Horseshoe Curve
by David W. Seidel



I don't like this series of books because there's a ton of them and because I suspect the images are in the public domain. I also don't know a goddamn thing about railroads or railroad engineering. Yet, for some magnetic reason, I am pulled towards this title. The photo on the cover makes me nostalgic, and after I get past the nostalgia I want to watch an old Western.

The Politics of Space Security: Strategic Restraint and the Pursuit of National Interests
by James Moltz 



If that fancy European particle-collider fails to rip open a horrific tear in the fabric of space-time that cannibalizes the Earth, the militarization and control of space will become an important issue in the years to come. Unless you want the Chinese to win, I suggest you educate yourselves now, while there's still time. But remember: when you're reading wear tinfoil, so those Asiatic satellites can't scan your brain and extract your intelligence.

Standardized Childhood: The Political and Cultural Struggle over Early Education
by Bruce Fuller 



The Great American Preschool Debate. Is preschool good, should we have it, should the state require it, blah, blah, blah? I'll tell you what preschool does: it keeps children away from us; children are small and irritating; therefore, preschool is good and should be both fully standardized and forcefully implemented with tanks.

The New Case Against Immigration: Both Legal and Illegal
by Mark Krikorian 



When a book's own description calls it "controversial" you can be pretty sure it's a sensationalist piece of crap meant to $tir emotions. But who am I to prevent those emotions from being stirred? Inevitably, people will buy this book, read it, and then argue over it. I guess debate is good. You know what else is good: that the publisher, editors, and author of The New Case Against Immigration will probably hold a release party staffed by Mexicans. The case against immigration.

Art in America: A Novel
by Ron McLarty 



It amuses me how often publishers append novel titles with the words "A Novel". Are people really so scared of reading about reality that if they were to pick up a book called Art in America and it was actually about art in America they'd spontaneously self-combust? Most novels suck; Realize it, move on. God. Not that I have anything against Ron McLarty. I'm sure his novel is wonderful.

Iroquois Diplomacy on the Early American Frontier
by Timothy J. Shannon 



My own personal horizon is so expansive that it forms its own continent larger than Eurasia. But you would do well to expand your own. You can start by reading about something you wouldn't normally read about. Like the Iroquois. Indian diplomacy always ends the same way, though, which makes it a little bit boring at the end: they get shafted.

Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol
by Iain Gately 



Lots of people thinking drinking is cool. Especially people who don't drink. People who do drink, can't read books while they're drunk, whereas people who don't drink won't want to read about drinking. Or will they? They probably will, which is why this will be a popular book. What a cheap way of selling yourself, though: writing on a popular topic. So fuck off, Iain Gately; and go write about something obscure and interesting. Incidentally, I think his last book was about tobacco. Let me guess what's next: masturbation.

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.