My 2025 reading list leans hard into the big, difficult stuff - atomic fire over Japan, mass graves in Rwanda and Bosnia, the Molly Maguires, Irish soldiers in blue, and one unforgettable novel about a single patch of New England ground. These are the books that shaped his thinking this year about memory, violence, grief, and how we tell stories. Read the full story.
Dive into a compelling podcast episode where writer Derek Thompson interviews historian Richard J. Evans about his book "Hitler’s People." Hear fresh research on Nazi support, Weimar politics, and antisemitism as Evans debunks myths and reveals how ordinary Germans enabled Hitler’s rise to absolute power. Read my full reflection and listen to the podcast.
Discover how Rick Steves’ new memoir On the Hippie Trail reignited my passion and need for travel - tracing his 1978 trek from Istanbul to Kathmandu and exploring how adventure breaks down fear and builds bridges. My latest Monday Dispatch reflection on wanderlust and cultural connection, with some love for the late Anthony Bourdain. Read the full story.
Join me for the first Monday Dispatch as I explore Daniel Mason’s novel North Woods - a vivid tale tracing centuries of life, nature, and change in the mountains of western Massachusetts. Discover how great fiction reshapes historical perspective and reminds us that the story is one of transformation. Read the full story.
Looking back over a year of reading is always enlightening, and 2024 was no exception! This year, my favorite reads spanned from oral histories of D-Day to the Civil War and modern political extremism. Here are my top five non-fiction books that I couldn’t put down this year.