Book List

The National Medal of Arts Recipients

  • NONFICTION

    “TO BEGIN THE WORLD ANEW”

    JAN. 15, 2003

HISTORY

“TO BEGIN THE WORLD ANEW”

by Bernard Bailyn

Bailyn's distinctive voice, as level-headed and acute as ever, works as both a stimulant and a balm, wrapped in an umbra of... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    FROM DAWN TO DECADENCE

    MAY 21, 2000

HISTORY

FROM DAWN TO DECADENCE

by Jacques Barzun

An extraordinary achievement by one of the glittering minds of our time. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    ANDY CATLETT

    JAN. 1, 2007

SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

ANDY CATLETT

by Wendell Berry

An eloquent distillation of Berry’s favorite themes: the importance of family, community and respect for the land. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    A WIDOW'S STORY

    FEB. 15, 2011

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

A WIDOW'S STORY

by Joyce Carol Oates

Oates continues to keep her readers guessing at her next thrilling effort. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    RALPH ELLISON

    APRIL 20, 2007

  • FICTION

    NEMESIS

    OCT. 12, 2010

FICTION

NEMESIS

by Philip Roth

But maybe Bucky’s nemeses include Bucky himself—a layer of meaning that makes this novel something other than another... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE PURPOSE OF THE PAST

    MARCH 17, 2008

HISTORY

THE PURPOSE OF THE PAST

by Gordon S. Wood

A takeaway point well worth the price of admission, but there are many more in this solid collection. Fruitful reading for... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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  • kirkus star
  • The Kirkus Star

    One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

  • kirkus prize
  • The Kirkus Prize

    The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

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