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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.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Best Nonfiction of 2012: Essays & Entertainment

Cover art for I'M YOUR MAN
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star I'M YOUR MAN: THE LIFE OF LEONARD COHEN
by Sylvie Simmons
"Taking on a looming subject with intelligence and wit, Simmons manages to take the full measure of her man."
An elegant, deeply researched life of the Canadian musician, poet and novelist. Read full book review >
Cover art for MARVEL COMICS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
Kirkus Star MARVEL COMICS: THE UNTOLD STORY
by Sean Howe
"Brilliantly juxtaposes Marvel with its best characters: flawed and imperfect, but capable of achieving miraculous feats."
An impeccably researched, authoritative history of Marvel Comics. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BIG SCREEN
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 16, 2012
Kirkus Star THE BIG SCREEN: THE STORY OF THE MOVIES
by David Thomson
"A profound and richly satisfying reckoning with the movies and what they mean."
Thomson (The Moment of Psycho: How Alfred Hitchcock Taught America to Love Murder, 2009, etc.) brings his encyclopedic knowledge of film and idiosyncratic, allusive style to bear on this ambitious consideration of the history of motion pictures and their effect on the audience. Read full book review >
Cover art for ON CELESTIAL MUSIC
NONFICTION
Released: March 21, 2012
Kirkus Star ON CELESTIAL MUSIC: AND OTHER ADVENTURES IN LISTENING
by Rick Moody
"Thoughtful, heartfelt and frequently moving, like the best music."
The acclaimed novelist shows off his considerable gifts for parsing music. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW MUSIC WORKS
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 12, 2012
Kirkus Star HOW MUSIC WORKS
by David Byrne
"Highly recommended--anyone at all interested in music will learn a lot from this book."
From the former Talking Heads frontman, a supremely intelligent, superbly written dissection of music as an art form and way of life. Read full book review >
Cover art for STELLA ADLER ON AMERICA'S MASTER PLAYWRIGHTS
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 16, 2012
Kirkus Star STELLA ADLER ON AMERICA'S MASTER PLAYWRIGHTS
by Stella Adler, edited by Barry Paris
"An exciting, inspiring and essential book for anyone interested in American theater."
Brilliant lectures on the American masters from the late, legendary acting teacher. Read full book review >