Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




The Best Biographies of 2010


Cover art for COLONEL ROOSEVELT
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 23, 2010

"Roosevelt never fails to fascinate, and Morris provides a highly readable, strong finish to his decades-long marathon."
With appropriate crescendo and coda, the concluding volume of the author's sweeping biography of Theodore Roosevelt, following The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (1979) and Theodore Rex (2001). Read full book review >
Cover art for KAY THOMPSON
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 2, 2010

"An extremely entertaining chronicle of one of the most distinctive and absurdly gifted personalities in the history of show business."
Funny-faced girl makes good: the extraordinary career of Kay Thompson (1909–1998). Read full book review >
Cover art for FAB
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 1, 2010

"Despite covering well-trodden ground, the graceful prose and superb storytelling create a riveting narrative."
Solid addition to the ever-expanding library of books about the Beatle named Paul. Read full book review >
Cover art for CLEOPATRA
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 1, 2010

"Successfully dissipating all the perfume, Schiff finds a remarkably complex woman--brutal and loving, dependent and independent, immensely strong but finally vulnerable."
A Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer presents a swift, sympathetic life of one of history's most maligned and legendary women. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIRST FAMILY
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 28, 2010

"An impeccable account of the politics, civics and devotion behind the Adams marriage."
The Pulitzer Prize– and National Book Award–winning author presents a vivid and insightful portrait of John and Abigail Adams. Read full book review >
Cover art for JOE LOUIS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 26, 2010

"All legendary athletes should hope for treatment by such capable, compassionate hands."
A sympathetic, moving life of the Brown Bomber by veteran cultural historian and biographer Roberts (History/Purdue Univ.; The Rock, the Curse, and the Hub: A Random History of Boston Sports, 2005, etc.). Read full book review >