Life, Law & Liberty: A Memoir (Justice Anthony M. Kennedy)

In Life, Law & Liberty: A Memoir, former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy offers a reflective memoir that traces his life from his upbringing in Sacramento through decades of service in the federal court system. The narrative is grounded in the belief that judging must remain independent of politics, personal preference, and religious belief. He recounts several landmark decisions during his Supreme Court tenure on issues of marriage equality, free speech, and constitutional protections that placed him at the center of the Court’s evolution.

Kennedy brings humility and clarity to his book, inviting readers behind the scenes of judicial life rather than presenting a self-congratulatory account. He takes you through his beliefs on judicial thinking, how that shaped his family life, and generally tries to stay clear of discussing political ramifications for decisions that were made during his time on the Supreme Court. Kennedy’s book at times could read like a judicial ruling that he penned, lawyerly and scholarly but with precision and care for how he presented his words.

Overall, the memoir is compelling for those interested in the law, the judiciary, and the human side of constitutional decision-making. It balances personal story with institutional history, and although it may not satisfy all readers who want a memoir with more dirt, it offers a notable and very civil vantage on one of the pivotal legal careers of our time.

MY RATING: 4.5

Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock (Jonathan Gould)

In Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock, author Jonathan Gould provides a well-researched history of the Talking Heads and the downtown New York art-rock scene that nurtured them. From their scrappy beginnings at CBGB in the mid-1970s through their evolution into one of the most adventurous bands of the era, Gould weaves together biography, cultural history, and musical analysis. 

One of the book’s strengths is its sharp sense of time and place: the gritty streets of Lower Manhattan, the art school roots of the band, and the collision of punk, funk, and other influences. Gould paints a compelling backdrop for the band’s unconventional rise. Fans will appreciate the depth of detail, retelling how songs came about and the meaning of various lyrics. Gould artfully navigates the various phases of the band, such as the “Expanded Heads” that included a larger ensemble cast, as well as the band’s later phase that more resembled a pop rock band in the mid and late 80’s.

That said, the book is not without shortcomings. The fact that none of the core band members sat for interviews with the author leaves certain shadows and gaps. Gould often retells stories and patches together a narrative of the band’s unique interpersonal dynamic and its relationship with lead singer David Byrne. However, the book celebrates Talking Heads’ artistic ambition and how for a good decade they were on the forefront of progressive rock and new wave in the United States.

MY RATING: 4

1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation (Andrew Ross Sorkin)

In 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History–and How It Shattered a Nation, author Andrew Ross Sorkin retells the story of one of America’s greatest financial catastrophes. This book places the reader on the trading floor as the speculative boom of the mid-twenties collapses and the nation faces the onset of the Great Depression. Sorkin draws on newly accessible documents and minutes from board meetings to chart how debt, overconfidence, and poor governance combined to bring about the stock market crash. Sorkin traces the stories of several individuals, such as Sunshine Charley, throughout the market freefall and its aftermath.

The book’s fast pace also stretches beyond 1929, covering the run-up to the market crash and subsequent aftermath with equal treatment. While many argue the crash signaled the start of the Great Depression, Sorkin points out that it was just one signal of many that contributed to the financial disaster that gripped the world for much of the 1930’s. German debt, tariff protectionism, and a general carefree attitude to regulation all added fuel to the fire. Sorkin traces the bad decisions made by many both inside and outside of government in contributing to the financial mess that occurred nearly 100 years ago. 

1929 is a timely reminder that cycles of speculation repeat themselves (think .com bubble, the real estate pop in the 2000’s, and the meme stock bubble just several years ago) and that the belief that “this time is different” can spectacularly backfire. Sorkin has produced both a cautionary tale and a richly textured history. For anyone interested in markets, power, or the forces that shape economic collapse, this book warrants a place on the shelf.

MY RATING: 4.5

McNamara at War: A New History (Philip and William Taubman)

In McNamara at War: A New History, authors Philip and William Taubman offer a detailed and critical examination of Robert S. McNamara's role in shaping American military strategy during the Vietnam War. The authors bring a balanced perspective into McNamara's complex legacy, highlighting both his intellectual brilliance and his anguish over the decisions made during his tenure as Secretary of Defense. The book provides a fascinating look at the decision-making processes behind the escalation of the war and offers insight into McNamara’s personal struggles with the consequences of his actions.

Through interviews, documents, and historical analysis, the Taubmans portray McNamara as a figure driven by a belief in technological and rational solutions to warfare. However, they also show how these very ideals led to miscalculations and a tragic escalation of conflict in Vietnam. The authors explore his shifting perspectives over time, particularly as McNamara moved from staunchly defending his choices to openly questioning them later in life. 

The paradox of McNamara’s defense of combat despite his increasing personal opposition to war is detailed and expressed brilliantly in the Taubmans’ coverage of Vietnam. A strength of this book is the ability to weave McNamara's personal story with the broader political and military context of the era. McNamara was a complex person, at times cold, calculating, and aloof while at other moments very warm and caring. 

The book is a compelling narrative that questions the limits of intelligence and strategy in warfare, loyalty and duty, while also examining the human costs of high-stakes decision-making. Overall, McNamara at War is an engrossing and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the Vietnam War, American history, or the moral complexities of leadership during times of crisis.

MY RATING: 5

The Romans: A 2,000-Year History (Edward J. Watts)

Edward J. Watts has delivered an ambitious and sweeping history of the Roman state with The Romans: A 2,000‑Year History. Watts offers a panorama of the Roman state from its earliest roots to its transformation into a republic, an empire, the gradual evolution of its power center moving to Constantinople, and then the eventual sacking of the city by Norman Crusaders in 1204. Watts challenges the standard snapshot view of the Romans as simply the pre‑imperial republic or the early empire by including the centuries of Eastern European rule as part of Rome instead of how we commonly have considered it to be Byzantine.

Watts argues that the resilience of Rome lay in its openness to new peoples, new faiths and shifting political geographies. Shifting geographies challenges the so‑called “decline and fall” theory and shapes Rome more as a story of transformation rather than abrupt collapse. His writing is clear and engaging; he moves the reader through centuries of politics, war, religion, and culture at a brisk but not overwhelming pace.

The sheer scope of 2 000 years of history means that the level of detail for each era is necessarily modest and brief. Readers seeking deep dives into particular emperors, military campaigns, or the evolution of Roman social status over time may find the coverage too broad for their tastes. However, the book serves brilliantly as a unifying overview and a call to reconsider how we define “Roman” identity across time.

The Romans is an excellent introduction for history enthusiasts and students who wish to view the Roman world centered not merely on the city of Rome but as a dynamic civilization spanning centuries. Watts has produced a compelling and richly readable account that will stand as a major single‑volume history of the Roman state.

MY RATING: 4.5

Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire (Barry Strauss)

In Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World’s Mightiest Empire, author Barry Strauss offers a powerful account of the long struggle between the Jewish people and the Roman Empire. Covering two hundred years of history, from roughly 63 BC to 136 CE, the book focuses on three major Jewish revolts: the Great Revolt in the first century, the Diaspora Revolt in the second century, and the Bar Kokhba Revolt that followed. Strauss weaves military history, political intrigue, and religious fervor into a compelling narrative.

Strauss expertly balances scholarly rigor with clear storytelling. He explains the causes of each revolt while also exploring the broader context of Roman rule and its management of the Middle East. He does not shy away from the complexity within Jewish society itself, highlighting the divisions between moderates and radicals, and religious leaders and political rebels. The Jewish diaspora in this time stretched from modern day Iran to North Africa and Europe, which brought additional complexity given the presence of an empire that was based in modern day Iran and in occasional conflict with Rome. This internal tension and geopolitics are portrayed as central to both the courage and tragedy of the revolts.

Strauss also draws subtle connections to modern questions of identity, nationalism, and empire. While the book remains grounded in ancient sources and archaeology, it never feels detached from the concerns of today.

Jews vs. Rome is a powerful and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in ancient history or the enduring conflict between power and resistance. 

MY RATING: 5

Born Equal: Remaking America's Consitution, 1840-1920 (Akhil Reed Amar)

In Born Equal: Remaking America's Constitution, 1840-1920, constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar delivers his analysis of how the United States Constitution has evolved toward greater equality. In the second of his planned three part series on the Constitution, Amar focuses on the march towards greater representative government through a number of amendments related to equal rights and voting rights.

Born Equal starts with the lurches towards Civil War, with sectional conflict around slavery and territorial expansion towards the west driving increased hostility between northerners and southerners. After the Civil War, Amar goes in depth into the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and talks about their impact on American life, albeit briefly in the 19th Century due to state and judicial reversals in various cases. His other major focus was on the march towards women’s suffrage, starting in the 1840’s and continuing through the 19th Amendment's adoption in 1920.

Focusing on several key political characters, Amar offers his strong views on their contributions to American history.  He pulls no punches in this book, speaking very highly of Abraham Lincoln and panning many others for not living up to the ideals of the Constitution as he believes the American founders would have wanted it.

His first book, The Words That Made Us, was a more balanced view of constitutional history and our nation’s beginning. Amar’s passion and opinions in Born Equal are more pronounced by comparison. He also breezily glides through the adoption of amendments that bring about federal income tax (16th Amendment), direct representation of senators (17th), and prohibition (18th) without offering substantial commentary on the history of how those amendments came about and impacts on the country. Despite these weak spots, Born Equal is still a good book; however, it felt editorially brief in some areas that have had significant impact on American life to this day.

MY RATING: 4