Book Reviews

A richly reported new book offers powerful insights into the cooking habits—and daily struggles—of working-class Americans.

Since ancient times, border walls have simultaneously assuaged and stoked our fears of outsiders. But a history of walls can't tell the full story of civilization.

RJ Young's memoir recounts how he tried to endear himself to his white in-laws by learning how to shoot. Both love affairs eventually fell apart.

A new book argues that we can't overcome racism unless white people are willing to be a little uncomfortable.

A new book with an imperfect narrator demonstrates the benefits—and limits—of taking right-wing extremists at their word.

A new book argues that America uses digital tools to sequester and punish its poorest citizens. But can we really blame technology?

Political writer Liza Featherstone uses focus groups as a lens on the past, present, and future of the American project.

In her new book, journalist Jessica Bruder argues that, in post-2008 America, the nostalgic vision of RVs and other "wheel estate" is incomplete.

In her new book, Vanessa Panfil offers a detailed and nuanced portrayal of homosexual life among gangs in Ohio.

Richard Rothstein's magisterial new book tracks how the government segregated America—and how new policy, and new education, could save us.

In his latest book, Chris Hayes urges white Americans to take black suffering seriously.

A new book traces the legal history of self-defense in America—and shows how laws for self-protection have been generally reserved for whites.