History
‘Embassy to the Eastern Courts: America’s Secret First Pivot Toward Asia, 1832–37’
By Andrew C.A. JampolerToday’s focus on Asia continues to catalogue the United States’ diplomatic efforts of over 180 years. This book covers one of the first U.S. diplomatic efforts towards Asia, examining two largely forgotten diplomatic missions to East Africa and the Far East. Edmund Roberts, who led the expeditions, traveled on two of the smallest ocean-going warships in the U.S. Navy, seeking trade deals. Part travelogue, part history, and part adventure, the book will fascinate anyone interested in late 19th-century Asia or in differences between then and today.
April is National Poetry Month, and what better way to celebrate than to read some verse from one-time U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins? In this latest collection, we again meet the poet who finds beauty and mystery in the ordinary. There’s wry humor, as in “First Typewriter”; a consideration of the happiness that may come with death in “A Change of Heart”; poems featuring literary figures; and several centered on music. Reading Collins is a breeze that leaves behind a garden of thoughts.
Astronomy
‘Pillars of Creation: How the James Webb Telescope Unlocked the Secrets of the Cosmos’
By Richard PanekWhat’s out there in the vastness of the universe? This question may never fully be answered, but the James Webb Space Telescope, launched 1 million miles into space and armed with a powerful telescope capable of seeing billions of lightyears away, is helping answer that question. In his latest work, Panek takes the reader through the centuries-long history of the telescope, culminating in this latest techno-scientific wonder. Panek explains the science with humor and clarity.
Dave Walker is now Dave Doyle in this sequel to “Summer’s End.” He married into the influential Doyle family, and his new name provides him a lower profile. Now that he helped his own family escape Earth, Dave plans to expand the shipping company he started with his wife and try to have some kids of their own. Unfortunately, reality keeps intruding. As problems pop up, Dave has to fix them. Fast-paced space adventure follows in a story presenting progress positively, offering a fun read.
In this comedy are love affairs, a villain, a feigned death, plans of revenge, and gossip and banter galore. Two couples—Hero and Claudio, and Benedick and Beatrice—lead this romp through love, folly, deception, and wit. This Folger Shakespeare Library edition offers plenty of assists, from a helpful introduction to scene-by-scene summaries to hyperlinks. One of Shakespeare’s less familiar works, readers new to this play will enjoy the sparkling dialogue, especially between Benedick and Beatrice.
Stunning animal photographs are featured from A to Z , beginning with a capital “A” and lowercase “a” next to a close-up of an alligator’s foot. Turn the page and you see the whole alligator next to the word “alligator.” Perfect for budding readers and animal lovers alike, the book follows this pattern and includes interesting facts at the end.
