A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century

On January 20, 2019 By upstateasbIn Biography, History, NonfictionLeave a comment

Great lives eulogized by Mr. W.F. Buckley, Jr., himself a true Renaissance man, and collected here for us by James Rosen. These artful essays are shaped by Buckley’s unique intelligence and insights and, to quote Mr. Rosen, his “…oceanic view of the world…”. With elegance, humor, irony and his hellacious vocabulary, Mr. Buckley shares with us the famous and infamous, friends and family, presidents and artists, the sanctified and the damned. From those who changed the course of history to history’s footnotes, praise is given, puffery is punctured, evil is recognized….according to Mr. Buckley.

Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to me by Crown Publishing / Crown Forum via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher and the author for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

The Trial of Lizzie Borden: A True Story

On January 19, 2019March 15, 2019 By upstateasbIn American History, Biography, History, Nonfiction, True CrimeLeave a comment

Meticulously researched, carefully crafted and no detail is overlooked. Particularly loved the commentary of the journalists attending the trial. But did she or didn’t she? I know what I think, but what I know for sure is as follows. It wasn’t 40 whacks or even 41. Lizzie bought herself a really nice house. She finally pissed off her sister, and she lived oddly ever after. With Boston terriers. And I know for sure that if it’s about Lizzie Borden, I’m all up in it. Enjoy.

Available now from your local indie bookstore or at Amazon.com.

Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to me by Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher and the author for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Kill ‘Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul

On January 18, 2019 By upstateasbIn Biography, History, Music, NonfictionLeave a comment

James Brown, a poor Southern black child with an instinctual genius for entertaining. He could make us “feel good” whether he did or not. An entertainer who came from, and through, desperate times and circumstances whose legacy and an estate are still under contention. James Brown is thoughtfully considered here by one of the best writers around today, James McBride (The Color of Water, The Good Lord Bird).

Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to me by Random House Publishing Group – Random House / Spiegel & Grau via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher and the author for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Wallis in Love: The Untold Life of the Duchess of Windsor, the Woman Who Changed the Monarchy

On January 18, 2019 By upstateasbIn Biography, History, NonfictionLeave a comment

He abdicated the throne for the woman he loved. Poor self-indulgent schmuck and self-centered schmuckess. Not to speak ill of the dead, of course, but, according to Andrew Morton, this was not the greatest love story of all time, not even since Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. For me, this was a good read at the right time.

Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to me by Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher and the author for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed herein are my own.