Bad Stories by Steve Almond

June 13, 2018

Although it sounds like fiction (and I wish it was), Steve Almond’s Bad Stories is actually nonfiction. For himself, for his journalism students, and for other befuddled voters, Almond analyzes what went wrong in the last presidential election. Almond examines...

Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden

November 19, 2017

Cancer is such a pernicious disease. There isn’t one of us who hasn’t been touched by it, or knows someone who has. Joe Biden’s book, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose, is the story of the year the Biden family stood with...

Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews

November 12, 2017

“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” – Aeschylus This was part of Robert Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis when...

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco

April 17, 2017

I’m the wrong demographic for Alyssa Mastromonaco’s story of her time working for Barack Obama, in his Senate office, his political campaigns, and the White House. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? is subtitled “And Other Questions You Should...

…and His Lovely Wife by Connie Schultz

January 03, 2016

Connie Schultz’ memoir, a book that came out in 2007, wrapped up 2015 perfectly for me. …and His Lovely Wife is the story of the journalist’s year on the campaign trail, the year she gave up her career to support and campaign for her new husband,...