Book Reviews
How Gorillas Emerged From Africa and More New and Notable Books
Read the latest on subliminal message, body snatching, and Sheryl Sandberg’s insights on the rise of women
March 2013 |
By Chloë Schama
New Books, Reviewed: Animal Emotions, Deconstructing Detroit and the Science of Winning
Taking a closer look at some of the newest releases in non-fiction
February 2013 |
By Chloë Schama
The History of Mapmaking, Jared Diamond’s Latest and More Recent Books Reviewed
Also on the docket, travelling by fire and understanding the concept of “antifragility”
December 2012 |
By Chloe Schama
D-Day Spies, Lost Antarctica, Eating Dirt and More Recent Books
A new history blows the cover on British spies in World War II
September 2012 |
By Chloë Schama
A Lincoln Novel, Native Poetry, Marie Curie and More New Recent Books
In a new alternative history, The Great Emancipator lives to fight a second civil war
July 2012 |
By Chloë Schama
Loving Elephants, the Meaning of Life, a London History and More Recent Books
A pioneering elephant rescuer looks back on the loves of her life and a collection of essays investigates the history of happiness
June 2012 |
By Chloë Schama
The Banana King, Surviving K2, the Allure of America and More Recent Books
The man who helped make the banana an American favorite also mercilessly used his company’s power to topple foreign governments
May 2012 |
By Chloë Schama
Books: Teddy Roosevelt: Top Cop, Jonah Lehrer and Other Must-Read Books
TR’s rough ride as New York’s police chief shaped the man who became president just six years later
April 2012 |
By Chloë Schama
Revisiting The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Recently reissued, William L. Shirer's seminal 1960 history of Nazi Germany is still important reading
February 2012 |
By Ron Rosenbaum
Brain Pickings' Top 11 History Books of the Year
The editor behind the site that curates the best content on the web lists the most interesting history books of 2011
December 20, 2011 |
By Maria Popova
Smithsonian’s 2010 Notable Books for Children
In our annual tradition, we present some of the best that children's literature has to offer this year
December 16, 2010 |
By Kathleen Burke
Green Eggs and Salmonella?
Beware the hidden hazards lurking within popular children's books
June 2010 |
By Abigail Green
Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2009
Our annual list of children's books highlights the most fascinating titles published in the past year
December 17, 2009 |
By Kathleen Burke
Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2008
Surprising, inspiring and outstanding titles for youngsters and the grownups that read to them
December 19, 2008 |
By Kathleen Burke
Creatures of the Deep!
A new book of photographs taken in the ocean depths reveals a world abounding in unimagined life
October 2007 |
By Laura Helmuth
Arresting Faces
A new book argues the case for the mugshot as art
January 2007 |
By Katy June-Friesen
Finding a Home in the Cosmos
In a new book written with his wife, Nancy Abrams, cosmologist Joel Primack argues that the universe, far from being a meaningless void, was meant for us. Sort of.
July 2006 |
By Jerry Adler
The Worst Hard Time
The untold story of those who survived the great American Dust Bowl
March 2006 |
By Kathleen Burke
Matisse and His Models
The author of a new biography of the artist argues that the women he painted were full partners in the creative enterprise
October 2005 |
By Hilary Spurling
