Mann’s earlier work, 1491: Revelations of America Before Columbus, was published in 2005, and warranted immediate accolades. 1491 combines groundbreaking research, and findings from several fields of study to construct a book that will forever change your perception of the native people of North America, and your reaction to European colonization that all but decimated the native populations everywhere they went. Seeing as most people are familiar with Columbus’s actual voyage to America, and because there is already a book out entitled 1492, Mann’s next installment begins after Columbus and his crew set foot on the North American continent for the first time.

Discoveries regarding the economic, human, and agricultural ramifications of Columbus’s voyage by researchers, archaeologists, historians, and geologists have all been compiled within the dense novel. Mann, however, does not present a book full of dull research and beige sets of facts. Mann uses the information to construct an epic history of all human society that can all be traced back to Christopher Columbus and the establishment of a revolutionary world market known as the Columbian Exchange, and how remnants of that exchange alone can be seen in most locations around the world today.

The Columbian Exchange is based on the idea of “Recreating Pangaea,” or reuniting all of the continents through exploration, settlement, and trade, as they once were 250 million years ago when all continents were one. The economic exchange began with the trade of sugar, silver, slaves, and spices between the Americas and Europe. Later on, even more familiar products like wheat and coffee moved in the opposite direction. Diseases, plants, animal, and even insects traveled along these same routes, marking the very first step toward a shared global economy and experience, much like what we have today.

Some of Mann’s most fascinating points include the discovery that Africans, rather than Europeans, were some of the first immigrants to the Americas, and even beat most of the Europeans across the landmass by years. Even earthworms were brought from the soils of Europe to the New World. Mann expresses that Columbus’s explorations had infinite ramifications and can be traced to events and products on all corners of the globe. Even for non-historians, 1493 provides original insights into Columbus’s initial explorations, as well as the way he shaped human history as we know it.

Laura Hillenbrand

Her next book was Unbroken, the biography of the World War II hero Louis Zamperini, published in 2010. If you haven’t heard of Zamperini, then you’re missing out on quite the story. In his youth, Zamperini (now 95 and an international speaker) was a top runner, with a four-minute mile in his sights and an eighth place finish in the 5k at the 1936 Berlin Olympics under his belt. When the war came around, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces. He survived a crash that stranded three of the eleven aboard the plane on a raft for 47 days at sea. And let’s just say that there’s more to the story, but I’ll let Hillenbrand do the rest of the narration for Zamperini’s truly astounding tale. This is truly a story you don’t want to miss.
Hillenbrand has been living with a debilitating condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which caused her to cut her college studies short. She is rarely able to leave her home due to her CFS. When asked by the Washington Post (see the article here) to comment on the irony of writing about such physical feats given her own physical state, Hillenbrand revealed what sets her apart from other authors. Her own physical incapacity gives her the drive to escape intellectually; describing another person’s physical accomplishments is her way of “living vicariously.” So that’s how she became a storyteller of nonfiction like no other before her.

Through My Eyes

Yet, Tim Tebow would have never been such a famous figure in football without the decision first made by his parents. The book starts out with his parents’ decision to give birth to their son instead of following the suggestion of doctors to abort him. It is this beginning that has set the stage for his life.

His parents grew up on a farm; from them he received an education and learned the value of hard work, persistence, and his faith. When Tim wanted to become a quarterback, his father supported his dreams and found a team that would play him in that position. It was through his family’s support and his faith that he achieved his dream of becoming a quarterback in the NFL.

Most of the football in the book takes place during his time with the University of Central Florida Gators and his first year in the NFL with the Denver Broncos. While he wasn’t as famous as he is now during this time in his life, he already had his faith.

Perhaps, that is what makes this book so unique. Tim Tebow isn’t afraid of making faith a part of his life or revealing how it influenced him. The book isn’t preachy at all and doesn’t try to convert anyone. It is a story of inspiration and his influences in life. His faith is as much a part of as his life as football is.

That being said, there are those who won’t particularly care for a story that has tones of Christianity in it. But that is a part of who Tim Tebow is and he is not ashamed of it.

While it is a inspirational story, if you are a critic or not a fan of Christianity, than you probably won’t like this book. Otherwise, it is one you should add to your collection.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

What this book is really is a memoir of Amy Chua’s experiences raising her daughters. It recounts the parenting tactics that she used to get her daughters to practice the piano. Oddly enough, she also tells about her dogs, which makes the book a little weird. Pretty much all is about the music and the dogs. The other stuff is just background.

The main reason that this has stirred up so many comments is that she relates this style of parenting to a “Chinese parenting style” while, really, it is Amy Chua’s parenting style. This classification has drawn a lot of criticism from Chinese and Asian parents who are adamantly opposed to some of the tactics she used to get her children to practice, such as withholding dinner for an inordinately long period of time.

The book is certainly self-involved and the writing clearly reflects that. It tends to come off as self-centered and selfish at times — like when she refuses to let the children spend time with their grandmother. It also tends to be honest, and she does put herself out there.

This book will certainly insult more than a few parents, especially those of Chinese descent. While there are some good points and maybe a lesson or two to learn, the book is far too self-involved to be a parenting guide. In fact, it is more an example of what not to do as a parent than it is about what to do as a parent.

If you want to see what the controversy is all about, get a copy from the library. Other than the curiosity factor, there really isn’t much reason to add this book to your collection.

Night is a complete portrayal of Wiesel’s experiences and survival within the Holocaust. Be warned though, it is written in the first person, which effectively brings the reader into the horrors of the Holocaust as if standing right next to Wiesel in the concentration camps. It is anything but an easy read. The story begins with a short background of Wiesel’s Polish-Jewish roots, as well as his childhood. Wiesel was a particularly intelligent, motivated, and fervently Jewish young man, which is seen in his close relations with his family, community, and the synagogue in the 1940’s. As a teenager, Wiesel writes of being forcibly moved into the Warsaw Ghetto, where he began to feel the horrifying effects of the Nazi regime firsthand. Next are the absolutely agonizing chapters in which Wiesel describes the arduous train ride to Auschwitz concentration camp, and the helplessness of the Jews in the situation.

Upon arrival at Auschwitz, the horrors of selection, the gas chambers, and the crematoria are described in colorful and gut-wrenching detail to the reader. At the Buna Concentration Camp, Wiesel’s descriptions evoke feelings so strong from the reader that it may as well be happening right in front of their own eyes. Imagine watching your family, friends, and innocent children suffer the inhumanity of the camps. Wiesel survived the camps through a series of events that can be attributed to nothing more than “dumb luck.” It is amazing to read his near-death experiences, and then sit in awe at his bravery, strength, and his faith. The spiritual and emotional depth in the book are only two of the reasons why Night has become a modern classic.

Night is not an easy read, emotionally, but takes about 3-4 hours to read the entire work. Although it may not be your first choice, it is an important story that the world must never forget. It remains relevant even today, with the horrific genocides currently occurring in Africa, rivaled only by the events that Wiesel portrays in his memoir. I was required to read it for a Judaism class, but found the lessons in Night applicable to someone of any race, religion, or nationality. Wiesel wrote Night as a reminder of what humanity is capable of, and we must never forget. And although not easy “beach” reading, Night is a classic that is a must-have for any book collection. Also, it can be found for under $10 online and at most bookstores.

The Zombie Survival Guide

The book begins by analyzing the zombies themselves. After all, you have to know how a zombie thinks or doesn’t think about when facing one. It is an essential part of learning how to survive in a world when the zombies do attack.

Included in the book is an in-depth analysis of potential weapons to be used against the zombie. Each weapon’s advantages and disadvantages are discussed so that you can make the best choices when it comes to defending your family. While it maybe a little hard to carry a flame thrower, don’t underestimate the power of a good blade, even though it can get a little messy.

Fighting the zombies is only a partial element of this book. You also have to know where to hide when the numbers become overwhelming, and places to avoid. But most importantly, you have to know what exactly to do after an attack when things are very chaotic. Preparation is the key to survival in an any apocalyptic zombie world.

This book is a serious look into what to do about a zombie invasion. But what makes this book really fun and satirical is that it treats the threat of zombies as a serious matter.

Making number three on the New York Times’ Bestseller Nonfiction list isn’t much of a surprise. The book is well written and basically fun to read. If you thought you knew everything about zombies from video games, well there are a couple of things still left to learn about them.

Bottom line, you should buy this book if you have any interest in surviving a zombie attack or just love pure satire. You can also get this book from the library or borrow from it a friend.

Being George Washington

In this book, the focus is more on the leadership that George Washington displayed as America’s first President, and on the way there. The major point of the story is to show how George Washington was able to be a great President during the turmoil of early America, the time of period when America was fighting the British in an effort to become its own country.

While there is some history to the book, not all of it is entirely accurate. Many of the inaccuracies come during the descriptions of the battles. If you want to understand the battles fought against the British, then you should pick up a different book. This book doesn’t dig in much depth into the history of those battles. Instead, it takes more of a creative approach to the battle scenes.

There is a problem with cohesion in the book. While it follows George Washington’s life, it tends to jump around between some idealized notions of what was in people’s heads, a little bit of history, and Washington’s leadership skills. There is too heavy of an emphasis on the leadership skills, and the whole book is a bit unbalanced in this regard.

The message of the book isn’t bad. If you are looking for what qualities  helped George Washington on his journey and while he was President, then the book delivers on that score. After all, it is about the things that made George Washington a great leader.

In truth, it is more of a storybook with a sprinkling of facts rather than a full-blown history book. There is just too much subjective speculation on what thoughts were in people’s minds to take this book as an accurate accounting of history.

As usual, if you like Glenn Beck, you will probably understand his intent with this book. Otherwise, you won’t find much other than another spin on George Washington.

End of Everything–Megan Abbott. This book centers on the friendship of two 13-year-old girls who live in peaceful and perfect suburban America. A few weeks before their eighth grade graduation, one of the girls abruptly disappears. The other friend becomes the star witness, and gets caught up in all of the attention, as evil is happening all around.

The Marriage Plot–Jeffrey Eugenides. Set in the early 1980s, this is a revitalized and re-energized bildungsroman meant for the 21st century. A recent college grad must choose between two men, who are both equally plagued with character flaws. This book follows the basic model of past coming of age stories, but has found plenty of new ways to complicate it.

State of Wonder–Ann Patchett. This novel has been acclaimed for being just plain amazing. Two dynamic female characters traverse the rainforest together, as a scientist from Minnesota is sent to find another American scientist who has “gone native” on a research mission to extend female fertility.

There but for the–Ali Smith. After a dinner party one night, a guest goes upstairs, and locks himself in the spare bedroom — for several months. Some serious issues currently facing the UK are discussed, and the story is narrated by four characters. Smith’s playful and unique style earns this book a top ranking.

Swamplandia–Karen Russell. This book has received much praise in the last few months, and for good reason. The inventive language and style Russell uses beautifully weave the story of a young girl who is trying to preserve her family’s way of life deep within the mangrove jungle of the Everglades.

11/22/63–Stephen King. King’s newest novel features a diner in Maine that allows an English teacher to go back in time to 1958 to stop Lee Harvey Oswald from assassinating Kennedy. This novel reminds us of the terrifying nature of time.

The Tiger’s Wife–Tea Obreht. Obreht has created a story surrounding a young doctor who blends her grandfather’s folk tales with stories of her own upbringing to tell a spellbinding story of the Balkan conflict.

A World on Fire–Amanda Foreman. Foreman gives the reader a giant and vibrant roster of characters and wildly vivid descriptions in a brilliant examination of the battle between Britain and the side it took during the Civil War.

Hemingway’s Boat–Paul Hendrickson. Hendrickson writes a biography of Hemingway by focusing on his greatest companion in Key West: his boat. The stories are rich and vivid and present Hemingway’s life in an absolutely unique format.

The Secret Mistress–Mary Balogh. Throw away your cheap and trashy romance novel for this tale of a noble debutante and an earl who is anything but suave. The period details are superb, and the characters flawless.

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom

The cover picture shows one of the more unique friendships of a dove and monkey embracing. What is remarkable is that the dove stays put while the monkey lays down its head down in a form of embrace. It is a pairing that is quite unexpected in the animal kingdom.

Among other stories are those of motherless babies — like a leopard finding comfort by sleeping with a calf. These stories show motherhood can triumph over the instinctive nature of two animals that would normally be enemies.

It is a cute book for kids and would make a very good gift for kids who love animals. The animals are quite cute. The stories that go along with them are very inspiring. Young kids will appreciate the pictures even if they can’t read the stories that accompany them.

Any animal lover will like this unique insight into nature. The color pictures are appealing portraits of  moments in the animals’ friendships.

It is a fairly quick read since the stories themselves aren’t that long. You will spend more time looking at the pictures than reading the actual stories. But they are a good accompaniment to the photographs and explain how the relationships came to be.

This is a very good gift book for friends and family. They will love the sentiment behind the friendships of the animals and perhaps learn a few things that they didn’t know.

While there are the expected cat and dog friendships that have been seen before, there are a few surprises in store for the readers. Look for discounts when buying this book.

With nine sassy chapters (including my one of favorites, titled: “The Only Thing You Should Ever Fake… Being A Domestic Goddess”), Jane sheds lights on how to handle any situation life throws at you, whether it be a flat tire, a fashion emergency (the stain removal guide is basically my Bible), or whipping up a gourmet dinner for unexpected guests. She teaches you how to keep up with the boys while still remaining a lady, how to nail that dream job, and how to manage your life without going into debt.

I enjoy reading through the book when I have free time just for the tips in the margins. I’m a sucker for useless trivia, so I loved these little facts that I’ll be able to pull out of nowhere someday. When my roommates and I had minor emergencies and wanted to handle them on our own (read: not running to our cell phones to call our parents!) I’d consult Jane’s guide. For example, when my roommate left her light on in her car… and woke up to a dead battery. Luckily we had jumper cables, but we didn’t know if it went red-then-black or black-then-red. I suppose we could have Googled it, but having it handy in a book saved us that time.

While some of these tips could certainly be considered a little old-fashioned (the etiquette chapter for instance, though I’d argue that being polite never goes out of style!) and some may seem excessive (I know I certainly can’t afford to stock a full bar just to satisfy any guest’s needs!), many of them are classic tips and tricks of the trade. Jane’s tongue-in-cheek commentary is clever, creative, and empowering.

The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life is definitely a great idea for a upcoming holiday present for your favorite modern girl!