King of Kings : The Iranian Revolution - a Story of Hubris , Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation by Scott Anderson
Especially timely with the protests and crackdown now occurring in Iran, and the U.S. pronouncements .
This is not a history of the Iranian Revolution of the 1970’s but rather a look into what the U.S. government did and did not do from the Presidents, the military, the CIA and the State Department. Useful case study in attempting “ regime change” . Also highly recommend this author’s earlier book on the Middle East “ Lawrence IN Arabia “ ( emphasis added.)
River of Doubt by Candice Millard is an amazing read about Theodore Roosevelt and entourage discovering the uncharted Amazon River. You’ve never read roughing it quite like this. She also intertwines his personal life and makes this president I knew nothing of, very real.
Also The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan. I read this book in preparation for a cruise of the Great Lakes last May. Growing up near Lake Michigan I really was taught nothing about the dynamics of the lakes. I do recall learning of the St Lawrence Seaway but had no idea the effect it had in my own backyard until I read this book. The future of the lakes is a topic everyone should be aware of. Fascinating read.
Anything by the author Olivia Campbell. She wrote a book titled - White Coats that discusses the often neglected and hidden history of women’s contributions to medicine and science, and a hard fought battle (still happening today) to be accepted and recognized and welcomed into the medical field. We are still seeing that struggle today, with women’s healthcare being sidelined or waved off. I’m trying to be polite here….. I also love the author Lydia Reeder who wrote- A Cure for Women, which also touched on the history of women and medicine. It covers topics like the intersection of medicine, the advancement if science and technology, and feminism, and it is very thorough and beautifully written. I am sure of Campbell and Reeder met in real life they would have tons to discuss. I love these stories about little known histories of women scientists and doctors, and to learn about how far and how long women had to push to get accepted into schools, and advocate for a more inclusive society and more inclusive education system.
Thank you for this! I watched a documentary on her life and it took my beeath away. What an accomplished, sharp, and beautiful woman. after the documentary ended, I just kept thinking- I want more information, more videos to watch! More! I will add this book to my list. Thank you!
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict. It is a historical depiction of Maileva Malic , the first wife of Albert Einstein. They met while both were both studying. Malic was brilliant and, as it turns out, the source behind many of the intellectual sparks that Albert Einstein further developed and capitalized. At that time even the most talented educated women were not allowed to be associated with their own inventions and advanced concepts. She never received the recognition she should have received. The novel also presents a different view of Einstein, somewhat self-centered and self-serving. It is an excellent read.
Hi @Sam, Since you like these medical histories may I recommend The Black Angels by Maria Smilios. It’s about the Black nurses who worked in a tuberculosis hospital and eventually discovered the antibiotic cure. It was very good.
I also very much enjoyed The Conjuring of America by Lindsey Stewart. This goes back farther into historical American South and the midwives, herbalists, and conjurers that were often called in cases of medical emergency.
If you like Benedict’s historical fiction about Einstein’s wife, there are some interesting non-fiction books out there on the topic. Benedict took lots of liberties with this book (see her notes at the end of the book for where she stretched the facts).
The best nonfiction book I read in 2025 is, Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn. I found it a fascinating read. Christine Kuehn receives a phone call asking about her father’s family and their wartime espionage— setting off a thirty-year journey into the Kuehn family’s hidden past.