Monday, March 27, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | How the French Think and Avid Reader

As the saying goes, "Never judge a book by its cover." Caroline Rispoli '20 returns with two books that are more engaging than they may seem at first glance.


How the French Think by Sudhir Hazareesingh


No one knows French culture—past or presentquite like Sudhir Hazareesingh. How the French Think is a riveting book that showcases Hazareesingh’s intense knowledge of French history, people, and culture. Not only an intellectual book but a humorous one, How the French Think provides an education on the French unlike any other to all readers that pick up this book. Like a roller coaster at an amusement park, this book takes its readers on a fast paced journey through French thought and life with Hazareesingh's consistently captivating and informative writing.

How the French Think contrasts French mannerisms to American ones, emphasizing the uniqueness of French culture and people. With an analysis of both past and present France and focusing on a variety of topics from its leaders to the progression of culture, this book gives its readers a complete and thought-provoking history that will leave them knowledgeable and interested in French life today.

Through this book, Hazareesingh differentiates himself as a writer who is breaking the status-quo, who is turning what most may think at first glance to be a dense, boring textbook into an interesting novel that leaves its readers clamoring for more. This book will open the minds of readers and historians alike.

Verdict: A thought-provoking book that will leave readers educated and interested in French history, thought, and culture. How the French Think is for those who wish to broaden their perspective and knowledge of the world.

Avid Reader by Robert Gottlieb


Robert Gottlieb shares details of his life and career in publishing with his book, Avid Reader. The title reflects directly on who Gottlieb is and what he loves most in the world: books. As he chronicles his life from the start of his publishing career all the way to the end, Gottlieb weaves a narrative that readers will find themselves captivated by. It is hard to resist turning the pages to read more. From the his time spent at Simon & Schuster to his stint at The New Yorker, Gottlieb’s life is one filled with adventure as he forms lasting relationships with icons such as former President Bill Clinton.

It is immediately obvious from the novel that Gottlieb loves what he is doing with his life. Reading and publishing—they compose a large part of his life, along with his family and friends. For some of these friends, the minute they met him, they adored him and as a result dedicated their works to him. Not just a timeline of relevant facts but an engaging story, Avid Reader is engaging and witty while providing a detailed glimpse into the life of one of the most important faces of publishing.


Verdict: A page turner that no one will want to put down, Avid Reader is penned by an author who writes like no one else can. 

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