Book Reviews

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.

• By Peter C. Baker

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.

• By Peter C. Baker

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

• By Peter C. Baker

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

• By Peter C. Baker

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

• By Peter C. Baker

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

• By Peter C. Baker

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

• By Peter C. Baker

Hillary Clinton's new book about the 2016 election is harsh on misogyny but ignores the role of race and her own policies.

• By Elizabeth King

Andrea J. Ritchie's new book offers fresh perspective on how American law enforcement reserves particular abuse for black women.

• By Brandon Tensley

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

• By Peter C. Baker

James Forman Jr.'s first book chronicles with compassion how the actions of black leaders sometimes hurt the very people they sought to save.

• By Brandon Tensley

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

• By Peter C. Baker

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

• By Peter C. Baker

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.

• By Peter C. Baker

A meticulous new book examines the growing market for passports—and what that means for the way we think about citizenship and belonging.

• By Jared Keller

If the problem isn’t straightforward racism or benighted drug laws, what is it?

• By Jakub Wrzesniewski

Three new books explain why inequality isn't sending us to the barricades.

• By Helaine Olen

Men, for all Laura Kipnis’ attempts to appear transgressive, is a cautious and old-fashioned book that illustrates male privilege rather than denying it.

• By Emily Witt

In politics, are we always just looking out for No. 1?

• By Will Wilkinson

William Deresiewicz's new book, Excellent Sheep, is in part, he says, a letter to his younger, more privileged self.

• By Stefan Beck

Bipartisan urban loathing.

• By Stephen Smith

What you need to know about Bad Feminist, XL Love, and The Birth of Korean Cool.

• By Pacific Standard Staff

An old American obsession—the rogue detective's urge to crack the case—finds a new outlet.

• By Peter C. Baker

Two brothers—a philosopher and a doctor—attempt to explain the cultural roots of madness.

• By Graeme Wood