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Best Nonfiction of 2012

Cover art for THE HOLY OR THE BROKEN
NONFICTION
Released: Dec. 4, 2012
Kirkus Star THE HOLY OR THE BROKEN: LEONARD COHEN, JEFF BUCKLEY, AND THE UNLIKELY ASCENT OF "HALLELUJAH"
by Alan Light
"A masterful work of critical journalism."
Charting the remarkable journey of a modern musical classic, from obscurity to ubiquity. Read full book review >
Cover art for 38 NOOSES
NONFICTION
Released: Dec. 4, 2012
Kirkus Star 38 NOOSES: LINCOLN, LITTLE CROW, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE FRONTIER'S END
by Scott W. Berg
"A captivating tale of an oft-overlooked, morally ambiguous moment in American history."
An exploration of the violent downfall of Little Crow's Dakota nation at the hands of American soldiers. Read full book review >
Cover art for IRON CURTAIN
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 27, 2012
Kirkus Star IRON CURTAIN: THE CRUSHING OF EASTERN EUROPE, 1945-1956
by Anne Applebaum
"A dark but hopeful chronicle that shows how even humanity's worst can fracture and fall."
A Pulitzer Prize–winning author returns with the story of those dark decades in Eastern Europe when the Soviet Union slammed the prison doors on people, cultures and countries. Read full book review >
Cover art for FAR FROM THE TREE
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Star FAR FROM THE TREE: PARENTS, CHILDREN AND THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY
by Andrew Solomon
"An informative and moving book that raises profound issues regarding the nature of love, the value of human life and the future of humanity."
National Book Award–winning journalist Solomon (The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, 2001, etc.) uses issues raised by disability to examine the nature of parenthood, the definition of disability and the ability to control reproduction to create designer children. Read full book review >
Cover art for NATURE WARS
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Star NATURE WARS: THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF HOW WILDLIFE COMEBACKS TURNED BACKYARDS INTO BATTLEGROUNDS
by Jim Sterba
"An eye-opening take on how romantic sentimentalism about nature can have destructive consequences."
Journalist Sterba (Frankie's Place: A Love Story, 2003, etc.) employs humor and an eye for the absurd to document the sometimes bizarre conflicts that arise as a consequence of America's transformed relationship with nature. Read full book review >
Cover art for THOMAS JEFFERSON
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Star THOMAS JEFFERSON: THE ART OF POWER
by Jon Meacham
"An outstanding biography that reveals an overlooked steeliness at Jefferson's core that accounts for so much of his political success."
A Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer lauds the political genius of Thomas Jefferson. Read full book review >