Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Hurwitz



Travel/History

This book combines adventure travel and history as the author, a great storyteller, retraces the voyages of Captain James Cook across the Pacific. It provides entertaining reading as well as insight into the indigenous people and the impact of Cook on the islands. It also gives you an amazing sense of the challenges of 18th century sea voyages.



Submitted by Judith

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Memoir
Not yet 40, Ayaan Hirsi Ali has already made an impact on discussion concerning the rights of Muslim emigrants in Western countries. Growing up in Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Kenya plagued by political unrest, financial insecurity and the restrictions of Muslim culture, Ayaan fled to the Netherlands where she was granted asylum and citizenship. Determined to make the most of these gifts, she sought a university education and became a member of Parliment. Her frank discussion of the plight of Muslim women has resulted in death threats.

Submitted by Max

Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

Historical Fiction
Compelling saga of a girl captured as a slave at the age of eleven, told from her point of view. Captured in West Africa and transported to South Carolina during Revolutionary times, she eventually escapes and helps others. This is an inspiring story of an intelligent and courageous survivor.

Submitted by Mimi

January 30, 2008

Dough: A Memoir by Mort Zachter

Memoir
Mort's bachelor uncles lead a life of hard work, frugality and thrift, running a day-old bakery in Manhattan's Lower East Side. But while hoarding newspapers and denying themselves any luxuries, they managed to accumulate a fortune that totalled over $6 million. Zachter tries to uncover their motivation while narrating their story.

Submitted by PJ

January 28, 2008

Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster

Novel
Margaret Forster, author of Precious Lives, a biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, imagines the relationship which might have existed between Browning and Wilson, her maid of 16 years. The resulting fictional tale of trust and betrayal explores the lives of 19th century women and the impact of class structure on their ability to pursue independence and emotional and intellectual fulfillment.

Submitted by Max

In the Mountains of Heaven: Tales of Adventures on Six Continents by Mike Tidwell

Travel/Adventure
One of my favorite travel writers covers out of the way places and the fascinating individuals he meets with humor and insight...a very entertaining and fun read.

Submitted by Judith

Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski

Fiction
An American journalist investigates the reasons behind an anthropologist murdering a missionary in Thailand. Interesting insights into the hill tribe culture of Thailand, anthropology field work, and the evangelical Christian approach.