Japan 1941: Countdown to Infamy   Eri Hotta
Detailed history of the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor that precipitated the Pacific war. Good background on the political and historical events that led to the disastrous decision. Hotta is extremely critical of the men whose fantasies started the war and nearly led to Japan’s destruction. A lot of detail about the conflicts between those who wanted to avoid war and those who wanted war. Very sad reading about all the miscalculations and hubris that led to such profound misery and suffering, especially for the Japanese. Prose is a little academically sterile, but the book is informative and well done. Glad I read it.

Night School   Lee Child
Latest in the Reacher series, number 21, all of which I have read. This time he’s in Germany in the 1990s trying to stop a sale to terrorists. The same quick, sharp-edged prose, intelligence, and just enough narrative tension for a deeply entertaining read. Once again, though, the female sexual interest seems contrived, and a couple of things Reacher knows seem improbable. But a very fun read, once again. Enjoyed it.

The Windup Girl   Paolo Bacigalupi
This novel is so beautifully written, so well imagined, that it’s difficult for me to say anything meaningful about it. In a wholly believable future devastated by genetically altered disease and climate warming, political, technological, genetic, and biological conflict propels the very-interesting characters toward the overwhelming conclusion. See, told you I couldn’t find anything to say. Emiko is the windup girl of the title, and she survives. Loved this book, wish it hadn’t ended.

The Dream of the Golden Mountains: Remembering the 1930s   Malcolm Cowley
Beautifully written, insightful memoir of the 1930s while Cowley worked as an editor at The New Republic. Chapter one is an outstanding overview of the social situation of the Great Depression. Excellent description of the enticements of Communism for intellectuals, especially writers, of the period. Interesting account of Cowley’s involvement with the Harlan County coal strike. The chapter “Grass Grew in the Streets” is a fascinating depiction of the things people did to get by, especially in the early years of the depression. This is an excellent depiction of the literary, intellectual 1930s in the United States. Made me wish we were still like that. The few insertions of purely personal history worked very well. I loved this book.

Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945   David M. Kennedy
Detailed political history of the United States through the depression and WWII. Very thorough, balanced account of The New Deal, but disappointingly meager information on the actual American people, subtitle should read “The American Government in depression and war”, there’s no social or intellectual history at all. Interesting historical, political, and economic assessment of The New Deal. Good chapter on the buildup to war. Fascinating account of the contortions the Roosevelt administration went through to aid Great Britain while remaining “neutral.” The war is described in only broad strokes and emphasizes major encounters, political as well as military, and Kennedy kind of skips around. Language is a little too flowery for a serious history book, which this is, but that’s not really a criticism. Overall disappointing because even after 858 pages and with all the facts he presents, my understanding of the 16 momentous years described did not grow at all. Too bad.

Dust to Eat: Drought and Depression in the 1930s   Michael L. Cooper
Brief but excellent history of the conditions of the depression and dust bowl in the 1930s, and the resulting migration of hundreds of thousands of people to California. Clear, simple prose highlighted by excellent Dorothea Lange photographs. Not a lot of detail, but good broad strokes for an effective overview. Goes well with my other reading on the period.