December Readers' Report

The Readers did not read a book in December. We did, however, meet to choose our books for 2025. See the book list above.

Join us at 5 pm on January 21st when we will discuss Picasso’s War: How Modern Art Came to Americaby Huch Eakin. We will meet at the home of David Morrow, 244 McMillan Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms. Please RSVP to Dave at (313) 303-1570.

November Readers’ Report

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us

By Ed Yong

Ed Yong is a British American science journalist and author of two best-selling books. He is a former staff writer at The Atlantic and won the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for his coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yong was awarded a Master of Arts in natural sciences (zoology) from Pembroke College, Cambridge and completed postgraduate study at University College London (UCL), where he was awarded a Master of Philosophy degree in 2005 in biochemistry. He has received numerous awards for his work and has been published by Nature, Scientific American, the BBC, Slate, Aeon, The Guardian, The Times, New Scientist, Wired, The New York Times, and The New Yorker.

An Immense World is an exploration of the sensory experiences of animals, offering readers a profound and enlightening journey into the diverse ways creatures perceive their environments. Yong's exceptional ability to blend scientific rigor with engaging storytelling makes this book a standout in the realm of nature writing.

Yong captivates readers with his vivid descriptions and deep insights into the animal kingdom. He takes us on a journey through the sensory worlds of various species, revealing the astonishing adaptations that allow them to navigate their habitats. Each chapter is dedicated to a different sense—sight, sound, touch, and beyond—providing a comprehensive understanding of how animals experience the world in ways that are often unimaginable to humans.

An Immense World lets readers see the world through the eyes (and ears, noses, and skin) of animals. Yong describes the ultraviolet vision of bees, the echolocation of bats and dolphins, the electric fields sensed by fish, magnetic fields detected by migrating birds, the amazing sense of smell of dogs, and other senses we had no familiarity with. His clarity and detail almost let readers experience these sensations themselves. This immersive approach fosters a deep appreciation for the diversity of life and the incredible ways in which animals have evolved to survive and thrive in their environments. As the New York Times reviewer wrote, “That I found myself surprised at so many moments while reading “An Immense World,” Ed Yong’s new book about animal senses, speaks to his exceptional gifts as a storyteller…”

An Immense World is also a call to action. Yong emphasizes the impact of human activities on the natural world and the urgent need to protect the habitats that support such incredible diversity. His writing is both a tribute to the beauty of the natural world and a poignant reminder of our responsibility to safeguard it for future generations.

The Readers were challenged by the length and depth of Yong’s exploration of animal senses, but we all enjoyed and appreciated the eye-opening descriptions, and we rated the book a 4.5. We recommend it to anyone with an interest in the natural world.



The Readers will not discuss a book in December, but please join us to select our books for 2025. We will meet on December 10^th at 5 pm at the home of Ed Benz, 403 Saint Clair St, GP. RSVP to Ed at 313-885-3618. 

October Readers’ Report

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

By David Grann

David Grann is an American journalist, a staff writer for The New Yorker, and author. Several of his prior books, including The Lost City of Z, The White Darkness, and Killers of the Flower Moon were huge best sellers that were adapted for major movies. Even before it was published, The Wager was optioned by Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, the same team that brought us Killers of the Flower Moon. 

The Wager tells the tale of an 18th-century British warship and its ill-fated journey around Cape Horn as part of a squadron searching for a Spanish treasure ship. HMS Wager was a converted merchant ship that had been patched together and stuffed with a 250-man crew, including those found by press gangs in streets, hospitals and retired sailors’ homes. The crew suffered from typhus and scurvy during the long voyage, and after an arduous heavy weather rounding of Cape Horn, the Wager wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Chile. With little food, the men resorted to thieving and turning on one another. Leadership faltered, and without help from Indigenous people, none of the crew would have survived. Eventually, about thirty survivors were able to rebuild one of the ship’s boats and sail it to Brazil. Three other crew members, including the captain, managed to get a raft up the coast of Chile to civilization. Upon return to Britain, the two groups made conflicting claims of mutiny, murder and other crimes. 

As the Wall Street Journal stated, “The Wager has it all: shipwreck, survival, and a thrilling courtroom climax…. the most gripping true-life sea yarn in years. A tour de force of narrative nonfiction, Grann’s account shows how storytelling, whether to judges or readers, can shape individual and national fortunes—as well as our collective memory.”

The Readers thoroughly enjoyed this book and found Grann’s meticulous research and vivid narrative reminding them of other Age of Sail masters, such as C.C. Forester (Hornblower), Patrick O’Brian (Aubrey Maturin) and Julian Stockwin (Kydd), with the distinction being that this story is as true as 280-year-old sources can make it. We enjoyed the descriptions of the unyielding captain, the young midshipman who became Lord Byron’s grandfather, the gunner who took charge when others failed to, and the ordinary seamen caught in terrifying situations and facing ethical and moral dilemmas.

A unanimous 5-star rating. Highly recommended!

Join us for our next meeting on November 19th when we will discuss An Immense World: How Animals Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong. We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Ken McIntyre, 834 Edgemont Park, GPP at 5 pm. RSVP to Ken at 313 881-8855.

September Readers’ Report

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

By James McBride

 James McBride is an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter. His landmark memoir, The Color of Water, published in 1996, has sold millions of copies and spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list. His debut novel, Miracle at St. Anna, was turned into a 2008 film by Oscar-winning writer and director Spike Lee, with a script written by McBride. His 2013 novel, The Good Lord Bird, about American abolitionist John Brown, won the National Book Award for Fiction and was adapted into a Showtime limited series. His novel Deacon King Kong was on 16 lists of the best books of 2020 and was selected for Oprah’s Book Club. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store was named a Must Read for the Summer of 2023 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous other publications.

McBride’s father was African American and his mother an Orthodox Jewish Polish immigrant. A native New Yorker, McBride studied composition at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and received his master’s degree in journalism from Columbia. In 2015, he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama “for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America.” He holds several honorary doctorates and is currently a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a blend of historical fiction, mystery, and social commentary set in the vibrant, multicultural community of Chicken Hill in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the 20’s and 30’s, The story weaves together the lives of Jewish and African American residents in a narrative rich with compassion, humor, and humanity. The New York Times said, “’The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store’ is a charming, smart, heart-blistering and heart-healing novel.”

All of the Readers appreciated this book, giving it a 5-star rating. Although we were sometimes challenged to keep up with the myriads of characters introduced by McBride, we felt it was worth the effort and found The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that celebrates the power of community and the enduring human spirit.

Join us for our next meeting on October 15th when we will discuss The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann.  We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Pat McKeever, 17111 Jefferson Ave, Apt 4, Grosse Pointe.  RSVP to Pat at 313-719-7829.

August Readers’ Report

Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

By Rachel Maddow

Rachel Maddow’s Prequel was the second consecutive book read by the Readers that raised the issue of threats to our democracy. Prophet Song, which we read in July, was a novel that told the story of Ireland slipping into totalitarianism. In Prequel. Maddow, known for her incisive journalism and engaging storytelling, delves into the rise of fascist sympathizers in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. In doing so, she draws unsettling parallels to contemporary politics. The book traces the spread of Nazi propaganda in the U.S. before and during World War II, highlighting how a clandestine network of far-right plotters sought to undermine American democracy.

Prequel is Maddow’s fourth book of nonfiction since 2012. Born in California, she received her BA from Stanford and received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford, where she earned a PhD in politics. Her journalism career began in radio and moved to television in 2008. Today, The Rachel Maddow Show is broadcast each week on MSNBC. She has won numerous awards for her work, including a Grammy and several Emmy awards.

The Readers enjoyed Maddow’s engaging and accessible writing style and her knack for making historical events understandable and relevant.  We agreed with the New York Times, who said “Maddow’s book is a ripping read — well rendered, fast-paced and delivered with the same punch and assurance that she brings to a broadcast.” Maddow details the various plots as well as the legal battles and political interference that hampered efforts to prosecute the plotters. We rated the book 4 out of 5 stars.

Join us for our next meeting on September 17th when we will discuss James McBride’s latest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.  We will meet at 5 pm at the home of David Morrow, 244 McMillan, Grosse Pte Farms.  RSVP to Dave at 313-303-1570.

Photo below taken at the August meeting of the Readers at the home of Ed Benz. From left: David Morrow, Pat McKeever, Bob Wrosch, Dave Buckler, Ed Benz, Ken Mokray, and John Arnold

July Readers’ Report

Prophet Song

By Paul Lynch

Prophet Song, by Paul Lynch was the winner of the 2023 Booker Prize, a prestigious literary award conferred each year for the best single work of sustained fiction written in the English language and published in the UK and Ireland. Prophet Song is his fifth novel, all of which have been well-received. Lynch has been praised for his ability to blend poetic language with gritty realism and for his insights into the human condition. He is considered one of the most important Irish writers of his generation.

Prophet Song, set in Dublin, is a dystopian novel that depicts the struggles of the Stack family, in particular, Eilish Stack, a mother of four who is trying to save her family as the Republic of Ireland slips into totalitarianism. The narrative is told unconventionally, with no paragraph breaks. In the near future, the far-right National Alliance Party seizes control of the Republic of Ireland, putting into place emergency powers that suspend the Irish constitution, giving the police far-reaching powers and establishing a new secret police force. Eilish’s husband, a teacher and trade union leader living in Dublin, is arrested and held without charge while attending a protest against the new regime. From there, her life descends into chaos as she rejects offers from relatives to help her leave the country and attempts to protect her children as civil war consumes the nation.

The Readers did not let the unconventional narrative style deter them and felt that Prophet Song was an important warning about the risks to democracy of authoritarianism and state violence. As the Chair of the Booker Prize judges said: “With great vividness, Prophet Song captures the social and political anxieties of our current moment. Readers will find it soul-shattering and true, and will not soon forget its warnings.” Some of us felt that the book’s unrelenting bleakness made it a difficult yet worthwhile read, and we awarded it 4.5 stars.

Join us for our next meeting on August 20th when we will discuss Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow.  We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Ed Benz, 403 St Clair St, GP.  RSVP to Ed at 313-885-3678.

June Readers’ Report

Cold Comfort Farm

By Stella Gibbons

Published in 1932 and set primarily in Sussex, England, in an unspecified near future, Cold Comfort Farm by English author Stella Gibbons, is a parody of the romanticized, sometimes doom-laden accounts of rural life popular at the time. The main character, Flora Poste, is reminiscent of Jane Austen and Bronte heroines in many regards. Orphaned and nearly broke at nineteen, she decides to live with relatives she has never met. She discovers that the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm are in a bad state as the farms is supposedly cursed and tightly controlled by the matriarch, Aunt Ada Doom, who, having seen something nasty in the woodshed as a child, never leaves her room. Abhorring messes similar to Jane Austen’s Emma, Flora decides that it’s her mission to bring a modern “higher common sense” to this benighted spot and takes on the challenge to tidy up the farm and everyone on it.

The Sunday Times of London called it “very probably the funniest book ever written,” and NPR said: “Quite simply on of the funniest satirical novels of the last century.” Both the BBC and The Guardian put the book on their 100 best novels of the 20^th Century. It was adapted as a TV series in 1968 and a movie starring Kate Beckinsale in 1995.

Most of the Readers enjoyed this work, even though we were not familiar with the works being parodied. Our rating of 4 stars out of 5 reflects several of us who were not amused.

Join us for our next meeting on July 16th when we will discuss Prophet Song, a Booker Prize-winning novel by Paul Lynch.  We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Pat Mc Keever, 17111 E Jefferson Ave, Apt 4, GP.  RSVP to Pat at 313-719-7829.

May Readers’ Report

Tom Lake, A Novel

By Ann Patchett

Tom Lake shows why Ann Patchett is one of our most revered and acclaimed writers working today. It is her ninth novel and joins four books of nonfiction and a children’s book. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Patchett has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including a National Humanities Medal, England’s Women’s Prize, the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Harold D. Vursell Memorial Award, the Book Sense Book of the Year, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her previous novel, The Dutch House, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her books have been both New York Times Notable Books and New York Times bestsellers. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages.

Tom Lake is set in a family’s cherry orchard in Northern Michigan, as three daughters return home during the pandemic to help pick cherries. It is during this time that they implore their mother Lara to recount her past romance with Peter Duke, a renowned actor she once shared the stage with at a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara delves into her memories, her daughters are compelled to reevaluate their own lives and their understanding of their mother.

The novel is a meditation on the different forms of love—youthful love, married love, and the love between parents and children. It is a story that is both hopeful and elegiac, acknowledging the joy and sorrow that coexist in our pursuit of happiness.

The Readers have enjoyed several of Patchett’s earlier novels and this one was not a disappointment. Our rating was 5 stars out of 5. We especially appreciated the Michigan references, including Traverse City, East Detroit and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

Join us for our next meeting on June 18th when we will discuss Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Bob Wrosch, 22801 Lakeshore Dr., St Clair Shores. RSVP to Bob at 313-310-8097.

April Readers’ Report

A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them



 By Timothy Egan

This is the third Timothy Egan book that the Readers have read, and like the prior two, it was well received. Timothy Egan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and the author of ten books and a contributor to several others. His book on the Dust Bowl, The Worst Hard Time, won a National Book Award for nonfiction and was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice. A Fever in the Heartland was a NYT bestseller and made numerous lists of best books of 2023, including the Washington Post, NPR, Kirkus Reviews and the NY Public Library.  

Fever in the Heartland is a meticulously researched and highly relevant account of the rise of the KKK a hundred years ago. Egan delves into the dark history of the Klan during the Roaring Twenties. At the center of this gripping narrative is D C. Stephenson, a sadistic, grifting, and vengeful grand dragon of the Indiana Klan. Egan masterfully weaves together a story of extremism, white rage, and the downfall of a man consumed by hubris.

Originally born after the Civil War, the Klan was suppressed by the Federal government in the 19^th century but had a more virulent second coming beginning in 1915. Klansmen were not only racist but also antisemitic, anti-Catholic, anti-Native American, anti-immigrant, anti-queer, anti-abortion, and anti-communist. It grew quickly in the 20’s among whites in the North, and especially in Indiana, at the time one of the least diverse states in the US. Membership in Indiana grew to more than 25% of native white males, and many cities, including Indianapolis, were almost completely controlled by the Klan. Members included the governor and a large percentage of state legislators.

The book focuses on Madge Oberholtzer, a 28-year-old educator who became a pivotal figure in the fight against the Klan. When Stephenson was brought to trial for her kidnapping, rape, and murder, he was confident he would escape justice, saying “I am the law in Indiana.” According to the NY Times, “A Fever in the Heartland is gripping; as a rumination on the moral obscenity of white supremacy — whatever guises it wears — the book is damning.”

The Readers agreed with the critics’ view of this book, awarding it 4.5 out of 5 stars. We found it well-researched and written and especially relevant to our times, although some thought it could have used some editing to reduce its length. We especially enjoyed the scene of the Notre Dame students who drove Klan marchers off their campus with a flying wedge, thus earning their “Fighting Irish” nickname.

Join us for our next meeting on May 21st when we will discuss Tom Lake, a novel by Ann Patchett.  We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Patrick Reid, 412 Lothrop Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms. Please RSVP to Patrick at 313-938-6567. 

March Readers’ Report

When All Is Said

 By Anne Griffen

When All Is Said is Anne Griffin’s 2019 debut novel, set in a village in County Meath, Ireland. We meet the aging Maurice Hannigan in a hotel bar, where over a single evening he raises a toast to each of the five people who have left an indelible mark on him. Using numerous flashbacks to Maurices’s life, Griffin weaves together the threads of memory, love, and loss into a poignant tapestry. As Maurice raises his glass, we delve into the lives of:

• Tony, his beloved elder brother, whose early death haunts Maurice.
• Molly, his stillborn daughter, a fragile existence that forever changed him.
• Noreen, his disturbed sister-in-law, trapped in an asylum and labeled with the melancholy of her time.
• Kevin, his journalist son, who crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of dreams.
• Sadie, his late wife, whose absence still pierces his heart.

Maurice overcame dyslexia and the lack of an education to make a fortune in agricultural land, eventually buying all the land of the Dollard family. The Dollards were a wealthy landowning family who Maurice worked for as a child. Maurice is a flawed character, but likeable enough to keep a reader engaged.

When All is Said was a success in Ireland, becoming a bestseller and winning the Irish Book Awards Newcomer of the Year Award. Griffin has since written two more novels that have also been well received.

The Readers enjoyed this book, awarding it 4.5 out of 5 stars. We appreciated the lyrical writing and found it a touching, bitter-sweet but also humorous meditation on a long, full life. Some of us thought it a touch too sentimental, but we would still recommend it.

Join us our April Readers' Meeting on April 16th when we will discuss Timothy Egan's A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them. We will meet at 5 pm at the home of David Buckler, 562 N Rosedale Ct., Grosse Pointe Woods. Please RSVP to Dave at (313) 407-1539.

February Readers’ Report



The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

By Daniel James Brown

In 2014, the Readers enjoyed the bestselling narrative history The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. This year we decided to revisit Brown’s chronicle of “Nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant.” —New York Times. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Brown reconstructs the personal, historical, and sporting contexts that shaped the lives and aspirations of these extraordinary rowers. He also delves into the technical and artistic aspects of the sport, the boat, and the event, creating a vivid and captivating narrative that transcends the boundaries of genre and audience. This book has been made into a PBS documentary “The Boys of ‘36’ and a 2023 movie directed by George Clooney.

The book centers on the story of Joe Rantz, a poor and lonely boy who finds his place and purpose in the University of Washington's rowing team. Through his eyes, the reader witnesses the trials and tribulations of his teammates, who come from diverse backgrounds and face various challenges in the midst of the Great Depression, the elitism of the East Coast schools, and the looming threat of Nazi Germany. Brown portrays the characters with empathy and depth, making the reader care deeply about their struggles and triumphs. He also explores the psychological and emotional dimensions of rowing, showing how the sport requires not only physical strength and skill, but also mental toughness and harmony.

The book also offers fascinating insights into the sport of rowing, the art of boatbuilding, and the politics of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Brown's meticulous research and vivid descriptions bring these aspects to life, showing the reader the beauty, the drama, and the significance of the boys' achievement. He explains the intricacies and nuances of the sport, the boat, and the race, making the reader appreciate the complexity and elegance of rowing. He also exposes the dark and sinister realities of the Nazi regime, the propaganda machine, and the Olympic spectacle, making the reader question the ethics and implications of the event.

Ten of the Readers had a high-spirited discussion of the book and the sport, highlighted by stories from several members and guests who had first-hand competitive rowing experience. Nearly all of us gave the book 5 stars, and we particularly liked the emphasis on the importance of the mental side of the sport.

Join us on March 19th when we will discuss When All is Said by Anne Griffin. We will meet at 5 pm at the home of David Morrow, 244 McMillan Rd, GPF. RSVP to 313-303-1570.

January Readers' Report

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

By Jon Meacham

In 2018, the Readers enjoyed Jon Meacham’s American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. This year we put his 2022 biography of Lincoln on our list. And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle is a captivating biography of one of the most revered and influential presidents in American history.

Meacham has authored, coauthored, or edited thirteen books, including biographies of Thomas Jefferson, George Herbert Walker Bush, and John Lewis. Most of these, including his 2018 volume, The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels, have been #1 bestsellers. A former executive editor and executive vice president at Random House, he is a contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review, a contributing editor to Time magazine, and a former editor-in-chief of Newsweek. He is a frequent guest on talk shows and television news programs, and frequently writes for leading magazines and newspapers. He holds the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Chair in the American Presidency at Vanderbilt University and is the Canon Historian of Washington National Cathedral.

Meacham explores how Lincoln confronted the challenges of secession, civil war, slavery, and democracy, and how he shaped the destiny of the nation and the world. His book is not a conventional chronological biography, but rather a thematic one, focusing on the key issues and events that defined Lincoln’s presidency and legacy. He examines Lincoln’s moral and political evolution, his leadership style, his religious faith, his personal struggles, and his vision for America.

Meacham has said that every generation needs a Lincoln biography, and he feels that Lincoln’s time of divisions based on slavery, Westward expansion, urban vs rural, and North vs South are relevant to our own time. For example, he tells the story of attempts to block Lincoln’s 1860 election before his inauguration in March 1861. Deep South states had already seceded, and Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, a supporter of slavery, was under intense pressure to not certify the election. Breckenridge did his duty, however, possibly because General Winfield Scott declared anyone who sought to disrupt certification would be “lashed to the muzzle of a twelve-pounder and fired out a window of the Capitol.”

The Readers approved of Meacham’s approach and gave the book a rating of 4.5 stars.

Join us on February 20th when we will discuss The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Steve Wasinger, 15 Sycamore Lane, GP. RSVP to 313-884-2668.

December Readers' Report

The Readers did not read a book in December. We did, however, meet to choose our books for 2024. See the book list above.

Join us at 5 pm on January 16th when we will discuss And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham. We will meet at the home of Ken Mokray, 19701 W Kings Ct, Grosse Pointe Woods. Please RSVP to Ken at (720) 324-0953.

November Readers’ Report

Demon Copperhead



By Barbara Kingsolver

According to the NY Times, Barbara Kingsolver is having a moment right now. Demon Copperhead was a co-winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, has been on the bestseller list for 54 weeks, and sent her on two book tours. “Kingsolver’s reimagining of “David Copperfield,” set in modern-day Appalachia during the opioid crisis, has connected with readers in a meaningful way.” The book was on everyone’s Best Books of 2022 list, including the NY Times, the Wall St Journal, and the Washington Post. It won the Women’s Prize and was an Oprah’s Book Club pick.

Readers familiar with the Dickens book on which it is based will recognize many characters and themes, but most will enjoy the story without any acquaintance with the 1850 novel. Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Kingsolver explores themes such as the foster care system, addiction, the opioid epidemic, the denigration of Appalachia and the people who make it their home, and stereotypes of rural America, but she does it with humor while telling a compelling story. “Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.”

Most of the Readers loved this book and several awarded it 5 stars. Others enjoyed it but thought that it could have been shortened, while others thought that the themes have already been explored in other books such as J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy and Jim Webb’s Born Fighting.  On average, we gave the book a rating of 4.5. and would recommend it despite its 550-page length.



We do not have a book to discuss in December, but join us on the 12^th, when we will meet to choose our books for 2024. If you have ever considered joining the Readers if we read the kind of books you enjoy, here is your chance. We will meet at 2 pm at the home of Bob Wrosch, 22801 Lakeshore Drive, St Clair Shores. Please RSVP to Bob at 313-310-8097.

October Readers’ Report

The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World

By Jonathan Freedland

In October, the Readers met to discuss The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland, a British journalist and broadcaster. Freedland was educated at Oxford and has published twelve books, including three non-fiction works and nine novels. He is a Guardian columnist and the host of the Guardian's Politics Weekly America podcast and is a past winner of an Orwell prize for journalism. The Escape Artist was shortlisted for several UK book prizes in 2022 and received excellent reviews, both in the UK and the US. The book tells the story of Rudolf Vrba, who was one of the first two Jewish prisoners to escape from Auschwitz during World War II. The book is a gripping and heroic account of Vrba’s escape and his mission to tell the world about it.

According to The Guardian, the book is “a beautifully written and moving account of one man’s escape from the Holocaust.” Another review in Kirkus Reviews calls it “a powerful story of a true hero who deserves more recognition.”

The first part of The Escape Artist describes Vrba’s life in Slovakia before he was sent to Auschwitz, his experiences in the camp, and his eventual escape. He arrived at Auschwitz in 1942 at age 17, having earlier escaped from another camp. He was proficient in several languages and possessed an exceptional memory. As a result of his abilities and some good fortune, he was put to work and eventually ended up in “Kanada,” the area that screened new arrivals and went through their belongings. Workers there were able to steal food from suitcases to survive. In 1944, he and another prisoner escaped, avoided the Gestapo, and made their way to Slovakia. Rudy knew that the Nazis lied to the Jews about their “relocation” and he was convinced that if they knew that almost all of them would be murdered shortly after arrival, they would resist. He also thought that if the world knew what was happening in Auschwitz, the Allies would take action. Rudy and his friend, with help from Jewish leaders in a town in northern Slovakia, composed a report of 32 single-spaced pages, including a detailed description of the camp and a listing of the number of victims and their origins from the transports that they had witnessed. Based on his extensive research, Freedland describes the journey of this report and its impact.

One of the most impressive aspects of The Escape Artist is how Freedland manages to balance historical accuracy with compelling storytelling. The Readers thought Freedland’s experience writing thrillers made the book more like a hard to put down novel than a history. We found this work well researched and written as well as interesting and inspiring. It is not an easy read, given its description of life in Auschwitz. and Vrba’s frustrating attempt to get the Allies to take action to save the Jews from Hungary, the only major Jewish community yet to be slaughtered. We would highly recommend it, even to those who are already well-versed in the Holocaust. We gave the book a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Join us on November 21^st when we will discuss Demon Copperhead, a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Barbara Kingsolver. We will meet at 5 pm at the home of Bob Wrosch, 22801 Lakeshore Drive, St Clair Shores. Please RSVP to Bob at 313-310-8097.

September Readers' Report

Act of Oblivion

by Robert Harris

Act of Oblivion is by the British writer Robert Harris and is his 15^th novel. Harris has also worked as a journalist and has also authored seven non-fiction books. Most of his novels are considered historical fiction or alternative fiction, and most have been bestsellers. Many have been adapted for movies or TV series.  He is a graduate of Cambridge University and is considered one of the most popular and successful novelists of his generation.

Act of Oblivion is a historical thriller set in the 1660s, just after the Restoration of the English monarchy. The novel follows the story of Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law Colonel William Goffe, former officers in Cromwell’s army who have fled to the New England colonies to escape execution for their involvement in the beheading of King Charles I. Whalley and Goffe are hunted by the only fictional character in the book, Richard Nayler, a ruthless royalist agent who is determined to bring them to justice. Nayler tracks them across New England, but the two regicides are always one step ahead of him. Harris’s fast-paced yet wonderfully detailed narrative jumps back and forth across the Atlantic — and across the many years of Nayler’s manhunt.

Harris does a masterful job of recreating the atmosphere of England and New England in the 1660s. The novel is full of vivid descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the customs of the time. Harris also brings the two main characters to life in a way that makes the reader care about them and their fate. Harris does not shy away from the difficult questions that arise from this period of history.

The Readers enjoyed this novel and were carried along as the hunt progressed. Some felt they could have done with fewer details about how and where the objects of the hunt concealed themselves over the years, but they would still recommend the book. We rated it between 4 and 4.5 out of 5.

Join us on October 17^th when we will discuss Jonathan Freedland’s The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World a book that, according to the New York Times “teaches us to be aware of the human mind’s propensity to allow itself to be deceived, when confronted by facts that seem too horrible to believe.” We will meet at the home of Patrick Reid, 412 Lothrop Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms. Please RSVP to Patrick at 313-938-6567 or post to the Readers Forum on our Club website.



August Readers' Report

Winter of the Wolf Moon: An Alex McNight Mystery

by Steve Hamilton

Winter of the Wolf Moon, is the second book in the Alex McKnight series, featuring a former Detroit cop and P.I. who now lives in a remote cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The story begins when McKnight offers shelter to a young Ojibwa woman who is fleeing from her abusive boyfriend. McKnight feels a connection with her and hopes to help her start a new life. However, the next morning, he finds her gone, along with a mysterious canvas bag that contains something very valuable. McKnight feels responsible for her safety and sets out to find her, with the help of his friend and Ojibwa neighbor, Vinnie LeBlanc.

The search leads McKnight into a brutal winter landscape, where he faces deadly enemies at every turn. He also uncovers a dark secret that involves the Ojibwa reservation, the Canadian border, and his own past. Along the way, he has to deal with his own guilt, loneliness, and anger, as well as his growing feelings for the missing woman.

Winter of the Wolf Moon is a gripping and atmospheric novel that showcases Hamilton’s skill at creating realistic and complex characters, vivid settings, and tense action scenes. The book also explores themes such as identity, loyalty, justice, and redemption. Hamilton does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of life in the Upper Peninsula, where poverty, racism, and addiction are common problems. He also portrays the Ojibwa culture with respect and authenticity, highlighting their history, traditions, and spirituality.

The Readers enjoyed this book, giving it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. We appreciated the arctic cold local color around Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and its sister city in Ontario. We thought the characters were authentic, even though ruthless and violent, and the plot twists held our attention right to the end.

Join us on September 19^th when we will discuss Act of Oblivion, a work of historical fiction by Robert Harris. We will meet at the home of David Morrow at 244 McMillan Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms. Please RSVP to Dave at (313) 303-1570 or post to the Readers Forum on our club website.

July Readers' Report

Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age

by Kevin Boyle

Arc of Justice is Kevin Boyle’s 2004 history of the Ossian Sweet case, one of America's most significant and consequential legal battles. Sweet was an African American doctor who came to Detroit during the great migration and sought to move his family out of Black Bottom to a house at the corner of Charlevoix and Garland, an all white neighborhood in 1925. However, their aspirations were met with fierce opposition from their resentful white neighbors, culminating in a tragic and violent confrontation. After a hostile white mob gathered in front of the house, stones were thrown, breaking windows, and shots were fired. One white man was killed and another wounded. Sweet, his wife, and nine associates at the house (including two brothers) were all arrested and charged with murder. The NAACP provided assistance for the defense of Sweet and his co-defendants, eventually hiring Clarence Darrow, which brought more national attention and media to the trial. Judge Frank Murphy presided at the trials.

Kevin Boyle was born in Detroit and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit and his doctorate from the University of Michigan. He is now the William Smith Mason Professor of American History at Northwestern University. He was appointed a Fulbright scholar in 1997 and spent the school year at University College Dublin where he taught the history of the American civil rights movement.  Arc of Justice won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. He joined us remotely for our meeting and discussed the origins of Arc of Justice as well as his research methods and his feelings about his current students and their views on civil rights.

The Readers were fans of this book, giving it an almost unanimous rating of 5 stars. We appreciated the extensive research that underlies this history, and the fact that the book is much more than the story of an important trial that took place in Detroit. Professor Boyle goes all the way back to slavery to tell the story of the Sweet family in Florida, and then brings it forward through emancipation, reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow and the Klan, the Great Migration, race riots, and attempts to segregate Northern cities, including residential segregation and widespread use of restrictive deed covenants. Rather than just recite the facts, Boyle unfolds the narrative like a legal thriller, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they await the jury's verdict that could ultimately change the course of civil rights history.

Join us on August 15th when we will discuss Winter of the Wolf Moon: An Alex McNight Mystery by Steve Hamilton, a Michigan author. We will meet at the home of David Buckler at 562 N Rosedale Ct., Grosse Pointe Woods. Please RSVP to Dave at (313) 407-1539 or post to the Readers Forum on our club website.