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LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Best-seller Jeannette Walls talks about mining her own history for her new novel, The Silver Star.
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THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

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The Best Biographies of 2010

Cover art for THE PUBLISHER
NONFICTION
Released: April 22, 2010
Kirkus Star THE PUBLISHER: HENRY LUCE AND HIS AMERICAN CENTURY
by Alan Brinkley
"A thoroughly researched, nuanced appreciation of a complex, talented and troubled man."
A National Book Award–winning historian takes an in-depth look at the 20th-century's most innovative publishing titan. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIRST FAMILY
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 28, 2010
Kirkus Star FIRST FAMILY: ABIGAIL & JOHN ADAMS
by Joseph J. Ellis
"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 EMPIRE OF DREAMS
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 7, 2010
Kirkus Star EMPIRE OF DREAMS: THE EPIC LIFE OF CECIL B. DEMILLE
by Scott Eyman
"Engrossing and comprehensive--an essential text for readers interested in the history of movies."
Palm Beach Post books editor Eyman (Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Times of Louis B. Mayer, 2005, etc.) presents the truly epic life of director Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) in grand style, befitting the great man, who, in addition to helming some of the most iconic movies of all time, did as much as anyone to establish Hollywood as the world's filmmaking center. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHARLIE CHAN
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 30, 2010
Kirkus Star CHARLIE CHAN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE HONORABLE DETECTIVE AND HIS RENDEZVOUS WITH AMERICAN HISTORY
by Yunte Huang
"Multilayered, provocative and highly accessible, this will appeal to Chan fans, scholars and general readers."
China-born poet and critic Huang (English/Univ. of California, Santa Barbara/Transpacific Imaginations: History, Literature, Counterpoetics, 2008, etc.) recounts the making of an American folk hero. Read full book review >
Cover art for KAY THOMPSON
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 2, 2010
KAY THOMPSON: FROM FUNNY FACE TO ELOISE
by Sam Irvin
"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 THE LAST BOY
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 12, 2010
Kirkus Star THE LAST BOY: MICKEY MANTLE AND THE END OF AMERICA'S CHILDHOOD
by Jane Leavy
"The best of the Mantle biographies."
Another biography of the late Yankee slugger--but this candid, compassionate portrait is worth a dugout full of the others. Read full book review >