PositiveLibrary JournalBarber’s book details why, somewhat tediously, which makes the narrative a lengthy one. But the outcome of a long and complicated effort to revolutionize trauma treatment is inspiring.
Paul Scharre
RaveLibrary JournalThis analysis of artificial intelligence (AI), largely focused on national security issues rather than design, discusses the challenges for the United States ... The author argues that democracies must ensure that the future of AI is one that advances human freedom and global peace.
Caroline Dodds Pennock
PositiveLibrary Journal... a difficult, dense read that soundly challenges many modern ideas ... Will fit well in public and academic libraries with collections in the history of the Americas.
Paul Auster
PositiveLibrary JournalAn anguished cry of bafflement at this country’s obsession for guns ... Not a comfortable read but rather a work that deals with the societal consequences of sacrificing thousands of lives.
Michael R Gordon
PositiveLibrary Journal... an intricate and very dense narrative of policy wars in Washington and Iraq, during the ups and downs of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS ... This densely packed narrative contains a lot of detailed material and research that will prove invaluable for future historians. Events in the ground war are discussed, but the primary focus of this book is policy, from Washington down to local commanders, dealing with a myriad of interest groups. There are also maps and 50 pages of detailed endnotes. Recommended for libraries that serve clients deeply interested in Mideast affairs ... More useful for specialists and historians than the general public but a valuable source for policy development during a confusing period.
Karen Tumulty
PositiveLibrary Journal... well-written ... Packed with detail, the book cites personal interviews with Nancy throughout the years, as well as a host of published sources ... A thoroughly researched, evenhanded treatment of the most loyal and most important of Ronald Reagan’s influencers; likely to be popular in both subject collections and public libraries.
Theo Padnos
MixedLibrary JournalThis harrowing memoir follows his two-year captivity and torture, including beatings and waterboarding, in makeshift prisons in almost day-by-day detail. In addition to shedding insight into his own fears, especially whether or not he would survive, Padnos also takes care to explore the mindsets of his various captors, some of whom were even sympathetic toward him, while others embraced a complete conviction that they were soldiers of God and that the United States would soon be overthrown ... An optional purchase for specialized Mideast collections.
James Sullivan
PositiveLibrary JournalThe focus is as much a narrative of the ship’s crew and their recollections as it is the story of the ship and its active wartime career. Included are solid recounts of sailors’ lives on the ship, based on interviews and diary records. An appendix lists those who were killed in action at Anzio and others who were missing in action ... An accessible maritime history for libraries with extensive World War II collections.
Ellis Cose
PositiveLibrary JournalThis concise work gives a relatively brief history of some of the more notable instances, relating them to political and social movements. A constant theme is the degree to which uncomfortable, offensive, or frankly false speech has been permitted or blocked ... Popular history suitable for high school and undergraduate reading that does not provide easy answers and warns that one of our most basic rights is under more serious attack than ever.
Frank Smyth
PositiveLibrary Journal... balanced ... The author, a gun owner and a supporter of gun control, thoroughly documents the NRA’s internal debates, tortuous efforts to rewrite its public image and history, and recent efforts to recruit celebrity advocates ... The book is meticulously detailed, sometimes overly so, including investigations into the NRA’s internal debates and parliamentary process. Still, libraries looking for a nonpartisan history of the organization will be well-served.
Chris Murphy
PositiveLibrary JournalThe author’s conversational style manages to make a mountain of statistics readable, and brings the emotions of survivors far closer to the reader than media accounts. Murphy also addresses the cultural, economic, and racial reasons for America’s history of gun ownership and suggests how the many causes of gun violence can be mitigated ... An important work on a relevant subject that will draw in anyone interested in social reform.
Saul David
PositiveLibrary JournalThe unit fought at two other places in Europe, which are only mentioned in passing. The author uses soldiers’ voices to good effect, but more detail about the other combat sites would have been welcome...While the story has been related before, this well-told account of a little-known special operations unit will appeal to readers interested in World War II and fans of military history.
Andrew Roberts
PositiveLibrary JournalRoberts briefly distills conservative views on what it takes to be a leader, producing an extremely readable, if sometimes simplified, summation of this aspect of military history. For public libraries and larger academic collections.
Joel Simon
PositiveLibrary JournalThis readable and well-argued book is essential for ethics, journalism, and international relations collections, and a valuable rubric for assessing hostage policy, whether by governments, individuals, or businesses.
