900   Jack Beatty
Very well written (e.g., “the Populists sought to pull the New Deal through the sleeve of time”), well-researched, highly intelligent, and erudite history of the United States in the last third of the 19^th century. Interesting emphasis on Tom Scott’s unacknowledged place in financial and political corruption. Gripping accounts of the horrors of southern “redemption,” the Great Railroad and Homestead strikes, and the People’s Party juxtaposed against the conspicuous and disgusting opulence of the moneyed class. Really enjoyed the uncompromising, accurate point of view. This is a very good book.

Chomsky for Beginners   David Cogswell
Introduction to Chomsky’s intellectual contributions to linguistics and political analysis of American politics. Enjoyed the valuable introduction to Chomsky’s linguistics ideas, but the analysis of Chomsky’s theories about the media and politics seemed strained and out of date, especially media. Maybe it’s because I’ve already read several books by Chomsky himself. Not very good, too bad.

American Colossus: The Triumph of Capitalism, 1865-1900   H.W. Brands
Economic history describing the explosion of American capitalism through the gilded age to the end of the 19^th century. Excellent distilled explanation of the attempts at economic reconstruction of the south after the Civil War, and the economics of the conquering of the peoples and spaces of the great plains. Interesting accounts of the waves of immigration, the complete corruption of the political system by all the money, the urges to imperialism, and the ongoing conflict between capitalism and democracy during this period. Very good.

Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877   Eric Foner
Extremely-detailed, scholarly, highly-intelligent history of the attempts to reconstruct the defeated confederacy as part of the greater United States and create a new social order with Negro equality in the conquered states. The failure to do so, caused by racism, in the north as well as the south, incompetence, greed, political infighting, and economic depression, spawned the deeply depressing and revolting institutionalization of illegitimate white supremacy that lasted a century. Very good, essential but depressing read.