Category: Book Review

This collection of essays by various scholars of the founding documents of the United States is highly recommended. It should appeal to a wide audience, including both American citizens and those with an interest in the subject.

The book is “The Promise of America: Reflections On Our Enduring Ideals” and this anthology was assembled by National Constitution Center. But don’t let that mislead since both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are discussed.

The collection begins with an essay by US Supreme Court Justice (Retired) Stephen Breyer and concludes with one by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. It is a collection of diverse views on these documents which added many details I did not know before.

For example, Benjamin Franklin proposed a change in Thomas Jeffersons’s wording at one point in a draft and it was accepted. Another point of enlightenment for me was the long list of grievances against the King. I did not know why the King was blamed for all (and not Parliament) and I did not know the story behind all the grievances. So now I know a bit more.

I thank Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) for the chance to read this before publication. The book will be published on May 12 2026.

I Told You So!
Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right
by Matt Kaplan

“I Told You So!” by Matt Kaplan is a well-written, interesting, and important book about science. Telling the story of scientific discovery in an easily understandable way is not an easy thing but Kaplan does a great job. No doubt his experience as both a scientist and journalist contribute to his success in making these accounts highly readable and understandable.

“I Told You So!” explains how science works, problems in science, and how science should work. Kaplan picks several examples ranging from the middle ages to modern times to illustrate his points.

My favorite example was Katalin Karikò who was working on mRNA and disease. After her Hungarian university could not support her, she moved to Temple University in Philadelphia. After difficulties there, she moved on to the University of Pennsylvania. After failing to raise research funding was demoted and then fired and her things put in trash bags in the hall.

She took a job with a little known German company and a few years later she was awarded a Nobel prize https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/kariko/facts/
For “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”

Kaplan presents his ideas on better ways support science and improve its quality.

I thank Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) for the chance to read this before publication. The book will be published on Feb 24 2026.

This is a review of Winter: The Story of a Season, a soon-to-be-published book by Val McDermid.

Winter is not my favorite time of year. In fact I consider it the worst of all seasons but I found it interesting to read an opposite opinion from one of my favorite writers. I especially enjoy Val McDermid’s Karen Pirie and Allie Burns series.

But moving on to Winter, this is a book of relatively short essays on memories of growing up in Scotland, discussions of winter festivals in Scotland and of course the role of winter in her writing process.

I thank both Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) and Grove Atlantic (https://groveatlantic.com/) for the chance to read this before publication. The book will be published on January 13, 2026.

I read this book, despite my dislike of the season. I’m glad I read it and I hope you will give it a try. Anyone with an interest is Scotland or the author would probably enjoy this book.