Tim Reads November

Death in the Air: The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City by Kate Winkler Dawson (368 pages)

What’s worse than a thick smog hanging over the city of London? How about a killer using this disgusting fog to murder its citizens. During 1952 the citizens of London were being hunted by a killer and poisoned by the very air they were breathing. A fast paced look at the search for a human killer and the actions (and inaction) of the government to clean up the air its citizens were breathing

Tinkers, Evers, Chance: The Chicago Cubs and the Dawn of Modern America by David Rapp (339 pages)

A look at how the game of baseball went from a club sport played by wealthy individuals to the globe spanning goliath we know it today. Showing how the legendary double play combination of Tinkers to Evers to Chance, came together in Chicago and how the three men helped bring about changes to the game and business of baseball.

A Man of Iron: The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland by Troy Senik (384 pages)

A biography of the 22^nd and 24^th president of the US. Stephen (???) Grover Cleveland lived a very interesting life even before he stepped into the White House. As the sheriff and mayor of Buffalo to the governor of New York to becoming the only president to win two nonconsecutive terms as president Grover did it all it would seem. He also had surgery on a tumor in his mouth on a ship to hide it from the press, which is my favorite Grover story, this and more are used to try and get a better look at this forgotten president

October 1964 by David Halberstam (382 pages)

The definitive look at the World Series, this book showcases the Series that featured the legendary New York Yankees and the upstart St. Louis Cardinals. Providing fascinating looks of players such as Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, and Curt Flood this book is prime Halberstam. It’s him at his best, laser focused on a singular event yet showing all the people, games, and plays that led to one of the greatest World Series in MLB history.

Catalyst by James Luceno (496 pages)

Before Andor, Before Rogue One came Catalyst. Looking at the scientists and politicians involved with the development and creation of the Death Star. I liked this because it’s interesting to see how the rest of the universe was reacting to the rise of the Empire.

The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of Andre the Giant by Bertrand Hebert (440 pages)

The legendary Andre the Giant is profiled in this epic biography. Andre is one of the most talked about wrestlers in history but what do we really know about him? This book tries to answer some of the still debated questions. How tall was the Giant? Seems simple until the liars that populate the world of professional wrestling get involved.

Tim Reads- September

Black Joke: The True Story of one Ship's Battle Against the Slave Trade by A.E. Rooks
(400 pages)
a fascinating look at the main boat in the British West Africa Squadron that was trying to stop slave trading between Africa and the Americas. This book shows how an underfunded and underappreciated group of boats (and this one in particular) fought against slave ships and the governments that profited from their actions.

American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America's Jack the Ripper by Daniel Stashower
(352 pages)
a look at the “Torso Killer,” a serial killer who struck Cleveland during the Great Depression. Noted lawman Elliot Ness was brought in to head the hunt for this horrific murderer. In the end the police arrested someone, and the killings stopped but did they get the right person? 

Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor by Kim Kelly
(448 pages)
a look at the world of unions and the fight for a fair wage, and safe work place. Kelly does a great job focusing on underreported unions (flight attendants, Uber drivers, sex workers, etc.) and showing how hard it is to gain union recognition when people question if what you are doing is really work. (Oh and also a global pandemic is raging)

Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last by Wright Thompson
(256 pages)
an in depth look at a family and their whiskey. Pappy Van Winkle the well-known, highly sought after, and expensive booze has its history and legacy looked at. Wright Thompson’s writing is always casually informative and this book is no different, you really want a drink by the time the first chapter is over.

Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welle's War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News by A. Brad Schwartz
(368 pages)
When Orson Wells made his historic broadcast of, “War of the Worlds,” everyone went nuts. At least that’s the story we’ve been told, but is it true? This book looks at the before, during, after, and much later of the famous radio play. From did people in New Jersey shoot a water tower thinking it was a spaceship, to what does this say about how we interact with a trending twitter story, this book is really interesting. 

Joan of Arc: A History by Helen Castor
(376 pages)
a deep dive into the life, death, and sanctification of Joan of Arc. Who was she, did she really hear voices that told her to put on armor and go to war for France. And also how did she go from a heretic burned at the stake to a martyr, saint, and symbol.

Tarkin by James Luceno
(352 pages)
a look at the life and times of a real Star Wars scumbag. This book fleshes out the backstory of Grand Moff Tarkin (yes I am watching Andor, why do you ask) a character best known for being in control of the Death Star. This book shows his rise up the ranks of the Empire and shows his interactions with the Emperor and Darth Vader.