Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Essays & Anthologies Book Reviews Available Now (page 2)


Showing

Cover art for LIVING WITH SHAKESPEARE
NONFICTION
Released: April 9, 2013
edited by Susannah Carson

"Bardolaters, thespians, logophiles and followers of the muses Thalia and Melpomene--all will find light and warmth, comfort and companionship in these glowing pages."
An eclectic collection of pieces from an eclectic collection of writers about reading, directing, performing and adoring the Bard of Avon. Read full book review >
Cover art for I TOLD YOU SO
NONFICTION
Released: April 9, 2013

"Missing the voice and presence of a man who could be an outrageously entertaining speaker, these transcripts fail to match the depth of his writing, as well."
These transcripts of four interviews with the late man of letters offer some provocative volleys but cover the same ground too often and don't show Vidal fully amplifying his ideas. Read full book review >
Cover art for AIRMAIL
NONFICTION
Released: April 2, 2013

"The love of language, poetry, family and friends, all on display in eloquent handwritten or typed letters redolent of a bygone era."
Nearly 50 years of trans-Atlantic correspondence between two titans of contemporary poetry. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CUSHION IN THE ROAD
NONFICTION
Released: April 2, 2013

"Walker's "recipe[s] for difficult times" provide a heartfelt response to a new generation's yearning for public service."
In a new collection, Walker (The Chicken Chronicles, 2012, etc.) once again shows herself to be a deep and compassionate participant in global humanitarian efforts. Read full book review >
Cover art for DEAR MARK TWAIN
NONFICTION
Released: April 1, 2013
edited by R. Kent Rasmussen

"Well-selected, thoroughly researched and thoughtfully annotated--a surprising, welcome addition to the apparently endless Twain shelf."
Just when we thought there was nothing else to learn about Twain, another facet of that literary jewel appears. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TRUE SECRET OF WRITING
NONFICTION
Released: March 19, 2013

"A pleasantly meditative, intuitive writing guide--though some aspiring writers may find too few nuts and bolts."
A uniquely delivered Eastern Zen approach to the craft of writing. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT ART IS
NONFICTION
Released: March 19, 2013

"Less a primer than a series of postgraduate lectures."
A distinguished art critic, academic and philosopher distills his views into a compact volume that is likely to provoke more debate than it resolves. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES
NONFICTION
Released: March 15, 2013

"A searing account of rights and laws, crime and punishment."
An advocate for the rights of families of murder victims finds common ground with lawyers working to reverse death sentences. Read full book review >
Cover art for WM & H'RY
NONFICTION
Released: March 15, 2013

"A readable treatment of a scholarly subject."
A short critique of the letters between the famous James brothers provides an engaging footnote on the relationship and occasional rivalry between two of the finest minds of modern times. Read full book review >
Cover art for STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES
NONFICTION
Released: March 15, 2013

"An engaging companion offers a spirit of shared humanity."
This slim volume includes two extended essays, incisive and conversational, that have plenty of connections between them. Read full book review >
Cover art for BADASS
NONFICTION
Released: March 12, 2013

"The maundering rhetoric, all "dudes" and "balls-out" and "badass," gets old fast, but Thompson's grasp of history is solid. Think of it as Thucydides for video gamers."
History for the Ted Nugent set--a follow-up to Badass: A Relentless Onslaught of the Toughest Warlords, Vikings, Samurai, Pirates, Gunfighters, and Military Commanders to Ever Live (2009). Read full book review >
Cover art for ALWAYS APPRENTICES
NONFICTION
Released: March 12, 2013

"A motley assortment of writers eloquently demonstrate that there is no single "writing process"; there are myriad."
Editors at Believer magazine present an eclectic series of interviews. Read full book review >