Raiders and Rebels: A History of the Golden Age of Piracy
by Frank Sherry 



Ahoy, matey! Seriously, is there anyone who doesn't like pirates? In fact, if you're reading this and you don't like pirates: please stop existing. For the rest of us, this appears to be an entertaining look at the history of a high-time for sea-faring pirates. Read this book or walk the plank.

The Condition: A Novel
by Jennifer Haigh 



This book probably sucks because it's a novel and it's written by a woman. But I thought I should add some fiction to the blog, so I did. The author also comes recommended from a friend a mine (a woman; figures) who says it'll be good. Me? I remain manly and unconvinced.

The Lost Heart of Asia (P.S.)
by Colin Thubron 



This is a reprint of a book published in 1994, so maybe I'm cheating; but I'm a sucker for travelogues and this one's about Central Asia (where? see a map!), a region we know as little about now as then. Based on the travel books I've read, I assume the author wrote down stuff he saw on his 6000 mile journey.

London Rising: The Men Who Made Modern London
by Leo Hollis 



I've never been to London and I'm not entirely convinced it exists, but many people claim it's a big and important city. Apparently the author of this book buys into that because he's written historical biographies of five men who helped rebuild London after some sort of fire. One of these men is John Locke. See, I knew Lost was important.

Klaus Mettig: Don't Be Left Behind
by Ingrid Holzl 



A book with essays and photos. I don't know what the essays are about, but the photos were taken by German photographer Klaus Mettig and the subjects are a handful of Asian cities. I don't know if they're any good, but there's something about the description and the cover that pique my interest: it's so Oriental and exotic. Edward Said must be so proud of me.

Gaspipe: Confessions of a Mafia Boss
by Philip Carlo 



Mafia books are all so trashy, and mafia memoirs doubly so. I wouldn't touch one with rubber gloves (I'm classy). But I know how you people are. The more lurid, the more interested you are. So I pander, I pander and a little bit of me dies inside each time. Plus, I do want to know if these guys actually chop of the heads of racehorses and use them as pillows.

The Rise and Fall of the Caucasian Race: A Political History of Racial Identity
by Bruce Baum 



Much like Stephen Colbert, I don't see colour; so I don't really know what this book is about. However, for all y'all racists out there who do see colour, I'd imagine it's about the historical development of the concept of race and how that concept has been put to political use over the years. For people who aren't as politically correct and perfect as myself, that might be interesting.

Names on the Land: A Historical Account of Place-Naming in the United States
by George R. Stewart 



One of those books that's so obscure I'd never think to look for it. But also one of those obscure books that once I found I want to read. You Americans do have weird and wonderful place names in your country. What was the name of that spot where Obama and Clinton recently made love, again?