Science & Technology Book Reviews

THE BOOK THAT CHANGED AMERICA by Randall Fuller
BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"A fresh, invigorating history of philosophical and political struggles."
A vibrant history of the reception of Charles Darwin's ideas by American minds and spirits. Read full book review >
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"Cutting-edge theoretical physics for a popular audience that obeys the rules (little math, plenty of drawings), but it's not for the faint of heart."
When theoretical physicist Rovelli's Seven Lessons in Physics became an international bestseller in 2015, his Italian publisher proceeded to translate this, his previous book, which turns out to be an admirable addition to a popular genre: explaining what scientists know about the universe and their struggles to learn more. Read full book review >

FOOD & COOKING
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"Mogavero provides a surfeit of palate-cleansing insight."
A book that not only goes behind the scene and through the kitchen, but into the metrics that distinguish a thriving restaurant from a floundering one. Read full book review >
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"An enjoyable exploration of spacecraft from a reliably knowledgeable guide."
"On the cusp of a new space age, with a seemingly limitless opportunity for both robotic and human engagement in space," an expert surveys many of the manned space programs that failed spectacularly, fizzled, or never left the drawing board. Read full book review >
TESTOSTERONE REX by Cordelia Fine
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"A fascinating, greatly contemplative discussion of sex and gender and the embedded societal expectations of both."
A cerebral assessment of gender, society, and sexuality. Read full book review >

FOOD FIGHT by McKay Jenkins
FOOD & COOKING
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"Impressive research into a complex situation presented in a highly readable form."
There are no easy answers to questions about genetically modified foods, but environmental journalist Jenkins lays out the promise and the peril of the contemporary industrialization of food production. Read full book review >
ATTENDING by Ronald Epstein
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"Worthy reading for medical students and practitioners but also applicable to other fields: artists, writers, musicians, teachers et al. can also fall into formulaic ruts and autopilot behavior and need literally to change their minds."
Can the encounter between doctor and patient be improved? A renowned family physician thinks so, and he explains how in this compendium of a lifetime of experience. Read full book review >
WHY TIME FLIES by Alan Burdick
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Released: Jan. 24, 2017

"A highly illuminating intellectual investigation."
An insightful meditation on the curious nature of time by New Yorker staff writer Burdick (Out of Eden: An Odyssey of Ecological Invasion, 2006). Read full book review >
IS IT ALL IN YOUR HEAD? by Suzanne O'Sullivan
BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
Released: Jan. 17, 2017

"An intriguing look at how mental processes affect and alter our views—and feelings—of health and illness."
Feeling out of sorts? Take two imaginary aspirin and call us in the morning. Read full book review >
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Released: Jan. 17, 2017

"Valuable reading for shoppers and retailers alike."
Blame it on the smartphone, the technology that is bringing internetlike tracking and surveillance into brick-and-mortar stores. Read full book review >
THE WEAPON WIZARDS by Yaakov Katz
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Released: Jan. 17, 2017

"An enlightening look into one of the less-familiar corners of the modern military world."
Two Israeli journalists look at how their country has become an innovator in battlefield technology. Read full book review >
OUR BODIES, OUR DATA by Adam Tanner
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Released: Jan. 10, 2017

"A thorough report, carefully researched and well-documented, aimed at both general readers and policymakers."
A disturbing look at the threat to privacy created by the lucrative and growing health care data-mining industry. Read full book review >
Kirkus Interview
Clinton Kelly
January 9, 2017

Bestselling author and television host Clinton Kelly’s memoir I Hate Everyone Except You is a candid, deliciously snarky collection of essays about his journey from awkward kid to slightly-less-awkward adult. Clinton Kelly is probably best known for teaching women how to make their butts look smaller. But in I Hate Everyone, Except You, he reveals some heretofore-unknown secrets about himself, like that he’s a finicky connoisseur of 1980s pornography, a disillusioned critic of New Jersey’s premier water parks, and perhaps the world’s least enthused high-school commencement speaker. Whether he’s throwing his baby sister in the air to jumpstart her cheerleading career or heroically rescuing his best friend from death by mud bath, Clinton leaps life’s social hurdles with aplomb. With his signature wit, he shares his unique ability to navigate the stickiest of situations, like deciding whether it’s acceptable to eat chicken wings with a fork on live television (spoiler: it’s not). “A thoroughly light and entertaining memoir,” our critic writes. View video >