It’s no secret that the USA dominates world politics like no other nation in history. It has unrivaled military, economic, and commercial might. But how do we get to this point? How did America go from a fledgling colony to global hegemon in a matter of just a few centuries? Ronald Wright, renowned 
novelist and historian, addresses these questions in a very succinct, readable, and highly entertaining booked titled What is America?: A Short History of the New World Order. Although there are hundreds of book written about the sometimes frightening consequences of unchecked American power, I have yet to read one as eloquent as this new history. If you think you know your American history, check out this thought-provoking, assumption challenging little book.
“I have no time to read!" If this sounds like a familiar refrain, you need to grab a copy of The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life (Levenger Press, 2005). In this helpful guide, Steven Leveen draws on his own quest for a “well-read life” to offer other book lovers some of the most successful techniques for enjoying a rewarding life as a reader and seizing more from your reading experiences.
He covers important topics such as:
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Choosing books to read and creating your own “Living Library” of book friends.
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How to retain more of what you read.
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When to give up on a book (“one person’s masterpiece may be another’s misery”).
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The truth about speed reading.
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The fellowship of book discussion groups (“health clubs for the mind”).
There is also a very interesting chapter on audiobooks (“reading with your ears”), which the author deems equally important to print books, and which he also considers a healthy antidote to road rage. Not surprisingly, the idea of audiobooks for the general public came as an epiphany to someone stuck in L.A. freeway traffic!
If have you read this book and would like to comment or if you have your own reading tips you would like to share, we would love to hear from you!