RaveWashington Independent Review of BooksAmerican Caliph isn’t your boring high-school history book ... It is a short, exciting account ... Immersive ... The trials of the Black Mafia and the Hanafis are covered to great effect in American Caliph. Mufti, a journalist, uses sound research to bring the details and emotions of the events vividly to life.
Robbie Arnott
MixedThe Washington Independent Review of BooksIt’s unclear what the military hopes to do with the bird, but perhaps the heron’s preternatural powers might give them an edge in their struggle. That \'struggle\' is left to the imagination of the reader, as is much of the storyline, throughout which obfuscation, minimalism, and a creative timeline are mixed with some beautifully honed prose ... The author scatters several acts of gratuitous violence amid the pages...It seems unnecessary for the book as a whole; perhaps each individual bloodstained episode would fit more comfortably into standalone stories ... Much of Arnott’s best writing describes the natural beauty of the unnamed region, the climate, and concern for the environment, though it’s unclear if that qualifies this book as a work of eco-fiction. It could just as easily be categorized as a fantasy, a feminist myth, a murder mystery, or even some sort of Dickensian coincidence tale. Regardless, The Rain Heron tries to span several genres but never quite succeeds in any. While its distinct narratives are interesting, the novel’s puzzling organization left this reader scratching his head.
Kathleen Rooney
PositiveWashington Independent Review of BooksThe human and avian protagonists in Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey both provide brutally honest, graphic observations of their wartime experiences and the foolishness of war in general. These ruminations may be overdone, but the message is sincere. Wrapped around this fictionalized history is an authentic but subtle antiwar theme in the tradition of All Quiet on the Western Front and The Red Badge of Courage. Thanks to the author’s elegant, poetic prose, the reader can enjoy learning about homing pigeons, the fascinating backstory of the Lost Battalion, and the brave bird that changed history.
Lawrence Roberts
RaveThe Washington Independent Review of BooksRoberts relates the shameful story of what happened that year like a mystery writer. He even conveys firsthand experience as an arrested protester. Fortunately, Roberts is also a careful historian. He pinpoints the origins of this extraordinary drama and guides readers through the score ... Roberts begins with an introductory timeline and then weaves together the events and personalities as they unfurl prior to and after May 1st. His valuable book boasts impressive research, extensive footnotes, and a useful bibliography.
Benn Steil
PositiveWashington Independent Review of Books\"[Steils\'s] book — which features extensive endnotes, appendices, and statistics — offers a detailed history and analysis of the persons and events that shaped the Marshall Plan. While the topic is dramatic, the details sometimes trip over themselves. The result is an important, scholarly text that may pose a challenge to lay readers. Still, the author skillfully presents the gestation of the multifaceted stimulus package that threw down the gauntlet to the Communists.\
