Proof: The Art and Science of Certainty (Adam Kucharski)

In Proof: The Art and Science of Certainty, author Adam Kucharski examines the foundations of how we know what we know - whether in mathematics, science, law, or everyday life. Best known for his work on epidemics and data modeling, Kucharski turns his attention to the tools that are used in an attempt to build certainty in a world full of ambiguity. Proof is a thoughtful, timely, and accessible exploration of logic, probability, and the shifting nature of truth.

Kucharski begins with the roots of deductive reasoning and formal proof, tracing their development from Euclid to modern mathematics. From those initial foundations, Kucharski then explores how different domains such as medicine, justice, technology apply (or misapply) various forms of reasoning in pursuit of certainty. Case studies, such as flawed forensic methods or overconfident algorithms, reveal just how fragile “proof” can be when misused.

While at times Proof can get a bit technical and wonky for those who are not math or science-inclined, the book is refreshingly honest about the limits of certainty. Kucharski is candid about how rigorous methods can produce false confidence when context is ignored. Proof is not just about logic or math. It’s about trust, evidence, and the human desire to be sure. In an age of misinformation, Kucharski offers a toolkit we badly need.

MY RATING: 4

Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World (Tim Bouverie)

In Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World,  author Tim Bouverie explores one of the most consequential partnerships of the 20th century: the fraught alliance between Winston Churchill (Great Britain), Franklin D. Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) during World War II. Bouverie focuses on the inner tensions and political maneuverings that shaped the Allied war effort and ultimately the postwar world.

Much of Allies at War is devoted to the personalities and backstories of Churchill, FDR, and Stalin, plus the ministers that worked for them. Bouverie delves deep into the ego clashes, mistrust, and miscommunication that characterized the “Big Three,” revealing how mutual suspicion, especially between the Western leaders and Stalin, often complicated military and diplomatic strategy. Naivety in understanding the Soviet Union’s political and military motives also played a role in how their partnership developed and ultimately fizzled. Churchill emerges as the emotional, often stubborn statesman; Roosevelt as the charming but at times naive optimist; and Stalin as the cold, calculating tactician with his own brutal vision for Europe.

Bouverie’s book weaves together military history with political drama. Drawing on a wide array of primary sources, he manages to balance narrative momentum with analytical insight, offering a nuanced portrait of how this uneasy alliance held together just long enough to defeat Hitler, before breaking apart into the Cold War divide. Allies at War offers a very good study of the limits and necessities of diplomacy in an era of global crisis. It is well-suited for students of WWII and international relations.

MY RATING: 4.5

The Last Days of Budapest: The Destruction of Europe's Most Cosmopolitan Capital in World War II (Adam LeBor)

In The Last Days of Budapest: The Destruction of Europe’s Most Cosmopolitan Capital in World War II, author Adam LeBor offers a powerful and deeply researched account of Hungary’s descent into chaos during the war Focusing on Budapest from 1940 to 1945, LeBor begins with the city’s period of deceptive calm before chronicling its tragic descent into anarchy, murder, and brutal fighting during 1944 and early 1945.

The book explores how Hungary, initially a reluctant ally of Nazi Germany, slowly surrendered to growing antisemitism and authoritarianism. LeBor pays special attention to Regent Miklos Horthy, who resisted deporting Hungary’s Jews for a time, but ultimately lost control when German troops invaded in March 1944. Hungary was absorbed gradually into Germany’s political orbit because of Germany’s promises of restoring lost territory in the aftermath of World War I but also due to its own antisemitic undercurrent in politics with a series of laws limiting Jewish representation in a number of professions. Horthy’s ambivalence and dithering as a leader is one of the key takeaways from this book, as LeBor points out there were numerous opportunities for Horthy to cut deals to switch sides in World War II or to remain neutral before being pulled into the war during 1940.

LeBor details both acts of courage, like those of diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, and horrifying cruelty, especially during the reign of the Arrow Cross militia, which deposed Horthy in October 1944. These fanatical fascists unleashed brutal violence, executing Jews on the banks of the Danube and terrorizing the city during the siege of 1944-45.

At just over 500 pages, The Last Days of Budapest is a gripping and sobering read. It’s essential reading for anyone interested in how quickly a country can descend into lawlessness and anarchy and in the human cost of indifference and extremism. 

MY RATING: 4.5

The Young Fed: The Banking Crises of the 1920s and the Making of a Lender of Last Resort (Mark Carlson)

In The Young Fed: The Banking Crises of the 1920s and the Making of a Lender of Last Resort, author Mark Carlson offers a well-researched account of the Federal Reserve’s handling of the twin challenges of agricultural downturns and banking panics in the 1920s. Rooted in extensive archival work, Carlson traces the evolution of the Fed’s role as a “lender of last resort,” a function that was never static but continually redefined based on circumstance and regional bank policy.

What stands out is Carlson’s vivid portrayal of early interventions, ranging from dramatic cash‑loaded armored cars dispatched to regional banks to discreet negotiations aimed at preventing a bank run from becoming more widespread. These episodes reveal an institution in experimentation mode, debating the limits of its mandate and tactical reach. Carlson also doesn’t shy away from complexity. He details how, during the recovery-driven 1920s, some Fed “discount window” lending resulted in losses. In one instance, cattle that were held as collateral and ultimately taken from some failed ranch banks ended up burdening reserve banks with unwieldy assets. Some of these teachable moments helped shape the gradual direction of the Fed.

One could argue that the whack-a-mole strategy that unfolded in the 1920s was unable to mitigate wider Depression-era bank runs. Decisions in the 1920s were often made at regional or even local Fed levels, and a more unified strategy on dealing with bank crises was still some time off. However, the evolution of the Fed was due in large part to those smaller 1920s-era panics and what was learned from them. 

The Young Fed leans academic and a bit wonky on the economics and policy side. However, for those interested in banking history in the United States, this book is a cautionary tale about risk and crisis management in the financial sector.

MY RATING: 4.5

The Power of Cash: Why Using Paper Money is Good for You and Society (Jay L. Zagorsky)

In The Power of Cash: Why Using Paper Money Is Good for You and Society, author Jay L. Zagorsky offers a strong defense of physical currency in an increasingly digital world. Drawing from his extensive research as a Boston University economist, Zagorsky examines the overlooked consequences of a cashless society.

The book highlights several critical issues. First, financial inclusion; approximately six million U.S. households are unbanked, and many others are underbanked. Millions more are unbanked around the world. For these individuals, cash is often the only accessible means of transaction. Eliminating cash could marginalize these groups further. Privacy concerns are discussed. Digital transactions can compromise personal privacy, as they are often tracked and analyzed by corporations and governments. Cash transactions, in contrast, offer a level of anonymity.

Zagorsky’s strongest argument for cash resides with economic resilience. Relying solely on digital payment systems makes the economy vulnerable to cyberattacks and infrastructure failures. Cash provides a backup during such crises. Pro tip: If you don’t have money stored in a safe place for use in case of an emergency, it might not be a bad idea to do so. It may not do much good in a zombie apocalypse, but in case of a hurricane, earthquake, or other natural disaster, cash could come in very handy.

The Power of Cash blends academic insights with real-world examples. The author doesn't advocate for abandoning digital payments outright but emphasizes the importance of maintaining cash as a viable option. He believes that one should continue to use cash regularly to ensure its continued availability and to support a more inclusive and resilient financial system.

MY RATING: 4.5

India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent (Audrey Truschke)

In India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent, author Audrey Truschke offers a brisk, yet comprehensive journey through South Asian history, providing an accessible and intelligent account of the region's vast and diverse past. The book’s timeline spans from the Indus Valley civilization through the modern era.

Throughout the book, Truschke refers to India in the context of the Indian subcontinent, which includes modern Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, parts of Afghanistan and Burma, as well as nearby Sri Lanka. She emphasizes the region's pluralism, noting India was and is a multiethnic region that has spent more of history in smaller regional states than larger nation-states. She integrates both textual and material evidence, drawing from a range of sources to present a multifaceted view of the subcontinent’s rich history. 

From a general history perspective, Truschke shares India’s history with relative fairness and balance, albeit with some frank commentary woven in at times. On the whole, Truschke's India serves as a solid resource for those seeking an introduction to South Asian history from a scholarly perspective.

MY RATING: 4

Mark Twain (Ron Chernow)

Ron Chernow’s Mark Twain is an exhaustive and nuanced portrait of one of America’s most iconic figures, Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Chernow traces Twain’s evolution from a mischievous child in Missouri to a global literary celebrity and cultural critic. This biography is meticulously researched, drawing from a wealth of personal letters, unpublished manuscripts, and historical records, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of Twain's multifaceted life.

Chernow explores Twain's early career as a riverboat pilot, his rise as a humorist and author, and his later years marked by personal tragedies and financial mishaps. The biography also critically examines Twain's complex views on race, his evolving political consciousness, and his relationships with family and friends. 

Excluding the index, the book checks in at over 1,030 pages. At times, the granular detail of all things Twain borders on overkill. As someone who has read Hamilton and Washington cover to cover, I felt Chernow at times was stretching and adding too much author analysis where none was necessary. Despite this, the depth and breadth of Chernow's research makes the book a valuable resource for readers interested in a very, very thorough exploration of Twain's legacy. 

MY RATING: 4