James Russell Lowell (22 February, 1819 – 12 August, 1891) was an American editor, critic, poet, and diplomat. Books by James Russell Lowell* Born in Cambridge MA, he was an 8th generation Lowell, ancestors to settlers who came to America in 1639. In 1838 Mr. Lowell graduated from Harvard College. Despite being known as a […]

About: A Cobbler’s Tale : Jewish Immigrants Story of Survival, from Eastern Europe to New York’s Lower East Side by Neil Perry Gordon is a  historical-fiction book based on the experiences of the author’s family. This is Mr. Gordon’s first novel. 334 pages Publisher: Neil Perry Gordon Language: English ISBN-10: 9781732667709   My rating for […]

About: Arale by Tristan Roulot (illustrated by Denis Rodier) is a graphic novel taking place in Russia, 1934 in which the Czar is mortally wounded and Rasputin concocts a mind transfer plan. This graphic novel was originally published in France. 66 pages Publisher: Europe Comics Language: English ASIN: B07N8C3CZK   My rating for Arale – […]

About: Death March Escape: The Remarkable Story of a Man Who Twice Escaped the Nazi Holocaust by Jack J Hersch is a biography of Dave Hersch, the author’s father. This is Mr. Hersch’s first non-fiction book. 256 pages Publisher: Frontline Books Language: English ASIN: B07GCH7F5Z My rating for Death March Escape – 5 Buy Death March Escape from […]

Prolific English author Sax Rohmer was born on this day in 1883 (d: 1 June, 1959). Mr. Rohmer is best known for his series featuring the mastermind Dr. Fu Manchu. A few months ago I also did a Fun Facts post about the character Dr. Fu-Manchu.     More books by Sax Rohmer Sax Rohmer’s […]

About: The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King is a historical fiction novel taking place in Italy around the middle 1500s. This is Ms. King’s second novel. 384 pages Publisher: Atria Books Language: English ISBN-10: 150119643X My rating for The Chef’s Secret – 4 Buy The Chef’s Secret from Amazon.com* More books by Crystal King* Thoughts: Books about food and food preparation, […]

About: 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do by Joe Yogerst is a travel book published by National Geographic about the American National Parks. Mr. Yogerst has written several books for National Geographic and lives a traveler’s life many only dream about. 400 pages Publisher: National […]

About: American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson is a novel taking place in the last half of the 20th Century, following an African-American FBI officer, recruited by the CIA to undermine an African leader. This is Ms. Wilkinson’s first novel. 304 pages Publisher: Random House (February 12, 2019) Language: English ISBN-10: 0812998952 My rating for American […]

About: Amazing Jewish Heroes Down Through The Ages by David Richard Goldberg consists of short biographies of famous Jews. This is Mr. Goldberg’s second book. 208 pages Publisher: Gefen Publishing House Language: English ISBN-10: 9652298816   My rating for Amazing Jewish Heroes Down Through The Ages – 4 Buy Amazing Jewish Heroes Down Through The Ages […]

Author and futurist Jules Verne was born on this day, 8 February, 1828 (d: 24 March, 1905) in Nantes, France. Verne is considered the father of general Science Fiction and recently been credited with “fathering” the steampunk genre. Verne wrote some of the most famous books in the worked, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the […]