The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It by Richard Hofstadter (Vintage, $15). These brilliantly crafted and iconoclastic biographical essays illuminate important American political figures, including FDR, Wilson, TR, Lincoln, and the Founders. A classic by a great historian.
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Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision by Roberta Wohlstetter (Stanford, $28). Anyone who believes that public officials can safely guard against surprise attacks—or terrorism—will do well to read this book, a highly informed account of the formidable obstacles to the gathering and analysis of intelligence about Japanese intentions prior to Pearl Harbor.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (Picador, $14). A moving recent novel that captures the emotions and concerns of an Iowa man in the 1950s; from there it transports us imaginatively to the rural worlds of his father and grandfather, who fought in the Civil War. Robinson is wonderful at evoking the time and place of her characters.
The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe (Bantam, $15). This is Wolfe at his best. The book, focusing on America’s early space program, is more broadly a shrewd, often hilariously funny commentary on American culture in the 1950s.
U.S.A. by John Dos Passos (Library of America, $40). A trilogy of innovative novels by one of America’s leading writers of the 1920s and ’30s. They offer a dazzling, often deeply critical view of American life—as well as impressionistic brief biographies of important early-20th-century figures.
From Jim Crow to Civil Rights: The Supreme Court and the Struggle for Racial Equality
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Dozens dead as typhoon slams PhilippinesSpeed Read The storm ravaged the island of Cebu
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Democrats sweep top races in off-year electionSpeed Read A trio of nationally watched races went to the party
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Political cartoons for November 5Cartoons Wednesday’s political cartoons include five little piggies, narcoterrorist boats, the wealth divide, and more
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Beth Macy’s 6 favorite books about living in a divided nationFeature The journalist recommends works by Nicholas Buccola, Matthew Desmond, and more
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Gilbert King’s 6 favorite books about the search for justiceFeature The journalist recommends works by Bryan Stevenson, David Grann, and more
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Nathan Harris’ 6 favorite books that turn adventures into revelationsFeature The author recommends works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McGuire, and more
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Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetimeFeature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
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Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytellingFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
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Elizabeth Gilbert’s favorite books about women overcoming difficultiesFeature The author recommends works by Tove Jansson, Lauren Groff, and more
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Fannie Flagg’s 6 favorite books that sparked her imaginationFeature The author recommends works by Johanna Spyri, John Steinbeck, and more
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Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is moreFeature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more
